Tierra del Fuego, the Land of Fire, the iconic name given to this vast island landmark by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520. The region was also known as Karukinka over millenia, this name was given by the long-gone Indian tribes and bands (Selknam, Haush, Yagan) that inhabited this archipelago for thousands of years.
This territory comprises the vast Isla Grande (the main island) and its associated archipelagos, from the Magellan Straits in the north to the Beagle Channel in the south and even the group of islands situated further east and south, i.e. Staten Island and Cape Horn Archipelago, the latter also known as the Wollaston Islands.
The major towns and cities in Tierra del Fuego are Porvenir, in the Chilean side of the island and Ushuaia, in Argentina, along the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia is a major port (83’000+ inhabitants) and gateway for the cruises heading to the Antarctic Peninsula. Porvenir remains a small settlement of nearly 7,000+ inhabitants. Puerto Williams (now renamed as Cabo de Hornos), in Chile also of recent significance and interest as is located on Navarino Island, in the southern side of the Beagle Channel.
We have an interesting selection of trips with a focus on nature, wildlife and photography to explore this pristine region of Patagonia.
Nature tours in Chile & Argentina | Expedition Cruises in the Magellan Straits, Beagle Channel and Cape Horn | Far South Expeditions.
