Tierra del Fuego trip departing in November offers eight travelers the opportunity to discover scenic and biodiverse wonders in remote land barely touched by humankind

Snow-topped peaks, majestic glaciers, sweeping winds, foliage sculpted by the same…and, look – a colony of King Penguins! Welcome to A Journey to Tierra Del Fuego, the first of a new series of Explora Expeditions designed for travelers who are intrigued by the least-inhabited corners of South America that Explora knows like no other expedition outfitter.

Unspooling across the remote archipelago of Tierra Del Fuego at the southernmost tip of the continent, A Journey to Tierra Del Fuego invites spirited souls to dip into one of Chilean Patagonia’s most unconventional travel destinations. Expect striking natural beauty and pulse-heightening adventures led by an expert team of Explora guides. Every detail is carefully coordinated by dedicated staff, including comfortable accommodations in hotels, guesthouses, and local homes.

Untouched Lands

Running 7 days and 6 nights during November from the 9-15 and 23-29, the Journey heads off from beautiful Punta Arenas across the Strait of Magellan, the natural passage between the Pacific and the Atlantic, to Tierra del Fuego Island, named by the Portuguese explorer Hernando de Magellan after bonfires lit by the indigenous Selk’nam people.

Days of travel with Explora guides are filled with bespoke experiences accented by real challenges. Past the vast Pampas that stretch beyond the port city of Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego Island’s lone reserve of King Penguins is marvelous to behold. Beyond the Pampas is Karukinka Park, a private 300,000-hectare natural reserve; a hike to Cerro Pietro Grande offers magnificent views; and a night with the wonderful Genkowsky family, the last family of settlers residing on the island, near glorious Lake Fagnano.

Peace and Vastness

Navigating Patagonian fjords promises thrills all its own. The journey heads for Caleta María Bay and crosses Almirantazgo Sound for a hike along the forested edge of Parry Fjord with views of glaciers. Returning to the protected Sound, travelers can expect to see sea elephants, leopard seals, black-browed albatrosses, and other species looking right at home.

With Explora’s special access to Yendegaia National Park, the Journey will offer a full-day advanced hike around high-altitude lagoons one day and then a moderate walk along the tree line in the southeastern reaches of the park the next day for incredible views of mountains, valleys, and an ecosystem boasting numerous endemic plant species. No worry about snow: Explora guides leading the adventure will bring snowshoes for everyone, just in case.

Like all Explora Expeditions, A Journey to Tierra Del Fuego is recommended for active travelers who enjoy remote destinations and authentic cuisine in the regions they explore. In Patagonia, that includes fortifying lamb roasted on a spit and excellent Chilean wine.

Explora Expeditions

Explora Expeditions’ debut sees the company expanding beyond its core of luxury lodge-based offerings. Explora expanded into small-group or private expedition travel before, with Explora Travesías launched in 2011 and refined in 2022. The nomadic journeys through remote destinations travel across the border of Chile and Bolivia from the Atacama Desert to the Uyuni Salt Flat. Or vice versa.

Guide-led Explora Expeditions, by contrast, place travelers in a variety of accommodations, including homestays such as with the Genkowskys in Tierra Del Fuego, guesthouses, and small hotels. A private chef accompanies the expedition to ensure excellent gourmet meals and snacks. Future destinations for Explora Expeditions, including Peru, will be launched later in 2024, while 2025 will see the company’s first-ever travel adventures via Explora Expeditions outside of South America.