The vast and sparsely populated area of Chile’s Southern Patagonia stretches south from the island of Chiloé to Tierra del Fuego. The Austral Highway covers some of its length, stretching over 1000km and cutting through wildest wettest most untouched Chile before it is forced to give up – from here the only way to continue overland is via Argentina’s Patagonian territory.
Hidden among the countless number of fjords is the natural marvel of the Laguna San Rafael. A mesmerising 40km wide and 70m high, this huge glacier arrives at an iceberg-filled lagoon only to break apart and come crashing down into the water – an incredible sight to behold. Vibrant little settlements act as centres for activities with Puerto Natales being the last stop before exploring Chile’s most stunning region, the Torres del Paine National Park.
Crossing the Magellan Straits takes you to the Tierra del Fuego and the ends of the Earth… or at least the Americas. The only landmass further south is Antarctica. Made up of a number of islands it is shared between Chile and Argentina. Most of the attractions sit on the Argentinean side, such as the city of Ushuaia, but the pioneer and oil town of Porvenir sits firmly in Chile. The world’s most southerly town, Puerto Williams stands alone at the end of the world.
I have been lucky enough to return to Chile's Southern Patagonia several times, often tagged onto a visit to Argentine Patagonia and it never fails to impress!
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