Must-Sees - Patagonia and the Chilean fjords
What to do in Patagonia? What to see in the Chilean fjords? Everywhere you look in these remote regions of the world, nature is truly splendid, so to help you, here we have selected some of the high points of a cruise in southern Argentina and Chile.
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Essentials - Patagonia and the Chilean fjords
Stretching across Argentina and Chile, Patagonia covers a large part of the southern tip of Latin America. A cruise in Patagonia is a journey of discovery through splendid landscapes of fjords and snow-capped mountains. Here is some useful info on Patagonia and the Chilean fjords.
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Explore Patagonia and the Chilean fjords
Must-Sees - Patagonia and the Chilean fjords
What to do in Patagonia? What to see in the Chilean fjords? Everywhere you look in these remote regions of the world, nature is truly splendid, so to help you, here we have selected some of the high points of a cruise in southern Argentina and Chile.
Hike in the Torres del Paine national park
This park is emblematic of Patagonia. With the three granite towers (or torres) to which it owes its name, this biosphere reserve was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978 and is undeniably one of the must-see sites.
An eight-kilometre hike in the park is a great way to appreciate the variety of its landscapes: granite and lava pillars, Cuernos, the horn-shaped peaks, waterfalls, glaciers, lakes and much more. The wildlife is also a constant source of wonder, including the guanacos, a close relative of the llama, that roam free over the steppes and Andean deserts.
Sail around Cape Horn
"Cape Stiff, "Cape of Fear", "Cape of Storms"... there are plenty of nicknames for Cape Horn. It was a compulsory stage on the trade routes between the Far East and Europe until the construction of the Panama Canal, and is the southernmost headland of South America, long feared by sailors. The heavy seas, strong currents, cruel waves and potential icebergs have all added to the Cape Horn legend. Today, sailing to the extreme south of the American continent is much safer but still feels like following in the traces of the great explorers.
Travel the Strait of Magellan
Another legendary sea passage is the Strait of Magellan, which marks the boundary between the continent and the vast archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It is 611 km long and is the largest natural route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It has also marked the history of seafaring. The first European to cross it, Fernand de Magellan, gave the strait its name. It then continued to draw explorers such as Thomas Cavendish or Frenchman Jules Dumont d'Urville.
Admire the Brüggen Glacier
With its impressive dimensions, the Brüggen Glacier, also known as the Pío XI Glacier, is one of the most fascinating in southern Chile. It covers an area of 1,265 km² and measures 64 kilometres long. It is the largest glacier in the southern hemisphere outside Antarctica, and is the third largest ice sheet in the world. As it lies on the coast, Brüggen Glacier can be admired from the sea. The contrast of water, ice and sky and the constantly changing colours give this magnificent spot a very special aura.
Accost on Chiloé Island
You might expect these islands of Chilean Patagonia to be completely uninhabited. However, visit Chiloé Island and you will soon see that people live here in perfect harmony with their environment. This patch of land may be Chile's largest island after Terra del Fuego but its villages remain completely authentic. Visit Quemchi and fall for the charming fishing harbour and its colourful wooden houses and churches, its pleasant narrow streets and its fish market brimming with oysters, clams and crabs. Not far away, Isla Aucar can be reached by a wooden foot bridge. Cross over to admire its peaceful picture-postcard landscape, home to myriad birds.
Observe the rich marine animal life
Magellanic penguins, cormorants, dolphins, humpbacked whales, sea lions, fur seals... and much more! There are plenty of opportunities to come face to face with one of these giants of the sea. Or you could be escorted by a pod of dolphins or meet black and white penguins on the coast. In Patagonia, Argentina and Chile, the conservation of protected species has helped maintain nesting sites while helping species find plankton and waters suitable for reproduction. An experience steeped in emotion!
Essentials - Patagonia and the Chilean fjords
Stretching across Argentina and Chile, Patagonia covers a large part of the southern tip of Latin America. A cruise in Patagonia is a journey of discovery through splendid landscapes of fjords and snow-capped mountains. Here is some useful info on Patagonia and the Chilean fjords.
Top tips
Things to do. Don't hesitate to start a conversation with the people you meet. The people who live in the towns you visit will always be interested in learning more about you. This is not a sign of misplaced curiosity, but a mark of courtesy.
Things to avoid. Do not get cross if the person you are meeting is 30 minutes late: Chileans have their own notion of time and are not known for their punctuality!
Fun facts
Researchers discovered the oldest human footprint ever found in the Americas in northwest Chilean Patagonia in 2011. In 2019, it was confirmed that the footprint, found at the Pilauco site 500 km south of the capital Santiago, is around 15,600 years old. Until then, the oldest footprint found in the region was 14,600 years old.
Essential phrase guide
Hello/Good evening: Buenos días/Buenas noches
Goodbye: Hasta Luego
Welcome: Bienvenido
Excuse me/Please: Perdóname
Thank you very much: Muchas gracias
Yes/no: si/no
How are you? : Cómo estáis ?
Very well, thanks, and you?: Bakan, muchas gracias y tu ?
My name is: Yo me llamo
Delicious food
Si les fruits de mer sont très répandus partout au Chili, la cazuela reste le plat populaire par excellence. Elle consiste en un bouillon dans lequel cuisent maïs, pommes de terre, oignons, carottes et morceaux de poulet. Un autre plat typique, le pastel de choclo, vaut aussi le détour. Il s’agit d’une sorte de hachis parmentier préparé avec une purée de maïs que l’on verse sur une base de viande mijotée avec des oignons et des raisins.
Mythes et légendes
The Pincoya is a legendary figure in Chilote mythology. This beautiful long-haired young woman is the goddess of sailors and fishermen. Her appearance promises an abundant supply of fish and seafood.
In the spotlight
For more than 20 years now, Kris and Doug Tompkins, through the Tompkins Conservation Foundation, have been buying up private properties to turn them into national parks. They have recently handed over 407,625 hectares of land to the Chilean government. Two new parks have thus been created: the Pumalin park in the Lakes region and one in the region of Aysén, in Patagonia.
Culture
Recommended reading. Francisco Coloane has written nine short stories that provide an astonishing description of the region in which he was born. The author comes from Chiloé Island and is totally enamoured with Chilean Patagonia, which is instilled deep within his soul. In Tierra del Fuego, this is apparent in each of the stories he tells, almost like a recurring character who mingles among the Amerindians, the settlers and the Andeans. They are all united by a harsh lifestyle, a relentless destiny and an unforgiving natural environment. It is vast, it is beautiful, and it is fascinating — just like the great American south.
Music. In the centre and south of Chile, musical tradition is mainly upheld by the Mapuche. Drums, bells, whistles and trumpets combine to accompany the songs that are mainly an expression of faith. With the arrival of the Spanish, the folk music gradually incorporated new instruments such as the guitar and the accordion.
Key figure
3,8Patagonia is one of the most sparsely populated regions of the world. Population density stands at 3.8 inhabitants per km². Amerindians such as the Mapuche, Tehuelche and Selk'nam people are thought to have inhabited these remote lands for the past 10,000 years.
