The southern Chilean portion of Patagonia, South America's southernmost region (it spans both Chile and Argentina), is normally reached by air through the city of Punta Arenas or, alternatively, overland through Argentina. Patagonia's rugged and varied scenery, including fjords, vast pampas, lakes and glaciers, is filled with coastal wildlife, such as elephant seals, sea lions and penguins. The weather can be harsh—a lot of rain and wind—but snow is uncommon at lower elevations, at least in the Southern Hemisphere's summer months.
The top attraction on the Chilean side is Torres del Paine National Park, but the magnificent architecture of Punta Arenas, the penguin colony of Magdalena Island, the fjords and glacier of Tierra del Fuego, and the fjords of Ultima Esperanza near Puerto Natales are no less worthwhile. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and sea kayaking.
A four- to seven-day cruise through the Straits of Magellan visits the ice-clogged fjords of Tierra del Fuego and even goes ashore at Cape Horn. Sailing through the spectacular landscapes, it's sobering to realize that, for centuries, it was Europe's main passage to the Pacific via the Americas—thousands perished in storms there. Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Dana gives an idea of the rigors of traversing the strait and Cape Horn. Travelers should spend at least a week in Patagonia to do justice to its enormous expanses. For travelers with extra time, the four-day Navimag ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales through the Patagonia fjords is also an excellent option.
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