Expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula,
South Georgia, Patagonia,
Cape Horn, Falklands
& Tierra Del Fuego

VICTORY ADVENTURE EXPEDITONS LTD.

presents

A VIRTUAL TOUR OF
TIERRA DEL FUEGO

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CAPE HORN

CABO DE HORNOS
(In Spanish)

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Tierra del Fuego
(In Spanish)

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CONTENTS

Introduction


Photo of Puerto Williams, Chile

The Yagan Canoe Indians of
Tierra Del Fuego

Photos of the last of the Yagan Indians,
ona Indian culture

New cruise routes for Cape Horn
and Beagle Channel

Maps of the area

Photo of Tierra Del Fuego glacier
and the Beagle Channel

Itinerary

Cape Horn Tour info

Beagle Channel Screen Saver

Tour of Tierra Del Fuego
(continued)

Tierra del Fuego is a 150 mile
long peninsula off the southern tip of South
America, separated from the mainland by the Strait
of Magellan.
It is divided into Chilean and
Argentinean halves, and its principle mountain
range, a west-east range known as the Cordillera
Darwin, stretches across both halves.
The Cordillera is the continuation of the Patagonian
Andes, and rises along the southern shore. The
range holds beautiful ice-packed and misty
mountains, with large glaciers pouring down into
the sea.
The range is dominated by two high peaks,
both situated in the Chilean southwestern portion
of the peninsula, within the boundaries of the
Parque Nacional Alberto de Agostini. Impressive
peaks, beautiful forests, lakes, glaciers, and
abundant bird life are highlights of the park.

Tierra Del Fuego island is vulnerably situated at the point
where two of the world's major oceans meet, and is
consequently stormy for much of the year.
The town of Puerto Williams is located on the southern
edge of the Beagle Channel, and is the southernmost town in the world.

The two dominant peaks of Tierra del Fuego are
Monte Darwin (8,163 ft./2,488 m.), the highest
and Monte Sarmiento (7,546 ft./2,300 m.).

Introduction:

• Sail by way of some of the world's narrowest and most spectacularly scenic waterways.  Your cruise in these extraordinary fjords will show you marvellous high cliffs, deeply indented estuaries, thick emerald foliage & rugged mountains. 
  
  
• These number more than all of Scandinavia's, but Chile's magnificent fjords and glaciers of Tierra del Fuego along the Beagle Channel are practically unknown except to a few expedition cruisers and sail boats. 
  
  
• We also have voyages to Antarctica, South Georgia and to Cape Horn.
  
  
  
• You may accompany us on these history packed voyages aboard the VICTORY and other specially built sailboats.
  
  
• 
  These excursions are by land and sea and mark the same course taken by Charles Darwin's ship the "Beagle."
  
  
  
• You will recapture Darwin's voyages at the "ends of earth", with it's awesome beauty of glaciers, fjords, waterfalls and wildlife.
  
  
  
• From both sides of the glacier forged channel not more than 4 miles wide, the ice covered Andes rise up on both sides before us as they come to meet the sea. This is the Darwin mountain range from which are disengaged huge glaciers.
  
  
  
• During this astounding adventure one also has the opportunity to observe the area's rich flora and different expressions of fauna such as: the world's largest birds; condors and the albatross, giant petrels, Magellanic penguins, Imperial cormorants, Antarctic Terns, wild geese and ducks, large flightless "steamer ducks", red headed woodpeckers, yellow winged finch, Chilean green parrots, kingfishers, seals, sea otters, orkas and sporadically whales.
  
  
  
• We will navigate glacial etched flat water canals and beautiful fjords outlined by exquisite dense green forests.
  
  
  
• You may get a close look at these imposing glacier regions and fjords by horseback, foot, rubber boat and/or by sea kayak excursions.
  
  
  
• This trip will provide you with a rare glimpse at ancient Yagan Indian settlements, artifacts and optionally a tour of the Martin Gusinde Indian Museum in Puerto Williams.
  
  
  
• You may hike, camp, go trout fishing and have enticing barbecues of Patagonian lamb on the beach along the way.  
  
  
  
• You may participate in sailing, docking and anchoring during the cruise.
  
  
  

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  • Disclaimer : This voyage is for adventurers only.
    
    
  • You may encounter narrower beds than you
    may be accustomed to, wind, cold and other
    unfavorable weather conditions.
    
    
  • 
    

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• CLICK for larger images of the Yacht VICTORY
  
  
• (67KB total)

Back to Contents

For larger photo of Puerto Williams and also of
the trekking circuit of the peaks in background
(60K) Photo by Peter Mulgrew

Puerto Williams, Chile is the world's most Southern Town

 Latitude S 54 deg 56 min, Longitude W 67 deg 37 min

Back to Contents

THE TIERRA DEL FUEGO INDIANS

THE CANOE INDIANS OF FIRELAND

The Yagans were the last representatives of one of
the most primitive human beings to live on the
earth. They paddled their flimsy Beech bark canoes
out as far as the treacherous islands of Cape Horn
and beyond. These nomads of the sea had lived there
for perhaps 5,000 years or more.

Their shellfish middens may still be seen, some as
high as 4 meters, lining the beaches. They had no
protection from the Antarctic cold except for seal
grease on their skin and a loose fur around their
shoulders. They walked barefoot in the snow and
then "warmed" their feet in near freezing ocean
water. Their blood temperature is said to have
been a degree or so higher than white Man. The
women skin dived without clothing for their
seafood, cared for the canoes and fished. The
Yagan men left the swimming and diving to the
women and spent most of their time hunting.

The islands, fjords and channels in the area of
Tierra del Fuego were their home where
archaeological evidence of their ancient culture
still abounds. These coasts are still the home of
sea lions, seagulls, seals, and skuas, which enjoy
a practically untouched habitat.

* Darwin, The voyage of the Beagle , Chapter X,
January 22: "We were well clothed, and though
sitting close to the fire were far from too warm;
yet these naked savages, though further off, were
observed, to our great surprise, to be streaming
with perspiration at undergoing such a roasting."

• ANOTHER CRUISE SAILING THE HISTORIC
  ROUTE THAT DARWIN USED IN ORDER
  TO VISIT THE YAGAN INDIANS VIA THE
  
• MURRAY CHANNEL. THIS  RECENTLY
  
• HAS OPENED UP TO VESSELS FLYING
  
• THE CHILEAN FLAG.

Charles Darwin has an account of these Indians' dress in an excerpt from his excellent classic, "Voyage of the Beagle"

• From chapter 10, December 25, 1834:
  "On the east coast the natives (Onas),
  as we have seen, have guanaco cloaks,
  and on the west (Alakaluf)
  they possess sealskins.
  Amongst these central tribes (Yagans)
  the men generally have an otter-skin,
  or some small scrap about as large as a
  pocket-handkerchief, which is barely
  sufficient to cover their backs as low down as their loins."
  
  
• The entire book of "Voyage of the Beagle" may be seen at: http://www.literature.org/Works/Charles-Darwin/voyage/
  
  
• You may also download all of Chapter 10
  (about Tierra Del Fuego) at our web site:
  Darwin's "Voyage Of The Beagle" (87 KB)

Tierra del Fuego's Culture

FELIPE, THE SURVIVOR

He was The Last Of The Pure Yagan Men

(Felipe died of old age in May, 1977)

Photo by Peter Mulgrew, who died in an ANZ crash on Mt Erebus, 28 Nov. 1979

Tierra Del Fuego's Yagan & Ona
Indian's Culture and Photos :
(180K total)

~A very large Photo of Felipe
~The last of the Yagan Women
~Some Yagan girls and words

Back to contents

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Please feel free to continue your
Virtual Tour of Tierra Del Fuego:

• There are many beautiful photos of the area a little further ahead.
  
  
• You will find Tierra Del Fuego to be one of the last places in
the world essentially free of air, water and land pollution.


• Maps of the area
  

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You may experience the "ends of earth", Tierra Del Fuego,
with the awesome beauty of glaciers, fjords,
waterfalls and wildlife. During this astounding adventure
one also has the opportunity to see a rich flora and
different expressions of fauna such as: the world's
largest birds; condors and the albatross, giant petrels,
penguins, cormorants wild geese and ducks, large flightless
"steamer ducks", red headed woodpeckers, yellow winged
finch, kingfishers, seals, sea otters, orkas and
whales. You may see the Darwin Mountain area,Tierra Del
Fuego's highest mountain .
.
We will navigate glacial etched flat water canals and
Beautiful fjords outlined by exquisite dense forests.
You may get a close look at these imposing glacier regions,
mountains, and fjords by, foot, and rubber boat also providing
you with a rare glimpse at ancient Yagan Indian settlements.

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The VICTORY at the
Garibaldi Glaciers

The Beagle Channel
during summer with
ice capped Andes mountains

• See large photos of The yacht VICTORY
  anchored at the
  Garibaldi Glaciers ~
  the Beagle Channel (55K total)
  

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Back to Contents

Glaciers Tour, The
Tierra Del Fuego Fjords
along the Beagle Channel
and Cape Horn

Season: October 15 - May 15

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•  CAPE HORN (55°50'S / 67°18'W)
  
  "The classic aspect of Cape Horn is the
  cliff face to the southern headland.
  Well below its summit, the old
  lighthouse I saw burning back in 1977,
  still stands, but shines no more below
  the clouds. On exposed rocks, a mile
  offshore, the sea breaks heavily even on
  a calm day, as the rollers coming in
  from the Southern Ocean pile up on shelf
  water, 75 miles away to the south-west."
  (Skip Novak: 'Cape Horn cloaked in
  mystery')
• 
  
• On a calmer day, it is possible to go
  
• onshore and explore the "Cabo De Hornos" island,
  
• visit the Navy base and
  see the Cape Horn Monument.
  
  A certificate of "Rounding The Horn" available
  
• for a small fee from the Navy in Puerto Williams.
  Cape Horn is the steep headland on Horn Island,
  
• part of TIERRA DEL FUEGO, in southern Chile.
  
  It is the last point of South America extending into the DRAKE
  PASSAGE, gateway to Antarctica which lies 600 miles farther
  South.
  
  Cape of the ultimate challenge - many
  destinies and catastrophes have taken
  place here - symbol for the end of the
  world. - visit to the island: Chilean
  navy control post - passport stamps and
  post - chapel - monument - wildlife -
  deep tussock gras
  
   DAY FOUR 
  
• CALETA MARTIAL (55°40'S /
  67°25'W)
  
  We get a bit of rest - we can make a
  beautiful long trekking along the coast
  - Yamana Indians have lived here with
  their open canoes: they had no clothing,
  rowed in open canoes with an open fire
  in the middle, the women dived for king
  Crab, the coast was full of mussel
  heaps, they ate the 'Pan dos Indios' -
  we head up north again towards Puerto
  Williams going around the East end of
  
• Navarino Island.
  
  DAY FIVE BAHIA SCOURFIELD (55°45'S /
  67°20'W)
  - We may anchor at Bahia Scourfield,
  Wollaston Group, and do some trekking to
  an inland lake.
  Early in the morning we can watch the
  sea otters before we weigh anchor.
• 
  DAY SIX PUERTO TORO (55°05'S / 67°06'W)
  
  Puerto Toro is the most southern
  settlement of the world - 50 inhabitants
  where one can deal 10 lbs of flour for  a
  couple of buckets full of King Crabs -
  .
  .
  DAY SEVEN PUERTO WILLIAMS (54°56'S /
  67°36'W)
  
  Sailing back to the yacht club at 'Seno Lauro',
  the best natural harbor of this region.
  (The wreck of the 'Micalvi' is our jetty and
  provides at the same time all harbor
  facilities: yacht club and shower) There are a
  handful of boats tied off here, getting ready
  for Antarctica or just coming down from the
  Chilean Channels.
• 
  
•  -On a calmer day, it is possible to go onshore and
  explore the "Cabo De Hornos" island, visit the Navy base and
  see the Cape Horn Monument.
  
  -A certificate of "Rounding The Horn" available for a small
  fee from the Navy in Puerto Williams.
  Cape Horn is the steep headland on Horn Island, part of
  TIERRA DEL FUEGO, in southern Chile.
  
  This is the last point of South America extending into the DRAKE
  PASSAGE, gateway to Antarctica which lies 600 miles farther
  South.
• 
  
• 
  
• Things to see in Puerto Williams:
•  Martin Gusinde Museum-
• Omora botanical park- 
• Teeth of Navarino-
  
• Yamana Indians -

You may use your credit card or make an interbank transfer to make a firm booking.