Logo Bookmark and Share
 
   
Experts since 1991, making Cold Oceans Expeditions for hundreds of delighted guests.

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


CAPE HORN

CABO DE HORNOS
(In Spanish)

Tierra del Fuego
(In Spanish)


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.



          • 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.



        • 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

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


      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.


       

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 Channe
            l (55K total)

Back to Contents

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

Season: October 15 - May 15

You are transported to your yacht,
moored at the Ushuaia or Puerto
Williams yacht club.

We fill up our tanks and might be lucky
to get some fresh bread - we get our
'zarpe', our permission to head west -
if the weather allows.
We sail from Puerto Williams to the West and
sail past Mejillones harbor and Yagan Cemetary.
It is a very old Yagan Indian settlement.

A great many small bays unite here with landscapes
of unique beauty and we cruise within about 10 miles
from the City of Ushuaia, Argentina.

During sailing you will have the opportunity to
see different expressions of fauna such as:
the world's largest birds, condors and albatross,
giant petrels, also penguins, wild geese and
ducks, large flightless "steamer ducks," seals,
and occasionally whales and orcas (Killer Whales).

On arriving at Port Navarino, you may disembark
and visit ancient Indian settlements, paddle,
hike or fish for salmon and trout. 


[The 14 day combination tour goes directly to the glaciers
and Fjords of Tierra Del Fuego before Cape Horn]


From Puerto Navarino we continue west
along the Beagle Channel to the place where
the Beagle Channel divides into two branches
to the picturesque South Seas type refuge,
Pot cove (Caleta Holla) located 
at the foot of the Holland glacier on the Island of Tierra Del Fuego. 
Here we take a 2 hour hike up to the glacier and lake through the woods.
We stay one or two nights at this beautiful cove.


We sail early again towards the West, to the Marvelous
Pia fjord and Glaciers.
We will then navigate, continuing always westerly along the
Beagle Channel past the island of Gordon along the
northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to Garibaldi fjord.

During this trajectory we pass Mount Darwin and one
may appreciate a succession of glaciers located along
the Beagle Channel at close range. These glaciers are named
France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Romanche.


After Garibaldi, we sometimes have time to sail south to the
newly opened Southwest branch of the Beagle channel

See http://www.victory-cruises.com/southwest_branch.html

Cape Horn via the Murray  Channel

We then head back to Puerto Navarino to subsquently take the
Murray  Channel to Cape Horn stopping at some out of
the way coves to stay overnight.


You may visit the Puerto Williams Yagan Indian museum
to see Indian artifacts and visit other points of interest.
You will have an early farewell lunch and then make your
final disembarkation from the "Victory" in order
to be transported to the airport for your return to
Punta Arenas and an optional tour of Torres Del Paine.


If time and weather permit, we will see even more
out of the way coves, lakes, forests and streams
that are not on the itinerary.

CAPE HORN
 
DAY ONE
Early in the morning we weigh anchor to sail
to Cape Horn by way of the Murray Channel on the West end of
Navarino island to the historic site where Darwin and Fitzroy sailed at Wulaia.
 From there we go south, past the island of Milne Edwards taking
advantage of the protection from the strong West winds.
We hug the coast of the peninsula Pasteur, and the
Peninsula Hardy on Hoste island to anchor overnight at
Orange bay close to where False Cape Horn lies.

Whoever arrived from the Pacific Ocean had to overcome
the danger represented by the "false Cabo de Hornos", as the
Chileans who own the area, call it.

This cape is sighted twenty miles ahead and, when surrounded
by big breakers and foamy waves that sometimes carry powered
snow along their crests, it may confuse the helmsman, some of
whom have tragically choosen the wrong route.

DAY TWO Wait for good weather in Historic Mission harbor
Orange Bay, where the French Romanche expedition stayed a year
during 1883-84. Exploring and hiking.

DAY THREE
In Port Maxwell, as everywhere in Tierra Del Fuego good
anchoring is assured by tying off to some stout trees or
rocks to anticipate a possible Williwaw!

This is a natural phenomenon which exists in here and is
a strong wind up to 100 knots that comes from a sudden
difference in atmospheric pressure and can be a spectacle
difficult to forget.
(Don't worry, there has never been any accident involving
tourists as, our native crew members are very well prepared)
See passenger's testimonials.


  ROUNDING CAPE HORN

This will most probably be a tough day,
the sea is very rough, we get short
waves, we get changing local winds, its
cold and wet - we have to fight - last
radio contact with navy patrol station
at 'Cabo de Hornos', they will contact
Puerto Williams and have our names
registered: we have rounded Cape Horn -
the sea is full of life: Commerson- &
Dusky Dolphins, Seals, Whales (Fin-,
Sei-, Orca- ) - the air is full of life:
Wandering Albatross, Condor, Giant
Petrels, Wild Goose, Skuas.

      •  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 -



CAPE HORN VIA PICTON, LENOX & GOREE ROADS


This itinerary is from Ushuaia or also it can be from Puerto Williams, Chile.

Day 1
You will board the sailboat at the Ushuaia Yacht Club (Club Afasyn),
to start the trip. We will sail towards the east through the Beagle
Channel, see its magellanic cormorants, imperial cormorants, giant
petrels and sea wolves. The Light House Les Eclaireurs will indicate
the changing of our course towards Port Williams, Chile, the world's
most Southern town.

Docked at the Micalvi Yacht Club, we will spend our first night in
the sailboat.
Life on board will allow us to learn the diverse tasks from the
kitchen, the order, taking on water and knowing some marine knots.
The spirit of collaboration always always present will help us to
release the anxiety of not knowing what will happen the next day.

After this first night in Port Williams, where we will be able to
make a long walk to visit Beavers and see the woods, then we will
prepare ourselves to depart towards the Glaciers area, with West
course through the Beagle Channel. We will be sailing this area for
six days, which offers safe bays or creeks for the anchoring at night
and allows landings, beautiful landscapes and long walks to enjoy.

Day 2
"Setting sail."  We will sail the length of the Beagle Channel,
heading sailing towards the east, alongside Navarino Island coast to
the fishing village of Puerto Toro where we will stay overnight,.

Day 3
Then after waiting for good weather, via Gorre Roads, we will enter the
sometimes stormy Nassau Bay, in the direction of the Wollaston islands and Port
Martial, the marine fauna is extraordinary. We may experience
Williwaw winds. And this is the moment, under good weather conditions
to reach the mythical Cape Horn, passing by Picton and Lennox
Islands, whose eastern flank holds hidden coves.  The coves are an
essential shield of earth that shelters us from the almost always
strong winds from the west.  By the 1900s, many expeditions found
protection here, which let them complete their anthropological and
geographic missions.
We will stay overnight in Maxwell cove.

Day 4
We will wait in Maxwell Cove for ideal conditions in which to round
Cape Horn.  Just 15 miles separate us from the southernmost point in
South America. 
The first opportunity will be taken - we will round Cape Horn.  If
weather conditions permit, we will visit the personnel stationed at
the Chilean Naval Station, who take care of the lighthouse in this
solitary place.  In the small wind-beaten Chapel Stella Maris, we
will remember the people of the sea, who in this desolate Cape, lost
their lives fighting the hostile elements of nature.  At sunset, we
will anchor ten miles north, in Martial Cove.

Day 5
After visiting  the Cape Horn we will head back for Puerto Williams
and Ushuaia by the same route. Today's destination: Puerto Toro. One
hundred years ago, Puerto Toro was considered the administrative
center of the southernmost part of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.
With gold fever over, Puerto Toro became the tranquil hamlet it is
today.  Today, the local fishing fleet uses the port as a base in the
archipelago.  With some luck, we will enjoy "centolla," the prized
southern king crab.

Day 6
We will pass by a shipwrecked transport vessel, and along the length
of the coast, isolated estates.   At sunset, Puerto Williams will
receive us again.  In the Yacht Club Micalvi's bar, the new "Cape
Horners" will toast with the traditional pisco sour for their
successful crossing.

Day 7
Time to relax and re-pack luggage. One last stroll through the town,
empanadas for lunch.  Our flight to Punta Arenas usually leaves after
lunchtime.  Once again, we can admire an aerial view of our stops:
Navarino Island, the Beagle Channel, and the Darwin Range.
Alterativly we go back to the Club Alfasyn in Ushuaia.

Please be aware that the routes may change due to bad weather conditions.





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

 

CAPE HORN

Puerto Williams -> 70 miles to the North

Closer look at Cape Horn & Albatross sculpture
DARWIN ON THE YAGAN INDIAN SETTLEMENTS

          • The inhabitants, living chiefly upon shellfish, are
            obliged constantly to change their place of residence; but
            they return at intervals to the same spots, as is evident
            from the piles of old shells, which must often amount to
            many tons in freight. These heaps can be distinguished at a
            long distance by the bright green color of certain plants,
            which invariably grow on them.

            Among these may be enumerated the wild celery and scurvy
            grass, two very serviceable plants, the use of which has not
            been discovered by the natives. The Fuegian wigwam
            resembles, in size and dimensions, a haycock. It merely
            consists of a few broken branches stuck in the ground, and
            very imperfectly thatched on one side with a few tufts of
            grass and rushes. The whole cannot be the work of an hour,
            and it is only used for a few days.

To Contents




Screen Savers - Desk Top Photos
Click on photo to Download
free quality images of
Tierra Del Fuego (88K),
"Sunrise on the Beagle Channel"
and nice screen saver images of:
The Yacht "Victory" and

"A Sunset on the Beagle Channel"


Don't miss the Continuation of
The Tour of Tierra Del Fuego

only 74 KB


(with many, many more

scenic photos of the area)


Look also at our Cruise expeditions to:

Antarctica and South Georgia 

and our Cruiser to Cape Horn

For a FREE monthly newsletter,
The "Pagagonian Newsletter Monthly",
with information on Patagonia, Tierra Del Fuego and Antarctica, mailto:sailing@victory-cruises.com and write "subscribe".


 For more information, Contact:

Contact Us

http://www.victory-cruises.com/