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

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:

---

A VIRTUAL TOUR OF
TIERRA DEL FUEGO

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Photo of the "Victory"

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)

---

 

• 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
  

  ---

  

 

 

 

The VICTORY at the
Garibaldi Glaciers

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.
  
  
• The VICTORY is an authentic exact replica of a William Garden design cargo schooner which combines the enchantment of a 19th century vessel with modern amenities.
  
  
  
• She was fabricated of Native Chilean Cypress Wood in 1986. Two Zodiac type rubber boats are available for more extended explorations.
  
  
  
• These excursions are by land and sea and mark the same course taken by Charles Darwin's ship the "Beagle."
  
  
  
• The VICTORY is so similar a ship that it "starred" as the "BEAGLE" in a recent documentary recapturing 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 gla0080" face="Arial" size="5">

The Beagle Channel
during summer with
ice capped Andes mountains

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.

Private cabins are available and hot fresh water showers make the voyage even more enjoyable for a tour which is paced for all age groups.

You may participate in sailing, docking and anchoring during the cruise which includes 4 meals and beverages.

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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.
  
  
• Our passengers say that the VICTORY is a very comfortable boat.
  However, it should be said that she is NOT the Queen Mary!

  ---

  

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

Your tour begins in the
Southernmost town
in the world :
Puerto Williams, Chile
Latitude S 54 deg 56 min,
Longitude W 67 deg 37 min

Back to Contents

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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 ">

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

  ---

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."

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• A CRUISE SAILING THE HISTORIC
  ROUTE THAT DARWIN USED IN ORDER
  TO VISIT THE YAGAN INDIANS.
  
  
• THE MURRAY CHANNEL HAS BEEN
  CLOSED UNTIL ONLY RECENTLY AND
  NOW OPEN TO VESSELS FLYING
  THE CHILEAN FLAG.

 

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

 

ze="5">

Back to Contents

• 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)

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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
  

  ---

  

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)
  

  ---

Back to Contents

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

Season: October 15 - May 15

---

 
 
 
 
• Your reception is at the airport in the Puerto Williams on
  the island of Navarino.
  
  
• You are transported to the Schooner VICTORY,
  moored at the yacht club. After lunch, you may
  help us hoist sails to make a course to Port
  Navarino, situated on the west end of the island.
  
  In this navigation of the Beagle Channel, you will
  find it possible to appreciate the beauty of the
  northern coast of Navarino island and the southern
  extreme of the island of Tierra del Fuego.
  
  
• We 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.
  
  
• Early in the morning we weigh anchor to sail
  to Cape Horn by way of the Murray Channel.
  
  
• After waiting for good weather, the sailing route to Cape Horn
  from Puerto Williams is by way of the Murray Channel to the
  historic site where Darwin and Fitzroy sailed at Wulaia. This is at
  the West side of Navaino island. From there we go south, stopping in Douglas
  Bay if, time permits, 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 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.
  
  
• 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)
  
  
• From Port Maxwell anchor is weighed for a sail around the Horn
  
  from either the West or East depending on the wind at the
  time. 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.
  
  
• Coming back from Cape Horn & arriving to the
  
  Northern entrance of the Murray Channel, sailing is then
  West. (We may make a short stop at Puerto Navarino) we
  cruise within about 10 miles of the City of Ushuaia,
  Argentina which you will see across the bay.
  
  
• If weather conditions are not favorable to sail West to the
  
  Murry Channel from Puerto Williams, we take the
  following route to Cape Horn:
  
  PUERTO WILLIAMS (54°56'S /
  67°36'W)
  
  Sailing from 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: pub and shower) There are a
  handful of boats tied off here,
  getting ready for Antarctica or just
  coming down from the Chilean Channels -
  Yamana Indians - Martin Gusinde Museum -
  last shower at Micalvi.
  
  DAY 2 PUERTO TORO (55°05'S / 67°06'W)
  
  Laid back Puerto Williams - 1200
  inhabitants - high military presence but
  totally out of date - no private
  telephone lines - sailing the Beagle
  Channel - Puerto Toro: most southern
  settlement of the world - 50 inhabitants
  - dealing one bottle of whisky for a
  couple of buckets full of King Crabs -
  detailed weather analysis for the right
  moment to go to the Horn.
  
  DAY 3 BAHIA SCOURFIELD (55°45'S /
  67°20'W)
  
  Early in the morning we can watch the
  beavers - passing 'Isla Lennox' and
  'Isla Nueva' - at 'Isla Evout' we might
  sight some Albatross, since this island
  is an important breeding place for them
  - we anchor at Bahia Scourfield,
  Wollaston Group, and do some trekking to
  an inland lake.
  
  DAY 4 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')
  
  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 grass.
  
  DAY 6 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: Commerso="#000080" face="Arial" size="5">

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

Season: October 15 - May 15

---

• Your reception is at the airport in the Puerto Williams on
  the island of Navarino.
  
  
• You are transported to the Schooner VICTORY,
  moored at the yacht club. After lunch, you may
  help us hoist sails to make a course to Port
  Navarino, situated on the west end of the island.
  
  In this navigation of the Beagle Channel, you will
  find it possible to appreciate the beauty of the
  northern coast of Navarino island and the southern
  extreme of the island of Tierra del Fuego.
  
  
• We 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.
  
  
• Early in the morning we weigh anchor to sail
  to Cape Horn by way of the Murray Channel.
  
  
• After waiting for good weather, the sailing route to Cape Horn
  from Puerto Williams is by way of the Murray Channel to the
  historic site where Darwin and Fitzroy sailen- &
  Dusky Dolphins, Seals, Whales (Fin-,
  Sei-, Orca- ) - the air is full of life:
  Wandering Albatross, Condor, Giant
  Petrels, Wild Goose, Skuas.
  
  DAY 7 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.
  
  DAY 7 PUERTO WILLIAMS (54°56'S /
  67°36'W)
  
  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 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 harbor (Caleta Holla).
  
  [The 15 day combination tour goes directly to the glaciers
  and Fjords of Tierra Del Fuego after Cape Horn]
  
  d at Wulaia. This is at
  the West side of Navaino island. From there we go south, stopping in Douglas
  Bay if, time permits, 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 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.
  
  
• 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)
  
  
• From Port Maxwell anchor is weighed for a sail around the Horn
  
  from either the West or East depending on the wind at the
  time. 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.
  
  
• Coming back from Cape Horn & arriving to the
  
  Northern entrance of the Murray Channel, sailing is then
  West. (We may make a short stop at Puerto Navarino) we
  cruise within about 10 miles of the City of Ushuaia,
  Argentina which you will see across the bay.
  
  
• If weather conditions are not favorable to sail West to the
  
  Murry Channel from Puerto Williams, we take the
  following route to Cape Horn:
  
  PUERTO WILLIAMS (54&de
• Caleta Holla is located at the foot of the
  Holland glacier on the Island of Tierra Del Fuego.
  
  
• We sail early again towards the West, to the Marvelous
  Pia fjord and Glaciers.
  We will navigate, continuing always westerly along the
  Beagle Channel past the islands of Gordon,
  
  
• We weigh anchor very early again to navigate 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, and Romanche.
  
  
• After Garibaldi, we sail south to the newly opened Southwest
  branch of the Beagle channel
  
  
  
• See http://www.victory-cruises.com/southwest_branch.html
  
  
  
• We then head back to Puerto Williams stopping at some out of
  
  the way coves to stay overnight on the way back.
  
  
• 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

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 expeditions to

ANTARCTICA &

SOUTH GEORGIA



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Site map

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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 booking information, Contact:

VICTORY ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Fax/Phone 5661-621092
Phone 621010
PO Box 70
Teniente Munoz 118
Puerto Williams
Tierra Del Fuego,
Antarctic Province,
Chile

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

---

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This page was last modified
on 6 February 2003

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