10 Days Puerto Williams to King George Island

Puerto Williams is located on the Chilean island of Navarino on the southern shore of the Beagle Channel. The small settlement calls itself the “southernmost city in the world” – a title also claimed by the larger Argentine Ushuaia on the opposite side of the channel. The landscape around Puerto Williams is spectacular with wind-swept, snow-covered mountains. Particularly impressive are the “Dientes de Navarino” (Navarino Teeth), a distinctive mountain range with jagged peaks. This region was originally home to the Yaghan, an indigenous people of hunters and gatherers whose culture unfortunately declined after the arrival of European settlers.

A journey through the legendary Drake Passage is a unique experience that few people have. The southern tip of America already has a wild atmosphere, but the feeling of seeing the cliffs of the peninsula known as the “End of the World” is epic and magical. As you set sail from Cape Horn, you head into the icy underworld of Antarctica. There, huge icebergs and animals like penguins and whales await you in their pristine environment. Your first glimpse of this region will likely be the South Shetland Islands, followed by famous places like Elephant Island and Deception Island, once explored by brave discoverers.

Antarctica offers an unparalleled natural experience that impresses with its wildness, remoteness, and overwhelming beauty. The Antarctic Sound, named after an expedition ship from 1902, is often the first point of contact with this icy continent. In these waters, huge icebergs drift, broken off from the massive Larsen Ice Shelf. The seemingly lifeless ice landscape is surprisingly enlivened by gentoo penguins and cape petrels, which have perfectly adapted to this extreme environment. Those who visit Antarctica experience nature in its most pristine form. Be sure to bring your camera – the untouched beauty of this icy paradise offers unique photo opportunities that will stay with you for a lifetime.

The Antarctic Peninsula, pointing like a finger towards South America, is the destination of many Antarctic expeditions. It lies only about 1000 kilometers from Tierra del Fuego and offers breathtaking panoramas with snow-covered mountains and fascinating ice formations. This region was only discovered in 1820 and is now a focus of scientific research. Numerous research stations here study the unique ecosystem and document human influences on this largely untouched continent. As a visitor, you can marvel at imposing icebergs, experience turquoise-blue shimmering glaciers, and observe thousands of lively Adelie penguins that live perfectly adapted to this extreme environment.

The South Shetland Islands are located near the northwest tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and are protected under the Antarctic Treaty. This island group is home to several international research stations and hosts a diverse wildlife, including elephant seals and various penguin species. King George Island is the largest island of the archipelago and is often referred to as the “capital of Antarctica” as it hosts the most year-round research stations. Special experiences in this region include visiting Deception Island, where you can explore the impressive caldera of a dormant volcano. In Pendulum Cove, you even have the rare opportunity to bathe in naturally heated waters while surrounded by an icy landscape. Elephant Island holds a special place in polar history: It was here that Ernest Shackleton and his crew survived under extreme conditions in 1916 after their ship “Endurance” was crushed in the pack ice.

King George, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, is often referred to as the gateway to Antarctica. It is located only 120 kilometers from the Antarctic Peninsula and hosts the only airport in the South Shetland Islands. This makes it the interface between “real life” and “Antarctic life”.