The night Ferdinand Magellan sailed through the Straits that bear his name, he saw the fires of the Selk’nam along the shores. He called the land “Tierra de los Fuegos” — Land of the Fires. The Selk’nam called it Karukinká. Few travelers make it to this end of the Earth. The main island is shaped like a massive jig-saw puzzle piece with a long, westward tail ridged by Cordillera Darwin. It is the largest isle of the archipelago, mostly protected by Alberto de Agostini and Cabo de Hornos National Parks. Across the Beagle Channel from Tierra del Fuego Island is Isla Navarino, home of the world’s southern-most town, Puerto Williams.

Highlights of Tierra del Fuego:

Take a boat trip along The Beagle Channel, where you will be surrounded by wildlife on all sides – sealions, whales and birds such as albatross and cormorants all inhabit this area.

The peaks of the Cordillera Darwin also make a good day trip from Ushuaia, with their thick forests and hiking trails.

Likewise, the coastal Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego is not far from Ushuia and delights visitors with its beech forest, rugged peaks and stunning coastline.

Go to the world’s most southerly town, Puerto Williams, which is on Isla Navarino. You can fly there or go by boat.