Tour Overview
| Duration | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
|---|---|
| Region | Chilean Patagonia — Punta Arenas & Tierra del Fuego |
| Price From | $1,495 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | Private / Wildlife Expedition |
| Data Source | swoop-patagonia.com — 2026 |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Punta Arenas
Arrive at Punta Arenas Airport. Transfer to your boutique hotel in this historic port city on the Strait of Magellan. Afternoon city tour: Plaza Muñoz Gamero with its Magellan statue (touch his toe for luck returning), the palatial Sara Braun mansion now housing the Hotel José Nogueira, and the Salesian Museum with its collection of Patagonian indigenous artifacts. Welcome dinner at La Luna featuring centolla (king crab).
Day 2: King Penguin Park & Porvenir
Early morning ferry across the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego island. Drive to Parque Pingüino Rey near Bahía Inútil — the only place in South America where you can see king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) outside of Antarctica. Observe the 100+ resident colony from designated viewing platforms with expert naturalist guide. Unlike most penguin encounters, these majestic birds (nearly 1m tall) remain year-round. Afternoon visit to the gold-rush town of Porvenir. Return ferry to Punta Arenas.
Day 3: Magdalena Island & Fort Bulnes
Boat excursion to Isla Magdalena Natural Monument — walk among 120,000+ Magellanic penguins on one of Chile’s largest penguin colonies. Continue to Isla Marta to view a large sea lion colony and cormorant rookery from the boat. Afternoon visit to Fort Bulnes (Fuerte Bulnes), Chile’s first southern settlement (1843), with reconstructed pioneer buildings and dramatic views across the strait to Tierra del Fuego.
Day 4: Seno Otway & Departure
Morning visit to Seno Otway penguin colony (seasonal, September-March) or the Museo Nao Victoria to see full-scale replicas of Magellan’s ship and the HMS Beagle. Transfer to airport. You’ve seen three penguin species (Magellanic, king, and possibly gentoo) in one trip!
Inclusions
- 3 nights boutique hotel (Punta Arenas)
- Daily breakfast + 1 dinner
- All transfers & ferry crossings
- English-speaking naturalist guide
- King Penguin Park entry
- Magdalena Island boat excursion
- Fort Bulnes entry
Why This Expedition
- King penguins: the only accessible colony in South America
- Three penguin species possible in one trip
- Cross the legendary Strait of Magellan by ferry
- Punta Arenas: Patagonia’s most historic and atmospheric city
- Perfect pre- or post-cruise adventure add-on
