Exploring Patagonia from the Ocean
A great expanse covering the southern parts of Argentina and Chile, is it one of the biggest areas of land in the World, with Argentina along being the 8th largest.
Surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, the fresh water lakes and channels flow through the region, out into the ocean and creating spaces that can only be explored by boat.
After visiting the great Patagonian sites such as the Fox Glacier, near to the towns of El
Calafate and El Chalten, and the cities of Bariloche, famous for its chocolate and ski slopes, and the town of Puerto Madryn for whale watching, you may be wanting a relaxing way to spend the rest of your trip?
Starting from the Chilean Port of Punta Arenas, cruise ships go out to explore the vast Patagonian wilderness and pristine waterways.
The journey starts exploring the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel. So named as it was first explored on the voyage of HMS Beagle, which carried, amongst others the famous naturalist Charles Darwin.
It was on this voyage that he went on to explore the Galapagos Islands which eventually influenced his views and breakthrough scientific theory of evolution and natural selection.
As you follow the trail of history you will be treated to spectacular scenery, beautiful glaciers and stunning natural beauty.
The channel is at the extreme end of South America, skirting the Island known as the Tierra del Fuego.
As you follow the straight around the island you will see the Marinelli Glacier. Witnessing fantastic natural life, these often include a beaver dam in the midst of a marvelous Magellanic forest. As well as this you can see colonies of Elephant Seals, Magellanic Penguins and Cormorants.
The area also used to be home to a group of natives that had migrated to the area over generations from Northern America. As Mr Bruce Chatwin said, "Patagonia is the farthest place to which man walked from his place of origins. It is therefore a symbol of his restlessness." You can visit some of the ruins from this ancient society.
You will also see a number of other glaciers including the Pia Glacier. Where lucky passengers from cruise ships can take short hikes to a lookout point with a spectacular views of the entire glacier tongue, stretching from high in the mountains all the way to the sea.
You will also see the internationally renowned "Glacier Alley" with glaciers named after nations of the world including Spain, Romanche, Germany, Italy, France and Holland.
The highlight of any trip though is the chance the visit the Cape Horn national park. The legendary Cape Horn has lived in legend for centuries and is one of the toughest areas of navigation in the world.
As the place where the Atlantic and the Pacific meet in freezing temperatures, the views are spectacular as you relive the experience of generations of sailors before you.
Cruises through the straight finish in the city of Ushuaia, the most southern city in the world and filled with many attractions that fit this theme.
A trip to this legendary and tranquil place is a perfect end to a jam packed Latin American vacation.
You come away with an appreciation of the power of nature.