9 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Chile's End of the World At Least Once in Your Lifetime

Cape Horn, the southern most point in the South America
Cape Horn, the southern most point in the South America | © Kip Evans / Alamy Stock Photo
Will Lees

The best things in life are free, the best moments in life are worth waiting for, and the best places on the planet are farther away from home than you ever thought you’d be. We’ve got the top nine reasons you need to visit the southern tip of Chile, which disperses into a multitude of islands, inlets and fjords and is covered in dense forest, speckled with sharp peaks and full of gorgeous scenery.

It makes a rookie photographer look like a pro

When you visit the south of Chile and bring your camera, you won’t need to know anything about lighting, shutter speeds or angles in order to get a jaw-dropping photo as the natural scenery is the perfect subject for any rookie who can click and shoot. You’ll be able to capture an incredible image that will last for the years to come.

It’s Patagonia, need we say more?

The word ‘Patagonia’ always incites excitement in adventurous travellers, whether it’s those who have already ventured there and are dying to go back, or those seeking to enjoy some of the most stunning scenery on this planet. Anyone and everyone who visits Chile’s Patagonia is able to get a unique experience and for this reason, globetrotters, armchair travellers and everyone else should visit it at least once in their life.

When you visit Chile, it won’t only be about what you see but what you feel in this part of the world that makes it so special. The spectacular sights will make you realize just how far away you are from everything—an extremely humbling sensation.

It’s untouched

Only recently has the very southern part of Chile opened up to tourism; prior to the construction of the Carretera Austral, it was a somewhat forgotten land. That means that to this day, most of it remains untouched and even if you decide to take a popular tourist trail, you’ll find that it has not been tainted in any way.

The penguins

The best dressed bird is a local in these parts of South America, and a great attraction. You’ll even be able to see penguins waddling out of the water in the coastal towns and get close enough to snap a great photograph.

An excuse to travel all of Chile

The fact that it’s so hard to get to the south of Chile means you should probably start your trip all the way up in Arica, the country’s most northern city. You’ll be able to experience the entirety of Chile’s diversity as you make your way from the driest areas to some of the wettest and windiest.

Puerto Natales

Swing through the small city of Puerto Natales, from which you’ll also be able to visit one of the most sought out national parks in the world, Torres del Paine, which is like crossing into an untouched world full of beauty you didn’t know still existed.

Parque Nacional Cabo de Hornos

If the Spanish name doesn’t ring a bell, the English name will. In historic documents, Cape Horn has been named the official separator of the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans and the islands surrounding this national park are the last bits of mainland before hitting Antarctica.

The real ‘End of The World’

While Argentina likes to claim this title and even has a sign for it in Ushuaia, the actual southernmost point of South America is on Chilean territory and is called Puerto Williams. Those who’ve said they’ve reached El Fin del Mundo but only made it as far as Ushuaia still have a bit of travelling to go.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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