King Penguin Encounter
Trip type
Guided Activity
Trip length
2 Days
From
$950
Location
Tierra del Fuego
King Penguin Encounter - 2 Days - $950
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
Day 1: Cross the Strait of Magellan; Visit the King Penguin Colony
Day 2: Stromatolite Park and Laguna de Los Cisnes Nature Reserve; Ferry to Punta Arenas
Start from Punta Arenas and end at Punta Arenas
Landmarks visited on King Penguin Encounter
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Cross the Strait of Magellan; Visit the King Penguin Colony
Your journey begins with a private transfer from your hotel to the ferry docks at the northern end of Punta Arenas. At around 9 am, you’ll embark on a two-hour ferry crossing through the legendary Straits of Magellan, renowned for its rich history of exploration. Navigators such as Magellan, Drake, and Darwin braved these waters in harsh and dangerous conditions.
During the crossing, you may spot seabirds like Black-browed Albatrosses, Southern Giant Petrels, Southern Fulmars, Imperial Cormorants, Dolphin Gulls, and South American Terns. Marine life, including pods of Peale’s Dolphins and curious South American Sea Lions, is also often seen.
Upon arrival, the unique landscape of Tierra del Fuego unfolds with its flat, wind-swept steppes, rolling hills, tussock grass, and low shrubs. You'll stop in the town of Porvenir, where you’ll enjoy a quick coffee or tea and snacks. The next leg of the journey is a two-hour drive along the shores of Bahia Inútil (Useless Bay). Here, you can expect to see wildlife such as guanacos, Southern Grey Foxes, Upland Geese, Chilean Flamingos, and a variety of waterfowl. Out at sea, albatrosses, petrels, gulls, and skuas patrol the bay’s choppy waters.
At King Penguin Nature Reserve, you’ll visit the only known continental King Penguin colony. This private nature reserve is dedicated to preserving these remarkable birds. You’ll have plenty of time to observe and photograph the penguins from a safe and respectful distance, following the guidelines provided by your guide.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Yendagaia or similar, Porvenir
Day 2: Stromatolite Park; Laguna de Los Cisnes Nature Reserve; Ferry to Punta Arenas
In the morning, you’ll visit Stromatolite Park, a fascinating landscape that reflects the origins of life on Earth, where both nature and wildlife thrive in extreme conditions. The journey continues to the Natural Reserve Laguna de los Cisnes, where you’ll search for a variety of land and water birds sustained by the nearby lagoons. Along the way, you may also encounter local wildlife, including cururos, foxes, and guanacos.
At noon, you’ll board the ferry for the return trip across the Strait of Magellan to Punta Arenas.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
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What our customers think of King Penguin Encounter
King Penguin Encounter trips scored 4.6/5 from 27 reviews
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Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Additional Notes
Group size – Maximum of four people to minimise the impact we have on the penguin colony.
Opening dates - Available September to May each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
One-Day version - A compressed version of the trip is available (a circa 12-hour day) with flights to/from Porvenir - please enquire
Includes
- Ferry tickets
- Meals and naturalist guide services as stated in the itinerary
- Private ground transportation during the tour
- Park entrance fees
- English and Spanish-speaking guide
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks during lunch or dinner
- Any extra/optional excursions
- Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities/tips
- Excess baggage charges
- International and domestic/in-country flights
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
