Puerto Williams is a small Chilean city on Navarino Island, south of the Beagle Channel, and it calls itself the world's southernmost city, though nearby Ushuaia also claims that title. Surrounded by dramatic, snow-dusted mountains and the Dientes de Navarino, it was originally home to the Yaghan people. Founded as a naval base in 1953, it now serves Antarctic travel and offers a quiet, village-like alternative to bustling Ushuaia.

The South Shetland Islands lie off the Antarctic Peninsula, separated by the Bransfield Strait and governed by the Antarctic Treaty. They host many research bases, along with elephant seals and large penguin colonies. King George Island has most stations. Highlights include Mount Foster, Deception Island's caldera and warm Pendulum Cove, and Elephant Island, famed for Shackleton's 1916 survival.

Ushuaia, the "End of the World," sits on the Beagle Channel beneath the Martial Mountains. A lively but remote resort, it's the last taste of city life before Antarctica or the wilds of Tierra del Fuego. Nearby, National Park Tierra del Fuego offers dramatic peaks, glaciers, fjords, and wildlife like penguins and whales, with excellent hiking and views. Local food features king crab, fresh sea bass, and cholgas (mussels).

Puerto Williams is a small Chilean city on Navarino Island, south of the Beagle Channel, and it calls itself the world's southernmost city, though nearby Ushuaia also claims that title. Surrounded by dramatic, snow-dusted mountains and the Dientes de Navarino, it was originally home to the Yaghan people. Founded as a naval base in 1953, it now serves Antarctic travel and offers a quiet, village-like alternative to bustling Ushuaia.

Garibaldi Glacier is a colossal blue-white wall of ice, the dramatic climax of a voyage through Garibaldi Fjord in Parque Nacional Alberto de Agostini, Chile. Sail past waterfalls, forests and mountains in this remote, glacier-sculpted landscape where the Andes drop into the icy ocean. Watch for ice calving into the water and tiny floating icebergs. Though harsh at first glance, the fjord is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve rich in wildlife, including penguins, sea lions and Peruvian condors.

Voyage deep into pristine Chilean wilderness and see scenery rivaling Norway, yet seen by few. Montañas Fjord, in the Chilean Fjords, cuts 60 km northward between the Cordillera Sarmiento and Cordillera Riesco. Southern beech, Winter's bark, and Patagonian cypress line the shores, then give way to sparse slopes of exposed rock, carved by ancient glaciers. Behind them, rugged peaks vanish in cloud while still-active glaciers descend to the fjord as blue-white ice fingers.

Southern Chile's fjords are among the world's most spectacular. Ancient glaciers carved steep valleys now flooded by the sea, while smaller glaciers still flow from the peaks, calving ice and exposing dramatic geology. Cold, nutrient-rich waters support wildlife: fur seals, sea lions, Peale's dolphins, humpback whales, gulls, skuas, cormorants, and Magellanic penguins. On land, Andean condors soar on vast wings over the mountains.

Southern Chile's fjords are among the world's most spectacular. Ancient glaciers carved steep valleys now flooded by the sea, while smaller glaciers still flow from the peaks, calving ice and exposing dramatic geology. Cold, nutrient-rich waters support wildlife: fur seals, sea lions, Peale's dolphins, humpback whales, gulls, skuas, cormorants, and Magellanic penguins. On land, Andean condors soar on vast wings over the mountains.

Deep in Chilean Patagonia, tiny Puerto Edén feels wonderfully remote, with wooden walkways, waterfront homes and a dramatic setting amid the channels, forests and snowy peaks of the fjords. A call here offers a glimpse of an isolated way of life in one of South America's most untouched landscapes.

Deep in Chilean Patagonia, tiny Puerto Edén feels wonderfully remote, with wooden walkways, waterfront homes and a dramatic setting amid the channels, forests and snowy peaks of the fjords. A call here offers a glimpse of an isolated way of life in one of South America's most untouched landscapes.

Southern Chile's fjords are among the world's most spectacular. Ancient glaciers carved steep valleys now flooded by the sea, while smaller glaciers still flow from the peaks, calving ice and exposing dramatic geology. Cold, nutrient-rich waters support wildlife: fur seals, sea lions, Peale's dolphins, humpback whales, gulls, skuas, cormorants, and Magellanic penguins. On land, Andean condors soar on vast wings over the mountains.

Tortel is a commune in Southern Patagonia, Chile, known for its rugged wilderness, islands, channels, and striking wooden walkways that connect piers and houses above the vegetation, earning it the nickname "footbridge city." It is the sixth largest commune in Chile yet has only about 531 residents. The area was once inhabited by the nomadic Kawesqar; the town was definitively founded in 1955 and declared a Picturesque Zone of National Heritage in 2001.

Castro, the capital of Chile's Chiloé Island, is a colorful, lively city known for its wooden palafitos on stilts, warm culture, and vibrant street life. It's also famed for UNESCO-listed wooden churches: about 70 were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, with 16 classified by UNESCO for their blend of indigenous and European influences. Founded in 1576, Castro has endured piracy, earthquakes, tsunamis, and fires. The Regional Museum offers Huilliche relics and pre-1960 photos.

Valparaiso has long inspired writers, poets, musicians and artists. Though a bit rough, its bohemian charm, street art, nightlife, live music, colorful clifftop homes and striking architecture make it one of Chile's most beloved cities. Founded in 1536 by Juan de Saavedra, it still has colonial buildings despite fires and earthquakes. Nearby are Pablo Neruda's ship-shaped house and the Casablanca Valley vineyards, while Chile's wine culture also gave rise to pisco.

Valparaiso has long inspired writers, poets, musicians and artists. Though a bit rough, its bohemian charm, street art, nightlife, live music, colorful clifftop homes and striking architecture make it one of Chile's most beloved cities. Founded in 1536 by Juan de Saavedra, it still has colonial buildings despite fires and earthquakes. Nearby are Pablo Neruda's ship-shaped house and the Casablanca Valley vineyards, while Chile's wine culture also gave rise to pisco.