Dientes de Navarino Trek

5 Trekking & Camping Days in Tierra del Fuego

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE SOUTHERN-MOST TREK IN THE WORLD? The Dientes de Navarino mountain range is located in Tierra del Fuego, on an island called Isla Navarino. If you think Torres del Paine is remote... check out this one. It is accessible from the Argentinian town of Ushuaia, taking a small embarcation that crosses the Beagle Channel and leaves you on the other side, in the small Chilean town of Puerto Williams. From there, your adventure begins, as you will prepare to complete the most austral trek in the world. 5 trekking days, 4 camping nights, and a professional guide to lead you on one of the least traveled mountain circuit in Chile.

*Please note that for the safety of all participants, the specialized guide has full authority to cancel or modify the itinerary due to adverse weather conditions, guests' compromised health, or any other unexpected event. 

Itinerary

DAY 1: Puerto Williams - Laguna del Salto

The trailhead starts right of the town of Puerto Williams. It will first take you through a Lenga forest, to then start your way up Cerro Bandera. Although it's not necessary to summit up to the ridge, the view from the top over the Beagle Channel are fantastic. From there, the trail continues along a rocky path for another two hours before reaching Laguna del Salto, where we will set up camp.

Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Elevation Gain: 710 m (2,340 ft)
Difficulty: high

DAY 2: Laguna del Salto - Laguna Escondida

After breaking camp and charging our backpacks, the trail will take us around the lake and onto an ascent of about 45 minutes. Once passing the first pass, or "Paso Primero", it is not unusual to find snow all year round, which is why crampons are a necessary item on the packing list for this expedition. Soon after the first pass, we will reach the second pass, or "Paso Dientes de Navarino", which will offer us spectacular views over the southern part of the island. The trail follows towards many small Lagoons. After passing a few, we will find the campsite on the shore of one with the name of Laguna Escondida, or the hidden lagoon. After setting up camp and a warm meal, sleep will come in easy.

DAY 3: Laguna Escondida - Laguna Martillo

A great thing about adventuring on a trek is that your backpack gets a little lighter everyday. This thought always helps coping with the sore spots. Another hiking day awaits. Several mountain lakes, many switchbacks and a few small ascents later, you will find shelter on the shores of Laguna Martillo, which means hammer lagoon. You'll have a well deserved rest while enjoying the pristine and desolated surroundings.

DAY 4: Laguna Martillo - Laguna Los Guanacos

This morning, the trail follows a river and up and down a hill it goes, passing many small and beautiful mountain lakes, before entering a forest. The trail then takes us up the Paso Virginia at about 800 meters above sea level (2,600 ft) which is the highest point of the circuit. This pass offers breath-taking views over the Beagle Channel, and over the next campsite, on the shores of the Guanaco Lagoon. In order to reach it, we will have to descend a steep and rocky slope.

DAY 5: Laguna Los Guanacos - Puerto Williams

Onto the last day of the trek! After one hour of hiking, first bordering a river and then adventuring through a forest, you should reach a paved road. Back to civilization! Once you notice the red roof of the former MacLean fish farm, you know you are only 11 km away from town. Back in Puerto Williams, the comfort of a soft bed and warm shower awaits you. Congratulations! You've completed the southern-most trek in the world. A stop at the bar would also be well deserved.