Alberto de Agostini National Park

Alberto de Agostini National Park (Spanish: Parque nacional Alberto de Agostini) is a large national park with an area of over in Chilean Patagonia. It is one of both Chile's and Patagonia's most off-the-beaten-path destinations, and is only accessible by ship.

History
The park, founded in 1985, is about 148 km (80 nautical miles) southwest of Punta Arenas. There are huge glaciers in the process of detachment, namely De Agostini and. The park covers practically the entire southwest of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. It encompasses the entire mountain range of the Cordillera Darwin with its highest mountain, Cerro Darwin (2,488 m).

Together with Cabo de Hornos National Park, Alberto de Agostini National Park has been part of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve since 2005.

Landscape
The coast of the park is characterized by fjords. In its centre is the Cordillera Darwin, whose sheer slopes drop to the sea. It is dominated by (2,438 m) and  (2,246 m). Many valleys and plateaus are covered with glaciers and have shaped the landscape. The Beagle Channel stretches between the main island of Tierra del Fuego and the islands of Hoste and Gordon, as well as several smaller islands.

Flora and fauna
The flora and fauna of the park is reflects its Subantarctic climate. A total of 49 bird species have been recorded, although Andean jackal and Argentine fighting fox roam the site. Its waters are home to, among others, white-bellied and Peale's dolphins, sea lions and sea otters. Leopard seals, maned seals, and southern elephant seals can be seen on the coast.

Climate
The park's climate has a sub-polar character – it is cold, humid and windy.

Visitor information

 * Park website (in Spanish)
 * InterPatagona (in English)

Get in
The only way to access the park is by ship. There is no road access to the park.

By ship

 * Supply ship from Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams
 * Ferries from Ushuaia to Porvenir and back.
 * From Ushuaia to Puerto Montt
 * Tour by catamaran or sailing ship through the Beagle Channel.

Glaciers
The part of the Beagle Channel between Gordon Island and the main island of Tierra del Fuego is known as Glacier Alley.

Buy, eat, drink and sleep
There are no eateries, shops, accommodation, bars, etc., within the park. All of it must be done on your ship.

Go next
Your best option is to return to where you departed from.