From 23 May-June 1 2017, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) along with destination partners Argentina and Chile will introduce tour operators, specialized travel agents, and international travel media to the southernmost tip of South America. AdventureWeek Tierra del Fuego, a 10-day intensive familiarization tour, is the first of its kind to feature adventure travel opportunities presented jointly by both Argentina and Chile, and it promises to be filled with memorable activities, stunning scenery, and an opportunity to experience adventure travel at the end of the world.
In anticipation of AdventureWeek Tierra del Fuego, Gabi Stowell, ATTA’s regional manager of Latin America, recently traveled to the area to get the inside scoop on what participants will be doing and what they should know about this unique corner of the world. “This part of the world is far away, remote, and off the radar for many travelers,” she said. “The collaboration between Chile and Argentina for AdventureWeek is a really exciting opportunity for both destinations to showcase the best the region has to offer during this time of the year.”
Tierra del Fuego’s history includes stories of explorers like Ernest Shackleton and Ferdinand Magellan, and the landscape still very much evokes a sense of exploration and adventure. Attendees will participate in a number of activities in both Argentina and Chile that showcase the many aspects of adventure travel in the area.
In Argentina, participants will go hiking, take 4x4 trips, and enjoy kayaking and canoeing excursions. If there is snow during AdventureWeek — a possibility since it will be winter — there may be opportunities for snowshoeing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling as well.
To cross the border from Argentina to Chile, attendees will take a flight complete with a view of the Andes mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers spread out across the country below. “It is jaw-dropping,” Stowell said.
In Chile, participants will explore via the Fitz Roy, an expedition ship, with stops for hiking, fly-fishing, wildlife viewing, kayaking, and more. They will spend the night in Karukinka Natural Park, which, Stowell noted, has a “wild and remote landscape.” In fact, Chile recently committed to expanding national parkland in the country by approximately 11 million acres, promising to keep much of this landscape protected for many years to come.
Tierra del Fuego has a rich local culture of farming and sea fishing, and the cuisine reflects that. Participants can expect to dine on beef, lamb, and seafood (especially king crab). They will also have the chance to meet locals who live and work in this hard-to-reach but spectacular environment. “There is so much wildlife, lots of empty space, and few people,” Stowell said, adding that “people really will feel like they’re at the end of the world.”