4 days · Punta Arenas · Fuerte Bulnes · Magdalena Island penguins
Punta Arenas & Magellan Strait
From US$2,649 per person
Trip at a glance
- Duration 4 days · 2 excursion daysArrival and departure days in Punta Arenas
- Difficulty EasyShort walks in town, at the fort and on the island trail
- Accommodation Hotel in Punta Arenas every night3 hotel nights with breakfast
- Trip style History and penguinsThe city and the fort by road, the penguins by boat
Inside the experience
Our travelers, on the Strait of Magellan.
Trip overview
Punta Arenas & Magellan Strait is a four-day extension from a hotel in Punta Arenas, before or after Torres del Paine, for travelers who fly through the city and want to make it part of the trip, not a stopover.
A day for the city and the history of the Strait, with the road south to Fuerte Bulnes and the Parque del Estrecho; and a half day by boat to the Magellanic penguins of Magdalena Island.
You sleep three nights in Punta Arenas with breakfast. Transfers, the city tour, the fort and the boat are arranged, with a local guide on both outings: the far south at an easy pace.
Is this trip right for you?
The whole extension in three numbers, and no hiking hours to count.
- 2 excursion daysfrom your hotel in Punta Arenas
- Under 1 hourof walking on any day
- 3 nightsin a hotel, with breakfast
Two outings from your hotel, neither of them a hike: the city and the fort by road, the penguins by boat. If that sounds like your kind of stopover, this is your trip.
Heading to the mountains next? The Patagonia Relax Experience continues at the same gentle pace from Puerto Natales, three hours north by road.
Punta Arenas, day by day
The extension begins and ends in Punta Arenas, with three hotel nights and two outings. Choose a day to see where it goes, how long it takes, the meals and where you sleep.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · Terrain from open elevation data
What’s included
For US$2,649 per person, both outings are arranged before you arrive. Optional extras and what’s not included are listed separately.
Accommodation
- 3 hotel nights in Punta Arenas, with breakfast
- Welcome briefing with local recommendations
Transport and logistics
- Airport transfers in Punta Arenas, both ways
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel for both outings
- Fuerte Bulnes and the Parque del Estrecho, entrance included
- Boat to Magdalena Island, reserve entrance included
Guiding and local support
- Local guide on both outings
- Punta Arenas city tour: main square, waterfront, viewpoints and historic sites
- Local support before and during your trip
Optional
- King Penguin Park in Tierra del Fuego. A long full day with the ferry crossing, quoted on request.
- Monte Tarn trek. A full-day hike for active travelers, quoted on request.
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Bus tickets between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales (we check that your flight and bus times match)
- Lunches and dinners
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and gratuities
What travelers say
Traveler reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and WeTravel
Both tours were excellent with excellent English speaking tour guides arranged. Our tour guide Claudia had excellent knowledge of the area and made us feel comfortable throughout the tours.
Natty is a fabulous, talented, funny, energetic and very knowledgeable guide. She explained everything in detail, what to expect, level of effort, etc. and took us to the most beautiful places on the planet.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we get by email, answered before you ask.
Is Punta Arenas worth adding to my Patagonia trip?
Yes, especially if your flights arrive or depart there. In four days you get the history of the Strait, Fuerte Bulnes, the penguins of Magdalena Island and the city itself, with no demanding walks. It works before or after Torres del Paine. Where Punta Arenas sits in the wider trip is explained in getting to Patagonia.
How long is the Magdalena Island boat trip?
About half a day: around two hours of sailing in total and an hour on the island. Departure times depend on the operator schedule and the conditions of the day; we confirm them with you the day before.
When can I see penguins near Punta Arenas?
Magellanic penguins nest on Magdalena Island from October to early April. Outside those months the island trip does not run, and the King Penguin Park in Tierra del Fuego, with its year-round colony, can be quoted as a long full-day option. Season by season, the rest of the year is in when to visit Patagonia.
Is this program physically demanding?
No. It is city visits, scenic stops and short walks: the longest is the island trail, about a kilometer on flat ground. It suits families, couples and older travelers.
What happens if the boat to Magdalena Island cannot sail?
The crossing depends on the sea conditions of the day. If it cannot sail, we arrange the best alternative available so the day is not lost.