Antarctica

Chilean Antarctica is located 615,16 nm to the south of Punta Arenas and its largest inhabited location is Villa las Estrellas, but the whole territory lodge an average1,200 people throughout the year, because of tourist, scientific research teams and military crew.

The Chilean territory in Antarctica has a surface of 787.726,55 mi Square, the 8.699,20 mi total, and includes the islands that extend to the south of the channel of Cockburn by the west and of the channel Beagle by the east.

Some of the species that can be found in Chilean Antarctica are the blue whale, killer whales, sea elephant, seal of Weddell, Antarctic wolf fine, penguins, penguins of Adelia, Papua, Antarctic king and emperor, in addition to birds like albatross petrel and Antarctica dove.

In the Chilean Antarctic territory are located the bases President Frei, the Meteorological Center President Frei and Villa the Stars, inhabited by Chilean scientist s and militaries with their families.

Access to this territory is only by plane from Punta Arenas, the trips to Chilean Antarctica are subject to the weather conditions, that can alter the flight frequencies.

Antarctica has a tundra climate, with abundant precipitations and lower temperatures, which does not favor the vegetation existence. Mosses and líquenes have positively developed in this area, being the only vegetation that you can easily spot in Antarctica

The national sovereignty in Chilean Antarctica is assured by the existence of Villa Stars and numerous bases and refuges that are used for scientific observations. The territory has mining and fauna resources. The operation of krill stands out.

Limits of the Antarctic Chilean Territory

the limits of the territory of Chilean Antarctica were studied by a special commission, named by Decree of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Nº 1541 in September 7 of 1939, according to the historical antecedents, legal and diplomatic that were had accumulated until that date.

After this analysis, the President of the Republic of Chile of that time, Don Pedro Aguirre Cerda, promulgated the Supreme Decree Nº 1747, in November 6 of 1940, that fixes the limits of Chilean Antarctica and indicates the following thing: “Comprise the Chilean Antarctica or Antarctic Chilean Territory, all the earth, islands, small barren islands, reefs, glaciers (pack- ice) and others, known and to know and the respective territorial sea, existing within the limits of the cap constituted by the meridians 53 degrees west longitude of Greenwich and 90 degrees west longitude of Greenwich”.

Trips to Antarctica

Thanks to the Antarctic Treaty of 1991, Chilean Antarctica is a protected territory where is it only allowed the scientific research and  activities eco-friendly.

Through ships, equipped to cross wild waters of the Drake Channel it is possible to sail until Chilean Antarctica, starting the journey from Ushuaia in Argentina, the boats cross the Antarctic Circle drawing for blocks of iceberg, and begins the exploration of places like Barcroft island, Peterman island, the ruins of the Finnish Company Whaling Hektor, Livingston island, island King Jorge, until finally arriving at Chilean Base President Frei.

From scientific ships, which sometimes take tourists, passing through icebreakers to luxury cruises. Its passengers capacity goes from 38 to 250 passengers. The value of the staterooms depends on the ship, the location in the boat and the Vista to the outside. In addition, from Puerto Williams small ships make charters to Chilean Antarctica.

** Information related to Hours, Rates and Dates might change without any previous notice **