A morning at sea after what seems to have been weeks of exploration was a welcome rest today. We filled the hours with interesting talks from the natural history staff, punctuated by delicious meals from our galley team. We were heading in the direction of Karukinka Private Reserve. The park is a well-protected area managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society, which received the land from Goldman Sachs after mining investors failed to meet the terms of their lease, and the land was seized. Now Chile and the WCS jointly manage the massive private park. It was our privilege to get to visit the area in the afternoon and make a landing amongst scores of Andean condors and southern elephant seals. In the evening, we set sail for the southern reaches of the Darwin range on Tierra Del Fuego.
11/10/2024
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Garibaldi Glacier, Romanche Fjord, and Beagle Channel
The first rays light up the northwestern branch of the Beagle Channel. In the distance mountains glow in pale yellows and oranges as well as the water’s many birds, including a flock of hundreds of sooty shearwaters as they search for food. By breakfast we are at the entrance of the Garibaldi Fjord, steep gray rock walls on either side, and at the end the beautiful eponymous glacier. We head out on Zodiac cruises to get closer views of the tortured rocks, beautiful waterfalls, stunted forests, and of course wait for the glacier to calve. It obliges us many times. During the afternoon, we nose into the Romanche Fjord and then head out to sail along the Beagle Channel. Along the way we encounter many seabirds. Before dinner we attend the captain’s farewell cocktails and enjoy the guest slideshow before heading down to our special asado dinner! Our remarkable expedition through the Chilean Fjords is coming to an end. We have all witnessed some amazing wildlife encounters and marveled at the beauty of the Torres del Paine Massif. Memories we have aplenty, which will be cherished for many a year.
