Travel:Into & Out of Port Williams Chile, Oct. 26th & Nov. 6/2025

A continuation of a trip to Antarctica and other parts of Chile which includes posts from Oct 22nd -Nov23rd

Santiago -10/ 23-26 (here)

Santiago Surroundings 10/24 (here)

The Antarctica's expedition 197 participants were flown in 3 chartered planes, from Santiago, down south to Puerto Williams, located at the continent's tip pf Chile,  much later than originally planned, in the afternoon of Oct 26th

As we were shuttled to the Santiago's airport in bus # 8 (out of 9) we boarded the third and last plane, operated by  Aerovias DAP Antarctic Airways.

This Chilean Airline that operates charter

flights with its base in Punta Arenas, through its brand Antarctic Airways, DAP ,  carries out 76% of all air traffic between Antarctica and America,

The airline was established in 1980 and is wholly owned by the Pivcevic family.

 Domingo Andreas Pivcevic - a Punta Arenas based businessman, had distinctively, trade-marked the DAP planes in a Penguin looks and colors 

Andrés Pivcevic was the successor to the vision of his father, Domingo Andrés Pivcevic, founder of the holding company, whose name is derived from his initials.

He had successfully fulfilled his mission by creating a regional company in the extreme territory of the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region,

From there he offered unparalleled connectivity to the far south of Chile, including the only regular commercial air services in the world. to Antarctica,

Flying over Central Valley

The delayed departure (due to the previous day's icy conditions) from the small private terminal at Santiago airport finally took off, and luckily the weather, throughout the 4 hours flight over the snow whited capped Andes, was calm, bright and clear most of the way., and thus allowed some air photos taken.

                                                 Flying over Tierra del Fuego

Transitioning upon landing (after 7:00pm) from Santiago's sunny warm weather with Temp at 78 F to the subpolar oceanic climate of Port Williams, and its cold drop to 43 F,

yet dry and clear weather,

required a serious, physical and mental adjustment

Landing at Puerto Williams

Once landing, at twilight, and immediately bussed to the docked cruise ship, touring Port Williams was possible only upon returning, at the end of the cruise on Nov 6th.

The Silver Wind

Silver Wind is a small cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises, a luxury cruise line. The ship entered service in 1995 and is the second ship of her class, the first being her sister ship Silver Cloud, in service since 1994.

Silver Wind which was thoughtfully refitted for polar travel in 2021, can accommodate 274 guests. but we were only 197 in total with almost the same amount of cruise staff.

The Silver Wind was lighten up, ready for our embarking almost at midnight on Oct 26th

Port Williams

Puerto Williams which was founded in 1953, claims the title of world's southernmost city 

The small port and naval base town of 3000 inhabitants, at the southern tip of the continent, between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans., is a continuous coastal strip along the south bank of the Beagle Channel , set on the large Navarino Island  part of the Tierra del Fuego

The Tierra del Fuego Archipelago (shared by Chile and Argentina) is known for its dramatic landscape of snowy mountains, glaciers, tundra and wind-sculpted trees.

Poet Williams is the capital of the Chilean Antarctic Province, one of four provinces in the Magellan and Chilean Antarctica Region

Europeans began to be interested in the area for development at the end of 19th c

after gold was discovered in the region, attracting masses of migrants and immigrants seeking fortunes.

Port Williams developed primarily as a naval base for Chile

Since the late 20th c the number of navy personnel has decreased in town

The civilian population has increased. due to support in tourism and scientific research that contributed to an increase in economic activity.

The town is best known as a starting point for trips around Cape Horn.and Antarctica as well as a gateway to trails around the jagged peaks of the nearby Dientes de Navarino massif looming over the urban linear layout of low-rise-one and two-story, timber housing/ facilities, with light metal cladding.

The town comprises of a number of simple, private houses, a plaza, an airport for air connection to Punta Arenas, a small yacht marina and houses for naval personnel.

The Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum traces the history of the region’s former inhabitants, the indigenous Yaghan people. of southern Chile,

Navarino Island considered to have dense concentrations of Yahgan archeological sites in the world

The Yaghans are believed to have migrated to this area more than 10,000 years ago and established their traditional hunter-gatherer culture,

known for building temporary settlements on a seasonal basis.

Their domestic waste middens show dependency on fishing for food, gathered vegetables and remains of huts.

They are one of the most rudimentary indigenous cultures with regards to its material development, but at the same time, one of the most surprising with its oral tradition, and in its ability to survive around glaciers, canals, strong winds and generally extreme environmental conditions.

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After sailing the Arctic seas for 12 days instead of the original 10, the Silver Sea returned safely back to Port Williams , on Nov 6

                                 Returning to Port Williams

It was a thrilling relief encountering again in full view, the verdant landscape of Navarino Island with the colorful houses of Port Williams, after sailing for 12 days through the Arctic seas (see the Antarctica posts) being only immersed in desolated monochromatic white glacial dessert scenery, and after crossing twice-there and back- the rough water of the Drake Passage on its 3-4 m wave swell,

This south-most green tip of Chile', surrounded by capped snowy white mountains, revealed while proceeding into the harbor, was a magnificent sight It was early morning when we finally docked at Port Williams.

The weather was unexpectedly, sunny bright, and relatively warm 

Shading off the tons of polar clothing layers, and feel a bit lighter was a relief.

Nature walking Tour

Stranded in the Antarctic for 2 extra days due to an unexpected Arctic blizzard which made the Drake Strait crossing unsafe, and which prolonged our stay on board, once arriving back to the port, the ship's expeditions staff offered a two hours nature hike, through the green dense forest, near-by the town's center.

It took only half an hour to walk by foot from the docked ship at the marina to the beginning of the forested trail along a quint water stream, then up a vista hill, and down toward the port, via the small center of town, dotted by few trinkets shops, which were raided by us - incidental tourists- at the town's square

The lush verdant variety of vegetation and the panoramic view of the harbor from the elevated parts on the trail, during this "freedom hike" were a great much needed physical movement stretch, as well as a true spirited

"food for the soul" .

During the previous 2 days David who is an experienced savvy travel planner, was working frantically and successfully to re-arrange the schedules of our flights' and hotels' reservations, all scrambled due to the cruise's unexpected delayed return.

Nov 6th was the last night we slept on the docked Silver Wind before us being the first ones to get off the ship before 8:00am, on Nov 7th,

While rest of the passengers were chartered back to Santiago, later that day, we privately arranged to catch an early morning flight, out of Porto Williams to our next destination in Patagonia, continuing our private land-tour plans of Chile.

Last glimpse of the docked Silver Wind in the marina, from Port Williams' Airport

Departing Puerto Williams to Puerto Arenas

To Be Continued....