Karukinka Natural Park Adventures
Karukinka Natural Park is a vast protected wilderness in Chilean Tierra del Fuego, renowned for its diverse sub-Antarctic forests, rugged mountains, and abundant wildlife, offering visitors unparalleled outdoor adventure in one of the world's southernmost expanses of pristine nature.
About Karukinka Natural Park
Karukinka Natural Park spans approximately 2,800 square kilometers on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego, encompassing extensive lenga and coihue forests, peat bogs, mountain ranges, rivers, and coastal fjords. Established on land donated by Goldman Sachs in 2004 and managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the park protects a unique sub-Antarctic ecosystem that supports rare wildlife such as guanacos, Andean foxes, and a variety of bird species including the Magellanic woodpecker and Black-chested buzzard-eagle. Visitors can immerse themselves in trekking through old-growth forests, wildlife watching, and exploring glacial valleys and pristine waterways. The park offers remote, off-the-beaten-path experiences with opportunities for camping, hiking, and nature photography. Its rugged terrain and shifting weather make preparation vital, but those who venture here are rewarded with dramatic landscapes such as the Darwin Range and pristine rivers like the Río Fénix. Karukinka’s remoteness preserves its wilderness character, making it a sanctuary for researchers and an adventurous destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking solitude and natural beauty at the edge of the world.
Highlights
The Darwin Mountain Range with dramatic peaks and glacial valleys
Old-growth lenga forests supporting diverse flora and fauna
Río Fénix and other pristine waterways ideal for fishing and kayaking
Remote backcountry campsites offering solitude and stargazing
Notable Natural Features
Darwin Mountain Range
An impressive series of peaks and valleys providing spectacular hiking terrain and glacial landscapes.
Lenga and Coihue Forests
Dense sub-Antarctic forests with towering southern beech trees supporting unique plant and animal life.
Río Fénix
A crystal-clear river running through the park, offering fishing opportunities and scenic riverbank routes.