January 10, 2025

Today’s route took us south from Punta Arenas to the “end of the Ruta de la Fin del Mundo” at Fuerte Bulnes.

Heading south, we passed several shipwrecks left behind by Antarctic storms (photo 1). We were traveling along the Strait of Magellan (photo 2). Across the strait, we could see the Chilean islands (photos 3 and 4) that lie south of Magellan’s passage during his historic circumnavigation of the globe.

In the map (photo 5)—note: land is blue, water is white—you can clearly see that south of the Brunswick Peninsula (where we are) there are only islands, including the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. The dotted line marks Magellan’s route. The road ends at Fuerte Bulnes, but from there you can continue on foot to the Cabo Froward lighthouse. Indeed, we have reached the true end of the world.

The entrance to Fuerte Bulnes (photo 6) quickly leads to the fort. Built in 1843, it marked the Chileans’ claim to this remote part of the world. At the time, it was home to a governor and nine soldiers, built to defend against the Tehuelche people. When the settlement grew, they decided to establish Punta Arenas in a less exposed area, away from harsh winds and weather (photos 7–12).

This final bike journey before leaving the continent for the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego covered 30 stages, 3,000 km (700 of which were on gravel roads), and 28,000 meters of elevation gain.

We loaded the bikes into the camper and returned to Punta Arenas.

The afternoon was spent doing laundry for those staying on (photo 14) and visiting the Magellan Museum (photos 15–19). The museum showcased a replica of one of Magellan’s cramped ships, offering a profound glimpse into the historical feat of his voyages. It was astonishing to see how such a small vessel carried out one of humanity’s greatest exploratory achievements. Magellan’s journey marked the first complete circumnavigation of the globe, undertaken in harsh weather conditions. This visit was a culturally enriching moment for our group, which thrives on cycling and salami!

Later, Gigi and Alberto organized a barbecue.

At dinner, Gigi sparked a heartfelt discussion reflecting on the past two months of travel (November 12–January 11). We laughed, got emotional, and shared profound pieces of ourselves.