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Patagonia
Chilean Patagonia is one of the remotest and beautiful areas of the world, with lush forests, deep fjords, spectacular shaped mountains and awe inspiring glaciers. Amongst the scenery is an abundance of wildlife including llama, guanaco, rhea, condors and Magellan penguins.
Punta Arenas, the southern most town of its size in the world is at the tip and from Punta Arenas you can take a cruise to Ushuaia (Argentina) around the island of Tierra del Fuego which means land of fire, named after the fires lit by Onas Indians; the early explorers thought the land was literally on fire. This is where the sea and the mountains meet, the Pacific and Atlantic oceans merge and the roaring 40’s blow; it is a legendary passage of water.
The town of Puerto Natales, 3 hours north, is a wind blown town reminiscent of a western film. Colourful wooden houses, hotels and posadas are scattered across the landscape. The route north can be broken up with an overnight stay in an ‘estancia’ (farmhouse), which provided superb traditional food and enormous wood fires. From here the road heads into the best national park in Patagonia, Torres del Paine. Inside, its trademark twin granite peaks preside over a string of iceberg-studded lakes ranging in colour from emerald green to aquamarine to grey, encircled by huge glaciers, waterfalls and surrounded by forest. The park is a World Biosphere Reserve with an abundance of wild flora and fauna, a network of over 250 km of outstanding walking trails, as well as a wide range of facilities making it Chile’s best-equipped park. THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Chilean Patagonia has a wide range of attractions, from Punta Arenas and its penguin colonies, a cruise through the Magellan Straits to the awe inspiring Torres del Paine National Park. Below are some ideas of options in the region, though we can tailor any itinerary to suit your requirements.
Penguin colony on Isla Magdalena. Departing from Punta Arenas, this boat trip allows us to sail through the Strait of Magellan and to visit one of the biggest penguin colonies of Chile, with an estimated 150,000 Magellan penguins. Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. Full day. Departing by boat from Puerto Natales, you cruise through the Esperanza Fjord, hopefully spotting sea lions en-route to the foot of the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers. TORRES DEL PAINE
This national park can be offered in a variety of ways, though owing to its extraordinary beauty we would suggest a minimum of 2 nights inside the park. There is a wide range of accommodation, varying from rustic lodges to an upmarket hotel.
Hiking: the park offers some of the best trails in South America, from ½ to full day walks, 1 hour trails to hiking the grand circuit around the Paine Massif which lasts anywhere from 6 – 10 days. Please contact us for more detailed information regarding trekking in the park. Horse riding: several options are available, two of the best are, (a) Valle del Frances with good views overlooking the entire park with its multicoloured lakes, and, (b) riding along the edge of Grey Lake to the tip of the Glacier, where icebergs float on the Lake. Vehicle: for the non-walker the entire park can be viewed by vehicle or boat. Some of its highlights are the Grey Glacier with its queue of icebergs on the shoreline, Laguna Azul offering a different view of the Torres Massif and crossing the bizarrely coloured lakes of Nordenskjord and Pehoe to mention a few. CRUISING AROUND CAPE HORN
The Mare Australis is the boat to cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia (Argentina). This can be done as a one-way trip, making for an exciting trip into Argentina (5 days /4 nights) or from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (4 days/3 nights). She has 63 cabins distributed into 3 categories; all have standard beds, panoramic windows, private bathroom and heating. She has two lounges, dining area and a top deck with a large viewing platform ideal for spotting dolphin and whales.
During the cruise several activities/stops are planned to spot wildlife and to visit the surrounding fjords. She comes equipped with several small motor boats enabling you reach the very foot of nearby glaciers and to allow you to explore terra firma.
Recommended lodges in this area:
Torres del Paine
Explora Patagonia is a luxurious lodge in the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park, where a day's exploring of this incredible environment is made even more enjoyable by the comforts of the evening
Torres del Paine
The Hosteria Las Torres Set in the east of the Torres de Paine National Park and with views onto the towers of the Paine itself, this is a great option. It is still a rustic hotel which offers a perfect location
Torres del Paine
This is the ultimate luxury camping experience located over the sparkling turquoise Lake Toro in the rolling hills just outside Torres del Paine National Park. The Camp comprises of 17 Yurts with central heating
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