|
DAY 1 PUNTA ARENAS-PUERTO NATALES
Arrival at Punta Arenas airport. Reception and transfer
to Puerto Natales, which takes us through the typical pampas
steppes of the Magellan region; we encounter numerous animals like
sheep, cows, ostriches and a variety of birds. Visit of the
penguin colony at Otway Sound. Arrival at the picturesque city of
Puerto Natales situated on the banks of the bay of Ultima
Esperanza. Overnight at Puerto Natales.
DAY 2 TORRES DEL PAINE
We leave Puerto Natales and arrive after 45 min. at the
Milodon Cave, where we can see the remains of an herbivore animal
that lived within the cave 12.000 years ago. Our next stop will be
the border crossing Cerro Castillo and from then on you should
start to look up to the sky - we are entering the area of condors.
At Lake Sarmiento we catch our first glimpse of the Paine massif.
As we get closer to the Park, we see the first guanacos which will
accompany us for the next hours. At Lake Nordenskjold we have
photo stops and then drive along this lake with its magnificent
views of the Paine massif during the next half an hour. You will
be overwhelmed by the views. A short 30 minute hike will take us
to the waterfall "Salto Grande". We stop to enjoy our picnic at
Lake Pehoe, a great spot for views of the mountain range. After a
visit of the Administration Center you will get a better idea of
the National Park. Our last stop before we have return to Puerto
Natales is the peninsula Grey. A walk along the beach at Lake Grey
gives us great views towards the glacier Grey. At the beach huge
rocks of ice are stranded like former battleships, (B, BL).
DAY 3 BALMACEDA AND SERRANO GLACIARES
After breakfast we depart for a full day excursion to
the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, sailing through Ultima
Esperanza Fiord. During this trip we can observe colonies of
cormorants and sea lions. Upon arrival at the Serrano glacier, we
will take a short walk from where we can admire its impressive
millennial ices. Snacks included. Return to Puerto Natales at
approximately 6 p.m. Overnight at Puerto Natales, (B).
DAY 4 PUERTO NATALES - PUNTA ARENAS
Breakfast at hotel and departure towards Punta Arenas.
The afternoon includes visits to all major attractions of Punta
Arenas, once the boomtown of southern Chile due to all the
commerce that passed through the Strait of Magellan. Punta Arenas
is still filled with buildings erected in its glory days -
mansions now converted to hotels and government buildings. An
important visit will be the Museo Regional Salesiano, a collection
gathered by Salesian monks in the early days of European
exploration and colonization. It covers what little is known about
the former residents of this far off land, in addition to
providing other exhibits on local flora and fauna. Overnight at
Punta Arenas, (B).
DAY 5 PUNTA ARENAS
In due time transfer to Punta Arenas airport.
|
