Day 1:
Flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and the Chilean fjords.
Private transfer to hotel in Puerto Natales.
Take a stroll through this quaint town on the Señoret Sound where you can browse a wide selection of souvenir shops and choose a nice restaurant for dinner.
Day 2:
Milodon Cave Natural Monument
We will leave early in the morning and make our first stop at the Milodon Cave. This Natural Monument is located just the north of Puerto Natales. This Monument is formed by a large cavern and a rocky formation called the “Chair of the Devil”. It is here that the 10,000-year old remains of the prehistoric sloth-like animal called the “Milodon” were discovered in 1895 by German pioneer Hermann Eberhard. At the entrance to the cave, you will see a statue of the Milodon.
Torres del Paine National Park
We continue on to Torres del Paine National Park. We will enter the park at the eastern entrance by the Serrano River and head towards Grey Lake and a lookout point to view Grey Glacier. Then, you will have time for lunch overlooking the beautiful mountains and the Cuernos de Paine (Blue Horns).
After lunch, we continue to the middle of the park to Salto Grande Waterfall and to Nordernskjold and Sarmiento Lakes with their emerald colors. Here, you may should spot guanacos, ñandu and other animals native to the area.
Our last stop in the park will be Paine Waterfall, which offers incredible views of the Torres del Paine (Blue Towers).
We will then exit the park’s western entrance at Laguna Amargo and return to Puerto Natales.
Day 3:
Sailing to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers & Traditional Chilean “Asado” (BBQ Lunch) – Weather Permitting
You will cruise through the Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) Fjord on a comfortable modern catamaran. You arrive about 2 hours later at Balmaceda Glacier, with its summit covered with ice that falls in colossal chunks into the sea. You then travel on to Serrano Glacier in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park where you dock for a 30-minute walk through the forest to a lagoon with floating icebergs and wonderful views of the forested hills and glacier. Once back on board the catamaran, you will be invited to a glass of whiskey with “millennial” ice from the glacier. Before returning to Puerto Natales a stop will be made at Perales Ranch for a Chilean-style barbecue lunch.
Private transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas (3 hours)
You will embark on a 3-hour drive in a private vehicle through the tundra of southern Patagonia until reaching the city of Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan.
Day 4:
Morning
Boat Tour to Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony (November – March) – Weather Permitting
Climb aboard an awaiting boat and cruise the Strait of Magellan. While watching the water for the protruding fins of dolphins and tails of humpback whales, you will start to see in the distance the small and serene Magdalena Island.
This protected reserve has been a breeding site of Magellanic penguins since 1982. You will be amazed as you see thousands of penguins crowding the shore, squawking and frolicking happily in their natural habitat. Disembark and follow your guide along a trail that meanders around the island and delight in the curious nature of the penguins, which are sure to cross your path as you stroll. Observe hundreds of penguin burrows and gain fascinating insight into the mating habits and behavior of these birds while keeping an eye out for swooping cormorants and Andean seagulls. Ascend to the island’s highest elevation where there is a historic lighthouse.
Fort Bulnes and Strait of Magellan Park (April – October)
We will drive along the Strait of Magellan where you will see a variety of birds, including seagulls, caiquenes, ibis, cormorants, and others. The trip takes about an hour.
Our first destination is the landmark that marks the geographic center of Chile, where you can take pictures. We then continue to Fort Bulnes, located in the Strait of Magellan Park, offering fascinating insights into both the motivations of the region’s predominantly Eastern European settlers and the struggles of the remarkably resilient indigenous inhabitants.
Founded in 1843 under the command of President Manuel Bulnes, the fort was abandoned and burned down six years later, due to the challenging living conditions and the harsh terrain. In 1943, the fort was reconstructed and it was fully restored in 2002. As you explore the grounds, learn about the original construction of the buildings, manufactured from logs, dirt and bricks made of grass. See the small church and chaplain’s quarters, and visit the jail, post office and stables. Discover the barracks and log cabins at this historic military outpost and imagine living within its defensive walls as you enjoy fabulous views of the Strait of Magellan.
Afternoon
City Tour of Punta Arenas
Lookout at Cerro de la Cruz Hill
We start at Cerro de la Cruz Hill, where you will enjoy panoramic views of the city and Strait of Magellan. Here, you will have an opportunity to have lunch at Cafe Sarmiento (not included).
Plaza de Armas Muñoz Gamero
Next stop, the city’s main plaza where you will find a statue of Ferdinand Magellan gazing out to the sea, which features a number of figures at its base, including a mermaid and an indigenous male whose leg and foot dangle down the base. His foot has been touched so often that the bronze has turned into a shining gold color. Legend has it that touching his foot is good luck and means you will return someday to Punta Arenas.
Waterfront
After strolling around the plaza, which also contains various handicraft stands for souvenir shopping, we will head to the Costanera, a boardwalk along the Strait of Magellan.
Sara Braun Municipal Cemetery
Afterwards, we visit the Sara Braun Municipal Cemetery. The cemetery tells the story of the early settlers to the area. The beautiful mausoleums of the wealthy rival those of the Recoleta in Buenos Aires. Here you will find the tomb of the Indio Desconocido or “Unknown Indian.” His body was found on an island in 1929 and brought here. Rumors began that he had miraculous powers so people started leaving money at the grave asking for special favors. Money was collected and eventually a bronze statue was placed on his grave. The last member of the Selk’nam indigenous tribe is also buried here.
Nao Victoria Museum
Our last stop is the Nao Victoria Museum, which offers visitors the experience of interacting with replicas of the ships that contributed to the discovery and colonization of the region, including the Victoria, part of an expedition commanded by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and was the first ship to circumnavigate the world between 1519-1522.
Day 5:
Private transfer to airport in Punta Arenas for flight to Santiago
Important notes:
(1) The weather in Patagonia can change without notice and can include severe conditions, such as gale-force winds. Therefore, the order of activities may need to be changed on-site.
(2) In the event of cancellations of sailings due to poor weather conditions: (1) during the Summer Season (November 1 – March 31): (a) if the boat tour to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers is cancelled, we will substitute this activity with a visit to Fort Bulnes and the Strait of Magellan Park near Punta Arenas, (2) if the boat tour to Magdalena Island Penguin Colony is cancelled, we will substitute this activity with a visit to Fort Bulnes and the Strait of Magellan Park near Punta Arenas, and (3) if both the sailing to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers and the sailing to Magdalena Island Penguin Colony are cancelled, we will substitute one sailing with a visit to Fort Bulnes and the Strait of Magellan Park near Punta Arenas and will issue a reimbursement of USD 250 per person for the other sailing; and (2) during the Winter Season (April 1- October 31): (a) if the boat tour to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers is cancelled, a reimbursement of USD 180 per person will be issued. All reimbursements will be issued within 24 hours of notification of the cancellation of the sailing(s).
(3) Although this is a private tour with your own vehicle and guide, the sailing to the glaciers and to the penguin colony are not private experiences.