Day 1:
Flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and the Chilean fjords.
Transfer to hotel in Puerto Natales.
Take a stroll through the rustic town on the Ultima Esperanza Sound where you can browse a wide selection of souvenir shops and choose a quaint restaurant for dinner.
Day 2:
Milodon Cave Natural Monument
We will leave early in the morning and make our first stop at Milodon Cave. This Natural Monument is located 15 miles to the north of Puerto Natales. This Monument is formed by three caverns and a rocky formation called the “Chair of the Devil”. It is here that the 5,000-year old remains of the prehistoric bear-like animal called the “Milodón” were discovered in 1902. 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 first stop at the park’s Administrative Headquarters and Visitors Center before heading to Grey Lake where you will have the option of taking a 30-minute walk to an overlook of the lake to witness floating icebergs and a view of Grey Glacier in the distance. You then will have time for lunch at Pehoé lookout with amazing views of the granite “Horns of Paine”.
After lunch, we continue to Salto Grande Waterfall and to Nordernskjold and Sarmiento Lakes with their emerald colors. Here, we 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 “Towers of Paine”.
Day 3:
Catamaran Cruise to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers & Traditional Chilean “Asado” (BBQ Lunch) – Weather Permitting
You will cruise through the Ultima Esperanza Sound 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 we 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.
Drive 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 (December – March) – Weather Permitting
Climb aboard an awaiting catamaran 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, also known as Los Pinguinos Natural Park.
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, 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 – November)
We will drive along the Strait of Magellan where you will see a variety of seabirds, 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 (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 is burnished a shining gold. 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.
Maggiorino Borgatello Museum (Closed on Monday)
Back in 1893, the Salesian missionaries that had settled in Punta Arenas headed by Father Jose Fagnano resolved to create a museum that represented the valuable cultural and ecological richness of the region. Thus, this institution named after its first director, Father Maggiorino Borgatello, was created. The museum is distributed into 4 levels which, in turn, are divided in sections, namely: ethnology, archaeology, history, and wildlife. The objects and documents from the Salesian days, the handicrafts and tools made by the natives, along with the fossils and petrified animals from the area are also part of the display.
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:
Transfer to airport in Punta Arenas for flight to Santiago.
Please note:
(1) The order of sites visited may vary.
(2) In the event of the cancellation of the boat tour to Isla Magdalena due to poor weather conditions, we will substitute this activity with a visit to Fort Bulnes and the Strait of Magellan Park.