Punta Arenas Trip Overview
Journey to the End of the Earth! Treat yourself to this private tour and see the highlights of Chilean Patagonia in just 4 days! This exclusive tour is designed to allow you the chance to discover the most interesting sites in the area at your own pace with the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide.
* Torres del Paine National Park
* Milodon Cave
* Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
* Magdalena Island Penguin Colony (November – March)
* Fort Bulnes & Strait of Magellan Park (April – October)
* City Tours of Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales
Additional Info
Duration: 4 days
Starts: Punta Arenas, Chile
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Punta Arenas Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Punta Arenas, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Chile
Journey to the End of the Earth! Treat yourself to this private tour and see the highlights of Chilean Patagonia in just 4 days! This exclusive tour is designed to allow you the chance to discover the most interesting sites in the area at your own pace with the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide.
* Torres del Paine National Park
* Milodon Cave
* Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
* Magdalena Island Penguin Colony (November – March)
* Fort Bulnes & Strait of Magellan Park (April – October)
* City Tours of Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales
Itinerary
Day 1: Morning arrival in Punta Arenas. Pick up at airport.
Stop At: Punta Arenas, Punta Arenas, Magallanes Region
We will embark on a 3-hour drive in a private vehicle through the tundra of southern Patagonia until reaching the town of Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and the Chilean fjords.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Puerto Natales, Puerto Natales, Magallanes Region
Take a late afternoon stroll through the rustic town where you can choose from a wide selection of quaint restaurants for dinner.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Torres del Paine National Park
Stop At: Cueva del Milodon, Ruta y-290 kilometro 8, Puerto Natales Chile
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.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Torres Del Paine National Park, Torres del Paine National Park Chile
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. We 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. We then continue through the park following 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”.
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Catamaran Cruise to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers
Stop At: Serrano Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park Chile
This is arguably the trip’s highlight. We will cruise through the Ultima Esperanza Fjord on board a comfortable modern catamaran. We arrive about 2 hours later at Balmaceda Glacier, with its summit covered with ice that falls in colossal chunks into the sea. We 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. On the return to Puerto Natales you will be invited to a glass of whiskey with “millennial” ice from the glacier.
Duration: 6 hours
Stop At: Punta Arenas, Punta Arenas, Magallanes Region
Drive to Punta Arenas
Duration: 3 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony (December – March) / Fort Bulnes & Strait of Magellan Park (April – November)
Stop At: Isla Magdalena, Jose Nogueira 1255, Punta Arenas 6200000 Chile
Climb aboard an awaiting catamaran and cruise the Strait of Magellan, while watching the water for the protruding fins of dolphins, to 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.
Note: If this activity is cancelled due to weather conditions, we will offer a city tour of Punta Arenas as an alternative.
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
