Planned itenery:
We will head to Torres del Paine National Park!
You will make a quick stop in Puerto Natales for your last purchases in the Civilization before entering the National Park!
Upon Arrival, in Torres del Paine your driver will leave you at your hotel or Cabin.
The Adventure BeginsToday you will have time to explore Torres del Paine National Park on your own. This beautiful area in the South of Chile has much to offer.
You can spend the rest of the day walking around, you can go try the local Food. You will find Dishes like The Curanto, with seafood, sausages, ribs, chicken, potatoes and spices. Once you’ve arrived at your hotel in Torres del Paine, your adventure in this remarkable Patagonian wilderness is about to begin. While this part of your journey won’t include a guide, it offers you the freedom to explore at your own pace and savor the untouched beauty of Torres del Paine National Park.
As you explore Torres del Paine independently, remember to prioritize safety and respect for the environment. Enjoy your time in this extraordinary natural wonderland, and let the stunning landscapes and wildlife encounters fill your heart with the magic of Patagonia
Our Day:
Today is Glenn’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Glenn!!!!
Yesterday’s high winds prevented our trip out to Isla Magdalena by catamaran to see the colony of penguins who breed there. So, up early and check out of the hotel because we’ll be back
after the required check-out time, in time to make the 8 am departure from the dock. The boat trip takes about 1 1/2 hours to cover the 35 km or 22 miles from Punta Arenas through the Strait of Magellan. On the way we caught glimpses of dolphins and sea lions – but no whale! We learned that male penguins usually arrive in October to locate and prep their nesting burrow. Females arrive a bit later. Currently, 8,000 males and 8,000 females make up this rookery. Every year after November each pair produces two eggs. Both parents take turns caring for and fishing for their chicks. Their burrow nests can be 2 meters deep, meaning the chicks’ survival rate is 100%, doubling the population. However, once they leave the island on their migratory path, the loss rate for parents and youngsters is almost 40% due to the hazards of predators. These penguins mate for life, but if a mate fails to show up one year, they will generally pause a season before seeking a new mate. The penguins we saw were Magellanic or Banded Penguins. The island has a roped-off walkway from the shore, across the area, and at its center is an old lighthouse, currently a ranger and research station. We could watch the penguins waddling down to the water to go fishing, preening themselves, and even molting! Some were very close to us, but we were cautioned to
give way to them and stay 6 feet away. Once we returned to Punta Arenas, we grabbed lunch at the hotel. Afterwards, we met Jose
Luis, who drove us 4 1/2 hours to Torres del Paine National Park, arriving early evening
