South American Natural Adventures

CUSTOM ITINERARY FOR

Reah, Keith, Jessica & Kyle Kittelberger
with Adam Kent

continues.....

Day 5– Tuesday, April 12: Torres del Paine National Park
An early walk to the creek and campsite area in front of the hotel may reveal Chilean Flickers, which nest here. After breakfast we will walk from our hotel to the base of the Torres del Paine mountains; along the trail we will find the most stunning scenery imaginable. After walking through a terminal moraine we finally reach a spot with an incredible view of the towering peaks: the Torres themselves.  As usual, we'll be looking for the wildife of the region, including Andean Condor. Each evening on our return we have time to enjoy the Hosteria's comforts, from comfortable lounges to a relaxing sauna.
     
It is also possible this morning we will continue our exploration in a different area of the park. If winds are light a sensational vista is seen from Laguna Azul on the eastern side of the park, with the Torres reflected in this beautiful blue body of water. There is no better view of the Torres, and few more scenic vistas anywhere. The final decision as to today's activities will be reached after discussions between ourselves and our guide, taking into account the weather.                       B,L,D#

Day 6– Wednesday, April 13: Torres del Paine / Puerto Natales
Today we travel to the mountain (but low altitude) habitats of the Sierra Baguales, emphasizing the Parks’ origin, history and geography. Sierra Baguales is well known for its exotic rocky formations and for being the former habitat of hundreds of wild mustangs. While exploring this range it is more than likely that we’ll find fossils and petrified wood, while along the way route we’ll look for, Ochre-naped Ground-tyrant and the small Eared Dove. With luck a stream may reveal Torrent Duck and as rise, a rare White-throated Caracara. Sierra Baguales offers an unconventional experience of the Patagonia, past and present. After lunch in the hills we head out of the park to Puerto Natales, on Last Hope Sound. The harbor here is a good place to find Black-necked Swan (to match the Coscoroba swans we expect to see in the park) and a variety of gulls and cormorants, shorebirds and ducks. We overnight at Puerto Natales at Hotel Martin Gusinde for the next two nights.                         B,L,D

Day 7 – Thursday, April 14: Puerto Natales / Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers / Puerto Natales
An early departure from Puerto Natales to start a full day of sailing through the Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) Inlet. We’ll observe sea lions resting on cliffside rocks surrounded by hills and forests and a colony of cormorants located in the cliffs. The boat sails close to the Glacier Balmaceda and stops at the Glacier Serrano, where after disembarking we’ll trek through the forest to the edge of the lagoon, complete with floating ice mini-icebergs. It is common to see huge pieces of ice breaking off the glacier itself, and falling into the fjord. Hostería Monte Balmaceda is today’s lunch spot, where we’ll also take a walk to observe the typical flora of the area. This will be a grande finale for this exciting journey discovering the natural wonders of the “end of the world”. Later we return to Puerto Natales where we overnight.         B,L

Day 8– Friday, April 15: Puerto Natales / Punta Arenas / Santiago / In Flight
This morning we head back to Punta Arenas Airport for our Lan Chile flight LA282 at 1.40pm north to Santiago. Once again on arrival at 5.55pm we’ll notice the temperature difference. Making our way across to the International Terminal we check in for our flight to Miami – Lan Chile LA502 departing at 9.30pm. Once again the most comfortable area to wait is in the cafeteria area.                  B,*D

Day 9– Saturday, April 16: In Flight / Miami / Raleigh
Our flight arrives in Miami at 6.10am this morning. After passing through immigration we board our final flight home LanChile LA5578, departing at 11.35am, again operated by American Airlines. After our long journey north we arrive back in Raleigh at 1.35pm, tired but full of memories of the amazing vastness of Patagonia, and its wildlife, at the end of the world.           *B

B, breakfast; L, lunch; D, dinner; M meal; *in flight meal; # adults only

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