EXPERIENCES

We start our tour to Torres del Paine National Park. The first stop is the ancient cave Milodon, declared a historical monument in 1968 and a Natural Monument in 1993, it is located 25 km north of Puerto Natales. This natural monument consists of three caverns and a rocky conglomerate called "Silla del Diablo". The largest of these caves is 150 m.a.s.l. and its dimensions are 30 meters high, 50 meters wide and 200 meters deep. The scientific interest of the place is given by the discovery, in 1896, skin, bones and other remains of an extinct animal, the MILODÓN (Mylodon darwini) a large herbivore which became extinct probably late Pleistocene. After 30 minutes of tour and 36 Km. more, it will be the second stop in Cerro Castillo, where passengers can enjoy cafeteria service. All a preamble to get then to Torres del Paine National Park by Laguna Amarga sector or Porteria Sarmiento, which is even more amazing. Following in the path you can see the Nordenskjold and Pehoe lakes, accompanied by groups of guanacos and Lesser Rheas. The road continues with a walk of 10 minutes, where you can discover the beautiful Salto Grande fall, then headed to Camp Pehoe (Sodexo) where the passenger can go to lunch (not included) with view of the Cuernos del Paine. During the afternoon, the tour continues to the sector of Lake and Grey Glacier, where a stop of about 45 minutes and a beautiful hike from the Grey parking area, cross walking the Pingo River hanging bridge, walk through beech forest and then along the beach will take place Lago Grey peninsula and the shores of Lake is lining up a hill to reach the Mirador Grey that overlooks the lake, the icebergs area and part of the glacier, where the Paine Grande is appreciated. The return trip is exiting the Park by Laguna Amarga or River Serrano, a real show that copies of red foxes and condors usually accompany the fascinating panorama of the Paine Massif and finally concludes this trip coming to Puerto Natales around 19:00 hrs. Approx.

Quebrada de las Conchas (Shell Ravine) is a magical place where the wind and the water have carved, after many centuries, very curious forms. We will see its very diverse geological formation and incredible landscapes. Departure by car from Cafayate towards the Quebrada de las Conchas; during the journey we will stop to contemplate the most relevant forms of the rock, such as the Garganta del Diablo, El Anfiteatro, El Obelisco, El Sapo, Los Castillos and others. Then the trek is about an hour –moderate difficulty. On the way back to Cafayate we will make a last stop to take a short walk to the Calchaquí River.

Early in the morning we depart to Valdés Peninsula. At the entrance the fee to the World Heritage Area is paid; then arrival at the Ameghino Isthmus where we stop at the Interpretation Center. We continue to Puerto Pirámides where (between June and December) we can embark for a close encounter with the ballena franca Whale (optional). After that we visit Punta Pirámides lobería (seals settlement). Then we leave to Caleta Valdés where we will have time to have lunch (optional) and we will see an elephant seals settlement. We will pass by a penguin rookery in formation, where (between September and April) we will have the opportunity to see some specimens of the "Magellan" type from the top of a cliff. During the tour we can observe Patagonia typical fauna (maras, choiques, guanacos, and piches) and different birds. In case we fail to sail in the morning for bad weather, we will go to Pirámides Port for whales sighting. Late in the afternoon we arrive in our accommodation.