EXPERIENCES

Every land has its own secrets but not everyone is chosen to know them: a lighthouse in a lonely cape, a mysterious sunken ship for 40 years and a distinguished antique “estancia” are some of the icons that reveal the unknown stories of Tierra del Fuego. Very early in the morning departure from Ushuaia following National Route 3 and crossing The Andes through the Garibaldi Pass. We stop by the little town of Tolhuin, heart of the island, to visit La Unión Bakery. This is a traditional meeting point for both, locals and visitors, and it is part of the charm of this village. By midday we come to the Provincial Route “A”, where we took a gravel road heading toward the Atlantic Ocean and the San Pablo Cape. At this point, we hiked up to an isolated mountain with an abandoned lighthouse at the end. Climbing to the top of this beacon we will appreciate “Desdemona”, an abandoned ship for almost 40 years ago which invites us to sail through time. It happened on a cold winter morning in1983 when this enormous craft ran aground on the shores of the Argentine Sea. After exploring this mysterious giant, we visit Estancia Rolito. This lovely ranch, that keeps the spirit of a family business based on sheep farming tradition, is the first ranch to open its gates to rural tourism.

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.