Stunning views await on tour of southern Chile
It’s difficult to comprehend the world when one part is in chaos while another remains peaceful.
David Placher embarked on an amazing and tranquil full-day tour of Torres del Paine and the Cueva del Mylodon Natural Monument in southern Chile. Starting in Puerto Natales, the nearest town to Torres del Paine, he climbed into a nine-passenger white van and quickly claimed a window seat.
His gaze was fixated on the views outside during almost the entire early morning journey. The van remained quiet as they passed stunning snow-dusted rolling hills, shimmering lakes, and snow-capped mountains. The sun peeked out from behind the mountain tops of the picturesque Patagonia region, illuminating the fluffy white clouds in the blue sky.
Identifying the northern border of Patagonia can be tricky. Maps of South America vary in showing where the funnel-shaped area begins in Chile and Argentina, but they consistently depict Patagonia covering the southern tips of both countries.
Shortly into the trip, the driver made an unexpected stop. The van pulled over to the side of the two-lane road to observe a group of guanacos. They were in a remote area, with no other vehicles in sight. The guanacos grazed in a large field, gathered behind a fence lining the road. A guanaco, a camelid native to South America closely related to the llama, remained calm as David slowly approached the fence to take pictures. One guanaco paused its eating, lifted its neck, turned, and stared at him. He took his photos and then moved on.
They later arrived at the popular Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, which early settlers used for shelter against unpredictable weather and wild animals. The ground was blanketed in ice and snow. He cautiously walked along the sidewalk, occasionally using the wooden handrail as he approached the cave’s large entrance. Along the path were sculptures of animals that once roamed the area. The cave tour lasted less than 20 minutes, and he wouldn’t consider it a must-see; it was simply part of his tour package.
Next, he visited the stunning Torres del Paine. Its diverse landscapes, beautiful mountains, and breathtaking views make this park one of the most magnificent places he has ever seen. Several tempting scenic hiking trails weave through the mountains and alongside the lake shores, but he was part of a tour group in a van. They stopped a few times for pictures, but their tight schedule meant the three-hour park tour didn’t include any hiking.
The cost of his tour didn’t cover everything. He also needed to purchase separate national park entry permits from Chile’s national park service at least 24 hours before entering the parks. Some people in his tour group neglected to buy these permits but were still granted entry. He wouldn’t recommend taking that risk, having heard stories of others being denied entry for lacking permits. Additionally, acquiring a permit right before entry is nearly impossible due to poor mobile reception, which can prevent receiving the permit via email.
His final stop was Puerto Natales, a small town situated at the entrance of Last Hope Sound on the Pacific Ocean. It’s a popular spot to witness the sunset behind the mountains. However, he learned a lesson in caution: after staring at the setting sun for too long, he suffered a terrible headache the next day.
