Paine, Glaciers and Penguins

Day 01: Punta Arenas Airport – Puerto Natales 

Reception at Punta Arenas ‘airport. Transfer to the city for taking the regular bus to Puerto Natales city (153 miles / 3 hours of trip). Transfer to the hotel and accommodation. 

Day 02: Torres del Paine National Park & Cueva del Milodon Natural Monument. 

Breakfast. Between 7:30and 8:00 AM approximately departure from passengers’ hotel for starting the full day excursion, which will take us to the Milodon’s cave (Natural Monument) firstly, and later, will take us to “Torres del Paine” National Park, where we will see the beautiful Paine Mountain and lakes such as; “Sarmiento”, “Nordenskjold” and “Pehoe”. An easy trek will take us to “Salto Grande” a mighty fall of water which is part of the hydrographic network of the park. Then, returning to the main road we will go to CONAF’ administrative main office for continuing toward the “Grey Lake”. A menu lunch or box lunch type is included in the service. At 7:00 PM approximately we will return to the hotel. Accommodation 

Day 03: Boat trip to Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers. 

Breakfast. At 07:30 AM approximately departure from the hotel to the local pier for starting a boat trip to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. This navigation has 4 hours duration until arriving at Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, where these 2 glaciers are. During the trip we will be able to observe sea lions colonies, cormorants, waterfalls and abundant native forest. Condors can be seen from the boat. Once in the park we will admire the boat from the Balmaceda glacier. Subsequently, we will dock at Puerto Toro pier, from where we will begin a short walk to Serrano glacier. It includes a ¨Patagonian Lunch¨ at Perales Farm. At approximately 5:30 PM we will be back in Puerto Natales city. Transfer to the hotel to collect luggage and transfer to bus station immediately. At 7:00 PM we will take the regular bus to Punta Arenas city (3 hours of trip). Reception and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. 

Day 04: Penguins Colony (2 Options) 

Option 1) Navigation to Magdalena & Marta Islands – (Length 5 hrs app. / Available: October to March)  

At 06:30 AM or agreed schedule transfer to the office to check-in, then transfer to the shipping place located in the Sector Laredo, 15 miles north from the city. From there is around 30 or 45 minutos sailing trough the Strait of 

Magellan waters to get to Marta Island and then Magdalena Island. Both islands form an interesting ecosystem, making an obligatory visit for any visitor, whereas Marta Island lodges more than 1.000 Sea lions, Cormorants, Skuas, Austral seagull, Antartic pigeon and Sea elephants. The Magdalena Island allows us to interact with one of the majors colonies of Magellan Penguins (around 150.000 birds). During the navigation it is possible to sight Austral Dolphins and Overas Toninas (kind of dolphins). To protect wild life, Marta Island is only circumnavigated to admire and photograph the Colony and the diversity of marine birds that live there. However in Magdalena Island it is possible to disembark for about one hour, to walk and to interact with the colony and visiting its Museum- Lighthouse. Return to the office and then the Hotel. Accommodation. 

Option 2) Full Day Tierra del Fuego “King Penguin Park” – (Length 14 hrs app / Available: September to April) 

Breakfast. Between 07:30-08:00am approximately departure from your hotel to board the ferry to cross the Strait of Magellan and visit Porvenir, the capital of Tierra del Fuego. Then we will go 114 kms to the east, to the King Penguin Park, a unique sighting place where we will be able to observe a group of about 40 specimens of this species at a short distance. After 1 hour in the place we will continue our trip observing the hull of the Josefina Estancia. We will also visit the village of Cerro Sombrero. Finally we will cross again the Strait of Magellan, this time at it’s narrowest part. Depending on the date of the trip, time and daylight hours we can stop at the historical Estancia San Gregorio. Return to the hotel at 21:00hrs approximately. Lodging. 

Day 05: Airport 

Breakfast. In a schedule previous confirmation, transfer from the hotel to the airport. END OF SERVICES