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Peak Patagonia

Day 118: January 25, 2025 – Torres Del Paine, Punta Arenas, Chile



Patagonia is on the bucket list for many travelers. It’s not a country, but a geographic region that spans two countries (Argentina and Chile) and is bigger than 80% of the world’s countries. Torres Del Paine (Blue Mountain) National Park, with its rugged glaciers, snow-capped mountains and emerald rivers, is at the heart of Chile’s Patagonia. 15 of us embarked on a 15-hour van tour from our port in Punta Arenas.

Torres del Paine
Lake Esmeralda

Herds of guanacos (close relative of llamas and alpacas) and ostrich-like rheas roamed along the road.

A herd of grazing guanacos
Wild rheas
Crested Caracara
Austral Parakeet

We made a stop at Mylodon Cave, named after an extinct ground sloth, whose remains were found here in 1895.

Our group at Mylodon Cave. Photo credit: Starr
Rio Paine (Paine River)

An iconic landmark of the park is a group of granite pillars called Las Torres del Paine. The peaks are the logo for a popular Chilean beer, so one person in our group (thanks Cindy!) thought ahead and treated us all to the appropriate beer to pose with in front of the peaks.

In front of Las Torres Del Paine pillars (where Bev is pointing) with our beer bottles
View from the van window on our way back after a long day of touring

Up next: Ushuaia, Argentina

6 responses to “Peak Patagonia”
  1. Shannon Clubb Avatar
    Shannon Clubb

    how beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1. It was just absolutely stunning scenery.

  2. Donna Kruszewska Avatar
    Donna Kruszewska

    Sounds like the perfect tour. So How does being in SA in 2025 compare to being there in 2024?

    1. I was a little worried that I would be seeing things I had just seen, but it’s not turning out that way. There is still lots to discover in each port. But I am looking forward to leaving South America behind, and moving on to other continents.

  3. Ron Walker Avatar
    Ron Walker

    Wow.

    1. There was a lot of that being said all day!

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