On the route of Chilean Patagonia

In 1520, Portuguese navigator Hernando de Magallanes discovered the Strait that now bears his name, which over the years became the main maritime route between Europe and the Pacific coast. In 1843, the Chilean government organized an expedition to colonize the area, creating Fort Bulnes on the shores of the Strait. In 1848, Governor Jose Santos Mardones moved inhabitants and structures to the location where Punta Arenas now stands. Punta Arenas is now the capital of the Magallanes region and the Chilean Antarctic region. Its development was based on the importation and breeding of sheep. The expansion of this industry, along with the trade and financial activity generated by the passage of a large number of ships along the Strait, led to population growth but also caused the catastrophic decline of the local indigenous peoples, the Onas and the Yaganes, who are now extinct. The city is now the center of a thriving tourism, commercial, and cultural activity, although its economy continues to be based on livestock, mining, and fishing.

Puerto Natales is located 254 km north of Punta Arenas, a picturesque town on the shores of the Ultima Esperanza fjord, in a region of great beauty. In addition to being the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and the spectacular Balmaceda Glacier, Puerto Natales also allows for connections to Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, just across the border, with the town of Calafate as its Argentine counterpart and the Perito Moreno Glacier as its main attraction. Puerto Natales is also the terminal for ferries that navigate the channels between the islands of Patagonia all the way to Puerto Montt.

Torres del Paine combines the best of Norway, Switzerland, and Alaska in the heart of southern Patagonia. It is worth traveling to the end of the world to visit this park, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park covers an area of 1810 square kilometers and boasts a stunning panorama of peaks, glaciers, and lakes. In the center, the granite "cuernos" and "torres" rise steeply in the flat pampas and are reflected in turquoise and emerald, aquamarine and sapphire-colored lakes. The park has a rich ecosystem of fauna and flora and a well-maintained network of trails, as well as accommodations ranging from campsites to high-quality hotels.