Tours and transport in Punta Arenas Patagonia from the end of the world

The perfect way to see Torres del Paine National Park in one day. The tour runs all year round and combines transport, a guide and short walks in the park’s most spectacular spots.

We start at the Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument, where remains of this prehistoric animal were found. Then we visit Grey Beach, with icebergs floating at certain times of year, the Lake Pehoé viewpoint and Salto Grande, where a short walk leads to the mighty waterfall. The day ends with panoramic views of Lake Nordenskjöld and the classic postcard shot of the Towers from Laguna Amarga.

Created in 1959 and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978, Torres del Paine is one of Chile’s most important protected areas.

• Cueva del Milodón
• Lake Grey beach and icebergs
• Lake Pehoé viewpoint
• Salto Grande
• Lake Nordenskjöld
• Laguna Amarga

The most iconic trek in Chilean Patagonia, for active travellers looking for nature, a challenge and unforgettable scenery.

It’s a full-day hike to the Base Torres viewpoint, home to the park’s most famous view. The trail crosses the Ascencio Valley, rivers, lenga and coihue forests and mountain terrain. At the top there’s time to rest and take photos before heading back down.

• Distance: 22 km round trip
• Difficulty: moderate to hard
• Recommended for people with good fitness

One of southern Chile’s signature experiences: discover the legendary island of Tierra del Fuego and visit South America’s only king penguin colony, at Bahía Inútil.

The trip starts with a ferry crossing of the Strait of Magellan. On the island we visit Porvenir, capital of the province, with its sheep-farming and oil history. We then continue to King Penguin Park (Parque Pingüino Rey) for a guided visit and short talk, watching these birds in their natural habitat while keeping the distance set by the park.

On the way back we stop at Cerro Sombrero, a town built around the oil industry, and the historic Estancia San Gregorio. Along the coast you’ll often spot black-necked swans, flamingos, upland geese and guanacos.

• Ferry across the Strait of Magellan
• Porvenir
• King Penguin Park
• Cerro Sombrero
• Estancia San Gregorio

A boat trip to Isla Magdalena, part of the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, about 35 km northeast of Punta Arenas.

The crossing of the Strait of Magellan takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, with a chance to spot marine wildlife. On the island you have around an hour to walk the marked trails and watch the Magellanic penguins, always following the conservation rules.

During the breeding season the island is home to thousands of penguins, as well as kelp gulls, cormorants and Chilean skuas.

• Boat trip on the Strait of Magellan
• Magellanic penguin colony
• Isla Magdalena lighthouse

A must-do cultural and historical outing. 55 km south of Punta Arenas, Fuerte Bulnes is a reconstruction of the fort founded in 1843 by the young Republic of Chile to take possession of the Strait of Magellan.

We visit the Strait of Magellan Park Interpretation Centre, with exhibits on the area’s natural and human history, the Strait viewpoint, the O’Higgins Lighthouse, and the old church, post office, jail and stables that recreate the life of the first settlers. Along the way you’ll see Dawson Island, the Darwin Range, lenga and coihue forests and marine wildlife.

The tour ends at the Centre of Chile Landmark (Hito Centro de Chile), which marks the midpoint of the country’s territory including Chilean Antarctica. It pairs perfectly with the City Tour.

• Fuerte Bulnes (1843)
• Interpretation Centre
• O’Higgins Lighthouse
• Puerto del Hambre
• Centre of Chile Landmark

A tour of Punta Arenas’ most iconic sights, learning about its history and culture with friendly, knowledgeable guides.

We visit Plaza Muñoz Gamero, a heritage area with the monument to Ferdinand Magellan; the Cerro de la Cruz lookout, with views over the city, the Strait and Tierra del Fuego; the Municipal Cemetery, considered one of the most beautiful in the world; the Shepherd Monument and the Costanera del Estrecho waterfront.

Optionally, you can visit the Nao Victoria Museum, with replicas of historic ships such as the Nao Victoria, the James Caird and the schooner Ancud.

• Plaza Muñoz Gamero
• Cerro de la Cruz lookout
• Municipal Cemetery
• Shepherd Monument
• Costanera del Estrecho

One of the most authentic and remote places on the Strait of Magellan. Surrounded by native forest and wild southern shores, the San Isidro Lighthouse is a journey into the history, nature and spirit of the end of the world.

We leave Punta Arenas with pickup from your accommodation and head to the southern stretch of the Strait. An easy walk along natural trails takes us to the lighthouse, with time for photos, a rest and some exploring before returning.

• Southern coast of the Strait of Magellan
• Easy walk through native forest
• San Isidro Lighthouse

One of Patagonia’s most special experiences: watching dolphins in their natural habitat while sailing through untouched landscapes.

Specialist guides explain the dolphins’ behaviour, their ecosystem and why their conservation matters. Ideal for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

• Dolphins in their natural environment
• Boat trip along the Patagonian coast
• Environmental interpretation

The adventure begins in Punta Arenas with a transfer to Bahía Carrera, where we board a boat into Francisco Coloane Marine Park, one of the most important protected areas in Chile’s far south.

Along the way you may see humpback whales, sea lions, cormorants, skuas, petrels and albatrosses, surrounded by mountains, fjords and Patagonian forest.

The highlight comes at Paso Shag, where passengers switch to specially equipped kayaks for a close, respectful encounter with the whales, always under strict safety protocols.

• Humpback whales
• Kayaking in Paso Shag
• Sea lions and seabirds

Step back to a time when Patagonia was covered in volcanoes. About 195 km from Punta Arenas, this vast lava field straddles the border with Argentina and preserves the remains of ancient volcanoes such as the Morada del Diablo (Devil’s Dwelling). Some of the oldest human remains in Patagonia were found here.

We explore Pali Aike Cave, the trail to the Morada del Diablo, the Pozos del Diablo (Devil’s Wells) and Laguna Ana, the area’s only water source, salty and volcanic in origin. Large herds of guanacos, rheas and upland geese are a common sight.

• Pali Aike Cave
• Morada del Diablo
• Pozos del Diablo
• Laguna Ana
• Guanacos and rheas

If you’re already in Puerto Natales, this is the easiest way to see the most iconic landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park in a day: vividly coloured lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and the classic views of the Cuernos and the Towers.

• Lake and waterfall viewpoints
• Views of the Cuernos and the Towers
• Patagonian wildlife

We set off from Puerto Natales to sail the Señoret Channel and the Última Esperanza Sound, passing waterfalls, cliffs where Andean condors soar, imperial cormorant colonies and sea lions.

We see Mount Balmaceda and its glacier from the boat, then take an easy one-hour walk in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park to the Serrano Glacier. The day ends with lunch at an estancia at the foot of the mountains.

• Última Esperanza Sound
• Balmaceda Glacier
• Easy walk to the Serrano Glacier
• Condors and sea lions

We leave Puerto Natales with pickup from your accommodation and head for the Río Don Guillermo border crossing (Cerro Castillo), where formalities take between 30 minutes and an hour.

After crossing the pampas and skirting Lago Argentino, we reach El Calafate for a short stop and continue to Los Glaciares National Park. There you can take an optional boat trip in front of the glacier and then walk the boardwalks for a close-up view of its ancient ice. We return to your accommodation in Puerto Natales.

• Chile – Argentina border crossing
• El Calafate
• Boardwalks facing the glacier
• Optional boat trip

Paddle among huge icebergs in front of the towering Grey Glacier, in Torres del Paine National Park.

With an expedition guide you’ll learn kayak navigation and touring techniques, just as the ancient canoe peoples of the Patagonian channels once did.

• All-inclusive programme
• Equipment included
• Available October to April

A unique adventure walking on thousands of years of glacial ice in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

With an expedition guide you’ll explore plains and hollows of everlasting ice and streams of glacial meltwater.

• All-inclusive programme
• Equipment included
• Available October to April