Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine

Going deeper and deeper into the southern parts of Chile, you will be confronted with scenery that is the very definition of breathtaking. The town of Puerto Natales, nestled between the border with Argentina and the interconnecting inlets and bays that encompass this part of Chile, is a must-visit for many reasons.

By day, you'll be amazed by the variety of activities you can do outdoors and marvel at the strong colors that the sky has at sunset, l from your kayak or bicycle. At night, indulge in abundant Patagonian cuisine and recharge your batteries at the high-end hotels you will find in this destination. Besides the city that is already amazing as itself, Puerto Nalates also is the jumping off point to Torres del Paine National Park.

Soaring almost vertically more than 2000 m above the Patagonian steppe, the granite pillars of Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) dominate the landscape of what may be South America's finest national park. Most people visit the park for its one greatest hit but, once here, realize that there are other attractions with equal wow power. We're talking about azure lakes, trails that meander through emerald forests, roaring rivers you'll cross on rickety bridges and one big, radiant blue glacier. Variety spans from the vast openness of the steppe to rugged mountain terrain topped by looming peaks.

Part of UNESCO's Biosphere Reserve system since 1978, the park is also home to flocks of ostrich like rhea (known locally as the ñandú), Andean condor, flamingo and many other bird species. Its star success in conservation is undoubtedly the guanaco, which grazes the open steppes where pumas cannot approach undetected. After more than a decade of effective protection from poachers, these large and growing herds don't even flinch when humans or vehicles approach.