Punta Arenas Day Trips: Top 5 Unmissable Adventures
Punta Arenas, located right on the Strait of Magellan, is so the perfect starting point to find unbelievable Patagonian scenery. And what’s more, very memorable experiences wait almost right outside the door. So you’re likely someone planning a visit, thinking about exploring the region around Punta Arenas in a day or you’re only daydreaming about distant travels, this guide looks at five amazing day trips. Basically, you’ll experience everything such as penguin colonies and imposing glaciers, which is really, the kind of trips that stick with you, you know?
These adventures display the charm and appeal that only a Patagonian place can offer. In that case, take a look at some unmissable escapades with me. What’s more, these trips ought to leave you with stories way beyond what you can see from the place where ships arrive, that much is very certain. As a matter of fact, the amazing Punta Arenas, offers much in the way of experiences to those that wish to find them Outside of this popular city.
1. Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony
Picture this, seriously thousands, almost like over a hundred thousand Magellanic penguins greet you as you approach Isla Magdalena. It’s such a place full of activity, there are penguins digging homes, penguins waddling here, and those little fellas are really waddling there, you know? As a matter of fact, the trip to the island often has a visit to Isla Marta. The sea lions in Isla Marta really makes for a nice added experience, to be honest. It’s certainly two islands and two memorable wildlife encounters, that I can assure you. Typically, boat tours head out from the port of Punta Arenas in the early morning, allowing visitors close to an hour of quality, what could be considered quality, viewing time right on Isla Magdalena. So you have your chance to stroll among the penguins as you walk up to the lighthouse that almost commands that island. Watching the birds really interact at eye-level is probably like something that you aren’t going to find almost anywhere else in the world.
Why visit? So seeing those penguins close up and the island itself, it really is nature at its finest, pretty much a paradise if you adore wildlife! As a matter of fact, it presents stunning opportunities for photos and also witnessing an important environment almost thriving with species, isn’t that lovely.
Good to know: Tours happen mainly during the penguin breeding season. The breeding season usually goes from about September to March, with variations given different weather each season, and that means that tours are very subject to those conditions. Almost dress warmly, so, to avoid a possible uncomfortable journey! Layers are very important out there. Also be considerate as you look around: the wildlife preserve there is really the penguins’ house. Let those fellows live there and keep some distance!
2. Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
A cruise that shows you the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers begins with a bus ride from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales. From Puerto Natales a catamaran takes you though the Ultima Esperanza Sound and that almost offers magnificent scenes the entire way, like a floating landscape view as you’ve basically never seen before. Then you arrive right at the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. This park is, for many, one of the main draws. The views are the real payoff when viewing glaciers that flow from the mountaintops and down in an almost amazing meeting with the water. At any rate, seeing Balmaceda is only possible from the ship; at Serrano, so there’s a path that allows visitors to basically feel at its base if you can only believe. Typically, this trip also includes some tasty treats, too, like having a good Patagonian lunch served aboard. Basically you eat looking at glaciers… what could be more enjoyable?
Why visit? So this one merges natural majesty with a pleasant trip. Anyway the prospect of glimpsing glaciers that drop sharply down to crystalline waters is actually just one of those things that makes one feel so thankful to be alive, literally. What’s more, this one, in particular, merges adventure, such as trekking paths along mountain trails, with pure moments that feel amazing almost in your memory.
Good to know: If possible book ahead as this one is truly well visited. Now this goes nearly the whole year, so always look at recent weather conditions. Layers really help for a comfy journey. At any rate, bring your camera or cellphone, you want something handy, so when seeing those magnificent backdrops the memory will really remain for a lifetime with a little help. Typically, almost anyone can enjoy this excursion, despite if one is particularly adept for adventures.
3. Fuerte Bulnes Historical Site
Get to the root of what made Punta Arenas famous. This really reconstructed fort gets people like your from modern times straight back to 1843! So they settled Fuerte Bulnes in order to claim the Strait of Magellan for Chile. After that, it was ultimately abandoned. So walk through this old location almost and be in awe of the dedication, struggles, and life lessons almost that were there with those settlers. At any rate, you can look around at these historical locations and see how these people fought with the climate so fiercely when walking between their reconstructed buildings. That location that seems to nearly jut out where winds almost scream across and all that history around really blends into something you nearly can’t find anyplace else. Consider the old foundations when considering just what they fought. Very few will leave there nearly untouched.
Why visit? Typically it brings a different method of engaging, away from nature. What I mean, this has real historical depth combined almost perfectly with the gorgeous landscape of Patagonia. I’m referring, nearly to experiencing all this so that your memory is almost enriched. What’s more, it displays that people always wish for a territory for what it holds for the future.
Good to know: Located about 60 kilometers from Punta Arenas down Route 9, nearly just plan approximately an hour of vehicle transport each direction from the center of town! You will find little things to buy and learn even if some things don’t exist in languages others might love and nearly only speaks Spanish natively. Very prepare a trip when the weather conditions make going worth almost having an experience like you’ll never forget. Almost put those coats upon yourself once more due the constant gales that howl off the sea!
4. Torres del Paine National Park (Full-Day Tour)
Torres del Paine looks stunning and almost deserves fame as one of those well known places you always see featured from far places when thinking concerning nature, doesn’t it? A one day journey from Punta Arenas takes you up via buses nearly for just four hours, through all this almost breathtaking setting where the famous granite peaks await. What I mean the journey almost passes over pampas and by radiant lakes and by viewing the almost native Patagonian species, almost such as wild guanacos or perhaps maybe condors very soaring far higher! You can have small walks, so, around well known tourist locations inside of the grounds, that almost present some lovely photo chances. Yet these journeys very just present an outline and an alluring almost preview to this outstanding area. Consider how future trips can provide almost time to look through Torres Del Paine deeper.
Why visit? Very many want glimpse the Torres del Paine, these practically renowned scenery, with only needing make big hikes lasting so many days across the area almost , isn’t that awesome for some? So while time does not make the detailed exploring nearly plausible you could see some bits of what nearly everyone sees only inside books or inside films: a very worthwhile experience!
Good to know: An extended transit to get from Punta Arenas might almost require one making planning very cautiously, particularly once factoring transit hours very backwards if needing go back right afterward the experience! Therefore trips do exist practically seasonally very when conditions turn very friendlier across summer due being extremely south. Be prepared to face charges when going inside for seeing nature nearly : almost keep paper notes when booking stuff early for simpler entries practically !
5. The Otway Sound Penguin Colony
The Otway Sound Penguin Colony very often seems to bring the very better opportunity seeing Penguins inside Punta Arenas by vehicle in order for reaching Magellanic ones living where tourists get close through viewing locations almost build only feet only separated nearly , right? Therefore just only sixty eight km to take Route ninety onward just almost only driving northern coming through pampas settings for achieving penguin locations across summer months while witnessing very how life appears in their habitats very almost ! Bring camera tools very ! With those shy sorts that always seems only to dive right away whenever nearly tourists make noise. You might gain extremely pleasing photographic memories by holding incredibly nevertheless. Remember something simple: these nature needs respect across every occasion.
Why visit? Visiting brings simplicity; only brief excursion with a smaller driving span than others discussed almost . You also nearly may consider something simple regarding pricing as very lower admissions means budget mindful tourists could practically visit Penguins!
Good to know: That visitors probably would want learning colony visiting dates vary so it’s seasonal almost like almost everywhere as said with ones described here before and checking what tour options do sound better may change all stuff as something useful as a planning thing . Basically pack nice warm gear that withstand that Patagonia’s air also remember ones self for quietly visiting also nearly respect places since beings residing almost already stay where that colony is set! Just imagine!