PATAGONIA EXPLORER-CHILE

PATAGONIA EXPLORER-THE BEST OF CHILE

Paul and I were part of a group from Cal Alumnae on a trip with Odysseys Unlimited. 

There were 21 members in the group led by Alex Maureira from Puerto Varas in Chile.

We started the trip in Puerto Varas at the Radisson Hotel overlooking the lake with a view of Osorno Volcano.  

On our first full day we took a walk  in Vicente Rosales National Park that included Petrohue Falls

 Later we  visited a working ranch where we saw cowboys demonstrate some rodeo maneuvers.

The next day we visited Calbuco,  a small fishing village. We visited an outdoor market and had lunch with a local family.

Our group is looking at mussel farming before lunch at a home

Lunch included steamed mussels, barnacles, sausage and steamed bread.

We visited an estancia in Punta Arenas to see a sheep-shearing demonstration.  Lunch at the estancia featured BBQ lamb.

In Puerto Natales we boarded a boat for Magdalena Island to see the Magellanic penguins.

Another boat trip in the same area featured the Serrano and Balmaceda Glaciers.

The highlight of the trip was Torres del Paine National Park with jagged mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, rivers and wildlife.

We saw Guanacos seen here along with  foxes and a variety of birds.

We finished the trip in the modern city of Santiago.

Santiago had many high rise buildings.

Santiago highlights included a tour of the central area and visits to the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino and the Santa Rita winery.