The most beautiful flight (Santiago – Punta Arenas)

The flight Santiago – Punta Arenas is a beautiful flight, especially if the day is bright and sunny outside the window. If you add to this a cool captain who tells the passengers from his cabin about all the geological wonders that the plane is crossing then it is not only a beautiful flight, it’s a fantastic flight!

Volcán Antuco v

Volcán Villarrica v

Mythical Fitz Roy v

Campos de Hielo v

Torres del Paine v

I visited Punta Arenas in 2011 and I liked its special pioneer atmosphere. Its wild weather (strong winds, all the seasons in one day) gives the city an “end of the world” feeling as well.

Three years later, I found Punta Arenas prettier than I remembered it, the city is making big efforts on its public spaces (more colorful, new public furniture) to look more welcoming. Its tourist agencies also look much more organized trying to attract tourists with the classical tours and other new ones. These tours are a little bit pricier though.

In 2011 I did Punta Arena’s main tours so on my first day I preferred to walk around the city and along its Avenida Costanera (coastal walk). For those who don’t want to pay for the penguins tour, la costanera is full of cormorants, which look more or less like penguins and you can see them for free 😉

On my second day I went to hike inside Reserva Nacional Magallanes. This park was created to protect some local wildlife species like the puma, juarjual duck, white owl and red fox.

I walked two of its main hikes, the one to Mirador Zapador Austral and the path to Mirador las Minas. The first walk (5km one way, 1.5hr) crossed beautiful forests of lenga, Magellan coigüe and ñirre and ended with incredible views over the city and Estrecho de Magallanes.

The second walk (2.9km, 1h) was less interesting but there was a “mirador” on the way also with beautiful views.

It was a nice day and the perfect warm- up for my next destination, Torres del Paine!

My Tips :

• Viento Sur offers a scheduled transport service to the reserve for 300 pesos (0.48USD). A taxi asks 3000 pesos (4.8USD) for the ride and travel agencies propose tours for 80USD with 4 hours in the park;

• Lomito’s is my favourite place in Punta Arenas for a burger and a schop, I love this place!

Another post about Punta Arenas and surroundings, from my 2011 trip:

https://holaworld.fr/a-day-with-the-penguins-and-other-beasts/