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PUNTA ARENAS - SOUTHERN PATAGONIA - CHILE
PUNTA ARENAS IN THE END OF THE WORLD

PALI AIKE NATIONAL PARK
This 5,030-hectare park is located in the driest section of Magellan steppe, in San Gregorio commune, province of Magallanes, 196 kms. north of Punta Arenas.

Pali Aike is an extensive volcanic field, active from the Pliocene up to recent times. Most of its surface is covered by gush of basaltic lava, which causes the existence of semidesert vegetation.

In the area it is possible to watch mammal species very scarce in other sectors of the region. (skunk, grey fox, guanaco and bat, among others). The existence of numerous volcanic cones of low height, natural caves, lava formations and broken and irregular areas, make the place look like a lunar landscape.

In the park and surrounding areas are the Pali Aike and Fell caves, where were found, in 1938 excavations, prehistoric rests covered by ashes and volcanic material, that presumably goes back to less than 15,000 years. As for the climate, this sector corresponds to that of cold steppe, with rainfalls of 200 to 300 mm. yearly and an average temperature of nearly 4°C yearly.

MAGALLANES NATURAL RESERVE
Created in 1932, it is located in Brunswick peninsula, 7.5 kms, west of Punta Arenas. It has an area of 19,625 hectares, with an altitude from 350 to 600 meters. Soils are undulating and thin, with a water system represented mainly by the Las Minas river.

Rainfall rank is from 490 to 830 mm. yearly, while the yearly average temperature reaches 4°C. Vegetation is mainly composed of Magellan wood, outstanding Coigue and Lenga. There is also a great variety of mammals: grey fox, culpeo fox, puma, woolly little mouse, small foot lauchon, and a great amount of birds: caiquen, great bustard, small jergon duck, royal duck, thrush, chincol, loica, chercan, tiuque, black carpenter, pitio, condor.

ALACALUFES NATIONAL RESERVE
It was created in 1969 within the western archipelagoes of Ultima Esperanza province, 50 and 54 degrees south and 71 and 73 degrees west. Alacalufes national reserve has low mountainous isles landscapes, with numerous channels and fiords. It has two kind of climate: "very damp cold temperate" and "isothermal tundra" with a thermic average of 7.2°C and 6.5°C, respectively, yearly. Rainfalls are high, reaching 2,450 mm., with more than 170 mm. every month, but never over 240 mm.

Its vegetation includes coastal grassland and thickets, coigue and peat. A great variety of birds and mammals compose its fauna.

LAGUNA PARRILLAR NATIONAL RESERVE
Created in 1977, it is located 52 kms. south of Punta Arenas. It has a surface of 18,414 hectares at 300 to 650 meters above sea level.

The Laguna (pool) itself has a surface of 970 hectares, completely surrounded by arboreal vegetation. In winter because of the low temperature, the rivers and the pool freeze over, especially on banks, with even 30 centimeters thick.

The snow piles up 0.7 meters in some places. Estimated top temperature of 12 degrees average and the minimum average temperature is minus 3 degrees. Lenga and bushy and herbaceous stratum represent vegetation. Besides, it is possible to find a great variety of mammals and birds.

NATURAL RESERVE LOS PINGÜINOS
It is located in Magellan Strait, 30 to 35 kilometers north of Punta Arenas, with a total surface of 97 hectares, 12 of which correspond to Marta Isle and 85 to Magdalena Island, with no more than 15 meters above sea level. Magdalena Island, that has a lighthouse in its northeast edge, is with Marta a natural reserve of penguins, cormorants, seals and other birds. Both islands form the natural reserve "Los Pinguinos". Its estimated population reaches some 50,000 couples of Magellan specie.

OTWAY GULF PENGUIN COLONY
At Otway gulf, 65 kilometers north of Punta Arenas, a tourist and scientific place, there is a penguin colony with about 6,000 penguins of Magellan specie. Nesting and visiting season is from October to April.

ARCHEOLOGIST TOUR PUNTA ARENAS - PALI AIKE NATIONAL PARK
Visit to Pali Aike National Park, 195 kilometers northeast of Punta Arenas. Leaving this city by international route 255, along the edge of Magellan Strait, there is first visit to historical monument and ancient cattle establishment San Gregorio and steamer Amadeo, beached in the Strait (124 km. from Punta Arenas). Continuing the trip up to km. 166, there is left detour to Punta Delgada, main town of San Gregorio.

The journey keeps on to a sign that reads "Parque Nacional Pali Aike". It is a protected wild area whose special characteristics is its abundant gush of basaltic lava. Its main attraction is the Cave of Pali Aike, which has traces of over 10,000 years old settlements. At the area it is possible to do an hour and a half walk (round trip) to the area named "Devil's Dwelling", that leads to the crater of an ancient volcano. In the afternoon, return to Punta Arenas by the same way.

The place can be visited the whole of the year. In winter is obligatory to use a four-wheel drive vehicle.

ARCHEOLOGIST TOUR PUNTA ARENAS - PUNTA DELGADA -FELL CAVE
Leaving from Punta Arenas by international route 255 along the edge of Magellan Strait, visit to the historical monument and ancient cattle establishment San Gregorio and the steamer Amadeo, beached in the coast of the Strait (124 km. from Punta Arenas).

The journey keeps on until km 166, taking the left detour up to Punta Delgada, main city of San Gregorio commune.

Keep going up to the signal that reads "Corrales de Piedra"(stone corrals) and "Cueva Fell". A few kilometers ahead it's seen Tehuelche Hill, where lived the same name natives and where can be found abundant rests of stone material. Five kilometers ahead, on the banks of Chico river, which Tehuelches called Ci-Aike, are the stone corrals, built with volcanic stones between a hill and the river. Its construction is a mystery.

TOUR PUNTA ARENAS - PUNTA DELGADA - DUNGENESS LIGHTHOUSE
Leaving this city by international route 255, along the edge of Magellan Strait, there is first visit to historical monument and ancient cattle establishment San Gregorio and steamer Amadeo, beached in the Strait (124 km. from Punta Arenas). The tour continues by the Magellan steppe, following the sign that reads "Posesion", a labor camp of the national oil company, ENAP, located 63 km. east of Punta Delgada, km. 166 from Punta Arenas.

Here is done the exploitation of oil and natural gas and are seen the oil platforms in the Magellan Strait. At 7 kilometers from Posesion, towards the coast, is located the English Cemetery, where are buried some colonists from the beginning of 20th century. Further on, 8 km. from Posesion, is lighthouse Posesion, built at the beginning of 20th century and now out is of service.

Moving forward 10 km. from Posesion, on the banks of the Strait, is beached the steamer Olympia. It was the big paddle steamer that shipwrecked at the beginning of 20th century.

Further on, at 40 km. from Posesion and 5 km. before Punta Dungeness, it may be seen the Monumental Cross, commemorating the first Spanish settlement in Chilean territory in 17th century.
Finally, in 91 km. of Y-545 route, is Dungeness lighthouse, that marks the most extreme point of continental Chile by the east, where Atlantic Ocean and Magellan Strait waters join together. The lighthouse fulfils an important function in the Strait navigation since the end of 19th century.

MAGELLAN STRAIT
Interoceanic channel that extends from east to west through 583 km. long and 3 k. wide in its narrower part and from 35 to 40 km. in others. Its main attractions are its geographical position that grants it a strategic situation with regard to its use as transoceanic route for international maritime transport and its historical significance and watchable sea fauna.

FORT BULNES - SAN ISIDRO LIGHTHOUSE - FROWARD CAPE NAVIGATION
From Fort Bulnes it is possible to sail the mythical Magellan Strait up to Froward Cape, going past San Isidro lighthouse. This is a special route for adventure tourism that allows discovering geographic and historical features of the area..

At the end of the tour is the Cross of the Seas, in Froward Cape, where visitors may take photographs and enjoy an untraditional landscape of hard access.

ECO-TOURISM CIRCUIT
Mount Tarn: Located 70 km. south of Punta Arenas, by route 9, in Brunswick peninsula. There are beautiful landscapes, outstanding Darwin mountain chain, with the imposing Mount Sarmiento, 830 meters high.

Ramble to San Juan River: Located 60 km. south of Punta Arenas inside the Laguna Parrillar Forest Reserve. The place is characterized by the presence of peat bog and woods. The ramble allows appreciating one of the most beautiful hydrographic basins of Brunswick peninsula. The program lasts several hours, according to physical conditions of visitors.

Trekking or mountain bike to San Isidro lighthouse: leaving from Punta Arenas in vehicle towards kilometer 60 south, where starts this tour that may be done on foot or bike, to watch San Isidro lighthouse, that once was a point of reference for the ships that sailed in the Magellan Strait.

Thanks to: Sernatur