Punta Arenas, Chile
Punta Arenas lies atop rolling hills, looking out over the Strait of Magellan. In the days before the Panama Canal, this was a major port as ships plied the waters of Cape Horn. Punta Arenas remains a prosperous town today, thanks to its rich natural resources. The city is also the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, a maze of fjords, rivers, steppes, and mountains to the north. To the south lies the great frozen mass of Antarctica. Adventure awaits in any direction at this port located near the end of the earth.
Across the Strait of Magellan lies Tierra del Fuego, the lonely, windswept island discovered by Magellan in 1520. The region was settled by Yugoslavian and English sheep ranchers in the 19th century.
Points of Interest
- Sara Braun Museum (Regional Museum) & Plaza Munoz Gamero
- Museo Salesiano Maggiorino Borgatello
- City Cemetery
- Patagonia Institute (Instituto de La Patagonia)
- Fuerte Bulnes
- Patagonia Estancia
- Magellanic Penguins at Magdalena Island or Otway
- Torres del Paine National Park
Best of Punta Arenas
- Museo Salesiano Maggiorino Borgatello
- City Cemetery
- Patagonia Institute (Instituto de La Patagonia)
Embark on half-day, narrated drive that focuses on Punta Arena's history. Among your stops is the Salesian Museum Marggiorino Borgatello and the Patagonia Institute for a flashback into pioneering days. Also walk along the avenues lined with cypress trees and magnificent mausoleums at the City Cemetery.
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity
$79.95
Paseo En Automóvil Por La Ciudad Y Museo (Guiado En Español)
- City Cemetery
- Patagonia Institute (Instituto de La Patagonia)
Embark on half-day, narrated drive that focuses on Punta Arena's history. Among your stops is the Marggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum and the Patagonia Institute for a flashback into pioneering days. Also walk along the avenues lined with cypress trees and magnificent mausoleums at the City Cemetery.
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity
$79.95
Best of Punta Arenas (Guided in German)
- City Cemetery
- Patagonia Institute (Instituto de La Patagonia)
Embark on half-day, narrated drive that focuses on Punta Arena's history. Among your stops is the Marggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum and the Patagonia Institute for a flashback into pioneering days. Also walk along the avenues lined with cypress trees and magnificent mausoleums at the City Cemetery.
Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity
$79.95
Patagonia Trek & Andean Club
Travel to Punta Arenas' premier ski club for an exhilarating mountainside experience. Ride a chair lift up the slopes, then hike down the mountain with your guide. This half-day tour treats you to stunning views of the Straits of Magellan, and a snack and beverage. Recommended for passengers in good physical shape.
Strenuous Activity, Includes snack
$99.95
Patagonia Estancia & City Drive
- Patagonia Estancia
Experience what life was life for Chilean sheep ranchers who settled Patagonia over a century ago. This full-day tour takes you to a 100-year-old ranch for a demonstration of historic farm machinery, and a sheep shearing and sheep herding demonstration. You'll also enjoy a traditional lunch and a panoramic drive of Punta Arenas.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$169.95
Salesian Museum & Fort Bulnes
- Museo Salesiano Maggiorino Borgatello
- City Cemetery
- Fuerte Bulnes
Take in the sights of Punta Arenas on a full-day, narrated drive. Among your stops is the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum founded by the Salesian Missionaries in 1893. Also visit Patagonia Estancia for a sheep shearing demonstration, and enjoy traditional Chilean fare.
Moderate Activity, Includes meal
$189.95
Magdalena Island Penguin Reserve
- Magellanic Penguins at Magdalena Island or Otway
Spend a full day with the whimsical Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, a rookery declared a natural monument in 1982. Take a scenic cruise to the island located in the Strait of Magellan, and enjoy the day among this vast colony.
Strenuous Activity
$199.95
Magdalena Island & Penguin Reserve by Speedboat
- Magellanic Penguins at Magdalena Island or Otway
Navigate the historic Strait of Magellan by speedboat to access the wildlife thriving on local islands. Circumnavigate an island supporting over one thousand sea lions along with a diversity of marine birds. Then, visit the biggest colony of Magellan penguins on Magdalena Island.
Strenuous Activity
$349.95
Paine National Park
- Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most spectacular scenic regions in the world with more than 30 miles of roads leading to waterfalls, ponds and sparkling glaciers nestled on a small island opposite the magnificent Cuernos del Paine. The 40-minute charter flight and lunch at a scenic inn are included.
Strenuous Activity, Includes meal
$1199.95