SOUTHERN PATAGONIA

Known as Magallanes, the southern Patagonia is the southernmost region in the world.  It’s characterized by two reliefs separated by the Andes Mountains.  To the west, there are hundreds of islands, channels, and fjords.  To the east, there are wooded mountain slopes and an extensive pampa that dies in the Atlantic Ocean.  In 1520, Hernando de Magallanes was the first Spaniard to sail these remote waters in search of a passage to cross America. 

This unique geography, along with the rich land and marine fauna, led to the establishment of four distinct indigenous groups - all with their own language and customs.  They are the Tehuelches (or Aonikenks) – nomads and hunters, the Slk`nam u Onas – who live and hunt on the pampa, the Yamanas (or Yamanes) – maritime nomads with lived along Beagle Channel, and the Kaweskar (or Alacalufes) – who inhabited the most extreme climatic areas and fed off of sea lions, seals, and seafood.

The entryway to the Magallanes region is Punta Arenas, capital of the the 12th region.  This city is the provision port for large tonnage ships travelling across the Magellan Strait, as well as the main air and maritime port for expeditions to Antarctica.

The main attraction of the region is Torres del Paine National Park, a Biosphere Nature Reserve since 1978.  It’s located between the Andes and the Patagonian Steppe.  The  Paine Massif is found in this park.  This massif was formed by hardened magma that was exposed after the glacier ice meltings, revealing incredible shapes and forms.  There are also numerous rivers and lagoons in the park, all of which were formed by the melting of the Campo de Hielo Sur Glaciers. The Grey Glacier and Lake is one of the most visited.

Puerto Natales (located on the border of the Senoret Channel) is the departure point for many excursions throughout the area and has an excellent tourist infrastructure.  From here you can take trips to the Perito Moreno Glacier and the beautiful town of El Calafate in Argentina.