Puerto Natales Tour: Your Full Day at Torres del Paine & Milodon Cave (Honest Review)

Planning a trip down to Patagonia? You should consider visiting both Torres del Paine National Park and the Milodon Cave from Puerto Natales. That is, it’s very popular among travelers, so a lot of different tours go to those particular destinations. Let’s talk about my personal experience on one of these tours. It might be useful as you put together your own itinerary, giving you a feel for what to expect. So, I’m sharing what I thought was worthwhile, plus a couple things I’d do a bit differently, assuming I had another chance.

Setting off From Puerto Natales: Things to know.

Typically, a full-day tour from Puerto Natales is, like your very early start. I mean, many pick-ups commence somewhere around 7:00 AM or even earlier. Anyway, the tour I took wasn’t really any different. A comfy van usually gets you directly from where you might be staying. It’s very nice. It allows you to possibly snag a bit more sleep until the last possible moment. Also, the drive to Milodon Cave gives you an idea, in some respects, of just how huge Patagonia appears. The scenery driving up there offers pretty big sky views, that is, open grasslands, and in addition there are these interesting rock formations that are just really, really eye-catching.

The Milodon Cave: Peeking Into Prehistoric Patagonia.

The Milodon Cave is where the tour actually gets going. What happens, it shows you a piece of the ancient world. Anyway, inside, it’s not hard to think about what life might have been, you know, like thousands of years ago, whenever giant sloths walked the earth. Also, that cave system is quite big, which makes wandering around really amazing, I mean it definitely stirs your imagination. Clearly, there’s this replica of a Milodon right by the entrance. I guess it’s an awesome photo op. In that case, just keep in mind the site is super windy, therefore hanging on to your hat should definitely be one of your main goals.

Onward to Torres del Paine: First Glimpses

Driving from Milodon Cave to Torres del Paine gives you previews that will blow you away. It is worth it to glance, in a way, out the window. That is, there is all sorts of dramatic landscape going past, so it kind of primes you for the really amazing vistas inside Torres del Paine. Of course, the first stop is frequently at a spot where you can see the Towers in the distance. This could be where you grab photos, although in some respects, depending upon that day’s weather, you might just be viewing clouds. You know, Patagonia can really be somewhat unpredictable, that way.

Torres Del Paine: Lake Pehoé and Nordenskjöld Lake

Lake Pehoé provides the views most of the postcards show. Seriously, with those unbelievably bright blue waters and also the mountains reflected in them, this seems to be the type of thing that can really take your breath away. Therefore, if the light’s cooperating, it’s just magical. Nordenskjöld Lake is also actually something you’re going to get to stop at, with its own stunning charm, too. Also, keep an eye out, very frequently you will spot local wildlife around these spots, and so it enriches that complete park experience.

Lunch with a View

Most tours have a lunch stop figured out. That is, a lot of times it might just be, arguably, a packed lunch provided by your tour company. So, eating outdoors with a spectacular backdrop may make even a simple sandwich look incredibly amazing. Still, be prepared to perhaps deal with the Patagonian wind while you are attempting to eat! Anyway, one of the things I’d suggest to you is that you might think about bringing a couple of extra snacks. That is, a full day of sightseeing can be pretty tiring.

Sarmiento Lake Perspective

Sarmiento Lake supplies yet another totally different viewpoint of Torres del Paine. It is just gorgeous and immense. You know, depending upon the water levels and the light, Sarmiento will exhibit the most awesome mirror-like surface. Plus, keep looking, as there may be tons of bird life close by here. Seriously, I like bird watching and so I spent pretty long here.

Grey Lake Spotting: A Glacier Viewpoint.

Grey Lake commonly comes to you later within the tour agenda. It provides opportunities, often, for glacier spotting. Is that, that striking blue of the icebergs against the grey waters may cause the coolest comparison. Also, depending on your particular tour, there is often the option to go on a boat tour closer to the glacier. That would have been a plus, arguably. Is that, the day I went the weather conditions weren’t quite ideal for sailing, so this is one experience I didn’t get to check out closely. I think I was disappointed.

Wildlife Encounters: Guanacos, birds and maybe a Puma

Keep an eye out always, because Torres del Paine comes with a bunch of chances to view local wildlife. Seemingly, guanacos are super commonly seen grazing on the open plains. Birds of various species happen, in the same way, to be all over. It’s worth paying very close attention. Now, if you are very, very lucky, perhaps you may spot a puma. Is that, I unfortunately didn’t see any pumas, however it’s good to realize they are in the area.

What to pack and bring.

Being equipped can really impact how much you may get out of your excursion. That is, some of those must-bring things would definitely be layers. The Patagonian weather really could be pretty changeable. Think about bringing sunscreen, that, despite cooler temperatures, the sun is generally intense. Bring along a hat, and like your favorite pair of sunglasses. Clearly, comfy walking footwear really is a must. Bringing your camera so you will catch all those scenery moments happens, too, to be very very important.

What to expect from tour guides.

The tour guides commonly enhance your visit massively. Obviously, they’ve very, very insightful regarding local wildlife, telling you about the geology, and relating stories concerning the area. Often, they know secret places and have an idea about just where to watch birds or to spot animals, too. Usually they know a lot. They can really answer all of your questions relating to the park, that is. It can prove invaluable if your tour guide is very, very fluent in like your language, which makes those stories feel more real.

Is a Full Day Tour Worth It?

So, doing a full-day tour truly gives you a taste of Torres del Paine, in my mind. Anyway, if you might be short on time, then it’s really, really good. Still, be ready, that it comes with quite a bit of driving. That is, the park truly is really big, which is the reason you may spend lots of time on your bus. Now, if you appreciate seeing much more of Torres del Paine at just a more relaxed pace, then think about possibly planning a multiple-day visit. While, should you wish to just witness the major viewpoints and in some respects leave feeling happy, then that single day works awesome.