Torres del Paine and Cueva del Milodon

It takes about an hour and a half to get from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine 130km away, but there is plenty to see on the way. Our bus stopped at Cerro Castillo (the border crossing village I came through the day before).

Here, passengers could grab a snack or souvenir and go to the toliet before we continued on our way. I picked up a couple of stickers and magnets.

Both Chilean and Argentinians drink tea all day long from cups like these. They sip from the straw.

After getting back on the bus, we continued on our way, stopping occasionally to take some pictures of wildlife or stunning landscapes.

Before entering the park, we stopped off at Cascada Rio Paine. It’s a smaller waterfall right before the park entrance.

The scenery was stunning, and even pictures taken through bus windows were amazing.

At the entrance the park are more toliets and where you checkin and show that you paid. Visitors can prepay for the Chilean National Parks through the website https://pasesparques.cl/

I did have trouble when I tried to buy for two parks at once, but no problems when I did each separately. The price for a foreigner for up to three days is $31,200 Chilean currency, which worked out to about $48 Cad.

Once in the park, our bus stopped many times to let people take pictures and walk up to viewpoints. I must say this was the most relaxed about – time tour I’ve ever been on. Time lines were more like guidelines if they were even given.

We did a short hike to another waterfall, Salto Grande. Before heading out, you do need to check the wind speeds and make sure you don’t have anything loose. Winds here will definitely take away any unsecured hats or anything else not firmly attached.

My guide, Felipe, is all bundled up from the wind.

On our way to the Grey Lake and glacier, we stopped to check out some of the unreal colors of the different lake waters.

Where the sun is hitting the water, it is even bluer

We eventually stopped for lunch at the Grey Lago, where they have a cafeteria with a 25,000 peso buffet and restrooms about 2:30pm. There is also a xmall minimarket if someone is looking for chips, cookies, or a drink.

From here is where people can walk to see the glacier or catch a catamaran to get closer. It is the same glacier that I had visited in El Calafate earlier, just a different end.

After a visit to Lago Grey, we headed back towards Puerto Natales and another National Park, Cuevo del Milodon.

This park is only about 25 km from town and is what made Puerto Natales famous. The fossil remains of a prehistoric giant sloth, the Milodon were decovered here.