We left El Calafate in Argentina (Patagonia) at 7:30 am yesterday morning, and took a short private charter flight over The Andes (gulp) to Punta Arenas in Chile. The whole Coronavirus situation has kept the Chilean border closed all year, so a road transfer is impossible, and you have to fly and then do a very long (4 hr) road transfer to a lodge that is probably only 50 miles as the crow flies from where we were in Argentina. We all had to do PCR tests within 72 hours of travel, do locator forms and show private travel insurance that covered us for COVID-19 infection. Thankfully, we all tested negative and were on our way on a flight that lasted only 45 minutes (phew) in one of the oldest prop aircraft I have been in for some time. In Chile, its like the UK in April 2021; face masks, 1.5 metre distancing, one-way systems in shops, and no cash transactions.
The airport in Punta Arenas also has a heavy military presence so we saw several military aircraft land while we were there. Clearly not a lot of trust with the Argentinians. They also have a strict quarantine policy for fruit and vegetables so whilst we all tested negative for Coronavirus, both the apples in our backpacks were forcefully confiscated.
The drive from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales is through typical Patagonian landscape - unrelenting grassland with dramatic mountain backdrop. It’s autumn time now, so not a lot of tourists around and has an end of season feeling to it.
After arriving in our hotel, the Tierra Patagonia, to the north of Puerto Natales on the shore of Lago Sarmiento, we had a nice meal and a good night’s rest.
This morning, we went on a 14km hike with Patrick our guide, into the Parque National Torres del Paine, on to the Paso de Agostini trail, from the shores of one lake to another. Absolutely magnificent scenery, and quite mild temperatures for the time of year. Of course, it can all change, and we had a few squally showers, and some high winds, particularly at the waterfall, Salto Grande. More hiking tomorrow.
The Commodore Anson history trip recommences on Friday, with a heli trip to Isla Noir. Should be pretty interesting ( and hairy ).