09 Dec Patagonia with Tierra
Patagonia with Tierra
Alex Burridge – November 2022
MD South America Travel Centre
As with Tierra Chiloe, Tierra Patagonia offers sumptuous views, this time of the Paine Massif. Again just like Tierra Chiloe, Tierra Patagonia is beautifully designed and hugs the ground close to lake Sarmiento. As with all Tierra properties there are many options for exploring; short walks and long treks, horse rides with local gauchos (on very calm horses), drives that combine short walks that enable you to discover the beauty of the region – the choice is yours.
I suggest it’s also worth ensuring you have time to enjoy your surrounds; to relax in the bar, or the outdoor hot tub, or the indoor spa pool, or take a short walk to lake Sarmiento’s edge – just to relax and re-charge.
EXPLORING FROM TIERRA PATAGONIA
With just two full days we chose a variety of trips: the horse ride, a 20km hike to the Base of the Towers and a shorter hike. Perhaps in another addition I’ll write about the trek – as it was challenging as well as beautiful. It was Springtime and like Melbourne the weather changes a lot, just not three seasons in a day but in one hour.
As is often the case a few images better tell the story of the beauty of the region and of Tierra Patagonia.
Entrance to Torres del Paine Park, Chile
Looking back from Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine from outside Tierra Patagonia
Tierra Patagonia, three seasons in one hour
At the starting point of the Torres Base Camp Trek
Lenga Beech Forest, Torres Base camp Trek
Estancia Lazo, Tierra Patagonia
Great Horned Owl (on horse ride)
Native to Southern Patagonia Anarthrophyllum
Tierra Patagonia, room with a view
The view, Torres del Paine
Lounge, bar and dining area Tierra Patagonia
AFTER MANY YEARS OF SEARCHING – PUMAS
At the risk of indulging my love for wildlife I have to mention I finally got to see a puma, three of them actually. I’ve lost count how many years I’d been searching on walks, drives and horse rides, in and around Patagonia, to see a puma and finally there they were; a mother and two sub adult cubs (as it happens quite close to the road). Our guide (who also loved his wildlife and had been working for Tierra Patagonia for 9 years) explained that numbers are recovering as the park and the local farmers are working together to protect them; so just maybe you’ll get to see one too.
Sub-adult male Puma
Adult female is farthest from camera (more brown colouration)
Puma siblings
Tierra Patagonia ranks as one of the best properties from which to explore Torres del Paine. It’s no secret, as such properties book out during the December to March period. To be sure of allowing us to create the best itinerary for you please don’t delay too long as despite the challenges of the last 3 years Tierra Patagonia is now full for the next few months and already filling for 2023 peak season.
Chilean Flamingos