Pali Aike hiking and nature. Let’s head off for an interesting, varied day in the Patagonian steppe. You’ll be picked up at your hotel in Punta Arenas. We then drive northwards, through the productive grassland. The drive to Pali Aike takes about 2.5 hours. On the way, we have a good chance of seeing Lesser Rheas, Guanacos, Upland Geese, Caracaras and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles. The area is open and relatively flat, characterized by grass and scrub vegetation, as is typical here in southern Patagonia. Shortly before reaching the border with Argentina, we turn left onto a plateau. It is only around 200 m above sea level, but even with this small difference in altitude, differences in vegetation are quite noticeable.

Once we arrive at Pali Aike National Park, our exciting hike through the lava fields begins. The path is well marked. However, it leads over long stretches of bare lava rock, which is rugged and sharp-edged. Some of it is solid, some of it consistes of loose rock. Accordingly, a safe step and sturdy hiking boots are a must for this tour. We also recommend that you wear gloves. This is to prevent you from tearing your hands on the rocks in case you lose your balance. 

During the hike, we’re likely to see lizards sunbathing on the warm stones. Especially in the summer months, we also have good chances of seeing birds such as the Austral Negrito, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant, Scale-throated Earthcreeper and Cordilleran Canastero. The Grey-hooded Sierra Finch is also a common bird here, as is the Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant. Larger species such as the Cinereous Harrier or Peregrine Falcon are among the other possible sightings.

The hiking trail leads us through flat lava fields to various volcanic cones and craters. First we’ll visit the Devil’s House (“Morada del Diablo”). After another hour’s walk, we reach the Devil’s Shafts (“Pozos del Diablo”). The last section of the trail is very easy to follow, as it leads mostly through the characteristic steppe grass. This allows us to look ahead and to the sides again, and enjoy the landscape and its inhabitants. In the passages across the lava fields, we were well advised to concentrate primarily on the path and pay careful attention to where we put our next step. 

Depending on how much time we have left, we either take another short walk to a crater or slowly make our way home. On the drive back to Punta Arenas, we continue to keep an eye out for interesting inhabitants of the Patagonian steppe. Pali Aike hiking and nature.

Day Tour

This trip is available on a daily basis from September to April • Trip duration: 11 hours approximatively.

Meet/Depart

Daily departures from Punta Arenas, Chile.

Duration

Up to 11 hours | Pick-up time at the hotel / Punta Arenas port from 6-7am.

Rates

The above prices are per person in US Dollars. All payments are in US Dollars.

What the trip includes/excludes

The trip price includes: Private transportation and guide services during the tour, park entrance fees, packed lunch and mineral water.

The trip price excludes: Tipping, travel insurance, a la carte dishes, alcoholic drinks, and anything else of a purely personal nature.

To book this tour, please complete the online registration form and pay a deposit of US$100 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 30 days prior to tour departure.

Cancellation Policy

Notice of cancellation can only be accepted in writing from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:

• If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 50 is refundable.

• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.

•If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.