Hello everyone, since last week I forgot to post a wonderful place in Chile, today I will show you two!
I am talking about the beauties that can be found in the austral zone of Chile:

- Marble Caves
- Torres del Paine Park

1.- Marble Caves

The Marble Caves, also known as the Marble Cathedrals, are one of the most important tourist attractions in Patagonia. Composed of three limestone formations, they stand out for the beauty of their columns and the intense blue of the waters that protect them.

The Cathedral, La Capilla and La Cueva, sculpted on the shores of Lake General Carrera in the Aysén region, make up one of the most beautiful landscapes in australChile and one of the favorite destinations for photography lovers. They are part of the Carretera Austral route and are protected by law since 1994 when they were named a Nature Sanctuary.

Sculpted over millennia by the wind and the lake, the Marble Caves impress their visitors with the calcium carbonate formations that can be observed for an extension of 300 meters.

To see them it is necessary to take a boat that can also tour the Chapels from inside.







To get to the Marble Caves from Coyhaique (2-3 hrs in plain from Santiago), take the Carretera Austral south to the small town of Puerto Río Tranquilo on the western side of Lake General Carrera.

From that point the guides take people on a navigation to the Marble Chapels on a journey that lasts an hour and a half.

The closest city to the Marble Chapels is Coyhaique, capital of the Aysén region and a base point for tourism in the area. Located 240 kilometers from the Chapels, it is a city with a good gastronomic and hotel offer. Closer to the Capillas de Mármol still, is the small town of Puerto Río Tranquilo.

It is recommended to visit the Capillas de Mármol Nature Sanctuary between December and March when the weather conditions are more favorable for navigation and there are more possibilities to see General Carrera Lake in its most intense blue tone due to the summer sun.

It is also a great option to visit them during spring (from September to November) or autumn (April to May) since only on these dates is it possible to enter the caverns, something that cannot be done in summer because General Carrera Lake it is at its maximum level.

The climate in Patagonia is difficult to predict, so it is always recommended to bring a coat or windbreaker to the Marble Caves.

The most popular tourist attractions in and around Coyhaique include the Laguna San Rafael National Park, the Exploradores Glacier, the Cerro Castillo National Reserve and the Aikén del Sur Park.

2.- Torres del Paine Park

Have you ever felt very small in the middle of nature and its vastness? This is how you will feel between turquoise waters, glaciers and amazing granite horns. The cinematic landscape of the eighth wonder of the world will leave you speechless.



Immerse yourself in this huge National Park, grab your backpack, prepare your shoes and venture out with trekking, one of the activities par excellence in this Biosphere Reserve.



Enjoy the 17 hours of light that accompany you during the summer and dont miss the sunrise, when the horns of the Torres del Paine massif are stained purple and red. Sail across Lake Gray to admire the glacier of the same name, or paddle a kayak among huge blue and white icebergs.



Be an eyewitness of wildlife in Torres del Paine. The great condors greet you from the fresh air that you will begin to breathe once you are closer to this magical place. Observe foxes, huemules and guanacos along your route or wait patiently for the impressive puma to make its new appearance.





How to get? Between Santiago and Punta Arenas the flight lasts around 3 hours. From Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas is approximately 2 hours. Once you arrive at the Punta Arenas Airport Carlos Ibañez del Campo, you can go directly to Puerto Natales (247 kms.) Or do it from the city of Punta Arenas (254 kms) with an approximate duration of 3 hours. From Puerto Natales there are 100 kilometers to the park, depending on the route chosen. Occasionally there are flights between Santiago and Puerto Natales.

For both places I always recommend carrying enough cash, wanting to have fun and obviously worrying about preparing physically for both places. I hope you like it :) next week I will show you the beauties of the central zone of Chile.

Thanks for your support!