‘Unbelievable’ was the word used for the weather that greeted our early rising and breakfast. The sky over Puerto Natales was absolutely clear and our expectations were being exceeded as we began what would be a memorable all-day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park.

Created in 1959 the 227,000 hectares protects a piece of the southern Andes and the windswept grass and shrub lands of the Patagonia Steppe. Spectacular scenery was out in all of its glory. Photographers were delighted and even those who were not taking photos would forever carry the beauty of the day in their mind’s eye and memory.

Some of the group hiked for most of the morning on a trail that went from one park entrance to another. All along the hike there were views of the mountains, the glaciers and the snow dusting the rugged peaks. Guanacos seemed to be in constant view and moving across the open landscape. It was a dry winter and dry spring but in a few places the lake beds held water with a variety of birds including Chilean flamingos.  Darwin’s rhea (also known as Lesser rhea), large flightless birds, scampered across the steppe as we passed along the gravel road weaving its way through the park.

After the long morning in the sun and scenery a hearty, typical Patagonian lunch of BBQ lamb and a variety of salads and vegetables as well as scrumptious desserts was devoured. Then we took the shorter road back to the awaiting National Geographic Explorer. We would remain at the dock for the evening before having to leave to continue through the channels and islands of the Chilean Fjords.