Punta Arenas City and Museum Tour
You'll see majestic views of the city, the Strait of Magellan, and Tierra del Fuego from La Cruz Hill, then go visit Maggorino Borgatello Museum for a look at how life was for the Patagonia Indians as well as Patagonia's flora and fauna. From there, you'll visit the open air museum which displays buildings and information concerning the early settlers as well as machinery. Then, you'll see the cemetery, and note the resting place of the last Onas Fireland Native as well as the mausoleums. Your last stop is a visit to the Plaza de Armas Main Square.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $60 for this 3.5 hour tour.
Booking Advice: This tour is considered to be easy physically, however there are flights of stairs to consider to see the displays in the Maggorine Borgatello Museum. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.
Penguins, Penguins!
The Otway Bay tour takes you to observe the Magellinic Penguins who dig burrows in the sand on this coast, and the more expensive 6 hour tour brings you to Magdalena Island, which is 10 miles off shore and 25 miles north of Punta Arenas. There can be up to 70,000 penguins on Magdalena Island, which has one of the largest penguin colonies in southern Chile. At both reserves, you're likely to see penguins, but the island tour is a bit longer and typically includes lunch.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $85 for 4 hour tours to the Otway Bay burrows, and about $195 for 6 hour tours at the Natural Penguin Reserve on Magdalena Island.
Booking Advice: Due to the walking involved, these tours are rated as moderate in terms of physical exertion. Penguins do migrate, and it may be helpful to know this begins to occur in March. We do suggest price and agenda comparisons of similar tours offered by online third party excursions.
Flight-see Torres del Paine National Park
Anytime glaciers, rivers, and large granite towers are involved, flight-seeing has special appeal! You'll see the Torres del Paine National Park from a cruise altitude of 3,000 meters. The park surrounds three granite towers over 10,000 feet high, and the terrain includes those lovely lakes, glaciers, and rivers!
Price: Adults expect to pay around $1000 for this 3.5 hour tour which involves 2 hours of actual flight time.
Booking Advice: These tours are considered to be easy regarding physical exercise. Seating is limited, so we do suggest you book in advance. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.
Fort Bulnes, Port Famine, and Rio Los Ciervos
Along the Magellan Strait, you'll see Rio de los Ciervos, Lenadura, Punta Santa Maria, Guairbo, Agua Fresca, and Rinconada Bulnes, the latter of which is just before Fort Bulnes. This fort was reconstructed at the site of the original, and also marks the Port Famine area, where all but one settler perished. Ironically, the only survivor was rescued by the British; the fort was built to protect the people from English piracy! After touring this fort museum, you'll then visit a typical old country house which is also a museum, and which is dedicated to preserving the history of the pioneering settlers. You'll have a taste of pisco sour and see the Cueca dance, and, of course, an opportunity to shop for souvenirs!
Price: Adults expect to pay around $95 for this tour that lasts around 5 hours.
Booking Advice: These tours are considered to be easy in terms of physical exertion. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.
Magallanes Forest Reserve Trek
At El Mirador, you'll walk about a half mile to Las Minas River, and see where coal was mined during the first ½ of the 20th century. Your trek includes ascending Fenton Hill for majestic views of the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, and the city. A snack is included with this excursion.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $45 for this 4 hour adventure.
Booking Advice: This tour is physically arduous. Cruise line prices appear to be competitive.