Pali Aike National Park

Departing from Punta Arenas, this excursion takes us across the Patagonian steppe to explore a volcanic area with abundant basaltic lava flows and striking formations.
Pali Aike National Park is located about 196 km (122 miles) northeast of the city via Route 9, Route 255, and a gravel road from the Cooperativa Villa O’Higgins.
The park sits on the border with Argentina and covers an area of 5,030 hectares. In the 1930s, archaeologist Junius Bird excavated human remains of the first inhabitants of the region in the Pali Aike cave, along with remains of extinct fauna including the American horse and the giant ground sloth, or milodon.
The area is also home to various bird species, including flocks of ñandúes (American ostriches), wild geese, caranchos (a type of raptor), ibises, and flamingos, as well as herds of guanacos and possibly chingues (South American skunks) and foxes.
Within the park, we will do two hikes: one through the “Escorial del Diablo” (Devil’s Lava Field) to the “Morada del Diablo” crater, featuring lava formations that stand out in the landscape; and another hike to the rim of the Pali Aike volcano, where you can see the entire crater and its base.
 
[PRIVATE EXCURSION]
Season: Available from October to March.
Maximum capacity: Upon request
Minimum capacity: 01
Languages: Spanish, English, French, German
Transportation: Upon request.
Physical fitness requirements: A 3 km hike over very uneven terrain covered with lava and exposed to the wind.
Restrooms: At the park entrance.