Day 18 Torres del Paine National Park

It was beautifully sunny when we woke up.  In the field outside our room there is a mare and her foal, rabbits and several southern lapwings.  The towers, from which the park gets its name (Torres) are fully visible and not hidden behind cloud as they were yesterday.  It was a beautiful sight.

Southern Lapwing

Mare and her foal

View of the mountains early morning

We had a free day so chose to go on a 3 hour guided 7 km hike around Lake Sarmiento.  During the hike we visited some caves where there are ancient paintings going back 6500 years.  It was a lovely morning with spectacular scenery and we were blessed with warm sunshine although the wind became quite strong towards the end.

View of the mountains en route to the hike start point


Cave Paintings - a hand and animals

The cave

Long Tailed Meadow Lark



View on the walk

Condor

The mighty Condor - 3m wingspan

Scenery whilst on walk

Guanaco on lookout duties 
(keeping watch for predators while others feed)

Condor in flight

After lunch and an afternoon rest, we went out for a walk around the hotels extensive grounds.  The horses that had been used for todays horse riding activities were being taken back to their fields for the evening.  It was still sunny but cool in the wind.  We walked along the Serrano River before coming back to get ready for our evening meal.


Black Faced Ibis

Upland Geese

Chilean Swallow

Horse in the grounds

River Serrano

Paul with the horses


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