2025_26 Oosterdam, Torres del Paine, Day 4

On our last day in Puerto Natales, our guide Maritza from Patagonia picked us up, and we headed to explore Milodón Cave before returning to Punta Arenas. A trip to Torres del Paine would not be complete without leaving our mark on Cueva del Milodón. Cueva del Milodón National Monument is just 25 kilometres north of Puerto Natales and not really out of the way for our trip back to Punta Arenas. Declared a historical monument in 1968 and a national monument in 1993, the Milodón Caves is a treasure of the stories and experiences of the first human groups on the continent. Men and women who came here seeking refuge from the unpredictable weather and on the lookout for wild animals. The story begins in 1895, when German pioneer Hermann Eberhard stumbled upon what is now known as Cueva del Milodón. He found the remains of an animal skin later identified as a prehistoric Milodón more than 14,000 years old. That discovery gave the site its name and drew scientists from across the world, eager to understand this massive creature and its environment. The cave’s legacy comes from the sloth itself, which has become a symbol of prehistoric Patagonia.  We followed a wooden path about 500 meters to the entrance of the imposing and majestic cave. This is a spacious cave that penetrates into the rock. The cave is more than 260 feet wide and 650 feet deep, with a 100-foot-high ceiling covered in stalactites and was formed 18,000 years ago by advancing and retreating glaciers. Walking into this cave you feel a sense of awe to imagine where the ancient creatures and nomads lived, walked and slept. A good stop to end our Torres del Paine final day! On our 3-hour drive back to Punta Arenas we stopped at a ranch known as Estancia Rio Penitente. The ranch is an example of livestock history in Magallanes. Founded in 1891, by Scottish immigrants it has preserved its main house and shearing shed for five generations. We arrived back in Punta Arenas to await the arrival of our ship. After having an early dinner, we walked along the waterfront and to see the murals and sights along the waterfront. In conclusion, Torres del Paine and Patagonia was everything we hoped it would be and more, a place of untouched natural grandeur at the end of the world. We loved every minute we spent in Patagonia. We are really thankful for Maritza, our guide, who made this whole experience happen…