On our third & final day, we took a hike to the Condor Viewpoint.  It was a moderate climb of about two hours (round trip) but the beautiful soaring condors and cloudless, crystal clear skies made for some breath-taking views of Lake Nordenskjold, Los Cuernos del Paine, Valle del Frances and the Patagonian Andes.  Once again, the wind was fairly intense at the top but at least we were able to stand upright.

After our big lunch spread at a camp ground in the park, we took an easy 3 mile hike near El Salto Grande which is an imposing and powerful waterfall that drains the waters of Lake Nordenskjold and the Paine River into the majestic, turquoise-colored Lake Pehoe.  The powerful raging water and amazing color of the waterfalls was quite dramatic.

From the radiant blue glaciers to the vast mountain terrain covered with glaciers and looming peaks, Torres Del Paines is full of stunning scenery and wow power.  It is an UNESCO site and one of 10 natural wonders of the world.  It truly is indeed!  We are already contemplating going to the Argentinian side of Patagonia during our second part of our “Around the World” travels.

Tomorrow we travel back to Punta Arenas for a full day then on to Santiago for the evening before 10 days in Buenos Aires which will wrap up the first part of our 40th Anniversary World Tour.