Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/76686
Exploring the Wilderness Torres Del Paine has long been a major draw for wild- life trekkers, extreme sports enthusiasts and families from all corners of the globe, who usually have lodged in the charming town of Puerto Natales. The newly opened Tier- ra Patagonia's appeal lies in its isolated location and ability to inspire visitors at all levels of physical fitness to engage with nature. Guests experience nature in a way that is, for most of them, beyond anything they are familiar with, from extreme temperature changes to nearly a dozen different geological landscapes within the expansive park. "We want to accommodate not only adventure trav- elers, but also people who want to take part in the great outdoors yet are not 100 percent outdoorsy," explains Purcell. "It is important to us that guests of all ages learn about nature, and why what we do at the hotel and the park in terms of conservation is important." Tierra Patagonia's energetic, international guide team is the back of the hotel library and followed the rugged, decid- edly unpaved path. It ended up being the perfect way to get acclimated, and gave me my first glimpse of indigenous animals and geological formations, such as rare trombolites. I'm a yoga practitioner and power walker, and like to instrumental in making the daunting landscape accessible for all levels. No sooner had I finished my welcome cocktail than one of their activity directors whisked me away to the lob- by's large map for a rundown on various available excursions, from bird watching and cruises to Lago Grey's glaciers, to mountain biking and cliff scaling for the more advanced. While some guests may be initially leery about exploring our journeys of discovery. While he gave us chapter and verse about safety precautions, he was encouraging and informative as he escorted us through various terrains, from Lor punctuated with large turquoise glaciers, to desert and tun- dra. On our final adventure, a horseback ride followed by a barbeque, we were thrilled to learn he's also a bona fide gaucho, complete with training and credentials. Thousands of miles from the nearest Club Med, d of the Rings-like forests, to eerie lakeside landscapes on their own, they can literally get right into the experience through an easy first hike right outside the hotel that leads to the shore of Lake Sarmiento. I realized that when I discovered on my first morning that the hotel did not have a fitness room. To get the juices flowing, I found the trailhead leading from amidst a unique collection of rugged environments, Tierra Patagonia indeed succeeded in shifting my paradigm of what an all-inclusive resort experience could be. n Tierra Patagonia's travel season runs September through April. www.tierrapatagonia.com at least work a sweat and get out of my comfort zone, so I chose intermediate-level hikes balanced out with scenic outings by jeep, boat and walking trails to view park gla- ciers and the four so-called "towers" from different angles. On our third day, we chose a wildlife walk on Hunter's Trail where we saw guanacos (an alpaca relative), foxes and pumas, as well as petroglyphs. En route back from a rigorous but doable hike to visit the glaciers in Lago Grey, we spotted a wounded eagle showing admirable dignity even in the face of certain death. Filipe Zuniga, our guide, was a regular presence on harmoniously with the landscape, from el- egant but rustic menus to the cozy décor of the rooms. The winds may howl, but here they lull you to sleep. And for those more inclined to quiet pleasures, there is an open bar with outstanding cocktails and wines, and an ever-changing, locally sourced menu with free range meats, locally farmed fish, organic seasonal veg- etables from nearby farms, and vegan options on request. August/September 2012 39 Photo: Courtesy, Tierra Patagonia Resort Photo: Courtesy, Tierra Patagonia Resort; inset: Elyse Glickman