In order to catch our 2pm flight in Punta Arenas - 450km south of the Torres del Paine, we had to leave the park by 6:30am. We packed the night before, refilled our tank, picked up our breakfast and hit the road. We never expected to see so many things in a day of transit. The road was quiet with no radio stations to entertain us. The gravel, pothole-filled dusty roads rattled and shook our Nissan and we hoped our vehicle would make it. As dawn broke, rabbits were running behind the bushes while vultures were poking at fresh road-kill. By 8am, we had seen many tour buses heading to the park.

After two hours we were on paved road by Puerto Natales. After a stop there, we were able to drive around 100km/hr ... until we were stopped by a herd of sheep - more than 1000 according to the gaucho. I was hoping to see some sheep but didn't expect so many, needless to say we didn't mind the traffic jam.

Flying from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt, we had a fabulous view of the southern Andes glacier-packed mountains including Mt. Fitz Roy - another famous landmark of Patagonia on the Argentine side. Tonight, we would meet with the entire rafting team in Puerto Varas.