Day 7: Yendegaia

For our last full day of the Expedition, we enjoyed another late start. With the same schedule as yesterday (breakfast at 9am, departure at 10am), we had time to relax and have coffee in the morning before heading out.

This time, we drove west around Lake Fagnano and turned southeast into Yendegaia National Park. The Chilean army has been building a road in this area — which will eventually traverse the park and offer a connection to both Ushuaia — main town on the Argentinian side of Tierra del Fuego — as well as greater access to Chile’s territory even further south. BUT, they estimate it’ll take another 20 years to get it done.

They might have flying cars before this one is finished

Not that there are many people in this part of the world but for our last hike, Explora has special permission to hike in a non-developed area of Yendegaia Park. There were no trails and Matias guide led the way. An avid plant lover, he gave us a side quest to find a Drosera Uniflora – a tiny type of Venus flytrap in this area. We did our stretches and set out on the hunt.

No trails today

This entire area is in the peat bog ecosystem, and the ground was covered with Yareta and other soft, sponge-like plants and mosses. It made the ground quite soft and squishy to walk on, which was challenging at times. We hiked up from the road and found our way across the land towards a few lookout points.

Peat bogs

Along the way, we found another seismograph (there was one yesterday as well) and were careful not to make Santiago think there was an earthquake. From here, we could see our first lookout in the distance – a hill just past some boggy marsh area.

Yes, that is a giant cliff

Anybody want to trigger an earthquake?

More bogs

We navigated our way to the hill and climbed on up. When we got to the top, we took a break with soup (with croutons!) and brownies (or blondies!). We had a view of the area we already covered, as well as glaciers beyond (further west). The fall colors are in full bloom in this area and the different mosses make for vivid red, greens, and yellows.

That lagoon looks like a crab

Explora soup bros

From that hill, we went to another lookout that was on the edge of an area that looked like Pride Rock, but without so much of an overhang. We traversed through a forested area (remember, no trails) and avoided stepping in any bogs. However, the wettest areas are the likeliest places for drosera uniflora, so we always made sure to take a look (still no luck).

Who knew bogs were so colorful?

We took some group shots when we made it to the lookout. We could see the road we drove on, the river, and Lago Fagnano. Those with condor eyes could even spot our estancia. From there, we made our way back to the car. We failed at finding any carnivorous plants, but there is one more spot we can drive to, said Matias.

Group shot

Yendegaia? More like YAAAAAAYndegia.

One fifth of an aspirin (approximately, maybe)

Shy mushroom

Like yesterday, we dove a few minutes to a lookout to have lunch rather than eating on the side of the road or in wet bogs. We also had more delicious desserts from a fancy pastry shop in Santiago.

Thanks, Chilean military

Kayak back to Lake Fagnano, anyone?

Loaded some pretty good weather so far

On our way back to the estancia, we made a quick stop in the one additional area where Matias Guide was told his plant might be found. We all took a look, and Matias found it pretty quickly. It was WAY smaller than we thought. There was no way we would have found it on the trail. But, having found it, we were all very excited for the successful side quest and how cool the plant actually looks. Plant nerds unite!

We found Matias’ carnivorous plant!

Shot on an iPhone… take that Samsung

For our last dinner, we had a barbecue. Earlier in the day, Don Germán took charge of grilling a lamb in the fire pit near the cabins. When we arrived back, we stopped to say hello and admire his cooking skills. We went inside to change and relax before the real party started.

Don Germán will smile for smoked lamb

And all the other fixins’ too!

At about 6:30pm the entire crew (guests and staff) gathered at the barbecue pit while Don Germán finished cooking the lamb. When it was ready we went inside to eat a veritable feast! In addition to all of the food, Emma made a custom version of calafate pisco sours using calafate berries picked right here on the estancia. Today is also Roberto’s birthday, so we celebrated him along with the end of our trip.

Delicious lamb ribs

Tomorrow we take a tiny plane back to Punta Arenas and the Explora Expedition will conclude. Alas, we will still have a couple of days of fun in Santiago before heading home. However, I wouldn’t count on the blog photos to be nearly as picturesque from here on out. Tierra del Fuego, you are awesome!

Today’s turndown note… Explorers: “The explorers of this land have been few. It still remains uncharted territory, waiting to be discovered. Keep in your memory a postcard of the moments, of nature, of the place where you find yourself, where the paths have yet to reach their end.”