Pali-Aike National Park (sometimes Pali Aike National Park) is perhaps unlike any other Chilean Patagonian national park. It isn't mountainous nor large – rather, it's the Pali-Aike Cave, home to one of Magellan's oldest settlements, that makes the park unique.

The Fell and Aike Caves have been on the tentative list for UNESCO world heritage since 1998.

Understand

History

Pali-Aike is an area from the Pleistocene or Holocene era about 150 km northwest of Punta Arenas. This volcanic field consists of maar lakes, basalt scoria cones, and lava flows. It is the northernmost field in Patagonia. In the 1930s, Junius Bouton Bird discovered a type of projectile, which was later determined to be 8,000 years old in the Fell and Pali Aike caves, both within the park.

Visitor information

• conaf.cl (official park website; Spanish only)

Get in

By land: From Punta Arenas, take Route 255, which is paved and leads to the Monte Aymond border crossing. At km 168, take the detour to Punta Delgada (Villa O'Higgins). From this point, it's 26 km to the park.

From the Monte Aymond Border Complex at km 196 of Route 225, access is possible only with 4x4 vehicles, venturing 15 km northwest.

Fees and permits

The park is only open on Tu–Su between 08:30 and 19:30. It is closed on Mondays.

If you are visiting during the high season (Oct–Apr), there is a fee. The park is open to all visitors free during the low season (May–Sept).

For Chileans:

• Children (≤11), seniors (>60) and children (≤17) with disabilities: Free
• Teenagers (12–17): 2,000 pesos
• Adults: 3,000 pesos
• Adults (with disabilities): 2,000 pesos

For foreigners:

• Children (≤11): Free
• Teenagers (12–17): 3,000 pesos (or US$3.00).
• Adults and seniors (including those with disabilities): 5,500 pesos (or US$6.00).

See

• 1 Pali-Aike Cave (Cueva Pali-Aike). Cave declared a national monument and where evidence of one of the oldest settlements of Magellan has been found. (updated Mar 2024)
• Campo de Conos y Lavas Basálticas (Field of Cones and Basaltic Lavas). A landscape that predominates in the park and resembles a lunar landscape. (updated Mar 2024)
• 2 Laguna Ana (Lake Ana). Where the park's wildlife is concentrated. (updated Mar 2024)
• 3 Cráter Morada del Diablo (Morada del Diablo Crater). Crater of a very old volcano. (updated Mar 2024)

Eat

There are no shops in the park; you will need to bring your own food.

Sleep

The park fully closes by 19:30.