Today was going to be a less strenuous hike for us since it was the last day and we were all a bit tired from the base trek and the celebration afterward! We’d spend some of the day in the van, stopping by some of the stunning vistas to take photos and then we’d stop at Sarmiento Lake, where we’d hike 5k or so – looking at the fauna and trying to find pumas.
As you all know, I’ve traveled the world. And loved (almost!) every minute of it. But with every trip there comes a time when I’m just ready to go home. Today that time came. After the amazement and excitement of yesterday, I was ready to go back to Charlotte and my puppy; and my family; and my phone calls with my mom; and my wine dinners with my friends; and my coffee! It’s kind of a crappy feeling but it’s happened with every trip so I’ve gotten used to it. I’d find myself today struggling – but mostly succeeding – to stay in the present-moment and enjoy this final day.
Again, it was a picture-perfect day in Patagonia. Our first stop was a small Patagonian lake on the way to Sarmiento. The skies were so clear and the air so still that we were given another perfect reflection of the mountains in this gorgeous lake. I also got to see a scorpion for the first time – creepy cool.
From there we traveled onto another lookout point where a stunning waterfall sat at the base of a view of the towers.
Finally we drove to Sarmiento. Our guides called this the puma graveyard because this is where they hunt and kill. This area was filled with guanacos which look like a more elegant llama and which the pumas eat with abandon.
Almost immediately upon leaving the van, we found our first carcass. It was a guanaco which a puma killed and picked completely clean! It sounds strange but it was really cool to see! And so interesting to think that pumas roamed the same area where we were hiking. They hunt early in the morning and in the evening, however, so we were safe. Although our guides did give us instructions on what to do should we come face-to-face with a puma 🙂 I wanted to come face-to-face with a puma!
We walked for a good 2 and a half hours and although we did see some puma tracks and puma feces, unfortunately we didn’t see any pumas…it was a little disappointing. But up on a high rock we did see some ancient cave paintings. These paintings are estimated to be about 5000 years old! Absolutely incredible…to be standing in the same place that people stood 5000 years ago. Fascinating!
We were all a bit tired at this point – too much partying! – and needed a nap. So back to Ecocamp we went for a bit of a rest and a fantastic farewell dinner with our fellow trekkers and guides.
Although I was ready to leave, it was a day – and a trip! – that will go down as one of my best. And that is saying A LOT! I feel blessed and grateful for this amazing experience and the people that have made it so unforgettable!