A herd of guanacos in Torres del Paine National Park

Tourism is a welcome and growing force in this remote, sparsely populated and starkly beautiful part of Chile, where sheep-farming and oil production had been the economic mainstay.

The town of Puerto Natales acts as gateway to what is undoubtedly the region's main attraction: Torres del Paine National Park, a landscape coloured in every imaginable shade of blue, green and grey, featuring majestic icebergs, lake-filled valleys and surreally-shaped towers and 'horns' that soar from the imposing granite massif at the heart of the park.

Distinctive flora and fauna thrive in the local microclimate, with a particularly rich birdlife that includes condors, rheas and flamingoes.

Such surroundings make climbing and hiking around the area a world-class experience, though it's essential to be prepared for the often extreme and always unpredictable weather.

Those who don't want the adventure to end can head down to the island of Tierra del Fuego at the continent's southerly tip to cross into Argentina.