Torres Del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Patagonia is five times more breathtaking than any photo shows it to be. At around 3500m high, it's highest peaks don't carry such a grand label when compared to mountains like Denali, Everest or Aconcagua, but Patagonia's icy towers rise from just below 1000m. Often climbing as much as 2500m in near vertical height. It takes a few days before you can look at the peaks without having your mind completely vacated by the immense grandeur. The palette of autumn colors you can see in a single Beech tree is more than in most countries’ entire flora. The twilight colors from Alpine glow to soft warm light lasts almost 2 hours in which the peaks are painted in a variety of intense pinks, oranges and reds. The air is crisp and the rivers and lakes are unrealistically clear.
Apart from the obviously amazing landscape, the human presence is minimal because Patagonia's location is it's best asset. It is situated only a few hundred kilometers from the Antarctic Circle on a part of the South American mainland that is like a narrow peninsula in the frigid southern seas. When you drive between the towns you can drive for 100km and see absolutely nothing more than a few farmsteads. It gives me great comfort to visit such a pristine location and not see a booming population that you know will inevitably lead to its destruction.