Chilean Patagonia Tour: Wildlife, W Trek, Ice Hiking, Kayaking

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Santiago and Fly to Punta Arenas

  Upon landing in Santiago, go through customs and recheck in for the domestic flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, meet your private driver at the airport and then be transferred to your hotel downtown.

  One of the southernmost cities in the world, Punta Arenas is known as the "end of the world", and the charming gateway for some renowned attractions in Patagonia, such as Torres del Paine National Park and Magdalena Island.

  • Punta Arenas

• Day 2: Punta Arenas, Strait of Magellan Adventure

  Early in the morning, a private transfer will take you to the pier to board a zodiac boat to experience the Strait of Magellan, which was used to be one of the only ways to cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Along the voyage, admire the rugged coastline, sparkling blue glaciers, the stunning Seno Eyre Fjord, and forested islands. Also, have a chance to watch humpback whales cruising down the icy waters, Magellanic penguins interacting with one another on land, as well as seagulls and sea lions lounging on the rocky shore. The ship will stop at Cabo San Isidro, located at the north shore of the strait, in search of the beautiful Austral dolphins, also known as the Peale's dolphins. They like gathering in small groups, swimming by the side of the boat, or doing some acrobatic jumping. You also may see some sea lion colonies, varieties of sea birds, such as albatrosses and petrels, perhaps even some penguins. After that, drive back to your hotel in Punta Arenas.

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  • Punta Arenas

• Day 3: Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales

  Today, take another cruise down the Strait of Magellan to explore the remote shores of Magdalena Island and the curious penguins of Marta Island on this fantastic half-day tour.

  These two islands are located in the middle of the strait and belong to the protected area of Los Pingüinos Natural Monument. Magdalena Island is home to the thousands of Magellanic penguins and a lonely lighthouse on its northeastern tip. Marta Island hosts a wealth of wildlife, including thousands of penguins, cormorants, gulls, and sea lions. Spend about one hour exploring Magdalena Island, a Magellanic penguin colony that can reach up to 170,000 inhabitants, which is sure to take your breath away. You will learn about the history of the strait and the ecological richness of the islands when visiting an old lighthouse, enjoy the sweeping views of the Strait of Magellan from the top of the lighthouse.

  After gazing at the astounding wildlife, you will hop back on the vessel to Punta Arenas, where you will be transferred to the bus station for a three-hour journey to Puerto Natales. Along the way, relish your first glimpses of the Patagonian Pampa and keep an eye out for local wildlife. Upon arrival at Puerto Natales, check into your hotel, then meet your tour representative for a briefing about the next few days' hiking adventures in Paine.

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  • Puerto Natales

• Day 4: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park

  Situated along the shore of Última Esperanza Sound, the small town of Puerto Natales is the gateway to the unparalleled Torres del Paine National Park, with beautiful trails to the remote landscapes and natural splendor that make it a paradise for outdoor adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers.

  Get up early and hop into the bus to the main entrance at Laguna Amarga (about 2 hours drive). After registering, you will begin your five-day hiking adventure following the most famous W Trek route.

  Today you'll experience the relatively difficult but worthy trekking tour to Mirador Base Torres (lookout at the base of the towers). The total distance is 9.6 miles, taking about 7 hours. Passing by the Pampa, hiking along the banks of the Ascencio River, and through the Ascencio Valley, you can enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding mountains, lakes, the valley, and the glacier-capped Mount Almirante Nieto on the way. Stop at the Refugio El Chileno (the accommodation you will stay in) to drop off your luggage and have a short break. Continue your hiking to the base of the towers, hiking through a lengthy section of forest, later reach the moraine base, then challenge a 45-minute steep climbing up the rock field. After coming up over the final ridge of rock, you could see the amazing views of the three towers and Torres del Paine, standing mightily over a small turquoise lake.

  Spend some time admiring Lago Torres, and retrace your steps back to Refugio El Chileno for the night.

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  • Torres del Paine National Park

• Day 5: Torres del Paine National Park, Hike along Lake Nordenskjöld

  After breakfast, take another adventurous hike to Refugio Los Cuernos, a cozy mountain outpost nearby the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld. The total distance is 7 miles, taking about 5 hours. Hiking along the trail to the base of the noted Monte Almirante Nieto, the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld, and the striking Cuernos del Paine, you will discover incredible views, hanging glaciers, lakes, and the abundant local vegetation and wildlife. Overnight in Refugio Los Cuernos.

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  • Torres del Paine National Park

• Day 6: Torres del Paine National Park, Explore the French Valley

  Today, you will explore the Frances Valley, one of the icons of the circuit. The total distance is 10.7 miles, taking about 7 hours.

  With views of glacier-fed turquoise lakes and distinctive mountain peaks, you will pass through the windy shores of Lake Nordenskjöld and hike to the French Valley. En route, enjoy a rest at the Campamento Italiano to leave your heavy bags. Then continue the trek towards the French Valley, climb through a forest up the valley and finally reach the lookout point, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the circuit, lakes Nordenskjöld, Skottsberg, and Pehoé, as well as the hanging French Glacier. Immerse yourself in the dramatic, contrasting greens and greys on the landscape until back through the same path to gather your bags. Hike another 2.5 hours to Refugio Paine Grande, on the shore of Lake Pehoé, for the night.

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  • Torres del Paine National Park

• Day 7: Torres del Paine National Park, Lake Grey & Grey Glacier

  A challenging trek to admire the awe-inspiring views of Lake Grey and Glacier Grey awaits you today. The total distance is 6.8 miles, taking about 4 hours. You'll hike to the beautiful Lake Grey first, fed by Glacier Grey, where you may see small icebergs floating on the surface. Then head to the Glacier Grey to see its jagged ice walls. One of the most spectacular glaciers of the park, the Grey Glacier is worth visiting because of its sprawling ice sheet, glistening blue hue, and floating icebergs. Please pay attention that most days the path is incredibly windy.

  Later, hike more than 2 hours along the lakeshore towards Refugio Grey, where you spend the night.

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  • Torres del Paine National Park

• Day 8: Torres del Paine National Park, Ice Hiking & Grey III Boat Ride

  Early morning, make your way to the Bigfoot Base camp, where the guide will give you all the necessary equipment for your ice hiking adventure. Jump on a boat and sail towards Islatak Island, where access to the ice most safely. Walk onto the island and start the one-hour challenging hike to reach the Glacier Grey with your experienced guide. Prepared with an ice ax, crampons, a helmet, and a harness, start your ice-hiking over the top of the grey glacier for around 2.5 hours. You will be able to observe cracks, rivers, lagoons, and tunnels, even do ice climbing. After the mind-blowing exploration, return to the boat and back to the base camp.

  Then embark on a double-decker catamaran - the Grey III, sailing through the ice river to appreciate the feet of Glacier Grey from a very short distance and admire the unparalleled landscape, composed of floating icebergs, lush vegetation, and magnificent mountains along the way. Stay the night in the beautiful Hotel Lago Grey.

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  • Torres del Paine National Park

• Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park, Visit Serrano Glacier by Kayak

  After breakfast, take a private transfer to Pueblo Serrano, where you will meet your guide and get your kayaks. After the last preparations, you'll start a kayaking adventure, paddling to the charming waterfall of Salto del Rio first, which requires carrying the kayaks around the falls, then toward Serrano Glacier. En route, enjoy lunch with amazing views of Tyndall Glacier and the Geike Mountains. Keep going downstream, try to get close to Mount Balmaceda, where the water meets the waters of Ultima Esperanza Fjord. From this point, you will discover the beautiful view of the Serrano Glacier and its floating ice-bergs. Finally, reach Puerto Toro for camping. Enjoy a great dinner and soak up the wild atmosphere of the Patagonian forest.

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  • Torres del Paine National Park

• Day 10: Torres del Paine National Park - Puerto Natales

  Jump into a kayak early morning and set out to paddle among the blue icebergs in the Serrano Lagoon, where the Serrano Glacier ends. After this navigation, board a larger boat towards Puerto Natales, passing by the Ultima Esperanza Fjord, enjoying the incredible views of the Balmaceda Glacier along the way. Taste a traditional Patagonian roasted lamb at Estancia Perales. Continue sailing to Puerto Natales, arriving around 6 PM, a private transfer will take you to your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy at leisure.

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  • Torres del Paine National Park

• Day 11: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago, Departure

  Time to say goodbye! At the indicated time, return to Punta Arenas by bus, then transfer to the airport for the flight to Santiago, followed by your onward flight home.

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