Patagonia Hike and Kayak
Day 1 – Arrive into Santiago, Chile
Upon arrival in Santiago, and once you have cleared customs and
immigration, you are met by your guide, and transferred to your
accommodation.
Once you have freshened up your guide will brief you on the wonderful
journey you have in store and answer any questions you may have.
Following your briefing we embark on a city tour highlighting the
historic aspects of the Chilean culture. This is a walking tour to get
our legs moving after a long flight as well as provide a chance to see
the amazing cultural sights Santiago has to offer. The tour will stop in
the fertile valley for a rest and insight from our bilingual historical
expert. The tour will also visit the Santa Lucia Hill where the Spanish
Conquistador, Pedro de Valdivia, founded the city of Santiago on
February 12, 1541.
Overnight – Novotel Santiago – Twin share – Bed & breakfast basis
Day 2 – Fly top Patagonia
This morning we are transferred to the airport to connect with our
flight to Punta Arenas.
Upon landing in Punta Arenas we marry up with our transfer and travel
into the park region where we transfer to the Hosteria La Torres. The
park covers over 2,400 square kilometres and was founded in 1959. In
1978 UNESCO established the park as one of the few world biospheres.
Upon arrival at the park we have time to take in the breathtaking views
the park has to offer as the sun dips below the mountains. We also have
the opportunity to stop and see the local ‘guanacos’, a member of the
camel family, and the ‘nandu’, a member of the Ostrich family.
Once we arrive at the Hosteria Las Torres we have time to freshen up
prior to dinner.
Overnight – Hosteria Las Torres – Twin share – Full board basis
excluding alcoholic beverages
Day 3 – Hike to the Torres
This morning we head up to view the Torres. Following breakfast we will
undergo a gear check to ensure everyone’s gear is fitting properly and
all essentials are accounted for.
We will hike up 5.5 miles to Refugio Chileno crossing at the Rio
Ascensio before we unload our gear, have lunch, and prepare for our
afternoon trek up to view the Torres. We continue on up the western
slope of the gorge gradually rising away from the river. Crossing
several streams on log bridges and stepping stones the trail will lead
up to the base of a large moraine field. After about an hour of
scrambling up the rocks we will discover a view of the Torres del Paine,
the mighty columns of granite, which the park is famous for.
After our viewing we will make our way back down to Hosteria Las Torres
for a well-deserved hot dinner. Today’s hike covers approximately 11
miles (18 km) and is rated easy to moderate.
Overnight – Hosteria Las Torres – Twin share – Full board basis
excluding alcoholic beverages
Day 4 – Hike to Refugio Chileno
Following breakfast we depart on the short hike to Refugio Chileno. Our
7 mile (11 km) hike is a relatively flat hike along Lago Nordenskjold.
We will make our way to Albergue Los Cuernos where will have a nice
relaxing evening with spectacular view of the imposing Cuernos del
Paine. This is a rest day for the most part making sure everyone is
adjusting to the terrain and all our gear is functioning as it is
intended. We will need a good rest tonight to ensure we are ready for
our big day upcoming. Today’s hiking is rated as easy.
Overnight – Refugio Los Cuernos – Twin share – Full board basis
excluding alcoholic beverages
Day 5 – Hike Valle de Frances
This will be our longest day on the trail and the reason why our
training and preparation is so important. This is our 4th day in the
park and offers possibly the best views of the entire hike. Everyone in
our group will be prepared and your experience will be enhanced greatly
as a result of your dedication and perseverance.
Following breakfast we will trek to Campamento Italiano where we will
leave our packs behind to climb up the Valle de Frances “French Valley”.
The trail hugs the Rio del Frances with great views of Cerro Principal.
This peak is the largest in the park rising just over 10,000 ft (3,048
m). The afternoon will consist of a climb up through the Valle del
Frances with views of Los Cuernos and a 360-degree cirque with
awe-inspiring granite. After spending some time in the valley we make
our way back down to Campamento Italiano for lunch and to collect our
gear.
After lunch we hike beside Lago Pehoe and its intense blue glacial
waters. We conclude the day at Refugio Pehoe. Today’s hike is 15 ½ miles
(25 km) and is graded moderate to strenuous.
Overnight – Refugio Pehoe – Twin share rooms in wilderness camp – Full
board basis excluding alcoholic beverages
Day 6 – Hike to Glacier Grey
Today we have a moderate day on the trail consisting of roughly 7 miles
(11 km) of hiking passing by the back of Cerro Paine Grande on our
approach to the massive Glacier Grey.
Glacier Grey is over 2 miles wide and has an ice field that covers over
11 miles.
After lunch we will have time to explore the glacier before we board a
ferry for a scenic ride down Lago Grey. Our ferry will take us up close
to the glacier for amazing photo opportunities and potentially the rare
ice calving.
When we return to shore we are transferred by vehicle to Hosteria Grey,
which offers spectacular views of the park. Today’s hike is rated as
easy to moderate.
Overnight – Hosteria Lago Grey – Twin share – Full board basis excluding
alcoholic beverages
Day 7 – Kayak Rio Serrano
Today you give your feet a rest and take to the kayaks.
Following breakfast we will be met by our kayak guide and transferred to
the Rio Serrano. Before we launch our boats our river guides will
provide a safety overview and daily instructions.
We begin our kayak adventure paddling through the glacial waters and
seeing the unique wildlife as well as views of the park in the distance.
This day we will paddle across the first section of Rio Serrano, this is
a calm area of the river allowing us to become comfortable with our
kayaks and paddling. After approximately two hours we arrive at a small
waterfall in the river where we will have our first teamwork experience
in portaging our kayaks 100m down to calmer waters.
Depending on the weather conditions and the hours of light left in the
day, we will continue for 1 or 2 hrs more to arrive at our campsite.
Today you kayak a distance of around 6 miles (10 km) at an easy to
moderate rating.
Overnight – Serrano River – Twin share tents – Full board basis
excluding alcoholic beverages
Day 8 – Kayak amongst the Glaciers
After breakfast we collect our gear, pack the kayaks and embark on our
longest day down the river. In this section of the river there are
National Park and privately owned lands and in these we will see the
typical cold forest vegetation of Magallanes and the associated fauna.
We are able to observe, from a distance, the glaciers of the Southern
Patagonian ice field.
Finally we’ll arrive at Bernardo O´Higgins National Park. This is the
largest protected area in Chile. The park is named after Chile’s first
head of state. Time and weather permitting we will paddle up close to
the Serrano glacier to have a true experience of the sheer size of these
massive walls of ice. While paddling around the glaciers face we will
discover astounding views of this amazing mountain of constantly calving
ice. Today you paddle 8 miles (13 km) with a rating of moderate to
strenuous.
Overnight – Hosteria Monte Balmaceda – Twin share cabins – Full board
basis excluding alcoholic beverages
Day 9 – Travel to Puerto Natales
Today is our final day in the park.
This morning we paddle for approximately two hours prior to packing up
our gear and heading by boat to Puerto Natales. On the return journey we
stop off at the "Estancia Perales" to enjoy a barbecue at a traditional
Chilean Ranch.
Upon arrival at Puerto Natales we are transferred to the Hotel Indigo
for a well-deserved night in luxury and a chance to reflect back on our
adventure.
The distance paddled today is only 4 miles (6 ½ km) and is rated
moderate.
Overnight – Hotel Indigo – Single rooms – Full board basis excluding
alcoholic beverages
Day 10 – Depart Chile
Following breakfast at the Hotel Indigo we say farewell to Patagonia. We
are met and transferred to the Punta Arenas airport, a drive of around 2
½ hours, to connect with our flight to Santiago and subsequently our
outbound flights.
