DAY 1: ARRIVE IN PUNTA ARENAS WITH PRIVATE TRANSFER TO PUERTO NATALES

Our guide will meet you at the Punta Arenas airport to assist with your transfer to Puerto Natales, a three-hour drive through the Patagonian pampa (high-plateau). Once in Puerto Natales, we will check into Hostal Amerindia, before our dinner and meeting to discuss the trip program. This is a great opportunity to meet our local guides and ask any questions about the upcoming journey.

  • Driving Distance: 40 miles
  • Showers: Yes
  • Meals: not included

DAY 2: HORSEBACK RIDING ALONG PRISTINE LAKES AND HIGH MOUNTAIN PASSES

We begin our journey by saddling up at Estancia Puerto Consuelo, the first cattle ranch founded in the region. The morning will be spent on horse, travelling around the fjords and peninsulas to Villa Luisa, where we will stop for lunch and exploration of this rugged and wild land. The surrounding views on this portion of the trip are some of the most breathtaking in the area. We will ride through ancient Lenga woods and through high mountain passes. On clear days we have the privilege of viewing the massif in the Torres del Paine (which we will hike to later in the trip). At the end of a true cowboy (or cowgirl) experience, we will rest and relax at the refugio and prepare for another full day of discovery.

  • Driving Distance: 10 miles
  • Horseback Riding Time: Approx. 3 hours
  • Showers: Yes
  • Meals: B,L

DAY 3: ENTER TORRES DEL PAINE, TREK ASCENCIO VALLEY, CORDILLERA DEL PAINE (THE TOWERS)

This morning, we transfer by van to the Torres del Paine, a two hour journey crossing the pampa Patagonica before arriving at the majestic gates of Patagonia’s renowned National Park.
Our trek begins with a hike deep into the Ascencio Valley, where you will see the river of the same name running wildly past refugio Chileno. After a quick stop at the refugio, we will continue through a forest of the native Lenga (Beech) trees before drastically changing landscapes at the glacial moraine. From here, we trek for just one hour more to the top of the moraine where the high granite towers appear from seemingly nowhere. This is the classic scene of granite towers and glacial lakes that makes the park famous and so many photographers pining for that perfect sunset

  • Hiking Time: 7 hours
  • Distance: 10 miles
  • Meals: B,L,D
  • Accommodations: Tent
  • Showers: No

DAY 4: LAKE NORDENSKJOLD, HANGING GLACIERS OF MOUNT ALMIRANTE NIETO TO BASE OF LOS CUERNOS

Today we will trek along Lake Nordenskjold, named after the Swedish geologist who’s studies formed an important contribution to world glacial geology. The narrow Patagonian path clings to the edge of this unique body of water, while the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto tower above. After traversing the lake shore and glacial formations, we will reach the base of Los Cuernos, our camp and home for the night.

  • Hiking Time: 6.5 hours
  • Distance: 9.5 miles
  • Meals: B,L,D
  • Accommodations: Tent
  • Showers: No

DAY 5: TREK TO THE FRENCH VALLEY

The famous French Valley is considered the most beautiful valleys in the park and one of the most unique in the world. It’s surrounded by hanging glaciers, calving ice-fall and an amphitheater of smooth granite walls and jagged spires. The further you hike into the valley, the better the views become. On the return journey, you will notice the extraordinary turquoise color of Lake Pehoe (“hidden lake” in the Tehuelche Indian language). Lodging and dinner is at Lodge Paine Grande, where you can enjoy a pisco sour in the bar that overlooks Paine Grande and Los Cuernos in the beautiful evening light.

  • Hiking Time: 10 hours
  • Distance: 15 miles
  • Meals: B,L,D
  • Accommodations: Refugio
  • Showers: No

DAY 6: TREK ALONG LAKE GREY TO THE MAGNIFICENT GREY GLACIER

The trek along enchanting Lake Grey affords magnificent views of Glacier Grey and its floating icebergs. We will visit the glacial lookout point and the lakeshore for up-close views of vibrant-blue icebergs (Paine is a Tehuelche Indian word for “blue”). At lunchtime we will navigate in the Grey II boat, a classic sea worthy vessel where you can rest your walking legs and take in the pure Patagonian view. This two hour boat trip travels across the majestic lake surrounded by icebergs, navigating right up to the front of the glacier while you stand on deck sipping your pisco sour served with glacial ice. Tonight we transfer to Cabañas Tyndall where you will dine on traditional Patagonian cuisine and rest your head for the night.

  • Hiking Time: 4 hours
  • Distance: 6 miles
  • Boating Time: 3 hours
  • Meals: B,L,D
  • Accommodations: Refugio
  • Showers: No

DAY 7: ZODIAK BOATS DOWN THE SERRANO RIVER TO CAMP

The river leg of the journey begins at the Serrrano river sector located at the southern border of Torres del Paine National Park. Here you will navigate the river in a Zodiac boat with views of Glacier Serrano, Glacier Tyndall and the southern Patagonian ice field. After two hours of river travel, we will arrive at Puerto Toro where we will set up camp before having lunch. Our flexible afternoon gives you the opportunity to either relax around camp or kayak to Glacier Balmaceda. Dinner and comfortable camping is provided this evening by your seasoned guides.

  • Zodiak Boating Time: 3 hours
  • Kayaking Time: 3 hours
  • Kayaking Distance: 3 miles
  • Meals: B,L,D
  • Accommodations: Tent
  • Showers: No

DAY 8: SEA KAYAKING THROUGH ICEBERGS TO THE SERRANO GLACIER

With an early start dependent on the weather conditions, we will carry our kayaks to the lagoon of the Serrano glacier. From the lagoon, we will have the rare and personal experience of paddling in and amongst the ice-bergs. A swift return by boat brings us again to Puerto Natales via the Last Hope Sound. Once at Puerto Natales, we check into Hostal Amerindia for the night, and celebrate our journey over a farewell dinner at a local favorite restaurant.

  • Kayaking Time: 2.5 hours
  • Kayaking Distance: 1.5 miles
  • Meals: B,L,D
  • Accommodations: Hotel/Bed and Breakfast
  • Showers: Yes

DAY 9: PENGUIN RESERVE, TRANSFER TO AIRPORT, RETURN TRIP HOME.

Our guides will once agin assist with your private Transfer to Punta Arenas airport, with a stop at the Seno Otway penguin reserve. The penguin reserve gives you an up-close encounter with the adorable Magellanic Penguins, a wonderful waddling creature that mates for life and returns to their birthplace each year to mate with their lifelong partner. Once safely checked into the airport, you will bid your guide and Patagonia one final “adios”... for now.

  • Driving Distance: 60 miles
  • Time at Penguin Reserve: Approx. 1.5 hours
  • Showers: Yes
  • Meals: B,L