Multi-active Chilean Patagonia

Santiago

You are met off your flight and taken to your hotel in Santiago, your English speaking guide giving you an introduction to the area around your hotel, nearby restaurants and things to see and do. After your brief tour, you have the rest of the afternoon free to relax or explore the city.

Aconcagua Valley

An early start this morning for a brilliant day walk to the summit of La Campana in the Aconcagua Valley, through the country town of Olmué to arrive at the entrance to Campana NP around 9am. The trail takes about 5 hours up, and the views from the top are amongst the most spectacular in the region. On clear days you should have good views of Aconcagua to the east, the highest mountain in the Americas at 6965m, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. A perfect introduction to Chile. After a picnic lunch the descent should take about 3 hours, then return to Santiago.

Chiloé

You are driven to Santiago airport for your flight to Castro, on the remote island of Chiloé. Direct flights to Chiloé do not operate every day, the alternative is to nearby Puerto Montt and a transfer by road and ferry to Castro. You are dropped at your hotel in town, where you are free for the rest of the afternoon.

With your guide you head north from Castro towards Chepu for some kayaking. After a safety briefing you start to paddle on the river Chepu along its estuary to the Pacific, through a ‘ghost forest’ formed in 1960 when the land sank by 2m in an earthquake, a dramatic and peaceful scene with fantastic birding. You have around 3 hours on the water, then a boat ride to Punihuil Bay and small islets that support a nesting colony of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins between November and March. After a typically Chilote lunch return to Castro.

Tantauco NP is the largest on the island and has over 150km of walking trails. Leaving early from Castro you head south with your local guide towards the Yaldad area, beginning the hike through dense forests before eventually arriving at the Yaldad Lagoon. This trail is a good introduction to the flora and fauna of Chiloé’s unique ecosystems with an array of native plants and regional mammals such as Chilote fox, pudú (the world’s smallest species of deer) and the huillín or southern river otter.

Lakes & volcanoes

Taking the ferry to the mainland, you are driven to lakeside Puerto Varas, the centre of the Chilean Lake District, with fantastic views across Lago Llanquihue to the snow-capped cone of Osorno volcano–your target for tomorrow.

Around the lake to Vicente Perez Rosales NP, passing Cascadas, then by dirt road to the start of a fairly strenuous guided hike on the flank of Osorno Volcano below its magnificent cone. You trek, partly through native forest, emerging to incredible views of Puntiagudo and walk on to 1100m at the pass between Osorno and Picada North. Stop for lunch as views begin of Tronador in Argentina, highest in the area, and Lake Todos Los Santos to which you gently descend, crossing lava channels onto flatter areas and arriving at a wild beach for a dip before walking on to your waiting vehicle. Return to your hotel in Puerto Varas.

Stretch some different muscles today with a bike ride along the shore of Llanquihue to the German settlers’ town of Frutillar north of Puerto Varas, a cycling distance of around 30km on a mix of dirt and paved roads, with the prospect of fantastic views of Osorno throughout. The return to Puerto Varas is by van, unless you would prefer to ride some or all of the way back.

Off at 08.30 to join a rafting trip on the Petrohué River. The start is quiet enough to practise some paddling techniques and enjoy stunning views before the pace of the river accelerates for an exhilarating ride through grade 3 and 4 rapids. English speaking guides are on hand throughout the trip. Safety equipment is provided and there is a briefing before you take to the water.

Torres del Paine

Transfer to the airport at Puerto Montt for your flight to Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia, where you immediately head north across the steppe to Puerto Natales on the shore of Last Hope Sound where the scenery dramatically changes to the mountains, lakes and glaciers of this part of Patagonia.

Today you enter Torres del Paine NP, for the iconic hike to the tarn in front of the Towers themselves. You leave your hotel in Puerto Natales at 8am or before reaching the park entrance at Laguna Amarga and continue to the start of the trail. The first section rises quickly and then follows the river along the Ascencio valley, partly forested, before a very rugged steeper section across a boulder field finally emerges up at the lagoon, with the huge granite spires of the towers starkly opposite you. You have some time to enjoy the stunning setting before returning by the same trail. The total walk time is around 6h. Drive back to Puerto Natales.

Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the dock to start your day cruise along the Last Hope Sound towards the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Look for black-necked swans, cormorants, grebes and others. Icebergs appear as you arrive below the majestic Balmaceda glacier. Continue to a landing where you disembark for a short walk through a lush Patagonian forest to the foot of the Serrano glacier. After lunch you sail back for a final evening in Puerto Natales.

Santiago

Today you are transferred from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport in time for your flight back north to Santiago. You then have one final night in the Chilean capital.

You are driven to the airport for your flight to the UK.