Things to do in Patagonia, Chile

Your day begins as you are collected from your accommodation between 7:30AM and 8:00AM in the morning. From there, begin your beautiful trip to Patagonia to visit one of the 8 Wonders of the World: the Torres del Paine National Park. Travel along the coast before jumping onto Route No. 9 in the direction of the village of Cerro Castillo, which was the home of the famous Tierra del Fuego Exploiting Society. Along the route and traveling between Patagonian landscapes, enter the Torres del Paine National Park, a real spectacle where guanacos, condors, and ñandú usually accompany the beautiful views of the park. Visit all the main lookouts of the park, among them Nordenskjold Lake, Pehoe, and the beautiful Salto Grande, the latter of which where you take a small walk of about 30 minutes to get closer for some views. Along the way, encounter lakes, rivers, and a great variety of flora and wildlife. There is then a stop for lunch in the park before you resume your trip to your final stop, the lake alongside Gray Glacier which is a part of the Southern Ice Field. Whilst there, take a beautiful walk through an old lenga forest to the beach of this amazing lake to appreciate its icebergs. On the way back to Puerto Natales, pass by the Milodon Cave, a huge natural formation where it is believed that primitive man and the Milodon Darwini, an extinct animal that lived in Patagonia 10,000 years ago, had inhabited. Whilst at this fascinating cave, take a short walk to learn about its beauty and history.

After check-in at the meeting point, transfer to Laredo Bay port to board speedboats for a 45-minute trip to Magdalena Island. Once there, enjoy 1 hour with a guide to discover the habitat of the Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, the second largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America that receives more than 120,000 penguins every year. Next, if the weather conditions are good, continue your journey to Marta Island, which hosts a colony of more than 1000 Patagonian sea lions, as well as copious bird life. Keep an eye out for cormorants, skuas, austral seagulls, Antarctic pigeons, and the occasional elephant seal. If you're lucky, see southern dolphins, piebald dolphins, and sei whales during your trip. The tour includes with return to Laredo Bay port and transfer back to the original meeting point.

We invite you to discover the incredible world of the fjords. On the way you will be able to appreciate native flora and fauna, visit the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers and enjoy a delicious Whiskey on the rocks. 07:00 Presentation in Puerto Natales or Puerto Bories. 08:00 Navigation from Puerto Bories to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, through the Ultima Esperanza Fjord, sighting of beautiful mountains, waterfalls, ranches and Patagonian bird life. 10:45 a.m. Balmaceda Glacier View 11:00 Hike to the Serrano Glacier Viewpoint in the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. 12:30 p.m. Return from Serrano Glacier to Estancia Perales, Whiskey aperitif with ancient ice five pm Arrival in Puerto Natales approximately.

Start the tour with pick up from your accommodation and set off for the Torres del Paine National Park. After arriving access the park through Portería Laguna Amarga, where you will be able to get an excellent view of the Paine Towers. As you venture through the park, observe a wide variety of native fauna and flora. Make several stops at the main viewpoints to appreciate the uniqueness of the landscape and the magnitude of the Paine Massif from different perspectives. At Midday, stop for lunch before continuing the itinerary toward Grey Lake. Here, enjoy a 1-hour hike through an ancient Lenga forest and along Grey Lake Beach. From this side of the park, it is possible to enjoy the view of the West face of the Paine Massif and the intense blue hues of Grey’s glacial ice. Once your adventure in the park is over, drive back to Puerto Natales. On the way, stop by the Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, of the Pleistocene era. Return to the city by about 7 PM.

Meet with the local partner the day before your climb for an equipment check-up and brief explanation of the hike. The next day drive 30 minutes from the center of Pucon to the base of Villarrica Volcano. From here begin the hike to the summit of one of Chile's iconic active volcanoes. The first stage will be a traditional hiking ascent, starting at 1,800 meters above sea level. Acclimatize at an easy pace. As you approach the summit glacier, start using crampons and ice axes, with the assistance and explanation from the guides. After four to five hours of climbing, reach 2,847 meters at the summit. Gaze at the middle of the crater and its impressive geological formation. See fumaroles and maybe even some lava. From here also enjoy 360-degree views of surrounding volcanos, lagoons, and forests. Spend approximately one hour at the summit and then descend in half the time it took to climb up. Combine walking and controlled snow sliding to get down. During your hike have conversations about the native peoples of the Andes, the mountains and their relationship with them, as well as topics in volcanology. Once you've reached the base, your vehicle will be waiting to return you back to the departure office in Pucon.

Following a 2-hour drive you will arrive to Hotel las Torres. Following a safety briefing from your guide, the excursion will begin. The track takes you up into the Asencio River Valley, and 2 hours later you will arrive in El Chileno, a camping site where your hike will continue through a dense forested area. There you can also admire a small stream which flows from the Almirante Nieto peak. The path brings you to a moraine, where the slope steepens until the Paine Towers viewpoint, which sits at 890 meters above sea level. At the viewpoint you will enjoy incredible views of the three towers, and will also have some time to have lunch and rest for your return journey. If weather conditions permit it, you will be able to observe one of the most spectacular views worldwide. You will return along the same path to “Hosteria Las Torres”, where your bus will be waiting. Your approximate time of arrival back to Puerto Natales is 9:00PM.

Cape Froward, one of the most southern points on the planet, is home to many glaciers, humpback whales, Sei whales, Piebald dolphins, Commerson’s dolphins, and the Magellan Penguin. All of these creatures help form part of the natural wonder of the Austral region of the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego Island. As you tour one of the most remote and pristine places on the planet, this full-day journey will help you grasp the sheer magnitude of nature at its fullest. Starting early in the morning, you will go by bus to your boarding place, located 50 kilometers south of Punta Arenas. It will be from this area that you will sail for about 10 hours. This is sure to be an incredible adventure in which you will witness a unique landscape surrounded by mountains, glaciers, Lenga, and Coihue forests. In addition, marine fauna will amaze you by its proximity and sheer abundance. You will encounter sea lions, petrels, cormorants, and austral dolphins, among others.

Go a full-day 18 km trek and discover the breathtaking scenery leading to the granite pillars of Torres del Paine National Park, including the Lake Nordenskjöld and the Almirante Nieto Mountain. After transportation to the national park, your trek starts at the gateway just before Hotel Las Torres beginning with a downhill walk towards the Valle del Ascencio, until reaching El Chileno Mountain Lodge. The trial continues through a Millenial Lenga forest until the base of the rock formation where you will begin the challenging ascent to the base of Torres del Paine for panoramic views of Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte and Cerro Nido de Cóndor. Once you are done sightseeing and enjoying the beauty that Torres Del Paine has to offer, walk down to Hotel Las Torres. From there which you can relax and rest your legs as you are driven back to the hotel in Puerto Natales.

06:00 to 06:30 Pick up at your accommodation for Torres del Paine National Park. We will access Torres del Paine National Park and head for Lagua Azul (Blue Lagoon) area to enjoy the views of the iconic Paine Towers, the local flora and fauna, as Lady Florence Dixie (one of the firsts visitors) did 140 years ago. Afterwards, our route leads us further to “Cascada Paine”, a beautiful waterfall, proof of the natural decline of the river Paine basin. Our hike “Portería - Portería” begins in the National Park access “Portería Laguna Amarga” and finishes in a different one called “Porteria Sarmiento”. Marvel at the Paine Massif and the radiant, blue glacial lakes in a 2 hours hike along the Patagonian steppe. This path is also characterized and attractive for the observation of local wildlife. After 1 hour hike approximately, we will reach a series of cave paintings which date from 10.000 years ago, these were made by the first population that arrived in Patagonia. Afterwards, our transfer will take us to the Nordensköld viewpoint to enjoy the view of the lake of the same name and the East face of the Paine Massif where our local guide will explain the geological characteristics of the Paine mountain range. We will continue our excursion and stop at “Pudeto” area to enjoy the rushing frothing waterfall “Salto Grande”. Immediately after, we will start a 2 hour hike (go and return) to “Mirador Cuernos” (Horns viewpoint), a place of overwhelming beauty and probably one of the most famous spots in Torres del Paine National Park. At Pehoe campsite we will have lunch. And after having some rest and time to enjoy the view of the lake and the “Cuernos del Paine” (Paine Horns). Approximate time of arrival in Puerto Natales: 19:00 hr.

Embark on a fascinating excursion to Torres del Paine, departing from El Calafate. Hike through a stunning national park, surrounded by glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls. Take in mesmerizing landscapes, explore a variety of natural landmarks, and enjoy an included lunch. Get picked up from your hotel and take the road to the Republic of Chile border crossing. After the customs and immigration procedures, meet your guide and begin to travel the last 80 kilometers to the National Park. Gaze at the Mirador del Lago Sarmiento de Gamboa, the Saltos del Río Paine, the upper viewpoint of Cerro Almirante Nieto/Cuernos del Paine, and the entrance to Laguna Amarga. Once inside the Torres del Paine National Park, dive into the different trekking trails and receive your packed lunch. Follow a trail from the Salto Grande and enjoy a low-difficulty walk towards the Mirador de Los Cuernos del Paine, on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Then, back in the vehicle, begin the ride to Lake Pehoé, the last viewpoint, overlooking the Cuernos del Paine and the French Valley. Continue exploring and getting to know the southernmost part of Chilean Patagonia. Learn about its flora and fauna on your return to Calafate.