ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive & Relax

Today is set aside for your arrival in Southern Patagonia. You should catch a morning flight to Santiago de Chile and from here there are several flights that you can catch to Punta Arenas. Given that guests will be arriving at different times throughout the day we ask that you take a taxi to our hotel (see Travel Info for more details). We'll meet in the hotel lobby at 7.30pm and head out for our first taste of fine Chilean wine and delicious cuisine.

Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 2: Ancient beech forests & the Sierra del Toro

We'll begin our Patagonia tour with a morning drive (approximately 4 hours) through the unique Patagonian Steppe. This will be your first chance to see the wild landscapes and unusual plant and animal life that have given Patagonia its mystical reputation. After a hearty lunch we'll begin our first hike (through-out the journey pack-horses will carry our luggage so you can hike without weight on your back), a rolling journey past an emerald lake, through ancient beech forest and up to the fabulous Mirador del Toro, a breathtaking view of the pampas below and the many lakes and rivers that wind through it. In the back-ground is one of Patagonia's most impressive sights, the needle-like spires of the Torres del Paine. Tonight we'll camp on the peaceful Serrano river and enjoy some fine Chilean wines and a typical Chilean meal inside a cozy cabin.

Hiking distance: 8.5 miles/13.5 kms
Altitude gain: 350 ft
Accommodation: Camping

DAY 3: Pehoe Lake and Grey Glacier Hike

We will pack our lunches and transfer to Refugio Pudeto where we will be boarding a catamaran across a beautiful turquoise lake and journey to the foot of Grey Glacier, the largest glacier in the region. Once on the other side of the lake, we will embark on one of the classic Torres del Paine hikes in this region, a journey through the valley and up to Lago and Grey Glacier where we'll enjoy impressive views of the glacier and surrounding mountains. Lunch will be taken in this memorable location before hiking back down the trail to Pehoe Lake. Tonight we'll stay in a newly-built refugio on the shores of beautiful Lake Pehoe.

Hiking: 14 miles/22 kms
Altitude gain: 700 ft/
Accommodation: Refugio

DAY 4: Amphitheatre of Granite Peaks

Today's hike will take us along the edges of beautiful Lake Nordjenskold as we make our way towards the spectacular French Valley. Our day's hiking will provide us with fantastic views of the amphitheatre of granite peaks that make up the enclosed French Valley, as well as the many waterscapes below including lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold. Once again we'll end our day with a hearty dinner and a bottle or two of wine in a cozy refugio.

Hiking: 10 miles/16 kms
Altitude gain: 900 ft
Accommodation: Refugio

DAY 5: To the foothills of the mighty Towers

Our destination today is the foothills of the majestic Towers of Paine, one of Patagonia's most famous and impressive landmarks. We'll again be following the shores of Lake Nordjenskold and those who are really brave will have the chance to cool off in the chilly waters of the lake. Passing through flower-filled meadows and ancient beech forests, we'll end our day at a refugio set in the shadow of the monolithic towers. This peaceful spot, deep in the wilderness, provides spectacular views and photo opportunities

Hiking: 8 miles/13 kms
Altitude gain: 300 ft
Accommodation: Refugio

DAY 6: Old growth forest & rock moraines

Today's hiking is the most challenging of our Patagonia tour, but also the most rewarding as we climb to the base of the Towers themselves. Our round-trip hike will take us through wooded mountain trails and over an expansive glacial moraine from which we'll enjoy some of the most spectacular views in the park. Upon arriving at the towers, we'll have time to sit in the shadow of the enormous granite spires and enjoy the view unfolding before us: gushing waterfalls flowing from hanging glaciers and tumbling into a basin of turquoise water filled with floating icebergs. We'll return to our camp for lunch and then pack up our belongings for a short walk out of the valley to our awaiting vehicle. A short drive will take us to the Serrano River where the kayaking portion of our adventure will begin. Tonight we'll enjoy a delicious fireside dinner and some well-earned glasses of wine in our cozy riverside cabin.

Hiking: 12 miles/19 kms
Altitude gain: 1200 ft
Accommodation: Camping

DAY 7: Intro to Sea Kayaking

We'll spend the morning introducing you to the basics of sea kayaking. Starting out on the banks of the river, our guides will provide you with a workshop on kayaking safety and technique. We'll then move to a small inlet to practice paddling and maneuvering before loading up our luggage and beginning our downriver journey into virgin wilderness. Passing by lush grasslands and dense forest, we'll enjoy views of distant snowy peaks and sightings of the many strange and interesting birds that inhabit the shoreline. Tonight we'll camp at a sheltered cove and enjoy a riverside meal while we take in the beauty of this remote and secluded piece of Patagonia.

Kayaking: 6 miles/10 kms
Accommodation: Camping

DAY 8: Paddle beneath a rarely-visited 90ft glacier

Today our paddling will take us to what we believe is the most spectacular and memorable highlight of our Patagonia tour, paddling beneath a towering valley glacier that reaches as high as 90 ft in some places. We will start our paddle after a hearty breakfast and will kayak a short way downstream before entering Lake Tyndal where the mighty glacier awaits us. This remote spot is breathtakingly beautiful and our Access Trips guide is one of the few who take people into this region, so we'll be able to enjoy the spectacle all to ourselves. We'll paddle as close as we safely can to the glacier so that you can experience it's humbling beauty while avoiding the spectacular ice chunks that regularly crash from the glacier. Then, weather permitting, we'll hike along the glacier and find some ice caves to explore. After lunch we'll hop back in our kayaks and re-join the downstream flow of the Serrano River until we reach our camping site, another secluded riverside spot where we'll enjoy a memorable meal of Chilean cuisine and wine.

Kayaking: 10 miles/16 kms
Accommodation: Camping

DAY 9: Paddle among Floating Icebergs

Today we'll paddle the last leg of the Serrano River to where it flows into the ocean at Last Hope Sound. Here we'll spend some time paddling among the floating icebergs, a truly unique experience and an ideal way to finish our kayaking journey! After lunch we'll jump in a modern catamaran for a comfortable ride across Last Hope Sound to the cozy seaside town of Puerto Natales. Checking into our stylish hotel overlooking the ocean, you'll have time for a warm shower before exploring the town or simply relaxing. Tonight we'll enjoy a delicious seafood dinner overlooking the ocean.

Kayaking: 10 miles/16 kms
Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 10: Penguin Colony & Departure

Depending on your flight times, you will have the morning to explore the town and shop for last minute gifts. We'll then round off our Patagonia tour with a visit to a bustling penguin colony where you'll have the chance to walk amongst the penguins before we continue our drive to Punta Arenas airport.

PLEASE NOTE: We run this tour in cooperation with our locally based partner.