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A Magnificent Hiking Tour of Chilean Patagonia
Type of Trip: Hiking Length: 10 days Season: October-March Rating: Grade III
The sparsely populated plains and peaks of southern Chile are scattered with enormous estancias (sheep and cattle ranches) and contain some of the continent’s most impressive and dramatic wilderness areas.
Torres del Paine National Park should be on every hiker’s list. The highlight of this rewarding adventure is 6 exciting days of hiking beneath the park’s towering granite walls and icy peaks, considered by many to be South America’s best hiking experience. Join an active Torres del Paine tour in refinement and comfort with your own family or small group.
Trip Highlights:
- Take a warm-up hike along the banks of Nordenskjold Lake
- Get close-up views of the Paine Towers’ rock walls and hanging glaciers
- Hop in a catamaran and hike along Grey Lake to see 4-mile-wide Grey Glacier
- Observe wildlife such as ñandús, foxes, hares and guanacos, as well as Andean condors
- Walk from Pehoé Lake to the French Valley, one of the Park’s most beautiful areas
- Wander through the quaint fishing town of Puerto Natales on the Last Hope Sound.
- Follow the secluded and forested Pingo River Valley in search of huemul, grey fox and birdlife
Brief Itinerary
DAY 1: HOME / SANTIAGO
Leave home on an overnight flight to Chile’s lively capital, Santiago.DAY 2: SANTIAGO / PUERTO NATALES
3.5 hour flight south to Puerto Natales on the shores of the Last Hope Sound, afternoon brief city tour.DAY 3: PUERTO NATALES / PAINE NATIONAL PARK
Overland drive to Paine National Park, warm up hike to Laguna Amarga & stop at Paine falls for scenic pictures.DAY 4: NORDENSKJOLD LAKE HIKE
Hike along the base of the Paine peaks, following a gentle trail along the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Afternoon explorations based from a lodge.DAY 5: PAINE TOWERS HIKE
A climactic and challenging uphill hike to view the base of the impressive granite spires of the near-vertical Paine Towers.DAY 6: GREY LAKE
A nature walk followed by one-hour scenic catamaran ride along Lake Grey surrounded by peaks, then a 4-hour hike towards Pehoe Lake.DAY 7: PINGO RIVER VALLEY
A chance to visit the secluded Pingo River Valley. A gentle forest trail provides a different landscape, wildlife encounters and scenic mountain views. Afternoon short hike by Toro Lake.DAY 8: PEHOE LAKE / FRENCH VALLEY
After crossing the Pehoe Lake on a catamaran, a section of the W hiking route crosses lenga forests and a few small creeks, with spectacular views.DAY 9: PAINE NATIONAL PARK / PUERTO NATALES / SANTIAGO
Vehicle transfer to Puerto Natales airport and flight to Santiago, on arrival connect to overnight international flight.DAY 10: SANTIAGO / HOME
Arrive home this morning.
All Southwind itineraries are fully customizable to your personal interests and travel dates. Please contact us for firsthand knowledge and help with your travel plans.
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF for the 2024/25 season)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.Departures
On request any week throughout the November-March season
You can pick your own dates and have Southwind design a custom itinerary anytime during the season for a minimum of four participants. Please contact our Travel Specialists.
2024/2025 Land Cost
4-5 participants: from $7,100 p.p.d.
6-9 participants: from $6,500 p.p.d.
10-12 participants: from $6,000 p.p.d.
Single Supplement: from $1,600p.p.d. = per person based on double occupancy. Price does not include international or local flights. Southwind ticketing affiliate helps coordinate flights to match your itinerary.
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF for the 2024/25 season)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.Punta Arenas: Cabo de Hornos Hotel
Located on the renovated main square in Punta Arenas, the Cabo de Hornos Hotel blends warmth with elegant luxury. The hotel’s exterior reflects its historic past, while the interior is modern and sophisticated. Rooms have views of either the Plaza de Armas or the Strait of Magellan.
Paine: Hotel las Torres, Patagonia
Located at the foot of Mount Almirante Nieto, Hotel Las Torres Patagonia is part of Cerro Paine Cattle Ranch, a 12,000-acre private estate within Torres del Paine Park. Its 57 tastefully decorated rooms are fully carpeted and feature central heating and private bathrooms. The grand living room faces the mountains.
Paine: Hotel Rio Serrano
With spectacular views of the Paine massif, the newer Hotel Rio Serrano has 99 rooms and blends a rustic feel with upscale modern amenities. The Restaurant El Mirador features both local and international cuisine, while the Dickson Wine Bar is home to a wide variety of Chilean wines.
Paine Upgrade Option: Awasi
The only lodge in the proximity of Torres del Paine that offers an experience 100% tailor-made around their guests’ preferences and pace. Twelve sumptuous individual villas are each assigned their own 4×4 vehicle and private guide. Located inside a private reserve offering imposing views of the Torres del Paine peaks on the horizon.
Paine Upgrade Option: Explora
Explora Patagonia is located at the center of the Torres del Paine National Park, the heart of Patagonia. On a privilege location at the shores of Lake Pehoe, the lodge offers breathtaking views of the Paine ridge and the granite towers. Its construction is based around essential luxuries without distractions.
Paine Upgrade Option: Tierra Patagonia
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa emerges from a prairie where the South American pampa reaches Lake Sarmiento. The building is immersed in the landscape and blends with the natural setting. The award-winning architecture complements the flow of the geology in this privileged location.
Puerto Natales: Costaustralis Hotel
The distinguished CostAustralis Hotel is centrally-located and has 50 rooms distributed among three floors with elevators. The hotel has been furnished in accordance with the local style and enjoys a great view out over Last Hope Sound. Dickson Bar and Cafeteria Grey complete the hotel’s culinary offerings.
Puerto Natales Upgrade Option: The Singular
Patagonia’s most unique luxury lodge is a piece of renovated history, a post-Victorian cold-storage plant transformed into an original boutique-style hotel. The 54 Singular Rooms all face the Last Hope Sound with wall-to-wall panoramic windows.
Testimonials
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“Our experience in Patagonia was well beyond our expectations. We had an absolutely great time from beginning to end. The scenery was spectacular, Oscar and his people were wonderful, we were challenged and comfortable at the same time, even the weather was perfect. Thanks to you and everyone at Southwind. Our memories of Patagonia will stay with us always.”
Holly & Mike Sacks – Thousand Oaks, CA
★★★★★ -
“We loved our one mini-hike the first afternoon in El Chalten and our two long hikes there, which were two of my favorites of my life, as I told Wendy Perrin. That is saying a lot, after spectacular hikes I have been fortunate to take in Kauaii, Cape Breton Island, Colorado, Switzerland…”
David S. – New York, NY
★★★★★ -
“The hiking in Torres del Paine was amazing. The terrain, animals and mountains look very different than the Rocky Mountains. We loved seeing the different areas and hiking in all of them to fully experience the park. Our guide Mauricio was wonderful. He is always very positive and encouraged us to get the full experience of Patagonia.”
Jill Montera – Broomfield, CO
★★★★★