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A Magnificent Hiking Tour of Chilean Patagonia
Type of Trip: Hiking Length: 10 days Season: October-March Rating: Grade III
Experience the raw beauty of Patagonia on Southwind’s Paine Park Lodge Adventure, a journey into one of the world’s most spectacular wilderness areas. This active tour takes you through the sparsely populated plains and peaks of southern Chile, a land dotted with historic estancias and crowned by the dramatic granite spires of Torres del Paine National Park.
Over six days of moderate to strenuous hiking, immerse yourself in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, exploring beneath the park’s iconic towering granite walls and icy peaks. From your comfortable lodge and hotel bases, discover turquoise lakes, shimmering glaciers, lenga tree forests and the unique Patagonian flora and fauna, including guanacos, condors and pumas.
Hike to the base of the Paine Towers, explore the French Valley, and trek along the secluded Pingo River Valley, experiencing what many consider South America’s best hiking in refinement and comfort. This private adventure can be customized to suit less active travelers who are also seeking an unforgettable Patagonian experience.
Trip Highlights:
- Wander through the quaint fishing town of Puerto Natales on the Last Hope Sound.
- Take a scenic hike along the banks of turquoise-colored Nordenskjold Lake
- Get close-up views of the Paine Peaks’ rock walls and hanging glaciers
- Hop in a catamaran and navigate along Grey Lake with views of the 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
- Follow the secluded and forested Pingo River Valley in search of huemul, grey fox and birdlife
Brief Itinerary
DAY 1: HOME / SANTIAGO
Embark on your Patagonian journey with an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile. Relax and anticipate the incredible landscapes awaiting you!
DAY 2: SANTIAGO / PUERTO NATALES
Arrive in Santiago and connect to a scenic 3.5-hour flight south to Puerto Natales, a charming port town nestled on the shores of Last Hope Sound. Meet your expert Southwind guide and settle into the Hotel CostAustralis, where you can admire black-necked swans gliding across the water at sunset. Explore the town’s quaint streets, historical museum, and local craft center.
DAY 3: PUERTO NATALES / PAINE NATIONAL PARK
Prepare to be amazed as you journey north through the Patagonian landscape towards Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the world’s most spectacular destinations. Discover the ancient history of Milodon Cave Natural Monument. Keep an eye out for guanacos and flamingos as you approach the majestic Paine massif on a warm-up hike. Enjoy panoramic views from Cascada Paine before arriving at the comfortable Hotel Las Torres Patagonia.
DAY 4: NORDENSKJOLD LAKE HIKE
Set off on a level hike along the turquoise shores of Lake Nordenskjold, surrounded by the stunning Paine peaks. Traverse through brushy areas and over charming streams as you make your way to a breathtaking lookout point with views of the Paine Horns. Keep an eye out for native wildlife. Return to the hotel for a delicious lunch and optional afternoon explorations, such as hiking along Cerro Paine foothills or visiting Laguna Azul.
DAY 5: PAINE TOWERS HIKE
Challenge yourself with an unforgettable hike to the base of the iconic Paine Towers. Ascend through lenga forests and over a boulder moraine to reach the awe-inspiring cirque, where you’ll be rewarded with close-up views of the near-vertical granite spires, rocky moraines, and hanging glaciers. Enjoy a well-deserved lunch break amidst this incredible scenery before descending to the comforts of Hotel Las Torres Patagonia, where you can relax and rejuvenate.
DAY 6: GREY LAKE & GREY GLACIER
Witness the raw power of nature with a visit to Grey Lake and the magnificent Grey Glacier. Enjoy a scenic catamaran ride on Grey Lake, surrounded by towering peaks and drifting icebergs. Disembark at Refugio Grey and enjoy a picnic lunch amidst this pristine wilderness. Hike towards Pehoe Lake, admiring cascading waterfalls and searching for condors soaring overhead.
DAY 7: PINGO RIVER VALLEY
Discover the tranquility of the secluded Pingo River Valley, a hidden gem within Paine National Park. Hike along a gentle forest trail, taking in the diverse landscape and keeping an eye out for native wildlife. Visit the Chorrillo Los Salmones Cascade. In the afternoon, explore the Serrano River trails and Toro Lake.
DAY 8: PEHOE LAKE / FRENCH VALLEY
Embark on a full-day adventure to the French Valley, one of the park’s most striking areas. Cross Pehoe Lake by catamaran and hike through lenga forests and over small creeks to reach a breathtaking lookout point. Marvel at the granite walls of the Paine Horns, as well as the Máscara and Espada spires.
DAY 9: PAINE NATIONAL PARK / PUERTO NATALES / SANTIAGO
Bid farewell to the wonders of Paine Park and enjoy a final scenic drive to Puerto Natales, where you’ll catch your flight to Santiago. Connect to your overnight international flight, filled with unforgettable memories of your Patagonian adventure.
DAY 10: SANTIAGO / HOME
Arrive back home, carrying with you the breathtaking beauty and unforgettable experiences of your Paine Park Lodge Adventure.
Start planning your Southwind’s Paine Park Lodge Adventure today and experience the magic of Patagonia!
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF for the 2025/26 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.
2025/2026 Land Cost
4-5 participants: from $7,500 p.p.d.
6-9 participants: from $6,800 p.p.d.
10-12 participants: from $6,300 p.p.d.
Single Supplement: from $1,700p.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 2025/26 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
★★★★★
