Patagonia Hiking, Kayaking, and Glamping Multisport

Accommodation: Hotel, Puerto Natales
Meals: D

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll board the trusty SHE-nanigan Shuttle through Chilean Pampas grasslands to our rugged home for the next five days. Torres del Paine National Park is a crown jewel of public land – bursting with mountains, glaciers, pristine lakes and winding rivers.

Paine (pronounced “PIE-neh”) is the native Tehuelche word for blue and Torres is the Spanish word for towers. So yeah, you aren’t going to need your fancy Insta filters.

We’ll hike through wildflowers and peer up at soaring condors as we take in panoramic views of Torres del Paine. The highest point of the trail connects to a rarely-trekked path to Weber Bridge in the heart of the park.

Afterwards, we’ll march our buzzing bodies to our home for the next four nights, complete with a feastly meal full of local flare.

Transfer Time from Puerto Natales to Estancia: 2 hours
Transfer Time from Trail to Camp: 30 mins
Hiking: 8.8 miles, 970’ gain, 5 hours

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

After a plentiful breakfast, we’ll board our Shuttle for a quick 30 minute transfer to meet our professional kayaking guides on the shores of Grey Lake.

We’ll get the low-down on paddling 101 before slipping into the lake and two rivers. Our views of the magnificent Paine Massif will be so pristine, you’ll wonder if they’re Photoshopped. Speak the names of some of the most glorious peaks –Paine Grande, the Cordillera Olguin, and Los Cuernos.

Awaken new strength in your arms and core as you paddle through floes of ice that have descended from Glacier Grey, the namesake of these waters. These icebergs are scattered throughout the lake and have been sculpted into incredible shapes by the wind and sun, before being pushed to the shores of the lake.

After, we’ll descend into Grey River, which snakes through deep canyons with steep rock faces and rapids. Fear not, this is still a beginner-friendly paddle! We will continue on past the Paine Massif along the Grey River until it joins with the turquoise water of the Serrano.

After a day of paddling, we’ll arrive back at our hotel ready to rest our muscles, gorge our bellies and laugh like hyenas.

Transfer Time: 30 Minutes
Kayaking: 8-10 miles. 6 hours

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

*To kayak, you must be under 250 pounds

It’s legs day, Explorer Chick! We’ll depart our camp at 9AM for a round-trip hike in the French Valley. Our loyal SHE-nanigan Shuttle will be waiting to escort us on a 45 minute transfer over a gravel road all the way to Pudeto Pier at Lake Pehoé.

Here we’ll take a 35 minute catamaran to the Paine Grande area. Our spectacular destination, the French Valley, is a natural basin surrounded by peaks and hanging glaciers. We’ll be greeted by a glacial moraine at the entrance and scramble over huge boulders to catch the first sight of the hanging glacier atop the valley. NBD, just being awesome over here.

We’ll ascend for an hour through a dreamlike Japanese garden landscape before arriving at the French Valley viewpoint aka the “Plateau”. Our reward is a heart-stirring condor’s view of MORE granite peaks and hanging glaciers. To one side, the French Glacier and Paine Grande (10,056′). To the other, La Espada, La Hoja, La Máscara and the main and north “horns” of Los Cuernos arching into the sky.

There are so many summits to spy here, it feels like attendance day in homeroom. Cerro Catedral? Here! Cerro Fortaleza? Here! These peaks loom like turrets above the landscape, and you’ll start to wonder if all the GOOD tectonic plates decided to migrate here.

We’ll scarf our chef-prepared organic box lunches at the viewpoint, surrounded by imposing peaks and open sky. Depending on the weather conditions and group vibe, we can continue to the Britanico Lookout which offers impressive 360 degree views.

We return the same way we came to enjoy a well-deserved dinner.

Transfer Time to Pudeto Pier: 45 minutes
Catamaran to Paine Grande: 35 minutes
Hiking: 10 miles. 1,900’ gain. 8-9 hours

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

Where are our Planet Earth nerds at?! Early in the morning after a hearty breakfast, we’ll hop on our Shuttle for an hour’s drive to meet with a local puma tracking guide. (It’s impossible to say that casually.) Our destination will depend on where the pumas were last spotted, but generally they are found near a nature trail along the border of Lago Sarmiento and Juncos Lagoon. Board the van and get your cameras ready! We’ll alternate between driving and hiking on an easy/moderate trail where guanacos (cute puma food) are found.

If we spot a puma (or a family!) we will spend just enough time to take photos without disrupting their routine. We’ll continue to track these spectacular felines while hiking sectors of the park, making our way to Laguna Azul to creep on waterfowl preening and fishing in the wetlands.

We will be treated by exceptional views of Torres del Paine in the distance and the ever-changing Patagonia sky. After a dishy picnic lunch, we’ll make our way back to the Serrano sector for our last night’s dinner and rest at the this hotel.

Guided Puma Tracking By Van: 4-5 Hours
Hiking Distance: 4-5 miles. 300’ gain. 3 hours

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: B-L-D

Wave goodbye to our incredible views along the Serrano River! An early morning transfer to the Las Torres sector of the park is where we’ll begin our trek to the iconic Base of Las Torres.

Our initial climb follows the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley. After about an hour, we’ll stop to observe how the valley’s beauty unfolds with rich beech forests, glaciers and waterfalls. Past this lookout point, we continue uphill and through lush beech forests before ascending a gigantic terminal moraine, which is the ridge formed at a glacier’s end point. Here is where we witness the money shot of the three Towers themselves.

We’ll pause at this lookout point 2950’ above sea level, have a rest, take photos and snack like we’ve never snacked before. Our descent is along the same path, taking us back to our Shuttle which will take us onto our next two overnights to a cozy traditional hotel in the Cerro Castillo region.

Transfer Time to Las Torres: 2 hrs
Transfer Time to Cerro Castillo: 45 mins
Hiking: 13 miles. 3,330’ gain. 8-9 hours

Accommodation: Estancia Lodging in Cerro Castillo
Meals: B-L-D

Today, we will visit a gorgeous Estancia that is actively protecting one of the most biodiverse regions in Patagonia. It is home to puma, the Colocolo cat, Geoffroy’s cat, birds of prey, and a host of other creatures, including armadillos, guanacos, caiquenes, skunks and woodpeckers.

We’ll learn more about the Estancia culture through a guided tour as well as the work of the Gauchos as we saddle up for our day’s adventure. We will ride on Criollo horses, a Patagonian breed that is highly adapted to the terrain – AND HIGHLY CUTE. These Criollo are lucky enough to roam wide-open pampas, green southern beech forests and the rugged coastline with a gaucho and our guide.

No previous horseback riding experience is needed, but this won’t be a slow pony ride! We will be riding guacha-style past native flora, fauna and an archaeological site.

After we give our Criollo a loving snout rub goodbye, we’ll settle in for a sheep shearing demonstration (compete with working dogs!) and enjoy a delicious traditional Patagonian barbeque aka asado at the Estancia. Life is good, mi Amiga.

Transfer to Estancia: 45 mins

Estancia Tour: 4-5 hours
Horseback Riding: 2-3 hours

Accommodation: Estancia Lodging in Cerro Castillo
Meals: B-L-D

*To ride horseback, you must be under 200 pounds

Our last day is all about soaking in Patagonia’s magic, one scenic view at a time. After breakfast, we’ll jump aboard the trusty SHE-nanigan Shuttle and cruise past the coastline of Puerto Natales, spotting charming ranches and wildlife along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for ñandus (Darwin’s Rhea), flamingos, skunks, foxes, and grazing sheep dotting the endless landscapes.

Then, it’s time to saddle up – on e-bikes! We’ll pedal through Puerto Natales, past Puerto Pratt and Puerto Consuelo, with the sparkling Ultima Esperanza Sound as our sidekick. As we ride along gravel and paved roads, you’ll take in views that will make your heart soar and your legs forget they’re working. Our grand finale? A hike through the prehistoric Milodón Caves, marveling at their rugged beauty and ancient secrets – a perfect way to end an unforgettable adventure!

We’ll return to Puerto Natales for the evening. Prepare for an epic, boisterous, super emo farewell dinner.

Transfer Time to Baguales: 1.5 hours
Transfer Time from Baguales to Puerto Natales: 1.5 hours
E-biking: 15 miles on gravel and paved surfaces. Minimal gains. 4-5 hours
Hiking: 2-5 miles. 400’ elevation gain. Moderate

Accommodation: Hotel, Puerto Natales
Meals: B-L-D

Enjoy one last breakfast together before parting ways. We’ll share heartfelt goodbyes, squeeze in a few extra hugs, and maybe linger a little longer than planned. For anyone leaving today, we’ll provide a final chauffeur in the SHE-nanigan Shuttle to the Puerto Natales airport.

You can schedule your departure anytime today.

Transfer Time: 10 mins
Meals: B

Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour manager as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, safety, or other unforeseen incidents.