The wildlife of Chile Patagonia

Day 1 - Welcome to Santiago de Chile!

An arrival private transfer with English speaking guide is included.

Accommodation at Casa de Todos in a standard room with daily breakfast for 2 nights.

Day 2 - Half day city tour - shared

Explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago in this half day tour. You will start your trip by visiting La Moneda and the Government Palace with a brief explanation from your guide of the buildings, location and history. From there you will visit a sector known for its commercial attractions and markets, while taking the opportunity to enjoy this bustling city.

Afterwards you will visit the famous Plaza de Armas surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and other historical landmarks. Continuing on you will then visit the Santa Lucia hill where amazing views of the Parque Forestal the Mapocho River can be appreciated.

Day 3 - Pick up rental car and drive to Valparaiso

Driving in Chile is very straightforward, so why not have two days to explore at your own leisure?

Your base will be Valparaiso where you will stay in a lovely boutique hotel with great views.

Day 4 - Free day

Explore Valparaiso in the morning and in the afternoon why not drive to neighbouring Vina del Mar for a dip in the ocean?

Day 5 - Flight to the lakes

Today, at an appropriate time, drive to Santiago airport, drop off your car and check in for your domestic flight to Puerto Montt. 

Once landed, a private car with English speaking guide will drive you to Puerto Varas, only half an hour away.

Accommodation at Casa Kalfu in a standard room with daily breakfast for 4 nights.

Day 6 - Kayaking in the south of Chile - shared

This exciting day starts as you are transferred around the Llanquihue Lake to the town of Ensenada where you will gear up and then be escorted to Ralun Bay in the Reloncaví Estuary where your kayaking adventure commences.

Several national parks and wilderness areas are situated in this vicinity making it the perfect place for an up-close experience with the region. As you navigate the waters you will witness amazing views of the Yates and Hornopiren Volcanos.

Day 7 - Rafting Petrohue river - shared

Your thrilling journey starts as you leave the quaint town of Puerto Varas behind and enjoy a scenic drive around the Llanquihue Lake to the town of Ensenada.

After a safety briefing you will be transported to the upper stretch of the Petrohue River located in Chiles oldest National Park, Vicente Perez Rosales. This crystal clear river flows out from the emerald green Todos Los Santos Lake and makes its way to the Reloncaví Estuary surrounded by the Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo Volcanoes. At first you will test the waters and your rafting skills in one of the calmer sections of the waterway before continuing on to various class III and IV rapids.

This 2 hour journey is filled with adrenaline, excitement and extreme natural beauty.

Day 8 - Fly fishing Rio Maullin - shared

This exciting journey will begin when you leave behind the picturesque city of Puerto Varas and enjoy a scenic drive to your destination. In the region there are world renowned rivers such as Puelo, Maullín and Petrohué for their crystal clear waters and beautiful scenery.

These rivers offer brown trout (Fario), Rainbown trout (Arcoiris) and of course the huge and big Chinook Salmon (King Salmon) that can weigh up to 30 kilos. As you sail, you will witness a privileged view of our surroundings. This will be an exciting expedition that mixes fun and adventure. After finishing this spectacular day the transfer will take you back to the hotel.

Day 9 - Fly to southern Patagonia

In the morning or at an opportune time a private car with driver only will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to Puerto Montt airport, where you will board your flight to Punta Arenas.

Once landed, a private car with English speaking guide will be waiting for you and drive you to your hotel.

Accommodation at La Yegua Loca hotel in a standard room with breakfast for 3 nights.

Day 10 - Whale watching navigation - shared

Your incredible journey will start before dawn when you check in at Prat Pier located in Punta Arenas. You will commence your navigation through the Strait of Magellan witnessing the beautiful sunrise.  As you make your way across the frigid waters you will pass Cape Froward, the southernmost point on the mainland of South America. It is also home to the Cruz de los Mares (Cross of the Seas), a statue of commemoration that can be seen from miles away.

Continuing on, you will enter the Francisco Coloane Marine Park home to the majestic humpback whales, sea lions, penguins, elephant seals and a variety of birds.  There is also the possibility of visiting some of the surrounding glaciers before navigating back to Punta Arenas.

Day 11 - The penguins of Magdalena island

We will start this half day excursion leaving our hotel in Punta Arenas to board our watercraft and head to the Magdalena Island, nestled in the middle of the Strait of Magellan. To get there we will follow the same navigation route used by some of the most daring explorers in the world such as Sir Francis Drake and Charles Darwin.

When we disembark on the island there will be a variety of avifauna waiting for us such as cormorants, sea gulls and one of the largest penguin colonies in Chile. Here the population of Magellanic penguins is estimated to be more than 60.000 breeding pairs. After taking some pictures of these beautiful creatures we will follow a trail that will lead us to the light house of the island. From here we will have great panoramic views of the island and the surrounding areas.

Day 12 - Bus to Puerto Natales

A private car with English speaking guide. will drive to the bus station where you will board the public bus to Puerto Natales – journey time around 3 hours.  I recommend the guide as they will help you locate the correct bus.

Once arrived, a private car with English speaking guide will be waiting to drive you to your hotel.

Accommodation at Vendaval hotel in a standard room with breakfast for 4 nights.

Day 13 - Puma tracking with naturalist guide - private

Today, we will embark on a thrilling photographic safari through Torres del Paine, with a primary focus on spotting and identifying the grandeur of pumas thriving within their native domain, nestled within the Torres del Paine National Park.

Throughout this experience, we will traverse designated routes in robust 4×4 vehicles, while also venturing along various footpaths. This dual approach will grant us the privilege of truly immersing ourselves in the complete splendour of Torres del Paine, the eighth wonder of the world. At all times, wildlife encounters are carried out to the highest ethical standards. We will maintain a respectful distance in order to preserve the natural behaviour of these elusive felines and avoid disrupting their environment.

Day 14 - Full day Torres del Paine - shared

Today you will be picked up from the hotel in Puerto Natales and start your tour visiting the Mylodon Cave, located about 30 minutes away from the town. You will then continue toward the Village of Cerro Castillo, heart of the sheep farming business in the area. As you continue on the road you will spot the mountains of the Paine Massif including the famous Torres del Paine and the spectacular Cuernos del Paine.

Before reaching the entrance of the park you will be able to see the Sarmiento Lake and the Amarga Lagoon. This is also the best place to observe the wild life of the park in big numbers and close to the road. Later, you will move on to the central area of the park to enjoy views of the Nördenskjold and Pehoe lakes.

In this area you will also be able to enjoy magnificent views of the Salto Grande waterfall. Afterwards, you will take a break and have lunch before hiking for about an hour to reach the Grey Lake. Here you will be witness of the many icebergs that come from the Grey Glacier, evidence of the last ice age here in Patagonia.

Day 15 - Estancia day and horse riding

Today, we will immerse ourselves in the Patagonian Estancia culture. Our journey begins at the pier, where we will board a boat for a scenic ride through Last Hope Fjord to Estancia La Peninsula.

On arrival, we will be welcomed with local coffee and traditional tortas fritas. Then, we will choose between a two-hour horseback ride or trek to explore the stunning Patagonian landscape with fjords, mountains and forests.

After returning, we will enjoy a delectable Patagonian lamb barbecue, with a vegetarian option available. We will continue with the experience of a herding dog demonstration and live sheep shearing, delving into the history and daily life of Patagonian ranchers.

Day 16 - Fly to Santiago

A private car with driver only will take you from your hotel to the airport for your flight back to Santiago for the last night before your international flight.

When you land in the capital, a private transfer will drive you to your hotel.

Day 17 - Departure

Your Chile holiday has come to and end unfortunately, but you will surely have a bag full of wonderful memories.

At an opportune time, a private car with driver only will take you to Buenos Aires airport for your flight back home.