Highlights
- Be part of BlueGreen’s famous and unique multisport adventure
- Paddle along quiet fjords through a pristine wilderness forest
- Canter across open pampas, Patagonia style
- Trek to a spectacular granite ampitheatre and towering spires
- See guanacos, rheas, condors, flamingos and buff-necked ibis
- Kayak in an ice-choked lake dodging icebergs
- Hike the famous Paine W trail with mind blowing scenery
- Unzip your tent on some of Patagonia’s memorable landscapes
- Wild camp riverside as you journey through pristine fjords
Day by Day
- Trip starts in Puerto Natales. For advice on arriving, please refer to our Getting to Patagonia link or contact us. Late morning collection from Puerto Natales hotel or bus station to start the day’s drive across the wide open pampas and estancia lands that characterize this area before arriving in the beautiful Laguna Azul sector of the Park with its aptly named lake waters lapping the shore and the granite monoliths of the Towers in the distance. Welcome dinner in the outside dining area (quincho). Settle in to your tents in this very pretty campsite.
- After breakfast we will be heading east to a nearby coral and meeting our riding host, Moncho, who will introduce us to our horses. After a safety briefing and introduction to western riding, we will set off into the pampas and arid valleys in the vicinity of the estancia heading north to the Salto Las Chinas. Here we can dismount and take a short walk to see the waterfall before continuing with our riding adventure. Heading west towards Laguna Azul we can enjoy the dramatic views of the Towers and the rest of the Paine Massif as we ride across the wide open pampas. We will pass through the summer grazing grounds of large guanaco herds and there will be time to take photos and enjoy the athletic antics of these fascinating and agile animals. Feeling more comfortable in the saddle we can up the pace a little and enjoy some long trots or canters as we approach the stunningly blue waters of Laguna Azul. From Laguna Azul we will head south west around the lake on a track that leads into the Laguna Amarga area of the Park. Here we will meet our transfer vehicle for the short drive to camping Las Torres.
Campsite with full facilities including hot showers, fire pits and bathrooms.
Hours in the saddle: 4-5.
Transfer time: 45 minutes.All meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost).
*Option to UPGRADE to Refugio Las Torres or the Hotel Las Torres - After our hearty camp breakfast, a challenging hike lay in store for us as we embark on the challenging hike to the base of the towers. Starting with an uphill walk and then following wooded mountain trails this hike is the most famous trail in the area, and justly so. The final section is a series of hops over glacial moraine before finally reaching our lunch destination in the shadow of these fabulous granite peaks. In the foreground, waterfalls flow off the hanging glaciers into a basin of green water where icebergs float. You will hear thunderous roars as the ice calves off the glacier to the rocks below. In the afternoon we will descend to our camping spot in the valley and enjoy a shower and for those who have the energy to walk to the nearby hotel bar, pisco sours can be enjoyed in its comfortable bar. Night Camping Las Torres with meals as above.
Hiking time: 7-9 hours depending on fitness. All meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost).
Upgrades possible on request, as above. - After an early breakfast, we will be starting our hike round the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Our hike takes us around the milky waters of this beautiful lake while we enjoy the views of the granite peaks that form the centre piece of this dramatic landscape.Tonight we will be eating and sleeping in the Refugio los Cuernos which offers dorm style sleeping and convivial dining in this beautifully situated location beside the turquoise waters of the lake with the mountains standing watch behind. Accommodation in dorm-style rooms in bunk beds with shared facilities. Alternatively UPGRADE to the private cabins situated close to the refugio and enjoy private accommodation with a small deck to enjoy inspiring mountain views. All meals included (wine/drinks extra).
- After breakfast in the convivial refugio we will continue our hike along the shores of Lake Nordenskjold towards the French Valley. This is a beautiful trail into a superb natural granite ampitheatre where we will also see the French Glacier. After lunch in our awesome picnic spot we will hike to another beautiful lake, Lago Pehoe. On arrival at Pehoe, we will take the catamaran to the other side of the lake where we will meet our transfer vehicle for the transfer to the pretty Serrano River for our night camping in a beautiful setting with views of the Paine Massif. Campsite with full facilities including hot showers, bathrooms, fire pits and inside dining in case the weather is bad. Hiking time: 5 to 9 hours depending on how far the group hikes into the French Valley. All meals included (with wine at dinner). Cook to prepare meals.
*If the catamaran is not running we will overnight at Paine Grande refugio and cross over tomorrow starting our ride at administracion. - Today we will be saddling up once again for an exciting ride out to Lago and Glacier Grey. This beautiful ride takes us across the golden pampas that lead the eye to the jagged peaks of the western face of the Paine Massif, an exciting ride and one of our favourites. After a few hours riding, we will reach the small footbridge where we will dismount before walking down to the beach for views of the iceberg choked lake and Grey Glacier in the distance, the largest in the Park. We can walk along the sandy lake shores admiring the views. After plenty of time enjoying the scenery, we will saddle up and ride back to the Serrano River. Feeling more comfortable in the saddle, there will be plenty of opportunities for long canters on our ride back to our campsite. Enjoy some chilled wine or beer while dinner is prepared. Second night Serrano River. Showers available.
Riding time: 6-7 hours. All meals included (with wine at dinner).
Cook to prepare meals. - After breakfast we will be walking to the nearby river for our kayak safety briefing before we start paddling down the Serrano River for the kayaking part of the trip. Our journey takes us through the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park (the largest in the country) past Tyndall and Geike Glaciers finishing at the mouth of the river where it spills into Last Hope Sound. On arrival at the Serrano Falls we will carry our kayaks a short distance before finding a suitable place to camp for the night. This is wild camping under the huge Patagonian skies with just the sounds of the nearby river and the occasional rumble as the ice calves off a nearby glacier. Relax while your chef prepares dinner.
The campsite has no facilities. All meals included (with wine at dinner). - Now familiar with our kayaks, we will continue paddling down river to Puerto Toro where we will haul out our kayaks and walk to the nearby Serrano Glacier to enjoy the amazing glacial views. Time and weather permitting we will have an opportunity to paddle out onto the Serrano meltwater lake, a truly unique and memorable experience as we enjoy incredible views of the glacier and icebergs that float in front of it. At lunchtime we will take the cutter out across the fjords of Last Hope Sound to a waterside estancia where we will enjoy a delicious BBQ lamb feast before once again boarding the boat that takes us back to the quayside in Puerto Natales. Arriving at the quayside at around 1800 hours we will continue on to the beautiful waterside Hotel Weskar reminiscent of an alpine ski lodge with comfortable rooms, stunning views across Last Hope Sound and a hot tub to soothe those aching limbs. Alternatively you can upgrade to the contemporary waterside Hotel Simple Patagonia or the upscale Hotel Singular. Breakfast and lunch included.
Dinner at leisure in one of the town’s many excellent restaurants. - Private transfer to airport or bus station. Breakfast only.
Is this trip for me?
This is a true once in a lifetime adventure tour for those wanting to experience the best of three exciting activities in one itinerary.
The riding is manageable for novice riders. The hiking is moderate to challenging and clients should have the appropriate level of fitness. The kayaking requires no experience although clients should be comfortable around water and have a good level of fitness (note there is a portage of approximately 100m while on the river).
Clients considering this adventure tour should be confident travelling in remote areas, be prepared for inclement weather and necessary itinerary changes and most of all have a sense of humour and a flexible attitude.
As with all our trips, it is fully supported leaving you to carry only a day pack during hiking. Saddle bags are provided for the riding section and all equipment is provided for the kayaking with waterproof gear and booties (life jackets are mandatory)
The trip is guided from start to finish by an experienced English speaking wilderness guide with specialist guides for the horse riding and kayaking.
Riding Experience: As this is an adventure tour, clients should have good stamina levels.
Age Limit: Ages 14 – 70. Young travellers need to be hardy and accompanied by an experienced and capable adult.
Please see our family itineraries for ideas on what activities are available to younger children. Older clients are welcome but may be asked to complete a medical suitability questionnaire