Highlights
- Sail across the legendary Strait of Magellan to Magdalena Island’s vast penguin colony
- Walk among over 120,000 Magellanic penguins and seabird
- Kick back in characterful, design-led accommodation in Punta Arenas
- Hike beneath the dramatic granite towers of the Paine Massif in Torres del Paine
- Spot guanaco, birdlife and (with luck) puma tracks across open steppe
- Explore the atmospheric Milodon Cave near Puerto Natales
- Stay on a remote working estancia with views of the Towers
- Camp beside the Serrano River or upgrade to a comfortable lodge
- Walk to Grey Lake for icebergs and views of Grey Glacier with optional boat trip to its face
- Scenic, flexible, hikes through forests, lakeshores and mountain viewpoints
Day by Day
- Arrive into Punta Arenas airport in the far south of Chile (PUQ). La Yegua Loca.
On arrival into the airport you will be collected by a private transfer and, depending on your flight arrival time, either taken into town for a quick lunch or taken to the dock to join the boat trip to Magdalena Island (in this case we would provide you with a packed lunch).
Once at the dock you will join the rest of the group and guide and navigate from Punta Arenas to Magdalena Island in the waters of the mythical Straits of Magellan. This protected area holds a huge Magellanic Penguin Colony of more than 120,000 individual birds. Besides the penguins, several other species of seabirds such as the Imperial and Rock Cormorants, dolphins, kelp gulls, Chilean skua and South American tern also nest here. This trip is an excellent opportunity to observe these penguins and other Patagonian seabirds in their natural habitat and learn more about their natural history and breeding strategies.
Return to the dock and transfer back to town with drop off at the hotel La Yegua Loca.
*Located in an elevated position above the city, but within walking distance of shops and restaurants, this hotel offers a very comfortable, authentic stay. The hotel is very stylish with high ceilings and wood floors and a very clever use of recycled materials. Many rooms have views and there is an excellent but intimate restaurant on the ground floor.Meals: lunch included.
Room basis: according to family make up and preference
- Transfer to Puerto Natales. Visit Milodon Cave. Drive to Torres del Paine. Hike. Estancia
*In the event the Magdalena Island trip was cancelled yesterday there is a chance to postpone to this morning’s departure
After breakfast in the hotel restaurant you will meet your driver for a private transfer from Punta Arenas across the wide open pampas that characterise the region to Puerto Natales (3 hours driving). On arrival into Puerto Natales, the capital of the Ultima Esperanza region of Chile you will meet your guide at the BlueGreen Adventures office where you will also enjoy a trip briefing and can store any excess luggage.
After an early lunch you will continue out of town to the Milodon Cave which contains a full sized replica of a giant sloth (made famous by Bruce Chatwin). Situated in a lovely forested area there are good walks in the area and a cafe to enjoy a snack or coffee.
After your exploration of the cave and the surrounding area you will be driving north across the pampas to the granite peaks of the Paine Massif that seem to protrude from the flat pampas that surround them like the horns on a bull’s head.
Your drive today takes us along the shores of the beautiful Lake Sarmiento where you will be getting out of the van to start the day’s trek. Today’s hike takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on pace and photo stops. It is short enough for everybody to tolerate on their first day’s hiking and loaded with great scenery, interesting wildlife and (hopefully) fresh calafate berries to snack on en route.
This area is also home to large summer breeding groups of the llama-like guanaco with their cute, playful young known as chulengos never far from their side. Continue to the salt encrusted shores of Amarga Lake (bitter lake) with the magnificent Towers of Paine reflected in the surface of its waters.
After plenty of time taking photos and enjoying the views of the lake we will jump in the van for the short drive east to Estancia Cerro Guido which will be our home for the night (alternatives available depending on the season or you can camp with all gear provided).
*Comfortable, authentic estancia (ranch) located on the north eastern perimeters of Torres del Paine Estancia Guido is part of one of the largest estancias in the area farming approximately 110,000 hectares, home to 37,000 sheep, 2,500 cattle and 400 horses.
The main house has been tastefully converted to house a small number of guests in comfortable double rooms with private bathrooms. The main living rooms offer sofas and comfortable seating and meals are taken either in the dining room or the outdoor quincho. The estancia is remote but offers views of the Towers and the Paine Massif across the pampas.
Meals: all meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost).
Room basis: according to family make up and preference
- Full day exploring Torres del Paine with hikes as required. Night Camping Serrano River.
After breakfast, we will be driving across the Park from east to west on a magnificent private safari as we explore the jaw dropping landscapes and unusual wildlife.
Options include hikes to nearby waterfalls and mountain lookouts, a stroll through the summer breeding grounds for guanaco or general wildlife spotting activities in the vicinity. Other activities include a walk to the Salto Grande waterfall, time spent on the lake shores of Laguna Azul and hunting for Calafate berries on the pampas and Patagonian scrublands.
The scenery today is quite spectacular and includes monstrous granite peaks, crystal clear turquoise lakes, beautiful valleys and waterfalls to say nothing of the exotic wildlife in the area.
Alternatively we could undertake one of the Park’s more challenging hikes such as the trail to the base of the Towers, more details on request.
After your full day exploring you will be driving to the Serrano River and the beautifully located campsite close to the river. Weather permitting we will dine under the immense southern skies enjoying the freedom of being outside while our cook prepares dinner.
Campsite facilities include indoor dining in case of bad weather, bathrooms with hot showers.
Meals: all meals included (with wine at dinner).
Room basis: night camping in mountain tents with all gear provided including sleeping bags, mats and liners and a cook to prepare meals.
Or if you prefer not to camp you can UPGRADE to either the Pampa Lodge or the Hotel Rio Serrano (with pool), prices on request.
- Visit Grey Lake and Glacier. Afternoon hike to Mount Ferrier. Hotel in Puerto Natales
After breakfast, we will be transferring roughly 30 minutes to reach Grey Lake and Glacier.
Walk across the swinging footbridge and through the forest to the lake beach where you can see the glacier in the distance and the lake often full of icebergs that have calved off the glacier. You will have plenty of time to explore the area and views followed by an optional boat ride across the lake to the glacier, see extra costs below.
This is an up close and personal encounter with a vertical tower of ice. A unique experience and something for the kids to share with their class mates when they return home.
After plenty of time exploring we will enjoy a picnic in a suitably pretty location before taking an afternoon hike to the beautiful Mount Ferrier which offers far reaching views of the Paine and Balmaceda mountain ranges. This is a rewarding but fairly steep climb, best suited to active families with older kids (we can suggest other options for those with younger children). The trail winds through forest before opening to sweeping views over Grey Lake and the Paine Massif, making the effort worthwhile even if you do not make it all the way to the summit
Late afternoon return to Puerto Natales on a different road out of the Park which takes just under 90 minutes.
Drop off at your hotel.
Night in the colourful, cute Hostel Amerindia or similar
*This centrally located small hotel provides a great option for families with comfortable en suite rooms decorated in bright colours and an adjacent cafe serving delicious cakes and chocolates, a nice treat for the kids.
Meals: breakfast and lunch included (dinner not included but we can make suggestions/reservations on request)
Room basis: according to family make up and preference. - Continue with onward travel
Breakfast only
*We can arrange bus tickets (US$20 per person) or a private transfer (US$400) back to Punta Arenas as required. We can also book bus tickets to el Calafate (US$50 per person).
Trip Cost (estimated)
US$2,750 – US$3,225 per person for a family of four depending on room breakdown, ages of children and activities.
