Flexible Family Fjords and Glaciers

Highlights

• Charter a private boat across Last Hope Sound into the wilderness of Bernardo o’Higgins National Park
• Navigate remote Patagonian fjords by boat, catamaran and zodiac
• Watch glaciers calve into icy channels
• Kayak beneath towering cliffs and waterfalls
• Experience a Patagonian estancia by horse, hike and 4×4
• Spot dolphins, sea lions and condors in the wild
• Visit isolated fishing villages and frontier outposts
• Sleep in fjordside lodges and remote ranch houses
• Kayak safely with expert guides on calm waters surrounded by icebergs

Day by Day

1. Arrive into Punta Arenas in the far south of Chilean Patagonia (PUQ).

   Collection in private transfer from airport to the city with drop off at the hotel.

   Night Hotel La Yegua Loca (rooming to suit family requirements).

   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 stylish with high ceilings and wood floors and a clever use of recycled materials. Many rooms have views and there is an excellent, intimate restaurant on the ground floor. Dressed in the traditional gaucho clothing the staff are friendly and personable and will ensure you are made to feel at home.

   Meal basis: no meals included

2. Morning Magdalena Island. Transfer to Puerto Natales. Night Puerto Natales. After breakfast in your hotel you will be picked up in the lobby for the short transfer to the city’s boat dock where you will meet the rest of the group before heading out on your boat navigation into the mythical Straits of Magellan to see the penguins at Magdalena Island.

   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.

   On return to the boat dock at around lunchtime you will be collected by a driver and taken in a private transfer to Puerto Natales (3 hours), the capital of the Ultima Esperanza region of Chile and the jumping off point for Torres del Paine.

   Night in the waterfront Hotel Costaustralis (rooms with fjord views)

   This pretty hotel is one of the older hotels in Puerto Natales with a prime waterfront position close to the centre of town and with many of the rooms offering amazing views across Last Hope Sound to the mountains beyond.

3. Take morning catamaran to La Peninsula. Ride to La Barossa for night.

   After an early breakfast in the hotel you will be collected and taken a little out of town to the boat dock where you will be boarding the catamaran to take you across to Estancia La Peninsula where you will be spending the next two days. During your stay at this estancia you will be looked after by the family who own and run it and their team of capable guides.

   Estancia La Peninsula is one of the area’s oldest ranches owned by the MacLean family and run by two sons Kevin and Ian. It is accessible only via the water giving it a tranquility and a unique flora and fauna with some species being found nowhere else in Patagonia.

   On arrival you will be welcomed to the estancia’s main house where you can enjoy a coffee and get to know your hosts and your guide. You will then be making your way to the coral to meet your horses, all of which are grey. After a safety briefing and familiarization with the tack and the local style of riding you will be setting off with your guide along the sandy shores of the fjords and through pastures and forests as you explore this unique area and get to know your horses.

   Trails will take you through soft grassy valleys and sandy shores full of driftwood with a good variety of birdlife including the native black-necked swans that nest along the shores. Your ride will take you north across the land belonging to the estancia to a look-out with far reaching views across the fjords to the peaks of Torres del Paine and the Bernardo O’Higgins National Parks.

   Later in the afternoon you will reach your base for the night, the magical Puesto La Barossa, a recently converted gaucho post, now a comfortable, spacious 2-bedroomed cabin which you will be occupying exclusively as a family looked after by the estancia’s capable guide and cook.

   Enjoy some snacks and a rest before dinner is prepared by the estancia staff.

   Night at Puesto La Barossa, in two bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, living room and kitchen area. One room has a double bed that can be split into two twins, the other room has twin beds. The house will be occupied exclusively by your family. For larger groups, camping nearby can be arranged.

   Meal basis: all meals included with wine at dinner (beverages include a variety of Chilean red and white wines, local beers, locally distilled gin, whisky and pisco).

   Hours in the saddle: 1-6 hours, depending on experience, pace and preference.

   *If you prefer not to horse ride there are options to hike instead.

4. Morning ride/explore and lunch. Afternoon boat to Puerto Toro. Night remote hosteria
   After a wholesome breakfast you will once again be meeting your horses and riding out into this island-like landscape with its rich forests, ancient southern beech trees and giant green foliage. Time permitting, you will return via the Cueva de los Ninos where you will witness some ancient wall art, a remnant of the early inhabitants of these lands.

   On arrival at the main house you will join the regular day tour with a delicious lunch which consists of a traditional lamb BBQ (asado) where the meat is cooked over an open fire. There will also be a demonstration of sheep dogs and possibly sheep shearing by the gauchos in the shearing shed.

   After your farewells to your guide and hosts you will be boarding a private boat charter that will take you across the fjords of Last Hope Sound to the southern tip of the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park that borders Torres del Paine. This national park is the largest in Chile and is only accessible on foot, by boat or by horse giving it a wild feel and some staggering landscapes all criss-crossed by a network of fjords and waterways.

   On arrival at Puerto Toro, you will disembark the boat and make your way on foot to the Hosteria Monte Balmaceda where you will be spending the night in this comfortable lodge located in a remote setting in front of the mountain of the same name.

   Night at Hosteria Monte Balmaceda rooming to suit family requirementsMeal basis: all meals included

5. Morning walk to Serrano Glacier. Zodiac ride up river to Torres del Paine. Camp or Hotel.
   After breakfast you will be returning to Puerto Toro on foot with a side walk to the hidden Serrano Glacier that tumbles down the mountain through the ancient forests into a stunning meltwater pool below. You will then board Zodiac boats for the up-river journey through the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park entering the Torres del Paine via the Serrano River.

   On arrival at the small village of Serrano located on the borders of Torres del Paine you will make your way to your campsite (or hotel, upgrades available). This area offers magnificent views of the western face of the Paine Massif and is said to offer some of the best sunrises in all of Patagonia.

   Night Camping in mountain tents with sleeping bags, mats and liners included. This riverside campsite is very pretty and offers great views of the mountains. There are hot showers and bathrooms and indoor dining in case of bad weather. You will be supported by your guide and also a BlueGreen cook who will prepare meals.

   Meal basis: all meals included with wine while camping

   *Option to upgrade to the Hotel Rio Serrano, one of the larger hotels in the area offering very comfortable accommodation and a spa and indoor pool. The superior rooms have mountain views and consist of two king sized beds meaning a family of four can comfortably occupy one room.

6. Transfer to Grey Lake for kayaking. Drive across Park. Night Camping Laguna Azul.
   After breakfast you will be making your way to Grey Lake where you can see the icebergs floating in the grey waters of the lake and the magnificent Grey Glacier in the distance. Here you will meet your kayak guide and there will be a safety briefing and suiting up in dry suits before you put-in the kayaks and start your kayaking on Grey Lake* or along the beautiful Grey River, a fairly gentle day’s kayak giving you a chance to rest your legs and enjoy your last glimpses of the magnificent Paine mountains as you meander down river.

   After the morning kayaking you will be jumping in your private transfer vehicle and continuing across the heart of Torres del Paine with its iconic postcard like views and a wealth of wildlife to enjoy. The scenery today is quite spectacular and includes monstrous granite peaks, crystal clear turquoise lakes, beautiful valleys and waterfalls as we journey from west to east.

   Arrive at Laguna Azul a very pretty area in the north east corner of the Park with views of the famous Towers. You will be camping here in a site with indoor dining, hot showers and bathrooms. Like the Camping at Serrano there are soft grassy pitches all with great views and there is much to see in the area making it a great spot for family camping.

   Night Camping Laguna Azul in mountain tents with sleeping bats, mats and liners included. You will be supported by your guide and also the campsite team who will prepare meals.

   Meal basis: all meals included with wine while camping
   *Option to upgrade to Hotel Las Torres.

   Kayak distance/details: Roughly 3-4 hours of paddling depending on conditions and aptitude of the group, when children are paddling there will be two kayak guides; kayaks are all double sea kayaks suitable for the conditions in Patagonia. Full dry suits are provided with booties, gloves and life jackets, minimum height is 1.20 metres (for the dry suit).

   *The kayaking is entirely weather dependant and the exact route will be decided according to how everyone is feeling and the conditions on the day however the distance covered is generally around 5 miles. In the event of high winds or other issues we will arrange an alternative activity. Participation in this activity requires a waiver to be signed by all family members and life jackets and dry suits are mandatory. There will be two guides taking care of you and the least able paddlers will double up with the guides.

7. Hike to the base of the Towers or shorter walk, sightseeing, wildlife. Night Puerto Natales
   Today there are a number of options depending on how everybody is feeling and the weather. Possibilities include a hike to the base of the Towers (see details below) or a suitable alternative taking into account the ages of your children. This area of the Park is a great location for exploring and there is a wildlife-packed walk from Laguna Azul to Laguna Amarga which is highly recommended for families offering some of the park’s most photographed landscapes and wildlife viewing (3-4 hours).

   Towers hike: This renowned and challenging hike goes all the way to the base of the famous Towers of Paine.

   Tackling this steep climb across mountain trails, winding rivers, deep valleys and glacial moraine will reward you with unimaginable views. Once the steep slopes have been conquered, you can enjoy your lunch in this dramatic setting, while watching icebergs drift slowly across glacial pools.

   Hiking distance for hike to Towers: 11.8 mi/19km; roundtrip with 3,291 ft elevation gain. Challenging ascent at the start, final steep climb over glacial moraine. Long descent on return. Approximately 8-9 hours walking.

   After your day of exploring with your guide and driver you will return to Puerto Natales and a night at the waterside Costaustralis. Option to stop at the Milodon Cave, time permitting.

   Meal basis: breakfast and packed lunch included.

   Night in the waterfront Hotel Costaustralis (rooms with fjord views)

8. After breakfast you will be collected in a private transfer and taken to the airport in Puerto Natales for the flight back to Santiago and onward travel.

   Trip ends

Price

From US$6,000 per person (based on a family of four).
Trip Price based on private arrangements as detailed

Suitability

This unique and exhilarating itinerary is the definitive family escape designed for adventurous families who have the time to journey more deeply into some of southern Patagonia’s wildest and most iconic landscapes. Time will be spent in Torres del Paine and the Bernardo O’Higgins National Parks and during this week long adventure you will hike, kayak, camp, horse ride, see penguins in their natural habitat, sleep in remote mountain lodges and travel through isolated fjords and waterways. Accommodation is diverse with nights spent in a variety of lodgings from fjordside cabins (occupied exclusively) to remote lodges and camping. There are also some options to upgrade to more sumptuous hotels, see notes above. This is an intensive trip that would suit those with older children wanting an active and varied experience. There are a lot of boat trips in the itinerary so you must be comfortable around water and travelling in remote areas. Safety is paramount and appropriate weather gear will be provided. Lifejackets are mandatory on all watercraft. In order to make the most of the journey you will be moving accommodation every day. Luggage supported is provided and you will only carry a day pack during the activity days. All gear is provided while camping.