Highlights
- Sail across the legendary Strait of Magellan to Magdalena Island’s vast penguin colony
- Walk among over 120,000 Magellanic penguins and seabird
- Hop on mountain bikes or a horse for an exploration of the rocky outcrops and fjord-side trails near Laguna Sofia
- 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 at a beautiful converted ranch house reminiscent of an English country home
- 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
- Enjoy scenic, flexible, hikes through forests, lakeshores and mountain viewpoints
Day by Day
- Arrive into Punta Arenas airport in the far south of Chile (PUQ). Visit Penguin Colony. 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 (Panoramic category)
*This boat trip is weather dependent and in the event it is cancelled there is an opportunity to reschedule to tomorrow morning. - Transfer to Puerto Natales. Visit Milodon Cave. Hike, Ride or Bike near Laguna Sofia. Hosteria
*Possible reschedule of Magdalena Island trip as above.
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 have an opportunity to either mountain bike or horse ride in the Laguna Sofia area.
Mountain bike: After bike fitting and a safety briefing we will start out with an ascent along rancher’s trails before reaching a highland plain located in the heart of the Última Esperanza region of southern Patagonia. From here its a steeper climb along single track trails (we will have to carry our bikes for some stretches) before we arrive at the lookout with panoramic views of the lake, the surrounding mountains and the Magellanic pampa. We will then begin our descent on single track trails through wooded areas before reaching out start point and returning to our vehicle.
Horse ride: Using the horses belonging to a nearby estancia you will have an opportunity to saddle up and ride out into the moderate trails in this area. After a safety briefing and an introduction to the local riding style you will enjoy gentle fjord-side trails through ancient southern beech forests, golden pampas and grassy valleys with the ever present mountains in the distance. This is a memorable experience for families that will give you a glimpse of gaucho life as you ride out with Chilean horsemen into the surrounding countryside.
After an active day you will be continuing the short distance to the outpost town of Cerro Castillo which is located close to the Argentine border. On arrival you will be checking into the lovely Hosteria el Pionero. Surrounded by the customary layer of trees, the villa has the look and feel of an English country home and was built by European settlers to Tierra del Fuego at the beginning of the century. Once home to one of the most important and influential estancieros in the region it offers comfortable accommodation and a restaurant offering a variety of typical local foods and international cuisine. The fireside bar is an excellent place to enjoy a pisco sour while discussing the adventures to come.
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 heading north across the pampas towards the granite peaks of the Paine Massif that protrude vertically from the flat pampas that surround them. After some time spent in the beautiful but relatively unknown Laguna Azul in the north east corner of the Park we will be enjoying a magnificent private safari as we cross Torres del Paine from east to west exploring the jaw dropping landscapes and unusual wildlife.
Options today 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. We can also visit the fabulous cascades of the Salto Grande waterfall and hunt for Calafate berries on the pampas and among the Patagonian scrublands.
The scenery 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, a challenging but highly rewarding hike to the base of the famous Towers (suitable for fit families able to hike for 6-8 hours).
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.
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. Weskar Lodge 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 the forest before opening to a clearing with 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 beautiful waterside Weskar Lodge which is designed in the style of an alpine ski lodge with great views of the mountains across the fjords, an excellent restaurant and comfortable characterful accommodation.
Meals: breakfast and lunch included (dinner not included but we can make reservations at Weskar or elsewhere 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)
Based on a family of four with two adults and two children aged between 6 & 12, the cost of the above itinerary on a private basis would be US$2,995 per person (x4). This includes two tents while camping together with a BlueGreen chef to prepare meals, a family room in the hotels mentioned with extra beds as needed, all entrance and excursion fees (either hiking, riding or biking at Laguna Sofia), the Grey Boat, English speaking guide while in Torres del Paine, private transfer with dedicated driver to ensure full flexibility in the itinerary, all meals as detailed in the itinerary, transfers to/from dock for penguin boat tour, guided boat trip to Magdalena Island with expert guides, private transfer in from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales and to bus station or airport in Puerto Natales at the trip end.
Notes:
1. The itinerary is flexible and can be run in reverse if required (starting with a flight to Puerto Natales and finishing with a flight out of Punta Arenas).
2. If you are entering Chile from el Calafate in Argentina, you would arrive on the bus into Cerro Castillo. We could collect you from the border at lunchtime and start the trip with the night at el Pionero. You would then run the above itinerary in reverse, finishing with the private transfer to Punta Arenas and the visit to Magdalena Island.
3. The above price is based on a family of four with two children aged between 6 and 12. Please contact us if you would like a quote for a larger family or one with different aged children.
4. This trip would combine very well with a trip to Argentine Patagonia, such as the Los Glaciares Family Explorer detailed here.
