| Itinerary details
Day 1
Take a taxi from Punta Arenas airport to Hotel. Meet leader in hotel lobby at 7.30 p.m. Dinner
Day 2
Morning collection from Terra Sur to start the day’s drive across the wide open pampas and estancia lands that characterize this area before arriving at the waterside town of Puerto Natales (the capital of the Esperanza region of Chile).
We stop for lunch here and can choose from a variety of restaurants and perhaps do some souvenir shopping. After lunch we continue our drive towards the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. Our route takes us along the eastern side of the Park where we cross into the land belonging to a local estancia.
The last part of the drive will be bumpy and with no other traffic as we head towards our beautiful, remote camping spot in a valley with awesome views of the Torres del Paine. There is a small puesto or gaucho post here so we will have some shelter for cooking, dining if the weather is bad. Whilst dinner is being prepared we can put our tents up and enjoy the view. No showers (Transfer time: approx. 5.5 hours. B,L,D.
Day 3
Today we mee our horses and the characterful baqueanos who care for them for the first part of our adventure which will be on horseback. After a short introduction to western riding and safety briefing, we set off on our exciting and unique adventure into the hills and forests of the Sierra Contreras.
Our destination is the pretty waterfall known as Cascada Zamora. It is normal for us to see no other visitors here enabling us to enjoy a peaceful lunch in this pretty wood. After lunch we ride out to the remote puesto ‘mercado’ riding up high over the pampas with views off to the Las Chinas Valley and the Sierra Baguales in the distance. Return to our camp by a different route passing the beautiful Laguna Azul. Night back at puesto Tercera. No showers (see above). Hours in the saddle: 5-6. B,L,D
Day 4
Today, now more familiar with our horses, we set off across some lovely open pampas towards the heart of the Park and Laguna Amarga. This is a beautiful ride, not least because we get to ride towards the dramatically beautiful mountains of the Paine Massif. We also pass through the summer grazing grounds of large guanaco herds. Plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the athletic antics of these fascinating and agile animals, or to pick some lovely ripe calafate berries from the many bushes that grow round here.
Our trail takes us across some rivers and finally along the dirt track which leads into the Laguna Amarga area of the Park. Here we meet our transfer vehicle for the short drive to camping Las Torres. Hot showers available. Hours in the saddle: 4-5. Transfer time: 45 minutes. B,L,D.
Day 5
After our hearty camp breakfast, a challenging hike lay in store for us today as we climb up to the base of the towers themselves. Starting with an uphill walk and then following wooded mountain trails this hike is beautiful.
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 can hear sounds like thunder as the ice breaks off the glaciers with crashing roars.
In the afternoon we 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 while dinner is being prepared. Hiking time: 7-9 hours depending on fitness. B,L,D.
Day 6
After an early breakfast, we start our hike round the shores of Lake Nordjenskold. Our hike skirts this lake whilst always keeping close to the huge granite mountains which form the centrepiece of this geographical wonder.
Tonight we eat and sleep in the Refugio Los Cuernos which is beautifully situated beside a turquoise blue lake with the mountains standing watch behind. Dinner and wine included. Hiking time: 4-5 hours. B,L,D.
Day 7
After breakfast in the convivial refugio, we continue our hike along the shores of Lake Nordjenskold towards the French Valley. This is a beautiful and justly famous trail into a superb natural granite ampitheatre where we also see the French Glacier.
After lunch in our awesome picnic spot we hike to another beautiful lake, Lago Pehoe. We set up camp here on the shores of these pretty turquoise waters before relaxing a little while dinner is prepared. Showers available, inside dining if weather bad. Hiking time: 5 – 9 hours depending on how far the group hikes into the French Valley. B,L,D.
Day 8
Today we hike up to the spectacular and immense Grey Glacier. The trail takes us through ancient beech forests and along a spectacular trail high above Grey Lake. We enjoy fantastic glacier views throughout. Our destination is refugio Grey and Mirador where we can enjoy lunch on the shores of the iceberg choked lake before we start our descent back to our pretty campsite at Pehoe Lake. Second night at Pehoe. Showers available. Hiking time: 6-7 hours. B,L,D.
Day 9
After breakfast and packing up camp, we are reunited with our horses and the baqueanos who care for them with a brisk and exciting ride across wide open pampas to the Serrano River. Our path first takes us along flower-lined trails skirting Pehoe Lake before opening out onto flat pampas where we can enjoy an exhilerating canter to the emerald green waters of the Serrano River. Camp riverside. Showers available and inside dining in case of bad weather. Hours in the saddle: 4-5 depending on pace travelled. B,L,D.
Day 10
Today, we rise early to prepare for our river adventure. We start with a lecture on safety and technique before heading into Grey Lake to paddle amongst the icebergs that run aground at the bottom of the lake. After paddling near these massive pieces of ice we set off down the river grey for a peaceful and scenic paddle all the way back to camp.
Lunch will be taken on the shores of the river and we always have spectacular views towards the mountains. Hours kayaking: 5-6 but flexible depending on weather conditions. B,L,D.
Day 11
We board the Zodiacs for our exciting ride down the Serrano River. Our journey takes us through the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park past Tyndal and Geike Glaciers. We finish at the end of the river where it empties into Last Hope Sound.
From here we hike out to the Serrano Glacier for a close up look at this very pretty glacier. After the short hike we board a cutter for a cruise to a very remote estancia for a fantastic BBQ lunch and finally get dropped off at the pier in Puerto Natales. A great ending to this multisport adventure.
On arrival in this interesting waterside town, we take a taxi to the newly built family run Weskar Lodge. Situated a short walk from Puerto Natales this wooden built hotel has lovely views of Last Hope Sound and the Serrano Glacier in the distance. There is a restaurant and laundry and internet are usually available. Dinner not included. Hours in zodiacs:2-3 (weather reliant). Hours on Cutter: 3. Breakfast and lunch only.
Day 12
Morning at leisure in the beautifully situated and pretty town of Puerto Natales.
After an early lunch, we continue on to the Otway Sound Penguin Colony where we have a chance to see and photograph these unique and fascinating burrowing penguins. After we have had our fill of these cute creatures, we continue on to the Punta Arenas airport. Transfer time: 4.5 hours with the penguins. Breakfast only.
Included
All riding/walking/kayaking; all equipment (except sleeping bags/mats); all transfers to and from Punta Arenas and whilst in park; eleven nights accommodation (eight camping, two in hotels, one in refugio) all based on twin share and meals with wine whilst camping, English speaking and local guides; baqueanos who care for horses; waterproof stuff sacks for trip; use of saddle bags; river/zodiac fees, camp fees, entrance fees to park and penguin colony, one night in Punta Arenas at Hotel Terra Sur, one night at Hotel Weskar in Puerto Natales.
Not Included
Flights, airport taxes, airport transfers and meals in Punta Arenas; lunch on Day 2 and Day 12 in Natales, dinner on night 11 in Natales, local gratuities (recommend $60).
Suitability
This trip is a true once in a lifetime adventure for those wanting to experience the best of three exciting activities in one action packed trip. It runs for 12 days and clients will enjoy some amazing riding; spectacular hikes and a unique kayak trip beside one of the area’s most immense glaciers.
This trip is camping throughout (except the Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales nights and one refugio night at Cuernos) and the hiking is supported by pack horses with hikers only carrying a daypack. The riding section offers manageable riding for more novice riders but clients should be comfortable in the saddle at walk, trot and canter.
The hiking is ‘moderate – challenging’ and clients should have the appropriate level of fitness. The kayaking part requires no previous experience although clients should be confident around water. The trip is guided throughout and baqueanos will accompany us to care for the horses. Clients joining this trip should love the outdoors, be comfortable travelling in remote areas, be prepared for weather changes and most of all have a sense of humour and a flexible attitude!
Riding experience
As a multi-activity trip, clients should have a good level of stamina and be in good general health. As it is not a dedicated riding trip, we are able to accept a lesser standard of riding than on our scheduled riding trips. Clients should however be fairly comfortable in the saddle and feel safe at walk, trot and canter.
Check our group and tailor made options. And you can always contact the office with questions or for advice.
See the Books and Maps section where you will find a range of literature to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
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