Highlights
- See stately neoclassical mansions in Punta Arenas
- Take a boat to Isla Magdalena to see thousands of penguins
- Enjoy a traditional Patagonian barbecue after checking out two glaciers
- Spend eight days trekking (and camping) in Torres del Paine National Park
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Fly to Punta Arenas, Explore | Punta Arenas |
| Day 3 | Visit the Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony | Punta Arenas |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Puerto Natales, See the Port | Puerto Natales |
| Day 5 | Discover Bernardo O'Higgins National Park | Puerto Natales |
| Day 6 | Enter Torres del Paine National Park, Start the "O" Trek | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | Hike Along the Río Paine (Day 2) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 8 | Explore Glacier Dickson & Lago Paine (Day 3) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 9 | Lengas & Coigues Forest Trekking (Day 4) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 10 | Cross the John Gardner Pass (Day 5) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 11 | Continue to Lago Pehoé (Day 6) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 12 | Explore the French Valley (Day 7) | Torres del Paine |
| Day 13 | Return to Puerto Natales via Laguna Amargas (Day 8) | Puerto Natales |
| Day 14 | Fly to Santiago, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Explore
Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival at the Santiago airport, a driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city. Snap photos in front of the Palacio de la Moneda, Chile's opulent presidential palace, a short stroll from the Plaza de Armas. Next, stroll the cobblestone streets of Barrio Bellavista to see colorful houses, vibrant street art, and an eclectic array of eateries and bars that are great for people-watching.
For dinner, enjoy a culinary adventure in the city. In recent years, Santiago has emerged as a global foodie destination as Chilean chefs reinvent traditional dishes, like empanadas and cazuelas (stews), with ingredients sourced from the Atacama Desert and the southern Patagonian region. You'll find great restaurants and wine bars in the Bellavista neighborhood and the revitalized historic districts of Yungay and Italia. Later on, head back to your hotel to get some rest.
Day 2: Fly to Punta Arenas, Explore
Head back to the airport this morning to catch a 3.5-hour flight south to Punta Arenas, located in one of the most beautiful regions of Chilean Patagonia. Founded in 1848 on the eastern shore of the Brunswick Peninsula, Punta Arenas was a hub of high society in its heyday. Today, it's a popular tourist destination that provides easy access to some of Patagonia's most impressive natural attractions, including Torres del Paine National Park and Isla Magdalena.
After getting settled at your hotel, stroll around town to see the sights. Plaza Muñoz Guerrero is a leafy central plaza lined with French street lamps and surrounded by impressive architecture. Many of these grand neoclassical mansions were once owned by wealthy sheep-ranching families. Tour the Palacio Sara Braun to see just how much wealth the sheep trade generated in the 19th century. Explore the waterfront and watch the sun go down at Mirador Cerro de la Cruz. This viewpoint overlooks the city all the way out to the Strait of Magellan.
Day 3: Visit the Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony
This half-day tour begins bright and early. You'll transfer from downtown Punta Arenas to a pier on the Strait of Magellan, where you'll board a boat at sail to Isla Marta. It's home to a large colony of Patagonian sea lions as well as cormorants, skuas, arctic pigeons, and more.
Continue to Isla Magdalena, where you'll disembark and spend one hour onshore. With your guide, follow a 2,624-foot (800 m) path to an old lighthouse that offers sweeping views of the Strait of Magellan. This island is home to Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, a protected area home to Chile's largest colony of penguins. There's no experience like hiking alongside penguins near Patagonian waters, first mapped by Magellan and made famous by Charles Darwin. Afterward, return to the boat and make the journey back, reaching Punta Arenas in the afternoon.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Transfer to Puerto Natales & See the Port
Today you'll transfer three hours north to the small port city of Puerto Natales, formerly a fishing port and now the main base for excursions into Torres del Paine National Park. The town is set on the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), offering scenic views across the water to the mountains beyond. Facing north from here, you'll see the peaks of Cerro Benitez and Cerro Toro, and the sight is especially phenomenal at sunset.
Depending on your arrival time, you might stroll around town and stop for a drink at one of the town's many bars and cafés. Try a traditional seafood stew in a family-run restaurant before you get some rest at your hotel. More adventures in Patagonia's landscapes await tomorrow!
Day 5: Discover Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
Early this morning, you'll head to the dock at Puerto Natales and hop on a boat bound for Mount Balmaceda at the southern end of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. The park is only accessible by foot or by boat, and this nine-hour day tour follows the Seno Última Esperanza to the mountain. In other words, keep your camera close!
While on the boat, enjoy panoramic views of native forests. You're also likely to spot sea lions as you head north toward the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. You'll then disembark and have an opportunity to enjoy views of these glaciers from land. After a short hike, you'll reach the Hosteria Perales, where a typical Patagonian barbecue will be served. Late in the afternoon, return by boat to Puerto Natales.
Day 6: Enter Torres del Paine National Park, Start the "O" Trek
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Puerto Natales, you'll transfer to Torres del Paine National Park. The trip to the park entrance at Laguna Amarga takes about two hours. After arriving and registering in the park, you'll begin the hike up Almirante Nieto, a mountain with incredible views of Lago Nordenskjöld and the Ascencio Valley. You'll make a steady climb for about two hours before arriving at Refugio Chileno.
Store your large backpack before continuing onto the Las Torres Lookout. From there, you'll go hiking for about an hour through a dense lenga forest, approaching a moraine and climbing to see the park's fantastic granite peaks. After admiring the view, you will return to Refugio Chileno for dinner and a good's night rest. The total hiking time today is about 6.5 hours, and the distance is 9.6 miles (15.5 km).
Day 7: Hike Along the Río Paine (Day 2)
After breakfast at camp, it's time to begin the day with a four-hour hike along a fairly flat trail. As you wind along the beautiful Río Paine, you'll have plenty of opportunities to admire the deep blue waters of Laguna Azul and the picturesque view of Encantado Valley, surrounded by rock formations created by centuries of wind.
When you reach Dome & Camping Seron, an old Patagonian cowboy post, the land stretches out before you. This hiking day will end with dinner, then you'll fall asleep under the brightly shining stars. Today's hiking time is four hours, and the distance is about 8 miles (13 km).
Day 8: Explore Glacier Dickson & Lago Paine (Day 3)
Today's trail distance is longer than yesterday (11 miles or 18 km, taking about six to seven hours), so have a hearty breakfast. The route will begin with a steady uphill climb past a small lagoon, where you'll reach a lookout with incredible views of Lago Paine. As you descend the hill, breathtaking views will continue to surround you. You'll see a range of mountains separating Chile and Argentina, along with peaks on the park's northern side.
Continuing along, you'll eventually cross over a marsh via wooden boardwalks created by park rangers. Then you'll begin crossing ancient moraine valleys, where you'll notice the imposing glacier tongue of the Southern Ice Field. From here, continue to Camping Dickson to spend the evening.
Day 9: Lengas & Coigues Forest Trekking (Day 4)
After breakfast at camp, it's time to begin another day of hiking! Today's route is relatively easy and takes just over four hours as it traverses one of the oldest forests in the park. Hike through forests that flourished after the glaciers receded. Break for lunch, then reach a moraine at the foot of Glacier Los Perros, where you'll set up camp for the night and have dinner. The total hiking distance today is 6.8 miles (11 km).
Day 10: Cross the John Gardner Pass (Day 5)
Today, begin a slow but steady climb uphill through beautiful native forest. After about an hour of hiking, you'll reach the end of the forest and start trekking up rockslides toward the John Gardner Pass. You can see Glacier Amistad, Cerro Blanco Sur, and Punta Puma from this part of the trail. Climb until you reach 3,937 feet (1,200 m) and an astonishing view of Grey Glacier. After enjoying this breathtaking vista, begin hiking downhill for about two hours until you reach Campamento Paso for a short rest.
From there, continue hiking for four more hours along an undulating trail with views of the glacier, Lago Grey, and Ferrier Hill. Before reaching Campamento Grey, you'll cross several of the park's famous suspension bridges, leading you to close-up views of Grey Glacier. Take time to shower and rest before enjoying a hot meal in the refugio. Today's hiking distance is 13.7 miles (22 km), and the trek will take around 11 hours.
Day 11: Continue to Lago Pehoé (Day 6)
This morning, fill up with an energizing breakfast and prepare for a four-hour hike to Lago Pehoé. If you haven't seen it up close yet, this turquoise jewel, which sits beneath the iconic Paine massif, will likely take your breath away. Following your guide, trek to a spectacular view of the glacier and a chance to cross one of the park's famous suspension bridges.
Later in the day, you'll hike along the lake's shore for spectacular views at sunset. Arrive at Camping Paine Grande on the shore of the lake to rest for the evening. Today's hike is 6.8 miles (11 km) long.
Day 12: Explore the French Valley (Day 7)
This spectacular day on the trail starts with a leisurely hike to the entrance of the French Valley. As you walk along the border of Lago Skottsberg, take time to admire the tremendous peaks towering in front of you. After about 2.5 hours, arrive at Campamento Italiano to rest before continuing your journey. Ascending into the valley, take in spectacular views in every direction, spotting Lago Nordenskjöld, Los Cuernos, and the French Glacier.
After soaking up the views, hike back to Campamento Italiano to continue alongside rolling hills as you follow the coastline. Continue for another two hours until you reach your camp on the lake's edge. After a relaxing afternoon and a filling dinner, it's time for a well-deserved night of rest. Today's hiking distance is 10.7 miles (17.3 km), and the hiking time is approximately seven hours.
Day 13: Return to Puerto Natales via Laguna Amargas (Day 8)
Today is the last day of the trek. Start with breakfast at camp before you pack up and hit the trail to begin hiking back to the park entrance. The hike is about four hours long, and you'll arrive in time to catch a ride to Laguna Amarga. Transfer back to Puerto Natales and enjoy dinner in town and an overnight in a hotel on the last night of the trip. The hiking distance today is about 7.5 miles (12 km).
Day 14: Fly to Santiago, Depart
The adventure ends today. Transfer from Puerto Natales to the airport in Punta Arenas, then hop on a domestic flight to Santiago, where you'll transfer to the international terminal for your flight back home. Safe travels!
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