Adventure Patagonia, the ultimate adventure tour in Patagonia
Duration: 12 days
3-8 Travelers: $4225 per person
2 Travelers: $4495 per person
$400 Lodge based W hike upgrade available.
Please contact us for more details
Here is the ultimate trip in Patagonia travel pairing two our best active trips in Chilean Patagonia. This Patagonia tour includes whitewater rafting on the Futaleufu River, which is synonymous with Patagonia adventure travel, followed by the Classic W, one of the best hikes in the most beautiful of Chile's national parks Torres del Paine, visiting almost all of its top attractions. In remote wilderness locations, this Patagonia trip offers you challenges by day and relaxation by night. Those interested in more comfort while hiking in Torres del Paine may wish to upgrade to the lodge-based W hike.
Private Patagonia tour departures may also be arranged. Please contact us to discuss the options.
Adventure Patagonia Tour Itinerary
-
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
-
Rafting Futaleufu River
-
Inflatable Kayaking River Azul
-
Luxury Camping on Futaleufu
-
Bicycling and/or Horseback riding option
-
Classic W Hike in Torres Del Paine
-
Highlights of Torres Del Paine
-
Exact schedule may vary, due to weather conditions and group skill levels.
-
Day 1 SANTIAGO - PUERTO MONTT - FUTALEUFU RIVER
Camp - 5 star camping on the Futaleufu
Your tour of Patagonia, Chile gets started when you land in Puerto Montt and transfer by charter plane to the harbor town of Chaiten. Here you will be met by your Southern Explorations guides and enjoy a brief lunch before taking a picturesque drive to your accommodations at base camp by the Futaleufu River. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind before reconvening for Happy Hour, a tasty dinner and a question and answer session on kayak safety with our experienced river guides. (These expert guides will each captain a raft during your tour, with the help of a stern-mounted oar frame.)
-
Day 2 FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING
Camp - 5 star camping on the Futaleufu
If you wish, get an invigorating and scenic start to your tour of Chile with a riverside yoga class. After breakfast and a thorough safety briefing, you'll take the rafts out for some practice rescue drills in a safe nearby 'eddy' to allow crew members to hone their skills and prepare to raft as a team. Your Patagonia travel begins in earnest with a rafting warm-up of non-stop fun, a three-mile stretch from camp down to Puente Futaleufú (the Futaleufú bridge), with more rapids per half-mile than anywhere else on the river. Vehicles will be waiting at take-out, for the twenty-minute ride back to camp, or if you prefer, guests are welcome to return on foot or mountain bicycle. Our camp offers a range of relaxing ways to spend the rest of the afternoon: go fly-fishing, try out a kayak, enjoy the sauna, have a massage or soak in the riverside hot tub. After Happy Hour, a candlelight dinner, featuring locally-grown produce and fresh-baked breads from our neighbors, will be served in our open-air kitchen and dining area. Enjoy the night sky and a campfire before retiring to your cozy tent on a private platform. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**
-
Day 3 FUTALEUFU RIVER RAFTING – MAS O MENOS – CASA DE PIEDRA
Camp - 5 star camping on the Futaleufu
Today, you'll launch the rafts from camp, passing again the Puente Futaleufú before meeting a continuous cascade of waves known as Mas o Menos that prepares you for your first Class V technical rapid, Casa de Piedra (House of Rock), around the next bend. These massive boulders create a series of water wheels that channel all of their fury into a final churning pit with a dragon's back highway through it. After running the remaining Class III and IV rapids, it's a comfortable float the rest of the way, leaving plenty of time for relaxing, fly-fishing and even some inflatable kayaking if you wish. A vehicle will be waiting to take our guests back to camp to enjoy the spa before another delicious dinner. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**
-
Day 4 KAYAKING RIO ESPOLON
Camp - 5 star camping on the Futaleufu
Take the opportunity today to learn a new way to explore the river in inflatable kayaks (also affectionately named “rubber duckies”). Even for river experts, these kayaks are surprisingly enjoyable and often a highlight of the trip. We will travel to the head of Class II/III Rio Espolon near Lago Espolon where we start the day’s adventure and travel to where the river meets the Futaleufu right above Inferno Canyon, our afternoon take-out location. For those looking to advance their skills at whitewater kayaks, this is also a perfect learning ground. All are assisted and supported by your river guide and safety kayakers. After a full day, return to base camp for another relaxing late afternoon and Happy Hour at the sunset bar. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**
-
Day 5 RIO AZUL HORSEBACK RIDING – KAYAKING – CASCADA
Camp - 5 star camping on the Futaleufu
Today on horseback, your Patagonia tour takes you deeper into the heart of this alluring region before a free afternoon. The eight-mile ride goes through the Rio Azul (Blue River) valley, surrounded by snowcapped peaks to the turquoise waters of the Rio Azul. On the ride, you'll get an intimate look at the Patagonian frontier lifestyle, stopping to buy fresh provisions for the evening meal from farms that produce cheese, bread, jams, vegetables and chicha, the local fermented cider. After lunch choose from two travel modes and directions. Those wanting to continue on horseback may ride across the Rio Azul and farther up the valley to the river's tributaries, ending at a mesmerizing sight: Chile's most spectacular cascading staircase waterfalls that plunge 300 feet over smooth granite and jagged rocky edges, exploding at different angles to form rainbows. Those looking for more river excitement may navigate inflatable kayaks on their own through the narrow and technical Rio Azul to its confluence with the Futaleufu River downstream. Both of these options provide a memorable day of fun-filled adventure. Return to base camp for Happy Hour. (B,L,D)
**Please note that this is a suggested itinerary that can be adjusted based on river flows and traveler interests. There are ample activities from base camp to choose from!**
-
Day 6 FUTALEUFU RIVER - PURTO MONTT - PUNTA ARENAS – PUERTO NATALES
View Puerto Natales accommodations picture gallery
This morning starts early with a van transfer to the Chaiten airport for the flight to Puerto Montt connecting to Punta Arenas. Stop here for lunch before your tour continues across the Patagonian steppe to Puerto Natales, traveling along lovely Last Hope Sound. The evening is yours to explore the waterfront and enjoy a tasty meal at one of the local restaurants. The night will be spent at a quaint hotel, a stone's throw from Puerto Natales that offers sweeping views of Last Hope Sound and the Serrano glacier beyond. The hotel has spacious, light-filled rooms and on-site laundry and Internet. Dinner included, excluding alcohol. (D)
-
Day 7 LAST HOPE SOUND - LOS TORRES PARK - SERRANO RIVER
The Patagonia tour continues with a delicious breakfast, followed by a thrilling cruise up a fjord to the majestic Mt. Balmaceda. Here you'll have a chance to exercise your legs on a brief hike to the base of the Serrano glacier at the edge of a glimmering glacial lake.
After lunch, our Patagonia tour takes us aboard a zodiac to cruise up the Serrano River to take for views of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park and the stunning Tyndall glacier before arriving at your breathtaking destination, Torres del Paine National Park. The tranquil Serrano River will serve as your campsite where the beautiful Paine massif may be seen across the pampas. Take a riverside stroll or just soak in the natural beauty of the campsite while a hearty dinner is prepared for you. Chilean wine is available with all dinners. (B,L,D) (Meals taken in refugio).
Hiking Details:
6.1 miles (9.8 km) with 500 ft elevation gain.
-
Day 8 GREY GLACIER – PEHOE LAKE – FRENCH VALLEY – CAMP ITALIANO
Today we will pack our lunches and transfer to Lago Grey where we will walk along the shores of these grey waters and admire the miracles of nature as turquoise icebergs are seen floating in the lake. The huge mass of white behind the icebergs is Grey Glacier, the largest in Torres del Paine. After our walk we will board the new Grey II launch and set off into the iceberg choked lake towards the walls of this spectacular Glacier. The short boat trip will give us up close and personal views of this spectacle as well as stunning views of Paine Grande and surrounding mountains. The boat will get us fairly close to the glacier where we will disembark and continue up along the shores of Grey Lake to the Mirador on foot. One of the classic Torres del Paine hikes, this climb up and out of the valley enjoys views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian icecap and innumerable mountains. We continue along the stunning blue water of Lago Pehoe to our destination and camp for the night in the beautiful French Valley at Camp Italiano. Rustic camp facilities with only pit toilettes. (B,L,D)
Hiking Details:
6.1 miles; with 500 ft elevation gain.
-
Day 9 VALLE FRANCES – FRENCH GLACIER
Today we have all day to explore the remote French Valley up to the high country and the fantastic granite walls that enclose the valley. From these walls hangs the impressive French Glacier. Cascading avalanches of snow and ice is often seen and heard as we hike up the opposite side of the valley. On our full day of hiking we will enjoy fantastic views of the amphitheatre of granite peaks as well as the waterscapes below including lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold. We return to Camp Italiano for the evening. (B,L,D)
Hiking Details:
13.2 miles; with an elevation gain of 1,700 ft to Camp Britannica; without reaching Camp Britannica 9.3 miles; with 600 ft elevation gain.
-
Day 10 LOS TORRES CAMP
Today's Chile tour begins with a morning hike in the sprawling foothills of the Horns of Paine beside the serene shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Thrill-seekers might fancy a swim in Lake Nordenskjold's icy waters, to rev up for the hike's next segment that moves closer to the Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine), the trio of granite spires from which the park takes its name. Spend the night at Las Torres, an official campsite with complete facilities. (B, L, D)
Hiking Details:
7.8 miles; with 200 ft elevation gain.
-
Day 11 ASCENCIO VALLEY - TOWERS OF PAINE
Today's Patagonia hike is the most rigorous yet, but the payoff makes the exertion worth it. Your trek up the Torres del Paine takes you through gorgeous beech forests and the rocky formations of the Ascending valley. Beyond the rock moraine lies one of the most dazzling views in the park. If weather is pleasant, you will enjoy a final trail lunch in this patch of paradise, overlooking a glorious expanse of lowlands. Return to camp for the final night to enjoy a delicious farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
Hiking Details:
10.8 miles; with 2,680 ft elevation gain.
-
Day 12 PUNTA ARENAS - SANTIAGO - HOME
On this last morning, you'll pack up camp early and return to Punta Arenas airport for an early afternoon flight to Santiago, stopping in Puerto Natales for a last-minute bit of shopping if time allows, ending Southern Explorations' tour services. We offer a variety of Chile tour extensions including extra nights in Santiago by prior arrangement. (B)
-
Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
-
More information about Traveling in Patagonia
Itinerary Map
CONTACT A BOOKING AGENT
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
2008 - 2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Monday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
December
12/21-01/01
January
16-27
February
13-24
March
4-15
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
-
FUTALEUFU
Included in tour cost
-
- Meals as indicated
-
- All luxury camping accommodations (twin shared basis)
-
- All transfer as noted
-
- All services, guides and equipment
-
- All kitchen and cooking gear
-
- Bilingual world class rafting guides
-
- Southern Explorations pre departure services
-
Excluded in tour cost
-
- International round-trip airfare USA / Santiago / USA
-
- $155 Airfare (Santiago / Puerto Montt), subject to change
-
- Airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5)
-
- Tips and gratuities
-
- Travel insurance
-
W HIKE
Included in tour cost
-
- Meals as indicated
-
- All luxury camping accommodations (twin shared basis)
-
- All transfers as noted
-
- All services, guides and equipment
-
- All kitchen and cooking gear
-
- Bilingual world class rafting guides
-
- Southern Explorations pre departure services
-
Excluded in tour cost
-
- International round - trip airfare to and from Santiago, Chile
-
- $275 Airfare (Puerto Montt / Punta Arenas / Santiago), subject to change
-
- Airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5)
-
- Tips and gratuities
-
- Travel insurance
PHYSICAL RATING
-
FUTALEUFU RAFTING
Difficult - Strenuous
-
- This adventure involves many days of demanding Class IV/V rafting with optional hiking, horseback riding and/or mountain bicycling. This expedition is for the adventurer who is in good physical condition.
-
W HIKE
Moderate - Difficult
-
- The hiking on this trip is moderate - challenging and clients should be fairly fit. Terrain is rocky and boggy on some of the trails and the last section of the hike to the base of the Towers is a clamber over glacial moraine. As this is a camping departure, clients should also be used to traveling in remote areas and be prepared for bad weather and packing accordingly.
CHILE ACCOMMODATION
-
Patagonia Lodges:
-
10 nights camping
2 nights lodge / hotel
AGE LIMIT
-
- We can accept clients between the ages of 12 and 70. Younger hikers need to be hardy and accompanied by a capable and experienced adult. Older hikers are welcome to join us on the completion of a medical suitability questionnaire.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
-
Additional $795
-
- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
)
Duration: 12 days)
Your tour of Patagonia, Chile gets started when you land in Puerto Montt and transfer by charter plane to the harbor town of Chaiten. Here you will be met by your Southern Explorations guides and enjoy a brief lunch before taking a picturesque drive to your accommodations at base camp by the Futaleufu River. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind before reconvening for Happy Hour, a tasty dinner and a question and answer session on kayak safety with our experienced river guides. (These expert guides will each captain a raft during your tour, with the help of a stern-mounted oar frame.)
)
Take the opportunity today to learn a new way to explore the river in inflatable kayaks (also affectionately named “rubber duckies”). Even for river experts, these kayaks are surprisingly enjoyable and often a highlight of the trip. We will travel to the head of Class II/III Rio Espolon near Lago Espolon where we start the day’s adventure and travel to where the river meets the Futaleufu right above Inferno Canyon, our afternoon take-out location. For those looking to advance their skills at whitewater kayaks, this is also a perfect learning ground. All are assisted and supported by your river guide and safety kayakers. After a full day, return to base camp for another relaxing late afternoon and Happy Hour at the sunset bar. (B,L,D)
)
Today on horseback, your Patagonia tour takes you deeper into the heart of this alluring region before a free afternoon. The eight-mile ride goes through the Rio Azul (Blue River) valley, surrounded by snowcapped peaks to the turquoise waters of the Rio Azul. On the ride, you'll get an intimate look at the Patagonian frontier lifestyle, stopping to buy fresh provisions for the evening meal from farms that produce cheese, bread, jams, vegetables and chicha, the local fermented cider. After lunch choose from two travel modes and directions. Those wanting to continue on horseback may ride across the Rio Azul and farther up the valley to the river's tributaries, ending at a mesmerizing sight: Chile's most spectacular cascading staircase waterfalls that plunge 300 feet over smooth granite and jagged rocky edges, exploding at different angles to form rainbows. Those looking for more river excitement may navigate inflatable kayaks on their own through the narrow and technical Rio Azul to its confluence with the Futaleufu River downstream. Both of these options provide a memorable day of fun-filled adventure. Return to base camp for Happy Hour. (B,L,D)
)
Today we will pack our lunches and transfer to Lago Grey where we will walk along the shores of these grey waters and admire the miracles of nature as turquoise icebergs are seen floating in the lake. The huge mass of white behind the icebergs is Grey Glacier, the largest in Torres del Paine. After our walk we will board the new Grey II launch and set off into the iceberg choked lake towards the walls of this spectacular Glacier. The short boat trip will give us up close and personal views of this spectacle as well as stunning views of Paine Grande and surrounding mountains. The boat will get us fairly close to the glacier where we will disembark and continue up along the shores of Grey Lake to the Mirador on foot. One of the classic Torres del Paine hikes, this climb up and out of the valley enjoys views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian icecap and innumerable mountains. We continue along the stunning blue water of Lago Pehoe to our destination and camp for the night in the beautiful French Valley at Camp Italiano. Rustic camp facilities with only pit toilettes. (B,L,D)
)
Today we have all day to explore the remote French Valley up to the high country and the fantastic granite walls that enclose the valley. From these walls hangs the impressive French Glacier. Cascading avalanches of snow and ice is often seen and heard as we hike up the opposite side of the valley. On our full day of hiking we will enjoy fantastic views of the amphitheatre of granite peaks as well as the waterscapes below including lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold. We return to Camp Italiano for the evening. (B,L,D)
)
Today's Patagonia hike is the most rigorous yet, but the payoff makes the exertion worth it. Your trek up the Torres del Paine takes you through gorgeous beech forests and the rocky formations of the Ascending valley. Beyond the rock moraine lies one of the most dazzling views in the park. If weather is pleasant, you will enjoy a final trail lunch in this patch of paradise, overlooking a glorious expanse of lowlands. Return to camp for the final night to enjoy a delicious farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
