Chile Vineyards, Peaks And Fjords

DAY 1: Arrive Santiago

If you are arriving on the group flight you will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel. Otherwise, make your own way from the airport (refer pre-departure information for instructions) to the group hotel. The rest of the day is for rest and personal exploration of this buzzing city (pick up a tourist map from your hotel foyer). An arrival briefing will be held in the hotel before dinner.

DAY 2: Casablanca Valley wine tasting,Valparaiso and Vina del Mar

Departure to the famed Casablanca Valley, home to some of Chile’s finest wines. This morning we enjoy an opportunity to see the wine making process in action with wine-tasting. We continue our journey from the vineyards of the Andean foothills to Valparaiso, set on the beautiful azure Pacific coast. Our guided city tour will enlighten us about Valparaiso’s historical past and present, as Chile’s largest and most important sea port. Transfer to Viña del Mar for overnight.

DAY 3: Fly to Puerto Montt and transfer to Puerto Varas

This morning we will transfer to Santiago airport for our flight to Puerto Montt. On arrival we will be met and transferred to Puerto Varas. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 4: Board ferry in Puerto Montt

Today we will transfer back to Puerto Montt to check-in (from 09:00 to 12:00) on the ferry “Evangelistas”. Boarding time will be 14:00, and we will begin our sail south to Puerto Natales at 16:00. Whilst on board you will have Navimag services which include full board, accommodation in 4-berth cabins, open deck areas, bar, glacier viewing, films and other entertainment, lectures describing the local geology, glaciation, Kaweskar people, flora and fauna.

DAYS 5/6: Cruise south to Puerto Natales

Upon boarding the Evangelistas at Puerto Montt, we will be rewarded by a fabulous journey through the fjords and channels of Western Chile. From the comfort of our ship, we will be spectators of a wild landscape where the evergreen forests, glaciers and mountains with eternal snows meet the sea. This voyage, accompanied by seals and dolphins, passes close to national parks with untouched mountain massifs, and remote villages such as Puerto Edén, where the heritage of the aboriginal forefathers can still be recognized. This is the ideal accompaniment to any South American adventure. The friendly staff onboard will present useful information, and keep you abreast of developments during the journey. The majority of the cruise is through fjords and channels where the sea conditions are generally calm, however for one night the journey heads out into open water, where the conditions can sometimes be quite rough. We advise you take medications if you suffer from sea sickness.

DAY 7: Arrival in Puerto Natales

The ferry will dock in Puerto Natales at approx 15:00, followed by a short visit of this colourful lakeside town. Transfer to hotel for overnight.

DAY 8: To Lago Grey (5 hours walking)

Today we transfer from Puerto Natales to the spectacular Torres del Paine massif (Towers of Paine) National Park. This park forms part of the great southern chain of Andean peaks and offers some of the most spectacular wilderness trekking to be found anywhere in the world. The great thing about Torres del Paine is that it does not require many hours of trekking to fully appreciate these dramatic 3000m granite spires. In other parts of the world, it might take days or weeks to get views so impressive. Today we spend 5 hours on the “Laguna Verde” trail (Green Lake) to reach Puente Weber (bridge). Our vehicle meets us here and continues our journey into the heart of the park. After a visit to the Administration Centre we drive to Estancia Tercera Barranca or similar. Note: For the next 3 nights we will be travelling light (a maximum of 7 kg per person). Excess baggage should be given to the driver and will be returned to you on day 11.

DAY 9: Round trip trek to Refuge Grey (7-8 hours walking)

Today we commence the first leg of the famous “W” hike in Paine. Our trail offers stunning views of Lago Grey, the Towers of Paine and the Grey Glacier. It is immediately clear the scale of the ice and rock in this dramatic landscape. Towering above us the Cuernos del Paine, or “Horns” of Paine and Paine Grande, the highest peak in the massif. This morning is a 3-4 hour hike to view the awesome Grey Glacier and the Continental Icecap beyond. We return on the same trail to Camp Pehoe, past mountain lakes edged with wildflowers and stunning views down to the larger lakes below. As a day hike it is possible to walk as far as you wish and turn around, although the trail today has fairly gentle undulations with few steep sections. Overnight camp.

DAY 10: Trek to Refugio Cuernos (4-5 or 8-10 hours walking)

Today’s hike can be relatively easy or more difficult depending on group preference. The easy option is to walk the direct route which will take 4-5 hours to Refugio Cuernos. However we highly recommend taking a detour up the French Valley to where you will experience fantastic views of glaciers, waterfalls and be surrounded by the granite peaks of Paine. The first 2 hours takes us to Italian Camp at the foot of the French Valley. From here we can decide whether to take the 4-5 hour side trip to British Camp (or you can venture half way up for most of the highlights). The side trip up to French Valley follows the thundering River Frances. On one side of the valley is Cuernos del Paine at 2800m (Horns of Paine) and on the other side the Frances Glacier. Some sections of this glacial valley are steep and the trail can often be uneven and involve some scrambling. The views down to the lakes and forests below are also quite amazing. After our detour, we continue onward to Refuge Cuernos, which is spectacularly set above the lake and has great views of the Paine Massif. The walk today will be memorable and as you sleep, you will hear the intermittent roar of the collapsing glaciers in the French Valley. Overnight in Refuge or camp.

DAY 11: Trek to Campamento Torres (8-9 hours walking)

Our hike today will take 8-9 hours and follows the scenic Lake Nordenskjöld. We trek through aweinspiring scenery passing by emerald glaciated lakes, as we ascend via the Bader Valley into the heart of the Torres del Paine Massif. After a 3 hour ascent, we should reach Campamento Torres. With every step today you are rewarded with impressive views of the spires from a different angle. Overnight camp.

DAY 12: Day walk to Towers of Paine (8-12 hours walking)

Today is a demanding walk, but weather permitting, can be one of the most rewarding mountain views in South America. We start early this morning to the base of the towers of Paine. Our aim is to glimpse the towers as the sun hits them, transforming them from grey to vivid reds and pinks. This will be a 2-3 hour return trek with some steep sections. Those with some puff might wish to take a detour to Japanese Camp for more dramatic views. We descend to Refugio las Torres, effectively completing the final stage of the “W” trek. Transfer to Estancia Tercera Barranca where we will spend the night. Your trekking guide will say farewell and give instructions for the following day’s activities.

DAY 13: Drive to Punta Arenas (approx 4 hours)

Today we transfer to Punta Arenas, visiting on the way the Otway Penguin Colony, where the Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) can be observed at close quarters. These penguins come ashore in spring to breed in burrows close to the coast, however are best observed between December and February when hatching begins. We continue onto Punta Arenas for overnight accommodation.

DAY 14: Trip concludes in Punta Arenas

Transfer to Punta Arenas airport, where trip concludes.