Patagonia Hike and Explore
Price
Trip Duration
Max People
Group Type
Activity Level
Level 3-4
We rate trips on a scale from 1 (leisurely) to 5 (avid), with a range of activity levels in between.
Overview
Experience the best of Patagonia while exploring unparalleled nature and unique culture at the southern tip of Chile and Argentina. Mingle with penguins, hike on frozen glaciers, and catch fresh fish amidst the towering majesty of Torres del Paine. This mixed activity adventure has something for every explorer! Rigorous mountain hikes are balanced among more laid-back activities like fjord kayaking, fly fishing, puma tracking, and traditional cooking workshops while enjoying local wines. This adventure allows you to truly immerse yourself in a vast, unspoiled territory of breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and world-class hiking trails. Join us on this adventure to the bottom of the world!
Included/Excluded
- Skilled Outdoor Leader guides & local experts, including translation (if applicable)
- Equipment for all outdoor activities
- Delicious local cuisines
- Double-occupancy or group rooms by gender or request
- Limited single-occupancy rooms available for extra cost
- Park permits & fees
- Transportation to & from trip activities
- Transportation to and from trip start and end location (including airfare)
- Optional trip insurance
- Lodging stays before/after scheduled trip dates
- On-your-own activities, food, and shopping
- Alcoholic beverages
- Visa fees (if applicable)
Location Map
Day 1 – Bienvenidos a Chile!
Welcome to Chile! Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas, the largest gateway city to the Andes and the Patagonian fjords. Meet your guides and group members, then settle into comfortable hotel accommodations. Enjoy a shared meal and get ready for the adventures ahead.
Day 2 – Navigation to Magdalena Island
Take a boat tour across the Strait of Magellan to Magdalena Island, spotting dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds along the way. Disembark at Los Pingüinos Natural Monument and marvel at the thousands of Magellanic penguins milling about on the pebbly terrain. After lunch — and a thorough safety briefing — spend the afternoon exploring this precious and biodiverse reserve before returning to Punta Arenas.
Day 3 – Cast Away on a Full-Day Fly Fishing Excursion
Try your hand at reeling in the big one! Visit the Rio Penitente with a local guide, who will provide all necessary equipment and instructions for a great day of fly or spin fishing. This wild river hosts brown trout and, later in the season, sea-run brown trout. Throughout the day, enjoy hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, fruits, chocolate, and snacks. Spend the night in Puerto Natales, the nearest gateway city to the heart of Patagonia.
Day 4 – Cave Paintings, Sea Kayaking, and More
Get ready for a two-parter today with a morning of hiking and an afternoon of kayaking! In the morning, you’ll explore ancient traces 25 km north of Puerto Natales at Ernesto Helmer Archaeological Park. Hike 40 minutes to Benitez Mountain for panoramic views and 3,500-year-old cave paintings. After lunch, you’ll head on a sea kayaking adventure in the historic Eberhard Fjord. The journey begins at Puerto Prat and ends at Puerto Consuelo. Along the way, there is an opportunity to take a hike on the Jamón Peninsula and witness breathtaking views of the entire mountain range in the province. After all that action, spend an evening of rejuvenation back at your hotel.
Day 5 – Immersive Culinary Experience at the Estancia Mercedes
Spend a full day of cultural immersion into Patagonian life with a tour of the Estancia Mercedes — a family-owned cattle ranch combining the raw beauty of Patagonian landscapes with the region’s traditional lifestyle. After a boat transfer across the Última Esperanza Fjord, enjoy a chef-guided cooking class rooted in the culinary experience of the region, with food options such as: wild cattle empanadas, traditional bone broth, apple fritters, and forest cocktails. In the late afternoon, transfer back across the fjord to Puerto Natales.
Day 6 – Into the Heart of Torres del Paine National Park
Get your binoculars ready for a full-day private sightseeing tour of the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park. You’ll enjoy views from Lago Grey, Lago del Toro, and the Cuernos del Paine. Walk along Grey Lake’s shore, then stop for an optional lunch inside the park. In the afternoon, you’ll experience must-do navigation aboard the Grey III, a vessel crafted for comfort and adventure. Boasting a spacious main cabin for up to ninety- eight passengers and an inviting deck, it provides the ideal setting to immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery. Envision a scenic voyage through Grey Lake’s waters, culminating at the majestic Grey Glacier. Our dedicated crew and experienced captain promise an optimal service for a seamless and enjoyable journey. Next, you’ll disembark the Grey III and board a zodiac boat for 15 minutes until we reach the west side of the Grey Glacier. On arrival, we will disembark on the island at the glacier (nunatak) and walk on it for about an hour until we reach the ice. Before walking onto the glacier, the guide will talk to us about the safety aspects, explaining the techniques of displacement in the ice and the correct use of the equipment. Once the safety briefing is complete we will begin our exploration of the Grey Glacier which will last approximately 3 hours. During this time we will be able to observe cracks, rivers, lagoons and tunnels with their different tones of blue. After 3 hours on the glacier, we return to the zodiac boat and ride back to the base camp. Each ticket includes a complimentary pisco sour, soda, or juice, enhancing your onboard experience.
Day 7 – Hiking to the Base of the Towers
Today is a big one! Lace up your hiking boots and start the day early for a full-day trek (approximately 22km or 13.67 miles) through Torres del Paine’s iconic Base of the Towers trail. The trail ascends to the stunning Ascencio Valley, descends through a lenga forest to El Chileno Refugio, and then climbs a steep glacial moraine. At the top, breathtaking views of the granite spires await. After lunch and time to enjoy the scenery, return to the trailhead and drive back to the hotel for a well-earned rest.
Day 8 – Full-Day Puma Tracking Excursion
Photographers, wildlife observers, and cat enthusiasts unite! You’ll be picked up before sunrise for a full-day guided puma tracking tour. The goal of this outing is to observe and photograph pumas in their natural habitat in a responsible manner – without interfering in their daily activities, always respecting their space and natural rhythms. The search is carried out mainly by vehicle, and occasionally on foot (easy-intensity walks), always within public and authorized areas. Your guides will also introduce you to stunning landscapes and various bird and mammal species native to the area.
Day 9 – Full-Day Trek to the Valle del FrancĂ©s (French Valley)
Shake out those muscles for another full day of magnificent hiking (approximately 19km or 11.81 miles) – this time in the French Valley of Torres del Paine National Park. Your morning will begin with a catamaran ride from Pudeto across Lake Pehoe to Paine Grande. From there, hike through lakes, forests, and grasslands to the Italian Refugio, then continue to the French Lookout for breathtaking views of surrounding mountains, lakes, and a hanging glacier. After lunch, return the same way, re-crossing the lake before relaxing back at your hotel.
Day 10 – Choose Your Own Adventure
On your last full day in Patagonia, you’ll choose between two full-day activity options: Option 1: Guided sport fishing at Torres Del Paine National Park Enjoy a full day of fly or conventional fishing with all equipment provided. If you’re lucky, you may catch wild brown trout and Chinook salmon. Cold/hot drinks, snacks, and lunch included. Option 2: Private full-day sightseeing tour of Torres Del Paine National Park Transfer to the PehoĂ© Camp. From there, enjoy a one-hour hike to Los CĂłndores, one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Torres del Paine. This spot offers an unforgettable 360° panoramic view of the entire Paine mountain range, along with Laguna Honda, Lake Sarmiento, and Lake Verde. In the afternoon, visit Salto Grande, a powerful 15-meter (50-foot) waterfall connecting Lake Nordenskjöld and Lake PehoĂ©. From here, we continue on foot toward the main lookout of the Paine Horns, one of the park’s most recognized and photographed landmarks. With their dark, twisted granite peaks rising above turquoise lakes and wind-swept valleys, the Cuernos del Tongue offers an awe-inspiring finale to the day. As the afternoon light casts golden hues over the mountains, we’ll return to your hotel, full of unforgettable impressions and ready for a well-deserved rest.
Day 11 – Departure Day
Say your goodbyes to the jaw-dropping backdrops of Patagonia and to your travel companions. Transfer to the airport in Puerto Natales to begin your journey home.
Our Approach to Accessibility
Wilderness Inquiry takes a creative and multifaceted approach to accessibility on trips and programs. Understandably, an ADA-level accessibility may not always be available in wilderness and even international settings. That is why we utilize Wilderness Inquiry’s Universal Program Participation Model (UPPM) to guide our approach to accessibility by leveraging key resources such as adaptive equipment, support personnel, itinerary and activity choices, and weighing in unique environmental factors to create experiences that can be accessible to many individuals. While our trips may not follow a one-size-fits-all approach, our team does its best to ensure a variety of travel and program options that offer differing levels of accessibility for a variety of needs and abilities. If you have questions about your ability to participate on a Wilderness Inquiry trip or program, our team is always willing to explore options and solutions that suit a traveler’s interest and ability – don’t hesitate to reach out!
What is included in the trip price?
Trip fees cover all of your needs while you are traveling with us — including equipment, food, guides, permits, etc. You are responsible for bringing personal clothing and hygiene supplies. Gear such as sleeping bags, pads, and cots can be checked out during the booking process for no additional fee.
Could the itinerary change after I sign up?
Your trip is dependent on weather, availability, and potential other unforeseen circumstances. All itineraries online are “sample” itineraries that are subject to change. Please check your confirmation packet for the most up-to-date information.
There are many different route choices available within our trip locations for hiking and paddling. The routes will be chosen by Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Leaders based on availability and the strength of the group.
What type of food will I eat during the trip?
Typical menus for overnight camping trips include pesto pasta, burritos, stir-fry, avocado caprese wraps, brats and burgers, apple cobbler, and plenty of snacks. The exact menus vary trip-by-trip. On longer wilderness expeditions, we bring more nonperishable foods that keep well for days without refrigeration. On international trips, we tend to eat the local cuisine. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions and preferences — please note this information on your registration form.
I or a member of my family has a disability. Can I/they still participate?
We strive to put accessibility at the forefront of our programs so that individuals of all abilities, including people with disabilities, can successfully participate in our trips. If you or a member of your family has a disability, you will have an opportunity to confidentially share more during the registration process for your trip. A member of our team will connect with you further over the phone to make sure we are able to provide the appropriate support or accommodations you need to have a safe and rewarding experience on your trip.
What is your cancellation policy?
Trip deposits are due at the time of booking and are generally non-refundable.Â
- Within five weeks prior to trip departure (0-34 days):
- You are responsible for 100% of trip fees. No refunds issued.
- Five to ten weeks prior to trip departure (35-70 days):
- We will refund up to 50% of your trip fee, minus your deposit.
- Ten weeks or more prior to trip departure (71+ days):
- We will issue a refund of all trip fees paid, minus your deposit.
- The deposit may be credited to a future trip.
To view our full cancellation policy, please click here.





