Highlights
- Spot dolphins, penguins, and sea lions on boat tours of the Magellan Strait
- Tour Torres del Paine National Park to see waterfalls and glaciers
- Hike to Mirador Base Las Torres for an intimate look at Patagonia's iconic peaks
- Take a relaxed horseback ride to a hidden lagoon near Puerto Natales
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Punta Arenas, Dolphin Watching on the Magellan Strait | Punta Arenas |
| Day 2 | Meet the Penguins of Isla Magdalena, Transfer to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park | Puerto Natales |
| Day 4 | Boat Tour to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park & Glaciers | Puerto Natales |
| Day 5 | Guided Hike to Mirador Base Las Torres | Puerto Natales |
| Day 6 | Horseback Riding at Laguna Sofia, Transfer to Puerto Natales, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Dolphin Watching on the Magellan Strait
Welcome to Punta Arenas, an adventure base in southern Chile. Founded in 1848 along the shores of the Magellan Strait, a waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic, this was once home to wealthy sheep ranchers of the 19th century. Today, it's a popular tourist destination that provides easy access to some of the most impressive landscapes and famous national parks in Patagonia. Upon arrival at the Punta Arenas Airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your accommodation in the city center.
For the rest of the afternoon, you'll embark on a guided tour along the Magellan Strait to visit pods of Peale's dolphins. You'll be picked up at your accommodation and transferred about 16 miles (27 km) south of Punta Arenas to a forested sector called Bahía Agua Fresca (Freshwater Bay). From there, you'll hop aboard a Zodiac boat and head out on the open water to meet the dolphins and observe native seabirds in this area far from human activity. At the end of this exhilarating experience, you'll be transferred back to your accommodation for the night.
Day 2: Meet the Penguins of Isla Magdalena, Transfer to Puerto Natales
You'll have more chances to mingle with Patagonian wildlife as you strike out into the Magellan Strait by boat again early this morning. Your half-day tour starts at Isla Marta, a rocky outpost known for its raucous colonies of sea lions, as well as diverse birdlife such as cormorants, skuas, arctic pigeons, and more seabirds.
Next, you'll cruise to Isla Magdalena, which lies 18 miles (30 km) northeast and is home to Los Pingüinos Natural Monument—where you'll find over 60,000 pairs of adorable Magellanic penguins. Disembark and spend an hour onshore, walking a 2,624-foot (800 m) path to an old lighthouse that offers sweeping views over the strait. There's no experience quite like hiking alongside these curious little birds amid Patagonian waters, first mapped by the explorer Magellan and made famous by Charles Darwin.
When the tour ends, you'll be transferred back to Punta Arenas, where you'll collect your bags and board a bus bound for Puerto Natales, an approximately three-hour drive. Located on the shores of the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), this relaxed Patagonian hub has a small-town feel and serves as the gateway to the neighboring Torres del Paine National Park.
Day 3: Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Think of Patagonian landscapes and you'll probably conjure up images of Torres del Paine National Park, the spectacular 550,000-acre (225,000 ha) UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that encompasses some of the most dramatic and unspoiled wilderness in South America. Today, you'll be picked up for a private journey into the park, where you'll spend a day discovering the park's best short hikes and scenic vantage points against a backdrop of towering granite peaks and glacial lakes.
Lace up your hiking boots to explore the mountainous terrain at Mirador Los Cuernos and Los Condores, see snowcapped peaks reflected in the glassy waters of Laguna Amarga, and stop for a photo op at the rushing blue-green waterfall of Salto Grande. After a break for a picnic lunch with views of the park's iconic horn-shaped peaks and the glacial Lago Grey, you'll continue your adventures with your knowledgeable guide before heading back to Puerto Natales at the end of the day.
Day 4: Boat Tour to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park & Glaciers
In the morning, you'll hop on a boat for a ride on the Seno Última Esperanza. As you travel along the fjord, you'll stop at different viewpoints so you can marvel at the surrounding glaciers, waterfalls, and cliffs, keeping an eye out for condors flying overhead. Your ultimate destination is Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. This massive protected area spans 8,867 square miles (22,860 sq km), making it the country's largest national park. Upon arrival, you'll disembark for a short hike through native forests until you reach the impressive Serrano Glacier.
After some time snapping photos and enjoying the forest, you'll return to the boat and head to a nearby ranch, Estancia Perales. Here, you'll break for a traditional lunch of succulent Patagonian barbecue (vegetarian options available) before transferring back to Puerto Natales.
Day 5: Guided Hike to Mirador Base Las Torres
It's back to Torres del Paine National Park this morning, where you'll spend the penultimate day of your trip embarking on a full-day guided trek. The moderately difficult 11.2-mile (18 km) hike to Mirador Base Las Torres is one of the region's most popular, featuring a rewarding view of the granite towers (torres) that give the park its name. Upon entry to the park, you'll head to the Las Torres sector to begin the hike starting at the base of the Mont Almirante Nieto.
From the mountain's base, you'll be treated to panoramic views of Lago Nordenskjöld as you journey toward Refugio Chileno, a stop along the park's famous W Trek circuit. Here you can rest for a bit before continuing through a dense lenga beech forest, which gives way to moraine as you near your destination, a crystalline glacial lagoon that reflects the iconic towers. After admiring the view and taking photos, you'll return to the Torres Central area and transfer back to Puerto Natales.
Day 6: Horseback Riding at Laguna Sofia, Transfer to Puerto Natales, Depart
Spend your final morning in Patagonia enjoying a relaxed horseback ride to Laguna Sofia, an unspoiled lagoon 30 minutes outside of Puerto Natales. Your driver will take you to the starting point, where your gaúcho guide will introduce you to your four-legged friend and prepare you for the excursion with a quick safety briefing and riding lesson.
Once you're ready, set out on a 2.5-hour loop, ambling through ancient forests to reach the lagoon's shores. It's rare to see other tourists in this off-the-beaten-path beauty spot, so you may have the tranquil surroundings all to yourself. After the ride back, your driver will take you to your hotel to pick up your bags, and you'll say your goodbyes to Patagonia as you transfer to the airport for your departing flight. Safe travels!
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