HIKING, NATURE AND CRUISES THROUGHOUT THE PATAGONIAN FIORDS

Amazon Adventures

Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

HIKING, NATURE AND CRUISES THROUGHOUT THE PATAGONIAN FIORDS

Day 1 - Santiago
Meet your (English speaking) guide at the airport in Santiago. Transfer downtown to the Hotel Fundador (or similar). Take a historic tour of Santiago including: the Presidential Palace once the National Mint and thus called "La Moneda", the historic main square or "Plaza de Armas", the Cathedral, the "Palacio de la Real Audiencia", today housing the National History Museum, and "Casa Colorado" the historic residence of the Governor. Perhaps the best view of Santiago is from the summit of the Cerro San Cristóbal, where the statue of the Virgin stands looking out over the city. San Cristóbal is just a small part of our walk through a large city park called "Parque Metropolitano". Continue uptown to see some of the "barrio alto".

Day 2 Santiago - Puerto Natales B
Flight to the southern end of the continent to Punta Arenas.
Scenic bus ride to Puerto Natales a charming southern port set on the "Fiord of Last Hope".
Visit Penguin Colony on Otway Sound - Penguins can be seen from October through March (this is the season when they come to lay eggs and raise their young). The landscape is a southern barren next to the sea, which is very popular with the Penguins. There are well-marked trails and blinds for humans to gain a tremendous glimpse of these quirky creatures in their natural habitat. Arrival in Puerto Natales in the early evening. Overnight: cozy guest house.

Day 3 Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park B
Early departure for Torres del Paine National Park. We shall pass across the southern reaches of the park to reach the Pudeto Cabins where we cross lake Pehoe by boat. Hiking on the shores of Lake Grey that is full of entire icebergs. If we are fortunate, we will be able to watch entire walls of ice breaking off Glacier Grey with an enormous bluster. Return to Pehoe Refugio in the afternoon. Staying here we are in the heart of the park and the surrounding scenery is truly spectacular.

Day 4 Torres del Paine National Park B
Hiking trip to Circo de Granito del Valle del Frances. Reaching deeply into the Cordillera del Paine (Paine Mountain Range), the Valle Frances (French Valley or also called Enchanted Valley) is one of the most beautiful places inside the National Park and provides a marvelous view of the Cuernos del Paine, Macizo Paine Grande, Glacier Frances and of the Lakes and Lagoons deep beneath us (this hiking trip can be done only partly because of the boat’s departure time in the afternoon!). Next is a boat trip crossing Lake Pehoe returning to Refugio Pudeto. Transfer by bus to the rather simple but magnificently situated Hosteria Cabañas del Paine, with a beautiful view of the mountainous region of Las Torres.

Day 5 Torres del Paine - Grey Lake B
Transfer to the Peninsula Grey including a hiking tour with a marvelous view of the Grey Glacier in the distance. Next is a trip through the National Park including a visit of the gigantic waterfalls Salto Grande.
Overnight cozy Refugio Las Torres right at the base of the Torres Towers

Day 6 Torres del Paine B
Highlight: the foot of the Torres del Paine. An awe-inspiring close up look at one of the toughest climbs on earth. Alas we shan't climb in, but rather return tired but truly impressed to the Refugio Las Torres in the late afternoon. Overnight cozy Refugio Las Torres.
(Hike: Relatively long day with approximately 7-8 hours of strenuous hiking, in the upper part for approx. 1 hour steep and rocky terrain. 12 km approx., with altitude variation of up to 700 m)

Day 7 Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales - Embarkation M/N Magallanes B-D
In the morning trip to blue glimmering Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon) with a fascinating view of the Torres Massif. Return to Puerto Natales by bus. Time at free disposal until embarkation on M/N Magallanes,.
Lodging in a 4-bed exterior cabin with private bath.

Day 8 / Day 9 | Cruise Patagonian Fiords B-L-D
The "M/N Magallanes" is a Japanese built cargo and passenger ferry which was refurbished in Chile during 2000. It has a length of 123 m and a width of 21 m. It travels at a speed of 13 knots and sails year round.
The „M/N Magallanes“ is not a luxury cruise - there is a great atmosphere on board, relaxed and casual - voyageurs enjoying incredible landscape and having a good time. By the way, the M/N Magallanes is the only ship, with permission to sail through some of the narrowest fiords to Puerto Natales.

The M/N Magallanes voyage through the Patagonian channels leads us past gulfs, inlets, coves and fiords.
Sailing is usually calm, except when crossing the „Golfo de Penas“, which varies according to weather conditions. The trip from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt takes four days and three nights and covers a distance of approximately 1.800 km.

Activities on board An on-board bilingual guide will lecture on Patagonia’s unique history, wildlife and geography, as well as draw attention to points of interest along the way. During the high and shoulder season the guide will also organize games, contests and recreational activities. A closed circuit TV, music and books will always be at passengers disposal. The ship also has a spacious cafeteria and pub, as well as comfortable decks on which to walk and contemplate the scenery.

Day 10 Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas B
Arrival in Puerto Montt, capital of the Lake Region, and transfer to the hotel in Puerto Varas, a small city situated on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. The Lake Region and its evergreen, rich vegetation are dominated by the panorama of snow-covered volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco. Overnight stay in a good guest house.

Day 11 Puerto Varas - Alerce Andino National Park B
Drive south through the local capital and principal southern port: Puerto Montt. Route continues along the Carretera Austral next to the ocean. Hike in National Park Alerce Andino.
About the Park : - Park makes up almost 40,000 hectares. - Largest surviving Valdivian Rainforest in the world. - Many native Alerce-- giant coniferous tree distantly related to the Redwoods of California.
- Note: Standing amidst these tremendous trees is like standing in a cathedral larger than any you have previously known. Though it may seem like a strange juxtaposition, in point of fact, if one were to count the rings of some of these trees one would find them to be much older than any Cathedral you have know as well. Many are indeed much older than the Christian religion itself. - Vegetation surprisingly dense and varied. Trail well maintained. Return to Puerto Varas in the evening.

Day 12 Vicente Perez Rosales National Park B
The morning can be spent optionally doing a rafting tour (secure river conditions, Class 3, complete equipment and examined guides) on the River Petrohue. At midday we drive along the south shore of Lake Llanquihue and into the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, the oldest national park in Chile. By bus we drive up to the top of Vulcano Osorno, stopping on the way up in order to take a walk in the lava fields and enjoy the view of the surrounding Lake Region that lies 1500 m beneath us. Overnight stay in simple but uniquely situated mountain cottage Burbuja (multi-bed rooms, several shared baths).

Day 13 Volcan Osorno - Lago Todos Los Santos B
In the morning departure by bus towards Lake Llanquihue and to the northern side of Vulcano Osorno.
Walking on a trail through a lava field that leads to the descent at Lake Todos los Santos, also called the „Emerald Lake“ for its precious colors. On the way, gigantic volcanoes Tronador and Puntiagudo can be seen. Depending on the time at disposal, we will visit Petrohue-Waterfalls before returning to Puerto Varas.

Day 14 Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt B
Transfer to airport in Puerto Montt for connecting flight to Santiago.

Dates: 2007: Feb. 2-15, Feb. 9-22, March 9-22

Price Per Person: US$2160 per person double. US$257 single supplement
(above price is with accommodation during cruise in 4 bed exterior cabins with private bath. Double cabin supplement per person = $463. Single cabin supplement per person = $1475)