Antarctica

Splendid views of glacier-capped peaks are assured throughout.  

Commencing at the port, a short drive leads to the Plaza de Armas, a pretty, tree-lined square in the centre of town very typical of Chilean small towns with its church, Town Hall (Minicipalidad) and post office clustered around it.  

Continue to the Milodon Cave, in 1896, local resident Captain Eberhard found a scrap of skin and some bones in a large cave near his property that were later determined to be from a Milodon, a prehistoric ground sloth. The story of the Milodon was popularized by Bruce Chatwin’s travelogue In Patagonia. Although the Milodon is depicted in a full-size replica at the cave’s entrance, most of the Milodon’s remains were shipped off to London, which means the real attraction is the 30m-high (98-ft.), 200m-deep (656-ft.) cave itself, which has an eerie, shaggy roof and is surrounded by interesting conglomerate rock formations. An interpretative centre with a few Milodon bones and a display showing the geological formation of the cave provides some interesting additional background. There is also a historical display of the indigenous tribes who inhabited this and nearby caves as far back as 12,000 years ago. 

Practical information

• Language: English
• Remarks/Requirements: Weather in Patagonia is unpredictable, guests should be prepared for possible showers during the day. 
• Walking information: Flat paved terrain, walking on sites.

DAY 1

Inside the park, the road is surrounded by dozens of lagoons filled with grasses and aquatic birds that richly contrast nearby small hills where flocks of Guanacos graze.

Our first stop inside the park is at Sarmiento Lake.

Afterwards, we continue to Nordenskjold Lake, which bathes the mountainsides of the Paine range in its emerald green light.

Nordenskjold Lake feeds impetuous Salto Grande waterfall which in turns spills into quiet Pehoe Lake. Here, a 45-minute walk provides good opportunities to capture pictures of Salto Grande.

Our journey continues along the Paine River until we reach the Serrano River area – a peaceful and beautiful part of the park.

We will drive to Grey Lake beach to start walking along the shore and observe colourful deep-blue tinted icebergs.  Continue to Cerro Castillo for lunch before returning to Puerto Natales.

This programme is designed so that guests spend a night inside the park, ‘the eighth wonder of the world’, surrounded with impressive scenery and incomparable views.

DAY 2

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At agreed time, checkout and departure from the hotel.

The variety of natural beauties of the Torres del Paine National Park will continue to amaze you. Appreciate the most spectacular worldwide Reserve at the end of the world.

The Nordenskjold Lake gives life to the impetuous Salto Grande (big waterfall) forming the quiet Pehoe Lake. You will have a 30 minute walk (400 meters each way) to get closer pictures of the Salto, the waters of the Lake Nordenskjold and the Paine river into the beautiful, turquoise-hued Lake Pehoe.

You’ll start at El Salto Grande, an impressive and spectacular waterfall channelling the waters of Lake Nordenskjold and the Paine River into the beautiful, turquoise-hued Lake Pehoé. Your senses will be awakened by the roar of the falling water, the scents and smells of nature and the kaleidoscope of colours on display.

You then follow the trail alongside the mountain giving you stunning views of the legendary Los Cuernos, known as ‘The Horns of Patagonia’. Their jagged outline and granite peaks are an awe-inspiring sight and this is a view you won’t forget in a hurry.

Practical information

• Language: English / German (Subject to Availability)
• Included: Lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two
• Remarks: Weather is unpredictable in this region and some rain showers should be expected at any time of the year. It is recommended to wear warm, layered clothing, a windbreaker or waterproof jacket and good walking shoes.
• The visit to Salto Grande is subject to weather conditions due to windy conditions in the area.
• Walking information: Trekking in the park over uneven terrain and flat soil.  Approx, 1 hour walking on day 1 and 2.5 hours on day two
• Wheelchair accessible: No

We depart the pier and drive to Torres del Paine National Park.

Inside the park, the road is surrounded by dozens of lagoons filled with grasses and aquatic birds, contrasting nearby small hills where flocks of guanacos pasture. After passing the Serrano River entrance, the road becomes rocky and traverses many cliffs and pampas (Patagonian steppes) before we arrive in the Grey Lake area to admire the magnificent contrast of mountain, lake, icebergs, and Grey Glacier.

We will drive to Grey Lake beach and start walking along the shore to enjoy views of the icebergs with their deep blue colours.  Further along, we encounter the Salto Grande (big waterfall), which forms quiet Pehoe Lake. The visit to Salto Grande is subject to weather conditions.  After some time taking photos, we leave the park behind and return to Puerto Natales, driving across Patagonia’s deep pampas.

Practical information

• Language: English / German (Subject to Availability)
• Included: Boxed lunch and juice
• Remarks: Weather is unpredictable in this region and some rain showers should be expected at any time of the year. It is recommended to wear warm layered clothing, a windbreaker or waterproof jacket and good walking shoes. Timing may vary to avoid congestion or for operational reasons.
• Walking information: Trekking in the park over uneven terrain and flat ground.  Approx. 2 hours walking in the park
• Wheelchair accessible: No

This excursion begins early in the morning from Puerto Natales, 60 kms away. We make a technical stop in the village of Cerro Castillo, where there are possibilities for shopping, enjoying a coffee or just taking a break.

Continuing the trip toward Torres del Paine National Park, visitors will be able to enjoy the most diverse landscapes, such as the Magellanic deciduous forest and the vast Patagonian steppe (virtually desert) dominated by wind and aridity.

On the way it is possible to find two species of local fauna, the Patagonian guanaco (South American camel) and relative of the llama, and the endemic lesser Rhea (Ñandú), relative of the African Ostrich.

Once we get to the park, which is a biosphere reserve with a surface over 242.000 hectares, the landscape changes drastically. The surroundings transform into dozens of lakes populated by marine birds, and a backdrop of steep granite peaks. Turquoise lakes, waterfalls and mountains covered by ice are predominant inside the park.

We will stop for lunch at one of the hosterias (an inn or hostel) in the park (depending on availability).

After lunch, our trip through the park continues. An approximately 90-minute walk will take you towards the Salto Grande (big waterfall) and the Mirador Cuernos Lookout, which provides a spectacular view out over the water and mountains.

Practical information

• Language: English / German (Subject to Availability)
• Included: Lunch in Serrano & 2 bottles of mineral water on the bus
• Remarks: Weather is unpredictable in this region and some rain showers should be expected at any time of the year. It is recommended to wear warm layered clothing, a windbreaker or waterproof jacket and good walking shoes. The visit to Salto Grande is subject to weather conditions due to the area’s windy nature.
• Walking information: Trekking in the park over uneven terrain and flat soil.
• Wheelchair accessible: No

The church was built by carpenters from Chiloé under supervision from Salvador Sierpe. A few minutes later walk to the Regional Museum which houses a well-organized collection of Huilliche relics, musical instruments, traditional farm implements and Chilota wooden boat models, and exhibits on the evolution of Chiloé’s towns.  

Continue downhill to the rich handicraft market to shop and admire the local artisanal work before continuing to the pier.

Practical information:

• Included: 2 bottles of mineral water 
• Remarks/requirements: It is recommendable to wear layered clothing, a windbreaker and rain jacket and good walking shoes
• Walking information: Walking tour over paved sidewalks 
• Wheelchair accessible: This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or guests with walking difficulties 

We depart the pier and proceed to Dalcahue, a picturesque village located 20 km north of Castro. Along the way, glimpse the colourful hamlet of Llaullao where we see “tejuelas” (uniquely roofed houses) and a beautiful chapel in a nice setting.

Arrive at the ferry terminal in Dalcahue and board a boat for an 8-minute crossing to the Island of Quinchao. Upon arrival, we head towards Achao, passing through Curaco de Velez. This very small village of approximately 500 inhabitants saw its best days back in the 1850s when cattle ranchers and whalers lived there. The beautiful houses you see today remain as a testament to the past. Also highlighting the village are its black-necked swans, which are visible  along the coastal avenue.

About 16 km ahead, we discover the town of Achao, founded as a Jesuit residency in 1743. With almost 2,500 inhabitants, Achao is today alive with boats from all the surrounding islands, making it one of the busiest ports in the area. Highlighting the town is its church, built in 1730 and featuring beautiful baroque imagery. At an agreed time, we head back to Dalcahue, a town that emerged into its present state as a result of the cattle and timber industry booms in the late 19th century. Dalcahue boasts one of the largest and oldest (1750-1790) churches in the area. Following a visit to the church, we commence with the return drive to Castro.

Practical information

• Language: English / German (Subject to Availability)
• Remarks: It is recommended to wear layered clothing, a windbreaker or rain jacket, and good walking shoes. Weather in Chile is unpredictable, guests should be prepared for possible showers during the day.
• Walking information: Paved surfaces at Curaco de Velez, Acao and Dalcahue. A few steps to enter churches.
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes, as long as they can navigate a few steps. Note that no ramps are available at churches or towns.

Visit the fascinating Chiloe National Park, located 58 km south of Castro, by the Pacific Ocean. We start with a drive from the pier, passing Chonchi town and continue along Huillinco and Cucao Lake on our way to the park.

Throughout this trip, you will learn about the local flora, fauna and the history of the primitive settlements as well as the visit by Charles Darwin in the 1800s. We will also drive by Cucao village and learn about the tsunami that this town suffered in 1960.

When we arrive Chiloe National Park, which is an area of 43,000 hectares, we will visit the Visitor’s Center. Here you will receive instructions and get ready for your wonderful trek through the park.

The start of the trail consists of 450 meters of easy walking up to the first viewpoint, from where we will observe Cucao Lake and the Pacific Ocean. We will continue another 500 meters to reach the starting point of the “Educational El Tepual Trail”. This trail is a circuit of 770 meters on mostly flat terrain, but with many wooden gangplanks and steps along the path. Along the walk, we will see many different types of trees, such as Coihües, Mañios and Cipreses.

Finally, we walk back to the Visitor’s Center (950 meters) to refresh and enjoy an energizing snack before driving back to the pier, where your ship awaits.

Practical information

• Booking code: A-WCA2
• Included: Light lunch
• Remarks/requirements: We recommend waterproof non-slippery trekking shoes and a water resistant coat in case of rain.
• Weather in Chiloe is unpredictable; guests should be prepared for possible showers during the day. 3h total driving time
• Walking information: Total walking is nearly 2.8 km at a slow pace, with many wooden gangways along the trail.