CHILE HIKING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Hiking in the world-famous scenery in Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park
- Spectacular lakes, rivers, and volcanoes of the Lake District
- The unusual culture and beautiful seascapes of Chiloé Island
- Abundant seafood and Chilean wine
- Exotic wildlife – condors, penguins, and guanacos
CHILE HIKING TOUR DETAILS
- 10-day trip begins in Puerto Varas, Chile, and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile
- 8 nights in first class hotels, 1 night in simple hotel in ideal scenic location
- Park fees and all meals except for one dinner included
TOUR RATING
"This was the adventure I was looking for and more! I believe that I've been changed by the things I did and saw and finally, I've taken a trip that even I do not have to exaggerate."
- Paul Risner, Chile: The Lake District and Patagonia, November 2007
With snowy volcanoes and turquoise rivers in the Lake District, expansive beaches and temperate rainforests on Chiloé Island, and the amazing mountain-scapes of legendary Patagonia, Chile is a true paradise for an adventure vacation. Our tour visits three separate regions, because to visit just one would not do justice to the wonders that Chile offers. We begin in the Lake District, where mountains seem close enough to touch, temperate rainforests stand tall with ancient alerce trees, and rivers sparkle like jewels. Our days are spent hiking and walking in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile’s oldest national park.
Next, we explore mystical Chiloé Island. Chiloé still supports a traditional culture of subsistence farmers, fishermen, and craftspeople, and a rich mythology populated by trolls, sea monsters, and eerie ghost ships. Chiloé balances unbridled nature with one of South America’s most remarkable traditional cultures, and is renowned for its seafood, its woolen handicrafts, and the warmth of its people.
Further south we travel to Patagonia and the ends of the earth. The showpiece of this wild land is Torres del Paine National Park, a World Biosphere Reserve. Here glaciers, lakes, and towering mountains collide gloriously. The Torres del Paine are spectacular granite pillars that soar almost vertically above the Patagonian steppe. Hiking past cascading waterfalls, along sprawling glaciers, through dense forests, and the chance to see a Patagonian guanaco, a creature related to the camel, make this a truly awesome adventure. Our evenings under the southern skies are spent in style, as we retire to comfortable hotels, plentiful seafood, and distinctive Chilean wines.
Chile Hiking Tour Overview
Days 1-3: Our tour begins when you fly to Puerto Montt, Chile and transfer to Puerto Varas to explore the national parks of the Lake District. Hike the flank of Osorno Volcano through temperate rainforest, over ancient lava flows, and arrive at Petrohue Falls. Spend a day hiking in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. Grab a paddle for a whitewater ride down the Petrohue River; or choose to wander through the lakeside town of Puerto Varas.
Day 4: A short drive and ferry brings us to Chiloé Island, South America’s largest island. Visit a penguin colony, walk deserted beaches, and learn local myths here in the heart of Chile’s traditional folk culture. Return to Puerto Varas for a relaxing evening before our morning flight from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas.
Days 5-9: Fly to Punta Arenas, in the heart of Patagonia, and drive to Torres del Paine National Park. From our lodge we set out hiking through this spectacular region of Patagonia, returning for fine meals and camaraderie each night. Visit Lago Grey to walk the beach with views of nearby icebergs from the massive Grey Glacier. Search for rare Patagonian wildlife in remote regions of the park. A full day of hiking takes us near the base of the Torres (towers), granite peaks for which the Torres del Paine National Park is named. A long, scenic drive across the pampas returns us to Punta Arenas for a final dinner to celebrate our Patagonia adventure.
Day 10: Depart Punta Arenas, Chile for connections home or on to further adventures.
Step Away from the Ordinary ~ Chile & Patagonia Tour
Chile is a country that offers the adventurer a wealth of natural treasures to discover, and to travel in just one region of this spectacularly diverse country would not do it justice. Our tour leads us on hikes through the magnificent Lake District, to culturally rich Chiloé Island, and into the heart of wild Patagonia. We couldn’t choose just one of these regions, and we’re sure you’ll understand why.
More Information
2009 Dates
- February 21-March 2
- November 2-11
2009 Dates
- February 14-23
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2009 Land Cost
- $4595 per person
- Single Supplement: $925
- (prices good through December 31, 2009)
- Internal Airfare: Call for details.
- Have Questions? Call us at 800-941-8010, or E-mail a Boundless Journeys Chile Specialist today!
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