Patagonia Travel

Welcome to Chile!

When your flight arrives in Chile’s capital of Santiago, a Kuoda host will welcome you personally and escort you to the hotel. We will drop you off so you can refresh and enjoy a peaceful evening before your adventurous journey begins. Relax with a good night’s rest.

Exploring the capital of Chile

Explore the city of Santiago de Chile, taking in the Plaza de Armas, the Hidalgo castle, and the current government headquarters – La Moneda. Other stops include the Metropolitan Cathedral, the palace of the Royal High Court, and the Central Market. In the Bellavista neighborhood, you’ll find “La Chascona” one of the three residences of the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Then, journey to San Cristobal Hill where you can ride the “teleférico” and enjoy a marvelous panoramic view of the whole city.

Valparaíso / Viña del Mar

Discover the alluring town of Valparaíso as you stroll through bohemian neighborhoods decorating Chile’s Pacific coast. This picturesque city was declared World Heritage by UNESCO thanks to its quirky features and historical landmarks.

After wandering the Plaza Victoria, covered in Peruvian sculptures, we’ll explore downtown and Plaza Sotomayor before reaching the Prat port. Relax with the first gondola ride of the day as you head to the beautiful Palacio Baburizza, constructed in 1916. Pass by the colorful houses that stare down from above the city and the bay with a peaceful afternoon in this unique coastal destination.

Flight to Punta Arenas

Today, you’ll fly to Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most famous natural preserves in the world. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport for the short flight to Punta Arenas. Once you land, we’ll escort you directly to Las Torres Hotel located inside Torres del Paine National Park.

When you arrive, your hosts will talk about what activities are available for you over the next few days. If you landed in Torres del Paine early in the day, you may be able to try a half-day adventure like rock climbing, trekking through the lenga forest, or visiting the organic garden.

Hike to Los Cuernos

Today’s trek begins at the Inge Lagoon, where you’ll most likely be able to spot a few condors and other birds of prey circling the skies above you. Ascends on an impressive trail up the side of the Almirante Nieto Mountain, part of the Paine Massif. You’ll be rewarded with great views of Nordenskjöld Lake and the chance to cross over the Bader River before reaching your final destination.

After about 6 – 6.5 hours you will get to the French camp area to rest and recover before tomorrow’s challenging trek to “The French Valley.”

Difficulty level: Medium

Trek the French Valley

A spectacular natural basin surrounded by mythic peaks and hanging glaciers. An hour-long walk across a winding path brings you to the French River. At the entrance to the French Valley, a glacial moraine, you’ll scramble over huge boulders and catch the first sight of the hanging glacier atop the valley.

From here, you’ll ascend through a dreamlike Japanese garden landscape before arriving at a viewpoint known as the “Plateau”. To one side, the French Glacier and Paine Grande; to the other, La Espada, La Hoja, La Máscara, and the main and north “horns” of Los Cuernos arch upwards. In the upper section of the Valley, Cerro Catedral and Cerro Fortaleza stand tall like an imposing presence in the distance.

Duration: 8 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate

Hiking to Grey Viewpoint and return to Puerto Natales

This morning you’ll exit the French sector and traverse to the south-west side of Paine Grande, Torres del Paine’s highest peak. Pass through the final leg of your journey across the native firebush and evergreen forests to the shores of Pehoe Lake. Travel by the Refugio Paine Grande before ascending 200 up the narrow, twisted path towards Laguna Los Patos. Here, you’ll see pieces of the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field, a geological phenomenon that still hides many unclimbed mountains. Then you will be able to continue to Grey Glacier’s lookout point with possible sightings of the spectacled and flightless steamer ducks native to this region..

Difficulty level: Moderate

From Pehoé Shore you will take a short ride to the opposite side of the lake at Pudeto pier, from where your private transport will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Puerto Natales.

Bid farewell to Chile

Going home is the worst part of any private Chile vacation, but at Kuoda, we’ll do our best to make it as smooth and hassle-free as possible. We’ll bring you to the airport for your return flight to Santiago and connect to your flight home. Buen Viaje!