Trekking Chile: rafting, cycling and Patagonia trekking adventure

Itinerary in brief:

• 1 night in Santiago
• 3 nights near Malalcahuello
• 3 nights in Nevado de Sollipulli
• 2 nights in Puerto Varas
• 1 night in Puerto Natales
• 2 nights in Refugio Grey
• 1 night in Puerto Natales
• 1 night in Santiago airport hotel

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight 

Day 2: Arrive in Santiago

On arrival at Santiago airport, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel where you will check in for a 1-night stay.

Included: Private transfer, hotel

Day 3: Cautín Valley

Today, you’ll be collected from your hotel and taken by private transfer to Santiago airport for your flight south to Temuco. Once you land, you will be met and driven to your countryside lodge in the picturesque Cautín Valley, to check in for a 3-night stay.

Your Chile adventure begins this afternoon! Your guide will take you to the beginning of the Lolco hiking trail for an easy 3-hour hike towards the Lonquimay Volcano – dubbed ‘Naividad’ (‘Christmas’) because it erupted on 25 December 1988. Your walk among sand and ashes will take you to the crater where you’ll have spectacular views of the Lonquimay, Tolhuaca, Callaqui and Copahue volcanos and over extensive lava fields and lagoons.

When you get back to the lodge, dinner is included today.

Included: Breakfast, private transfers, domestic flight, private tour with guide, dinner, hotel      

Day 4: Hiking Malalcahuello and Nalcas Reserve

After breakfast, your guide will take you to the entrance of the reserve, a protected area where two Andean national parks join - Malalcahuello and Nalcas. Today you’ll trek for about 6 hours on a medium level hike through stunning natural landscapes with views of volcanos, Araucaria (Monkey puzzle) forest, Patagonian oak, Nothofagus Antarctica and more.

(We’ve included a packed lunch to refuel en-route, then dinner is included back at your lodge.)

Included: Breakfast, private tour, box lunch, dinner, hotel           

Day 5: Hiking Sierra Nevada Stratovolcano

Today, you’ll head out for an easy 4-hour hike in the Sierra Nevada. This volcanic complex on the border between Chile and Argentina is one of the most remote sections of the Central Andes. You’ll pass through picturesque scenery from snow-capped mountains to lush green forest and shimmering lakes. Your destination for the day will be a spectacular lookout point from where you can admire several waterfalls.

(You will have a packed lunch and back at the lodge, a delicious dinner.)

Included: Breakfast, private tour, box lunch, dinner, hotel           

Day 6: Conguillió National Park

This morning, enjoy breakfast before checking out, when you will be driven to the Conguillió National Park.

Today is all about a medium level, 6-hour hike beside a nearby lagoon that’s encircled by forest and home to several bird species. You’ll take the Los Carpinteros trail passing ancient Araucaria and Coihue trees towards Conguillió Lake, where you’ll stop for a rest and a packed lunch.

After a break, you’ll be taken by private vehicle to the Sierra Nevada trail, so you can complete your hike and visit some breath-taking lookout points. The day comes to an end as you are driven to your new accommodation; a unique lodge made of outdoor domes!

Once you arrive, check in for a 3-night stay and will be served a delectable dinner!

Included: Breakfast, private tour, box lunch, dinner, hotel           

Day 7: Hiking in the Verandas Valley

This morning will entail a 4-hour round-trip hike from the lodge, through the Verandas Valley, passing green pastures, old mining sites and some thermal pools.

This afternoon you will have some deserved free time to relax, with lunch and dinner at your lodge.

Included: Breakfast, private tour, lunch, dinner, hotel   

Day 8: Hiking to Sollipulli Volcano

Today will be a full day excursion and includes an easy 6-hour hike from the lodge through Valdivian forests and prehistoric trees.

As you slowly ascend in altitude, you’ll reach the flank of the Sollipulli ice-filled volcanic caldera, just within the boundary of the Villarrica National Reserve. Towards the end of the hike, you can expect rewarding views over nearby volcanos and lagoons that make the effort worthwhile!

(A box lunch and dinner are included)

Included: Breakfast, private tour, box lunch, dinner, hotel

Day 9: Hiking an Old Lumber Mill

After breakfast, you’ll go for an easy, 4-hour roundtrip hike in direction of an old lumber mill. When you reach the mill, take a peek into what used to be a thriving timber yard complete with steam sawmills and surrounded by extensive native forest. Now deserted, the location is a reminder of the region’s history, as well as the importance forestry plays in Chile’s economy. After a tour of the grounds, you will go back to the lodge where you will have lunch.

This afternoon, you’ll be driven back to Temuco’s bus terminal to board a bus to Puerto Varas, which is four and a half hours south. Once you arrived, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel where you will check in for a 2-night stay.   

Included: Breakfast, private tour, lunch, bus, hotel          

Day 10: Rafting & bike and beer tour

Today, we’ve included two trips which showcase entirely different aspects of the region. First, you’ll go for a scenic drive around the Llanquihue Lake to the town of Ensenada and after a safety briefing, you can start your rafting adventure through the crystal clear waters of the Petrohue River!

In the afternoon, you’ll be driven to the town of Frutilar, for a cycling adventure through the local towns and landscapes. At the end of the cycling, you’ll either cycle (or be driven!) to the Chester Beer Brewery for a real treat; a tasting of some of the best beer in the region! After your day of adventure, you’ll be driven back to your hotel late in the afternoon.

Included: Breakfast, shared tour, hotel                 

Day 11: Puerto Natales

Today you’ll be taken to Puerto Montt airport for your flight south to Punta Arenas. Once you land, make your way to the bus terminal and board the public bus to Puerto Natales.

When you arrive, you’ll be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel where you will check in for a 1-night stay. Here you will meet your trekking guide and will go over the details of the days to come.

Included: Breakfast, private transfers, domestic flight, bus, hotel             

Day 12: Grey Lake   

Today you’ll board a public bus to Torres del Paine, an impressive national park. A shuttle will take you to the dock of the Grey Lake where you can board a boat and go for an amazing up-close look at the nearby Grey glacier.

You’ll be taken to your accommodation for a delicious lunch and afterwards, you can choose to go on a trek or a kayak tour - both guaranteeing astonishing views. Tonight, you’ll have dinner and stay at Refugio Grey. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, bus, entrance fee, tour, lunch, dinner, mountain lodge     

Day 13: John Gardner Pass

Today the action continues with a full-day trek over John Gardner Pass, one of the best routes for sightseeing with its amazing lookout points. Today’s total trekking time is around 10 hours so you’ll need a hearty breakfast and a packed lunch is included.

Included: Breakfast, tour, box lunch, dinner, mountain lodge     

Day 14: Paine Grande         

Early this morning, you will leave Refugio Grey to start your Paine Grande trek circuit, around 10 hours. The first leg of the route will take you to Refugio Paine with the Grey Glacier in your backdrop and the granite mountain range to your left. From there you will continue on your challenging trek (packed lunch included) until you reach the park’s office. Here, you can board the public bus service to Puerto Natales.

Once you arrive, you will be met and taken to your hotel where you will check in for a 1-night stay.

Included: Breakfast, tour, box lunch, bus, transfer, hotel               

Day 15: Santiago

Today you’ll be collected and driven to the bus terminal to take a public bus to Punta Arenas airport to catch your flight to Santiago. Once you land, make your way to the airport hotel for your last night in Chile.

Included: Breakfast, transfer, bus, domestic flight, hotel               

Day 16: Depart Santiago    

This morning after breakfast, make your way to the airport terminal to connect with your onward flight back home.

Included: Breakfast, international flight              

Day 17: Arrive UK