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CHILEAN PATAGONIA SOFT EXPEDITION

from US$ 2,559.24 / 5 days

Summary

Did you know that a large area of Chilean Patagonia has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO? There, you can explore the land and immerse yourself in unique landscapes steeped in history and full of amazing natural attractions such as fjords, mountains, glaciers, channels, and islands. You will start by exploring the city of Punta Arenas, where you will go on an incredible sailing trip and interact with colonies of some of the region’s most significant animals, making it an unforgettable experience. Then, a vehicle will drive you to your hotel in Puerto Natales, your basecamp for the following days when you’ll continue your adventure in the country’s most famous National Park, Torres del Paine, experiencing the views of the Paine Massif.

Day 1: Punta Arenas – Patagonia.
Day 2: Navigation to Magdalena Island (October to March) OR Dolphin Watching on the Magellan Strait & drive to Puerto Natales.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour to Torres del Paine N.P. and Mylodon Cave
Day 4: Nature Walk on Sarmiento lake.
Day 5: Drive to Punta Arenas Airport.

Overview

On this trip to the Patagonian winter, you will start by exploring the city of Punta Arenas, where you will go on an unforgettable sailing experience on the Magellan strait, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter a wide variety of birds and a colony of more than 30 dolphins that have inhabit this bay for years! Then, you’ll continue your adventure in Puerto Natales, your basecamp for the following days, from here you will be visiting Torres del Paine to see the mesmerizing Glacier Grey and to take an easy hike inside the park.

The vistas of Patagonia in the winter will astound you. From April to September, Torres del Paine is suitable for brave explorers who don’t mind the cold and wish to avoid the summer hordes. The days are shorter in Patagonia during the winter, but the wind drops down and the skies get clearer, providing breathtaking vistas of the snow-capped Andes.


Itinerary Details

Once you arrive in Punta Arenas, located at the southernmost of Chile, a van will be waiting to take you to your hotel, Yegua Loca. After check-in, you’ll have free time to explore the amazing city of Punta Arenas, home to attractions such as the Cemetery – which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world – Plaza Muñoz Gamero, a traditional area, Sara Braun Palace, which is an Historic Monument, and the “Zona Franca”, famous for its low-cost products. If you have enough time you can visit the Magallanes National Reserve just 5km from the town center, as well as several other exciting destinations. There is many good restaurants and food options, La Yegua Loca is one of those. Super tasty food!

Meals:  None.

Hotel

La Yegua Loca

October to March

Shared Half-Day Tour: Magdalena Island and Penguins Colony

A van will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the jetty, where your journey through the Strait of Magellan begins. As you sail toward Magdalena Island, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including dolphins, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds. Upon arrival, you’ll disembark at Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, home to over 150,000 Magellanic penguins. After a brief safety orientation, enjoy time to explore the island and observe the penguins in their natural habitat. During the return to Punta Arenas, you’ll also learn about the penguins’ breeding season and behaviors.

Once back on land, and upon and agreed time, a van will transfer you to your next destination—Puerto Natales. You’ll have the evening free to stroll through this charming city and get ready for the adventures ahead.


Year-round

Shared Half-Day Tour: Dolphin Watching

After breakfast, a van will pick you up and take you to Agua Fresca Bay. Following a safety briefing, you’ll begin a thrilling Zodiac ride along the iconic Strait of Magellan—first discovered and navigated in 1520 by the Spanish expedition led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, after whom the strait is named. There’s a good chance you’ll encounter a wide variety of birds and a colony of more than 30 dolphins that have inhabited this bay for years!

At an agreed time, a van will drive you to your next destination, Puerto Natales, where you will spend the next days. You will have the rest of the evening free to walk around this beautiful city and prepare for the next day!

Meals:  Snack on board.

Hotel

Hotel Vendaval

Private Full-Day Tour: Sightseeing tour to Torres del Paine N.P. and Mylodn Cave

This unforgettable full-day journey begins in Puerto Natales, where we set out on a scenic drive toward one of Patagonia’s crown jewels: Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way, we’ll stop at the legendary Mylodon Cave, a natural monument where the remains of a giant prehistoric sloth were discovered over a century ago. As we explore the cave and surrounding trails, we step back in time to an era when this massive creature roamed the region.

Continuing north, the landscape shifts dramatically—open pampas give way to jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and glacier-fed rivers. Inside Torres del Paine National Park, we’ll visit key highlights such as Lago Sarmiento, Laguna Amarga, and Nordenskjöld Lake, each offering picture-perfect views of the iconic Torres del Paine and Cuernos del Paine.

Throughout the tour, there are opportunities for gentle walks, wildlife spotting (including guanacos, foxes, and condors), and photo stops at some of the park’s most stunning viewpoints. Your private guide will tailor the day to your pace and interests, ensuring a personalized and immersive experience in one of the most awe-inspiring natural settings in the world.

Meals:  Breakfast – Lunch

Hotel

Hotel Vendaval

Private Full-Day Tour: Nature Walk on Sarmiento Lake

This day we will travel one of the least explored trails of the Torres del Paine National Park, joining two of the four entrances. We will start from our hotel in Puerto Natales and drive to the “Portería Sarmiento”, from there we will walk for an hour observing the incredible view of the Paine Massif as well as the varied flora and fauna of the journey, until we reach an eaves where we can observe ancient cave paintings that date back more than 6,000 years!

The walk continues towards “Porteria Laguna Amarga”, the main access to the Park, on this walk we will observe varied bird life as well as learning about the thrombolites and their importance in our lives. The trip ends with a visit to Cascada Paine and Cañadón macho, where we will be able to observe how guanacos, rheas, foxes, Mora eagles, condors among many other species, coexist. If we are lucky, we might even see an elusive Puma.

We return to Puerto Natales for a well-deserved rest on our last night in Patagonia.

Meals:  Breakfast – Box Lunch

Hotel

Hotel Vendaval

Private Transfer

On your last day, depending on your flight, you will have the last time to enjoy Puerto Natales. The van will pick you up from the hotel at an agreed time and take you to Puerto Natales airport, where you will catch your flight for your next destination!

*You can also depart from Punta Arenas. Please specify your preference when requesting a quote.

Meals:  Breakfast.

End of EcoChile Services.


2025 – 2026  SEASON RATES

Price per person from USD$ 2,559.24*

**On day two, you can choose between a navigation to Magdalena Island (available from October to March) OR a Zodiac sailing excursion for dolphin watching in the Magellan Strait (available year-round).

  • Price is based on double occupancy. Please note that international and domestic flights are not included.
  • The listed price is based on two people sharing a double room. Final pricing may vary depending on the time of year, group size, accommodation availability, and travel during special dates.
  • Solo travelers or those requesting single rooms must pay a single supplement. Rates may be adjusted upon request.
  • The single supplement applies to regular (shared) tours and is subject to availability, which must be confirmed before reserving the trip.
  • If the mentioned hotels are unavailable, similar alternatives of the same standard will be provided.

Price Includes

  • Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • All transportation as specified in the itinerary.
  • All activities as specified in the itinerary, including transportation, entrance fees, accompanied by our tour guide.
  • All meals as specified in the itinerary.
  • Shared navigations to Magdalena Penguin Colony OR Dolphin Watching on Magellan Strait
  • Professional, Bilingual Guide during the activities.
  • Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact, supporting you during your trip.

Meals as mentioned on the Itinerary:

  • Day 1: —
  • Day 2: Breakfast, snack.
  • Day 3: Breakfast, box lunch.
  • Day 4: Breakfast, lunch.
  • Day 5: Breakfast.

Not included

  • International and domestic flight tickets.
  • Travel insurance
  • Voluntary tipping.
  • Items of personal use.
  • Any item (meal, beverage, or activity) not mentioned on the itinerary.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

We consistently endeavor to organize and conduct sustainable trips. Here’s what we always strive to achieve:

  1. Locally Sourced Cuisine: We provide locally prepared food using regional products.
  2. Plastic-Free Travel: Throughout your journey, we aim to work with local providers who use reusable or glass bottles and recyclable containers.
  3. Sustainable Accommodation: Our selected hotels are dedicated to sustainability as part of their mission and operations. Although, please note that occasionally our top choices may not be available.
  4. Community Collaboration: We actively collaborate with local suppliers and communities in each destination.
  5. Small Group Sizes: To enhance your experience and minimize our impact, we ensure our tour groups remain small.
  6. Respect for Local Communities: We deeply respect and value the lifestyles, beliefs, and traditions of the local communities we have the privilege to visit.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that in certain areas, resources, and awareness may be limited, so we can’t always guarantee complete adherence to our sustainability standards

CHILEAN PATAGONIA SOFT EXPEDITION

Duration: 5 days

Price: from US$ 2,559.24 / person

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