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Condor: Complete itinerary

Multi-day hike in Torres del Paine National Park · Sea kayak the Straits of Magellan · Explore Punta Arenas · Sea kayak Reloncavi Fjord · Cycle in the Chilean Andes · Hike Osorno Volcano

Sunday - Arrive Punta Arenas, travel to Puerto Natales

Our trip begins in Punta Arenas - the gateway to Tierra del Fuego. We’ll drive through the vast Patagonian wilderness to Puerto Natales, our jumping-off point for Torres del Paine National Park. The windswept plains of this southern region stretch for miles, joining Chile’s rugged coastline and majestic mountain peaks in a one of the world’s most awe-inspiring environments. Later, we’ll have a hearty dinner and a full briefing on our multi-day hike starting tomorrow.

ACCOMMODATION: Puerto Natales lodgings. (D)

Monday - Begin 'W' hike, Torres del Paine National Park

Today we begin the justly famous 'W' walk - one of the world's most amazing hikes, which hits all the highlights of the stunning Torres del Paine National Park in four incredible days. Dating back 12 million years, Torres is a hiking wonderland of craggy granite peaks, snow-clad mountains, glacier-fed lakes, and thick Magellanic forests. This morning we begin with an exhilarating, heart-pumping hike up the Rio Acensio valley, which winds its way up to the base of the Torres (Towers) of Paine, the highlight of the park. As we crest the top of the boulder field at the end of our hike, we'll come face to face with Cerro Grande as it casts its reflection on the beautiful green alpine lake at its base. This massive granite wall rises 3000 vertical feet in front of us. We spend the night in a cosy refugio (mountain lodge).

You don’t need to carry a very heavy pack, as beds and mattresses are provided in the mountain lodges where we stay - so you’ll only be carrying a sleeping bag, overnight gear and toiletries.

ACCOMMODATION: Mountain lodge, Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)

Tuesday - Hike to Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine National Park

An easier day's hiking today as we contour around the picturesque Lake Nordenskjold. The amazing color of this glacier-fed lake, and the emerging rock formations of los Cuernos(the Horns), make for some fantastic photo opportunities as we make our way to the Los Cuernos refugio. These three fantastically sculpted grey and white sedimentary peaks rise 800 vertical feet from the horizon, dwarfing everything around them.

ACCOMMODATION: Mountain lodge, Torres del Paine National Park. (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Hike French Valley in Torres del Paine National Park

Up with the sunrise this morning, we'll begin our hike to the French Valley for a closer look at los Cuernos. This incredible ravine is over 4000 feet deep, and is one of the most beautiful places you're ever likely to see, where glaciers cascade down from steep granite peaks, creating a patchwork of ice and rock. Our hike becomes steeper as we ascend a ridgeline to the upper French Valley, passing waterfalls and turquoise mountain tarns. Our efforts are rewarded as we enter a massive natural amphitheatre, filled with the awesome French Glacier and the Paine Massif and Cuernos granite towers. This afternoon we'll walk to comfortable Paine Grande lodge to rest after an unforgettable day’s hiking.

ACCOMMODATION: Paine Grande Lodge, Torres Del Paine. (B,L,D)

Phil says: “Torres del Paine is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. Because of its remote location and rugged terrain there will never be fancy hotels built here – and thank goodness for that! Instead, Torres has a fantastic mountain lodge system where you’ll have the chance to share your night’s stay with people from all around the globe, and enjoy the best views in the world – hands down. These refugios aren’t the Ritz - they’re the real deal, Chilean style!”

Thursday - Hike and scenic boat ride to Grey Glacier and return to Puerto Natales

This morning we'll hike along Grey Lake to the foot of the Grey Glacier. You'll never forget your first sight of this huge wall of ice, or the stunning views out over the lake and the mountains of the Pingo Valley. At Refugio Grey we'll board a boat that takes us for a good look at the glacier, before dropping us off at Hosteria Lago Grey. From here we'll take a bus ride back to Puerto Natales, where we'll rest after our unforgettable hiking experience in one of the world's most beautiful national parks.

ACCOMMODATION: Puerto Natales lodgings. (B,L,D)

Friday - Punta Arenas

Today we’ll have time to relax after our hiking in Torres del Paine, before making our way back to Punta Arenas in the afternoon. Punta Arenas lies along the western side of the Strait of Magellan, between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The city reflects a great mix of cultures, and we'll gain a fascinating insight into its history with a visit to Punta Arenas’ famous Cementario (cemetery), where the grandiose mausoleums of English sheep ranchers jostle with the humble graves of Portuguese sailors and hardy whalers. We’ll then take a short hike to the city lookout for fascinating views of the city's orderly streets, colorful tin roofs, and Tierra del Fuego. The wrecks of old sailing ships that have remained where they ran aground can also be seen in the distance - bring your camera!

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Oro Fuegino, Punta Arenas. (B,L,D)

Saturday - Sea kayak the Straits of Magellan, head to Ensenada

This morning we’ll paddle through one of the world’s most famous bodies of water – the Strait of Magellan, which separates the American continent from the icy wastes of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) often referred to as ‘the end of the World’. Sea kayaking this far south is unforgettable, and the scenery is magical! Later we'll take a short flight to Puerto Montt, in the heart of the Chilean Lake District, then drive to beautiful Ensenada, on the shores of tranquil Lake Llanquihue, where we'll stay in cabins and enjoy stunning views of Osorno Volcano from our own private beach.

ACCOMMODATION: Cabañas Brisas del Lago, Ensenada (B,L,D)

Sunday - Hike Osorno Volcano

This morning we leave Ensenada, bound for Osorno Volcano, standing tall on the edge of Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. After a short drive we'll begin hiking this magnificent peak. It's a tough hike through magnificent beech forests and tortured volcanic landscapes to our viewpoint, with a vertical gain of about 2000 feet, but our efforts are rewarded with fabulous views across to Lake Llanquihue and the multitude of rivers in the Patagonian Lake District. We'll descend the volcano and head back to Ensenada.

ACCOMMODATION: Cabañas Brisas del Lago, Ensenada (B,L,D)

Monday - Sea kayak Reloncavi Fjord

We'll have a half-hour drive this morning to where the clear water of the Rio Petrohue meets the salt water of Reloncavi Fjord. We spend the day paddling past snow-capped volcanoes, green hillsides and waterfalls, with sea lions and maybe even dolphins for company. The sea kayaking here is world class, and with the Patagonian Andes in the background, paddling doesn't get much better! Like all ACTIVE paddling trips, this is suitable for beginners, but interesting for more experienced paddlers too.

ACCOMMODATION: Cabañas Brisas del Lago, Ensenada (B,L,D)

Tuesday - Cycle to Puerto Varas

We'll leave Ensenada on our bikes today, riding through miles of beech forest and farmland, with the Chilean Andes towering above us. The terrain is undulating, with gentle climbs and nice downhill sections, and the views are magical, with the towering backdrop of mountains – and we have plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and take in the views! The views are stunning as we head to the charming village of Puerto Varas later in the day. The majestic snow-capped peaks of the Andes rise straight out of the lake, and are often mirrored by its calm waters.

ACCOMMODATION: Puerto Varas lodgings, Puerto Varas (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Return to Santiago, depart for home

Today is the last day of your Condor trip around Patagonia with ACTIVE SOUTH AMERICA. We'll take a short flight back to Santiago where you can connect with your international flight. You'll feel refreshed and relaxed after hiking, biking and sea kayaking your way around one of the most spectacular regions on earth. Hasta luego! (B)

IMPORTANT DETAILS

ACCOMMODATIONS:  The Condor is an active adventure-oriented trip around Chilean Patagonia. We've chosen interesting, clean and comfortable accommodation throughout. We've chosen accommodations for their comfort, cleanliness and charm - not the number of channels available on the television! The Condor isn’t a tour of the world’s fanciest hotels. For our 4-day/3-night Torres del Paine trek, we're in backcountry lodges with basic facilities; the rest of the time we stay in clean, comfortable, family-owned places in the heart of the action - which is where we want to be!

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS:  You need to arrive in Punta Arenas by 1pm on day one at the latest. If you’re arriving before day one of the trip, we’re happy to help you book accommodation in Punta Arenas.  Depending what time your international flight arrives to Santiago, you may need to spend a night there and we’re happy to help book accommodation there too. We recommend booking your flight to depart out of Santiago after 4pm on the last day of the trip.

PICK UP INFORMATION:  On the first day of the trip we will meet you in the lobby of Hotel Oro Fueguino at 12.30pm if you’ve already flown into Punta Arenas. Or if you’re flying in on day one we can pick you up from Punta Arenas airport at 1pm.

DROP OFF INFORMATION:  On the last day of your trip you fly from the Lakes District to Santiago airport, usually arriving at around 1pm. The trip ends in Santiago airport. We recommend booking your flight out of Santiago to depart after 4pm.

FITNESS:  You must have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy yourself. You don't have to be young nor extremely fit (although if you are, you won't be bored) but you should be in the habit of doing at least some regular exercise. Age and experience is not important. We would rather have an older person with a good attitude than a 22-year-old couch potato! On the 4-day/3-night ‘W’ trek in Torres del Paine, you’ll need to carry your own backpack, sleeping bag, overnight gear and toiletries as we are staying in mountain lodges (beds and mattresses are provided).

EXPERIENCE:  You don't have to have any outdoor experience to do one of our trips. We offer trips that enable you to make the most of South America's awesome outdoor environment, culture and history. Our staff are highly trained and very experienced outdoor guides, and we'll look after you! You don't need any experience for the multi-day trek, or to have ever paddled a kayak before. You don't need to be a serious cyclist to enjoy our rides either. If you'd rather hike, shop or laze around, then you don't have to do any biking at all! You'll just need to be energetic and in reasonable shape - and we guarantee you'll have a wonderful time. On the other hand, if you like a challenge then we will certainly give you one! We manage the level of commitment to suit your experience, and we have an impeccable safety record.

FLEXIBILITY:  Chile is a developing nation and we won't tell you that everything in South America runs like clockwork. What we can tell you is that we are experienced adventure travel leaders, and we know how to keep things operating as smoothly as possible, even when conditions are challenging. That's why we're here! But you'll find your trip even more enjoyable if you remember to bring flexibility and a sense of humor with you.

INCLUDED:  The trip fare is US$2999. The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:

• All guiding services. We always have an experienced trip leader with every trip and will usually have a local guide on most of our excursions for extra local knowledge.
• Comfortable accommodation for the entire 11 days. We can also organize pre- and post-trip accommodation for you if you let us know in advance.
• All your breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
• All drinking water. Alcohol and other drinks are not included.
• All sea kayaking, hiking and biking as described in the itinerary. No activities are compulsory, and nor will your trip be less awesome if you chose to sit out any of the activities.
• Tips for local activity guides and drivers are taken care of by ACTIVE SOUTH AMERICA
• Ground transportation including domestic flights Punta Arenas – Puerto Montt and your final flight to Santiago at the end of the trip. The only flight you’ll need to take in Chile that’s not included is the Santiago-Punta Arenas flight to begin your trip.

NOT INCLUDED:  This is your holiday, and we are serious about not nickel-and-diming you!  You’ll have a few meals and drinks to cover, extra activities if you choose them, and you’ll probably feel like tipping your guide at the end of a fabulous time, but you won’t be pulling out your wallet every few minutes on your ACTIVE SOUTH AMERICA trip!

We’ll see you soon!

Itinerary valid through April 2008

If you have questions about getting down to South America, basic questions about our trips, how to pack, what to do with extra time before or after your trip, or have general questions about South America, click here to read answers to frequently asked questions.