Holly and Blaine Murphy
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Santiago Arrival
Upon arrival in Santiago, meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel, set in the cultural and historical hub of the city — Lastarria.
Drop off your bags, enjoy breakfast, and take time to relax after your flight.
In the afternoon, hop on a bike and explore Santiago at sunset with a private guide. Cycle through some of Santiago’s most vibrant neighborhoods while your guide shares anecdotes about these special places. As day turns to night, stop at viewpoints and gaze off at the surrounding Andes Mountains as the sun dips below the horizon.
Overnight Singular Hotel
Day 2
Aysén and the Carretera Austral
Today, after breakfast, transfer back to the airport for your scenic flight to Balmaceda. Meet your private driver on arrival and head to the beautiful region of Cerro Castillo.
En route, stop for a visit at the Huemul Rescue Center, led by the Rewilding Foundation. Here, you’ll learn about the efforts to save and treat the critically endangered Huemul deer. Afterward, head to the Cerro Castillo Nature Reserve for a mellow hike in the park that will take you through sub-Antarctic Magellanic forest. Enjoy stunning views of the snow-capped peaks of the Castillo Mountain Range as you go.
Overnight Alto Castillo
Day 3
Full Day Hike at Cerro Castillo National Park
Enjoy a full day of spectacular hiking through the rugged landscapes of Cerro Castillo National Park, with lots of different trail options to choose from. While exploring the deciduous forests and mountain viewpoints, keep an eye out for wildlife, as species including the Huemul deer, chingue, and foxes frequent the area. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a condor soaring overhead!
Savor a special dinner at a local home, giving you insight into the culinary traditions and culture of the region.
Overnight Alto Castillo
Day 4
Cerro Castillo National Park and Marble Caves Kayak
Today, begin your exploration of the Carretera Austral by driving to the village of Puerto Rio Tranquillo, where you’ll enjoy a kayaking exploration of the Marble Caves. These caves are a unique geological formation along the shoreline of Lake General Carrera, the second largest lake of South America.
After your kayaking adventure, continue onward to your homebase for the next three nights, BordeBaker Lodge. Nestled on the banks of the Baker River, this serene lodge provides the opportunity to explore Patagonia National Park.
Overnight BordeBaker Lodge
Day 5
Patagonia National Park
After breakfast, take a full day to experience Patagonia National Park, a hidden gem along the Route of the Parks. The Park is known for offering some of the most diverse landscapes in Patagonia, including the ever-present snow-capped peaks of the Northern Ice Field and the Patagonian Steppe. The park also features a remarkable transition zone from the evergreen species of the temperate rainforest to the deciduous sub-Antarctic Magellanic forest.
Here you will learn the incredible story of the park’s history and how the Tompkins Foundation officially turned the land over to the Chilean government to become a National Park in 2018. Route of the Parks officially consists of 17 parks — representing a massive project to secure habitat and landscapes across Chile.
Overnight BordeBaker Lodge
Day 6
Patagonia National Park
Take another full day to explore some of the spectacular trails available within Patagonia National Park. With a variety of intriguing geological formations, forests, alpine terrain, and gorgeous views, there’s so much to enjoy!
Overnight BordeBaker Lodge
Day 7
Local Ranch Experience at La Naviera
After breakfast, it’s time to head north! Take a drive along Lake General Carrera until you arrive at La Naviera Ranch, where a local family will welcome you.
Located on the lakeshore, this family home has been opened to travelers looking for an immersive adventure in a rural and wild part of Chile. The family has inhabited the region for 80 years, bringing everything in by boat, horse, and today, small planes. Converse with your hosts as they share their family’s story.
In the afternoon, set off on horseback for a ride through the property, which boasts stunning views. Local gauchos will showcase the expansive landscapes that they know so well, sharing viewpoints of the lake and mountains along the way.
Overnight La Naviera
Day 8
Hiking and Glacier Los Leones
This morning, you’ll depart for a full day of hiking and an exciting boat navigation to Los Leones Glacier. Your guide will select a variety of trails to explore, depending on your interests. Then, hop aboard a boat and glide along the Leones River until you reach Los Leones Glacier. The captain will bring you as close as possible to the glacier. Listen to the rumbling ice as you take in the glacier’s scale and beauty.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with a view of the glacier and return to the ranch in the late afternoon for a farewell dinner.
Overnight La Naviera
Day 9
Depart Aysen for Puerto Varas
Today, you’ll take a long, but scenic drive back to Balmaceda to catch your flight to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival, meet your private driver and head to Puerto Varas. Here, you’ll stay at the Pettra Hotel, well-located at the edge of the lake and close to town. Enjoy an evening stroll on the waterfront and dinner at a restaurant of your choosing.
Overnight Pettra Hotel
Day 10
Puerto Varas to Torres del Paine
After a relaxed morning at your hotel, transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Torres del Paine National Park.
Stop for lunch in Puerto Natales, then continue to the park. Wind through beautiful roads and gaze out at the surrounding windswept landscapes before arriving at your lodge. Settle into your home for the next few nights of your adventure, taking in views of the Grand Paine Massif, unwinding at one of the open-air hot tubs, or enjoying a glass of wine in the outdoor sitting area.
Torres del Paine spans a 700-square-mile biosphere shaped by glaciers, with rugged mountains soaring above protected forests and rolling pampas. The vast and diverse scenery leaves so much to uncover — from dazzling blue lakes and lagoons to the Gray Glacier, part of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.
Savor a delightful dinner, relax, and recharge for your upcoming days of adventure!
Overnight Explora Lodge
Day 11
Torres del Paine
After breakfast, it’s time to explore the park with your specialist guides. Choose from an array of adventures, with options including boating, hiking, glacier visits, and horseback riding. You’ll meet with your Explora Lodge specialist each day to select the best activity based on your interests and the weather conditions.
As an example, opt to cross Lake Pehoé by catamaran to the Paine Grande Refuge. Here, hike a section of the famous W Trek. Midway through the hike, stop for views of Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. From here, continue hiking to the shore of Lake Grey, where you’ll board a boat that takes you to see the park’s famous Grey Glacier! Return to the shore for another hike and then connect with your transfer back to your lodge.
Overnight Explora Lodge
Day 12
Puma Tracking
Early today, venture into a premier location for puma tracking! Chile has the highest density of puma in the world, and today’s excursion will provide your best shot at seeing these stealthy predators in their natural habitat.
Head to a private estancia that is dedicated to the conservation of and co-existence with pumas. Your experience begins at dawn, taking advantage of the pumas’ peak activity, followed by a midday break to rest and have lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll return into these vast landscapes for a sunset outing, optimizing your chances of spotting these elusive cats.
Overnight Explora Lodge
Day 13
Full Day in Torres del Paine
Take another full day to explore the park, with an expansive menu of experiences to choose from! Whether you’d like to visit another of the park’s spectacular viewpoints, meet the horses of Explora Lodge, or set off on a boating experience, your specialist will help match your interests with the best activity for today’s conditions.
Overnight Explora Lodge
Day 14
Depart Torres del Paine for Santiago
After a final breakfast in the wilds of Patagonia, it’s time to transfer back to Puerto Natales for your flight to Santiago. Arrive at Santiago Airport and connect with your flight home.
Leave Chile having enjoyed meaningful moments of connection, gorgeous hikes and viewpoints, and enriching wildlife experiences that highlight the importance of the conservation work taking place to protect the vast and rugged landscapes of Patagonia.
