Chile and Antarctica Walk & Wildlife Holiday

Walk & Wildlife Chile and Antarctica:
Atacama, Patagonia and Antarctic Peninsula Holiday Details

Torres del Paine National Park - Atacama Desert - Antarctic Peninsula - Climb A Volcano - Hike in Breathtaking Scenery - Cruise to Antarctica

Brief Description

Combine three ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences in one holiday.
Explore Patagonia’s magnificent Torres del Paine in depth, on foot.
Enjoy the surprising diversity of the Atacama, from volcanoes to salt lagoons.
Cruise to Antarctica on board a first class vessel for just 78 passengers.
Visit Antarctica with one of the most experienced teams in the region.

Chile Walking Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 | Fly to Chile |

Day 2 | Santiago/Atacama | Walking tour
Tour Santiago before flying up to San Pedro de Atacama and your boutique hotel.

Day 3 | Atacama | Explore desert habitats
Morning bike ride across the salt flats. Lunch and early afternoon to relax. Afternoon walk in the salt mountains. (b)

Day 4 | Atacama | Day walking in the Andes
Full day walking on old Inca roads from the high Andes down to the Salt Mountains. Walk 18km, 5hrs, down 1,000m. (b,l)

Day 5 | Atacama | Volcano walk to summit
After several days of being active at altitude, today’s walk takes you high to the summit of a dormant volcano. Walk 6km, 3hrs, up 420m, down 420m. Relax this afternoon. (b)

Day 6 | Atacama | Geysers and springs
Start the day with a visit to the world’s highest geothermal field – the Tatio geysers.
Fly to Santiago this evening for a 2 night stay. (b)

Day 7 | Santiago | Explore Santiago
Free day to explore Santiago. (b)

Day 8 | Puerto Natales | Fly to Patagonia
Fly south along the spectacular spine of the Andes towards the seafront town of Puerto Natales. (b)

Day 9 | Torres del Paine | River boat into Park
Catch a boat along the Ultima Esperanza Sound, along the Rio Serrano and into Torres del Paine. (b,l,d)

Day 10 | Torres del Paine | Walk Glacier Grey
Enjoy a boat ride along Lago Grey as far as the glacier, afternoon walk on top of Glacier Grey.
For the next 4 nights you sleep in refugios. (b,l,d)

Day 11 | Torres del Paine | Grassland walk
Set off on the 4-day hike across the park, carry just a daypack whilst walking. Walk 11km, 4hrs, up 400m down 400m. (b,l,d)

Day 12 | Torres del Paine | Paine Grande walk
Walk under the mountain of Paine Grande then a steady uphill and a steep downhill to the shores of Lake Nordenskjold. Walk 9km, 4hrs, up 200m, down 200m. (b,l,d)

Day 13 | Torres del Paine | Lakeside walking
Continue your walk along a good path in the shadow of the mountains throughout today. Walk 13km, 5hrs, up 600m, down 300m. (b,l,d)

Day 14 | Torres del Paine | Hike to the Torres
Early start to hike up to the distinctive mile-high granite towers. Walk 16km, 7hrs, up 650m, down 900m. (b,l,d)

Day 15 | Punta Arenas | Relax
Travel south to the town of Punta Arenas, the world’s most southerly city. (b)

Day 16 | Ushuaia | Travel into Argentina
Short flight onto the island of Tierra del Fuego and the Argentine town of Ushuaia. (b)

Day17 | Ushuaia | Day to explore and relax
Full day to wander the town or take a tour to the inland of the island. (b)

Day 18 | Ushuaia | Board your boat
Board your boat, the MV/Antarctic Dream. Cabins are very comfortable and spacious, all have external portholes. Set sail to Antarctica this evening. (b,d)

Day 19 | Open seas | Sail Drake’s Passage
Cross the 400 miles of Drake’s Passage over the next two days. Seabirds fly alongside the ship, look out for whales, dolphins and penguins. (b,l,d)

Day 20 | Open seas | Sail Drake’s Passage
There is a programme of talks on board. Relax in the gym, sauna, library or pub. Food on board is a highlight. (b,l,d)

Day 21 | Neko Bay | South Shetland Islands shore landing
Go ashore to King George Island today. See wildlife with your expert naturalist guides, elephant seals and penguins. Take a helicopter flight if the weather is good enough. (b,l,d)

Day 22 | Antarctica | Set foot on Antarctica
Set foot on the mainland of Antarctica for the first time. Encounter rich bird life and marine mammals, leopard seals as well as Orcas, humpback and minke whales. (b,l,d)

Day 23 | Antarctica | Explore ice formations
Sail south through a narrow passage, icebergs fill the waters. The most southerly landing of your expedition is today. Look for gentoo and chinstrap penguins and elephant seals. (b,l,d)

Day 24 | Antarctica | Visit penguin colonies
This morning to explore the faces of huge glaciers. Afternoon shore landings and wildlife spotting. (b,l,d)

Day 25 | Antarctica | Explore ice formations
Sail to the largest active volcano in the area. Visit the ruins of an old whaling station. Swim in waters warmed by the volcanic sand. (b,l,d)

Day 26 | Drake’s Passage | Relax
Return journey. Relax and talk over your experiences. (b,l,d)

Day 27 | Drake’s Passage | Relax
Drake’s passage is entirely open water with no land anywhere around the world at these latitudes. (b,l,d)

Day 28 | Buenos Aires | Flight
Disembark this morning for your flight home via Buenos Aires.

Day 29 | Home |

"So, thanks again for an amazing time: My first experience of a group holiday, and a very positive one too." Chris S.

Prices & Departures

2008	31 Oct \| £7,265pp
2009	Dates TBC \| £TBC
Price includes	Flights from LON/MAN; All domestic flights in Chile; 13 nights in first class hotels (twin share) and 4 nights refugio accommodation; Full time Pura Aventura guides in Chile; Luggage porters in Torres del Paine; Private transport throughout; 10 night Antarctic Cruise with twin/double cabin on Amundsen deck. All activities mentioned; and Meals (b,l,d) as per itinerary.
Not included	UK regional flights; personal expenses; tips.
Upgrades	On Antarctic Dream you can upgrade your cabin to: Shackleton deck for £740pp; Piloto Pardo deck (suite) for £1,940pp; Cape Horn deck (suite) for £2,490pp.
Solo travellers	Please contact us to discuss options.

Prices are per person based on two sharing.
Prices may be subject to change: please confirm at booking.

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Not quite right?

If this holiday’s not quite right for you, call us on 0845 22 55 058 to discuss your ideas or consider:

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