Chile and Galapagos Walking & Wildlife Holiday
Walk & Wildlife Chile and Galapagos: Explore Atacama, Patagonia and Galapagos Islands Holiday Details
Galapagos Islands – Atacama Desert – Patagonia’s Torres del Paine – World Class Walking – Breathtaking Mountain Scenery - Wildlife Close-Up
Brief Description
- Combine three stunning destinations in one spectacular 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 the Galapagos Islands in comfort over eight days.
- Maximise your wildlife experience with walks, snorkelling and sea kayaks.
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 | Travel | Return to Santiago
Fly to Santiago for your last night in Chile. (b)
Day 16 | Quito | Travel to Ecuador
Fly to Quito today. Enjoy your central
first class hotel. (b)
Day 17 | Quito | Explore colonial Quito
Morning walking tour of the colonial city centre in the company of your local guide. (b)
Day 18 | Galapagos | North Seymour wildlife
Fly to the Galapagos.
Board your yacht for an 8-day live-aboard cruise.
Walk close to the fearless wildlife this afternoon. (b,l,d)
Day 19 | Galapagos | Santa Cruz wildlife
Walk up to a collapsed volcanic crater to see giant tortoises in the wild.
This afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. (b,l,d)
Day 21 | Galapagos | Seabirds and sea lions
See a spectacular blow-hole and a broad spectrum of birdlife, including the blue-footed boobies and albatross.
This afternoon swim with playful sea lions. (b,l,d)
Day 22 | Galapagos | Devil’s Crown snorkel
Snorkel in the Devil’s Crown volcanic crater through beautiful coral formations and teeming marine life. (b,l,d)
Day 23 | Galapagos | Iguanas and penguins
Walk around marine iguanas warming on the rocks to find the colony of Galapagos penguins. (b,l,d)
Day 24 | Galapagos | Walk amongst wildlife
Visit one of the world’s most active volcanoes to walk amongst the flightless cormorants, sea lions and marine iguanas. (b,l,d)
Day 25 | Galapagos | Pinnacle Rock views
See Galapagos fur seal basking in pools along the shoreline.
(b,l,d)
Day 26 | Galapagos/Travel | Turtle Bay
Observe the delicate marine life in the sheltered Turtle Cove. Fly home. (b)
Day 27 | Home |
"The guides we had during the trip turned a walking holiday into a much more interesting experience." Steven J, Atacama & Patagonia, 2007
"It was truly amazing to see the animals of the Galapagos thriving so happily in their natural environments" Mandy J, Galapagos, 2007
Prices & Departures
2008 |
17 Oct | 31 Oct | 16 Dec | From £4,850pp |
2009 |
06 Mar | From £4,850pp |
Prices include |
Flights from LON/MAN; |
Not included |
Galapagos park entrance fee (US$110); UK regional flights; personal expenses; local flight taxes; tips. |
Prices are per person based on two sharing.
The prices quoted are realistic guides, but prices do vary by season, the exact boat used, etc. Please call us for a definitive quote.
View full Chile & Galapagos holiday itinerary now
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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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