Itinerary

Day 1       Arrive to Santiago

Arrive to Santiago. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, located in a great area of the pleasant Providencia neighborhood, one of the best areas of Santiago for walking around.
Meridiano Sur Petit Hotel (B)

Day 2       Santiago / Optional Day Excursions

You have a half day privately guided city tour, visiting the colonial and modern highlights, and taking a visit to the Parque Metropolitano (Cerro San Cristobal), where you'll have a spectacular view from a hilltop of the entire city.  You have dinner on your own at one of Santiago's great restaurants. (Private day tours down to the coast to visit the colorful port city of Valparaiso, or Pablo Neruda's house at Isla Negra, or down to the wine country just an hour south of Santiago can also be arranged, either on this day or as an additional day; please inquire if interested.  Overnight trips to these locations can also be arranged.)
Meridiano Sur Petit Hotel (B)

Day 3       Fly to Punta Arenas / Puerto Natales

Fly to Punta Arenas, located on the Strait of Magellan. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred north to the small fishing town of Puerto Natales (3 hour drive). Located on the beautiful Last Hope Sound, Puerto Natales is where you will start your trip the following morning into Torres del Paine National Park.  (Note: we can arrange a visit by zodiac out to Isla Magdalena to see the Magellanic Penguin colony; this requires spending the night in Punta Arenas; please inquire if interested.)
Hotel Weskar (B)

Day 4        Catamaran to Balmaceda Glacier / Zodiac into Torres del Paine

You start the day with a catamaran trip across the Last Hope Sound to Balmaceda glacier, where you will disembark and have the chance explore the area on foot. Afterwards, you will continue by zodiac into Torres del Paine.  This is an exceptional and much less commonly traveled way into the Park.  Upon arrival in the Park you will be met for transfer to your lodge for overnight, the unique Ecocamp (first class individual domes with private baths and heat, all the comforts of a hotel but smaller, and with the feel of being closer to the wilderness).
Ecocamp (B,L,D)

Day 5          Torres del Paine National Park

Your stay at the Ecocamp includes guided excursions each day.  Each day there is an option between the active (generally trekking) option and an easier going, less active option.  On the easier going option, there will be opportunities for walking in highlight areas of the Park, but nothing strenuous.  On the active excursions, you will be able to trek for many hours.  You will be able to discuss the options with the guides and staff at the Ecocamp so that you can plan your trip according to your interests.  The excursions run on a fixed schedule every week, so if you want to see as much of the Park as possible, you can also add another night or nights.
Ecocamp (B,L,D)

Day 6         Torres del Paine National Park

Exploring Torres del Paine National Park from the Ecocamp.
Ecocamp (B,L,D)

Day 7       Torres del Paine National Park

Exploring Torres del Paine National Park from the Ecocamp.
EcoCamp (B,L,D)

Day 8       Depart for Home

In the morning you will be transferred back to Punta Arenas for your flight back to Santiago where you can connect with your international flight home.  (We can also arrange any extensions to other parts of Chile that you might be interested in, such as the Lake District or Wine Country, or connect this trip with Argentine Patagonia, finishing in Buenos Aires.)
(B)

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