Chile Active Adventure
15 days from £4,950 pp
Our Chile Active Adventure is a 15-day Chile adventure holiday for travellers who like to earn their views. Hike the famous W Trek through Torres del Paine on a guided five-day journey, camping in fully equipped sites with all your meals cooked for you, then head north to the Lake District to kayak the Reloncaví Fjord and walk among ancient alerce trees. It’s adventure travel in Chile at its best, packed into two weeks, with comfortable hotels in Santiago, Puerto Natales and Puerto Varas between the big days. Prices start from £4,950 per person, including the guided W Trek, private transfers, excursions, internal flights and hand-picked hotels. Explore more of our Chile holidays.
Trip Highlights
- Hike the W Trek on a guided five-day journey, camping with all meals included
- Stand beneath the granite towers at the Base of the Torres
- Kayak the Reloncaví Fjord with dolphins and sea lions for company
- Walk among ancient alerce trees in Alerce Andino National Park
Our Expert Tip
”Patagonia can give you four seasons in a day, so pack layers, a good waterproof and trekking poles. On the Base of the Torres day, start early: you’ll have more time at the lagoon before the clouds roll in”
Scarlett, Chile expert
Chile Adventure Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1-2: Santiago
Arrive in Santiago, where your guide meets you and takes you to Ismael Hotel or similar, overlooking the Parque Forestal, for two nights.
Next morning, get to know the city like a local on a private walking tour. Ride the metro to see some of its most striking stations, including Universidad de Chile with its huge mural, browse a market piled high with Chilean seafood and fruit, and stop for empanadas and fresh fruit juices. Walk through the Plaza de Armas to the colourful streets of Bellavista, and if you still have energy, head up Cerro San Cristóbal for views across the city to the Andes.
Day 3-4: Puerto Natales
Fly south to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine, and settle into Weskar Patagonian Lodge, looking out over the water, for two nights.
Next day, warm up for the trek with a boat trip to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, in a small group of up to 18. Look out for cormorants, sea lions and condors as you sail, then walk for an hour through native forest to the lagoon beneath the Serrano Glacier, scattered with floating ice. The day ends with a traditional lunch at an estancia. Read more about Patagonia.
Day 5: W Trek, Arrival in Torres del Paine
Your W Trek begins in Puerto Natales, where you meet your host and collect your welcome kit, before a transfer of around two and a half hours into Torres del Paine National Park. At the Central Sector, settle into your fully equipped camp, then share a welcome drink and dinner with your group and get ready for the days ahead.
Day 6: W Trek, Base of the Torres
The big one. Climb the Ascencio Valley past the Pass of the Winds and through lenga forest to the Chileno refuge, where you can stop for a hot drink, then tackle the final steep scramble over boulders to the lagoon at the foot of the three granite towers. Back at camp, celebrate with your group. Around 19.4 km and 8–10 hours, with 750 m of ascent. Difficulty: high.
Day 7: W Trek, Cuernos and the Francés Sector
Head west along the shore of Lake Nordenskjöld, beneath the hanging glaciers of Mount Almirante Nieto, watching for condors overhead. Cross the Arriero River and climb to the day’s best viewpoint, looking across the lake towards the French Glacier and Paine Grande, then continue past the Cuernos to camp in the Francés Sector for two nights. Around 13.5 km and 4.5–6.5 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
Day 8: W Trek, the French Valley
Walk up into the French Valley, past a waterfall to the Italiano camp, then on to the French viewpoint, facing the French Glacier and the Cuernos del Paine, and the British viewpoint at the head of the valley, ringed by granite walls and peaks. Return to the Francés Sector for the night. Around 15 km and 8–12 hours, with 712 m of ascent. Difficulty: high.
Day 9: W Trek, Grey Glacier and Lake Pehoé
Your last day on the trail. Walk to the first viewpoint over Grey Glacier, where icebergs from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field drift across the lake, then cross the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé by catamaran. After a farewell dinner with your group, transfer back to Puerto Natales for a night at Weskar Patagonian Lodge or similar. Want Argentina too? See our Patagonia Active Adventure.
Day 10-13: The Lake District
Fly north to Puerto Montt and continue to Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with views of the Osorno volcano, for four nights at Cabaña del Lago.
Next day, kayak the Reloncaví Fjord with your own private guide, paddling around 18 km between the villages of Ralún and Cochamó beneath the Yates volcano. Dolphins and sea lions often swim alongside, and at lunchtime you’ll stop at a family farm for a home-cooked meal.
On another day, join a guided trip to Alerce Andino National Park to walk among alerce trees, some of them thousands of years old, and look out for the pudú, the world’s smallest deer. Keep your last day free to rest your legs, or ask us about a hike on the slopes of the Osorno volcano or rafting the Petrohué River. Want even more wild Chile? See our Chile Wilderness Escape.
Day 14: Santiago
Fly back to Santiago for a final night at Ismael Hotel. Celebrate the end of your adventure with Chilean wine and a good dinner in the nearby Lastarria neighbourhood.
Day 14: Depart
Transfer to Santiago airport for your flight home. Looking for your next challenge? See all our active adventures.
When to Go
Best time for a Chile adventure holiday
The W Trek season runs from October to April, when the trail’s camps are open. November to March brings the longest days and warmest weather, with December to February the busiest months and often the windiest. October and April are quieter, with fresh, changeable weather. Spring and summer are also lovely in the Lake District, with green forests and calmer water for kayaking.
Includes
- All accommodation
- Excursions
- Transport
- Private guides
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa cost
- Tips
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
