Departures
Regular departures every day on request, October to April.
April departures may have some date restrictions based on logistical issues.
Starting / Finishing Points
The trip starts on day 1 at midday at your accommodation in Torres del Paine NP or Puerto Natales. The trip finishes on day 3 at your hotel in Puerto Natales approx. 6 PM.
Included
- Bilingual kayaking specialist guide (guide to client ratio 1:3 people)
- Transfer on day 1 from your accommodation in Torres del Paine NP or Puerto Natales to the Serrano river, and transfer on day 3 from Puerto Natales dock to your hotel in town
- Complete kayaking gear (check Kayaking Gear below)
- Complete camping equipment, EXCEPT MAT AND SLEEPING BAG
- 1 night in mountain lodge
- Ferry ticket for Last Hope Fjord
- Entrance to Bernardo O'Higgins NP
- Meals:
Day 1: BL, D
Day 2: B, BL, D
Day 3: B, L
B: breakfast, BL: box lunch, L: Lunch, D: dinner.
Excluded
- Mat and sleeping bag
- Flight tickets
- Insurance (it’s mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this trip)
- Voluntary tipping of guides and staff
- Items of personal nature.
Accommodation
Camping
The camping gear consists of all-season tents for 2, 3 or 4 people. YOU HAVE TO BRING YOUR OWN MAT AND SLEEPING BAG (Puerto Natales Town has rental shops). The guides will have marine VHF radios for communication and emergency purposes.
Hosteria Monte Balmaceda
Small mountain lodge with basic comfort. It has rooms with a private bathroom, a cozy lounge with a chimney and a dining room.
Group Size & Guiding Staff
4 travellers is the most typical group size plus guiding staff. Maximum 12 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:3
Transport
Kayaks! In Torres del Paine and throughout Patagonia transfers are in minivans that normally seat from 8 to 14 people. We also use smaller vehicles with small groups.
Weather
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Ice field influence make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to March) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summer’s average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºC max, 2ºC min).
Sea kayaking in Patagonia can be very unpredictable due to weather conditions. Sometimes the winds blows from the ocean with such force that makes waves break upstream, making navigation almost impossible. If you book this trip please keep in mind that the whole trip is weather permitting and that considerable physical effort is required.
Physical Demands
This trip is recommended for people in good physical condition who are accustomed to camping outdoors. Basic experience with kayaks is recommended.
Kayaking Gear
We’ll provide the following gear:
- Single Necky HV kayaks, paddle and skirts
- Double Necky Amaruk kayaks, paddle and skirts
- Neoprene suit, gloves and shoes
- Paddle jacket with hood and life vest
- Dry bags for personal items and clothing
- Tents
- All kitchen equipment
What you need to bring
- Bathing suit or short wet suit for paddling
- First layer pants and shirt (polypropylene or Capilene)
- Second layer pants and shirt (polar 100 or thicker)
- Third layer pants and jacket (short wind or Gore-Tex)
- An extra set of clothes (pants, shirt and socks)
- Day bag
- Wet shoes, camp shoes (high cane trekking shoes are suggested), resting shoes
- Three pairs of socks (wool)
- Sandals, sun hat, shirt, pants, short, synthetic underwear, top and bottom
- Hat and gloves
- Sun block, sun glasses
- Insect repellent
- Lip balm
- Small flash light and batteries
- Sleeping bag (comfort -10ºC/ 4ºF); and mattress (we can suggest local rentals)
- Bottle for water
NOTE: Avoiding cotton is recommended as it absorbs moisture and is difficult to dry.
Itinerary modifications
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
N.B. Sea kayaking in Patagonia can be very unpredictable due to weather conditions. Sometimes the winds blows from the ocean with such force that makes waves break upstream, making navigation almost impossible. If you book this trip please keep in mind that the whole trip is weather permitting and that considerable physical effort is required.
