Home > Patagonia > Patagonia Adventures >

Christmas in Patagonia

12-Day Adventure to Explora Lodge

Detailed, day-by-day itinerary for this adventure!
Accommodations are noted, and meals are coded as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

Top: The peaks of Torres del Paine in the low light of sun on the horizon. Below: Explora Lodge on the shores of Salto Chico in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1-2

Fly to Santiago, Chile

On arrival in Santiago you will be met and transferred to the Santiago Ritz-Carlton hotel with check-in. You will have the remainder of the day to take a stroll in town, enjoy the hotel facilities and rest. In the late afternoon we'll have a sunset tour of this historic city.

Santiago Ritz-Carlton, D Day 2

Day 3

Santiago

Morning walking tour of historic Santiago including a visit to the Mercado Central. You will than have time to relax or to further explore the city.

Santiago Ritz-Carlton, BL

Day 4

Punta Arenas

Transfer to an early morning flight to Punta Arenas at the "uttermost end of Chile." This town has a rich maritime history, first as a coaling station for the steamships, then as a stop for the sleek clipper ships that had just tested or were about to test their skills in the wild seas of Cape Horn, and today for ships too large for the Panama Canal. This afternoon you'll visit a large colony of Magellanic penguins and, time permitting, a tour of Punta Arenas.

Jose Noguiera, BLD

Day 5

Punta Arenas to Explora Lodge

Depart early for a four and a half hour trip to Parque El Paine and Explora Lodge. En route you will see condors, guanacos, lesser rhea (nandu), Patagonian Foxes and the impressive Torres del Paine. Lunch will be waiting for you at the architecturally striking and stunningly located Explora Lodge. An optional hike follows lunch. All beverages are included while at Explora.

Explora Salto Chico, BLD

Days 6-10

Explora Lodge

Our days at Explora are spent hiking, learning about the wildlife, horseback and mountain bike riding and dining well--there is no better way to explore the stunning Torres del Paine. Each day you may choose from a buffet of guided hikes and rides for all abilities and interests. You may enjoy leisurely strolls or push yourself to your limit. Or you may elect to do serious photography, cruise on the lake or power nap as long as you can! At the end of day, you'll be back in comfort of the Lodge where you can go to the spa or have a massage in your room. All activities are optional and, except for massages, are included in the trip price.

Explora Salto Chico, BLD

Days 11-12

Explora to Home

Morning transfer from Explora Lodge to Punta Arenas via Parque El Paine, Cerro Castillo and Puerto Natales. We'll stop en route to stretch our legs and have a mid-morning snack. The paved highway runs south across Chilean Patagonia to the Punta Arenas airport where you will check into your north bound flight that will arrive in Santiago in the late afternoon. On arrival at the Santiago airport, you will check-in to your homeward bound flight. You arrive home on Day 12.

B day 11