This trip is the perfect double whammy – skiing in Chile and exploring the best of Patagonia’s hiking trails and wildlife
Very limited time possible (due to Valle Nevado closing date & EcoCamp opening date), only available during September.
Highlights
- Skiing/snowboarding in Valle Nevado
- Scenic Andes Mountains views
- Santiago de Chile City Tour
- Patagonia hiking & Wildlife
- EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Domes
- Torres del Paine park highlights
Brief Itinerary
Day 1, Arrival in Chile’s Capital
Day 2, Skiing in the Andes
Day 3, Onward Journey to Patagonia
Day 4, EcoCamp Patagonia Wildlife Safari
Day 5, EcoCamp Patagonia Wildlife Safari
Day 6, Return to Santiago
Santiago de Chile
Upon arrival at Santiago de Chile’s International Airport, you will be met by a Cascada representative and driven to your comfortable hotel to check in. After a short time in the hotel to freshen up and unpack our guide will come pick us up and we’ll head downtown in Santiago’s modern metro to begin our Santiago City Walking Tour.
We get off at metro stop Moneda and surface in front of Chile’s famous presidential palace La Moneda, a symbol of Chile’s political past and its famously turbulent history. From here we head along Paseo Ahumada, a city centre walkway famous for its crowds, shops, and diversity of people. At the end of the Paseo we reach Plaza de Armas which is Santiago’s main square and Chile’s kilometer zero (the point from which all distances in the country are measured). From here we head to Santa Lucia hill where Santiago was founded in 1541by Pedro Valdivia and as we climb up we get great panoramic views of the city and the Andes Mountain backdrop. Our tour finishes by visiting the bohemian Lastarria neighborhood at the bottom of the hill, linedwith cafés, restaurants, small theaters, bookstores and boutique shops. Here we relax, chat with the guide and enjoy a coffee before taking the metro back to the hotel.
- Overnight at hotel Meridiano Sur – boutique hotel in Santiago
- Overnight at hotel Meridiano Sur – boutique hotel in Santiago
You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the early morning and driven to the airport to check in for your onward flight to Punta Arenas. You’ll be picked up at Punta Arenas airport and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. See our weekly transfer board for EcoCamp’s pick up & drop off schedule. En route we make a stop in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of “Seno de Ultima Esperanza”, where we enjoy a hearty local lunch. The whole journey is very scenic, with plenty of wild birds and wonderful landscapes to be seen. The day ends with our arrival and overnight stay at EcoCamp Patagonia, nestled in the heart of the park with a view of the Torres. During summer the sun sets around 11pm, so upon arrival there’s plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon.
- Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome
- Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome
We drive across the Park, admiring the view of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, and Los Cuernos with its black, granite horn-like spires. Walking along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe. The walk continues over the gentle Nordenskjold trail until until we reach its spectacular lookout point. Later, back at Lake Pehoe, we are driven south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey. Here we enjoy a tasty box-lunch by the lake before embarking on a boat ride across the icy waters to the towering blue walls of Glacier Grey. After this incredible sight of the glacier up close, we drive back to EcoCamp.
- Overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia Suite Dome
Departures
Starting/Finishing Points
Season Dates
Included
- Private transfer from and to the airport in Santiago
- 2 Overnight in Santiago city hotel
- Private walking city tour with bilingual guide in Santiago
- Subway tickets and coffee or nonalcoholic beverage during the Santiago city tour
- 2 way private transportation from your hotel to Valle Nevado
- One day skiing ticket at Valle Nevado with lunch and basic ski/snowboard gear (skis/snowboard, boots and poles)
- 3 Overnight in Ecocamp Patagonia Suite Dome
- Regular bus tickets Calafate<>Natales if finishing in Calafate
- Excursions and all ground transport as indicated in the itinerary at Ecocamp
- English speaking guide. Guide ratio 1:12. Max group size: 16 people at Ecocamp
- Park fees for Torres del Paine National Park.
- Meals:
Day 1: snack
Day 2: B,L
Day 3: B,L,D
Day 4: B,BL,D
Day 5: B,BL,D
Day 6: B,L
Not Included
- Flight tickets
- Soft drinks or snacks not served with the meals included at the EcoCamp. Bringing US$ in cash for buying extra drinks/snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine NP is suggested.
- Insurance
- Voluntary tipping
- Items of personal nature
- Ski/snowboard class
Starting / Finishing Point
Itinerary Modifications
Patagonia
Transport
Weather
Physical Demands
What you need to bring
Santiago de Chile: Meridiano Sur Petit Hotel (Nights 1-2)
EcoCamp Patagonia (Nights 3-5)
Ecocamp Patagonia is located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, with views of the majestic granite towers. The region’s first sustainable lodge south of the Amazon and the first of its kind in the Patagonian wilderness, EcoCamp offers upscale camping in domes inspired by the region’s ancient nomadic inhabitants. Children from 6 to 12 years receive a 50% discount if staying with their parents in the same dome (advisable 6 years minimum age). Discount will be applied after the online inquiry. Check out the kids’ guide to EcoCamp!
(Heating & Private bathroom, 28m²/300ft²)
Suite domes were designed to further our goal of providing comfort in a natural setting with minimal environmental impact, and also maintain the hotel’s familiar and cozy vibe. The domes have comfortable double or twin beds, a wood stove and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet. Stargaze through the ceiling windows while falling asleep, after enjoying a spectacular sunset from your private terrace.
(2 floors, Heating & Private bathroom, 37m²/398ft²)
Suite dome lofts are two-storey domes which fit up to four people and have comfortable double or twin beds both up and downstairs. These domes, ideal for families or groups of friends, come with a wood stove, a private terrace and a private bathroom with a state-of-the-art composting toilet. Stargaze through the ceiling windows while falling asleep, after enjoying a spectacular sunset from your private terrace.