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Chilean Patagonia

For reservations and inquiries: North America 1 800 307 3982 Outside North America +1 250 285 2121 or email info@kayakingtours.com

Northern Tour - Aisen to Melinka

On this tour we will spend our days exploring the many bays and islands of the Northern Chonos Archipelago. We will work our way north to the Golfo de Corcovado keeping a lookout for the massive and majestic Blue Whales as well as a host of other wildlife, not to mention the spectacular scenery! This northern end of the Chonos Archipelago and into the Golfo de Corcovado was recently discovered to be a very important foraging and nursery ground for a sizable population of these unbelievably big creatures. This area can also be quite exposed and presents many challenges for kayakers, and this is where the comfort and safety of the mothership truly comes to light.

View Chile Tour in a larger map

Day Zero (February 26th or Earlier): Depart your home for Santiago Chile. Most flights are overnight (apx 10 hours from Toronto) and arrive early morning the following day.

Day One (Feb. 27th): Breanne, Rick or a member of the Spirit of the West team will meet you at the airport (or will help arrange transport for you into Santiago if you are arriving in advance of the group). From here we will transfer you to Hotel Rio Amazonas, a modest hotel in the thriving arts district of Bellavista. Here you can take the morning to shower, have a nap, lunch and then in the mid afternoon we will offer a brief walking tour of the city to get a sense of Santiago. We will finish our day with a welcome dinner, at a local restaurant. From here it is back to our hotel for a good night's sleep.

Day Two (Feb. 28th): After a hearty breakfast we will head out of the city to the beautiful Casablanca Valley to visit some of the best wineries in Chile. The journey through the Valley begins our encounter with some of the many different types of landscapes that we are about to experience over the next 10 days. Here we will visit some boutique wineries as well as some of the well-known establishments for tasting's and tours of their wine production. Of course there will be time for you to purchase a bottle of two to take home. We will return to the city in time for dinner at one of Breanne and Rick’s favourite restaurants and will dine under the stars while enjoying the nightlife of the Chilean streets.

 

Day Three (March 1st): Morning will come early, but the excitement of the journey to come will help with our wake-up call. After a continental breakfast we will transfer to the Santiago airport for our flight to Balmaceda airport. After our 3-hour flight, we will arrive in Patagonia! Our mini-van will transfer us to Coihaique where we will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we will take a little time to check out local artisan shops and explore this picturesque town. From here we will drive 1.5 hours to meet the mothership, the beautiful Noctiluca. The “Noctiluca” is a 57-foot motor yacht named after the luminous plankton that abounds in Patagonian waters (what we would call bioluminescence). Once all settled aboard, the captain will give us a safety briefing and we will enjoy dinner while watching the sun sink behind the islands as we motor out of the Aisen fjord and Paso Casma. That night we will anchor in beautiful Chiva Cove. (apx 60 nautical miles covered by boat).

Day Four (March 2nd): While enjoying a cup of coffee or tea as the sun rises we will motor toward Isla Kent (60 nautical miles). This sandy-shored island brings us to the edge of the world - or at least the very edge of the South America! While under way we will examine the charts and discuss possible routes for each day based on the weather and group desires. We also will have a kayak safety and paddling skills refresher to ensure everyone gets the most out of their trip.

After a hearty lunch we will head out in the kayaks to explore the inner coves and bays of this magnificent island. The afternoon will present chances to explore outer ocean beaches and protected coves. We will be treated to many different types of oceanic birds and sea life. * Please note route and kayaking are weather dependant, but the mothership will help to provide ultimate flexibility.

Day Five (March 3rd): Early morning we will start to motor toward Jechica Island (70 nautical miles). We will weave our way through the hundreds of islands to arrive in the early afternoon. We will spend the rest of the day kayaking within the sheltered bay of Isla Jechica and if the group desires stretching our legs on some of the islands hiking paths. Dinner will be on board watching the sunset, of course with a glass of Chilean red wine in hand!

Day Six (March 4th): 7:00am departure towards Port Melinka (35 nautical miles). We are nearing the area known for being the foraging and nursery grounds of the world’s largest creature, the Blue Whale! We will take the kayaks through a route only accessible on high tide and by kayak and will meet our mothership, the Noctiluca on other side. Lunch will then be on board as we continue our journey toward the very small port town of Melinka. We will have an early dinner to allow us (if the weather permits) to kayak on the edge of the Corcovado Gulf (Golfo de Corcovado). Here we will experience the feeling and views of the open ocean, which is also a proposed Blue Whale sanctuary.

 

Day Seven (March 5th): The morning will see us traveling through the Corcovado Gulf toward the Tic-Toc Islands (40 nautical miles). This day will hopefully present us with whale watching opportunities as well as stunning views of the mainland volcanoes. After arriving at the Tic-Toc Islands we will have an early dinner to allow us time to kayak that evening to a penguin colony.

Day Eight (March 6th): Today our destination is Refugio Cove (40 nautical miles). Once inside the protected waters of this cove we will spend our morning kayaking in the dolphin sanctuary. Dinner on board will once again leave our taste buds truly satisfied and our bellies full.

Day Nine (March 7th): Today’s destination is Aguirre Cove (70 nautical miles). Our route will take us through beautiful Isla Magdalena National Park. We will have lunch while underway and arrive at Aguirre Cove in the early afternoon. The rest of our day will be spent either visiting a local fishing village or kayaking in the surrounding islands.

Day Ten (March 8th): Sadly, this will be our last day on our floating home. We will get an early start to ensure we arrive back to Puerto Aisen (45 nautical miles) in time to transfer back to the Balmaceda Airport in time to catch a flight back to Santiago that evening. If you are very pressed for time, it may be possible to catch an international flight this evening (check with the office for details). The rest of the group will enjoy one last dinner together in Santiago. We will be staying at Hotel Rio Amazonas again this evening.

Day Eleven (March 9th): This is the offical last day of the tour. After breakfast at our hotel we will head to a local market for some souvenir shopping before flights that evening. Most international flights leave late in the day. Spirit of the West will ensure you get to the airport safely. The tour ends at apx 4 pm this day. If your time permits we would be happy to help you organize some more travels around this incredible part of the world (please see other things to do in Chile and Argentina). Or better yet join us for the next leg of our journey to the southern part of the archipelago and the San Rafael Glacier (discounted rates if you join us for both legs of the tour).

Southern Tour - Aisen to San Rafael

This route will take us deep into the southern reaches of the Chonos Archipelago to the world famous San Rafael Glacier. We will take our time reaching the glacier kayaking amidst stunning scenery and enjoying all the region has to offer including a visit to an authentic hacienda or ranch. This tour can be combined with the Northern Tour for a discounted rate.

View Chile Route South in a larger map

Day Zero (March 10th or earlier): Depart your home for Santiago, Chile. Most flights are overnight (apx 10 hours from Toronto) and arrive early morning the following day.

Day One (March 11th): Breanne, Rick or a member of the Spirit of the West team will meet you at the airport (or will help arrange transport for you into Santiago if you are arriving in advance of the group). From here we will transfer you to Hotel Rio Amazonas, a modest hotel in the thriving arts district of Bellavista. Here you can take the morning to shower, have a nap, lunch and then in the mid afternoon we will offer a brief walking tour of the city tour to get a sense of Santiago. We will finish our tour with a welcome dinner, at a local restaurant.. From here it is back to our hotel for a good night's sleep.

Day Two (March 12th): Today we will venture into the Casablanca Valley for a tour of this special wine region. We will have a chance to sample of the the best wines Chile has to offer including the world famous Carmenere grape. We will return back to the city in time to dine under the stars at one the cities incredible sidewalk cafes/restaurants.

Day Three (March 13th): Morning will come early, but the excitement of the journey to come will help with our wake-up call. After a continental breakfast we will transfer to the Santiago airport for our flight to Balmaceda airport. After our 2-hour flight, we will arrive in Patagonia! Our mini-van will transfer us to Coihaique where we will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we will take a little time to check out local artisan shops and explore this picturesque town. From here we will drive 1.5 hours to meet the mothership the beautiful Noctiluca. The “Noctiluca” is a 57-foot motor yacht named after the luminous plankton that abounds in Patagonian waters (what we would call bioluminescence). Once all settled aboard, the captain will give us a safety briefing and we will enjoy dinner while watching the sun sink behind the islands as we motor out of the Aysen fjord and Cosa Channel to arrive at Lynch Cove for the evening (70 nautical miles).

Day Four (March 14th): This morning we will get an early start on the day and will head to Odger Cove which is near the entrance to San Rafael Lagoon. Here we will kayak through the small inside passages exploring all in nooks and crannies. That afternoon we will take an excursion by Zodiac to the beaches and streams near the glacier.

 

Day Five (March 15th): Today we will explore the San Rafael Lagoon. We will have lunch near the glacier, surrounded by icebergs. We will carefully navigate our way by kayak through the icebergs to visit the regions various beaches and islets. That evening we will anchor at Port Lepardo at the entrance of the lagoon. While we eat dinner we will listen for the tell-tale cracking sounds of the calving glacier in the distance (35 nautical miles).

Day Six (March 16th): Today we sail to the hacienda owned by our Captain Robin Westcott (60 nautical miles). Hacienda Quitralco is a private ranch which covers many square kilometers and offers us the chance to spend the afternoon river kayaking, fly fishing, horseback riding and/or trekking on the property. We will finish off our day with an authentic Gaucho Lamb Asado (or BBQ). The taste of meat and vegetables slow roasted over an open fire enjoyed under a starry sky is second to none. This meal of course will be accompanied by a great selection of Chilean wine and beer and vegetables picked fresh from the garden on-site. Is this heaven on earth?

Day Seven (March 17th): We will set sail today for McPherson Island via Estero Barros. We will spend the day navigating through small channel of pristine nature which is ideal for dolphins and encounters with other wildlife. We will spend our afternoon kayaking at McPherson Island and then will have dinner anchored in Colonia Cove (40 nautical miles).

Day Eight (March 18th): We will set sail extra early this morning in order to reach the sheltered waters of Gato Cove in plenty of time to enjoy kayaking in Cinco Hermanas (Five Brothers) National Park. The scenery here will not disappoint.

Day Nine (March 19th): There are so many places to explore in this region it is hard to say where exactly we will spend today, but we will enjoy the many islands as we work our way back towards Puerto Aisen.

Day Ten (March 20th): Today, sadly is the last day on board the mothership. Today we will head back to Puerto Aisen in time to transfer to the Balmaceda airport. We will arrive back in Santiago in time to enjoy some of the nightlife of the capital city, or of course your bed is also ready for you whenever you are.

Day Eleven (March 21st): This is the offical last day of the tour. After breakfast at our hotel we will head to a local market for some souvenir shopping before flights that evening. Most international flights leave late in the day. Spirit of the West will ensure you get to the airport safely. The tour ends at apx 4 pm this day. If your time permits we would be happy to help you organize some more travels around this incredible part of the world (please see other things to do in Chile and Argentina).

Special Note: Please know that the above itineraries are meant to give you an idea of all the region has to offer. Weather, wildlife and our fellow kayakers will help to determine the specifics of our daily route. In order to cover maximum ground as well as see the highlights of the area we spend apx half of our time on the mothership and half kayaking during the kayaking portion of the tour. Please also bear in mind that these tours are always exploratory in nature and if we find another place we wish to explore, we can do so!

 

Other Things to do in Chile and Argentina

There is so much to see and do in Chile and Argentina it’s hard to know where to start, but kayaking among the stunning outer islands, visiting glaciers that drop into the sea, a newly discovered Blue Whale nursery and foraging area and natural hot springs on the edge of the ocean seem like a good place to start.

Before or after your trip, we would be happy to recommend some other highlights depending on your time, budget and desires.

Options include

- fly fishing in glacier fed streams

- visit the desserts and Salt Flats of the Atacama in the north

- surfing and soaking up the sun on the coastal beaches

- tango lessons in Buenos Aires

- take a city tour to catch the highlights of Santiago or Buenos Aires

- visit the wine-producing areas of Chile or Argentina

- sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum in Bariloche

- stay at a hot springs lodge and be pampered with spa treatments (special rates for Spirit of the West guests at Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa)

- experience a horseback ride through the vast landscapes of Chile and Argentina

- visit the world’s southern most towns (Punta Arenas in Chile and Ushuaia in Argentina).

- eat, eat and eat some more, at a local asado or BBQ with a local rancher

- trek through some of the world’s best national parks including Torres Del Paine and Fitz Roy National Parks

- raft & or kayaking some of the best whitewater in the world.

- stay until June and enjoy world class alpine skiing.

There are many more options and we would be happy to discuss them with you anytime. Please call us in the office for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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