Home   Contact us

Join us in our 14th year! Kayaking Vancouver Island
	Johnstone Strait Ultimate
	Johnstone Strait Expedition
	Desolation Sound
	The Nuchatlitz
	Outer Coast Base Camp
	Custom Tours
	Desolation Sound
	Broughton Islands & Orcas
	Great Bear Rainforest
	Patagonia Chile
	Quadra Island Day Tours
	Kayak Rentals
	Grizzly Bear Watching

	Helpful Information
	FAQ's Getting Here Booking Details Sign up for our Newsletter Visit Blog Suggested Reading Map of Tours

 

Employment Opportunities

 

 

» Overview

» Itinerary

» Photos

» Travel.. ...

» Questions

» Packing

Chilean Patagonia

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

How much kayaking experience is required to join the tours in Patagonia?
No experience is required for our kayak tours! Our adventures are for everyone. Patagonia is a rugged and wild place with unpredictable weather, but we have the luxury of being based on a Mothership, which allows for you and the guides to choose when paddling is appropriate. The Mothership also allows us to travel to the best areas for kayaking with ease. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected.

 

Do I need to be in great shape to join one of the trips?
No. Our adventures are not considered to be strenuous or physically demanding, and we do not require a high level of fitness. We just ask that you are capable of a few hours of moderate exercise each day. Keep in mind that good general health will go a long way if we happen to encounter some strong winds or time restrictions. Most important is an adventurous spirit.

 

Is it difficult to get to Chile? Do I need any special visa or paperwork to enter?
Chile is well worth the effort to get there. There are direct flights to Santiago (the capital city of Chile) from many cities around the world. Direct flights depart from Toronto, Canada almost daily and take approximately 10.5 hours. There are many flight options for getting to Chile and we would be happy to help you determine which route is best for you.

Tourists from most countries do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, however they do need valid passports and are required to pay a reciprocity fee (only if landing at Santiago airport, no fee if coming overland) in USD (cash or credit card) upon arrival. You will also need to hold an onward/return plane ticket or a credit card and/or sufficient funds to cover the intended period of stay. There is a departure tax of $30 USD for international flights travelling over 500km away. For more information about the reciprocity fee and visas please see our travel details page.

 

Do I need any special inoculations or medications for safe travel to Chile?
No, there are no required inoculations for entry into Chile. We do however recommend a current tetanus shot, as well as protecting yourself further by receiving hepatitis A & B and typhoid fever shots. These inoculations are also not a bad idea for travelling to most countries around the world. If you plan on spending time travelling outside of the tour dates, it is also handy to carry a course of a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Cipro-floxicin which can help deal with mild infections.

 

Do I need to speak Spanish to join the tour?
No, Chile is a fantastic place to explore no matter what language you speak. Your guides and boat crew are able to help with translation, and all of the finer details of your tour are taken care of by Spirit of the West staff. The tours of Santiago and the wineries are also in English. This being said, it is never a bad idea to brush up on a few common phrases and greetings. A smile and being able to say please and thank you in the language of the country you are visiting goes a long way. We will also send you some phrases to help get you excited and prepared for your tour.

 

Are there any age requirements?
Spirit of the West caters to all ages of adventurers. Please contact the office to discuss options for children under 12 years of age. For those concerned with being in ‘their older years’ we would be happy to discuss your physical abilities and ensure this is the right trip for you. The Mothership, however, does make for a great way to be able to get out and explore, but with the comforts and conveniences of home close by.

 

How much paddling is generally done in a day?
Paddling time will vary depending on our destination, the group’s abilities, and desires, nut is generally between 3-5 hours a day. Patagonia is ripe for exploring. We enjoy the process of travelling to each and every location for kayaking, spending approximately 50% of our time cruising through the islands and fjords on the mothership and approximately 50% of our time in the kayaks. This allows us to cover great distances and see highlights such as Glacier San Rafael (Southern Tour) and the Golfo de Corcovado (Northern Tour) in our time together, while also allowing for great kayaking. If time and location permits, we also like to incorporate some walking, fishing, beach-combing etc.

 

How stable are the kayaks? What is the likelihood of flipping over?
The kayaks we use on our tours are stable and designed for comfort. The likelihood of capsize is minimal, and generally only occurs in an uncommon situation. On our Patagonian tours we use all double kayaks (with the exception of one single kayak, which guests can rotate through), which are very stable.

 

What happens if my kayak flips over?
If for some reason your kayak flips over, all of our guides have ample practice time on the water with rescue procedures in order to quickly and efficiently get you back in your boat. At this point we will take you to the nearest shore to change into some warm cozy clothing and then carry on with our journey or call the Mothership for a pick up. While we are out on the water, it is of the utmost importance that the group sticks together in the event of capsize or change of route plan.

 

What if the weather turns bad? Will I be comfortable and warm?
Oh the Mothership, a paddler’s paradise! The Mothership allows us to kayak only when we feel like it and in the best locations for kayaking. This being said it can be quite beautiful to paddle in the rain, often the winds are lowest during light rains and Spirit of the West provides you with a good-quality paddling jacket. If anyone was to get cool, we can take breaks to warm up, or can always contact the boat for a pickup. The weather in Patagonia in February, March and the beginning of April is quite pleasant, similar to conditions in British Columbia in September. The temperature where we kayak in the south is significantly cooler than Santiago, but perfect for exercising without overheating. It is always best to come prepared for any type of weather and you will stay comfortable. Layering is the key, so that at any time if you need to put on or take off while on the water, it is possible to adjust your clothing.

 

What sort of wildlife might we see on the tour?
The diversity and abundance of wildlife in Patagonia is fantastic. With river run off from the mountains, ocean currents, tiderips, eddies and upwellings these waters are full of life. From the rich marine life of colorful plants and invertebrates, seabirds including penguins, shorebirds, waterfowl, mink, otter, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and whales, we keep a constant eye to the ocean and enjoy each unique experience and encounter with wildlife. For those with an eye for whales, and in particular Blue Whales, the Northern Tour will have a much better chance for viewing these majestic beauties. What we always try and remind our guests is that wildlife is just that, ‘wild’, and we will do our best to provide for viewing opportunities, but do not guarantee sightings.

 

What are the chances of seeing Blue Whales? How close do we paddle to the Blue Whales?
2011 will be our first year leading a trip in the area that the Blue Whales frequent. We cannot say with any certainty what our sightings will be like. What we do know is that when transiting this area in the past, we saw multiple whales on both occasions that we passed through. There have also been scientific studies on the whales in this newly discovered foraging and calving ground which record and report sightings in the region which suggest a great number of whales using the area during the times in which we schedule our tours. Understandably, we cannot guarantee what nature will dictate. It must also be understood that the Golfo de Corcovado can see weather that is not conducive to kayaking, so we may only see the whales from safety and comfort the boat, or if we are lucky also from the kayaks. Hearing the blow of the world’s largest mammal even from a mile away will create a sensation of excitement. Note we also abide by regulations say that we must not paddle or approach within 100 meters of the whales—this is out of respect for their space as well as safety for us.

 

What are the living arrangements on the Mothership like?
The Noctiluca (our Mothership) is a fantastic wooden vessel made in the traditional local boat building style of the Chiloe people, but with modern touches for safety and comfort. There is plenty of space on the boat to find moments of solitude either on the rear covered deck, in the comfortable salon complete with comfortable couches and a woodstove, in your bunk below deck, in the wheel house enjoying a cup of coffee with the Captain while enjoying the view or on the outer decks watching the world pass by. The boat has 3 guest cabins, one with 4 single bunks and two double rooms for couples or two people who are very friendly with each other! Remember that we take a maximum of 8 guests on this tour, which allows for plenty of space and individualized attention.

 

What about showers and toilets?
The boat provides all the comforts of home, just in a compact form. Guests share two heads (bathrooms) which are each complete with a toilet and a hot shower. We are able to store plenty of fresh water on board for cooking, drinking and bathing (showers of moderate proportion, no 20-minute showers please). While out in the kayaks your guides will generally designate an area or system that works for ensuring your privacy and the health of the ecosystem.

 

What is included in the cost of the tour?
Everything that you should need to enjoy Chile is included. Accommodation from night one of the tour through to day ten, pick up and drop off at the airport if arriving during one of the Spirit of the West pickup times, domestic flight from Santiago to Balmaceda, all food and non-alcoholic beverages (wine and beer will be provided while on the Mothership), all kayaking gear, bedding, dry bags, a paddling top (for use during the kayaking portion of the tour), guides, tours and admission fees during the Spirit of the West Tour. What is not included: international airfare, costs associated with passports, gratuities, alcohol while not on the Mothership, personal purchases such as souvenirs, toiletries etc, your personal clothing and luggage, arrival and departure taxes, reciprocity fees and/or transport costs if arriving outside of our pick up times.

 

If I would like to tip the guides and boat crew, what is the industry standard?
If you would like to express your appreciation to the guides and/or boat crew through a gratuity, please know that such recognition is greatly appreciated. There are no rules for tipping amounts or styles as it is an expression of thanks from you. A suggested amount is approximately 10 percent of the trip cost divided amongst guides and crew. You are welcome to adjust this as you see fit.

 

I would like to stay and explore South America after the tour. Where should I go and what should I do?
The options are endless. Breanne and Rick have been fortunate to spent time in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Columbia over the years and would be happy to share some of our experience with you. We have also developed relationships with several other business and tour companies in Chile who are able to help you enjoy activities and experiences such as being pampered at a remote lodge complete with hot springs, fly fishing on one of many beautiful rivers, horseback riding across the dunes or through the pampas ecosystem, bird watching, touring the city and visiting museums, theaters etc, tasting your way through a variety of culinary and wine experiences and so much more. Please don’t hesitate to contact us in the office and we can get a sense of which activities would suit you best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit our Blog