When people think Patagonia, they usually picture the iconic granite spires of Torres del Paine or, for the truly intrepid, the wild waters of Drake’s Passage. But few realize that Patagonia stretches far beyond its southern extremes.
In the north lies Chile’s Lake District: a land of snow-capped volcanoes, emerald forests, and glacier-fed fjords. It’s every bit as breathtaking and far less trampled.
This journey takes you through both. You’ll experience the world-famous beauty of Torres del Paine and uncover the quieter magic of the Lake District in northern Patagonia, before everyone else gets there.
When to Go
High season in Patagonia runs from November through March.
We recommend going in March, when the legendary Patagonian winds begin to ease and the trails are quieter, but the landscapes are just as breathtaking.
Private Trip Pricing
Included
Excluded
My recent trip to Chile is the second trip I’ve taken with Llama Expeditions. The trip was so well thought out and unique. Visiting with the Indigenous community was an especially memorable experience.
Enjoyed hiking and other activities, but the cultural and unique dining experiences set this apart from the typical hiking tour. We felt like we experienced the real deal in Chile!
I did the 2 week Patagonia trip. Diane will coordinate with local experts to find unique activities that you would never find on your own.
Welcome to Chile’s buzzing capital—a city framed by snow-capped peaks and filled with energy, charm, and contrast.
Santiago is where colonial mansions stand beside sleek skyscrapers, and sidewalk cafés hum with conversation beneath the watchful eye of the Andes.
You’ll be staying in La Providencia, a leafy, walk-able neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets, boutique shops, and lively local vibe.
Once you’ve settled in, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner to kick off the journey. Get ready to toast the unforgettable adventure ahead.
Meals: Dinner
Hotel: Boutique La Reve (or similar)
After a morning flight south, stretch your legs on an easy walk through the forest of Lahuen Ñadi National Monument—a hidden gem tucked deep in the Lake District.
This peaceful reserve is home to the towering Alerce tree, a cousin of the redwood that can live for over 3,000 years and soar as tall as a 16-story building.
Then, discover Puerto Varas, affectionately known as the “City of Roses.” With its gingerbread-style houses, rose-lined streets, and cake shops that take kuchen seriously, it feels like you’ve stumbled into a village in the Bavarian alps, minus the lederhosen.
As you wander the lakefront, the snow-capped cones of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes rise dramatically in the distance, their reflections dancing on the glassy surface of Lake Llanquihue.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Weisserhaus (or similar)
Today’s playground? Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park—Chile’s oldest and one of its most jaw-dropping.
This is where volcanoes, forests, and waterfalls all conspire to blow your mind.
Start by hiking the near-perfect cone of Osorno Volcano until, suddenly, you’re standing at the edge of the Red Crater. Iron-rich soil and volcanic ash paint the ground in fiery shades of crimson. It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder if NASA’s missing a Mars training ground.
Explore the dense, temperate forest beneath the shadow of the volcano rising majestically against the cerulean sky.
Hike to the Petrohué Falls, where glacier-fed turquoise water crashes over inky black lava rock. It’s a visual symphony of color and texture that feels more like an art installation than a natural wonder.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Weisserhaus (or similar)
Head to the west shore of Lake Llanquihue, where tidy gardens and timber-framed homes hint at the region’s German roots.
On the shore of the lake, step inside a copper-roofed opera house with world-class acoustics and unparalleled picture-postcard views.
Later, join a local chef for a true farm-to-table experience. Harvest vegetables from her garden, gather regional ingredients sourced within 60 miles, and prepare traditional Chilean dishes under her direction that showcase the rich flavors of the Lake District.
Then, sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Weisserhaus (or similar)
Take a short ferry ride to Isla Grande de Chiloé—an island where magic still lingers in the mist.
See colorful wooden houses perched on stilts dotting the shoreline. They are called palafitos and are a clever adaptation to the island’s dramatic tides.
One of the island’s most notable features is its UNESCO World Heritage wooden churches. These 16th and 17th-century structures are crafted entirely from native timber without the use of nails. Their weathered beams and intricate craftsmanship speak of both indigenous traditions and European influence.
Chiloé is also steeped in folklore and mythology. Ghost ships, forest spirits, and witches aren’t just tales here, they’re part of the local identity.
Visit a remote colony where Humboldt and Magellanic penguins nest side by side. If the penguins are on hiatus due to climate change, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of island magic to uncover. Step into local workshops, savor Chilote specialties in a typical restaurant, and explore the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Palafito 1326 (or similar)
Lace up your boots for a hike through the rolling countryside of Chiloé to the island’s largest lake.
The lake’s calm, crystal-clear waters reflect the stunning landscapes that encircle it and create a mirror-like surface that beautifully captures the changing colors of the sky.
Then, make your way across a wild stretch of wind-carved coastline to the Muelle de las Almas, or “Dock of Souls.” According to local legend, this hauntingly beautiful spot is where the souls of the dead summon the mythical boatman Tempilkawe to carry them to the afterlife.
Cap off the day with a soul-warming meal prepared by a renowned chef. Nestled into the landscape like a hobbit-hole, his cozy abode is the perfect setting to savor traditional Chilote dishes paired with exquisite local wines.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Palafito 1326 (or similar)
Navigate the tranquil waters of the Chepu River by motorboat, where ghostly tree trunks rise from the surface—a haunting reminder of the 1960 earthquake, one of the most powerful ever recorded.
It caused the land to sink and the forest to be submerged under the rising waters of the river.
Motor towards the Muelle de la Luz, or “Dock of Light,” where the silence is broken only by lapping waves and the ever-present wind.
Later, visit a local family and help prepare a curanto—a traditional Chilote feast slow-cooked in a pit over hot stones. Overflowing with shellfish, meats, and potatoes, it’s a delicious window into island life and culinary tradition.
Take the ferry back to the mainland and return to Puerto Varas.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Weisserhaus (or similar)
Kayak through the glassy waters of the Reloncaví Fjord, where the stillness is broken only by the dip of your paddle and the call of seabirds.
Towering mountains rise around you, cloaked in emerald rainforest.
Stop at the wild, windswept beach of Peninsula Rollizo for a well-earned, home-cooked lunch at the table of a family who call this remote stretch of Patagonia home.
In the afternoon, paddle along the rugged coast with the snow-capped cone of Yates Volcano on the horizon. Keep an eye out for playful seals, leaping dolphins, and soaring birds as you glide through this raw Patagonian seascape.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Weisserhaus (or similar)
Visit a Huilliche community.
As part of the broader Mapuche ethnic group, their oral traditions are rich with myths and legends that reflect a profound respect for nature and the unseen world.
Over a typical lunch, featuring regional specialties like a traditional potato roll, you’ll learn about their history, music, medicine and cuisine, and gain insight into a way of life shaped by the rhythms of the land.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Weisserhaus (or similar)
After a short flight to Puerto Natales, step into the timeless world of the Chilean gaucho with a visit to an estancia.
These skilled horsemen, clad in berets, bombachas,and boots, carry forward a way of life shaped by centuries of riding, ranching, and surviving in Patagonia’s wild open spaces.
Saddle up for a ride across the wide, wind-swept steppe, where you may spot guanacos grazing, rheas darting through the brush, or a wild fox loping in the distance.
Gather with gauchos over a traditional lamb BBQ—slow-roasted over an open flame and rich with smoky flavor. It’s a meal steeped in history and best enjoyed in good company.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Ovejero Patagonico (or similar)
Rise early and venture into the wilds of Patagonia, where pumas are starting their day in search of guanacos—their favorite breakfast.
With the guidance of a seasoned puma tracker (and a bit of luck), you’ll have the rare opportunity to photograph these elusive cats in their natural habitat.
Stay alert for other local residents, too—like the stealthy grey fox, the curious Patagonia armadillo, and even the striped, surprisingly charming Patagonian hog-nosed skunk.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Hotel Lago Grey (or similar)
Hike along the winding Ascencio River into the rugged beauty of the Ascencio Valley, where the legendary granite towers of Torres del Paine rise like sentinels into the sky.
Known as Las Torres, these dramatic spires are the crown jewel of Southern Patagonia and reaching them is one of the most iconic hikes in the region.
Prefer something a bit less intense? Opt for a scenic drive through the park instead, stopping for short hikes, panoramic views of the Cuernos and the Torres, and photos of deep-blue lakes, thundering waterfalls, and curious guanacos, munching grass and keeping one ear trained ear for pumas looking for a snack.
In the evening, return to Puerto Natales for a well-earned rest.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: Hotel Lago Grey (or similar)
Board a boat to see the blue-hued ice of the immense face of the Grey Glacier.
Part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, one of the largest in the world, this colossal river of ice is famous for its brilliant hue and dramatic setting.
Then, hike through the lush woodlands, winding rivers, and towering peaks of Pingo Valley, where Andean condors soar overhead and Magellanic woodpeckers tap through the trees in one of Patagonia’s most biodiverse landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner
Hotel: The Veat (or similar)
Touch down in Santiago and spend the night at the airport Holiday Inn.
Celebrate your final day with a double pisco sour at the bar. (Yes, double!) Then, stroll back to your room—your flight’s just steps away.
Meals: Breakfast at your hotel
Hotel: Holiday Inn at the airport (or similar)
Parts of this journey take you far off the beaten path. And that’s part of what makes it so special. But with remoteness comes reality: cell service and Wi-Fi can be unreliable or entirely unavailable in some areas.
Access to ATMs may also be limited or nonexistent, especially in smaller towns and rural communities. We’ll advise you in advance when to withdraw local currency, so you’ll be prepared.
Consider it a rare chance to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with the one around you.
Some days on this trip begin early thanks to flight schedules, the long distances required to reach some truly spectacular places, and the early-rising habits of pumas.
But don’t worry. You won’t be starting the day empty-handed. We’ll always have a hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa ready for you, and breakfast will be provided, whether it’s to-go, roadside, or served with a view.
Our hikes through Chile’s mesmerizing rugged landscapes ascend rocky and occasionally uneven trails that climb through remote, windswept terrain far from roads or vehicles.
Transportation will take you to and from the trailheads. But once you’re on the trail, you’ll need to complete the hike on foot.
Your local guide will provide water, snacks, and plenty of encouragement along the way.
The effort is real, but so worth it!
In Patagonia, nature calls the shots. Strong winds and shifting weather may lead to itinerary tweaks, but every adjustment is made with your safety and experience in mind.
Most of the hikes on this trip are easy, with minimal elevation gain—the longest is about 6 miles.
The one big exception? The iconic Torres del Paine trek: a 12.5-mile out-and-back trail with a 3,326-foot elevation gain. It typically takes 8 to 10 hours and rewards you with unforgettable views of the soaring granite towers.
Prefer something less intense? You can opt instead for a relaxed day exploring the park by vehicle with short walks to scenic viewpoints where you can photograph the Cuernos, the Torres, waterfalls, and lakes.
The kayaking portion lasts about 3.5 hours, with a break for lunch after 90 minutes. Single kayaks are available for experienced paddlers; the rest can team up in doubles.
The horseback ride lasts about an hour—just long enough to get a feel for gaucho life without getting saddle sore.
Ready to Reserve Your Trip?
Simply submit the inquiry form on this page.
We’ll follow up to confirm your preferred travel dates, group size and room preferences, and share final per-person pricing based on availability.
Flexible Deposit
Plans change. We get it.
Cancel or reschedule up to 89 days before departure (119 days during high season) and choose to either:
Apply your deposit to a future trip
Transfer it to another departure date for this trip
Or receive a full refund—no questions asked
Flexible Payment
Secure your trip with a deposit.
Pay the remaining balance on your own schedule anytime up to 90 days before departure (120 days during high season). No interest. No fees. No pressure.
We’ll send a reminder before your final payment is due, so your spot stays secure.
Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for more information.
