In the shadows of iconic granite towers, sub-polar forests and ancient glaciers, the southern tip of South America plays host to a maze of cobalt waterways giving way to the archipelago of Patagonia. Enclosed by miles of unspoilt wilderness, the rivers, streams and lakes fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are the perfect escape to nature. Afloat with your kit for several days, tandem kayaks are the ultimate tool by which to explore the rugged adventure playground of the Torres Del Paine National Park.
AMIDST ICE AND GIANTS
kayaking adventure in Patagonia
What better way to get amongst Patagonia’s unspoilt wilderness than a fully immersive floating journey through its snaking waterways? After a brief introduction to safety and efficient paddling techniques with the backdrop of Paine Grande, you’ll navigate your way though floes and icebergs to explore the lake fed by Glacier Grey. You’ll then begin a descent of the Grey River through deep canyons and small rapids and past the Paine Massif before reaching the clear waters of the Serrano River.
Camping on the river banks overnight, you’ll then make your descent of the Serrano to reach the Serrano Glacier with jaw-dropping views of the Tyndall Glacier and the Geike mountain range.
Highlights:
- Discover the remote waterways of Patagonia.
- Experience a multi-day kayaking expedition.
- Get beyond the roads and trails.
- Witness giant calving glaciers.
- Paddle amongst icebergs.
- Develop your paddling skills.
- Camp out each night in the Patagonian wilderness.
- Discover Torres del Paine and Bernardo O’Higgins National Parks.
The Activity
Kayaking is a truly immersive mode of intrepid transport, offering unparalleled access to some of the world’s water-bound natural wonders. Not only does it provide a whole new perspective, but endless route opportunities to create your own unique journey. Picking up your paddle in Patagonia takes you around river bends, into the midst of ghostly floating icebergs and face-to-face with giant, calving glaciers.
Your adventure craft will be lightweight, duo person kayaks. Stable yet agile, they’ll allow you to cover the kilometres necessary to explore as much of this vast water world as possible.
Patagonia – Torres Del Paine
With a reach of over 1 million km², from Chile’s Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast of Argentina sits an expanse of natural wilderness home to a concentration of national parks ranging from the coastal archipelago, the western Andes and the steppe-like plains of Argentina.
While climbers idolise the granite towers of Torres del Paine, high rainfall against the western Andes and low sea surface temperatures contribute to the ice-fields and glaciers making the largest ice-fields in the Southern Hemisphere outside of Antarctica.
Your Guides
Seduced by the beauty of Patagonia, the kayaking guides are a unrivalled team of locals and keen kayakers from all over the world who simply couldn’t bring themselves to leave! First Responder and American Canoe Association Certified, your guides have spent plenty of their own time exploring the ever-changing waters. With clear instruction and guidance they’ll teach you to paddle; offering advice and tips over the course of the adventure to help you improve your technique and paddle efficiency.
Is this Adventure for You?
This adventure has an activity rating of Moderate to Challenging. At this level, we recommend you are an active individual with a regular fitness routine, and some previous kayaking experience will be advantageous.
There are flexible options to change the pace and daily itinerary of this adventure to meet your experience levels, but this adventure is suitable for anyone who can swim confidently and is keen to explore this vast wilderness.
You’ll stay in quality tents for the duration of your adventure, sharing stories over a campfire as the sun sets into the night before climbing into your sleeping bag to recoup for the following day.
Adventure by Design
Get in touch to receive the Travel Brief to discover our recommended itinerary, before adapting it to your match your group size, availability and travel preferences. In addition, there are a number of options and extensions available to take your adventure to the next level.
Speak to one of our Adventure Experts today for more information on private adventures designed with you in mind or group departures.
