We do what we love. After nearly 20 years guiding sea kayaking trips in British Columbia, we still feel a sense of anticipation and excitement when pushing off from shore at the beginning of an expedition. With us, you’ll find engaged and professional guides, amazing food and top-notch gear and logistics to allow you the best experience whale watching, paddling and reconnecting with nature. We offer a range of trip styles to choose from such as base camp, expedition, mothership and family tours.
Overview
Trip Highlights
- REMOTE TRAVEL
- SCENIC
- COMFORT
We do what we love. After nearly 20 years guiding sea kayaking trips in British Columbia, we still feel a sense of anticipation and excitement when pushing off from shore at the beginning of an expedition. With us, you’ll find engaged and professional guides, amazing food and top-notch gear and logistics to allow you the best experience whale watching, paddling and reconnecting with nature. We offer a range of trip styles to choose from such as base camp, expedition, mothership and family tours.
Quick Facts
Paddlesport
- Kayaking
Activity
- Sea Kayaking & Touring
Experience/Service
- Paddling Trip
Waterway
- Coastal
Destination
- South America
Length
- 12 Days
Accomodation
- Mothership
Guided
- Yes
Outfitted
- Fully
Special Interest
- Photography
- Wildlife Viewing
- Beginner
Adventure Level
Itinerary
Meeting Place
Santiago, Chile
Day 1:
Welcome to Santiago! One or both of your guides will meet you at the international airport Santiago, Chile, wearing their Spirit of the West Adventures t-shirts (more specific details on meeting at the airport will be sent to you just before your trip starts).
Day 2:
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 rest of our journey.
Day 3:
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. A 3-hour flight later, we will arrive in Patagonia! We will then drive an hour through beaut
Day 4:
There are so many places to explore in this region it is hard to say exactly where to begin our paddling, but the many small islets of Isla Traiguén and its bird colonies are a likely starting point.
Day 5:
Paddling in the area around Isla Goñi we’ll get a sense of a Patagonian landscape that is more often found even further south: low scrub vegetation with only a few trees near the shoreline, evidence of the harsh climate of the region.
Day 6:
From Isla Goñi we head south again through Estero Elefantes to the entrance of San Rafael Lagoon. Here we will gather ancient ice for a toast to the imposing icebergs of the lagoon. That afternoon we will take an excursion by zodiac to the beaches and streams near the glacier.
Day 7:
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 region’s various beaches and islets. That evening we will anchor at Port Lepardo at the entrance of the lagoon.
Day 8:
Today we motor to the estancia (ranch) owned by our Captain Robin Westcott. Estancia Quitralco is a private ranch which covers many square kilometers and offers us the chance to spend the afternoon exploring the river by kayak, fly fishing and/or trekking on the property.
Day 9:
Departing from Quitralco we will set sail for nearby hot springs. Discovered by our Captain’s family decades ago, this secluded and private location offers some luxurious soaking while taking in a fabulous view down the fiord.
Day 10:
We will get an extra early start this morning in order to reach the sheltered waters of Gato Cove in plenty of time to enjoy kayaking in Cinco Hermanas (Five Sisters) National Park. The scenery here will not disappoint.
Day 11:
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 in time to transfer back to the Balmaceda Airport in time to catch a flight back to Santiago that evening.
Day 12:
This is your last day in Santiago. After breakfast at the hotel you will say goodbye to your guides. You are welcome to explore the city on your own, perhaps heading to a local market for some souvenir shopping before flights that evening. Most international flights leave late in the day.
Dates & Packages
Ultimate Patagonia
What Guests Are Saying
Highly professional, competent, humourous and great hosts. Awesome scenery, huge diversity of animal and plant life. No development, no people, just you and nature.
- Lorraine and RichardLeave a review
