Join this 11-day Route of the Parks small group multisport tour from Temuco to Puerto Natales, designed by three of Chile's top adventure companies. Perfect for travelers looking to experience Patagonia, this expedition includes hiking, biking, and rafting across some of the most stunning landscapes in both North and South Patagonia. Starting at the base of active volcanoes in the Araucaria forests of Conguillío National Park, the journey moves through the temperate rainforest of Pumalín Park and ends in the diverse terrains of Torres del Paine National Park. As you travel through the 17 parks along the Route of Parks in Patagonia, you'll engage with the region's nature, local communities, and culture, all while supporting rewilding efforts. This adventure is a unique opportunity to explore Patagonia.
Highlights
Activities include hiking, biking, and rafting through North and South Patagonia
Engage with nature, local communities, and culture while supporting rewilding efforts
Travel through 17 parks along the Route of Parks in Patagonia
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Today, fly into Temuco airport on one of the morning flights. Join a transfer to Conguillio. In the evening, enjoy a Pisco Sour, a traditional Chilean drink, and meet your local guide, who outlines the upcoming days' itinerary. Wrap up the day with a welcoming dinner at the lodge.
Start with a short drive past Lake Verde and Lake Arcoiris, then begin hiking along the Sierra Nevada trail, surrounded by native trees, including monkey-puzzle trees (araucarias). Look for endemic birds such as the Chucao Tapaculo, Magellan Woodpecker, and Slender-billed Parakeet. Stop at three viewpoints to view Conguillío Lake, Llaima, and Sierra Nevada volcanoes. Finish your hike at the bottom of the trail and visit Playa Linda.
Later, drive about 2.5 hours to Pucón. Check into your hotel next to the lake and a pedestrian area with a bike lane. After checking in, you have the evening free to explore. Dinner is on your own, with many restaurants and bars in town.
After breakfast, start with a brief orientation, safety talk, and bike fitting. The guides will adjust the bikes as needed. This bike ride is supported with a “sag-wagon” following the group for assistance. Today, cycle along the 7-Lake Circuit, pedaling alongside the shores of Villarrica, Calafquén, and Panguipulli lakes.
The road is smooth with light traffic, featuring rolling hills and a few climbs. Your first stop is Villarrica lakeside city, where you’ll take a short shuttle to avoid heavier traffic, then continue cycling. The route passes through prairies, fruit farms, and native forests, with minimal vehicle traffic on the lakeside road.
Lunch is at Foye Mapu, where a Mapuche family will serve traditional food and teach you how to make “merkén,” a smoked chili powder.
After lunch, cycle 18.4 km to the city of Panguipulli (“land of lions”). From Lake Panguipulli’s beach, pedal a few more blocks to your next boutique hotel. Dinner will be at a local restaurant within walking distance.
After breakfast, drive early for about 196 km from your hotel in Panguipulli to Puerto Octay. Upon arrival, start cycling! Explore the village on your bike and ride towards nearby villages with a German heritage, such as Puerto Clocker, Las Cascadas, and Ensenada. The first part of your ride features the Osorno volcano and green fields with grazing cows.
The northeast section of the Llanquihue Lake Route is notable for its scenic views. The route is fully paved and runs alongside the lake through Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, offering views of the Calbuco, Puntiagudo, and Osorno volcanoes.
Conclude your ride at Todos Los Santos in Petrohue, a turquoise lake in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, where you’ll see the Osorno Volcano. Arrive by bike at your lakefront lodge, Petrohue, and celebrate with a dinner at the lodge to mark completing the second bike ride.
Start the second leg of your adventure by experiencing the Class 4 rapids of the Petrohué River. After a short ride, you’ll arrive at the rafting base in Ensenada. After a safety briefing, you’ll put on your wetsuit in the dressing rooms.
A quick 5-minute minibus ride takes you to the starting point of the Petrohué River route in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile's first national park, established in 1926. The river flows from Lake Todos Los Santos through native forests to the Reloncaví fjord, with views of volcanoes like Osorno, Calbuco, and Puntiagudo.
You’ll practice paddling techniques before tackling the first rapid, "Ciao Seco." The 13 km route includes Class III and IV rapids such as "La Ese," "Los Pollos," "Queso Suizo," and "El Nadador." Your small raft will handle numerous waves.
You’ll stop at several points to get out of the raft, climb cliffs along the shore, and dive into the clear waters. After 2 hours on the river, you’ll reach the disembarkation point, change into more comfortable clothes, and head back to the base for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore Puerto Varas and have dinner at one of its restaurants on your own.
Day 6: Route of the Parks of Patagonia | Pumalin Park
Leave Puerto Varas early in the morning for the local airport and board a 30-minute charter flight to Chaitén. A vehicle will be waiting to start your exploration of El Amarillo with a 1-hour interpretative hike to learn about the temperate rainforest's flora and fauna.
In the evening, drive to Caleta Gonzalo, where you’ll see rivers, glacier valleys, and the rainforest. You might spot the Pudu, the smallest deer, which feeds on various plants, including Magellanic fuchsia.
Afterwards, check into your cabins with views of the fjord and mountains. Dinner will be prepared with ingredients from local farmers in Chaitén.
Day 7: Route of the Parks of Patagonia | Pumalin Park
After breakfast, you’ll explore different sections of the park and learn about the conservation and rewilding efforts by the Rewilding Foundation.
Douglas Tompkins played a key role in this park, which became part of the largest private land donation ever made, marking the start of the Route of the Parks of Patagonia.
You can choose between hiking the Chaitén Volcano trail (3.5 hours, 5 km, medium-high difficulty) or the interpretative hike to Cascadas Escondidas (Hidden Waterfalls, 3 hours, 2 km, low difficulty).
Enjoy your last dinner and night here before heading to Torres del Paine.
Day 8: Rupestre Hike and Torres del Paine National Park
Say goodbye to Pumalín Park and board an early flight to Puerto Montt. After a 30-minute transfer, arrive at El Tepual Airport and board your flight to Puerto Natales.
A private transfer will pick you up from Puerto Natales Airport and take you to the Mylodon Cave sector. Visit the Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, a 200-meter-long cave where remains of a large ground sloth and other early Patagonian animals from the Pleistocene epoch were discovered.
Explore the nearby private sector to see condor colonies and native lenga forests with views of Sofia Lagoon and distant fjords.
Next, visit the first cave paintings to learn about their historical significance, then check out a 70-square-meter cave with ancient stalactite formations.
Afterwards, head to the "Two Horseshoes" area to see more cave paintings and learn about their use by indigenous peoples. Return to the Riverside Camp for the night.
Today, you start early with breakfast to prepare for your final trek to the base of the Towers. With your guide, take a 2-hour transfer to the Las Torres Sector of the park where the trek begins. You'll ascend, following the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley.
After about an hour, stop to see the valley’s beech forests, glaciers, and waterfalls. Continue uphill through beech forests and ascend a terminal moraine (a ridge formed at a glacier’s end).
At this lookout point, 900 meters (2,953 feet) above sea level, you’ll see the three Towers. Rest, take photos, and have lunch. Then, descend along the same path, where a private transfer will take you back to your Riverside Camp.
Today, you start early with breakfast before your final trek to the base of the Towers. With your guide, take a 2-hour transfer to the Las Torres Sector of the park to begin the trek. Follow the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley.
After about an hour, stop to view the beech forests, glaciers, and waterfalls. Continue uphill through the beech forests and ascend a large terminal moraine (a ridge formed at a glacier’s end).
At the lookout point, 900 meters (2,953 feet) above sea level, you’ll see the three Towers. Rest, take photos, and have lunch. Then, descend along the same path, where a private transfer will take you back to your Riverside Camp.
Day 11: Free Morning in Puerto Natales | Goodbye Patagonia!
1 Lunch
After a restful final night and a free morning in Puerto Natales, have lunch at a local restaurant. Then, you'll be picked up for the transfer to Puerto Natales Airport. Have a safe trip home!
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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.9 | 306 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
Based on 306 reviews on
2 days ago
Mary Curry found right trip for my budget and the best date that I liked. She made
that reservation when other company's agent could not do it.
Thank you so much!
Theresa AN
2 weeks ago
Clara has been a great help and is very knowledgeable. Getting excited already about our trip
David Corey
2 months ago
Eric was friendly, professional, and clarified my questions.
Kate Flannery
2 months ago
We had an initial virtual meeting with our trip planner, Sandra Fernandez, who was great. She was efficient, friendly, yet very professional. She not only answered all our questions, but also addressed our concerns honestly. After our 30-minute conversation with Sandra, we decided to book our cruise with her.
Rina Mitra
4 months ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.