The Fjord Trail
Are you hoping to travel before March 2023?
Patagonia's a big trip and we know how crucial it is to get it right. As you’re considering travelling in the next couple of months, we want to be upfront with you…
Finding available accommodation is proving almost impossible in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks. While not uncommon, the pandemic has exacerbated the situation this year.
Alongside this, Swoop are also currently focused on ensuring that all of the logistics are in place for our booked travellers who are due to head south shortly.
Swoop has therefore decided to no longer accept any new bookings departing before the beginning of March 2023.
As alternative options, here’s what we suggest:
Option A:
Push your trip back and choose to travel instead in early 2023. April onwards has more accommodation options still available. The Patagonian autumnal colours are stunning and trails less crowded.
Option B:
Defer your Patagonia adventure by 12 months, benefitting by getting exactly the trip you want without compromise, and lock in plans now while there’s still good availability.
If you are able to be flexible on your travel dates, the next step would then be for us to arrange a time to talk through the options.
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I want to travel before March 2023
Unfortunately we can’t currently help with short notice trips to Patagonia. Sign up to our newsletter to get some Patagonia travel advice and inspiration!
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I’m flexible and could travel later
Trip type
Guided Activity
Trip length
3 Days
From
$1,295
Location
Torres del Paine
The Fjord Trail - 3 - $1,295
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
Day 1: Ride to Lake Brush; Lake Brush Campsite
Day 2: Ride to Glacier Serrano; Hosteria Balmaceda
Day 3: Boat trip on Last Hope Sound ; Puerto Natales
This itinerary can be operated in reverse, from Puerto Natales to Serrano Camp
Start from Torres del Paine National Park Administration and end at Puerto Natales
Landmarks visited on The Fjord Trail
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Ride to Lake Brush; Lake Brush Campsite
We meet at noon at the Torres del Paine National Park Administration entrance at Río Serrano; from here we'll take a private transfer, crossing the Serrano River and arriving at Aniceto Astorga's farmhouse. There we'll choose our horses to begin a ride to an unexplored valley at the border of Torres Del Paine National Park. We cross several rivers and go through a landscape filled with lakes and wetlands, constantly being surprised by the changing views of the Paine massif and the last glaciers of the Southern Icefield. We'll spend the night here after setting up camp on the shores of Lake Brush.
Length of transfer: 10mins
Length of ride: 4hrs, walking and trotting
Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Lake Brush Campsite
Day 2: Ride to Glacier Serrano; Hosteria Balmaceda
After a hearty breakfast, we'll take to the saddle once more and continue to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. This largely unknown region is much less explored than neighbouring Paine but is just as magical.
Today's remote trail takes us through humid forests, across rivers and creeks, all with an incredible backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Andes. We'll follow the Serrano River downstream until it empties into the Last Hope Sound and finalise the horse-riding part of our adventure. We'll spend the night in complete remoteness at the cosy Hosteria Balmaceda with an amazing view of Glacier Serrano. Enjoy tonight's wild location with your friendly hosts as tomorrow will see you back in the hustle and bustle of Puerto Natales.
Please note: Hosteria Balmaceda will not be operating during the 2021/22 season, so fully supported camping will be provided as an alternative.
Length of ride: 5hrs, walking
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hosteria Balmaceda
Day 3: Boat trip on Last Hope Sound; Puerto Natales
We'll begin the day by crossing the river into the Last Hope Sound by zodiac boat, letting the wind blow through our hair. Once arrived near the imposing Glacier Serrano at the foot of Mt Balmaceda (2,148m) we'll disembark and take a gently undulating trail up to the face of this beautiful glacier. Take time here to absorb the magnificent sight of one of the rapidly retreating bodies of ice from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Afterwards, we'll take a larger boat, the cutter, '21 de Mayo' navigating via glaciers and canals to our lunch stop at a small ranch and finally on our way down to Puerto Natales, arriving around 6pm.
Length of excursion: 45mins walk, 3hrs by boat
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch
What our customers think of The Fjord Trail
The Fjord Trail trips scored 5/5 from 1 reviews
Review:
The Fjord Trail
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices for the 2022/23 season are:
4-8 people: USD $1,295 per person
3 people: USD $1,395 per person
2 people: USD $1,595 per person
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Departures can be set up on a date of your choice, subject to availability.
Additional Notes
Group size – 8 maximum, 2 minimum.
Single supplement – A single supplement is available at a cost of USD $200.
Itinerary note - The reverse itinerary, from Puerto Natales to Serrano camp involves 1 night camping at Lake Brush and arriving at Serrano camp mid-afternoon on Day 2.
This trip can be done in reverse as a great add-on package to any Torres del Paine adventure and can be modified to run into the park if required - ask us for more details.
Includes
- Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, 2 dinners
- Accommodation: 1 night camping (North Face VE 25 tents, double occupancy basis), 1 night in hosteria (inn) in twin standard rooms
- All private transport indicated in the itinerary
- All horses, saddles and packhorses
- Helmets, leather chaps, leather gloves, dry bags
- Non-waterproof saddle-bags for small personal items and change of clothes
- Entrance fee to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
- English and Spanish speaking guide
- Baqueano (local cowboy)
- Navigation from Mt Balmaceda to Puerto Natales
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Drinks during lunch or dinner
- Accommodation on any additional nights
- Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
- Personal travel insurance
- Sleeping bag and mat
- Gratuities/tips
- International and domestic/in-country flights
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
