Who are Chile Nativo?
Gonzalo, founder of Chile Nativo
Dani
Will be your main contact at Chile Nativo and answer any questions you have in the build up to your trip. Dani is based in Puerto Natales and we love that she is always laughing and that she always goes the extra mile for our customers. When Dani is unavailable Lila will be there to help you.
Johana
Is in charge of operations and has been with Chile Nativo off and on for 7 years so knows every detail of their trips incredibly well. Johana will be your contact on the ground when you are in Chile and most likely do your briefing in the Puerto Natales office.
Gonzalo
As founder, Gonzalo is responsible for maintaining and developing the characteristics that Chile Nativo is famous for: top notch service, excellent outdoor programs and a continued commitment to sustainability. Eternally optimistic Gonzalo is an eternal fan of Chile’s great south, its sublime landscapes, moody weather and uncharted canals and islands.
The Guides
Once a guide himself, founder Gonzalo created a network of local freelance guides who comply with strict prerequisites: a minimum of two years’ experience, constant maintenance of their First Responder credentials and membership in their local professional guides’ association. Guides are highly valued, paid above standard salaries, and undergo training to be able to lead new tours with extra challenges.
What our customers think of Chile Nativo
How to get to your Chile Nativo trip
Chile Nativo trips start and finish in Puerto Natales. There are three ways to get there:
- Fly to Puerto Natales from Santiago.
- Fly to Punta Arenas from Santiago and we can arrange a bus from there to Puerto Natales and onward transportation to your hotel in Natales. We can also arrange some great wildlife experiences too (see below)!
- Take a bus from either El Calafate or Ushuaia in Argentina. We can help you with the bus and border crossing logistics.
Chile Nativo's office is right in the heart of Puerto Natales, the gateway town to Torres del Paine. This is where your pre-trek briefing will be held, where you'll meet your guides, will find out all about timings and logistics, and can get prepared for the coming days. They have a luggage store for the few bits and pieces you don't want to carry during your trek.
Address: Eberhard #230, Puerto Natales, 6160000
Where to stay before and after your trip?
Please see our guide to Hotels in Puerto Natales , Punta Arenas and Santiago for more information about where to stay in these destinations, before and after your trip to Torres del Paine. We can arrange these hotels along with any buses you might need. Please see the pre and post trip packages below.
Add-on hotels and transfers
Puerto Natales Hotel & Bus Package
Let us take care of your logistics, providing transport between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales with hotel nights before and after your Paine adventure. Travel by comfortable public coach between the towns (3hrs) and choose between a centrally located mid-range hotel (Hotel Vendaval) or a special high-end hotel (Singular Hotel) in Puerto Natales.
Taxi transfers included, if required.
With a half-day spare, add a guided 3-hour bike tour of this attractive frontier town and its spectacular surroundings from from USD $65 per person (USD$75 if travelling solo).
Note: if you require only pre or post Torres del Paine services, this package is 50% of the price.
Choose either Hotel Vendaval: USD $169 or Hotel Singular: USD $599 | Solo traveller - Hotel Vendaval: USD $295 or Hotel Singular: USD $879
Santiago Transfer & Hotel Package
Need to spend one night in this stunningly-set city, and make the most of your time before jetting back home?
From the airport we’ll take you to a centrally located hotel (Hotel Noi Vitacura) for the night.
The following day enjoy breakfast followed by a private walking tour of central Santiago in the morning.
See the presidential palace, imposing colonial buildings and the central market, as your guide gives you an insider's view of life in Chile.
In the afternoon transfer by private vehicle to the airport for your homeward flight.
Adios Chile!
Price per person staying in Hotel Noi Vitacura 4* hotel USD $299 per person | Solo traveller price: USD $369
Argentina - El Calafate
After overnighting in Puerto Natales you’ll take the public bus across the Patagonian plains, crossing the border to enter Argentina. Arrive at the picturesque town of El Calafate, on the shores of the vast Lago Argentino (6hrs approx).
Check in for 2 nights at your central hotel (Hotel Kosten Aike), and enjoy a bit of free time in the town. Next day, take a full-day’s group excursion to experience the immense Perito Moreno glacier, unique in so many ways!
Optional excursion: Ice Hike at Perito Moreno
On the final day, transfer by private vehicle to Calafate airport for your flight.
Please note this trip is only available in 2022/23 season. Please get in touch for more details and prices.
Active add-ons in Puerto Natales
Full Day Estancia Experience
Enjoy a day’s outing by visiting a typical estancia (ranch), on the stunning shores of Last Hope Sound.
A short drive and boat ride takes you to Estancia Bahia Esperanza where you’ll spend the day getting to know the gauchos, discovering their way of life and taking a horse-ride with them.
Hike to viewpoints or mountain bike across the hills if you prefer; there’s plenty to see and do. The day has a relaxed feel, with a sumptuous lamb asado (BBQ), filling both your heart and belly.
Includes 3 nights accommodation in Puerto Natales, and return tickets by public bus (Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas).
Choose either Hotel Vendaval: USD $499 or Hotel Singular: USD $1,145 | Solo traveller - Hotel Vendaval: USD $795 or Hotel Singular: USD $1,695
Fjord Trail: Horseback Wilderness
Horse riding the fjord trail
Horse riding the fjord trail
There can be no cooler way to depart, or enter, Torres del Paine National Park than by wilderness horse trek. This package built around our fully-assisted Fjord Trail trip is adaptable to any Paine adventure. Experience both remote camping and glamping for 3 nights (if leaving the park), or 2 nights (if entering the park), combined with a small boat cruise and 2 days in the saddle. Start or finish in Puerto Natales and easily combine this with our Hotel & Bus package for Punta Arenas.
This package also includes 2 nights accommodation at Hotel Vendaval, and transport services between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.
USD $2,075 per person if leaving TDP (4 days, 3 nights) - Solo traveller: $ 2,265
USD $1,675 per person if entering TDP (3 days, 2 nights) - Solo traveller: $ 1,865
Independent W-trek customers will require an additional private transfer in the park to tie-in with your itinerary, for this add USD $330 for the vehicle.
Natales Active: Hike or Bike
Hiking Cerro Benitez
Mountain biking at Cueva Milodon, Punta Arenas
With a full-day or half-day to spare whilst in Puerto Natales, why not take to the nearby backcountry and explore this stunning region by foot or mountain bike with a local expert.
An outdoor enthusiasts' mecca, we can think of no better way to fill a day in the area. For the same price, enjoy:
- Half-day hike (8km) - with superb asado (bbq) lunch to finish
- Full-day’s hike (14km) - bring your own pack lunch for the trail
- Half-day on MTB trails - past lake shores and hills, with asado lunch to finish.
All excursions include equipment, local guide and are enjoyed as a small group experience.
This package also includes 3 nights accommodation in Puerto Natales, and transport services between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.
Choose either Hotel Vendaval: USD $675 or Hotel Singular: USD $1,315 | Solo traveller - Hotel Vendaval: USD $875 or Hotel Singular: USD $1,735
Natales Rock Climb
If getting vertical is your thing, we can organise for a mountain guide to lead you up the local crags in this stunning location for some sports rock climbing.
All equipment is included, excursions are in private and can be for half day or whole day outings.
Note: food and water is not included.
If extending the excursion to a full-day, add USD $100 .
This package also includes 3 nights accommodation in Puerto Natales, and transport services between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.
Choose either Hotel Vendaval: USD $429 or Hotel Singular: USD $1,065 | Solo traveller - Hotel Vendaval: USD $629 or Hotel Singular: USD $1,485
Swoop says
By adding-on a Chile Nativo package to your main trip, you don’t have to worry about all the associated logistics. Just book your flights and we’ll take care of the rest.
Wildlife add-ons near Punta Arenas
Half-day Magellanic Penguin Experience
Sitting in the Strait of Magellan, a small island harbouring thousands of Magellanic penguins, provides one of the most accessible penguin encounters in Latin America.
Arriving into Punta Arenas Bus station in the afternoon from Paine, you’re taken to your hotel, and start out early the following day. First by motor boat (45 minutes) and then set foot on Magdalena island. Your guide will explain to your small group about these beautiful feathered creatures, with the chance to walk around the area for about an hour. Other animals you may see are albatrosses, cormorants, sea lions and dolphins.
Return around midday where you’ll be taken to the airport/bus station for onward afternoon travel.
Choose either Yegua Loca (boutique hotel) or Cabo de Hornos (4* hotel) at USD $375 per person | Solo traveller: USD $500
Full-day King Penguin Encounter
The only place to see king penguins on mainland South America; take 1 full day from Punta Arenas, to visit these beautiful and iconic creatures. Departing early, cross the Strait of Magellan by ferry (2.5hrs) and then travel 2hrs by road in order to reach this unique protected reserve. Your guide will explain about how these animals forge a living in this remote area.
Bring a packed lunch or buy something en-route. Returning around 8:30pm and covering 250 miles (400km) on asphalted roads, this a long, but rewarding experience. Note: the king penguin reserve is closed on Mondays.
This package also includes 2 hotel nights in Punta Arenas, and transfers to/from your hotel/airport.
Choose either Yegua Loca (boutique hotel) or Cabo de Hornos (4* hotel) at USD $565 per person | Solo traveller: USD $825
2 Day King Penguin encounter
Take 2 days to cross the Strait of Magellan and explore Tierra del Fuego’s famous king penguin colony at a relaxed pace, and absorb incredible landscapes at the End of the World. A similar itinerary to our day-trip, but spend a night in the small town of Porvenir, visit its local museum and enjoy more time at the penguin colony on the second day, arriving there before the day tourists arrive.
Accomodation in this small town is comfortable and simple - perfect for a night's stop. Breakfast is included on Day 2, and you’ll return in the evening to Punta Arenas. Note: the king penguin reserve is closed on Mondays.
Both hotel nights in Punta Arenas, and transfers to/from your hotel/airport are included.
Choose either Yegua Loca (boutique hotel) or Cabo de Hornos (4* hotel) at USD $995 per person | Solo traveller: USD $1,275
3 Day Whale & Wildlife Watching in Chilean Fjords
Looking for a completely immersive, research-style expedition to sight humpback whales? Look no further. Spend time with whale researchers onboard a small vessel and on a remote island research station, perched at the end of the Strait of Magellan.
Encounter whales and other wildlife such as seals, sea lions and albatross.
The experience at this eco-camp in one of the most pristine environments left on earth, is truly remote and impactful.
Amazingly good value for money, Swoop’s package combines our Humpback Whale Watching Adventure with accommodation and transfers before and after in Punta Arenas.
Choose either Yegua Loca (boutique hotel) or Cabo de Hornos (4* hotel) at USD $1,899 per person | Solo traveller: USD $2,165
How to book a Torres del Paine add-on
- Take a look at our descriptions above and see what you might like to do.
- Your Swoop specialist can talk you through the different options and help you decide - ask us a question.
- Swoop’s add-ons are modular, so you can select one or many experiences and we will fit them into your overall travel itinerary.
- Once you’ve decided, we’ll inform Chile Nativo who will confirm all the details and we will process payment for everything together.
