Travelling with Chile Nativo
- Chile Nativo have been trekking and horse riding in Torres del Paine for decades
- Their guides are some of the best in the business - passionate, knowledgable, and always going the extra mile
- With their headquarters in Puerto Natales, Chile Nativo have their eyes and ears on the ground throughout the season
- They run their own riverside dome camp in the south of the national park
- Chile Nativo run hiking and horse riding trips ranging from a few days to a few weeks
Chile Nativo guides
Meet the team
Not just anyone can lead programs at Chile Nativo. 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.
This small, specialized team always go the extra mile: helping guests with lost luggage, booking onward connections and organizing accommodation. They have a happy working culture, and it shows.
What our customers think
Why add-on to Torres del Paine?
There are a variety of really exciting excursions to be taken in either Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales either before or after your main trip, and most travellers only find out about these once they’re on the ground and trying frantically to book bus tickets or find a hotel room in high season.
Punta Arenas is the gateway-hub to the region and has amazing wildlife watching opportunities: From cute little Magellanic penguins, to majestic king penguins and awesome whale watching options, this historic port city has lots to offer.
Puerto Natales, a smaller town nearer the park is an outdoor mecca and a must-stop for anyone entering or leaving Torres del Paine. If you’re looking for horse-riding trips, kayaking adventures, tackling the hills by mountain bike or some off-the-beaten path trekking options, look no further.
See our Guide to Chile for further ideas and inspiration.
How to get to Torres del Paine
Use our expert knowledge to help pick and choose your adventure in this thrilling region.
Active in Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales Hotel & Bus Package
Let Swoop take care of the hassle of your logistics by providing transport between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales and a hotel night for before and after your Torres del Paine Adventure. Travel by comfortable public coach between the towns (4hrs) and choose between a centrally located mid-range hotel or a high-end hotel for a special night in Puerto Natales, with your taxi transfers included if required.
If you have a half-day spare you might like to add a guided 3-hour bike tour of this attractive frontier town and its spectacular surroundings 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.
Mid-range hotel package: USD $169 / High-end hotel package: USD $599
Mid-range solo traveller: USD $295 / High-end solo traveller: USD $879
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 and your lunch will undoubtedly be a highlight - a chance to savour a sumptuous asado de cordero (lamb bbq), filling both your heart and belly. Return to Puerto Natales in the early evening.
This package also includes 3 nights accommodation in Puerto Natales, and transport services between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.
Mid-range hotel package : USD $499 / High-end hotel package: USD $1,145
Mid-range solo traveller: USD $795 / High-end solo traveller: 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 in Puerto Natales, 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
Horse-ride in the Pingo Valley, Torres del Paine
With a full 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. For the same price, enjoy one of the following:
- 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 in a small group.
This package also includes 3 nights accommodation in Puerto Natales, and transport services between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.
Mid-range hotel package : USD $675 / High-end hotel package: USD $1,315
Mid-range solo traveller: USD $875 / High-end solo traveller: USD $1,735
Natales Rock Climb
If taking to the rock face and getting vertical is your thing, we can organise for a mountain guide to lead you up the local crags and cliffs in this stunning location for some Patagonian sports rock climbing. All equipment is included and excursions will be in private for either a half-day or whole-day outing.
Note: food and water is not included.
This package also includes 3 nights accommodation in Puerto Natales, and transport services between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas.
Half-day, mid-range hotel option USD $429 / High-end hotel option USD $1,065
Mid-range solo traveller: USD $629 / High-end solo traveller: USD $1,485
If extending the excursion to a full-day, add USD $100 to these prices.
Patagonian Adventures with Swoop & Chile Nativo
Pelin, one of Chile Nativo's top guides
Lake Dickson, Torres del Paine
Breakfast at Riverside Camp
Horse riding in Torres del Paine
Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine
Kayakers explore Glacier Grey, Torres del Paine
Horse riding in Torres del Paine
A hiker looks out across the lake, Torres del Paine
Group hike, Torres del Paine
Wildlife Experiences near Punta Arenas
Half-day Magellanic Penguin Experience
Sitting in the Strait of Magellan lies a small island harbouring thousands of Magellanic penguins, providing one of the most accessible penguin encounters in Latin America. Arriving into Punta Arenas from Torres del Paine, you’re transferred to your hotel for the night and start out early the following day. Travel by motor boat (45 minutes) and set foot on Magdalena island. Your guide will explain to you and 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 along the way include albatrosses, cormorants, sea lions, dolphins and possibly even whales. Return around midday where you’ll be taken to the airport/bus station for onward travel.
Choose either a boutique hotel or 4* centrally located hotel option 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 is on Tierra del Fuego. Departing early you’ll 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 hese beautiful and iconic animals and you’ll have time to photograph and observe them. Your return trip is via a different route, arriving back at your hotel around 8.30pm. Bring a packed lunch or purchase something en-route, as you cover 250 miles (400km) on asphalted roads at the end of the world.
Note: The king penguin reserve is closed on Mondays
This package also includes hotel nights in Punta Arenas, and transfers to/from your hotel/airport.
Choose either a boutique hotel or 4* centrally located hotel option 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. This is a similar itinerary to our one day trip, but you’ll spend a night in the small town of Porvenir and have time time to absorb this incredible region at the End of the World. Accomodation in Porvenir is simple, but comfortable enough for a single night stop; visit the local museum and enjoy more time at the penguin colony arriving there before the day tourists arrive. The only meal included is breakfast on Day 2. Return in the evening to Punta Arenas.
Note: The king penguin reserve is closed on Mondays
This package also includes both hotel nights in Punta Arenas, and transfers to/from your hotel/airport.
Choose either a boutique hotel or 4* centrally located hotel option at USD $995 per person / Solo traveller: USD $1,275
3 Day Whale & Wildlife Watching in Chilean Fjords
If you’re looking for a completely immersive, research-style expedition to observe and learn about humpback whales, and other wildlife, look no further. Spend time with whale researchers onboard a small vessel and at their research station on a remote island, perched between the Strait of Magellan and the Patagonian Chilean Fjords. You will encounter not only whales but all plenty of other spectacular wildlife including seals, sea lions and albatrosses. The experience at this eco-camp in one of the most pristine environments left on earth, is both impactful and truly remote.
This package is amazingly good value for money. Combining our humpback Whale Watching Adventure with accommodation and transfers before and after in Punta Arenas.
Choose either a boutique hotel or 4* centrally located hotel option 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.
- We’ll 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.
What our customers think
Swoop & Chile Nativo: Our History
Gonzalo Fuenzalida started guiding in Torres del Paine in 1997 and his passion for helping people explore the extraordinary peaks, glaciers and wildlife of Torres del Paine on foot and by horseback led him to start his own company: Chile Nativo. Swoop's partnership with Chile Nativo began in 2011, and they have since guided and supported more than 2,000 of Swoop's customers from all over the world. Favourite adventures include the W Trek and the Full Circuit. In 2017 Chile Nativo opened their riverside camp, a base for many Swoop adventures in Torres del Paine.
Chile Nativo's office is right in the heart of Puerto Natales, the gateway town to Torres del Paine. Address: Eberhard #230, Puerto Natales, 6160000
