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Kayak in PatagoniaPatagonia, Chile
With granite spires and glaciated mountain ranges that sprawl across Argentina and Chile, Patagonia is one of the most diverse and visually spectacular locations in the world.
Wild and isolated, Patagonia is South America’s playground for intrepid adventurers - its wind-swept plains, temperate rainforests and turquoise lakes stretch for thousands of miles, and despite its desolation, it holds a wealth of unique flora and fauna.
Exploring this amazing landscape by sea with Aurora Expeditions is a bucket list trip. On their Patagonia and Chilean Fjords Expeditions you can kayak through ice calvings, waterways and glistening fjords teeming with wildlife, and drift through some of the most secluded areas of Torres del Paine National Park.
Once you reach your destination, you'll have the chance to kayak at least once a day and anywhere between 5 to 15 kilometres (2 to 4 hours) per outing, sometimes taking a snack and a flask of hot chocolate to enjoy on the excursion. The Aurora guides have years of kayaking experience and will lead the group on each excursion, explaining facts about the wildlife and landscape as they pass by.
Highlights include seeing flamingos, ibis and swans on the shores of Lake Argentino, or befriending a charismatic guanaco as you cross the Patagonian steppes.
get there
Patagonia can be reached from Punta Arenas via Puerto Natales or from Calafate in Argentina by crossing the border at Cerro Castillo.
All major Chilean airlines, including LATAM, have frequent daily flights from Santiago, capital of Chile, to Punta Arenas.
This activity is an optional extra on the Aurora Expeditions Patagonia & Chilean Fjords voyage. It is priced at US$1,300 per person
Patagonia’s travel and nature experiences are suitable for kayakers and trekkers of all levels.
Even if your experience is limited, we’d encourage you to call us to discuss your suitability. There is often ample time to gain the required experience before you depart. Kayakers should be aged 14 or over.
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Once the chosen destination has been reached, the aim is to kayak at least once a day in order to see as much as possible (weather depending). If the opportunity arises, we may go out twice, as the 24-hour daylight allows for some beautiful evening paddles under the midnight sun.
Rather than travelling large distances, kayakers can expect to paddle anywhere between 5 to 15 kilometres (2 to 4 hours) per outing.
When visiting the poles, the elements play an important role. It is important that participants have an adventurous attitude and understand that kayaking time will be affected by the weather.
This tip was provided by auroraexpeditions.com.au but we’re sharing it with you because we think it’s great.
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