Summer in the heart of southern winter Patagonia all to yourself

Swapping our long-awaited summer for the winter temperatures of southern Chile may seem incongruous… In fact, very few intrepid travellers attempt it, preferring the high season with its milder temperatures. But high season also means large crowds, accommodation in high demand, and groups of hikers coming to admire the grandeur of these extreme landscapes. Going off the beaten path promises an entirely different Chile. Those landscapes with intense colours that reveal themselves only once a year - red, yellow and orange set against a backdrop of snow-capped Andean mountains. Wildlife returning to its natural habitat; pure nature at rest. And even in the most remote regions, temperatures do not vary drastically from one season to another, contrary to popular belief. So there’s no need to prepare for a polar expedition. Moreover, the accommodations that remain open during the southern winter can be counted on the fingers of one hand. But these rare holdouts reserve for their privileged guests an exceptional experience. Patagonia in VIP style, in short. The journey begins and ends in Santiago, a vibrant capital looking to the future after more austere periods. Santiago, where the night is often cool but never short of warmth. Colonial architecture has given way to a unique eclecticism - sometimes greyish, sometimes bright - that may puzzle you, but never leaves you indifferent. We won’t linger here; the legendary Chiloé Archipelago awaits us, nestled between fjords and the Pacific. Patagonia, in its island version. We begin with its “capital”, Castro, whose charm lies in its rows of palafitos - historic wooden houses on stilts that stand alongside small fishing boats in the waters of the fjord. Everything here, or almost everything, seems frozen in time - in the best possible way. A palpable authenticity, combined with a lifestyle shaped by the rhythms of nature. A nature in which you’ll immerse yourself, body and soul, as you enter the Rilán Peninsula, an island on an island. Birds flitting about, water everywhere, scattered herds eking out a living amid rolling, green landscapes where a few cottages stand fearlessly against the elements. We leave this peaceful Patagonia to explore the continental one, altogether harsher and more rugged. First, Punta Arenas, a peaceful town on the banks of the Strait of Magellan, then Torres del Paine National Park, a jewel presided over by sharp peaks that announce to visitors that they are entering one of the most beautiful places in the world. The contrast of colours is striking, the natural surroundings overwhelmingly pure. For several days, you’ll drift along, daydreaming of lakes with an incredible azure hue, sometimes dotted with large blocks of ice, of trees in blood-red and fiery yellow, of marble reaching up to the sky, made of snow and millennia-old rock, of an endless field of blue ice - a miraculous glacier. Waking up is gentle, like a good night in Puerto Natales, on the shores of the Golfo Almirante Montt, from where Santiago is just a flight away for a final urban farewell to Chile.

Your journey

Throughout the entire trip, we’ll handle the logistics so you can focus on what matters most: fully experiencing the journey. At each stop, we have selected accommodations in harmony with their surroundings, comfortable, and always unique. Some highlights are already planned along the journey: a private visit to Chiloé National Park, a boat trip along the glacier on Lake Grey, as well as a dinner at a very special establishment in Santiago. We have also already paid the entrance fees allowing for free exploration of Torres del Paine National Park. Your journeys are seamless, with transfers already booked or a rental car when it makes sense - supported by Wi-Fi, GPS, a mobile app and road maps. Finally, because you are never entirely safe from the unexpected, you can contact our on-site Concierge at any time. In coordination with your travel specialist, your concierge can also help adapt your journey according to your wishes even as it unfolds.