adventuredays2

We are planning our first trip ten-day trip to Chile and would like to focus on the natural beauty and options for adventure available in TdP and in the San Pedro de Atacama regions. We will be flying from the US directly to Punta Arenas, a very long 20 hour plus trip including a five hour lay over in SCL. Flights from Punta Arenas to Calama would require an overnight in Santiago. These flights are with LAN. Flights with Sky Airline(s) are not yet available past the end of the year. Does anyone have suggestions as to how we might arrange our schedule to make more effective use of our time? Should we look into getting to Southern Patagonia via another route to the direct flight from SCL? Unfortunately, work schedules do not permit us to extend the trip. We plan to spend a total of six days in Southern Patagonia and four days in Atacama. Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions!

Huentetu

You will be changing plane in Santiago on your arrival as you are changing from an international to a domestic flight. You will go through passport control and customs at SCL and then need to re-check your bags for the domestic flight. They may be able to issue you with your boarding pass at your point of origin.

I believe there are paid VIP lounges you might use by domestic departures. There are restaurants available in the airport and the Holiday Inn is just across the slip road from the terminal.

With no extra time to play with you are better sticking with LAN rather than SKY, which has a much smaller fleet and is therefore more prone to a knock on effect with delays.

For Patagonia, flights to Punta Arenas are the way to go. They are expanding the airport at Puerto Natales and that should be ready to receive flights by February but I wouldn't count on it being ready in time.

Your split of time in each destination looks about right. Do you have an itinerary for Patagonia? You would need to book things now for next season.

adventuredays2

Thank you, Huentetu. Given the LONG wait times to get to Patagonia from the US, I reversed our trip dates to begin in San Pedro and end in TdP. All hotel and air bookings are done. We are spending four nights in the park, divided between a stay at Lago Grey (pricey but it looks worth it) and a three night stay at Hotel Las Torres Patagonia. We will be doing day hikes rather than trying to manage a multi-day hike. The time we have in TdP will be buffered with stays in Punta Arenas due to flight times in and out of Patagonia. I am very excited to see these amazing places. It you have any tips and suggestions for either location, please feel free to let me know. We will be traveling independently and free to explore at our leisure.

Many thanks!

odie1

adventure-


Driving times in the park are long and slow. It's smart you are splitting your time between hotels. The biggest issue is getting gas in the park, though some can be found for very expensive from some sources.
The drive time from Punta Arenas will be about 7-8 hours. If you can fly into Puerto Natales, that would be better but sounds like the airport may not be up and running then.

You can see my trip report here: Skip to TdP


http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...reath-away.cfm

adventuredays2

Dear Odie1:

What a wonderful trip report. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your family's experiences in Patagonia. I have saved your report and plan to read it more carefully over the coming days. I am sure that, like you, I will be amazed by the things I see in TdP, and I can't wait!

I did check on the status of the airport at Puerto Natales. It does not yet appear to be operational. When it opens, it will most certainly make the trip to TdP easier, but I wonder if that is a good thing?!

odie1

adventure-

I would agree, better to leave this area of the world a mighty challenge to access, the masses will stay away.

Happy to try and answer any questions you may have. As a FYI, there is a lot more info on this part of the world on the TA forums.

If you follow the link to my blog (accessed from my TR), there are lots of photos uploaded for each day (same info as my TR), just includes photos.

Huentetu

There have previously been commercial flights to Puerto Natales, thee times a week if memory serves, and seasonal. But use was limited because it only had the status of an aerodrome and not an airport. It should be finished sometime in the summer of 2016. These planes do not just carry tourists but are an important link for local people and commerce. Year round access by air is important for the area.

Regarding the access to Torres del Paine, we have already seen an explosion of visitors over the last few years. Although some luxury hotels have been built in the area, the options for multi-day hikers remain the same. This has created a strain on the spots available and booking is now required for Campamento Torres as it cannot cope with the numbers.

I think the authorities are well aware of their duty to keep the park much as it has always been. It may be that daily numbers will be capped (much as Machu Picchu), entrance fees raised, or booking required for all camping areas. Perhaps all of those.