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Experience what has been called one of the best treks in Patagonia by Lonely Planet! The Dientes circuit is a 4 day and 42km circuit on Navarino Island and it’s the southernmost major trek in the world! It’s a tough hike even for experienced trekkers, mainly due to the remoteness and the ever changing weather conditions in Patagonia. Cross the Dientes de Navarino massif at the far end of South America, trek along rural roads, through rocky wilderness, forests, peat bogs, valleys, lakes and rivers. Trek to the highest point of the circuit of approximately 900m and take in stunning views of jagged mountain peaks, the Beagle Channel, the town of Puerto Williams in Chile and Ushuaia in Argentina, Nassau Bay, the Wollaston archipelago and the mythical archipelago of Cape Horn.
This circuit on Navarino Island is one of the few very remote places left on earth and not many people have undertaken this adventure. It will appeal to experienced hikers who are looking to immerse in true wilderness and remoteness at the end of the world and who want to carry a full pack of approximately 15kg and are able to cope with adverse weather conditions. This trip is weather dependent and the full circuit cannot be guaranteed. If we complete the circuit or not, it will be an adventure of a lifetime!
Non-exclusive trips:
On selected departures, this trip is not exclusive to Rogue Adventures, and you will be joining a group of 2 – 8 adventurers from around the world.
Day 1 FLY FROM PUNTA ARENAS TO PUERTO WILLIAMS
Day 2 START TREKKING THE DIENTES CIRCUIT
Day 3 CROSS THE DIENTES DE NAVARINO CORDILLERA
Day 4 TREK THROUGH THE GUERRICO VALLEY
Day 5 LAST DAY OF TREKKING, RETURN TO PUERTO WILLIAMS
Day 6 FLY FROM PUERTO WILLIAMS TO PUNTA ARENAS
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners
Domestic flight from Punta Arenas to Puerto William return
Accommodation on a shared basis in tents during the trek and lodging on Navarino Island Experienced local bilingual head guide and expedition crew
Hiking poles
Camping equipment (sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tents)
All group cooking equipment
1 Porter for every 2 clients to carry camping equipment and food (not personal equipment)
Emergency radio communication equipment, satellite phone (guide is equipped with this) Emergency Medical kit
International airfares and departure taxes
Transfer to and from the airport in Punta Arenas
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Personal gear
Bottled water, aerated and alcoholic drinks
Tips and gratuities
Personal porterage. It is possible to hire a personal porter at an additional cost. If requested, the additional charge is payable at time of booking. This means you only carry your day’s necessities in a day pack. The personal porter is attached to the group for the trekking portion of the trip. This amount pays for the porter’s wages, trek food & equipment, accommodation and meals on the trek.
Travel insurance (compulsory) and visas
This is an expedition in the truest sense, where you are a member of the team. Your guide will be joined by assistant crew members (depending on the group size) and they will handle the majority of the catering. But due to the wilderness factor, one has to be flexible and happy to assist when requested. You will be responsible for gathering water for drinking and meals, assisting with food preparation and expected to clean your own eating utensils, as well as erect and take down your tent. Food will be as varied as much as possible but bearing in mind that we have to be largely self sufficient, you should not expect much fresh food.
You are expected to be able to carry your personal gear including your sleeping bag, sleeping mat and snacks for the day. The general camping equipment and food will be carried by porters. The daily routine will be dependent on the weather. Most mornings we will rise by 6am and following breakfast, we plan to be on the trail around 8am. Lunch will be carried each day by individual group members and will be taken enroute. The sun sets late during summer in Patagonia, and the resulting long days allow us to make the best use of daylight on some long trekking days.
Chile boasts an astounding geographical diversity ranging from the driest place on earth (Atacama Desert) to the rain swept Patagonian peaks in the south where the Patagonian ice‐cap is the third largest mass of ice in the world. The country rarely exceeds 200km in breadth, yet is 4300 km long. To the north, Chile borders Peru and Bolivia, whilst to the east the Andes separate it from Argentina, and the Pacific Ocean runs the length of its western coast line. It has the largest European population in South America (5%) yet the traditions of its Indian population (5%) continue to thrive in the Andean foothills. Just over 14 million people live in Chile, of which 5 million are based in Santiago. The capital city of Santiago, like its Argentinean equivalent Buenos Aires, has a distinctly European flavour. The southern towns of Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales are completely different again, located as they are near the end of the world! Both towns have great seafood and good scenery and Punta Arenas has the added bonus of some excellent museums.
There is a large variation of temperature between Santiago in the north and Patagonia in the south. It may be 8 degrees Celsius in Puerto Natales and 25 degrees Celsius in Santiago in the middle of summer. You will need to be prepared for such temperature variations.
The temperatures in Santiago vary from 17‐30 degrees during summer (December to February) and 18 – 14 degrees during winter. The temperature range further south in Patagonia is lower, equivalent perhaps to the highlands of Tasmania or Scotland, and can become quite cold in the evenings and early mornings during the high season which runs from October to March.
Patagonia’s southern coastal position leaves it exposed to the intense winds that circle the Antarctic land mass. As such, the climate of Patagonia is unpredictable.
The summer season spanning November to March, experiences average daytime temperatures of between 8‐20 degrees Celsius and in the evenings the temperature can reach zero. By Andean standards, the Patagonian Mountains are low in altitude, but they capture virtually all the south‐west air borne moisture cladding their summits with snow, and leaving the leeward side, the Patagonian plains, in a severe rain shadow. This makes for some very interesting contrasts in the landscapes.
Summer ‐ Nov to March
Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut‐free or allergen‐free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travelers with life‐threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self‐administering these medications.
A Challenging trip is more difficult than any other program we offer. Each of these expeditions has an ambitious objective or goal that necessitates cooperation, contribution and a positive spirit from every member for it to be successful and ultimately rewarding and enjoyable for all. Being personally very fit and healthy will allow you to cope with the rigours of the trip through all conditions right through to the finish, and being mentally ready to embrace the variety of experiences involved is equally important. We strongly encourage intending participants to talk and meet with us directly as early as possible to discuss your ideas and ensure you have chosen the right trip for your level of experience and fitness.
For a challenging program physical fitness should be an ongoing thing, which should start from a base at around 4 to 6 months prior to departure and increase to build maximum endurance, stamina, flexibility and familiarity with the anticipated routine as much as possible by your trip commencement. Three to five hard sessions of 40 to 60 minutes of physical exercise per week such as running, hill walking, swimming, cycling or gym work will build excellent aerobic capacity and overall endurance and stamina which are so important in trekking and climbing at altitude. Overnight or multi day bushwalks ( on rough, loose and rocky terrain) should be incorporated in your training regime also, this develops skill and confidence on difficult terrain you will find on expedition. Rest and recovery, whilst at the same time steadily increasing your routine and incorporating variety, are just as important parts of the process if you intend to maintain and enjoy the regime for any duration.
(We hope that it will become a ‘lifetime’ thing.) With a solid training regime comes a more relaxed disposition, more energy and usually better walking and breathing technique, which ultimately leads to you having a great trip rather than some kind of survival experience. Likewise overnight camping bushwalks encourage you to become self‐actualised and self‐reliant, making the daily routine on trek, getting ready on time, keeping clean, helping out and so on, much easier and less stressful. Plan early with us and prepare yourself physically on a continuing basis right the way through, rather than putting it off for periods.
You will be provided with the following equipment to use (NOT to keep) during the trek: a sleeping bag, a thin foam sleeping mat (we recommend you bring an inflatable mat in addition to the provided mat) and hiking poles. All general camping equipment including 2 man tents and eating utensils will be provided. A dining tent with tables & camp stools and lighting, along with a toilet tent will be erected at each campsite.
This is a self sufficient camping trek based on sharing double occupancy (single supplements are available at extra cost, under request). Tents and cooking equipment gear is provided, however you will be required to put up your own tent (please see gear list for what is required). There is two nights lodging in Puerto Williams, one before and one after the trek.
Participants are expected to carry their own personal belongings including sleeping bag, sleeping mat, water, change of clothes and snacks. This should not exceed 15kg and must be carried in a rucksack of minimum 60L. Camping equipment and food will be carried by porters. A local porter can be hired at an additional charge in which case participants carry a day pack (minimum 40L) only. Please ask our staff for more details. The group camping equipment and food will be carried by porters.
Specialist gear required include comfortable and waterproof walking boots, gaiters, trekking poles, sleeping bag, thermarest sleeping mat, rucksack or day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre‐departure information provided on booking).
Allowed baggage weight for the main luggage for the flight from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams is max 10kg and 5kg for hand luggage. Any excess luggage that is not necessary while on trek can be left at the lodge in Puerto Williams and collected on your return. Please ensure your luggage can be locked.
Chile
Visas are not required for passport holders from the following countries visiting Chile however some nationalities are required to pay a “reciprocity fee” in USD cash on arrival if entering via Santiago International Airport, for short term tourism purposes.
Australia: fee of approximately US$117
For NZ, UK, CA & US Passport holders there is no fee applicable.
For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy.
Argentina
A visa is exempt for passport holders from the following countries visiting Argentina for short term tourism purposes:
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
United States
United Kingdom
For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy.
Please bear in mind that visas may be required for countries you are visiting en route or transiting through on the way to your destination. It is important that you check the requirements of all countries you will visit. Visa costs and requirements do change regularly so we suggest you check with your travel agent or Rogue Adventures reservations consultant. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary visas.
The adventures featured in our brochures, and on our website, are just a starting point for many of our private group travelers. Working closely with our Groups Department we can organise custom designed itineraries for groups of friends, clubs, charity’s, schools or even work colleagues. Our team will assist you with all aspects of your private group adventure from itinerary design to group flights. Contact our team today.
