Spend 31 days exploring the coastline of Chilean Patagonia by sea kayak and on foot, paddling through glacial-carved fjords and backpacking into some of the most remote coastal wilderness on earth.
Your expedition begins at the NOLS campo just outside Coyhaique, where you’ll organize gear and rations before heading into the field self-sufficient for the month. You’ll start with camping fundamentals and basic kayak skills before moving into more advanced skills like risk management, ocean navigation, conflict resolution and camp craft. As the course progresses, backpacking routes may lead to unnamed peaks, unexplored island interiors, or hidden beaches along the Pacific coast.

The Patagonian coast is home to magnificent temperate rainforest and wildlife that includes native birds, puma, and a range of marine life. Weather here changes fast and dramatically — you may experience the extremes of winter and summer in the same day. Your instructors will help you learn to live comfortably in any of the challenging conditions you may encounter.

Although you’ll have formal classes, most of your learning will be experiential and will take place as you practice your leadership skills through backcountry living. As competence builds, instructors hand more responsibility to the group, and your course may culminate in a multi-day independent student expedition.

You’ll leave with the sea kayaking, backpacking, and expedition skills to travel confidently in any terrain.