Patagonia Spiritual Tour: Glaciers and Granite

This Patagonia spiritual retreat is a 14-day walking and qigong tour through southern Chile and Argentina, led by qigong and meditation teacher Amy Pattee Colvin. It is written for capable, busy people who want to quiet an overactive mind and settle a nervous system that has been running hot. The route runs from Punta Arenas through Torres del Paine National Park to El Chaltén and a working estancia in Los Glaciares National Park, with daily qigong and meditation practiced at glacier edges, lake shores and mountain viewpoints. The group is guaranteed to be no more than twelve guests.

What to Expect

The idea behind the trip is awe. Amy's premise is that standing before granite peaks and glaciers interrupts habits of force and worry, and that the practices help you carry that steadiness home. Near-daily instruction in meditation and qigong is paired with occasional conversations on self-acceptance and compassion.

The first two days are given to the overnight flight, arrival in Punta Arenas and a rest day, with a group walk and a first dinner. From there the route moves to Puerto Natales, where a full-day boat tour on the Ultima Esperanza Fjord passes sea lions and the Balmaceda Glacier, then walks to the foot of the Serrano Glacier. A glass of whiskey with glacier ice and a Patagonian lamb barbecue at a local ranch close the day.

Two nights in Torres del Paine bring hikes to a condor viewpoint, the Cuernos Lookout and Salto Grande waterfall, and a loop around Sarmiento Lake. The route then crosses the steppe into Argentina and El Chaltén, where the days include the Mirador de los Cóndores, a roughly eleven-mile hike to Laguna Torre beneath Cerro Torre and the Adela Glacier, and a steeper six-mile hike to Laguna Capri with views of Fitz Roy. The final stretch is four nights at Estancia Nibepo Aike, with gaucho horsemanship, a sheep shearing demonstration, a choice of hiking or horseback riding to La Angostura, and a day on Lake Argentino and Frías Lake in Los Glaciares National Park. Qigong and meditation fit in along the trail or at the lodge at the end of the day.

About Amy Pattee Colvin

Amy Pattee Colvin is a somatic educator who teaches qigong, meditation and compassion practices, blending neuroscience, compassion training and Taoist movement. Her interest in the mind-body connection began in childhood, when she watched her father use hypnosis and creative imagery to help her heal from scrapes. Her qigong path began in the mid-1990s, and for nearly 30 years she has studied under Leong Tan. She teaches Sum Faht® Meditation and forms he developed. In 2011 she began teaching qigong and meditation classes at Google's offices in Washington state, streaming to 16 cities around the world.

The Setting

Nights are spent in small, nature-focused properties, including a hotel in Punta Arenas, lodging in Puerto Natales, Hosteria Pehoe or similar in Torres del Paine, a hotel in El Chaltén and the historic lodge at Estancia Nibepo Aike. Travel between stops is by private ground transport and two boat rides to glacier viewpoints. Arrival is in Punta Arenas, and guests arrange their own airport transfer.

Before You Go

Walks and hikes range from 1.5 to 11 miles, some with steady climbs, so a reasonable level of fitness helps. No prior qigong or meditation experience is mentioned as a requirement.

Included are lodging for 13 nights, 31 meals (13 breakfasts, 12 dinners and one lunch), all ground and water transportation except airport transfers, park and activity entrance fees, a professional tour leader, Chilean and Argentine drivers, local guides at select sites, and gratuities for drivers and local guides.

Not included are international airfare to Punta Arenas and from El Calafate, airport transfers, most lunches, beverages with meals, alcohol and the tour leader's gratuity.