Hiking from cruise ports?

[noloafing]

We just booked the 73-Day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage on HAL. We are avid hikers and would like to explore as many hiking trails as we can. We would greatly appreciate any recommendations for hikes in or around any of the ports on this cruise.

Thanks -

[TayanaLorna]

In Tierra del Fuego National Park near Ushuaia there are several awesome hiking trails.  The one that begins to the right of the beach on which the End of the World Post Office is located is particularly spectacular.  We used Nicolas from Alma Calma as guide for this.

 

At the Puerto Montt, Chile stop we hiked the trails at the Osorno Volcano.  We had a clear blue sky day and the views were endless.  There was also a hike from the Osorno Volcano down to the Petrohue Waterfalls area.  We hiked those trails also but drove between the 2 spots.  We used AndresO from Tours by Locals.  

 

 

Edited August 12, 2023 by TayanaLorna

[noloafing]

Excellent information - thank you.

[tackingdev32]

We're booked for the same cruise and also very interested in day hikes at some of the ports. This weekend I've been working on planning our excursions for the Caribbean ports at the end of the cruise, and some of this might be helpful to you.

 

• Dec 14, Dominica - We selected one of the HAL excursions that does a short hike to Trafalgar Falls and another short hike in the Trois Pitons National Park.
  • https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/dominica/saint-george/trafalgar-falls-trail
• Dec 15, Tortola - Several different hikes around the island, but we selected an independent tour that hikes up Mt Alma.
  • https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/british-virgin-islands/guana-island/waterfront-drive
• Dec 16, San Juan - There's a self-guided walking tour of Old San Juan. We'll likely do that along with the National Historic Site.
  • https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/puerto-rico/northern-region/old-san-juan-walking-tour

 

We probably won't do any trail hiking in Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil since we're interested in doing more history, culture, and food focused excursions, but Chile is a place I'd love to do some hiking. I'll be very interested to hear any hikes you're planning, and I'll post back here once we've finalized our plans for some of the other ports.

[noloafing]

We just signed up for this cruise so I'm still working my way through the itinerary. From what you have listed, it looks like we have similar excursion interests. 

What independent tour service did you sign up with for Mt Alma?

[tackingdev32]

We're using HIKE BVI and booked on TripAdvisor here: 2023 Private Hiking Tour in British Virgin Island with the Best 360 View (tripadvisor.com)

[Justthatgoodguyjim]

My wife and I are huge hikers/backpackers. Looking at getting off cruise ship in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas and rejoining in Valparaiso. Would give us 3-4 days to do something more than just a day hike.

[tackingdev32]

@noloafing We've been planning more of our shore excursions and thought I'd highlight a few more that are hiking-adjacent:

 

• Oct 11, Puerto Limon - We booked a combined tour of the Veragua Rainforest Walk, Aerial Tram, & Canal Boat tour on TripAdvisor: 2023 Veragua Rainforest Walk, Tram & Tortuguero Boat Tour. Limon Shore Excursion (tripadvisor.com)
• Oct 14, Manta - Another rainforest walk excursion on TripAdvisor: 2023 The rain forest, surroundings & lunch. (tripadvisor.com)
• Oct 29, Isla Robinson Crusoe - No excursion, but we plan to hike this trail to a fantastic overlook of the town and bay: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/chile/valparaiso/mirador-salsipuedes
• Oct 31, Castro - We booked HAL's excursion to the National Park which includes this trail: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/chile/los-lagos/sendero-el-tepual
• Nov 4, Ushuaia - We booked HAL's excursion called "Trekking in Ushuaia", but I couldn't seem to find a trail map for this one.
• Dec 2, Santarem - We booked HAL's excursion to the National Forest, and I think this is the hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/brazil/para/trilha-do-piquia
• Dec 4, Manaus - Another HAL excursion called "Amazon Jungle Trek & Survival Guide", but not sure on the actual trail.

[Sea42]

3 hours ago, tackingdev32 said:

Nov 4, Ushuaia - We booked HAL's excursion called "Trekking in Ushuaia", but I couldn't seem to find a trail map for this one.

Could you share any more info on this excursion? Is there a description available? Our cruise isn't until 2025 so nothing showing yet.

Thanks!

[noloafing]

@Justthatgoodguyjim I can understand that desire. We're already leaving the ship for Machu Picchu though so we're content to stick with day hikes.

[noloafing]

@Sea42 Trekking in Ushuaia:

ABOUT THE EXCURSION

Start out from the pier by motorcoach heading towards the northeast to the Tierra Mayor Valley.

Just before the Alvear mountain range, you will come to Nunatak, a warm cabin from where your trek begins. As you hike, nature offers a splendid view of the thick forest of Lengas -- the typical tree of the region where a great variety of birds make their homes. Reaching the Alvear Mountains, view the Five Cascades and learn how beavers work at building their dams.

Return to the cabin for refreshments of tea, coffee or mate (the national drink) before heading back to the pier.

Notes:

Knee-high rubber boots are provided in a variety of sizes if the weather dictates. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion; outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Minimum age is 15 years. Tour does not operate on holidays.

[Sea42]

3 hours ago, noloafing said:

@Sea42 Trekking in Ushuaia:

ABOUT THE EXCURSION

Start out from the pier by motorcoach heading towards the northeast to the Tierra Mayor Valley.

Just before the Alvear mountain range, you will come to Nunatak, a warm cabin from where your trek begins. As you hike, nature offers a splendid view of the thick forest of Lengas -- the typical tree of the region where a great variety of birds make their homes. Reaching the Alvear Mountains, view the Five Cascades and learn how beavers work at building their dams.

Return to the cabin for refreshments of tea, coffee or mate (the national drink) before heading back to the pier.

Notes:

Knee-high rubber boots are provided in a variety of sizes if the weather dictates. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion; outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Minimum age is 15 years. Tour does not operate on holidays.

Thanks so much, this sounds like a good one to use for our excursion credit.

[noloafing]

@tackingdev32 Here are the hiking related excursions we've booked and the AllTrails hikes I found that are accessible from the ports.

• Oct 11, Puerto Limon - HAL excursion Rainforest Walk, Canal Cruise and Countryside
• Oct 29, Isla Robinson Crusoe - I found the same trail you did: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/chile/valparaiso/mirador-salsipuedes
• Nov 4, Ushuaia - Taxi or shuttle to Terra del Fuego National Park to hike to Coastal Path: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/argentina/tf/senda-costera?u=i
• Nov 15, Montevideo - Old City Walk: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/argentina/tf/senda-costera?u=i
• Nov 18, Punta del Este Uruguay - Harbor Loop: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/uruguay/maldonado/punta-del-este-circuito-puerto?u=i
• Nov 23, Armacao dos Buzios - There are many short hikes near this port on AllTrails
• Nov 28, Fortaleza - Ciclovia Compartilhada Mauro Feitosa - Mucuripe: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/brazil/ceara--2/ciclovia-compartilhada-mauro-feitosa-mucuripe?u=i
• Dec 12, Scarborough, HAL excursion Tobago Rain Forest Adventure
• Dec 15, Road Town, We may take a taxi to Beef Island to hike Mt Alma or we'll walk Nanny Cay Resort to Brandywine Bay Beach: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/british-virgin-islands/tortola/nanny-cay-resort-to-brandywine-bay-beach?u=i
• Dec 16, San Juan, Old San Juan Walking Tour: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/puerto-rico/northern-region/old-san-juan-walking-tour?u=i

 

[noloafing]

Link correction for Montevideo Old City Walk: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/uruguay/montevideo/caminata-ciudad-vieja-de-montevideo?u=i

 

[tackingdev32]

That looks like a nice mix of city walks and hiking trails. We may scrap the HAL tours we booked in Montevideo and Punta del Este in favor of a walk around the city. I did find an audio guide for Montevideo that looks like a similar path to the trail you linked: https://voicemap.me/tour/montevideo/explore-the-old-city-with-a-friend

[Falconer2]

@noloafing Thanks for the hint of using AllTrails!