Day 1. Arrive in Punta Arenas.
Arrive at the airport in Punta Arenas, Chile, on the Strait of Magellan, meet your trip leader and transfer to your hotel in this charming, windswept city. In the early evening, gather for a briefing on the adventures ahead.
Day 2. Scenic Drive to Torres del Paine National Park.
Early-morning drive through the monumental, wide-open plains that Patagonian is known for, arriving at the rambling town of Puerto Natales, spread across the shore of the Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound). Here we’ll stretch our legs, have lunch, and continue to Torres del Paine National Park, which rises majestically from the plains. We’ll stop for photos, spot a variety of animals, and view antique, picturesque sheep ranch “estancias” along the way.
Day 3. Kayaking the Grey Lake & River.
After breakfast, a short drive takes us to the shore of Lake Grey, where we’ll suit up, pick up kayaks, listen to a safety briefing, and then paddle for about three hours. The chance to kayak alongside chunks of floating icebergs, with their range of blues from navy to teal to turquoise, will be one of the major highlights of your Patagonia experience. In the distance, the forbidding wall of ice of the Glacier Grey looms.
Day 4. Hiking in the French Valley.
We’ll board a catamaran for the ride across the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé, dropping us off at the trailhead for the French Valley. Several hours of moderate hiking will bring us into the heart of the park’s most stunning alpine valley, whose entrance is heralded by a hanging glacier that drops ice in thunderous crashes. Two hiking options are available: an 11-mile hike back to camp (skipping the return catamaran), or hiking to the Britannic Camp lookout point, with a return to the lodge via catamaran and van ride.
Day 5. Explore Majestic Torres Del Paine.
Get an early start for the “classic” all-day hike up to the base of the three towers that give this national park its name. After a 45-minute climb, the trail undulates through lovely beech forest and alpine scenery along the Ascencio River, followed by a climb up a massive boulder-strewn moraine to the spectacular viewpoint of the towers rising majestically before an emerald glacial lake. Enjoy a picnic and hike back to hotel.
Day 6. Biking from Laguna Azul to Guanaco Macho Canyon.
Begin the day driving to eastern side of park for a 5-hour single-track ride along the deep blue waters of Laguna Azul. The 15-mile (25km) ride is made more manageable with e-bikes, allowing for more time to soak in the distant views of the three towers in the distance, and sightings of condors and guanacos. The trail ends at Guanaco Macho Canyon, where our van will be waiting for the return trip to the lodge.
Day 7. Biking in the wild Las Cumbres Estancia to Berlica Pass.
This is a specially crafted journey to a region that sees few travelers, if any. Baguales, which means “feral animals,” is a unique bike adventure through deep Patagonia, past the jagged peaks that divide Argentina and Chile. Navigating old trails once used by sheep ranching gauchos, we’ll pass antique estancia farms until reaching Berlica Pass, where our van will drive us back to our hotel.
Day 8. El Chaltén and Los Glaciares National Park.
A leisurely, scenic drive across the border takes us from Chile to El Chaltén, Argentina, the village at Los Glaciares National Park, and our base for the next few days. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9. Laguna de Los Tres.
Leave El Chaltén early and drive to Hostería El Pilar for today’s hike, beginning with 4.3 miles up the Rio Blanco to Poincenot’s basecamp. There we’ll begin to hike the steepest slope to the Laguna de los Tres, and then to the highlight of the day, the viewpoint of Cerro Fitz Roy. From the Laguna de los Tres return to Poincenot camp and hike down towards El Chaltén, enjoying the views of Capri Lagoon along the way.
Day 10. Laguna Torre.
A classic trek you cannot miss. The trail begins in the valley of the Fitz Roy River and follows the stream to its source. The first viewpoint is located in the gorge of the Fitz Roy, affording dynamite panoramic views of the Cerro Solo, the Adela range, and the Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy peaks. Finally, the trail crosses the De Agostini basecamp and continues to Laguna Torre, situated on a beautiful glacial lake set against the backdrop of Cerro Torre.
Day 11. Pliegue Tumbado.
From our hotel we’ll walk to Los Glaciares National Park visitor center, and from here hike a 5-mile trail to the summit from where we’ll be able to view the mountain peaks and ranges of Cerro Torre, Cerro Fitz Roy and River Fitzroy Valley.
Day 12. Paddle at La Leona River.
On the return drive to El Calafate, we will stop at the historical La Leona Estancia, to visit the steppe in the turquoise waters of La Leona river. We will visit a part of the badlands of Patagonia where it is possible to see prehistoric fossils and view the southern ice field and Fitz Roy massif. We will then continue to El Calafate.
Day 13. Perito Moreno Glacier.
From Calafate, we’ll head to another side of the Los Glaciares National Park: the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, known as one of the few glaciers worldwide that maintains its equilibrium and is therefore very active. The glacier’s 200-foot-high wall continually calves massive blocks of ice into the lake with a thunderous roar — an awesome spectacle of nature’s power at work. Return to El Calafate at the end of the day to enjoy a farewell dinner.
Day 14. Depart.
Transfer to El Calafate Airport, where we bid farewell to our guide. End of services.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Puerto Natales.
Arrive, meet for dinner and a briefing session about the upcoming days and what to expect. Night in Puerto Natales.
Day 2. Torres del Paine — The Trek Begins.
Following a van transfer to the park from Puerto Natales, we begin a 6-hour trek into the plunging Ascencio Valley through scented beech forest and undulating alpine terrain, until we reach a backcountry climber’s campsite, “Japones.” Here, we set up camp for the night.
Day 3. The Silent Valley.
Few visitors to Torres del Paine get the chance to visit this hidden wonderland of granite and ice, tucked deep inside a plunging valley of the Paine Massif on the back side of the Towers. This “cathedral” of imposing, sheer vertical rock rises high above a boulder-strewn glacier on the valley floor. We allow for a full day to explore this spectacular region in the heart of the Massif.
Day 4. Torres del Paine Lookout.
Today we’ll visit the base of the Towers that gave the national park its name. After packing up, we head out the Ascencio Valley, drop our packs at a ranger outpost, and head up a boulder-laden moraine until arriving at the Las Torres Valley, where we are treated to a sweeping view of the Paine Towers, considered by many as the highlight of the park. Then we begin our slow descent until reaching the Torres Campground, a 7-hour total trek for this day.
Day 5. Nordenskjold Lake.
Today we trek along a pleasant, flora-filled trail that skirts the impossibly turquoise waters of Lake Nordenskjold. After several hours, we detour off-trail and head up to the Bader Valley, a relatively unknown but no less spectacular valley rimmed with granite spires. We pitch camp in a small forest that affords spectacular, sweeping views of the Patagonian prairie and lakes.
Day 6. Bader Valley.
We have the entire day to walk deep into the Bader Valley, where the trail ends at a shimmering lake that brings life to the otherwise rocky alpine environment. We can see “Los Cuernos” from a perspective not many people are lucky to appreciate, other than the rock climbers who normally visit this area.
Day 7. Day of Rest.
Today we take it slow, breaking down camp and then heading down the high valley back to the W Trail, walking along Lake Nordenskjold to enjoy the views opening up of the Southern Ice Field and the Paine Grande mountain with its hanging glacier. We spend the night at the Los Cuernos campground.
Day 8. The French Valley Lookout.
After packing a daypack, we’ll head up the French Valley to penetrate deep into one of the park’s most spectacular valleys. We are in no hurry as we walk along the French Glacier and Paine Grande, the highest mountain in the park, passing through a forest of miniature Antarctic beech before arriving at a stunning amphitheater of tall granite peaks.
Day 9. Paine Lakes.
The W Trail continues along the base of the Paine Massif, on a relatively light hike that puts us at Lake Pehoe and the Paine Grande Lodge for lunch. After resting, we gear up for a more difficult hike into the Grey Valley, bordering Lake Grey and approaching the area’s massive glacier, which will come into view as we approach our destination for the evening, the Glacier Grey campground.
Day 10. Glacier Grey.
Today’s adventure involves ice and all of its shapes, colors and forms. After crossing the lake in a zodiac inflatable boat, passing floating icebergs, we reach the Nunatak island, hike to the glacier and strap on crampons, then begin our spectacular walk across the glacier peering into crevasses colored a range of blues.
Day 11. Goodbye Torres del Paine.
In the morning we will hike to a viewpoint to take in the sweeping view of Glacier Grey’s vertical ice wall and the gargantuan Southern Ice Field behind it. This is a relatively long day with a 4-hour hike back to the catamaran at Lake Pehoe, which will take us to the other side of the lake and where our van will be waiting for the drive back to our hotel in Puerto Natales.
Day 12. A Day with a Patagonian Pioneer/ Gaucho.
We’ll spend today experiencing Patagonian “pioneer” life at the Estancia Mercedes, a sheep ranch reached by boat and van. A short day-hike will have us searching for condors and other wildlife today, with a trailside lunch prepared with ingredients from the e
Day 1. Arrive in El Calafate.
In the early morning you will be met by your guide and transfer across the Patagonian Steppe to the little mountain village El Chaltén. We’ll have an equipment check and briefing of the upcoming adventure and a welcome dinner in the evening. We leave time for last minute adjustments.
Day 2. Hike to Marconi Glacier.
Depart from El Chaltén and transfer to Rio Eléctrico. From here we will hike to our camp situated just below the Marconi Glacier. The terrain becomes alpine and we have to pay special attention on slippery moraine.
Day 3. Marconi Pass to Mount Gorra Blanca.
We will hike the ascent of the Marconi Pass where we’ll start to trek on the ice and then towards the Sotto Garcia Refuge situated at the very base of Mount Gorra Blanca. We need reasonably good weather today to be able to reach the pass. If weather permits, we will be presented with fantastic views of the mountains Fitz Roy, Pier Giorgio and Gorra Blanca.
Day 4. Circo de los Altares (The Altar Cirque).
As we trek on the ice towards Circo de Los Altares (The Altar Cirque) it will be a relatively short day so you will have plenty of time to enjoy the most impressive views of the Los Glaciers National Park. This might be one of the most isolated and powerful places on earth.
Day 5. Sotto Garcia Refuge.
Today we trek back towards Sotto Garcia Refuge. The day starts out rather light, however on the ice field new challenges occur while we leave the “Altar” behind. We can appreciate incredible views to the north of the Mariano Moreno range and the Volcano Lautaro situated in the very heart of the ice field.
Day 6. Marconi Mountain Pass to Electric Valley.
We descend carefully through the Marconi Mountain Pass. The environment changes as we enter the high alpine area, our first step back toward civilization. Contemplate on the incredible journey to one of the most isolated places while we hike to the Rio Eléctrico Valley.
Day 7. Additional day in case of bad weather.
The weather in the northern part of Los Glaciers National Park is unstable due to its unpredictable nature. It may cause unexpected and/or multiple changes in the original itinerary while underway, which is why we have incorporated a certain amount of flexibility in our itinerary; We have included an extra day to allow our chance for a successful expedition. Any decision on itinerary changes will be made by your mountain guide.
Day 8. Back to El Chaltén.
We hike back through the Rio Eléctrico Valley to El Chaltén. Farewell dinner at a restaurant.
Day 9. Goodbye Chaltén.
You can depart in the morning from El Chaltén. Transfer to El Calafate can be included upon request.
Day 1. El Calafate /El Chaltén.
Arrive at El Calafate Airport where you will be met by your guide and transferred across the Patagonian steppe to the mountain village El Chaltén. Following an equipment check, you’ll be briefed about the upcoming adventure and enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 2. Laguna Torre.
We’ll begin our weeklong journey warming up on one of the more accessible treks in the park. Leaving early, we take a quick drive through the Fitzroy River Valley to Laguna Torre, and begin our trek. Halfway up, we’ll be treated to magnificent views of the Adela range, Cerro Torre and its satellite granite needles. At the end of the trail, we’ll view the Grande Glacier that descends into the Torre Lagoon, with its floating icebergs. Return to El Chaltén for the evening.
Day 3. Laguna de los Tres.
We’ll leave El Chaltén and transfer by van 10 miles along Rio de las Vueltas until we reach Hostería El Pilar where we’ll begin our hike. The first 4.3 miles follows the Rio Blanco to Poincenot’s basecamp, where we’ll begin to hike a steep slope up to Laguna de los Tres at 1,200 meters (1,640 ft) in elevation, for the highlight of the day: the Cerro Fitz Roy viewpoint. The return descent is 4.9 miles / 7.8 km down, with views of the Capri Lake.
Day 4. Pliegue Tumbado.
Leaving our hotel at 8am, we’ll walk to Glaciers National Park visitor center, from here we’ll begin our hike up for about 5 miles until we reach the summit at 1,640ft (500m). From this viewpoint you can see the Range of Cerro Torre, Cerro Fitz Roy and River Fitzroy Valley.
Day 5. Rio Eléctrico.
This is a more demanding activity and it was created outside of the conventional hikes, with distances that are longer and the terrain more technical. Following an early-morning transfer to the “Rio Eléctrico” Bridge (10.5 miles from El Chaltén), the trek heads through the Rio Eléctrico Valley to Piedra del Fraile, where we will set up camp. An afternoon hike takes us to Lake Pollone where we’ll have outstanding views of Mount Fitz Roy’s north face. Return to Piedra del Fraile to overnight in our tents.
Day 6. Mount Fitzroy & Cerro Torre.
This is a strenuous day. We’ll depart from our camp en route to Paso del Cuadrado, a demanding 5-hour climb to access rarely observed views of the northwest face of Mount Fitz Roy and its needles, as well as views of the east face of Cerro Torre. Back at Piedra del Fraile, we’ll close camp and hike along the same path to the bridge where our transfer to town will meet us for a well-deserved rest.
Day 7. Good-bye Patagonia.
Transfer to the town of El Calafate, where we bid farewell to our guide. End of trip.
Day 1. Puerto Natales.
Arrive at the airport in Punta Arenas, Chile, meet your trip leader and hop on the van for our scenic drive northwest to Puerto Natales. Enjoy your first views of Patagonia while riding through the monumental, wide-open plains that Patagonia is known for, and spot animals and picturesque sheep ranch “estancias” along the way. Arrive at Puerto Natales, a colorful, windswept town with a spectacular location along the shore of the Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound). Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2. Torres del Paine National Park.
Rise early to fully appreciate the golden light of the morning sunrise and beautiful mountains of the Señoret Canal as a backdrop. Along the shore, black-necked swans, numerous duck species, cormorants and flamingos mingle and feed in the chilly waters. The road to Torres del Paine will take us through wide valleys of glacial origin, where sporadic human settlements, the estancias and their livestock, can be seen and which continue to be highly important to the local economy. Gauchos, or Patagonian cowboy-sheep herders, are a treasure trove of colorful stories about their experiences in this “last frontier.”
Day 3. Torres del Paine National Park.
The day begins early before sunrise at a viewpoint in the northern sector of the park that offers a fantastic view of the Paine Massif. The weather will guide our journey as we set off in search of the best light and wildlife. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a gentle walk until dusk, when we’ll end at the southern sector of the park to photography the Massif from alternative angles.
Day 4. Torres del Paine National Park.
Today’s photography adventure takes us to Lake Grey, where we’ll have the opportunity to navigate past icebergs that calve from the Grey Glacier and float to shore. The boat will then advance to the imposing wall of ice that is the Grey Glacier, and with luck watch ice calve and crash loudly into the lake. In the afternoon, a gentle walk will take us to a viewpoint of the magnificent Cuernos del Paine.
Day 5. Torres del Paine National Park.
We start the day with a gentle walk along a trail that is known for its abundance of wildlife species: guanacos, foxes, and even an appearance by the region’s predator, the Puma if we are lucky. We will visit a conglomerate rock formation where ancient Tehuelche cave paintings can be viewed, and then head to Lake Sarmiento’s navy blue waters and its otheworldly calcium formations that ring the lake.
Day 6. Sierra Baguales.
Today we’ll visit the Sierra Baguales (Wild Sierra), a remote mountain range that sees very few visitors in spite of its fascinating geological origin. The range was prehistorically a tropical delta zone, and as such the area is known for the vast amount of fossils found here. Along the way, we’ll stop to shoot the open plains, dotted with picturesque sheep ranches.
Day 7. El Calafate.
We’re off to Argentina today and El Calafate, on a 5-hour journey that will surprise with the drastic changes in landscapes that occur along the way. El Calafate will be our jumping-off point for our visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier, and once here we’ll have the opportunity to simply relax and explore town, drop by the Laguna Nimez to view birds, or visit the city’s Glaciarium museum.
Day 8. Perito Moreno Glacier.
A two-hour drive from El Calafate will put us face-to-face with one of the world’s grandest wonders: the Perito Moreno Glacier, part of Los Glaciares National Park. The glacier’s massive dimensions and the surprising proximity that a traveler has to the glacier from a variety of viewpoints are breathtaking. This is one of the world’s most active glaciers, and with luck we’ll view ice calving and crashing into the water below. Then we’ll drive to El Chaltén, an outdoorsy village at the base the magnificent Fitz Roy Massif and our destination for the evening.
Day 9. Mount Fitz Roy – El Chaltén.
The day begins with the colorful sunrises over El Chaltén, then a visit to the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall, followed by a visit to the beautiful nature sanctuary Reserva Huemules. Here, a series of gentle trails will lead us through 1,000-year-old forests that open up to a majestic view of Mount Fitz Roy. The is the habitat of the elusive deer of the Andes, the huemul. We’ll wait for the sunset and photograph the jaw-dropping scenery.
Day 10. Cerro Torre -— El Chaltén.
After rising early to see the sunrise, we take a walk to the “Laguna Torre” viewpoint, an excursion that lasts about six hours, the reward is the view of the imposing spire of the mythical “Cerro Torre” peak which is coveted by thousands of expert climbers, but climbed by very few.
Day 11. Goodbye Patagonia.
We depart El Chaltén and drive to El Calafate Airport where say goodbye to our guides. Fly to Buenos Aires or to the next adventure. End of Services
Day 1. Puerto Natales.
Arrive, meet for dinner and a briefing session about the upcoming days and what to expect. Night in Puerto Natales.
Day 2. Torres del Paine — The Trek Begins.
Following a van transfer to the park from Puerto Natales, we begin a 6-hour trek into the plunging Ascencio Valley through scented beech forest and undulating alpine terrain, until we reach a backcountry climber’s campsite, “Japones.” Here, we set up camp for the night.
Day 3. The Silent Valley.
Few visitors to Torres del Paine get the chance to visit this hidden wonderland of granite and ice, tucked deep inside a plunging valley of the Paine Massif on the back side of the Towers. This “cathedral” of imposing, sheer vertical rock rises high above a boulder-strewn glacier on the valley floor. We allow for a full day to explore this spectacular region in the heart of the Massif.
Day 4. Torres del Paine Lookout.
Today we visit the base of the Towers that gave the national park its name. After packing up, we head out the Ascencio Valley, drop our packs at a ranger outpost, and head up a boulder-laden moraine until arriving at the Las Torres Valley, where we are treated to a sweeping view of the Paine Towers, considered by many as the highlight of the park. Then we begin our slow descent until reaching the Torres Campground, a 7-hour total trek for this day.
Day 5. Patagonian Pampa.
We begin to trek along the base of the Paine Massif northward, through golden “pampa” or prairie, the beginning of “The Circuit.” Today’s hike is relatively easy, along mostly flat terrain.
Day 6. Refugio Dickson.
Following a river and lake system, we continue our trek deeper and deeper into the Patagonian backcountry, eventually reaching Lake Dickson at the foot of the impressive Dickson Glacier – where the integrated river and lake system of the park begins — familiarizing ourselves with Patagonian shrubs and the mountains that separate Chile from Argentina.
Day 7. Los Perros Valley.
A relatively short hiking day, today’s journey is no less fascinating, exploring dense, primeval beech forest and appreciating great views of the Dickson Glacier pouring into Lake Dickson from the massive ice field above. We’ll follow the roaring Los Perros River that leads us to the Los Perros Hanging Glacier and Lake, a picture-perfect junction of rivers, glaciers, forests, and mountains. A truly magical place.
Day 8. John Gardner Mountain Pass.
Leaving early, we begin the most adventurous day of our journey with a climb up the notorious John Gardner mountain pass. Once we reach the top, an utterly spectacular and mesmerizing view awaits of the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the 17-mile-long Grey Glacier resting 2,600 feet below. A more difficult downward descent follows, through deep gorges traversed by descending several hanging ladders and suspension bridges, until reaching the Glacier Grey campground.
Day 9. Day of Rest.
Following the previous day’s rough trek, today we can either relax around the campground, join a kayak trip paddling between huge chunks of rugged icebergs, or join an ice hike adventure on the Grey Glacier wearing crampons to explore the crevasses and interiors of the glacier.
Day 10. Grey & Pehoe Lakes.
Back on the W Trail, we leave Glacier Grey and head south for four hours, following the iceberg-strewn Lake Grey and enjoying views of the Paine Grande peak. After lunch on the shore Lake Pehoé, we’ll turn toward the French Valley, our campsite for the night.
Day 11. The French Valley Lookout.
With just a daypack, we’ll explore the craggy, forested French Valley, with views of the Paine Grande hanging glacier, passing through enchanted miniature beech forest to a stunning amphitheater of towering granite peaks.
Day 12. Puerto Natales.
We’ll hike along the milky turquoise waters of Lake Nordenskjöld that borders the Almirante Nieto Mountain, contemplating our adventure as it comes to an end. Return to Puerto Natales for the night, and a farewell dinner.
Day 13. End of Trip.