Patagonia Hiking
11 days
From $ 7099
Duration11 days
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Wild and remote landscape with endless scenery fill our 11-day trek to the southern end of South America. Patagonia, known for its majestic mountains and glaciers, is a must-do for any hiker. This iconic destination does not disappoint to all those who travel there. Southern Patagonia reaches across Argentina and Chile and we begin our journey in El Calafate, Argentina. From El Chaltén, we explore the spectacular Fitz Roy massif and parts of Los Glaciares National Park. We then ascend further south to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. We hike to places that provide amazing views of the towers, Grey Glacier and Cuernos (the horns). Here, granite peaks and spires form impressive mountain vistas and stunning scenery. Each night is spent in a variety of cozy accommodations for rest and good food before the next day’s adventure.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 11 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: El Calafate
    Physical Grading: Demanding
  • Ages: 18+
Patagonia Hiking - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive at El Calafate.

Start place: El Calafate

Our trip begins today in El Calafate, Argentina. Plan to meet your guide and fellow travelers at the first night's hotel at 6:30pm for orientation. Dinner in El Calafate will be after the orientation. Dinner and hotel included.
Day 2: Hike to Laguna Torre for fantastic views of Cerro Torre.
This morning we depart for El Chaltén. As we drive, we watch the granite fin of Mount Fitz Roy rise up behind the turquoise water lakes. Upon arrival at El Chaltén we start hiking on the Cerro Torre trail. The hike is fairly easy as we cross some ancient terminal moraines left behind when the glaciers of the last ice age receded. We arrive at the first Mirador (lookout) after 1.5 hours of gentle uphill hiking and enjoy inspiring views of Cerro Torre, Fitz Roy and other nearby peaks. Continuing along a mostly flat, scenic trail through patches of lenga forest, we finally reach Laguna Torre. The lagoon features the Torre glacier calving in the far side, and the Cerro Torre group and spires rising in the background. We return to El Chaltén and overnight. Breakfast, box lunch and dinner included.
Hiking: 13 miles (7 hours), 1,950’ cumulative elevation gain; Driving distance: 135 miles (3 hours).
Meals: D
Day 3: Trek to Laguna de los Tres, a beautiful lake beneath Mount Fitz Roy.
Today our trail heads towards Mount Fitz Roy. Along our route, we identify a variety of colorful flowers, unique plants and several species of birds. Hiking uphill, we stop at the basecamp area where climbers stage their expeditions to Fitz Roy's summit. Resuming our hike, we continue ascending the steep zig-zag trail to Laguna de los Tres (two additional miles roundtrip and 1,300' elevation gain). From this small lake, we have outstanding, close-up views of the nearly vertical rock walls of Fitz Roy's east face, the impressive spire to the south called the Poincenot Needle and the unusually blue, Piedras Blancas glacier. Following a picnic lunch, we return to the base camp area and continue on to the valley floor and the trailhead near El Chaltén. All meals included.
Hiking: 13 miles (9-10 hours), 3,150’ cumulative elevation gain; Driving distance: 9 miles (20 minutes).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Take a boat cruise to massive Perito Moreno Glacier.
We drive back to El Calafate this morning and continue further into Los Glaciares National Park. We stop at a lookout to view the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier, the only glacier outside of the polar regions still advancing. We observe the massive sheet of ice (three miles wide and 190’ high) from various angles as we walk along the paths that wind along the river bank, across from its snout. Weather permitting, we'll have our lunch overlooking the glacier before joining our guide for an hour-long boat ride on the lake for another close-up perspective. This afternoon, we drive to our estancia (farm lodge), that offers a glimpse into the distinctive Patagonian lifestyle. Overnight at the estancia for the next two nights. All meals included.
Boat cruise and walk: 2 hours; Driving distance: 215 miles (6 hours).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Enjoy a morning hike with panoramic views of the Andes.
This morning we set out on a short but steep hike towards the windy Filo de los Cristales peaks. The mostly off-trail route passes through typical Patagonian steppe and patches of forest with panoramic views of the Andes including Lago Argentino and the Perito Moreno Glacier off in the distance. After a hearty lunch and short siesta back at the Estancia, those who wish can participate in an additional short hike along the shoreline of Lago Roca and enjoy impressive views of the lake and Mount Cervantes. Further south loom the mountains separating Los Glaciares National Park from Paine National Park on the Chilean side. Those who prefer not to hike this afternoon can choose to sit back and relax. In the evening, we savor a hearty Patagonian barbecue made with fresh ranch ingredients. All meals included.
Hiking: 5 miles (4 hours), 2,650’ cumulative elevation gain, mostly off-trail on steep terrain. Options for additional hiking this afternoon.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Travel to Chile's Torres del Paine National Park.
Leaving the ranch after breakfast, we continue overland across the Patagonian plains to Torres del Paine National Park, a crown jewel in the Chilean National Park system. After passing through Cerro Castillo, a small village near the Chilean border, we get our first views of the Paine massif, towering above the plains in the distance. Upon entering the park, we are often greeted by small herds of guanacos, a wild relative of the llama. To take a break from our drive we’ll stretch our legs with an afternoon hike before we continue on to our hosteria which will be our comfortable lodgings for the next two nights. All meals included.
Hiking: up to 4 miles (2.5 hours), 800’ cumulative elevation gain; Driving distance: 280 miles (7–8.5 hours; times will vary depending on the amount of time for processing at the border crossings).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Full-day hike to the Paine Towers viewpoint (Mirador de Las Torres).
Today, we have the demanding, but highly rewarding hike towards the Paine Towers. We follow a trail that leads across the Ascencio River then climbs uphill along a steep path paralleling the river's right bank. As we gain altitude, we have excellent vistas of the Paine River, winding its way through the surrounding countryside below us. We cross a boulder moraine to reach the high cirque where we find the basecamp from which expert climbers from around the world attempt to scale the towers' walls. Before us lies an awe-inspiring landscape encompassing the impressive granite spires of the near-vertical towers, rocky moraines and hanging glaciers, all surrounding a lovely turquoise-colored tarn. After a picnic lunch beneath Torres Norte, Central, and Sur, we will descend the same trail back to our hosteria. All meals included.
Hiking: 12 miles (8-9 hours), 4,000' cumulative elevation gain.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: See iconic peaks from a different perspective today.
This morning we leave our hotel and travel to another area of the park. Along the way we stop at various locations to get some striking views of this incredible landscape. At the shore of Lake Nordenskjold, we’ll hike to a spot where we can look across the lake and see Paine Grande Massif, the French Valley and the towers from where Torres del Paine gets its name. From our viewpoint we may be able to hear the sound of breaking ice and the creaking noises coming from the mountains. Later today, another hike provides additional breathtaking views. Before evening falls, we arrive at our hotel by van. All meals included.
Hiking: 4-5 hours; Driving: 2 hours.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Get a close-up view of Grey Glacier.
From our hotel we’ll travel by boat to the mesmerizing Grey Glacier, which sits north of the iceberg-filled lake of the same name. The ride takes about an hour, and upon arrival we will hike up to the viewpoint of this mighty glacier. Afterward, we’ll trek on a portion of the famous “W” trail in Torres del Paine beginning at Grey Glacier and ending at Paine Grande and Pehoé Lake. Our trail traces the lakeshore offering incredible views of the glacier and the dramatic Paine Massif throughout. At the end of our hike we take a 30-minute catamaran ride across Pehoé Lake. From there we transfer back to our hotel where we share our last dinner in Torres del Paine National Park. All meals included.
Boat: 1.5 hours in total; Hiking: 8 miles (4.5 – 5 hours), 600’ cumulative elevation gain; Driving: 25 miles (1 hour).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Travel to Punta Arenas for a farewell celebration dinner.
We leave the park very early this morning, heading south across the Patagonian steppes to Puerto Natales, a quaint fishing village overlooking Last Hope Sound. After a short visit we continue to Punta Arenas, one of southern Chile's main ports, located on the Straits of Magellan and considered the southernmost city on the continent. We'll celebrate our amazing adventure at a farewell dinner in a local restaurant and spend the evening in a small, nearby hotel. All meals included.
Driving distance: 260 miles (7 hours).
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Our Patagonian adventure ends as we depart Punta Arenas for home.
After breakfast one group transfer to the Punta Arenas airport will be arranged for travelers departing today. Breakfast included.
Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 11
  • all accommodations
  • guide leadership and support staff
  • airport arrival transfer on Day 1 and one group transfer on Day 11
  • all noted ground transportation within Argentina and Chile
  • Perito Moreno boat excursion, Pehoé Lake and Lago Grey ferries
  • and park fees

  • Accommodation

    Hotels: 2 nights. Lodges/hosterias: 6 nights. Estancia (ranch): 2 nights

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