TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Hike one of the most famous treks in Patagonia, the Torres del Paine W-Trek, and immerse yourself in a world of granite and ice
Admire the Torres del Paine granite towers, French valley and Grey Glacier lookout
Classic Cerro Torre and Monte Fitz Roy treks
Visit the perpetual ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier and take a boat ride across the Argentino Lake
Look out for condors, woodpeckers and a wealth of other bird and animal life
Discover the capital of the glaciers El Calafate and the picturesque mountain village El Chaltén
Relish the local cuisine: Argentinian steak, empanadas (filled dumplings) & Malbec red wine
Insider Tip
Visit the Glaciarium ice museum and ice bar near El Calafate
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TRIP DESCRIPTION
Experience this 12-day hiking trip to see the highlights of Patagonia. Who hasn’t heard of the world renowned Torres del Paine, Monte Fitz Roy or the Perito Moreno Glacier?
On relaxing daily guided hikes through the most beautiful national parks of the region, explore natural miracles and the mountain world of Patagonia and dive into a world of granite rock and ice. Hike one of the most famous treks in Patagonia, the Torres del Paine W - Trek. Admire the famous Grey Glacier and take a boat ride to the deep blue-shining Perito Moreno Glacier. Learn more about this impressive ice field of the southern hemisphere. Hike to the rock spire of the mystic Cerro Torre and the legendary Monte Fitz Roy. Explore the capital of the glaciers El Calafate and the picturesque mountain village El Chaltén. Soak up some of the cultural highlights and enjoy tasty Chilean and Argentinian cuisine and wines.
12 days from/to Puerto Natales
- 6 days guided hiking
- 2 Panoramic boat rides
- 3 nights refugios / tent
- 8 nights hotel
- 11x breakfast
- 5x box lunch
- 3x dinner
from 3.190 GBP
The perfect way to discover this great region as a couple or individually in a small group. Perfect organization for a "Don't Worry - Be Happy" trip - thank you! Our guide in Patagonia was not only very nice, careful and competent, but he was also a great conversational partner. That was the true luxury of this Patagonia Best Hikes trip!
Ute & Wolfgang - Germany
ITINERARY Patagonia Best Hikes
Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Natales
Day 1
After arriving at the Hotel in Puerto Natales, you will have time to explore this little town on your own. In good weather, the first impressive panorama of the Paine Massif and Monte Balmaceda can be seen from here. In the late afternoon you meet your trekking guide for a short briefing about the next days. You spend the first night in a hotel in Puerto Natales in double room with private bathroom. (-/-/-)
Day 2-5: Torres del Paine NP – Hikes to the Torres Granit Needles – French Valley – Grey Glacier
Day 2
In the morning, you take our private transfer to the Torres del Paine National Park and will see some of the native wildlife of this fantastic region like Guanacos and Ñandus. Upon arrival in the park your first hike leads you to the famous 'Torres' granite needles. At first you hike up to the Ascencio-valley where you take a break at the Refugio Chileno next to the Ascencio River. After 2+ hours and a tough ascent you efforts will be rewarded: You will stand in front of the impressive needles with a green lagoon lying at your feet. Altitude Las Torres Lookout: 900m. Appr. walking time: 8 hours, walking distance: 19 km (11,8 miles), elevation gain of approx. 950 m (3,100 ft) ascent and descent. Overnight: in the “Refugio Torre Central” in shared bedrooms with shared bathrooms. Note: If the refugio is fully booked, you will spend the night on Camp Central in fully equipped 2-person-tents. (B/-/D)
Day 3
Today, you hike along Nordenskjöld Lake to the wonderful Refugio Los Cuernos, close to the lake and the “Cuernos”. Passing Monte Almirante Nieto (2,640m), you can probably watch condors circling in the sky. Appr. walking time: 4-5 hours, walking distance: 11,5 km (7 miles), elevation gain of approx. 350 m (1,150 ft) ascent and descent. Overnight: in the “Refugio Los Cuernos” or “Refugio Frances” in shared bedrooms with shared bathrooms. Note: If the lodges (refugios) are fully booked, you will spend the night in fully equipped 2-person-tents. (B/BL/D)
Alternativ itinerary (if the refugios / campsites Cuernos and Frances are fully booked):
Today you go on a half day hike along Nordenskjöld Lake with its colorful waters. Passing Monte Almirante Nieto (2,640 m), you can probably watch condors circling in the sky. Appr. walking time: 4 hours, walking distance: 10 km (6 miles). In the afternoon you continue your journey in a public transfer to “Pudeto sector” (approx. one hour panoramic trip). Afterwards, you cross the beautiful Pehoe Lake with a catamaran (approx. 30 min). The Lodge / Camp Paine Grande will be your "base camp" for the next two days. Overnight: in the “Lodge Paine Grande” in shared bedrooms with shared bathrooms. Note: If the lodge is fully booked, you will spend the night in fully equipped 2-person-tents. (B/BL/D)
Day 4
In the morning you head towards the French valley and its viewpoint “Mirador” where you gain deep insight into the mountains. With a bit of luck you may witness ice cracking off the Paine Grande (3,050 m / 10,000 ft) sounding like a roaring thunder. Subsequently you walk along the splendid Lago Skottsberg to the emerald green Lago Pehoe. Appr. walking time: 6-7 hours, walking distance: 17 km (10,5 miles), elevation gain of approx. 600 m (1,970 ft) ascent and descent. Overnight: in the “Lodge Paine Grande” in shared bedrooms with shared bathrooms. Note: If the lodge is fully booked, you will spend the night in fully equipped 2-person-tents. (B/BL/D)
Day 5
Today you walk along the Black Lagoon (Laguna Negra) and the Path of Winds (Camino del Viento) to your viewpoint on the Grey Glacier. Depending on the weather and season you will come across various birds and plants. You hike back to the Lodge Paine Grande, cross the beautiful Pehoe-Lake with a catamaran (approx. 30 min) and take our private bus back to Puerto Natales. Appr. walking time: 4-5 hours, walking distance: 12 km (7,5 miles), elevation gain of approx. 350 m (1,150 ft) ascent and descent. Overnight: Hotel in Puerto Natales in double room with private bathroom. (B/BL/-)
Day 6-7: El Calafate – El Chaltén
Day 6
Transfer with a regular bus through the wind shaped Pampa to El Calafate in Argentina (without a guide). In the afternoon you have time for shopping or for trying one of the famous Argentine steaks. Overnight: Hotel in El Calafate in double room with private bathroom. (B/-/-)
Day 7
Today you are heading to El Chaltén with a regular bus (without a guide), taking a break at the Estancia La Leona. El Chaltén is a lovely village in the mountains that will be your starting point for the next days. In the afternoon you have some time to discover this idyllic place on our own or go on short hikes to the viewpoints “Condores & Aguilas” or to the waterfall "Chorillo del Salto". Overnight: Hotel in El Chaltén in double room with private bathroom. (B/-/-)
Day 8-10: El Chaltén – Cerro Torre & Fitz Roy Trek
Day 8
In the morning you will meet your trekking guide for the next hikes. A 6-hours guided walk leads you to Laguna Torre where you have a great view to the Cerro Torre (3,102m / 10,180 ft) with its glaciers. Later on, you take a break at the Agostini Camp that is the base camp for all Cerro Torre mountaineers. Altitude of Cerro Torre Lookout: 650m. Appr. walking time: 6 hours, walking distance: 18 km (11 miles), elevation gain of approx. 250 m (820 ft) ascent and descent. Overnight: Hotel in El Chaltén in double room with private bathroom. (B/BL/-)
Day 9
Approx. 30-40 minute panoramic drive (in a shared transfer) to the starting point of the hike. Today hike to Laguna de los Tres and the viewpoint of Laguna Sucia. You also pass the Base Camp Rio Blanco that serves all Fitz Roy Mountaineers. Your efforts will be rewarded with an unforgettable view on the Monte Fitz Roy (3,406 m / 11,174 ft) and the surrounding mountains. Altitude Fitz Roy Lookout: 1250m. Appr. walking time: 8 hours, walking distance: 23 km (14 miles), elevation gain of approx. 750 m (2,460 ft) ascent and descent. Overnight: Hotel in El Chaltén in double room with private bathroom. (B/BL/-)
Day 10
Today you can go on a full day hike to "Loma del Pliegue Tumbado" (without a guide; highly recommended in good weather) or you can choose an optional half-day or full-day-excursion to the lake "Lago del Desierto". Or you have some time to discover this pristine place on your own and go on short hikes to the viewpoints “Condores & Aguilas”.
In the evening you get back to El Calafate with the regular bus (without a guide, driving time appr. 3 hours).
Overnight: Hotel in El Calafate in double room with private bathroom. (B/-/-)
Day 11-12: Full day Glacier Perito Moreno – El Calafate – Puerto Natales
Day 11
Today, you visit the incomparable Perito Moreno Glacier in the Los Glaciers National park that is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field (guided tour). If you are lucky you will witness the Glacier calving. Altitude Perito Moreno Glacier Lookout: 200m. Furthermore you take al boat ride over the Argentino Lake along the imposing ice walls of the glacier (appr. 1 hour). Overnight: Hotel in El Calafate in double room with private bathroom. (B/-/-)
Day 12
You travel from Argentina back to Puerto Natales, Chile on a regular bus (without a guide) and you will continue your individual journey. Alternatively: you will continue your individual journey from of El Calafate. (B/-/-)
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Accommodation: 8 nights in hotels in double room with private bathroom and 3 nights in lodges/refugios with shared bedrooms and shared bathrooms. Note: If the refugios are fully booked, you spend the night in fully equipped 2-person-tents.
- Meals: 11x breakfast, 5x box lunch, 3x dinner
- Local English and Spanish speaking certified hiking guide for Torres del Paine (day 2 - 5) (WFR)
- from 7 participants: Local English/Spanish speaking certified assistant hiking guide (day 2 - 5) (WFR)
- Local English and Spanish speaking certified guide for El Chaltén and Perito Moreno Glacier (day 8, 10 and 11)
- Transport: all public and private transfers as per the detailed itinerary
- Boat rides: across the Pehoe Lake & the Argentino Lake
- Entry fees to the Torres del Paine NP and to the Los Glaciares NP
- Emergency equipment: including a first-aid kit and VHF-equipment
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
- Single supplement (8 nights in the cities): extra charge p.p. $490 USD
- Tour guide on the days of transfer
- Airport pick up & drop off
- Meals and beverages not indicated on the itinerary
- Optional trips (e.g. on day 9)
- Tips for the guides
- Local payments
- International and domestic airfare and airport charges
- Travel insurance is not included in this tour. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to the start of the trip.
DEPARTURE DATES & BOOKING
PRIVAT JUST4U You can choose your own private departure for this trip with a minimum of 2 of you travelling together.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - PATAGONIA BEST HIKES
USEFUL INFORMATION
- This trip is guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people and has a maximum group size of 12 people
- The offered departure dates include the possibility of booking other people
- Individual and/or private tours/departure dates are available on request
- Best season: from October to April
- Here you will find more useful information about trekking in Torres del Paine
- Here you will find more information about hiking in Los Glaciares National Park
ACTIVITY LEVEL
A very good physical fitness is a necessary requirement for this tour. Furthermore, you should be able to walk with your daypack (40l to 50l) up to 6-8 hours a day with some strenuous ascents and descents. Your personal items must be carried by you (rain gear, fleece or light down jacket, trekking poles, gloves, cap, camera, lunch and water for the day; in Torres del Paine in addition vanity bag, extra-set of clothes). All the rest of your luggage, which you do not need on the Torres del Paine trek, will stay locked at your hotel in Puerto Natales.