Patagonia Best Hikes

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
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
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. The bird sanctuary "Laguna Nimez" on Lago Argentino also invites you to visit. 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
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 you 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
Today, you visit the incomparable Perito Moreno Glacier in the Los Glaciers National park that is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field (guide 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/-/-)