Patagonia Best Hikes self-guided hiking tour

Important note: The itinerary described in the program is a planned itinerary or a guide. Changes or deviations of individual travel services from the contractually agreed content of the travel contract, which become necessary after conclusion of the contract and which were not brought about by MOSER Active against good faith, are permitted, provided that these are not significant and do not affect the overall design of the booked trip. MOSER Active will endeavor to offer an equivalent replacement. Additional costs that may arise due to changes to the tour itinerary are to be borne by the participant on site and will not be reimbursed by MOSER Active.

We will send you all tickets, information and vouchers for your self guided trip approx. 4 weeks before the start of your trip.

Day 1

Upon arrival at hotel or guesthouse 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 evening you will meet with one of our team for a 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 a regular bus 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 self-guided 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 your 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 (2,950 ft). Return to Camp Torre Central (or Chileno). Appr. walking time: 8 hours, walking distance: 21 km (13 miles), elevation gain of approx. 950 m (3,116 ft) ascent and descent.

Overnight: You spend the night at Campsite Central (alternatively at Camp Chileno) in 2-person-tent, fully equipped with sleeping bags and camping mats. The campsite is equipped with toilets, hot showers and a refugio. Dinner and breakfast are served in the Refugio, which is located near the campsite. Meals included: breakfast / dinner.

Day 3

Today, you hike on your own along Nordenskjöld Lake to the wonderful Refugio Los Cuernos, close to the lake and the montes “Cuernos”. Passing Monte Almirante Nieto (2,640 m / 8,660 ft), you can probably watch condors circling in the sky. Appr. walking time: 4-5 hours, walking distance: 11,5 km (7,1 miles), elevation gain of approx. 350 m (1,150 ft) ascent and descent. Overnight: Campsite Cuernos (or Frances) in 2-person-tent, fully equipped with sleeping bags and camping mats. Meals included: breakfast / box lunch / dinner. 

Alternative itinerary (if the campsites / refugios 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: Campsite Paine Grande in 2-person-tent, fully equipped with sleeping bags and camping mats. The campsite is equipped with toilets, hot showers and a refugio. Dinner and breakfast are served in the Refugio, which is located near the campsite. Meals included: breakfast / box lunch / dinner.

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: Campsite Paine Grande in 2-person-tent, fully equipped with sleeping bags and camping mats. The campsite is equipped with toilets, hot showers and a refugio. Dinner and breakfast are served in the Refugio, which is located near the campsite. Meals included: breakfast / box lunch / dinner.

Day 5

In the morning you continue to the “Camino de los Vientos” until you reach a nice viewpoint from where you can admire a striking view over the Glacier Grey. Afterwards, you scale down along the impressive Grey Lake to your next camp. Appr. walking time: 5 hours, walking distance:  12 km (7,5 miles), elevation gain of approx. 350 m (1,150 ft) ascent and descent.

The afternoon is free to relax, for example to hike to a bay of Lake Grey, which is often framed by blocks of ice that thunder from the front of the Grey Glacier into the lake. If you would like to go on a longer afternoon hike, you can hike up to the suspension bridge at the “Los Guardas” viewpoint, from where you have a fantastic view of the Grey Glacier.

However, you also have the option of taking an optional 3 hours kayak excursion on the Grey Lake along the icebergs of the Grey Glacier or an optional 4-5 hours ice hike on Glacier Grey (extra costs; advance booking recommended; excursion may be canceled due to weather conditions).

Overnight: Campsite Grey in 2-person-tent, fully equipped with sleeping bags and camping mats. The campsite is equipped with toilets, hot showers and a refugio. Dinner and breakfast are served in the Refugio, which is located near the campsite. Meals included: breakfast / box lunch / dinner.

Day 6

This morning you have more time for optional excursions around Camp Grey.

In the afternoon, your self-guided hike will take you past Laguna Los Patos along the “Path of the Winds” back to Camp / Lodge Paine Grande, which is beautifully situated on the turquoise-colored Lago Pehoe. Appr. walking time: 5 hours, walking distance:  12 km (7,5 miles), elevation gain of approx. 350 m (1,150 ft) ascent and descent.

You then cross Lake Pehoe by catamaran in the early evening (journey time approx. 30 min.). The public bus takes you back to Puerto Natales in the evening (journey time approx. 2 hours, arrival in Puerto Natales around 10 pm at the latest).

Meals included: breakfast / box lunch.

Alternative itinerary:

Instead of hiking from Camp Grey back to Camp Paine Grande, there is the option of taking the “Grey III Catamaran” from Camp Grey, passing along the wall of the icy glacier and crossing the beautiful Grey Lake to the south shore, from where a private transfer will take you back to Puerto Natales (this option must be booked in advance and is subject to additional costs).

Day 7

In the morning: Transfer with a regular bus through the wind shaped Pampa to El Calafate in Argentina (departure 08:00 a.m., driving time including border formalities approx. 5-6 hours, driving distance approx. 270 km). 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. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 8

Today you are heading to El Chaltén with a regular bus (departure 08:00 a.m., driving time approx. 3 hours, driving distance approx. 215 km), 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 to do a short hike to the waterfall “Chorillo del Salto”. Overnight: Hotel in El Chaltén in double room with private bathroom. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 9

Today, a 6-hours self-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. 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. Meals included: breakfast / box lunch.

Day 10

At 08:00 a.m., an approx. 30-40 minute panoramic drive (in a shared transfer) takes you to the starting point of the next hike.

Today you hike on your won 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 / 11,175 ft) and the surrounding mountains. Appr. walking time: 8 hours, walking distance: 24 km (14,9 miles), elevation gain of approx. 750 m (2,460 ft) ascent and descent. Overnight: Hotel in El Chaltén in double room with private bathroom. Meals included: breakfast / box lunch.

Day 11

Today you can go on a full day hike to "Loma del Pliegue Tumbado" (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 (departure 06:00 p.m., driving time approx. 3 hours, driving distance approx. 215 km). Overnight: Hotel in El Calafate in double room with private bathroom. Meals included: breakfast / box lunch.

Day 12

Today, you participate in a full day guided and shared excursion to the incomparable Perito Moreno Glacier in the Los Glaciers National Park that is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. If you are lucky you will witness the glacier calving. Altitude Perito Moreno Glacier Lookout: 200m. Furthermore, you take a 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. Meals included: breakfast.

Day 13

After breakfast, you will continue your individual journey.  Meals included: breakfast.