Argentina and Chile
Glaciers and Peaks of Patagonia Tour

Arrive at El Calafate airport and transfer into town to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure and later in the afternoon, enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Hosteria Hainen or similar (D)                                                        

After breakfast we travel 220 km to El Chaltén, a small and picturesque village at the foot of Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre massif. We make a stop half way to enjoy local pastries and hot coffee. Once in El Chaltén, we start our trek. We carry in our packs only the necessary items for these 2 nights and 3 days in which we’ll overnight in our Full Camps inside the National Park. What we don’t need is left behind at the office and you will find it back at your accommodation when we arrive back to El Chaltén on day 4. We hike up a gentle slope on Fitz Roy trail to gain height over the River de las Vueltas valley up to the first viewpoints over Fitz Roy massif, which we will first spot after a couple of hours walking. From these first viewpoints, another 2 hours of gentle walking across bogs and forests take us to our camp, from where we will enjoy a spectacular view of all the Fitz Roy group spires rising from the surrounding glaciers. Overnight camping (BLD)

Hike to Laguna Capri. 3.5 miles

Altitude El Chalten: 404 metres above sea level

Altitude Laguna Capri: 700 metres above sea level

Elevation change: 300 metres

Walking time is approximately: 4-5 hours   

Camping Notes for Days 2 and 3

Full camps are pitched up early in the season, so we find the camp ready upon arrival. It offers comfortable igloo type tents for 1 or 2 passengers, with insulation mat and sleeping bags. The camp also features a spacious dinning tent, a kitchen tent, tables, benches or chairs and a full set of table service and kitchenware. The sanitary services are latrine-type (rural area).                            

Note: Please contact us if you wish to upgrade accommodation to the lodge instead of camping for the nights of Days 2 and 3. This involves you having a different hiking guide and doing a different hiking itinerary to those that are camping based. You will meet the rest of the group again back in El Chalten (Day 5) for the trekking to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado.

Early in the morning, before the first coffee, we can try to match up the morning light getting pink in Fitz Roy granite walls. You only need this to feel the trip is worthwhile. But of course the day offers much more. After breakfast, carrying only day personal items such as our parka, gloves, our camera, water bottle and box lunch, we hike along Fitz Roy trail up to Rio Blanco, climbers basecamp to the east side of the mountain. From here a steep 1 hour trail leads us to one of the most spectaculars viewpoints of the National Park: Laguna de los Tres, with its zephyr blue colour, lies at the foot of the massif, offering full close up views of Fitz Roy massif spires and glaciers. Each wall raises something from 600 to 1500 metres above the surrounding glaciers. Fitz Roy, with its 3405 metres above sea level, is considered the “King of Patagonia” and also considered one of the three most beautiful mountains on Earth (together with Alpamayo in Perú and K2 in the Karakoram). We hike back to our camp in the late afternoon. Approximate walking time is 5 to 6 hours today. Overnight Camping (BLD)

Hike Fitz Roy Trail to Laguna de Los Tres: 11 miles roundtrip

Altitude Laguna de Los Tres: 1170 metres above sea level

Elevation change: 1070 metres from Camp Poincenot

Approximate Walking time: 5 to 6 hours

Today we walk south along Lagoons Madre and Hija Valley and down to Fitz Roy river valley, where we meet the Cerro Torre trail. The trail runs along beech forest, bogs and shrubland and leads to Laguna Torre, enclosed by moraines and with Glacier Grande calving in its west side. It is usual to see icebergs pushed by the wind in the coast of the lagoon. The thin and elegant 3128 metres of the Cerro Torre group and the Adela range in the background complete this spectacular view. This afternoon we hike back to El Chalten along the Cerro Torre trail. Overnight Hosteria Pudu Lodge or similar (BL)

Hike Camp Poincenot – Laguna Torre – El Chalten: 13 miles round trip

Altitude Laguna Torre: 634 metres above sea level

Elevation change: 234 metres

Approximate Walking time: 7 to 8 hours

Our goal for today is to scale the 1500 metre Loma del Pliegue Tumbado located south of the Cerro Torre Valley. It offers some of the best views over the different group of mountains, glaciers and lakes that feature in this region. From the lower terraces to the summit, you will be afforded spectacular views of Fitz Roy, Torre and the glacial valley in between. From the summit, the bonus is the sight of Paso Del Viento and some of the mountains that rise from the Patagonian Icefield. Depending on the abilities of the group we will walk the lower terraces or to the summit, a long but gentle climb on scree. The lower part of the mountain is covered by shrubland and forest. Arrive back in Chalten by late afternoon. Overnight Hosteria Pudu Lodge or similar (BL)

Hike El Chalten – Loma del Pliegue Tumbado: 6 miles.

Altitude Loma del Pliegue: 1298 metres above sea level.

Elevation Change: 894 metres

Approximate Walking time: 7 to 8 hours

Today is time to relax at leisure to visit the town or to go on optional excursions around the area. For example, visit Lago Del Desierto, an attractive lake which historically has been disputed between Argentina and Chile. Later in the afternoon we return to El Calafate. Overnight Hosteria Hainen or similar (B)

Visit one of the world’s natural wonders, the Perito Moreno Glacier. The glacier flows down from the Patagonian Icefield, a huge sheet of ice that at 22000 square kilometres is the third largest glacial area in the world, after Antarctica and Greenland. Because of the unusual and favourable local conditions, this glacier is the only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process. The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be only metres in front of you. The roar of the chunks of ice falling inside the glacier or from the glacier into the lake is a special and unique experience. The journey to the glacier is around 80 km (1 ½ hours) across the steppe and the journey is usually a good opportunity to see different species of birds. Later return to El Calafate. Overnight Hosteria Hainen or similar (B)

Note: Please note that you will be offered the opportunity to take the optional Safari Nautico to cruise by boat up close to the face of the glacier. The extra cost is USD 30 payable locally. 

Today we have an early start for a 6-hour drive to Torres Del Paine National Park. We drive across the steppe, following sections of the legendary route 40, to circumnavigate an impressive range in between Calafate and Paine. Cross the Argentinean/Chilean border at Cancha Carrera/Cerro Castillo. After the border crossing continue to the National Park. Approaching the park, we start to see the different mountains that feature prominently in the area such as Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto and the Towers. Once we enter the park enjoy a short 1 to 2 hours walk to get familiar with the epic landscape. There should be opportunities to see wildlife such as Guanacos, Lesser Rheas, Condors and all types of wetland species. The park is also rich in interesting flora. Overnight camping (BLD)

Note: Please contact is if you prefer to upgrade your accommodation to a shared Refugio during your time in Torres Del Paine. It is not possible to have your own private room in Torres Del Paine.

Camping Notes for Days 8-10:

Full camps are pitched up early in the season, so we find the camp ready upon arrival. It offers comfortable igloo type tents for 1 or 2 travellers, with insulation mat and sleeping bags. The camp also features a spacious dinning tent, a kitchen tent, tables, benches or chairs and a full set of table service and kitchenware (area with sanitary services).

An early start walking towards the bridge over the Ascensio River, the start of the iconic Paine Towers Trail. After an hour of relatively steep uphill walking we arrive inside the valley itself. A gentle downhill section leads us to Refugio Chileno, a cosy and comfortable mountain lodge, where those who do not wish to do the full day hike can stop and relax and then head back to the lodge. Continue up a gentle slope by the river and through beech forest. A final climb on the moraine leads us the Towers Viewpoint: a spectacular glacial lagoon with three magnificent towers rising vertically 1000 metres from the glacier. The view here is quite extraordinary. The full hike today is approximately 7 – 8 hours in duration with stops. Overnight camping (BLD)

Hike to Refugio Chileno: 4 miles round trip (4 hours walking)

Hike to Las Torres: 11 miles round trip (8 hours walking)

Altitude Las Torres foot: 866 metres above sea level

Elevation: 766 metres from Camp Las Torres

Approximate Walking time: 7 to 8 hours

Early this morning we take a short 1-hour drive to Port Pudeto to board a catamaran that crosses Lake Pehoe. At the far side of the lake we embark on the French Valley Trail. The trail skirts the southern slopes of Paine Grande and Lake Skottberg. After around 2-3 hours of continuous rolling terrain we reach the hanging bridge over the French River. This breath-taking location is at the foot of both the 2700 metres south east face of Paine Grande (to the west) and the Horns, with its characteristic black sedimentary rocks to the east. Continue walking 1 hour to reach breath-taking viewpoints of the surrounding area. After lunch we retrace our steps back to the port, where we sail back and return to the refuge. Walking time today is approximately 5-6 hours with stops. Overnight camping (BLD)

Hike up French Valley: 11 miles round trip

Altitude Pehoe Refuge Full Camp: 100 metres above sea level

Altitude French Valley: 763 metres above sea level

Elevation French Valley: 663 metres from Pehoe Refuge

Approximate Walking time: 5 to 6 hours

Bid farewell to the spectacular landscapes of Torres Del Paine. Drive for around 2 hours to the shores of Lake Grey and view the western slopes and peaks of Paine Grande. Spend around 2 hours walking its southern shore, a truly beautiful area. This afternoon, continue to the windswept but picturesque fishing town of Puerto Natales located on the shores of the Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) Fjord. Overnight Hosteria Francis Drake or similar (BL)

Long drive today, though quite worthwhile. After breakfast we continue south to reach the legendary Magellan Strait, which we will keep on sight up to Primera Angostura, where we board the Ferry in which we will cross the Strait. This Pass, discovered by Hernando de Magallanes in 1520, was the natural and logical way to all vessels until de Panama Channel was open at the beginning of the XXth century. You will find yourselves wondering how those brave men dare to sail those waters in such fragile caravels! Once in Tierra del Fuego (literally, Land of Fire, due to the fires seen by the first white sailors in the coast, done by the local Indians to cook and heat) we enter back Argentina through Paso San Sebastián. Once we arrive in Ushuaia, a transfer will take us to our hotel. Overnight in a lodge (B)

Today is at leisure for you to enjoy Ushuaia. Overnight in the same lodge (B)

After breakfast we board our boat for a trip on the legendary Beagle Channel. Visit Alicia Island to observe a colony of Sea Lions and the Island of Birds where we can see Cormorants and the lighthouse Les Eclaireurs built in 1919.  Return to port with a backdrop of the Darwin Range to the West and the Andes looming above Ushuaia. This afternoon is at leisure but it is possible to take an optional excursion (paid locally USD 130) to Estancia Harberton to see a colony of Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins. Overnight Hosteria Los Naranjos (B)

This morning enjoy some leisure time where you can take in the museums or the interesting architecture of the town. Later transfer to the airport for your onward flight arrangements. (B)