Patagonia, a vast unspoiled wilderness where you will experience with our bilingual guide breathtaking vistas, glaciers, crystal-like turquoise lakes, wide open spaces, and crisp clean air. Both Argentina and Chile share this incredible region with so much to do and see. They call this land “The End of the Earth” and Patagonia lives up to its billing. It is a rugged frontier distinguished by the granite teeth of Torres del Paine, the massive Perito Moreno glacier, rocky landscapes that change color, El Calafate’s cowboy spirit and impossible wide open skies. Patagonia truly feels like a place where the earth starts rather than where it ends. You will explore beautiful rivers and see an abundance of wildlife. The town of El Chalten, where we will stay for part of the time is the perfect base for many modest day hikes.
Day 1: Arrive to EI Chalten
At some point today you will fly into the EI Calafate Airport(FTE) and you will depart on a three hour journey towards EI Chalten and Los Glaciares National Park. If you are lucky, on a clear day you will be rewarded with the most incredible panoramic views of the famous Mt.Fitz Roy and the surrounding mountain range.
This evening you will have the chance to explore the town, full of impressive local eateries, breweries and wine shops, it will no disaooint.
Overnight: EI Chalten
Day 2: Hike to Mr.Fitz Roy
This morning you’ll embark on a full-day excursion into Los Glaciares National Park with your private guide. EI Chalten is the perfect starting point for such an excursion because there are a number of trailheads just outside of town. Many of these lead into the range of Fitz Roy and offer wonderful opportunities for day hikes.
Let it be known that by “day hike”, we mean all day long, as this trek takes around 8 hours. The hike you’ll be embarking on his morning is to Laguna de los Tres. The trail leads up though an alpine forest, complete with views of Piedras Blancas Glacier, all the way up to the lake. Laguna de los Tres earned its name because from its shores you have a panoramic view of three peaks: Fitz Roy, Poincenot, and Torre.
At the end of the day’s hike, you’ll descend the mountain and return to your hotel in EI Chalten.
Hiking Distance: 26km(16 miles)
Hiking Duration: 8-11 hours
Overnight: EI Chalten
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Hike to Mirador Cerro Torre
Today, you’ll leave from town on foot with your own guide. This trek is a bit gentler than the Laguna de los Tres hike as there isn’t nearly as much of a steep uphill ascent, Instead, you’ll be traversing a glacial valley that fascinated geologists due to its perfect “U” shape, the result of the area once being covered by large swaths of ice. The total distance of this hike is 24km(14.9 miles), and it takes about six hours to complete.
The hike will take you thtough bright green lenga forests and lagoons until you reach the day’s final destination: Laguna Torre. This glacial lake sits at the foot of the sharp granite peak of Cerro Torre, and here you’ll find the glacier that feeds the lake as well. After spending some time at the lake nad admiring the views, you’ll return to EI Chalten along the same path.
In the evening you’ll take a transfer to the town of EI Calafate where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight: EI Chalten
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: EI Calafate & Perito Moreno Glacier
After breakfast, depart from your hotel in EI Calafate to start your full-day excursion to Parito Mereno Galcier. Upon entering Los Glaciares National Park, you will take the route along Lake Argentino for approximately 80km. Soon, walls of ice will appear in the distance, and soon, you will come face-to-face with the 70m high glacier.
Three miles of walkways will take you in and out of the glacier, offering stunning views accompanied by the natural sounds produced by the ever-changing galcier. The tour also includes a short boat cruise, where you can see Perito Moreno Glacier from a new perspective, You will return to the hotel in EI Calafate in the evening.
Overnight: EI Chalten
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5: Torres del Paine Full Day Private Tour
Today, you will be picked up by your guide from Dittmar Adventures and embark on your journey around Torres del Paine National Park. You will have the chance today to explore Torres del Paine’s unrivaled flora and fauna and impressive viewpoints at your own pace. Throughout the day you will be transported to different areas of the park that boast well for viewing the park’s wildlife and stunning landscapes as well as some short hikes. At some point during the day you eill stop for a picnic lunch. At the end of the tour, you will be left at Refugio Las Torres, where you will spend the night in preparation for tomorrow’s big hike to the famous towers!
Overnight: Torres dek Paine
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Torres del Paine: Treakking to the Base of the Towers
After breakfast, your excursion into the park will begin. Today you’ll be heading up to the base of Torres del Paine on one of the most popular hiking routes in the park. Although it can be completed in less than a day, this hike is strenuous ans requires a good level of physical futness. However, the stunning views at the base of the Paine massif make it well worth the effort.
The trakking route covers 15km(11 miles) and lasts about nine hours. Every step of the way you will enjoy views of beatiful scenery comprised of rivers, native forest, mountain peaks, and narrow valleys. You’ll likely even spot some impressive local avian varieties, like condors and black eagles.
Your route will begin at the Las Torres Hostel and will take you over the Ascencio River, at which point you’ll ascend about 2.5km to a lookout featuring panoramic views of the valley below and the surrounding mountains. Then you’ll continue through sections of lenga forest until the remaining 45-minutes stretch, which is a steep ascent that involves a hard scramble over a moraine to the final path leading up to the viewpoint.
This is the hardest portion of the hike. However, once you arrive at the lagoon at the base of the Paine Massif and stare up at the nearby Cuernos del Paine(Horns of Paine) jutting into the sky, you’ll likely forget all about your exhaustion. Upon arrival, you’ll have ample time to rest by the lagoon and marvel at the amazing rock formations as you enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.
Afterward, you’ll begin the return trip back down the trail. The descent takes approximately four hours, at the end of which you’ll arrive back to the Refugio.
Overnight: Torres del Paine
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Say Good-Bye to Patagonia
Today you will back on all of the memories you’ve made and say good-bye to your Patagonia adventure(or see you later!). Today you will be taken by transfer to from Torres del Paine to the EI Calafate Airport(FTE) for your flight, and if the weather permits you may even get a great view of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field, a true treat!
Meals included: Breakfast
Details
Tentative time period: November through April – please contact us for details. We have a trip planned for January 18-25
*We would love to have you join us on any of our scheduled trips. Please know that we are always happy to customize a trip for your specific dates or itineraries.
Prices exclude: Airfare and airport taxes; tips; personal expenses; personal travel insurance
Pricing
- $3300 per person/double occupancy
- $4000 per person/single occupancy