Best of Patagonia
The first five days is in Chile's Patagonia region and the remainder pushes forward into Argentina. The landscape here is intensely beautiful, rugged and intoxicating. Granite cliffs soar high into thin air. Turquoise tinted glaciers creep down into river valleys and tangled pine forests engulf both Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks. These parks are the homes of the world famous Cerro Torre and Fitzroy ranges. We visit Perito Moreno Glacier, where it’s common to see pieces calving thunderously into the deep lake below. Our nights of slumber range from a cozy eco-camp to comfortable family-run hosterias. Come encounter Patagonian wildlife, from condors and penguins to pink flamingos and guanacos. For awakening the spirit, nothing is as moving as Patagonia.
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| Day 1 |
All travelers must arrive into the Punta Arenas airport by 12 pm this afternoon. We'll be there to greet you and transfer you to the famous Torres del Paine National Park, 216 miles/345 kms away. The drive is approximately 5 hours, but a very scenic one. If we're lucky we'll see guanacos, rheas and huge rabbits grazing on the plains. We stop for lunch in Puerto Natales, and have some time to explore the town and visit the Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a pre-historic sloth. The craggy snow-peaked mountains become visible as we approach the park and check into our cozy eco-camp at Los Torres. There will be an extensive orientation meeting this evening over dinner where we will answer any questions that you may have about the adventure that lies ahead. Overnight at the Cascada Las Torres Ecocamp. (L,D)
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| Day 2 |
Our adventure begins with a 30 minute catamaran journey crossing Lake Pehoe to Pudeto. We'll trek 8 kms/5 miles to Campamento Italiano and then continue with a roundtrip to Mirador del Frances (3 kms/2 miles), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. The vistas today are magnificent with the famous Horns of Paine directly in our path. We'll walk along spongy plains of grasslands while watching twisty wind funnels develop on the turquoise lakes beside us. We'll also meander through evergreen forests and follow the gurgling waters of the Frances River to El Mirador (Lookout Point). This spot is amazing with Francis Glacier directly in front of us, it's hard to imagine just how deep the snow banks on the glacier are. We return to Campamento Italiano and then check into The Pehue Refuge for the night. (B,L,D)
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| Day 3 |
After a hearty breakfast we set off on a four hour hike along "the Camino de los vientos" (path of the wind) to the northern end of Grey Glacier. This dramatic glacier is an ancient wall of ice sculpted by time and the elements. It's common to see and hear pieces calving thunderously into the deep grey lake below. We'll picnic for lunch across from Glacier Grey and with some luck will have condors soaring overhead. Late afternoon we'll board a boat and sail alongside the face of the glacier, allowing plenty of time to marvel at this beautiful natural sculpture. The journey concludes crossing Lago Grey and from here we'll transfer from Lake Grey's southern end to Cascada Ecocamp in Las Torres for overnight. If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate Grey Lake, we’ll hike roundtrip to the Grey Glacier (approximately 6-8 hours roundtrip) and then at Pudeto board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. (B,L,D)
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| Day 4 |
Today is a full day trek to famous Towers of Paine, a triad of sculpted granite peaks that are the remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Horseback riding is an option today for those who want to tackle the route on four legs as opposed to two. Both hikers and riders follow the same path, along rolling dirt paths, through a pine forest and traversing mountains with wide-open vistas of the valleys below. The last two miles is a scramble on foot over rocks and boulders to the base of this beautiful granite sculpture. You'll feel the intensity of the natural world, as you sit beneath the jagged spires--this place is truly magnificent. Many climbers have attempted to conquer the Torres, but few have ever reached the summit. This climb is known as one of the most technical on earth. Late afternoon we return to the Las Torres Eco-camp and feast on a typical Chilean BBQ to celebrate our achievements. Approximately 8-9 hours of moderate hiking with the option to horse ride a portion of the trek (10 kms/6 miles).
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| Day 5 |
Early this morning we transfer to Puerto Natales by bus and check into a comfortable hotel in this cozy town nestled against the Pacific ocean. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
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| Day 6 |
First a wholesome and hearty breakfast and then we're off for a full day trek to Mount Fitz Roy base camp and Laguna de los Tres. We walk northbound towards Fitz Roy with spectacular views of the vertical granite peaks, hanging glaciers and twisted and gnarled pine trees. All around us the sounds of crashing ice calving from the glaciers can be heard. This area is sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche groups and believed to be a volcano, they called it "Chalten" (exhaling fumes mountain). We continue on to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into this emerald lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. We'll enjoy breathtaking views to SE Lake Viedma and the endless Patagonia steppe. (Approx. 8 hours of hiking on well-maintained hiking trails)
(B,L,D)
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| Day 7 |
First a wholesome and hearty breakfast and then we're off for a full day trek to Mount Fitz Roy base camp and Laguna de los Tres. We walk northbound towards Fitz Roy with spectacular views of the vertical granite peaks, hanging glaciers and twisted and gnarled pine trees. All around us the sounds of crashing ice calving from the glaciers can be heard. This area is sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche groups and believed to be a volcano, they called it "Chalten" (exhaling fumes mountain).
We continue on to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into this emerald lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. We'll enjoy breathtaking views to SE Lake Viedma and the endless Patagonia steppe. (Approx. 8 hours of hiking on well-maintained hiking trails) (B,L,D)
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| Day 8 |
Our destination today is The Patagonian Classic: Mount Torre, famous for its beauty but also for the difficulty to climb it. Countless expeditions attempt to reach the summit annually but only a few succeed. After a 45 minute climb we'll reach a plain surrounding an old lagoon, abundant with vegetation. The trail winds through a forest then descends slightly, reaching a fabulous lookout to the Cerro Torre range and Adelas Mountain. The trail ends on the coast of Laguna Torre, surrounded by the spires of Egger, Standhard, the Adelas range and the glacier Torre.The hike concludes in El Chalten where a van will be awaiting to take us back to El Pilar. (Approximately 10 hours of hiking along well-maintained trails) (B,L,D)
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| Day 9 |
This morning is free for you to relax or you can take a short hike (about an hour) to Piedras Blancas Glacier. This trail winds through a beech forest and with some luck, you may spot the amazing Magellanic Woodpecker at work. About 20 minutes into the trek there is a clearing in the forest with the first sighting of the Marconi Glacier, the gateway to the Continental Ice cap. If you start off early enough, you can hike a little further, to Cerro Polo, for a total of five hours. The rewards of this trek are the panoramic views of the Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Continental Ice cap. In the early evening our Argentine guide will transfer the group back to the bus station and the group will transfer back to El Calafate by public bus and check into El Galpon (Estancia Alice), our home for the night. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. (B,D)
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| Day 10 |
After breakfast we transfer to Los Glaciares National Park in the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cap. Between the 48 and 51 South parallels, the Andean Range is covered by a large extension of permafrost known as the Patagonian continental ice cap. It stretches 560 miles from north to south. It is so large, that it is also called "the third pole" because of the huge concentration of ice. It is the origin of 47 major glaciers, such as the famous Perito Moreno glacier which we are about to see. We'll board zodiac boats and cross Lake Argentino for a close up view of the towering walls of ice of this ancient glacier. Our skilled captain will navigate around giant icebergs, which are constantly calving off. We'll land on a remote beach and hike on the glacier. (Equipment nor experience is necessary). With some luck we'll spot some wildlife in this area including condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles and ashy-headed geese. We return to El Calafate to our estancia for the night. (B,L,D)
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| Day 11 |
Transfer to the airport to fly back to Buenos Aires. You'll be met upon arrival and transferred to a comfortable hotel in this lively cosmopolitan city. The evening is at leisure.
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| Day 12 |
You'll be transferred to the international airport to connect with flights home.
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| Required Skill Level |
Open to All
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| Required Equipment |
Included
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| Our Certificatons |
Our trip leaders are the key to making each trip a unique adventure. Seasoned, mature, responsible, and experts in their fields, our leaders are without equal. They live in the areas that we visit and know the country intimately. We choose our guides for their expertise in outdoor activities (all are trained in wilderness first-aid), their friendly attitudes, and above all, their ability to provide the personal attention that will make your journey an unforgettable experience. Your safety and enjoyment are their primary concerns. |
Mountain Skills & Disciplines |
Hiking |
Mountaineering |
Canyoneering |
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Backpacking |
High Altitude |
Caving |
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Camping |
Traversing |
Coasteering |
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Rock Climbing |
Aid Climbing |
Big Walling |
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Ice Climbing |
Free Climbing |
Ropes & Knots |
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Bouldering |
Solo Climbing |
Belaying |
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Indoor Climbing |
Lead Climbing |
Rappeling |
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Traditional Climbing |
Top Roping |
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Avalanche Awareness |
Outdoor Survival |
First Aid |
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Environmental Awareness |
Navigation |
Search & Rescue |
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Basics & Backgrounds
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