Trek Patagonia

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Chile. Make sure you arrive by 3 pm, in time for important Welcome Meeting. Your leader will brief you on what to expect while hiking in Patagonia and provide advice on equipment. We will be collecting your insurance details and will explain group meeting. After your meeting, you may like to head into town to get to know your group over dinner. Thinking of arriving a few days early to explore this fascinating city – then check out our great Santiago Short Break (GGAS) for a 4 day in-depth exploration for Santiago, Valparaiso as well as some top notch wine tasting in the famous Casablanca Valley.

Today is a travel day, so sit back and enjoy the scenery. You will leave the hotel early in the morning (departure time from the hotel can vary depending on the flight) Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas (approximately 3–5 hours, depending on the flight connection). From there, take a local bus to Puerto Natales (3 hours, 227 kilometres, non-stop – toilets on board). Situated on the shores of Senoret Channel, Puerto Natales is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and a great place to catch up with fellow hikers for a pre- or post-trek meal in one of the many quaint local restaurants.

Rise and shine for a morning bus ride to Torres del Paine National Park (115 kilometres, approximately 2 hours). Hop off at Laguna Amarga, the park’s main checkpoint, and then continue for 40 minutes to your camp. Located on the shore of Lake Pehoe, your campsite for the next two nights is set beneath the immense granite pillars of the Paine Massif. Eat lunch at the campsite, then take a short walk to Los Condors Viewpoint. The next three days will bring on more serious hiking opportunities, so we recommend you take the rest of the day to stretch, rest and take in the views around your camp. There’s plenty of wildlife in this part of the world, so keep an eye out for camelids, foxes and more.

Over the next few days you'll tackle the three trails that form the Torres del Paine's ‘W’ circuit (one trail per day), but the exact order you trek them in will depend on the weather. You will return to your campsite each evening after your hikes, the details of which are below. After the final hike on Day 6, return to Puerto Natales for a well-earned night in a comfortable hotel.

The trek to French Valley is 24 kilometres with an elevation gain of 420 metres. This hike will take around 8–9 hours and pass through some open forest before you reach the valley, where you can see the immense French Glacier (and sometimes even witness calving).
The hike to Grey Glacier takes around 6.5 hours. The day you embark on this trek begins with a ten-minute van transfer to a dock. Board a catamaran for a 30-minute cruise across Lake Pahoe that will take you Paine Grande, the starting point for the trek. Hike through mountains and low shrubbery to Grey Lake, where you will likely see some icebergs floating and, of course, the retreating face of Grey Glacier.
The most popular trek in the area, Base Las Torres (The Tower's Base) takes approximately 8 hours in total with an elevation gain of about 300 metres. This hike takes you to the foot of the three Paine Massif towers and passes through a boulder-strewn mountain landscape.

Enjoy some breakfast and then board a public bus for a long day of travel. Today you will cross the international border from Chile to Argentina. Head to El Calafate city (310 kilometres, approximately 5–6 hours). This is your gateway to the Glaciers National Park. As a major hub for adventurers headed to Perito Moreno, El Calafate has undergone a lot of development in recent decades but retains plenty of charm. Located on the shore of the Argentino Lake and surrounded by the Andes range, this is a beautiful place to spend a few days. In the evening, perhaps take the opportunity to try some of the local trout and a glass of Malbec.

Travel by minivan (80 kilometres, approximately 2.5 hours), witnessing some spectacular scenery within the Glaciers National Park. Once you arrive, spend some time walking on the set paths and taking in the magnificence of the Perito Moreno Glacier from the different angles. There is also the chance to take a walk on the glacier itself, but this must be booked in advance. At three kilometres wide and 35 kilometres long, it's an incredibly massive icescape, and one of the few glaciers in the world that is actually in balance rather than melting away. Watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below. In the evening, return to El Calafate and enjoy a free night.

Fly to Buenos Aires and enjoy a final night out. Depending on what time you arrive you may have some free time to explore this wonderful city. The main square of the city, Plaza de Mayo, is very close to your hotel; on the east side of the square you will find Casa Rosada, the pink presidential palace where Eva Peron appeared on the balcony in front of adoring fans in the 1940s. The traditional neighborhood of San Telmo is not to far from the hotel too.
If you have extra time in Buenos Aires there is a number of places that you could visit, such as: “La Boca Neighborhood”, The “Recoleta” cemetery, Palermo neighborhood, Puerto Madero, Teatro Colon (opera house), Café Tortoni (oldest coffee shop in South America). There is also Museo Evita, dedicated to the life (and gowns) of this famed figure. MALBA is an incredible art gallery showcasing a private collection, including works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, plus great temporary exhibits.

Notes: If everything goes to plan, you'll arrive in the early afternoon, but keep in mind that airline schedules in Argentina are known for changing without much notice. This means you could arrive in BA as late as 10 pm tonight

Your adventure ends after breakfast this morning. There are no further activities planned, and you are free to depart at any time. Thinking of staying on to explore this fascinating city? then remember to check out our great Buenos Aires Short Break Adventure (GGAA) for a 3 day in-depth city exploration