Active trek through Patagonia

Patagonia – this impressively wide and wind burnt region with its fantastic pastel-coloured pasture land, its mountains of steeply rugged rock and icy glaciers is definitely the „El Dorado“ for every adventurer, hiker und nature lover. Who hasn’t heard of the desired destinations Torres del Paine, Monte Fitz Roy or the Perito Moreno Glacier?

Explore the Patagonian highlights in a challenging 15-day Patagonia Trekking tour where you travel the whole Torres del Paine-circuit.

Admire hardy tailored mountains that are formed by the movement of Glacier tongues. Discover the emerald green-coloured lakes, Magellan forests of beech trees and the perpetual ice of this inspiring World Heritage site. Meet hardworking gauchos who call the wind branded steppe their home. Watch vigorous Guanacos fighting for their territories while the condor majestically hovers above your heads. After having faced the mystic Torres del Paine – granite towers your way leads you to the huge Perito Moreno Glacier. Moreover you will gain picturesque views on your trip to the landmark of Patagonia, Monte Fitz Roy, and the legendary Cerro Torre.

Itinerary:

Day 1: After having arrived at the airport in Punta Arenas we visit the famous Penguin-colony on Seno Otway where we watch the Magellan Penguins in their natural habitat. Subsequently we take a refreshment-break before we move on to Puerto Natales. One night in a guesthouse in Puerto Natales.

Day 2: In the morning we take a private bus ride to the Torres del Paine National Park and watch out for the typical animals of this fantastic region like Guanacos and Ñandus. In the afternoon our first hike of approx. 4 hours leads us to Campamento Seron. Depending on weather and season we discover various birds and plants like the Palomita (a white orchid). We spend the night in our tents with free sight on the starry sky. (B/D)

Day 3: Today we hike along Lago Paine and Rio Paine to the wonderful Refugio and Campamento Dickson. Near the Camp we will get a picturesque view on the enclosing Dickson Glacier. There will be enough time to enjoy this inviting campsite while sitting together and sharing our overwhelming impressions. We have more or less 5-6 hours to walk and an elevation of approx. 250m. Overnight stay in tents. (B/D)

Day 4: We leave the Camp on Lago Dickson and walk through a mystic Magellan forest of Southern beech trees to reach our next Camp. Campamento Los Perros is fabulously situated at the edge of a forest and at the Glacier of the same name. We have 4-5 hours to walk. Overnight stay in tents. (B/D)

Day 5: Today we face probably the most exhausting but most impressive part of the tour. We leave the Camp Los Perros and hike uphill to the Paso John Garner where we admire a striking view over the Southern Patagonian Ice field. Afterwards we scale down along the impressive Grey Glacier to our next Camp, Campamento Grey. 750m ascent/1200m descent. Overnight stay in tents. (B/D)

Day 6: In the late morning we hike along Lago Grey to the black lagoon (Laguna Negra) while we are exploring the nature. From there, we walk down to the Camp Paine Grande that is beautifully located at the turquoise coloured Lago Pehoe. Our walking distance of 4 hours as well as an elevation of 300m is manageable. Overnight stay in tents. (B/D)

Day 7: Today’s hike takes us along the splendorous Lago Skottsberg to Campamento Italiano. Subsequently we move towards the French valley and its viewpoint “Mirador” where we gain deep insight into the mountains. With a bit of luck we witness ice cracking off the Paine Grande (3,050m) sounding like a roaring thunder. Afterwards, we walk next to Lago Nordenskjöld to the Refugio and Campamento Los Cuernos. We stay at this idyllic place close to the lake and the Cuernos for one night. Approx. 7-hour walking distance and an elevation of 450m. Overnight stay in tents. (B/D)

Day 8: With a nostalgic feeling we leave this fantastic place to reach Campamento Las Torres in about 4-5 hours. Passing Monte Almirante Nieto (2,640m), we can probably watch the condor circling in the sky. Overnight stay in tents. (B/D)

Day 9: Today, we will hike to get a first rate view on the no. 1 highlight: The famous Torres Towers. At first it leads us up to the Ascencio-valley where we take a break at the Refugio Chileno next to the lovely Ascencio River. After 2 more hours and a tough ascent we are rewarded for our efforts: We will stand in front of the impressive Needles with a green lagoon lying to our feet. After the challenge of hiking Torres del Paine for more or less 8 hours and 750m of elevation, we take our private bus back to Puerto Natales. We spend the night in a guesthouse. (B)

Day 10: Transfer in a regular bus through the wind branded Pampa to El Calafate in Argentina. In the afternoon you will have some time to go shopping or to try the famous Argentine steaks. Overnight stay in a hotel. (B)

Day 11: Today we are heading to Chalten with a regular bus, taking a break at the Estancia La Leona. Chalten is a lovely village in the mountains that will be our starting point for the next two days. A walk of 6 hours leads us to Laguna Torre where we have a grand view over the Cerro Torre (3,102m) with its Glaciers. Moreover, we take a break at the Agostini Camp – ex Jim Bridwell that is the Base camp for all Cerro Torre mountaineers. The elevation is 250 m. We spend the night in a hostel with shared rooms and shared bathrooms. (B/D)

Day 12: We hike to Laguna de los Tres and to Laguna Sucia in more or less 8-9 hours with an elevation of 750m. We also pass the Base Camp Rio Blanco that serves all Fitz Roy Mountaineers. Finally we gain an unforgettable view on the Fitz Roy and the surrounding mountains. We stay in a hostel with shared rooms and shared bathrooms. (B/D)

Day 13: Today, we take a regular bus back to El Calafate. In the afternoon we visit the incomparable Perito Moreno Glacier in the Los Glaciers National park that is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. If we are lucky we will watch the Glacier calving. Overnight stay in a hotel. (B)

Day 14: We travel from Argentina back to Puerto Natales / Chile on a regular bus. You can use the afternoon to explore the small town at the Ultima Esperanza Fjord. After a delicious farewell-dinner we stay in a guesthouse. (B/D)

Day 15: Transfer from Puerto Natales to the airport of Punta Arenas on a regular bus (without a guide). (B)

• Location: Argentina / Chile
• Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
• Start / End: Punta Arenas / Punta Arenas
• Activities: Trekking, camping. Please Note: A very good physical fitness, team spirit and abdication of comfort are necessary requirements for this tour. Furthermore, you should be able to walk long distances (up to 10 hours a day) with strenuous ascents and descents, carrying your backpack (30l to 40l) and master differences in elevation of 200 and 1,200m per day. The equipment for your belongings throughout the day has to be carried by yourself.
• Highlights: Complete circuit around the Torres del Paine massif, crossing of the John Garner Pass, famous “W” hike, Grey Glacier & Dickson Glacier, Frency Valley, Monte Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Perito Moreno Glacier
• Season: October to March
• Included: Accommodation: in Torres del Paine National Park in 2-person tents; in the cities in very clean guesthouses with private bathroom; 3 nights in a hostel in shared rooms with shared bathrooms, all meals mentioned in itinerary, local bilingual guide, porter during the complete Paine-circuit, all transfers and transport as detailed on itinerary, entry fees, camping gear and tents
• Not Included: Travel insurance, sleeping bags, tips, domestic and international flights, meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Prices: Please contact us for pricing