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Patagonia Adventure

Chile

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Day walks through the Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine National Parks

Itinerary

Arrive El Calafate

On your arrival in El Calafate, make your way to the group hotel. A transfer can be booked on request for an additional cost. You will meet your guide in the evening for a group briefing.Overnight Imago Hotel or similar.

Perito Moreno Glacier

The trip begins this morning around 8am, when we are met by our group leader. We head towards the Andes to the edge of the icecap for a full day tour to this impressive glacier that advances across Lago Argentino. This day tour is on a shared service basis with other travellers. We spend several hours wandering the many paths that offer different vantage points of this calving glacier. The glacier is 4 km wide and 70 metres high and descends to the surface of the lake, almost cutting the lake in two. Occasionally massive pieces break off and fall into the lake becoming icebergs and creating huge waves in the process. The groans and creaks of the active glacier precede dramatic falls of the ice face. Overnight Imago Hotel or similar.Please Note: Lunch is not included today. We recommend that you purchase supplies in El Calafate.

Drive El Calafate to El Chalten

The drive to El Chalten takes approx. 5 hours with scenery of great rolling hills and the occasional herd of guanaco and sometimes rhea. You may even spot the odd Condor gliding high above the broad Patagonian pampas. On arrival in El Chalten, the afternoon is at leisure to explore the town. Overnight Hotel Poincenot or similar.

El Chalten - in Los Glaciares National Park

El Chalten is a village in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park from which we make our day trips. The two most famous hikes in this area are day walks to Laguna Torre (approx 6 hours) and Laguna de Los Tres (approx 9 hours) which we want to undertake in the next two days. The treks offer stunning views of Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy. Mount Fitz Roy is found at the northern end of the park and is part of a range of bizarre peaks including the needle like rock pinnacle of Cerro Torre - for a climber it looks to be one of the most unclimbed peaks in the world - in fact it was only scaled for the first time in 1974. To the south run a great chain of massive glaciers that basically follow the line of the Chile/Argentina border. The dramatic rock spires beckon and our days here will be a highlight of the itinerary. The beautiful valleys hold crystal clear streams and are home to a multitude of bird life. During the short summer the Patagonian flowers bloom profusely. Please note, all treks are subject to weather conditions.Overnight Hotel Poincenot or similar.

Drive to Puerto Natales

We begin today with a drive of 5 - 6 hours to the fishing village of Puerto Natales situated on the Ultima Esperanza Fiord in Chile. We are crossing the border from Argentina into Chile today and border formalities can make the journey a bit longer. Depending on the group size we might need to change buses in El Calafate.Overnight in Puerto Natales Weskar Lodge or similar.

Boat trip to Torres del Paine National Park

A spectacular day cruising towards Torres del Paine National Park, we enjoy impressive glaciers tumbling down from the mountains and beautiful panoramic views. Many past travellers rate this as one of the best days on this trip. From Puerto Natales we join our boat trip to the massive Balmaceda Glacier which calves into the Ultima Esperanza Fjord. After lunch in a beautiful location on the fjord, we continue onto the National Park by Zodiac.The Towers of Paine are right before us, as we enter the National Park. This boat trip certainly is the best and most interesting way to arrive into Paine. We plan to arrive at the park in the afternoon and the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Hosteria del Paine or similar.PLEASE NOTE: The boat trip is on a shared service basis and is weather dependent. If boats are not able to operate due to weather conditions, we will organise alternative transportation into Torres del Paine National Park.

Day walks Torres del Paine National Park

When we first see the great granite pinnacles of Paine it is worth remembering that the Andes is the youngest chain of mountains in the world. One can imagine the great pressures and movements of the earth that created these spectacular peaks. Today we will drive to Grey Lake and walk to a view point from where we can admire the beautiful Grey Glacier. With 30 metres not as high as Perito Moreno but not less stunning due to its surrounding of the Paine Mountain Range. Small icebergs are usually floating on the lake and provide fantastic photo opportunities. We will then visit other areas in the park, eg Salto Grande and Pehoe Lake. If weather allows we will also walk to the Cuernos view point. The walks today are easy and short. After a full day of sightseeing in the park we return to our comfortable lodge. Please note, all treks are subject to weather conditions.Overnight in Hotel Las Torres or similar.Hotel Las Torres works in partnership with a not-for-profit organisation called AMA to make sure the park remains sustainable into the future. On top of critical conservation activities such as trail maintenance and waste management, AMA also engages in scientific research and provides essential educational services. They regularly work with Chilean schools to improve environmental awareness.

Day walks Torres del Paine National Park

The second day in Torres del Paine is set aside to walk to the base of Las Torres, one of the most iconic day walks in the park. This trek is on a shared service basis with other travellers. It is more challenging than the day before, but the walk provides excellent views of the park if weather permits. At the end of the way up you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the famous towers and a beautiful glacier lake. The walk will take approximately 7-8 hours return and the last 1 hour of the trek to the towers is steep and rocky. As with any trek, the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the experience. (If this trek is too difficult, other options can be arranged at an additional cost. If the whole group is interested in a different or easier trek, this can be organised by your guide.) The whole experience of trekking in Patagonia will spoil you for most other trekking areas in the world – the scenery is really awe-inspiring. Blue glacial and ice-berg strewn lakes combine with dramatic granite peaks and snow covered mountains which lead to the Patagonian ice-cap. Please note, all treks are subject to weather conditions.Overnight in Hotel Las Torres or similar.

Return to El Calafate

We drive for approximately 7-8 hours across the steppes following the face of the Andes. The scenery is breathtaking, with great rolling hills dotted with stunted beech trees. We plan to arrive in El Calafate in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with time for last minute shopping or indulging the 'dulce de leche' a dessert you will by now be familiar with!Overnight Imago Hotel or similar.

Trip concludes in El Calafate

Trip concludes after breakfast in El Calafate.

Additional Information

This is an ideal introduction to the spectacular world renowned parks of Patagonia, without the need to commit to long walking days. From the awesome Perito Moreno Glacier, we continue onto Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, home to the famous 3000m spires of Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy. We travel across the border to Chile and take a stunning cruise from Puerto Natales into the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park. We explore on foot the vast pampas and forests, home to herds of Guanaco and hopefully spot Andean Condors circling near the base of the dramatic granite 'Towers of Paine'. After each exhilarating day walk we return to our comfortable hotel or lodge, for a wholesome meal and warm bedroom.

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Starting From

$4,499/person

Book Now

Details

Duration

11 Days

Starts

Patagonia

Group Size

2-16

Difficulty

3/5

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