Patagonia active - 15 days trekking through Chile & Argentina
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.
On this unforgettable trekking trip you will hike in 8 days the “Big Circuit” of the amazing Torres del Paine national park. Admire hardy tailored mountains that are formed by the movement of Glacier tongues. Discover the emerald green-colored 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.
On this unforgettable trekking trip you will hike in 8 days the “Big Circuit” of the amazing Torres del Paine national park. Admire hardy tailored mountains that are formed by the movement of Glacier tongues. Discover the emerald green-colored 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.
Trip-Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Punta Arenas – Penguin Colony – Puerto Natales
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. (-/-/-)
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. (-/-/-)
Days 2 - 5: Treks Seron – Dickson – Los Perros – Paso John Garner – Grey Glacier
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). Approx. 250m ascent/descent. 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; 400m ascent. 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 (1250m) 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. We have 8-10 hours to walk; 750m ascent/1200m descent. Overnight stay in tents. (B/-/D)
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). Approx. 250m ascent/descent. 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; 400m ascent. 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 (1250m) 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. We have 8-10 hours to walk; 750m ascent/1200m descent. Overnight stay in tents. (B/-/D)
Days 6 - 9: Trek Grey – Paine Grande – French Valley – Cuernos – Torres Towers
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 500m. 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. 200m of elevation. 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 this challenging hike of 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/-/-)
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 500m. 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. 200m of elevation. 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 this challenging hike of 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/-/-)
Days 10 - 12: El Calafate - El Chaltén – Cerro Torre & Fitz Roy Trek
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 to the Cerro Torre (3,102m) with its glaciers. Moreover, we take a break at the Agostini Camp that is the Base camp for all Cerro Torre mountaineers. The elevation is 250 m. We spend the night in a guesthouse with private bed- and 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 guesthouse. (B/-/D)
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 to the Cerro Torre (3,102m) with its glaciers. Moreover, we take a break at the Agostini Camp that is the Base camp for all Cerro Torre mountaineers. The elevation is 250 m. We spend the night in a guesthouse with private bed- and 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 guesthouse. (B/-/D)
Days 13 - 15: Perito Moreno Glacier – Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas
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/-/-)
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/-/-)
Trip Notes
What is included?
- Accommodation: in Torres del Paine National Park in 2-person tents; in the cities in very clean guesthouses in doble rooms with private bathroom.
- Meals: breakfast; dinner - appointed days
- Guide: local bilingual english/spanish speaking guide (Day 1 - 14)
- 10 guided hikes
- Porters who carry the main luggage during the Paine-Circuit: Everybody will be able to put the following items in their 30l waterproof kitbag that will be carried by porters: Sleeping bag, vanity bag, extra-set of clothes (T-shirt, socks, underwear, trousers). The bag’s weight should not exceed 5 kg!)
- Transport: all public and private transfers as per detailed itinerary
- Entry Fees/Admission: to all National Parks as well as to the Penguin-colony
- Not appointed meals and beverages (You can buy lunch packages for our daily hikes at the mountain huts)
- Single supplement
- Optional trips
- Tips/gratuity
- Local payments
- Flight costs and airport charges
- Excess luggage nor excess luggage fees
- Travel insurance package
Trip Profile
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 (40l to 50l) and master differences in elevation of 200 and 1,200m per day. We are spending our nights in 2-person tents. The equipment for your belongings throughout the day has to be carried by yourself.
Activity Level - III
Intermediate level for the advanced: Challenging and often strenuous hikes that might go on for several days. Extreme changes in temperature and weather conditions often come along. You shouldn’t mind interurban bus trips and accommodations like tents and simple cottages sound adventurous and fun to you. You are foot sure and sportive in your leisure time.
Activity Level - III
Intermediate level for the advanced: Challenging and often strenuous hikes that might go on for several days. Extreme changes in temperature and weather conditions often come along. You shouldn’t mind interurban bus trips and accommodations like tents and simple cottages sound adventurous and fun to you. You are foot sure and sportive in your leisure time.
