Overview of Your Patagonia Hiking Panorama Tour
Travel to the ends of the earth has always ignited the human imagination. So it’s no surprise that Patagonia tours, encompassing the southern tip of South America shared by Chile and Argentina, has tantalized many. Patagonia is where Darwin formed part of his “survival of the fittest” theory; it’s the region that British writer and explorer Bruce Chatwin sought to capture in his classic, In Patagonia; and, it’s here that outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid took a sabbatical from their life of crime to try their hand at cattle ranching. Experiencing the grandeur of its spires, glaciers, ancient forests and lakes on this action-packed Patagonia hiking and kayaking adventure, you will understand the mesmerizing attraction of the region. By trekking Patagonia, you’ll come away rejuvenated, with a heightened respect for nature and the strong-willed people who make this land of extremes their home.
Trip Features
- 12 Days
- Starting at $7,170 per person
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PHYSICAL RATING
Difficult -
ACTIVITIES
Hiking, Camping -
HIGHLIGHTS
Torres Del Paine National Park, Classic ‘W’ Hike, Puerto Natales, Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glacier, Mt. Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre
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Buenos Aires – 2 Hour Walking Tour
Buenos Aires is a city for walkers. Whether you wish to learn about its engrossing history or just soak up the atmosphere, there is a walking tour here to match your interests.
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, a Southern Explorations guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. From your hotel, your guide will accompany you by taxi to reach the neighborhood of your choice and then show you the highlights. Safe, flat, and fascinating, these neighborhoods, traveled on foot, will make a memorable component to your Argentina tour.
Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, enjoying the many sights and sounds of this sophisticated metropolis.
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to El Calafate and El Chalten, the gateway town of Fitz Roy. If the weather is clear, this three to four hour drive is a beautiful part of your Patagonia tour, filled with vistas of the Fitz Roy mountain range. Upon arrival in Chalten, transfer to your hotel. Time allowing, opt for a short hike near the town of El Chalten. Overnight at your charming hotel. (B)
After breakfast, you will start a full day of hiking a Patagonian classic: Mt. Torre, famous for its beauty but also for its climbing difficulty. This is the pinnacle of trekking Patagonia. Every year, countless expeditions attempt to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. After a half hour of hiking, you reach the viewpoint of the Fitz Roy River and Margarita waterfall. Continue for another 30 minutes until you reach the Mirador del Cerro Torre, a lookout facing the Cerro Torre and Adelas ranges. From this point, the trail descends into the valley. The trail ends on the shores of Laguna Torre, offering a stunning view of Mt. Torre surrounded by the Egger and Standhard spires and the Adelas range as a backdrop together with the glacier Torre. You will have time to enjoy the view, eat lunch, and rest before returning on the same trail to the town of El Chalten. (B, L)
Patagonia Hiking Details: 11-12 miles / Elevation gain: 1,000-1200 ft /Average time: 7 hours
Today’s segment of trekking Patagonia includes a full-day hike to the Laguna Capri base camp (Fitz Roy base camp). The hike towards Fitz Roy features spectacular views of the massif. The peak was sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche groups that believed the mists enshrouding it were volcanic ash, calling it Chalten (God of Smoke). You will begin hiking south from El Pilar, passing Laguna Piedras Blancas on the way 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. Stop en route for lunch and then resume the hike to Laguna Capri, where the image of Mt. Fitz Roy is reflected. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of the sweeping Patagonian steppe and Fitz Roy, highlights of any Patagonia tour. After a full day of hiking, return to your hotel for a good meal and night’s sleep. (B, L)
Patagonia Hiking Details: 13-14 miles / Elevation gain 2200-2300ft / Average time: 9 hours
Depending on the scheduled departure time of your transfer, you may have the opportunity for more Patagonia hiking including a short trek from town to view Mt. Torre. You will transfer to El Calafate where your guide will meet you at your hotel to discuss the following days activities. You’ll have the rest of the day and evening to tour this charming city on your own. Overnight at a local hotel. (B)
PERITO MORENO GLACIER TOUR
Option 1: PERITO MORENO GLACIER TOUR SIGHTSEEING AND GLACIER CRUISE – minimum 2 travelers
This private tour allows you to spend the day gazing at the most famous glacier in South America from several angles. You’ll glimpse your first breathtaking views of the glacier down a narrow arm of Lago Argentino with the majestic backdrop of the Andes. As spectacular as this is, the view pales compared to the experiences you’ll have later today. From El Calafate, it is about a two-hour drive on a paved road to reach the Perito Moreno Glacier. Here you will spend time on the catwalks, taking in the mesmerizing views of the constantly calving glacier. The area’s wildlife includes Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles and ashy headed geese. An hour-long afternoon tour starts at Bajo de las Sombra where you’ll board a vessel to cross Lake Rico, passing icebergs. On reaching Iceberg Channel, the boat will stop at a safe distance to allow passengers time to photograph the Perito Moreno Glacier’s wall and watch for falling chunks of ice. You will be returned to El Calafate in the afternoon. (B,L)
*Shared boat tour
Option 2: PERITO MORENO GLACIER ICE HIKE – $290 Upgrade Per Person
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your El Calafate hotel. An hour long bus ride takes you to the Bajo de las Sombras port on the shore of Lake Argentino. From there, you will board a comfortable boat for a 20 minute navigation across the lake. The cruise offers incredible views of the Perito Moreno glacier with its massive front wall of blue ice and surrounding field of icebergs. Following a beach landing, you’ll stop at a small shelter where the trekkers will be divided into groups of less than twenty. A short walk along an ancient beech forest takes you to the edge of the glacier, a prime location for photographing this spectacular natural wonder. You will be fitted with crampons and receive a safety briefing from your guides before beginning an unforgettable two hour trek on the glacier, with time for photos and a lunch break. This moderate trek will take you past small streams, lagoons, crevasses, and other ice formations as you explore the fascinating landscape of the Perito Moreno glacier. After completing the trek, you will embark on the boat for the return trip across the lake. A short bus ride brings you to an elaborate boardwalk system located across the lake from the glacier. From here you will be able to view and photograph the glacier from many angles, and possibly witness icebergs calving thunderously into the lake. In the late afternoon, you will return to your hotel for another comfortable night’s rest.** (B,L)
*Shared boat tour
**The upper age limit for the regular Perito Moreno excursion is 65, regardless of fitness level with no exceptions.
Today is a long travel day, but the areas visited are well worth it. In the morning transfer to the bus station for the journey to Puerto Natales. Travel across the Argentinean border to Chile. From there, enter the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Arrive in Puerto Natales and transfer to your hotel. Early evening meeting in the hotel lobby to meet the guide for the briefing on your upcoming adventure. Dinner included, excluding wine/drinks. (B,D)
This morning, at 7 AM, you will be driven into Torres del Paine National Park to the shores of Grey Lake where you begin the classic W trek. Begin with a walking tour of Grey Lake beach with spectacular views of the largest glacier in the park, Grey glacier, that dwarfs the icebergs floating along the lake. A boat will take you out on the lake to get a closer look at this remarkable glacier, with Paine Grande and the surrounding mountains providing a striking backdrop. Continue along the lake shore on foot to the lookout point. Climb up and out of the valley on one of the classic Patagonia hikes, enjoying views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian Icecap and many peaks. The shore of beautiful Lake Pehoe is the setting of tonight’s refugio accommodations, with full facilities. (B,L,D)
Patagonia Hiking Details: 7 miles; the trail begins with rocky, rolling terrain and finishes most flat as you approach Lake Pehoe
After breakfast at the Refugio begin hiking uphill passing Lake Skottsberg as you head through the forests towards the magnicent French Valley. The scenery starts to change with the trails becoming wetter and the forests getting richer as you hike in front of the magnicent wall of granite that forms the Paine mountain range. Throughout the day you will enjoy incredible views of the natural amphitheater created by this valley of towering granite peaks with breathtaking waterscapes below, including lakes Pehoe, Skottsberg, Toro, and Nordenskjold. After a full day of hiking and exploring many privileged vantage points you will finish in the Cuernos sector at your refugio accommodations for the night. (B,L,D)
*Upgrade to private cabins possible, please inquire for availability.
Patagonia Hiking Details:
15 miles; 1,750 ft elevation gain reaching Camp Britanico
Today’s hiking takes us along the foothills of the Horns of Paine with the tranquil shores of Lake Nordjenskold on our right. For the brave a chance to swim in the frigid waters of this spectacular lake as we hike towards the three granite spires that give Torres del Paine its name, the Towers of Paine. Spend the night at Refugio Las Torres. (B,L,D)
*Upgrade to private rooms at Hotel Las Torres possible, please inquire for availability.
Patagonia Hiking Details: 7 miles; moderate, undulating terrain with insignificant elevation gain
The most difficult hike of your Patagonia tour, today’s route is arduous but worthwhile as you climb to the famous Towers themselves. A roundtrip hike you will climb up into the Ascending Valley and through beautiful old growth beech forests to a rock moraine just under the towers. A steep climb over the moraine will reward us with one of the most spectacular views in the park and, weather permitting, you will enjoy your last trail lunch at this amazing vantage point. Return to the trail for the descent down to the valley floor and your waiting van for the transfer back to Puerto Natales. (B,L)
Patagonia Hiking Details: 12 mi; 3,291 ft elevation gain. Challenging ascent at the start and steep climb over glacial moraine. Long descent on return. Approximately 8-9 hours walking.
After a leisurely breakfast you’ll be transferred to the bus station for your journey back to the Punta Arenas airport, marking the end of Southern Explorations services. (B)
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Phone
1-877-784-5400Included Hotel
El Calafate, Argentina
Trip FAQs
We have so much to share with you! How does this all work? Start with the frequently asked questions below, and if you want to talk to us directly, simply reach out by phone or form.
Talk to a Travel ExpertYou have the flexibility to choose your own travel dates on most of our trips. Certain trips, such as cruises, have fixed schedules. Availability on these trips is always changing so please contact us with your preferred travel time and we can find the perfect itinerary for you
We provide full service tours so in general our trips include all guided activities with professional English-speaking guides, accommodations, transportation, airport transfers, entrance fees and permits, select meals, and pre-departure services. You will be responsible for international airfare while we will book all in-country airfare. Contact one of our expert travel planners for even more details on this specific tour.
The first step is to get in touch with a Southern Explorations travel planner for date availability and information on activities, accommodations and other travel aspirations you may have. Give us a call at 1.877.784.5400, fill out this form or email info@southernexplorations.com.
Yes! All of our posted itineraries can be considered a starting point and we’re happy to tailor a trip to your exact desires. There may be some elements of a trip, such as a cruise or all-inclusive lodge stay, that cannot be modified but we can always adjust the tours around those components.
We have more detailed information about each destination in the Plan Your Trip section of this website. Our team of friendly travel planners is also available to walk you through various options and to work with you on the perfect trip!
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Southern Explorations enabled me to go on the trip of a lifetime, without having to worry about the trickier aspects of planning. It was well worth the cost to not have to coordinate reservations, tickets, and itineraries with people and companies that exist on the other side of the globe. The locals who work with Southern Explorations were fantastic, and I won’t hesitate to recommend Southern Explorations to my friends. I will certainly consider booking with them for future trips!
– Mary Vanatta
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