Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and Torres Del Paine
Day 1 International flight to Argentina, El Calafate via Buenos Aires
Day 2 Our Expedition starts in El Calafate. From El Calafate, we travel to the village of Chalten, the exploration starting point of Mount Fitzroy and Glacier National Park. Estimate 3 hours’ drive. Depending on your schedule, we may stop at the Fort La Leona where Butch Cassidy once resided during his exile.
- Overnight Hotel and Spa Don Los Cerros Boutique, El Chalten
Day 3 Today we will hike towards the base of Mount Fitzroy at 11,703ft/ 3,570metres; Laguna de los Tres.
- Overnight Hotel and Spa Don Los Cerros Boutique, El Chalten
Day 4 Hike along a thick forest contemplating amazing views of las Vueltas River and old Madsen Ranch, first inhabitant of the area. Our goal is Capri Lagoon, where we can observe Fitz Roy’s reflection.
- Overnight Hotel and Spa Don Los Cerros Boutique, El Chalten
Day 5 Morning drive to El Calafate. Today will be one of the most spectacular days anyone could imagine spending in the natural world. We will visit Perito Moreno Glacier up close by boat. It is amazing with the ice calving off the huge glaciers and spilling into the water. We can spend time hiking along the edge of the water a safe distance from the active parts of the glacier, but we will not miss the chance to get up close to the big ice.
- Overnight Hotel Design Suites, El Calafate
Day 6 Early departure towards the Argentina-Chile border and then Torres del Paine National Park where our next adventure begins. The drive is beautiful in our private van, but may take up to 5 – 7 hours depending on customs at the border.
- Overnight Hotel Torres, Torres del Paine National Park
Day 7 Open schedule day. We usually spend the day getting our gear organized for the next few days as well as going for hikes around the hotel. Our group don’t usually stay at the lodge during the entire day, some enjoy massage at the hotel spa, organize and pack gear, and going for hikes towards the opposite directions that we will be going the following day; sort of to avoid doing the same hike twice. Our guides will be available and will suggest hikes depending on the weather conditions.
- Overnight Hotel Torres, Torres del Paine National Park
Day 8 Our goal is to complete the most famous trekking trail in Torres del Paine The “W” trek We walk from the hotel and connect with the winding path up to Ascencio Valley. We will pass through beech forests and along bubbling creeks during the walk into the valley.
This mass of boulders is the last stop before we meet the Torres del Paine. This is one of the most marvelous sights in the world! The Torres del Paine (2,900 m/ 9, 400 ft) are three gigantic monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.
- Overnight Hotel Torres, Torres del Paine National Park
Day 9 Today we will hike along the twisty Cuernos trail beside beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. We will get a taste of the park’s scenery, wildlife, strong winds and changing weather. As we advance, we’ll enjoy the magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and Paine’s Horns; majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite. We stop for some great photo opportunities and to enjoy our lunch. The trek ends at Refugio Los Cuernos, a small refuge located by the shores of Lake Nordenskjold.
- Overnight Refugio Los Cuernos (cabin, camping or bunk bed)
Day 10 Today our trek will be more challenging. Our goal is Valle Frances (French Valley), which is accessed by a steep trail that leads into the very heart of the Paine Massif. When we reach the hanging bridge over the French River located at the foot of the south-east face of the Massif, we’ll enjoy our first amazing views. From here, we continue up the trail until we reach the upper valley.
- Overnight Refugio Paine Grande ( camping or bunk bed)
Day 11 We hike from the refugio along the shores of Lake Pehoe to the northern end of Lake Grey. We’ll enjoy lunch before boarding the boat that sails to the blue face of Glacier Grey. If the weather conditions prevent us from navigating Lake Grey, we’ll hike back to Paine Grande and board the catamaran to Lake Pehoe. Transfer to our hotel.
- Overnight Hotel Torres, Park Torres del Paine
Day 12 Drive to Punta Arenas. Tonight we will stay at Hotel Cabo de Hornos, the old residence of the governor; we can also stop by the historic Jose Nogueira Hotel, where Sir Ernest Shackleton negotiated the famous Antarctic rescue of his stranded crew of the ship Endurance.
- Overnight Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Punta Arenas
Day 13 Morning half-day boat trip to Magdalena Island to see penguin colonies.
- Overnight Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Punta Arenas
Day 14 Return flights home via Santiago
Day 15 Arrive Home