Hikers Patagonia - Patagonia -

Day 1: Arrive In Santiago

Morning airport reception and transfer to the Santiago Park Plaza. In the afternoon take a historic tour of Santiago including the Presidential Palace once the National Mint and thus called "La Moneda", the historic main square or "Plaza de Armas", the Cathedral, the National History Museum, and "Casa Colorado" the historic residence of the Governor. Continue on to Santa Lucia the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. Overnight at the Santiago Park Plaza.

Accomodations: Santiago Park Plaza

Day 2: Santiago to Torres del Paine National Park

Transfer out for morning flight to Punta Arenas and then drive north through the vast Patagonian pampa to Puerto Natales, following the coastal route along the Straits of Magellan in Tierra del Fuego (256km/160 miles/3 hrs). After lunch in Puerto Natales, continue into Torres del Paine National Park (246 km/153 miles/ 2 hrs) stopping at the Milodon Cave where the remains of a giant prehistoric sloth were discovered. Arrive for dinner and overnight under the southern constellations at Ecocamp Patagonia in a Suite Dome, located within Torres del Paine National Park.

*Standard Domes with shared bathroom facilities also available for a lower price. Please inquire for details.

Accomodations: EcoCamp Patagonia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3 - 5: Torres del Paine National Park Trekking

Explorations in and around the park vary according to the day of the week and interests and abilities of individual guests. Each day there is an easy excursion by car with walking and light hiking, and a second option that is designed for more active hikers. Most excursions are full day although some are half-day allowing for exploration and relaxed time in the vicinity of the camp. Easy outings include a drive to Laguna Azul Lake with a warmer microclimate and walk among ancient beech forests with opportunities for spotting diverse bird life, particularly the Magellanic Woodpecker. Another walk over flat terrain across the "Ruta de la Fauna" at Lake Sarmiento affords easy observation of guanacos and the panoramic views of the Paine massif especially the Cuernos, or Horns of Paine. More challenging all day hikes include an ascent to the base of the Torres del Paine massif, and another is crossing Lake Pehoe by boat and hiking the French Valley into the heart of the Park. In lieu of hiking, travelers can also elect a non-technical mountain bike trip through the park along Laguna Azul, offered three times per week. Return each day for dinner and overnight at EcoCamp Patagonia. [BLD]

Accomodations: EcoCamp Patagonia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: El Calafate, Argentina

Drive 4-5 hours to El Calafate. Transfer via Puerto Natales across the pampas and the border* of Argentina to El Calafate. This mountain town is the base for explorations of the Patagonian Continental Ice Cap and Los Glaciares National Park. The ice cap runs 560 miles from North to South between the 48 and 51 parallels. It is the origin of 47 major glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Overnight at Estancia Alta Vista, part of a working Patagonian ranch where the hosts, Federico and Tamara, welcome guests with genuine warmth and hospitality. Located about 20 minutes outside of El Calafate, the estancia offers excellent opportunities to hike or ride horses. All rooms have fixed twin beds and alcoholic beverages are an additional cost.

*Vehicle change required at border crossing. Have passports on hand for inspection.

Note: Fresh food items cannot be transported across the Chile-Argentina border but you can bring dry and packaged items (nuts and granola bars) to snack on during the drive. There is also one road side café to stop at for a drink or sandwich.

Accomodations: Hosteria Alta Vista

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Perito Moreno Glacier Mini-Trekking

Drive to a spectacular lookout over the vivid blue Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Permanently advancing along its 3-mile-front, columns of ice over 20 stories high peel off the face and crash into Lago Argentino creating massive icebergs. Cross Lago Argentino by catamaran along the front wall of the glacier to the edge of the Patagonian Ice Cap. Watch and listen to the cracking booms as the glacier calves enormous shards of ice into the lake. Disembark, walk through the beech forest for a safety briefing and then strap on crampons for a guided hike onto the ice pack! Watch for Andean condor and Buff-necked Ibis flying overhead as you explore the pools, caves and crevasses of the glacier’s surface. This is an easy, non-technical walk on the glacier. Overnight at Estancia Alta Vista.

Note: The “Moreno Glacier Walk” is a group excursion of up to 20 persons conducted by a local park concession for ages 12-65. Ask about our “Big Ice Exploration,” an alternative, longer, 6-hour hike with a smaller group that ventures deeper into the depths of the glacier for ages 18-50.

Accomodations: Hosteria Alta Vista

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Estancia Anita

Spend the day exploring the historical Estancia Anita on foot or on horseback. Join your hosts, Tamara and Federico, on a hike through the pampas surrounding the hosteria or saddle up and ride to a vantage point overlooking Perito Moreno Glacier and Lago Argentina. Horses are available for a variety of different rider ability levels. Search for puma tracks, soaring condors and Patagonian Pygmy Owls. Visit the historical shearing shed and learn about the importance of the wool industry in Patagonia or in December, watch the gauchos and dogs herd the sheep down from the high pasture for the annual shearing. One evening you will dine in the refurbished barn and enjoy a traditional asado (or barbeque) with other estancia guests.

Accomodations: Hosteria Alta Vista

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: El Calafate - El Chalten

Drive 4 hours
After lunch journey across the steppe to El Chalten, an outpost in the far reaches of Los Glaciares National Park. The frontier town is surrounded by some of the most imposing peaks in the Patagonian Andes, Cerro Fitzroy and Cerro Torre. Overnight at Hostería el Pilar, located close to the best trailheads and a 15 minute taxi ride from town.
Note: Dinner is included for each night of your stay at El Pilar, though El Chalten has several wonderful restaurants that can be reached via taxi. Cost is between 80-90 pesos each way for travel between town and El Pilar. Boxed lunch can be prepared upon request and is payable direct.
El Pilar does NOT accept credit cards. All drinks other than water and coffee or juice with breakfast are additional. Be sure to bring enough cash (USD or Argentine Pesos) to cover meals, additional beverages (alcoholic and non) and incidental purchases during your stay.

Accomodations: Hosteria El Pilar

Days 10-11: Glacier National Park Hiking

Our guide will meet you at the hostería on the first morning to plan the day’s activities adapted to your interests and abilities. A popular trail takes you to Laguna Torre, continuing to the base camp for climbers of Cerro Torre (this requires transfer in to and out of town – can be arranged at El Pilar) A fairly easy and level walk takes you through beautiful beech forests along Rio Fitzroy until a final push up steep glacial moraine reaches the lake. Whichever Fitzroy hike you take, enjoy breathtaking views of the principal peaks of the Fitzroy Range. Boxed lunch is included on your first day of hiking. The second day is at your leisure to explore the trails on your own. Overnight at Hostería el Pilar. [BD each day, lunch on first day of trekking]

Accomodations: Hosteria El Pilar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: El Chalten - Buenos Aires

Transfer to Calafate for afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. Transfer in to overnight at Moreno Hotel in the historical San Telmo neighborhood.

Accomodations: Moreno Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13: Buenos Aires City Tour -- Depart

Enjoy the day exploring Buenos Aires on our Four Balconies of Buenos Aires tour. A local guide uses four parks and plazas to introduce you to the city, its history, its style, and the peculiar psychology of Porteno residents. You visit historical sites such as the Barrio Norte with its splendid old homes; San Telmo where the artist and musicians live and work; La Boca, a neighborhood of brightly painted Italian family homes and restaurants; and the Avenida 9 de Julio with its towering obelisk as much a symbol to Buenos Aires as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Afternoon is at your leisure. Your hotel room is available until 5:00 PM, after which you can store your luggage at the hotel until your transfer to the international airport in time for your evening departure.

Note: Consider adding a trip extension to Iguazu Falls, Mendoza wine country, or an extra day in Buenos Aires to enjoy the beautiful city with free time for walking and shopping or a variety of other half day tours exploring by bike or kayak, take in a tango show or visit some of the more than 150 art galleries and museums.

Meals Included: Breakfast