Active Hikers Patagonia

Day 1: Arrive In Santiago, City Tour

A morning airport reception and transfer to the Singular Santiago kick off your Patagonia adventure. In the afternoon, roam historic Santiago. You’ll visit the the Presidential Palace, site of the former National Mint (“La Moneda”); the historic main square; the 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.

Accommodations: The Singular, Santiago

Day 2: Santiago to Torres del Paine National Park

Transfer to a morning flight to Punta Arenas then drive north through the vast Patagonian pampa to Puerto Natales, following the coastal route along the Straits of Magellan in Tierra del Fuego (5 hrs). Arrive for dinner at Patagonia Camp and prepare for your first overnight under the southern constellations in a yurt near Torres del Paine National Park.

Accommodations: Patagonia Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3-5: Torres del Paine National Park Trekking

Explorations in and around Torres del Paine vary according to the day of the week and the interests and abilities of individual guests. Each day, there’s an easy excursion by car with walking and light hiking as well as a second option designed for more active hikers. Most excursions are full-day outings, although some are half-day, allowing for exploration and downtime in the vicinity of the camp. Easy outings include a drive to Laguna Azul Lake with its warmer micro-climate and a walk among ancient beech forests with the chance to spot diverse bird life, particularly the Magellanic Woodpecker.

Another walk over flat terrain across the Ruta de la Fauna at Lake Sarmiento lets you spot the guanacos there and the panoramic views of the Paine massif, particularly the Cuernos, or Horns of Paine. For more challenging all-day hikes, ascend to the base of the Torres del Paine massif or cross Lake Pehoe by boat to hike the French Valley into the heart of the Park.

Accommodations: Patagonia Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: El Calafate, Argentina

Drive 5 hours to El Calafate
Today’s drive to El Calafate, one of the most beautiful transfers you’ll ever take, winds along Ruta 1 via Puerto Natales across the pampas to the border* of Argentina. The mountain town of El Calafate 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 48th and 51st parallels and is the origin of 47 major glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno Glacier.

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

Accommodations: Design Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Perito Moreno Minitrekking

Drive to a spectacular lookout of 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. You cross Lago Argentino by boat along the front wall of the glacier to the edge of the Patagonian Ice Cap and hike through the beech forest up onto the ice pack! Don crampons and walk for 2 hours across the ice field, exploring blue caves and hidden tunnels. (For a 6 hour trek on the glacier see our Big Ice Tour).

NOTE: Participants in the glacier walk must be between the ages of 10-65 due to the park’s rigidly enforced age restrictions. Should you not meet these requirements, don’t fret! Inquire about available alternative glacier walks and experiences.

Accommodations: Design Suites

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Transfer to Helsingfors - Los Glaciares National Park

Drive to Helsingfors, a charming converted ranch house in Los Glaciares National Park perched on the shores of Lago Viedma. Unique Helsingfors blends with and complements the natural surroundings of Patagonia, its scenery reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings’ Middle Earth. Knowledgeable guides will point out dozens of species of birds, recommend hikes of all difficulties, and show you the ropes of horseback riding to help you channel your inner gaucho. Inside, a cozy fire warms the sitting room and friendly staff serve fine food. Spend the evening reminiscing about the day’s adventures over a glass of Argentinian wine in a warm, family atmosphere with the guests in the 9 other rooms.

Accommodations: Helsingfors Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Explore Helsingfors - Optional Horseback Ride

Choose from a number of activities during your stay at the lodge with assistance from the on-site guides. If you’d like, head to the “jewel of Helsingfors” with a breathtaking trek or horseback ride to a blue lagoon. Set out on an old grass trail that starts at the Helsingfors lodge. Wind through the valley of the River Alfredo (the same river that provides energy to the lodge) and follow a small river before arriving at a viewpoint. Gaze at the magnitude of Mt. Fitz Roy emerging from the opposite side of Viedma Lake with the Blue Lagoon glacier visible on the horizon. Keep your eyes peeled for guanacos and condors along the path.

Reach the end of the valley, hop off your horse, and embark on a 1-hour walk. This hike’s extra effort is well worth the reward: a cascading waterfall 300 meters tall. Continue upward on a nice trail, reaching the hike’s namesake, the Blue Lagoon. The bright blue of the lagoon stands in stark contrast to the darkness of the mountain and the whiteness of the glacier that descends from the highest of the Andes Mountains to the lagoon’s bank. These beautiful, serene surroundings invite contemplation and reflection in absolute silence. Return to the estancia for a well-deserved dinner.

Accommodations: Helsingfors Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Explore Helsingfors -- Optional Trek to Laguna Del Morro

Partake in all the activities Helsingfors offers. If you feel inclined to hike, you can choose to take off into the mountains on another classic Patagonian trek. Lagunas del Aserradero is a truly magical place full of beautiful colors and contrasts. Well worth the trip, the pristine, natural pool shimmers and often appears a vibrant emerald green, reflecting the trees. Return to the lodge for an afternoon at your leisure.

Accommodations: Helsingfors Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: El Calafate -- Chalten

Driving time: 3 hours
Say goodbye to Helsingfors and drive to Road N°23 as you make your way towards El Chaltén, a small mountain village in Patagonia regarded as the trekking capital of Argentinian Patagonia. Rising sharply above the flat town are Fitz Roy’s two magnificent, towering peaks (3,405 m) and Cerro Torre behind them (3,128 m).

During the summer months (December to March), trekkers make their way to explore the many lagoons, lakes, glaciers, and mountains within. The Patagonia steppe is inhabited by herds of guanacos, foxes, partridges, pumas, deer, guanacos, and rheas, all of which run freely across the steppes.

Accommodations: Hosteria Los Senderos

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: El Chalten -- Rio Blanco Base Camp Trek

Trek to Rio Blanco base camp and Laguna de los Tres vantage point (full-day) for an absolutely stunning view (weather permitting) of the complete Fitz Roy massif. This jagged group is formed by Mt. Guillaumet, St. Exupery, Mermoz, and Juarez, among others. Mt. Fitz Roy itself rises almost two miles vertically in a single stretch, visible directly across a small glacial lake. If you’ve got spare energy, take a further walk to the Piedras Blancas glacier. While the majority of today’s hike is of moderate difficulty through native lenga tree forests, the last hour to the viewpoint is a little more difficult. Once you see the view, though, it will be well worth the effort – it’s guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your Patagonia trip.

Accommodations: Hosteria Los Senderos

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13: El Chalten -- Cerro Torre Hike

Embark on a day hike to Torre Lake (826 m) for an impressive view of the slender shapes that make up Cerro Torre and its neighbors, Egger (2850 m) and Stanhardt spires (2730 m). The trail winds along beech forest, bogs, and shrubland. From the camp, it’s a short hike to Laguna Torre, enclosed by moraines and with the Glacier Grande calving in its west side. See icebergs being pushed by the wind along the coast of the lagoon with the thin and elegant peaks of the Cerro Torre group and the Adela range in the background.

Accommodations: Hosteria Los Senderos

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14: El Chalten -- Buenos Aires

Transfer back to El Calafate and bid a fond farewell to the rugged beauty of Patagonia. Fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel, located in the trendy Palermo Soho area of the city. Once a Spanish-style convent, the Nuss Boutique Hotel is located across from the Plaza Serrano, a perfect place to call home during your stay in Buenos Aires

Accommodations: Nuss Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 15: Buenos Aires -- Half Day Tour -- Departure

Head out on a half-day city tour to see the highlights of diverse, gorgeous Buenos Aires. Visit South America’s broadest avenue (9 de Julio Avenue), the iconic Plaza de Mayo (May Square), the colorful neighborhoods of San Telmo and La Boca, and the traditional neighborhood of Palermo with its large parks, rose gardens, and lakes before ending your tour where you began – the Recoleta district.

Sip one last glass of Argentinian Malbec before an evening transfer to the international airport (EZE) to board your flight home.

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Meals Included: Breakfast