Trekking in Patagonia: Torres del Paine and El Chaltén in 10 days

After meeting at the Punta Arenas Airport, a 3 hour transfer takes us through Patagonian Pampa landscapes to Puerto Natales. We arrive at our lodge (Natalino Hotel, or something equivalent) for a welcome dinner and trip briefing.

Vehicle transfer to Torres Del Paine National Park (2 hour transfer). From there, we begin our trek in the Ascensio Valley. We follow the trail through a lenga forest. Once we arrive at the moraine, it’s one more hour trekking until the 3 pink granite towers of Torres del Paine become visible above us.

Distance: 17km

Time: 7 hours

Accommodation: Refugio Nash

Following breakfast, vehicle transfer to Pudeto. A catamaran will take us across Pehoe Lake. From there, our trek in the French Valley begins. This is a beautiful valley surrounded by hanging glaciers, towering granite walls, and impressive spires. There are two routes we can take to explore this area of the park: the first involves hiking to British Camp (24km/7-8 hours), and the second to the Main Lookout (16km 5-6 hours).

Lodging: Refugio Nash

Vehicle transfer with stop at Salto Grande waterfall. We will spend 4 hours trekking around Lake Grey. We will stop at the Glacier Grey viewpoint.

Should you wish, option to go kayaking on the glacier lake (extra charge) in the afternoon. This is a great opportunity to explore the floating icebergs up close, and to see the magnificent Grey Glacier from the water.

Accommodation: Camping Grey (dinner at Grey Lodge).

In the morning, optional ice hiking excursion (extra charge). You will transfer to Grey Glacier, where you will have a chance to walk on the glacier for about 3 hours using technical equipment. This is a great chance to explore the cracks, tunnels, and lagoons in the glacier.

After lunch, we head out in a catamaran to further explore Grey Lake, sipping on traditional Chilean cocktails served with ice fresh from the glacier, as we observe the many textures of the glacier up close. After the excursion, we head back to Puerto Natales for the night.

Accommodation: Natalino Hotel (or equivalent)

After breakfast, we head to the Puerto Natales bus station where we take a commercial bus to El Calafate. We arrive at our hotel in El Calafate about 1:30pm. From there, we head out to Perito Moreno glacier for our excursion, walking the footbridges that allow us to observe the glacier from different viewpoints. We return to the hotel where you have the evening free (dinner not included).

We depart El Calafate at 8am on a commercial bus to El Chalten. Upon our arrival, we head straight to Los Huemules, where we have several different trekking options to explore one of the wildest areas of Patagonia.

After breakfast, vehicle transfer to Hosteria el Pilar. From there, we trek among a lenga forest near the River Blanco, taking the opportunity to discuss the native wildlife along the way. We will also stop at a great viewpoint for Piedras Blancas glacier.

As we trek toward Poincenot Camp, where we will stay for the night, we will have a great view of the famous Fitz Roy and Laguna Los Tres.

After breakfast, we head towards Lake Mother and Daughter and Cerro Torre. It’s a beautiful path through lenga forest, with many great views of the lake. Depending on the weather, we will continue to Maestri Viewpoint, which has a great view of Grande Glacier.  We will then take a different route back to El Chalten, trekking along the Fitz Roy River.

8am commercial bus transfer from El Chalten back to El Calafate. Once there, the program ends.