Peaks of Patagonia

Degree of Difficulty

• Considered a moderately difficult adventure, participants should be in good physical health, with experience of walking in mountainous environments for multiple consecutive days. 
• Hiking days will cover up to 25K, with up to 1100m of vertical ascent in a day. 
• Terrain can be rocky and uneven, with steep climbs. Previous experience of hiking in this terrain is advantageous.

EATING AND DRINKING

• This adventure is presented on a full board basis.
• Whilst camping in the Fitz Roy region, meals will be prepared at the campsites using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
• In Torres del Paine, breakfasts and dinners will be taken at mountain refuges, with packed lunches taken during hikes. 
• Whilst staying in larger towns, meals can be taken at the hotel, or at a local restaurant.
• Whilst trekking, boiled, filtered water is available each morning to fill bottles or bladders. It's recommended to bring a personal purification system, in order to treat water from streams or springs en route each day.

ARGENTINIAN ACCOMMODATION

• Comfortable 3* hotels are used in Buenos Aires, El Chalten, El Calafate and Puerto Natales. Double or twin rooms with en suite facilities are offered.
• In Los Glaciares National Park, camping will form the accommodation, with spacious 3-man tents offered to be shared by two participants. A mattress and sleeping bag is provided per person. A large dining tent is provided for taking meals and for communal use. 
• Long drop-style toilets are available at the campsites, but no showers, so packing wet wipes is recommended.
• The final night in the Fitz Roy region will be spent at Laguna Condor Refuge, offering comfortable chalet-style accommodation in twin or double en suite rooms. 
• Mountain refuges are used in Torres del Paine National Park. Dorm-style accommodation is offered with shared bathroom facilities and hot showers. Participants will need to bring their own sleeping bags. 

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Argentina

Getting to Buenos Aires

• Fly to Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport. Direct flights with British Airways depart from Heathrow. Lufthansa and KLM offer flights from Manchester and Edinburgh respectively which connect through Europe. 
• Upon arrival, a representative will meet you, to organise the transfer to the hotel.

Peaks of Patagonia Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrive in El  Calafate

  Arrive in El Calafate and meet your guide and the other members of your group. Your flight will need to arrive in the morning and your guide will be waiting to greet you at the airport. Once the group arrives in El Chalten (weather permitting) you will be able to see the peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre rising up in the distance. Transfer to the hotel and settle down for the evening. 

• Day 2 | El Chalten to Camp Torre

  The first objective is Laguna Torre at the foot of the breath-taking Cerro Torre peak. The trail passes through forests and various view points as the group winds its way up to the lake. If the weather is clear, continue past the lake, along the Fitz Roy river to the Maestri Viewpoint and gaze up at the incredible Grande Glacier. After taking some time to appreciate the awesome, near vertical granite peaks, head to Camp Torre to spend the night. 

• Day 3 | Camp Torre to Poincenot Camp

  After breakfast and breaking camp, set out for the peak of Loma de las Pizarras at 1708m. The name translates as “The Slate Hill” and from the top you will have spectacular views of Mt Fitzroy and the surrounding peaks and valleys. After some time to relax and soak up the views, descend again and pass by the Madre and Hija lagoons before arriving at Poincenot Campsite.

• Day 4 | Poincenot Camp to Laguna de los Tres

  Today, start with a steep climb up to the Laguna de los Tres. Mount Fitz Roy towers above the icy waters of the lake and you will take some time to enjoy the surroundings and take some photos. A little further along the trail, look down on the turquoise waters of Laguna Sucia and up to the granite spires and hanging glaciers above. Then start to descend, stopping along the way to marvel at the effervescent blue hues of Laguna Capri. End the day back at the comfortable hotel in El Chalten and freshen up after a few days on the trail.

• Day 5 | Loma del Pliegue Tombado

  This morning, set off from El Chalten to explore the Southern side of the Cerro Torre range. The trek up to Loma del Pliegue Tombado offers spectacular views of the less popular side of these jagged peaks, epitomising a stunning panorama from the summit. After revelling in these views we descend back to El Chalten for another comfortable evening at our hotel.

• Day 6 | El Chalten to El Calfate

  Today the group travels south by bus, passing the vast Lago Viedma and Lago Argentino, back to El Calafate. The journey by bus will take roughly 2 ½ hours and on arrival you will transfer to Hotel Kapenke. This afternoon there is free time to explore El Calafate, a great opportunity to do some shopping and explore the town. You could also take the 2km trail to Laguna Nimez, home to hundreds of bird species.

• Day 7 | Perito Moreno Glacier

  Today you will enter the Los Glaciares National Park once again and have a private tour of the remarkable Perito Moreno Glacier. The glacier is considered the biggest attraction in Argentinian Patagonia. Stretching for 19 miles as it falls from the Patagonian Ice Cap into the waters of Lago Argentino, the wall of ice looms 240ft high. Gigantic ice boulders break away and fall dramatically into the otherwise peaceful waters of the lake. You will have the opportunity to do a boat tour on the lake which is highly recommended. The views of the glacier from the water are staggering. In the afternoon, return to El Calafate, the 78km journey takes about 1½ hours each way.

• Day 8 | El Calafate to Puerto Natales

  Begin the journey toward Torres Del Paine National Park, and say good bye to Argentina for the time being and cross the border into Chile. The destination today is the town of Puerto Natales. The bus journey should take around 5 hours but could be longer depending on the border crossing formalities. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and there will be some time to explore the town and get a feel for life on the Chilean side of Patagonia.

• Day 9 | Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine

  A short drive of less than two hours in a private vehicle will take us to Torres Del Paine. However, on the way we are going to stop and climb the small peak of Cerro Dorotea, a short hike which should take us around 3 hours. From the top there is magnificent panoramic views of Seño Ultima Esperanza, literally translated as the “fjord of the last hope”. The navigator Juan Ladrillero named the fjord in 1557, because he felt it was his last chance to reach the Strait of Magellan. The fjord ends in a glacier and does not reach the strait. On a clear day we can also the see the peaks of Torres Del Paine in the distance. After descending we continue our drive north to a mountain refuge on the borders of the national park where we will camp for the night. Tomorrow we will begin the famous W Trek.

• Day 10 | Las Torres

  Starting the famous W Trek, the first objective is Rifugio Chileno. climbing into the Ascencio valley. Passing the refuge, continue along the route, tackling a challenging climb to Mirador las Torres, a superb viewpoint exemplifying the drama of Torres del Paine. After a while to absorb the landscapes, return to the refuge for the night. 

• Day 11 | To the Cuernos Sector

  After a full-on day yesterday, today the group takes it easy. Head to the Cuernos sector of the park at the foot of the Cuernos del Paine massif. An easy 12km trail along the edge of Lake Nordenskjold takes you to the Cuernos Refuge to camp for the night.

• Day 12 | The French Valley

  A huge day, covering 25K on foot. Initially heading to the Italian Camp to ease the legs into the day of hiking. Here you start to climb more steeply on a rocky trail up the valley where Paine Grande towers over us with the French Glacier clinging to its side. Stop at the Mirador del Frances (the French viewpoint) for awesome views of the peak. Another 2 to 3 hours of challenging ascent takes you to Mirador Britanico (the British viewpoint) at the head of the valley. Here in the heart of the national park, the scenery on all sides is jaw-dropping. You are surrounded by the peaks of Paine Grande, Hoja, Mascara, Cuerno Norte, Fortaleza and Catedral. You still have a long way to go so the group leaves this unreal viewpoint and descends back down the valley. After reaching the Italian camp, cross a bridge over the Rio Frances and follow an easy trail for 7km to reach Paine Grande Campsite on the shore of Lago Pehoe. 

• Day 13 | Lago Grey

  Final day on the W Trek follows the banks of Lago Grey, an incredible lake with huge icebergs floating on the surface. Arrive at Refuge Grey, before taking a boat trip to experience the icebergs at close quarters. Private transfer late in the day to Puerto Natales. 

• Day 14 | Puerto Natales to El Calafate

  Transfer to El Calafate, returning to Argentina. Free time in the afternoon to explore the town. 

• Day 15 | Departure

  Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue your adventure in Patagonia independently.

Included

• An expert guide
• Airport transfers
• All accommodation (see full itinerary)
• All transportation (see full itinerary) 
• Full board whilst camping
• Lago Grey boat tour
• Camping equipment (excluding sleeping bag)

Not Included

• International flights
• Visa
• Drinks, tips and personal expenses
• Travel Insurance
• Personal trekking equipment

This trip takes responsibility seriously and ‘goes the extra mile’ to ensure that your presence in this country is entirely positive.

Central to this

• Caring for the crew
• Caring for the local environment
• Caring for the local communities

All guides and partners are hand picked to ensure that every aspect of your trip operates to the highest standard and reflect the strong values, ethics and joy of travel.

This commitment to Responsible Travel is mutually beneficial without compromising the countries and communities touched or the depth and uniqueness of your adventure.

Key values of this trip

• Leave nothing behind
• We’re the visitors, let’s be respectful at all times
• Deliver a breathtaking experience
• Let’s benefit local communities and environments

Let’s help keep these wonderful places precious.

Porters and crew

All crew are paid proper wages and are treated with respect and dignity. This trip with IMEC, IPPG and KPAP, all not-for-profit organisations that focus on improving the working conditions of porters.

Friends of Conservation

Travellers are given the opportunity to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of flying by supporting community and conservation initiatives.

Travellers Against Plastic

This trip is a proud supporter of the Leave No Trace and Travellers Against Plastic campaigns, which help educate travellers on the impact of travel and provide practical guidance for enjoying the outdoors responsibly.

Costs

Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot based on 1,090 reviews.

Very well organised trek thank you! Professional, experienced, and importantly fun guides! Jayden Hughes

This was made extra special by all the staff ... each and everyone was so friendly, helpful and I would do this trip again in a heartbeat ... Thank you for best adventure! Nohlene Fick

The guides were fantastic and can’t fault anything. Thank you. We will book again on one of your other trips.

 Sangeeta

Just returned from the Peaks of Patagonia trip - truly amazing! This is my 3rd trip and all have been outstanding in service, support and itineraries - all you have to do is show up at the airport, they take care of everything else. Outstanding itinerary covering both the Fitz Roy area in Argentina and Torres del Paine area in Chile. Scenery was absolutely breathtaking! Hotels and camps were well organized, meals were more than sufficient, and meeting other hikers was an added bonus. Hikes were demanding, but doable if you are in good shape. Highly recommend this trip for a truly outstanding experience. Tom Turnbull

Aconcagua success: Because this trip was so remarkable, I thought it best to provide feedback directly ... At each stop, the staff and services, cooking, water, hygiene, etc., was a cut above the other companies. But well beyond that, and most importantly, our guide, Vicente 'Micki' Lopez, was absolutely spectacular in every fashion. Professional, experienced, thorough, friendly and even an EMT! ... Thank you again, and I hope to have occasion to use your services again. Bill P