Trek Patagonia - Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine

Our tour of Patagonia starts in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, on the southern shores of the Rio de la Plata. Since its founding by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536, the city has thrived on trade and its vibrant streets are a tapestry of European architectural styles, with Spanish, French and Italian classicism rubbing shoulders with the remnants of Victorian grandeur.



For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting followed by dinner for those who wish. There are no activities today, so you're free to arrive in Buenos Aires at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into either Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP) or Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), a 20-minute or a one-hour drive respectively from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up ASAP.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to take in the atmosphere of the San Telmo district, with its impressive architecture, or head to one of the leafy parks in Palermo. Alternatively, you could enjoy a spot of people-watching at one of the sidewalk cafes in Porteno.

Today, we'll leave the city far behind, heading south to Patagonia and the town of El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. From here, we'll travel approximately three hours to El Chalten, a charming village close to Fitzroy and Torre Massif. After checking in to our hotel, you might like to explore some of the nearby short trails to local sites and viewpoints, such as Chorrillo del Salto Waterfall and Condor or Eagle lookouts.



Please note, if the group has six people or less, the journey to El Chalten will be by public bus. We\ ve made this decision in order to curb our carbon footprint.

After an early breakfast this morning, we'll drive to El Pilar, the starting point for the classic trek to Laguna de los Tres. Taking just what we need for an overnight expedition, we'll ascend for 2 hours up a gentle slope with views over the Fitzroy Massif and Piedras Blancas glacier. On reaching the Poincenot area, we'll stop briefly at our campsite (750 metres/2,460 feet) before continuing to Rio Blanco Base Camp. A further hour of steep ascent takes us to De Los Tres Lagoon (1,180 metres/3,871 feet), the small emerald lagoon at the foot of Mount Fitzroy, where we'll have the opportunity to appreciate the enormous granite walls of Fitzroy and its nearby peaks, Poincenot, Saint Exupery and Guillaumet. After exploring the area around the lagoon, we'll descend back to our campsite to spend the evening inside the forest. An additional hike to Capri Lagoon is available for those wanting to do more walking.



Our base for tonight is Poincenet Camp. It's a simple campsite and our crew will set up a kitchen tent, dining tent and toilet. Water will be provided.



Today's moderate 10 kilometre/6.2 mile trek is expected to take around 6 hours with 700 metres/2,296 feet of ascent and descent. The additional optional walk takes 3 hours and covers another 6 kilometres/3.7 miles.

After a camp breakfast, we'll set out for another day's hiking through the unique landscape of Los Glaciares National Park - taking the Madre e Hija Trail, which links the Fitzroy and Torre Valleys.



We'll walk past two clear lagoons and through Lenga Forest on our way to Torre Lagoon, from where (weather permitting) we'll be rewarded with stunning views of Torre Massif and the surrounding glaciers as we enjoy a picnic lunch. Later, we'll continue our trek along Torre Trail back to El Chalten.



Today's moderate 19 kilometre/11.8 mile trek is expected to take around 7 hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and descent.

This morning, there'll be the option to enjoy rafting on the Rio de Las Vueltas or to take an excursion to Lago Del Desierto, where you'll enjoy a scenic drive to the lake, followed by a short sail across the waters and a hike up to the Vespignani Glacier lookout. In the afternoon, we'll travel back to El Calafate, where we'll spend the night.



Please note, if the group has six people or less, the journey to El Chalten will be by public bus. We've made this decision in order to curb our carbon footprint.

Today we'll make an excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier - an ice river towering an average of 60 metres above the surface of the lake water. Fed by the vast expanse of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the glacier covers 250 square kilometres and stretches over 30 kilometres, being over 700 metres thick at its deepest point. It's advancing at a rate of 700 metres per year but is estimated to calve off great chunks at probably the same rate, meaning that it has remained pretty much stationary for nearly a century.



Whilst at the glacier, there'll be the chance to either trek on the ice (an age limit of 65 years applies due to National Park regulations) or take a boat or kayak trip to get closer to the glacier face.

Today, we'll take the public bus south to Puerto Natales, crossing into Chile en route. The journey will take around six hours.



Puerto Natales is the gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park, and from small beginnings as a tiny fishing port it has blossomed into a hub of adventure. From the edge of the town there are striking views out to the fjords, and looking back inland we'll see the mountains rising imposingly over us.



Later today, we'll have a briefing with our tour leader and local trekking guide on the 'W' Trek. Afterwards, the rest of the afternoon is free to prepare for the trek and explore the town.

After breakfast this morning, we'll drive from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park (approximately an hour and a half). We'll continue along the winding roads of the park to the Grey Lake area, taking in the views of Cuernos del Paine en route. On arrival at the lake, we'll begin our hike to Ferrier viewpoint. The ascent can feel demanding but the views over Torres del Paine National Park - of the mountains and glaciers of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos Massif - more than make up for the exertion.



Later, we'll take the ferry across Grey Lake to the Grey refuge campsite (around a one-hour journey). The campsite is magnificently located between the lake and forest, close to Grey Glacier and from here, we can make the short hike (2 kilometres/1.2 miles) to the glacier viewpoint.



A note on the W Trek campsites: All sites are located at the refuges. You'll have use of shared bathroom facilities with hot water showers and use of the communal dining room at the refuges, where meals will be taken. In the refuges there is a small shop selling basic items and they have electricity and heating.



Please note, at the refuge and the bathroom and dining facilities are shared with other visitors. The refuge has electricity and heating and there's a small shop to buy basic items.



Today's moderate 8 kilometre/5 mile trek is expected to take around 4 hours with 350 metres/1,148 feet of ascent and descent.

From Grey refuge, we'll start our trek along the first leg of the 'W' circuit, walking by Grey Lake and crossing the beginning of French Valley, where we'll spend the night. The trekking is relaxed, passing through mountain and lake scenery to the Frances Domes refuge campsite.



Today's challenging 22 kilometre/13.7 mile trek is expected to take around 8 hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and descent.

We'll have an early start today as we head out to trek the French Valley. As we walk along streams and the main river, if we\ re lucky we might see glacier breaks from Paine Grande. There are some short steep climbs as we arrive at the main lookout point at Britanicos camp - to see the great granite amphitheatre and all its peaks revealed. Later, we'll return down the central part of the 'W' to Frances Domes for the night.



Today's challenging 17 kilometre/10.6 mile trek is expected to take around 7 hours with 550 metres/1,804 feet of ascent and descent.

Today's trail is known as Sendero Paso Los Cuernos because it passes under the dramatic mountains known as 'Los Cuernos' (horns). We'll walk alongside the shores of the beautiful Nordenskjöld Lake, crossing small rivers and wide grasslands along the way. We'll continue our trek to the Chileno refuge campsite.



Today's challenging 16 kilometre/9.9 mile trek is expected to take around 7 hours with 500 metres/1,640 feet of ascent and descent.

Our final day of trekking takes us to the foot of what has inspired us over the last week - the granite towers of Torres del Paine. Climbing steeply, high above the scattered blue lakes, we'll hike along the Asencio river, and up towards the Torres. After a final clamber over steep terminal moraine deposited by a glacier centuries ago, we'll reach a panoramic point from where we'll admire one of the best-known sights of Patagonia, the Paine Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2900 metres) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, overlooking a landscape shaped by the forces of glacial ice and the elements. On returning to Los Torres, we'll travel back to Puerto Natales by private bus.



Today's challenging 16 kilometre/9.9 mile trek is expected to take around 7 hours with 600 metres/1,968 feet of ascent and 800 metres of descent.

This morning, we'll leave the wilds of Patagonia behind and take a flight to Santiago, Chile's capital in the shadow of the Andes. We should arrive in the late afternoon and the rest of the evening is free to enjoy the city.



Please note, on occasion flight schedules can change and we may arrive later.

If you have an afternoon flight, you might like to take an optional walking tour of the city. Santiago's historic colonial centre and acres of green space contrast sharply with its modern business district and quickly growing urban scene.



Our tour of Patagonia ends Santiago International Airport (SCL). A bus will take you to the airport, arriving at around 1.30pm. If you wish to join the walking tour this morning, the earliest your flight can depart is 4.30pm.