Patagonia: ‘W’ Trek (Torres del Paine, Chile) and El Calafate & El Chaltén (Argentina) – 9 Days

Pre-trek briefing held in your hotel the evening prior to departure. (Hotel recommendation – www.hotelnatalino.com). Excess luggage can be stored here for your return to Puerto Natales.

Leaving together with your guide on the first day, you’ll arrive at Torres del Paine National Park, your guide will help you organize your entrance into the park. (FYI: The bus journey trip lasts about two and a half hours (112 km)). You should arrive during the afternoon to then go to dinner and spend the first night in Sector Central. ...more ...less

You will start early towards one of the most famous landmarks of the Park, the Mirador Base Torres. During the first part of the trail you will walk through the pampas and crossing the Ascencio River, then head up about 3km until you reach the Paso de los Vientos, which will give you incredible views of the valley and lakes.

You will continue until you reach the Chilean Refuge, then head into a forest of lengas eventually reaching La Morrena; where the hardest part of the trekking begins. You will walk along a rocky path until you reach the spectacular Mirador Base Torres. Later you will begin to descend towards the Central Sector to have dinner and sleep.

Today you’ll trek around 13.5 km bordering Lake Nordenskjöld, Cerro Almirante Nieto and the impressive Cuernos del Paine. During the trek you will have beautiful views of granite formed mountains, lakes and zones where you can appreciate the abundant flora and fauna of this patagonian park. You will take dinner and sleep in the French Sector.

This day begins with one of the most important iconic routes of the circuit, the French Valley. Very early you’ll start with a gentle incline walk until you reach the Italian Camp. From here you’ll start the ascent (about two kilometers) between forests through the Valley of the French River.

Continuing until you reach the viewpoint of the Valley Frances, from here you’ll have one of the most breathtaking images of the circuit; the view towards the valley flanked by the hills of Paine Grande and Northern Horn amongst others. After taking in this incredible vista, you’ll begin the descent towards the Sector Paine Grande.

Today you’ll reach the third milestone of this famous circuit, a place that offers an unforgettable postcard of the park, the wonderful Grey Glacier. The path begins along the Paine Grande Hill, the highest point of the Massif (3,050m), with incredible views towards its hanging glaciers. Walking between Ñirres, Coigües and Notros, you’ll reach the first Mirador of Lago Gray where you’ll see numerous pieces of glacier floating in the lake.

Continuing walking with the impressive view of the Grey Glacier, until reaching the Grey Refuge. Lunch will be taken here (or a boxed lunch along the way depending on time), then you will return to Paine Grande Sector where at 17:00 you’ll take the catamaran that will take you to Pudeto. There will be the bus that will take you back to Puerto Natales.

Collection from your Hotel and transfer to the bus station. 7.30am bus from Puerto Natales directly through to El Calafate. Afternoon free at your leisure.

The tour starts with a collection from your hotel in El Calafate. You will board our comfortable buses, where our tour guides will give you information on the place, the glacier and the tour on our way to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Once you arrive at “Bajo de las Sombras” port (located on Route 11, 70 Km from El Calafate), you’ll board a ship to cross Lago Rico and descend on the opposite coast, after a 20-minute navigation in front of the stunning south face of Glaciar Perito Moreno.

When you disembark, you will be welcomed by our expert mountain guides, who will lead you to a cozy shelter with a privileged view of the glacier. Here starts the trekking! We will start by walking along the coast of the lake, keeping our eyes on the glacier so that we do not miss any ice carvings. Then, the guides will give a talk about glaciology.

When we reach the glacier side, with its amazing shades of blue ice framing the landscape, you will be divided into subgroups of up to 20 people each and you will have the crampons and helmets fitted, which are provided by the company. This tour is highly personalized (one guide every up to 10 passengers). Once on the glacier, you will hear the safety instructions and you will walk to enjoy this frozen paradise, which has been declared a World Heritage Site in 1981.

The level of difficulty of this walk is moderate. The surface of the ice is irregular, but firm and safe. During the trekking, you will be able to see a variety of typical glacier features, such as deep cracks, blue moulins, huge seracs and turquoise ponds.

At the end of the ice trekking, you will walk on the area around the glacier and the side moraine, from where you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Glaciar Perito Moreno, the mountains and the lake.

Transfer late afternoon to El Chaltén in private transportation.

Tour the most magical mountain in Patagonia. It’s a challenging walk along the Fitz Roy path, it’s a round-trip trek of 20 kilometers in total.

The duration of the trek can vary according to the rhythm and physical condition of each person, but generally it is estimated between 8 and 9 hours, including short breaks and stops to admire the landscape, which will amaze you throughout the journey.

During the first section you will cross the forest until you reach Laguna Capri. You will be surprised by the color of the water and the nature that surrounds this lagoon, in addition, the views of Fitz Roy are unmissable. Continuing along the trail you’ll begin to gradually ascend in altitude and as you approach the mountain itself there is a sharper rocky ascent. At the base of the mountain is a beautiful pristine lake with epic views of Mt. Fitzroy in the background!

The Laguna Torre trek of Los Glaciares National Park is one of the top hiking opportunities in El Chalten. Since this trail is relatively flat throughout, it really is a hike that many can take part of.

From the trailhead, the hike takes you up towards the beautiful Laguna Torre, with views of the Cerro Torre mountain range out in front of you during the duration of the trail.