Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Chile & Argentina Ultimate Patagonia Hiking
Day 1 Arrive in Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas
3-hour private van transfer from Punta Arenas or 20-minute private van transfer from Puerto Nat
Arrive at the airport in Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, a quiet fishing town on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), and transfer to the hotel. In the early evening, gather with the group for a briefing on the adventure ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Remota Patagonia Lodge
(D)
Day 2 Scenic Drive to Torres del Paine National Park
2-hour private van transfer
2.5 hours/5.3 miles hiking with 565' elevation gain & loss
After breakfast, travel across the Patagonian plains to Torres del Paine National Park and take in your first spectacular views of the Paine Massif (weather permitting). There is also a very good chance of seeing guanacos - small cousins to the camel and llama - on the way to the park. Arrive this afternoon at your hotel near the southern shore of Lago Grey (Grey Lake). Enjoy an easygoing hike just west of the hotel, following a trail that runs parallel to the Pingo River and through the Pingo Valley. Pass impressive waterfalls and landscapes rich in native vegetation such as Ñirres, Calafates, Notros, Lengas, and Coigues. There are also excellent views of the Paine Grande peak.
Accommodation: Hotel Lago Grey
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Take a Boat to Grey Glacier & Begin W-Route Trek
45-minute catamaran cruise
4 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 1200' elevation gain & loss
Arise early and board a catamaran that takes you close to the front of the stunning Grey Glacier, at the southern end of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. Disembark at the nearby trailhead and begin the classic "W" route trek, heading away from the glacier and along Grey Lake and the Paine Grande Mountain. Overnight at a remote mountain refuge on the shore of Lake Pehoe, with simple dormitory-style rooms and beautiful views - an excellent staging area for tomorrow's hike into the French Valley.
Accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Hike into the French Valley
8 hours/11 miles hiking with 1,350' elevation gain & loss
Begin your trek deep into the park, continuing to circle beneath Paine Grande Mountain to the entrance of the French Valley, one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range and the middle leg of the "W" route. You'll gain elevation as you hike into the valley, walking below the glaciers that descend from the massif's highest summit and marveling at the gray granite peaks of the Cuernos del Paine, topped with fantastical black slate "horns." After reaching the French Valley lookout with its awe-inspiring views, head to your cabins beneath the jagged Cuernos ("horns") del Paine. Stay in cozy cabins right next to a waterfall on the most isolated spot of the journey, with a prime position to view sunset hitting the horns, followed by dark night skies filled with stars.
Accommodation: Cabanas de los Cuernos
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Hike below Cuernos del Paine
5 hours/8 miles hiking with 1,400' elevation gain & loss
Hike at a relaxed pace along gently rolling terrain from Los Cuernos, taking the Paso Los Cuernos trail as it follows the north shore of Lago Nordenskjold. The views are magnificent - from forested paths to the gravel lakeshore, and occasional glimpses of the horns and towers of the Paine massif, weather permitting.
Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Hike to the Base of the Majestic Torres del Paine
9 hours/11.5 miles hiking with 3,400' elevation gain & loss
Get an early start for an all-day hike to the base of the Torres del Paine. Follow the Asencio River over a low pass into the Asencio Valley, passing through beautiful beech forests and talus-covered slopes. After a final steep climb up a boulder field, arrive at a spectacular viewpoint that is one of the most scenic spots in the world, where the towers rise majestically before you and a glacial lake is visible below. Enjoy a packed lunch en route before returning to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Travel to Argentina & Explore El Calafate
7-hour private van transfer
Depart Chile's Torres del Paine National Park and drive across the border into Argentina. (Please be prepared for delays of up to a few hours while crossing the border). Proceed over the flat grassland steppes to the town of El Calafate, located on the southern shore of an enormous glacial lake called Lago Argentino, and considered the gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier.
Accommodation: Xelena Hotel & Suites
(B, L, D)
Day 8 Marvel at the Perito Moreno Glacier
4-hour private van transfer
2 hours/2 miles walking with 350' elevation gain & loss
Enjoy a day trip to Los Glaciares National Park to see the renowned Perito Moreno glacier. At this very active glacier, a 200-foot-high headwall continually calves massive blocks of ice into the lake with a thunderous roar - an awesome spectacle of nature's power at work. Admire the amazing glacier from different viewpoints on a 2-mile guided footbridge walk. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant overlooking the glacier before returning to El Calafate for the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation: Xelena Hotel & Suites
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Drive to Los Glaciares National Park & El Chaltén
3-hour private van transfer
1 hour/2 miles hiking with 400' elevation gain & loss
Continue the drive across the steppes and along the northern end of Lago Viedma, with the views getting better and better as you approach the mountains and glaciers of the Fitzroy and Cerro Torre ranges. Arrive at El Chalten for lunch. Weather permitting, take a short hike to a scenic lookout, before continuing another half an hour to Laguna Condor. NOTE: some groups will overnight at Destino Sur for all four nights in El Chalten (instead of two nights at Laguna Condor and two nights at Destino Sur).
Accommodation: Destino Sur Hotel de Montana & Spa
(B, L, D)
Day 10 Hike along the Rio Electrico to Piedra del Fraile and Lago Electrico
6-7 hours/11 miles hiking with 1,150' elevation gain & loss
From the trailhead at Rio Electrico Bridge, hike along the Rio Electrico Valley, which progresses gently uphill from west to east, and pass through a beautiful lenga forest to reach Piedra del Fraile, one of the first refuges in the area, protected from the winds and offering comfort to the world's most experienced climbers and mountaineers, as well as to trekkers arriving in the area for the first time. This less travelled path boasts impressive views of the north face of Fitz Roy and solitude, and the lenga forest is alive with the sounds of native birds. Wind conditions permitting, emerge back into open terrain and cross the boulder field of a glacial valley to reach the shores of Lago Electrico, fed by the Marconi Glacier.
Accommodation: Destino Sur Hotel de Montana & Spa
(B, L, D)
Day 11 Trek to Laguna de Los Tres
8-9 hours/13.5 miles hiking with 3,150' elevation gain & loss
Another day, another inspiring day hike into Los Glaciares. A short transfer brings you back to the trail head at Rio Electrico Bridge, before setting out on an easy walk through a beautiful forest with impressive views of Piedras Blancas Glacier as well as the Fitz Roy, Saint Exupery, and Poincenot Peaks. After passing Poincenot Camp, begin a steep climb up to Laguna de los Tres — a challenging effort, but worthwhile for its superb views of Fitz Roy and its hanging glaciers. At the top take in the beautiful surroundings before hiking back to El Chalten via the secluded and very scenic Laguna Capri.
(B, L, D)
Day 12 Follow Trails to Laguna Torre
7-8 hours/11 miles hiking with 1,800' elevation gain & loss
Embark on a long day hike into the park's interior. Walk through a varied landscape formed by glaciers and stop for commanding views of the south face of Cerro Torre — sought after by photographers and climbers the world over. Reach the pinnacle of your trek at Laguna Torre, a beautiful glacial lake set against the backdrop of Cerro Torre, with its iconic pointy spires and hanging glaciers.
(B, L, D)
Day 13 Transfer to El Calafate and Depart
3-hour private van transfer
Transfer back to El Calafate this morning, arriving in time for early afternoon flight departures to extend your adventure on your own or with one of our extensions in Argentina, or to begin your journey home.
(B)
Vacations by Randy
