Travel Idea Including Chile

Itinerary:

Day 1. Punta Arenas - Eco Domes Torres del Paine NP

The trip starts in Punta Arenas city during the morning either at your hotel or at the airport. From Punta Arenas we drive to EcoCamp Patagonia located in world famous Torres del Paine National Park.

During summer the sun sets around 11 pm, so as you drive in you will have plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon. Before arriving though, there are a couple stops. One is at Puerto Natales, a small but lively town on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza - "Last Hope Sound". You are invited to check out the town and enjoy a hearty lunch with delicious local food. The other stop is at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890's. The surrounding area is very scenic with plenty of wild birds to be seen. The day ends with an overnight at the EcoCamp Suite Domes in Las Torres.

2 hrs, 30 min (250 km/ 155 miles) on a paved road from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, followed by 2 hrs, 30 min (150 km/ 93 miles) on a dirt road from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine NP. D

Day 2. Eco Domes Torres del Paine NP

We drive across the park with views of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, as well as of Los Cuernos the famous mountain with black granite horn-like spires. Walking along the shores of stunning Lake Pehoe, you visit the furious Salto Grande falls which pour the waters of Lake Nordenskjold over Pehoe.

The walk continues over the gentle Nordenskjold trail until reaching its picture-perfect lookout point. Later, back at Lake Pehoe, a vehicle takes you on a drive south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey. After relaxing with a box-lunch by the lake, you embark on a boat ride across icy water to the towering blue-colored walls of Glacier Grey.

This is an incredible sight! After visiting the glacier, you are driven back to EcoCamp for dinner and an overnight stay. BLD

Day 3. Eco Domes Torres del Paine NP

Today we hike to the Laguna Azul lookout point where we have a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. We continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento to the calcium formations on the lake's shores where guanacos are often seen.

Later we trek to Paso Las Corneas with spectacular views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. Depending on the group, we can also hike to the Toro lookout point that offers more soul-candy scenery - Lago Toro and the pampa, or steppe! Upon returning to the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is celebrated.

This is sadly our last night in Torres del Paine, we take notes and talk with our friends, relax, feel the strong Patagonic wind while watching the heavens above, all these days in the Park will be profound memories when we return home. BLD

Day 4. Torres del Paine NP - Calafate - Fitzroy National Park

We wake up and after enjoying a delicious breakfast we board the van and start driving to Cerro Castillo international border crossing. Once we complete the immigration process we enter Argentina and continue to Calafate, a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares NP amidst dramatic scenery and natural beauty.

Our local coordinator will meet us at the restaurant where we will have lunch before heading to our next destination. When everyone is ready we board another van that will take us on a 3 hour drive to Chalten, The drive is on isolated dirt roads across the pampas and along the northern end of Lago Viedma. Chalten is a tiny outpost beside the Glacier National Park at the foot of impressive Mount Fitzroy. We arrive at Hosteria Los Cerros with time to get a well-deserved rest either in our room or at any of the nice areas of this beautiful hosteria. BL

Day 5. Fitzroy National Park

Today we will do a full day hike along Cerro Torre Trail to Laguna Torre, an extremely pretty mountain lake with majestic Mount Torre in the background. After breakfast, we walk eastward, following the trail through beech forests and bogs to a pleasant encounter with Fitzroy River.

We continue advancing and reach Camp Base de Agostini and then do a short hike to Laguna Torre, escorted in the west by Cerro Torre and the Adela range. Icebergs can be seen peacefully floating on Laguna Torre as the wind pushes them to the coast. We stop at different points to take in the magnificent view and enjoy a picnic. Later, we return to Chalten following the same trail. Upon returning from the hike, the evening is free for you to enjoy a delicious dinner. We overnight in Hosteria Los Cerros. BLD

Day 6. Fitzroy National Park

Today's hike is along Rio Blanco; we will follow its path until reaching a place with one of the best available views of Monte Fitzroy - the landmark in Los Glaciares NP. Once again, a delicious breakfast and lots of enthusiasm is required.

Initially we drive to El Pilar, next to Rio Blanco 11 miles north of El Chalten. The trail follows Rio Blanco, passes Piedras Blancas Glacier and continues up to Rio Blanco base camp. Piedras Blancas is a hanging glacier that descends from the base of Mount Fitzroy. Once we reach the best viewpoints you will probably experience a Torres del Paine flashback.

If Torres del Paine is the king mountain of Patagonia, Fitz Roy is surely the beautiful queen! Time for a picnic. In such a memorable place the food can not help but taste better than ever! When everyone is ready, we will come back through another trail heading to Laguna Capri, which will finally takes us back to tiny Chalten. We return with time to recover and enjoy our last night in this beautiful park. Overnight at Hosteria Los Cerros. BLD

Day 7. Fitzroy National Park - Calafate

After breakfast we sadly prepare our luggage and start our way back to Calafate. We board the van and start driving, following the same road filled with Argentinean pampas that welcomed us some days ago.

We will arrive in Calafate around noon. We will have time to do the check-in at Posada Los Alamos, left our luggage and prepare for our final excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, the cherry of the pie.

Unlike the regular tours, upon arriving to the sight, we will not go straight to the regular panoramic views. Instead, we'll first marvel at the splendor of the glacier's less frequented north face. We'll both watch and hear giant chunks of ice plummet into the waters of Lake Argentino. As we face Moreno Glacier amidst a nature walk, our guide will answer all questions about the area.

We will then continue on to the footbridges and take a break so that you can enjoy the surroundings at your own leisure. After the thrilling encounter with the glacier, we drive back to Calafate. This is our final night. It's time to review our personal notes, socialize and enjoy a tasteful farewell dinner. Overnight at the superb Hotel Kay Yatun. BLD

Day 8. Onward travels

Today we finish this memorable trip, Adios Patagonia! After having breakfast, a transfer will take us to the airport and we are free to continue traveling on our own or venturing further with Goway.

Additional nights are available on request.

PRICES FROM:

Exchange rates differ from time to time. For the most up-to-date prices of this holiday idea please fill out our Latin America Travel Quote form.

NOTES:

High Season: Nov to mid Mar
Shoulder Season: Oct and mid Mar to Apr

Optional finish in Punta Arenas available

• Chilean international departure tax $30 USD. This fee should be included in your international airfare
• US$160(CA$132) reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival is charged. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid until expiry of passport.
• Chilean domestic departure tax $10 USD
• Local currency is Pesos
• Time Zone: GMT/UTC -4
• Dialing Code: 56
• Electricity: 220V, 60Hz
• Weights & measures: Metric

• Argentinean international departure tax $25 USD
• Argentinean domestic departure tax $12 USD
• Local currency is Pesos
• Time Zone: GMT/UTC -3
• Dialing Code: 54
• Electricity: 220V, 60Hz
• Weights & measures: Metric

HOTELS:

EcoCamp Suite Domes, Hosteria Los Cerros, Posada Los Alamos

DEPARTURE:

Departs daily from November to March

PRICE INCLUDES:

• 4 star Accommodation: 3 nights at EcoCamp's Suite Domes, 3 nights at Hosteria Los Cerros in standard room and 1 night at Posada Los Alamos in standard room.
• All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary, always in comfortable mini-vans.
• English speaking guide for all excursions. Guide ratio 1:12. Max group size: 16 people.
• All national park fees and Cueva del Milodon ticket.
• Boat crossing ticket over Grey Lake and/or Pehoe Lake.
• All meals as listed B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

NOT INCLUDED

• Domestic Flights
• Visa fees (if required)
• Passport & Visa Costs
• Vaccination Costs
• Personal Spending Money
• Meals where not listed
• Drinks
• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Airport departure taxes
• Border taxes or fees

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

• White Water Rafting
• Santiago stop overs
• Lakes District adventures
• Fishing lodge stay - Lakes district
• Torres del Paine
• San Pedro de Atacama
• Andean Crossing

Package Departures

Please call us to inquire about departure dates

Package Information

Hotel Los Cerros, El Chalten, Chile (hotel)

Posada Los Alamos, El Calafate, Patagonia (hotel)

EcoCamp Suite Domes, Torres del Paine, Patagonia (hotel)

Visas:

At the time of booking we will advise you of any visas or other documentation that will be required prior to your arrival.

Costs relating to the issue of visas or related documentation are the responsibility of the traveler.

As visa requirements change it is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation and visas are obtained before traveling. Failure to do so may result in your not being able to join the trip.

 

Travel Insurance:

It is a condition of booking that all clients have comprehensive travel insurance. AI can offer Travel Insurance for your trip. Please request a quote when booking.

Disclaimer:

Prices based on per person, twin/double share, unless otherwise noted, and pre-set group minimum numbers. Prices & itineraries are correct at the time of printing. Itineraries & prices may change due to currency fluctuations, local conditions or events outside the control of A.I and her local operators. Please see our booking terms & conditions for full details.