Classic Hikes of Patagonia

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Buenos Aires, Argentina. With Latin passion, European elegance and a distinctive style of colour, this place will steal your heart. Buenos Aires is the ultimate cosmopolitan city, so we recommend arriving a day or two early to experience the capital in all its glory. Visit San Telmo for its weekend antique markets and artist displays, walk the streets of La Boca, which was settled by waves of immigrants that initially built these brightly painted buildings and explore Recoleta – the perfect place to browse museums and learn about the history of the city’s wealth. Around 3 pm today will be your welcome meeting. It’s a good idea to have lunch before, as you'll head out on the first activity straight after. In the afternoon, your tour leader will take you for an orientation walk around some of the main attractions. In the evening, maybe go out for a group dinner and taste some famed Argentinian flavours.

This morning, fly south from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, then travel by private transfer to the frontier town of El Chalten – north of Glacier National Park. Hikers and climbers from all around the world congregate here as a central location to access the parks. The atmosphere is laid back and orientated towards outdoorsy types. Your day is free to explore the town and prepare yourself for the next few days of hiking, trekking and walking through the stunning landscapes of Patagonia.

Today, you’ll take on one of the most popular treks in the area and hike the round-trip to Laguna de Los Tres – the turquoise lagoon at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and striking granite peaks, this hike has some short steep sections, but as one of the most frequented hikes, the terrain itself is not hugely difficult. You can expect to walk on clearly marked and well-maintained paths. Wind and rain may be the main challenge you face on these hikes. When you arrive at your location – rocky hills framing the bright lagoon, backdropped by the jagged peaks of Fitz Roy – it will all be worth it. In the evening, relax in your hotel or head for dinner with your fellow trekkers.

Fuel up on breakfast at your hotel and get ready for another active day of exploration. Today, you’ll take a moderate hike to Laguna Torre – another of the most popular treks in the area. This valley trek will take you past scenic viewpoints with panoramas of Cerro Solo, Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy. You’ll see floating icebergs broken off the front face of the spectacular Grande glacier, and when you arrive at Laguna Torre, you’ll witness the steep valleys that frame Cerro Torre. Cerro Torre is the tallest peak of this mountain range and as such, some daredevils even choose to scale the face of it!

Take a well-deserved moment to relax this morning before transferring to El Calafate. This city is on the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the province of Santa Cruz. It is known as the gateway to the Glacier National Park, home to the massive Perito Moreno Glacier. Once you have arrived, check into your hotel and maybe stake out some local Argentinian food at one of the city’s many restaurants. If you’re a history buff, head to the Patagonian Ice Museum, which features educational exhibits and more information about the glacier – plus, it has a cocktail bar made from ice! Today is yours to explore.

Today, drive to the Perito Moreno Glacier. This is one of the few balanced glaciers in the world and at 5 km wide and 30 km long, it’s a spectacular sight to say the least. There are multiple viewing platforms overlooking Lake Argentino and they provide an ideal vantage point to watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below. This glacier is in constant flux, so it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll witness the natural symphony of its thunderous cracking and reforming if you’re patient. There is also the option to hit the water and embark on a glacier cruise, to see the majesty of this electric-blue cliff face from a different perspective. You can even add a mini hike onto your day, right on top of part of the glacier. Once finished soaking up the wonder of this natural formation, return to El Calafate for the night.

Be ready for another long travel day today. Early this morning, jump on a local bus to Cerro Castillo in Chile. Here, stop and get yourself some lunch while waiting for the connecting transfer to Torres del Paine National Park – sitting at the end of the earth in the awe-inspiring Chilean Patagonia. Once a sheep estancia (a type of ranch), the park was established in 1959. This magnificent trekking country is where nandus, condors and pink flamingos abound. When you arrive, you may be greeted by a herd of guanacos – the local relatives of alpacas. These strange animals provide great photo opportunities, but don't get too close – they're likely to spit! The real star of the show is the surrounding landscape. With sparkling lakes, gushing waterfalls, glaciers and striking mountains, much of the time trekking is spent slack-jawed in awe of your surroundings. After arriving at the campsite that will be your home for the next three nights, tonight is yours to explore and relax.

The most popular trek in this area (sure to be a highlight of this trip) is Base las Torres (The Tower's Base) – this full-day hike is a well-marked route, taking you through rocky valleys, grasslands and small running streams. You’ll cross a rickety-looking swing bridge, which looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, and then ascend to the Windy Pass. The cold wind might just be a welcome relief after a bit of a climb, and when you turn the bend, you’ll be met with a stunning view looking down onto a green valley backdropped by snowy mountains. Once you reach Chileno Refugio (refugios are the backcountry huts and lodges throughout the park), you’ll have the chance to rest, recharge and refill your water bottle – before heading to the jewel of the hike. Traverse through forests and creeks until you reach the milky-green lagoon that bases the immense view of the three distinctive towers of Torres del Paine. You’ll have time to take in the breathtaking views and get a few prized photos, before making your way back to the campsite.

Fuel up on breakfast at your campsite because today you’ll tackle the full-day French Valley hike. One of the paths along the famed W Trek – the French Valley hike is a scenic route, full of classic Patagonian scenery. You’ll spot glacier-fed lakes in shades of blues and greens and the distinctive Los Cuernos peaks towering over the horizon. Along the way, you’ll witness the highest summit of the Cordillera Paine Mountain Range – Cerro Paine Grande. Take in the fantastic scenery, which look like a Bob Ross painting come to life, especially when you ascend to a panoramic view of the turquoise Lake Pehoe. As you continue through rolling grasslands, you’ll see red notro flower bushes along the shores of Lake Skottsberg. Stop at nearby Refugios to fuel up on water, lunch and energy and then be met by the French Glacier – the pinnacle of this trek.

Today is your last day in Torres del Paine National Park. After breakfast, you’ll be taken on a guided tour around another part of the park, including a visit to Grey Lake. If time permits, take the short Los Cuernos hike, which includes a stunning view of the cascades of Salto Grande waterfall – the park’s largest and most impressive waterfall. This easy hike is a great way to cap off your experience in Torres del Paine National Park, as it’s less busy than other treks and full of incredible scenery. This afternoon, take a private transfer to Punta Arenas, where you’ll spend the night.

Today, hit the road again for a scenic bus journey back to Argentina and to the southernmost city in the world – Ushuaia. Needless to say, you should arm yourself with your favourite book, music player and some drinks and snacks for the journey.

Ushuaia is nicknamed ‘The End of the World’ and is the access point to the Tierra del Fuego National Park (the nation’s only park with an ocean shoreline). This windswept town is backdropped by snowy mountains and sits next to the Beagle Channel – the gateway to Antarctica. This morning after breakfast, embark on the Emerald Lake hike (also known as Laguna Esmerelda). This route is considered moderately challenging and is quite a popular trek in the area – due to the beautiful landscape. You’ll witness classic Patagonian forests, rich with vegetation, and your hike will lead you to the impressive view of the lagoon, which is surrounded by the Andean Mountain Range. Tonight, you’re free to explore more of the park or to rest and recharge.

Today, enjoy breakfast with your group and a leisurely morning. You have a free day to explore southern Ushuaia and its surroundings, so why not book yourself into one of the optional activities on offer? You could head on a penguin tour and see the several local different species, most of which inhabit Martillo Island. Or you could take a hike at Martial Glacier, close to a mountain range of the same name and offering panoramic views of the Beagle Channel. Head out with your group for an optional dinner in Ushuaia.

After breakfast, you’ll return to Buenos Aires by plane. Arrive back in Argentina’s capital in the early hours of the afternoon. As you’re back in the big city, you might want to kick back, relax and feast in one of the many popular restaurants in the area. Maybe hit the town tonight and experience Buenos Aires’ vibrant nightlife with your fellow travellers.

As there are no activities planned for your last day, you are free to depart at any time. If you didn’t have the opportunity to see Buenos Aires before your Patagonia tour, why not now? There are plenty of galleries, museums and historic buildings to keep you entertained. On the east side of the Plaza de Mayo, you will find the Casa Rosada – the pink presidential palace where Eva Peron appeared on the balcony in front of adoring fans in the 1940s. There is also a Museo Evita, dedicated to the life (and gowns) of this famed figure. MALBA is an incredible art gallery showcasing a private collection, including works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and great temporary exhibits. If you would like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.