Argentina & Chile: Amazing Patagonia - 9 days

Welcome to Southern Patagonia!

The town of El Calafate is located in the Patagonian steppe, an extreme and deserted place with an amazing landscape.

It is on the border of Lago Argentino (Argentina’s biggest lake) and it is considered the capital of the glaciers. It is the gateway to visit the world-renowned Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the only glaciers in the world that is still advancing.

At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from El Calafate Airport to your hotel in El Chalten.

This 3-hour trip will allow you to enjoy the desert of Southern Patagonia on the famous Route 40.

You will pass through La Leona River, which connects Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma. By the river, you will see La Leona Road House where once Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid after robbing a bank where hidden for almost a month.

El Chalten is the top-rated trekking destination, the Argentinean capital of trekking. Located at the foot of the Fitz Roy Mountain, surrounded by glaciers, lakes, rivers, and forests, it is still a hidden gem of our south. The charming little village, which is also the start point for most paths, is a paradise for walkers and trekkers alike.

Once you arrive in El Chalten, you will spend the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore the areas around the town. You can explore the surroundings, have a stroll around a little waterfall, or just relax in the local brewery.

Type of service: Shared.

Included: Transportation mentioned above.

Duration: 3 hours approximately.

Note: bare in mind that the luggage should be equivalent to a bag up to 18k. Excess baggage will pay an extra charge.

Today, our recommendation for truly hiking lovers: make all the way to Cerro Torre and Laguna Torre, one of the most famous hiking trails in the area. Walk into the wild for about 8 hours and 20 kilometers, this is a moderate difficulty hike so no previous experience is needed!

It starts at that gorgeous wooden sign with the Laguna Torre and the woodpecker at his side that you probably have already seen if you visited the Cerro Torre Viewpoint the previous day. From there, you will continue through a multi-colored landscape: snow-capped mountains will rein over the native forest of lengas and ñires.

You will pass by the De Agostini campsite and continue until the front moraine…you can hit the summit in 15 minutes! From here you can descend to the lagoon and see a floating iceberg passing by or continue to the Mascardi viewpoint, 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) down up the hill.

At the appropriate time, you will be picked up to board a bus to go from your hotel in El Chaltén to your hotel in El Calafate.

The 3 hour long drive will be a good opportunity to rest, relax and enjoy the passing landscapes at your window.

Type of service: Shared

Included: Transportation mentioned above

Duration: 3 hours approximately

We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning to take you to Los Glaciares National Park located at 50 miles from El Calafate, home of the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier.

Los Glaciares National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 when its almost 200 glaciers were discovered. Half of the park is occupied by the Patagonian ice field, the second largest ice field after Antarctica.

Upon arrival to the National Park, your guide will show you the different walkways from where you will be able to walk in front of the colossal ice wall, and, if you are lucky, perhaps see some landslides.

When the ice breaks and falls, the world holds its breath: all other sounds stop at the earth's surface.

You will start the adventure from the main balcony and then, have some free time to wander freely until the meeting time agreed with your guide. For lunchtime, the National Park offers a service area with a restaurant and a snack bar (lunch is not included).

For a different perspective of this impressive glacier, you can take a 1-hour boat ride to sail along the massive glacier wall that rises 240 feet above Argentino lake and in between floating icebergs (not included, but may be added and paid for on the spot, subject to availaility).

After exploring the park, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Type of service: Shared

Duration: 8/9 hours

Included: Transportation mentioned above, bilingual guide (English/Spanish)

Not included: Entrance fee to the National Park, Lunch

Difficulty: Low

Nautical Safari tour

The departure point is “Bajo de las Sombras” pier, located about 6km away from the Glacier’s walkways. On this tour, you will go on a cruise across Lake Rico, passing in between icebergs that have calved off the front of the Perito Moreno glacier. Reaching the Icebergs Channel, the boat will stop at a safe distance from the glacier to continue to sail down its front, allowing for spectacular views of the ice wall and any breaking and floating icebergs.

This excursion lasts approximately one hour and provides a totally different perspective of the Perito Moreno glacier, with almost constant falling walls of ice from its front. That is what makes this option the best complement for the conventional visit to the walkways.

Type of service: Shared

Duration: 1 hour. Hourly departures from 10 am to 3 pm (Note: timetables may change)

Not included: Entrance fee to the National Park

Difficulty: Low

In the morning, you will make your way to the bus station to take your bus to Puerto Natales. It is important to remember that today you are crossing the border into Chile. Please make sure you have your passport.

Please be at the bus terminal half an hour before departure time. Most hotels are within walking distance of the bus terminal, but if you prefer to take a taxi, it may cost roughly US$ 5/7.

After this 5-hour-long trip, you will have crossed hundreds of kilometers of beautiful Patagonian steppe dramatically situated between the mountains. Once you arrive in Puerto Natales, the guardian Milodon statue (the last ground sloth that walked the Earth 5000 years ago) will wave its bronze hand at the entrance of this picturesque town.

Upon arrival at the bus station, you will make your way to your hotel and will have time to explore this small town, known as the base to visit the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. Most of the hotels are located within walking distance of the bus terminal, but if you prefer to take a taxi, it may cost roughly US$ 7/9.

At Torres del Paine National Park there are no shops, so Puerto Natales will be your last chance to buy provisions for the next day. Shops don’t provide plastic bags so if you buy something you’ll have to bring your own ecological bag or make some space in your hiking one.

Duration: 5 hours

Included: Transportation mentioned above

Not included: Transportation to and from the bus station in El Calafate and Puerto Natales

Important: You are not allowed to take any fresh food, plants, seeds, etc. into Chile. If you are not sure if something is allowed or not, please declare it (they will provide you with a form) and they will inform you if you can carry it or not.

Today, we will pick you up from your hotel in Puerto Natales to visit the Milodón Cave, located 24 kilometers north of Puerto Natales. Before getting to the cave, we will pass by La Silla del Diablo (the Devil's chair); a rock formation that is said to have been the "seat" of the Milodón.

Soon after that, we will continue our excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. On the way, we will be able to observe the beautiful scenery of its stunning massif composed of numerous breathtaking lagoons and mountains. After admiring the beautiful landscape that surrounds us from the Grey Lake viewpoint, we will arrive at the Grey Lake area where you will be able to take a pleasant walk along the shore of the lake. Afterwards, you will have some free time to enjoy lunch at Grey Hotel's restaurant.

Later on, we will visit Salto Grande, an 18-meter (46-foot) cascade of turquoise waters. We will also visit the viewpoint of Nordenskjold Lake and will then continue to enjoy the views as we come closer to the sector of Laguna Amarga.

After having a great day, we will take you back to your hotel in Puerto Natales passing by the Mirador del Lago Sarmiento, arriving at dusk.

Type of service: Shared

Duration: 10/11 hours

Included: Transportation mentioned above, bilingual guide (English/Spanish)

Not included: Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park or Milodon Cave, lunch or box lunch

Travel season: October to April

Today, you will have a day at leisure to keep discovering Puerto Natales.

You may go for a walk at the shores of Last Hope Sound, explore the little and picturesque town by bike or even book an optional tour for today.

One of our favourite tours is the Balmaceda and Serrano Navigation, in which you will sail the fjords and discover the natural wonders of the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. This is a full-day trip that allows you to stay in contact with nature while also showcasing one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes of Chilean Patagonia.

Today you will go on your own to Puerto Natales bus station to take a bus to El Calafate.

Upon arrival, you will go to the hotel by yourself.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon drinking a homemade beer in the center accompanied by a delicious Patagonian lamb stew. If you are in the mood for a dessert, do not miss the calafate ice cream.

Type of service: Shared

Duration: 5 hours (can vary depending on the time spent at the border)

Included: bus ticket

Not included: Transfers to/from hotel, food and drink

Travel season: October to March

Note: We recommend that you arrive at the bus station 30 minutes before the departure time to avoid any last minutes inconvenience. Today you will cross the border between Chile and Argentina. Have your Passport handy!

At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from your hotel to El Calafate Airport.

Type of service: Shared

Included: Transportation mentioned above