El Chalten, El Calafate, Torres del Paine, Ushuaia
15 days - 14 nights
The PAT – Full Patagonia Adventure starts at El Calafate and goes all the way down to Ushuaia, visiting Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, may be the two most emblematic mountains of Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier (only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process), Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and eventually across the Magellan Strait into Tierra del Fuego to finish our tour in the “city of the end of the world”.
The tour offers the very best of Patagonia, which you will travel in an active way, enjoying the company of fellow travellers.
Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego National Park & Beagle Channel boat trip
07
Perito Moreno Glacier
15
Ushuaia - Ushuaia airport
08
El Calafate - Torres del Paine
LODGING: 6 nights at Hostel or Hostería -
7 nights at Full Camp
1 nights at a Mountain lodge
Itinerary
El Calafate airport – El Calafate
We welcome you at Calafate airport and transfer to town to check in at your hostel. You get the rest of the day to enjoy the town and later you have your welcome dinner.
Lodging in a Hostel room with shared bathroom /
Meals we provide: Dinner
Alternative: Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom /
Meals we provide: Dinner
Bus to El Chaltén – Laguna Capri
Alter breakfast we take our bus for the 220 km long drive to El Chaltén, a small and picturesque village at the foot of Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre massif. We make a stop half way to enjoy local pastries and hot coffee. Once in Chaltén, we’ll meet fellow travellers coming from up north (Route 40) and start our trek. We carry in our packs only the necessary items for this 3 nights and 4 days in which we’ll overnight in our Full Camps inside the National Park.
We hike up a gentle slope on Fitz Roy trail to gain height over the River de las Vueltas valley up to the first viewpoints over Fitz Roy massif. Our hike to Laguna Capri will take us no more than 2 hours and a half, in a clear and easy trail. Once on our Laguna Capri Full Camp, we leave our stuff in our tent and we enjoy an afternoon walk to the sightseeing points around the lagoon.
Full Camps are pitched up early in the season, so we find the camp ready upon arrival. It offers comfortable 3 people igloo type tents for each 2 passengers, with mattresses and sleeping bags. An inside cotton sheet is provided as inner clothing for the sleeping bag. The camp also features a spacious dinning tent, a kitchen tent, tables, benches or chairs and a full set of table service and kitchenware. The sanitary services are latrine-type.
Lodging at Laguna Capri Full Camp in double or single tent (rural area) /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Cerro Fitz Roy, Laguna de los Tres
Early in the morning, before the first coffee, we can try to match up the morning Light getting pink in Fitz Roy granite walls. You only need this to feel the trip is worthwhile. But of course the day offers much more.
After breakfast, carrying only day personal items such as our parka, gloves, our camera, water bottle and box lunch, we hike along Fitz Roy trail up to Rio Blanco, climbers basecamp to the east side of the mountain. From here a steep 1 h trail leads us to one of the most spectaculars viewpoints of the National Park: Laguna de los Tres, with its zephyr blue colour, lays at the foot of the massif, offering full close up views of Fitz Roy massif spires and glaciers. Each wall rises something from 600 to 1500 mts above the surrounding glaciers. Fitz Roy, with its 3405 mts above sea level, is considered the “King of Patagonia” and also considered one of the three most beautiful mountains on Earth (together with Alpamayo in Perú and K2 in the Karakoram). We hike back to Laguna Capri in the late afternoon. Walking time is 5 to 6 hs.
Lodging at Laguna Capri Full Camp in double or single tent (rural area) /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Cerro Torre
Today we make it around Laguna Capri to get to the Lagoons Madre and Hija Valley and down to Fitz Roy river valley, where we meet Cerro Torre trail and we get to Cerro Torre Full Camp. The trail runs along beech forest, bogs and shrubland. From the camp, a short hike takes us to Laguna Torre, enclosed by morraines and with the Glacier Grande calving in its west side. It is usual to see icebergs pushed by the wind in the coast of the lagoon. The thin and elegant 3128 mts of Cerro Torre group and the Adela range in the background complete this spectacular view. Walking time 3 to 4 hs.
Lodging at Cerro Torre Full Camp in double or single tent (rural area) /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Lagoon & Glacier Torre – El Chalten
In the morning we visit Laguna Torre again to reach the old Maestri base camp, located in a high site up along the north moraine of the lagoon. For keen hikers, we offer an optional excursion, the so called “Holiday on Ice”: early start, crampons and harnesses, a tyrolean (horizontal fixed rope attached to both sides of a river) to cross Fitz Roy river, and we visit Glacier Grande, where we will visit crevices, ice caves and we’ll practice ice climbing with the proper advice of experienced mountain guides.
Late in the afternoon we walk back to Chaltén along Fitz Roy river valley. Total estimated time of the standard day: 4 to 5 hs. If you go on the “Holiday on Ice”, it is 7 hs plus the trail back to Chalten which is 2 and a half hours more.
Optional excursion: Holiday On Ice
Lodging in a Hostel room with shared bathroom. /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner
Alternative: Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom / Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner
El Chalten – El Calafate
Morning at your own to visit the picturesque village or to make optional excursions. In the afternoon, we take our bus to our next destination, El Calafate, gateway for the glaciers area of the Park. Driving distance: 220 km
Lodging in a Hostel room with shared bathroom. /
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Alternative: Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom / Meals we provide: Breakfast
El Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier
We dedicate this day to one of the World’s Natural Wonder: the Moreno glacier. This ice field- type glacier flows down from the Patagonian Icefield, a big sheet of ice that with its 22.000 square kilometres is the third largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M sq km) and Greenland (1 M sq km). Because unusual favourable local conditions, this glacier is the only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process. The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be only meters away from your eyes. A beautiful, short trail, will lead us from the shores of the lake to the upper viewpoints. The roar of the chunks of ice falling inside the glacier or from the glacier into the lake, the frequent collapse of the front seracs into the turquoise water, makes out of this day a very special and unique experience. We will drive 80 km (1 and a half hour) to get and come back from the glacier across the steppe, watching a wide variety of birds.
Lodging in a Hostel room with shared bathroom. /
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Alternative: Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom / Meals we provide: Breakfast
El Calafate – Torres del Paine National Park
Early start for a 6 hs drive to our camp in Paine. We drive across the steppe, still following by parts the legendary route 40, to get around Sierra de los Baguales, an impressive range in between Calafate and Paine. We cross the Argentinean Chilean border at Cancha Carrera/ Cerro Castillo. After the border crossing, we start our final sprint to Paine National Park, World Heritage by the UNESCO (United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization). Approaching the Park, we start to see the different mountains that feature the area: Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto and the Towers. Once we entered the Park, we go for a short 1 to 2 hs walk to get familiar with the landscape, the wind and the rich wildlife: guanacos, lesser rheas, condors and all types of wetland and buzzard birds, will be available for our eyes and cameras. Also lots of flowers. Back in the bus, we reach our camp at the foot of Paine massif.
Lodging at Las Torres Full Camp in double or single tent (area with sanitary services) /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Paine Towers – Ascensio River Valley
Early in the morning we start walking towards the bridge over the Ascensio river, headtrail for the world famous Paine towers. We "warm up" hiking a steep one hour slope, to get inside the valley itself, a narrow "V" shape alpine valley coming from inside the Paine massif. A gentle downhill leads us to Refugio Chileno, a cozy and comfortable mountain lodge, which can be a good turnaround point for those not willing to make a full day hike. We then walk in a gentle slope along the river side and inside beech forest. A final climb on moraine take us to the Towers viewpoint: a glacier origin lagoon and the three towers rising vertically 1000 mts from the glacier. The lack of breath will be either because the climb and the sight!!!! We go back to our camp on the same way we came. Walking time: 7 to 8 hs.
Lodging at Las Torres Full Camp in double or single tent (area with sanitary services) /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Lake Pehoe crossing – French Valley
Early in the morning a 1 h drive takes us to Port Pudeto to board the catamarán that crosses lake Pehoe twice a day. Once at the far side of the lake, we leave unnecessary items in our tents and we set out to the French Valley trail. The trail skirts Paine Grande south slopes and lake Skottberg, to take us after 2 hs and a half of continuous ups and downs, to the hanging bridge upon the French River. This breathtaking location is at the foot of both the 2700 mts south east face of Paine Grande (to the west) and the Horns, with its characteristic black sedimentary topping, to the east. We continue walking 1 h further by Italian camp to reach breathtaking viewpoints over the area. After lunch and photos we retrace our steps back to Refugio Pehoe Full Camp. Walking time: 5 to 6 hs.
Lodging at Las Torres Full Camp in double or single tent (area with sanitary services)/
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Glaciar Grey viewpoints
Lake Grey trail leads from Pehoe valley across ridges to reach Grey valley. This magnificent valley flows down 60 km from the Patagonian Icefield, featuring the huge glacier calving down in the grey colour lake. Our trail skirts the lake, going up and down the westerns slopes of Paine Grande, offering some of the most impressive sights of the Park. From the high sections of the trail, many different viewpoints allow us to see the south end of the lake where the blue icebergs gather, the mountains rising far in the distance above glaciers Grey and Tyndall, and of course lake and glacier Grey. We reach the main viewpoint, a rocky point somewhat 2 hs away from Pehoe, with views over the Lake and Glacier Grey and the surrounding glaciers and mountains. We come back along the same trail, crossing bogs, shrublands and forest. By noon we take the boat to cross lake Pehoe back and then we go to our accommodation in Puerto Natales, a picturesque fishermen town located in the shores of the Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) fiord.
Lodging in a Hostel room with shared bathroom. /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch
Alternative: Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom. /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch
Puerto Natales – Río Grande
Long drive today, though quite worthwhile. We continue south to reach the legendary Magellan Strait, which we will keep on sight up to Primera Angostura, where we board the Ferry in which we will cross the Strait. This Pass, discovered by Hernando de Magallanes in 1520, was the natural and logical way to all vessels until de Panama Channel was open at the beginning of the XXth century. You will find yourselves wondering how those brave men dare to sail those waters in such fragile caravels!!!
Once in Tierra del Fuego (literally, Land of Fire, due to the fires seen by the first white sailors in the coast, done by the local Indians to cook and heat) we enter back Argentina through Paso San Sebastián. A couple more of hours to reach Estancia Las Hijas, where our Full Camp will be waiting for us, as well as a lamb cooked in the classical Patagonian barbecue style. A dinning saloon, toilettes and showers are available tonight.
Lodging at Full Camp in double or single tent (area with sanitary services) /
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch
Río Grande - Tierra Mayor valley
In the morning we learn about the ranch activities and how dogs deal with the sheep. By mid morning we continue south to Tierra Mayor valley, where we’ll spend the rest of the day in a mountain refuge. After lunch, we can make optional activities in the area or just enjoy the refuge.
Lodging in Mountain Lodge with shared bedrooms and bathrooms / Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.
Ushuaia – Tierra del Fuego National Park– Beagle Channel boat trip
We leave behind the valley and a half an hour drive leads us to Ushuaia, the southernmost city of the World. We leave our luggage in our hostel or hotel (we will not check in, as it is still early in the morning) and continue to Tierra del Fuego National Park. This National Park is in the south west corner of the argentinean side of the Island, thus in the border with Chile. The main attraction of the Park and the whole Island actually are the mountains coming down to the sea. We make a short hike in this area. In the afternoon, a boat trip in the Beagle channel allows us to see the different species of sea birds and mammals that leave in this corner of Earth.
Lodging in a Hostel room with shared bathroom /
Meals we provide: Breakfast and box lunch.
Alternative: Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom /
Meals we provide: Breakfast and box lunch.
Ushuaia – Ushuaia Airport
Morning at your own to visit the town, which is located in the north coast of the Beagle channel. Then town features interesting museums and its typical architecture. In the afternoon we are transferred to Ushauaia airport to take our flight to Buenos Aires. Our services end at the airport.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.
Service Details
Included:
Bilingual tour leader during all the
activities
Mountain guides while on trek.
Moreno Glacier excursion.
Lake Pehoe boat trips (in and out).
Beagle channel boat trip.
All transfers El Calafate airport – El Calafate
- El Chalten – El Calafate – Torres del Paine
– Puerto Natales - Río Grande – Ushuaia –
Ushuaia Airport.
During the trip we combine private and
regular buses.
Lodging as shown below.
14 breakfasts, 11 box lunch y 10 dinners
as detailed below.
Not included:
Entrance fees to National Parks.
Medical and life insurance.
Tips.
Drinks and beverages (all foods are
without alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks).
Flights or airport taxes.
Port tax at Ushuaia.
Optional excursions.
Services not shown or detailed in the program.
Notes
Argentina Discovery holds the right of changing the itinerary or cancel any of the activities when any natural cause (or any other cause of any type) justifies it in order to look after the group safety.
Lodging
We offer the Full Patagonia Adventure in three different type of accommodations.
Base Accommodation (PAT – 00) Hostel Room
The Base Offer (PAT 00) lodge is shown in the following chart.
NIGHTS
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
(PAT 00) Hostel room with shared bathroom
x
x
x
x
x
x
Full Camp double basis (rural area)
x
x
x
Full Camp double basis
(area with sanitary services)
x
x
x
x
Mountain Refuge with shared room and bathroom
x
Accommodation (PAT – 01 and PAT- 02) Double or Single Room with Private Bathroom
These alternatives lodge as shown in the following chart, in double base (PAC 01) or single base (PAC 02) during all the trip but one night (at Solar del Bosque, in which this option is not available)
They differ from the previous one that passengers stay in Hotels, Hosterias or Inns in double room with private bathroom (not in a Hostel) and the single room option is available.
When you choose single base, you have single base accommodations at the Full Camp tents too.
NIGHTS
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
(PAT 01) Hostel room with shared bathroom
x
x
x
x
x
x
Full Camp double basis (rural area)
x
x
x
Full Camp double basis
(area with sanitary services)
x
x
x
x
Mountain Refuge with shared room and bathroom
x
(PAT 02) Single base option available
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Meals Meals included in the trip are shown in the following chart.
DAYS
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
Breakfast
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Box Lunch
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Dinner
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
List of suggested personal equipment:
Backpack, 50 lts or so
Thermal underwear
Trekking shoes or boots
Trekking pants
Fleece
Parka and overpants
Gaiters
Gloves
Termal socks
The necessary spare cloth
Wool hat
Sun hat
Sun glasses
Sun screen (UV is very strong during the southern spring, from september thru december)
Personal items
Lamp
Trekking poles (recommended, if you are use to them)
Personal medication
Personal documents to cross the border between Argentina and Chile.
Weather in Patagonia is unpredictable. Not very cold, but it is usually windy. To dress in layers is the best advice.