Tour Itinerary:
Excursions mentioned on days 2, 3, 5 and 6 could change depending on the coincidence of your travel dates with the weekly excursions menu organized locally by both EcoCamp Patagonia and Hosteria Los Cerros. Active and Easy excursions are available every day.
Day 1: The Patagonic Adventure Starts…
Torres del Paine NP, Chile. 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.
Day 2: In the realms of Glacier Grey.
Torres del Paine NP, Chile. 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.
Day 3: Exploring the Eastern Lakes
Torres del Paine NP, Chile
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.
Day 4: Entering in the Argentinean Patagonia.
Los Glaciares NP, Argentina. 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 Hostería Los Cerros with time to get a well-deserved rest either in our room or at any of the nice areas of this beautiful hostería,
Day 5: A Beautiful Hike to Laguna Torre
Los Glaciares NP, Argentina. 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 Fitroy 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 Hostería Los Cerros.
Day 6: Monte Fitzroy, Mountain of Mountains
Los Glaciares NP, Argentina. 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 Río Blanco 11 miles north of El Chaltén. The trail follows Río 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 Fitz Roy. 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 Hostería Los Cerros.
Day 7: Last Memories in Chalten, Glacier Perito Moreno on the way!
Los Glaciares NP, Argentina. 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 Posada Los Alamos.
Day 8: Adios!
Calafate, Argentina. 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 taking another extension with Cascada. If you are taking the optional extension to finish in Punta Arenas:
Day 8: Heading to Punta Arenas.
Punta Arenas, Chile. Once we are ready an early transfer will take us to the Calafate bus terminal. There we board the public bus going to Puerto Natales, arriving in this town around midday. A Cascada representative will wait for us and will take us to the office for refreshing ourselves and help us looking for a nice restaurant in town. When we feel at ease we go boarding the next public bus going to Punta Arenas city, where another Cascada representative will wait for us to arrange the transfer to the hotel. The evening is free and we have dinner on our own. We will definitely look for some of the local delicious dishes like Centolla (King Crab) or asado de cordero (lamb BBQ). We go back to the hotel to enjoy our last night in Patagonia.
Day 9: Adios!
Punta Arenas, Chile. 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 taking another extension with Cascada.
* Departures
Regular: The trip starts on Sundays in Punta Arenas either at the airport or city hotels at 12:00 hrs. If flying in this morning you must arrive in the first flight coming from Santiago (usually LAN 081). Please contact us before booking domestic flights. Another option is starting in Puerto Natales at 15:00 hrs. The trip finishes in Calafate approx. 11:00 hrs. The transfer to Calafate airport is included.
* Group Size and Guiding Staff
6-8 travelers is the most typical group size. Maximum is 20 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:8.
* EcoCamp Single Accommodation Policy
All accommodations at the EcoCamp are in a sharing basis only. There is not single accommodation availability unless a "forced" single accommodation is needed due to different gender single travelers not willing to share. If at the moment of arrival at the EcoCamp someone shows up with a reasonable claim for single accommodation and the Camp manager finds availability then an exception will be made.
* Transport
Throughout Patagonia transport is in vans that normally seat from 8 to 14 persons. When we have only 2 to 4 persons we use smaller vehicles, usually 4x4, driven by the tour guide. On the regular departure trips you will share the vehicle with other EcoCamp guests joining other tours. On the private departure, the vehicle will be of your use exclusively with the limitation of their use to the given itinerary and time schedules.
* Weather
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Ice field influence make the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summer's average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).
* Physical Demands
This trip does not demand much physical activity other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over rather flat terrain, considering many stops as necessary to fit with the rhythm of the group. There are 2 optional treks to Torres del Paine NP’s Tower base (day 3) and to Laguna Los Tres in Los Glaciares NP (day 6). These treks can be done at no extra costs if the entire group’s members agree to do it.
* What you need to bring
-You must come prepare for summer and winter all together and consider al least two changes of clothes. One day backpack (10lts to carry your camera, glasses, rain coat, etc)
-Trekking or hiking boots
- Extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet; -Waterproof jacket
-Two pairs of wool socks
-Fleece Jacket or sweater
-Shorts or comfortable loose pants
-Sun protection (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen). Optionally consider bringing long synthetic fibre "capilene" underwear for the upper and lower body that maintains temperature when wet and dries quickly.
* Itinerary Modifications
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modified, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
* Additional Information and References
Once you book the trip we will send you a pre-trip Information booklet with useful and detailed information about your trip with us. Not sure about us? We will be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary.
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- 3 nights at EcoCamp with shared Eco-toilettes.
- 1 night at hostal in Calafate.
- 2 nights at hosteria in Chalten.
- All parks entrance fees.
- 2way navigation ticket in Lake Grey.
- English speaking guides.
Price Excludes:
- Air fares.
- Visa or reciprocity fees charged by the Chilean and Argentinean governments.
- Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips).
- Optional tipping to guides and staff.
- Items of personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverage other than our famous pisco sour and wine offered in EcoCamp’s dinners, etc.).
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Argentina
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Walking Tours
Glacier Tours
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