11 Day Classic Patagonia Treks

Flight inclusive bookings will have arrived into Buenos Aires on the previous day and been taken to the centrally located hotel by the tour leader before having a short city tour and opportunity for an evening out exploring the city. Flight inclusive bookings include internal flights from Buenos Aires down to El Calafate today.

Those booking ‘Land Only’ will make their own way to El Calafate and meet up with the group at the hotel in El Calafate. If agreed with Exodus in advance, then it will be possible to meet the group flight at the airport and join the transfer in to town if this is preferable.

Today we'll drive the short distance out of El Calafate to visit the breath-taking Perito Moreno Glacier. One of the most famous geological sights in the world, the Perito Moreno glacier is one of only a few glaciers that grows and shrinks with seasonal fluctuations. It calves into Lake Argentino and sometimes part of the lake becomes land-locked depending upon the position of the ice. Every so often it is possible to see (and hear) huge lumps of ice break off and fall into the lake and then float away as icebergs.

As there is an early morning start tomorrow we suggest sorting your luggage tonight and preparing a smaller bag that you will carry throughout the next 4 days of trekking in Chile. We have an agreement with the hotel in El Calafate that means excess luggage can be left securely until your return - the tour leader will give further details and assistance. Everything that you bring with you to Chile you will need to carry yourself on the treks.

This morning we start early with a long but scenic journey crossing the Andean border that starts out on the Argentine plateau and emerges in the stunning Chilean landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park. Once we arrive at the Lago Amarga entrance to the park, we will meet our local guide who will join us for the next 4 days to provide expert guidance and insight. From here we will be transferred to our first refugio. This afternoon we will have the opportunity to enjoy some short treks around the area.

Onwards and upwards we trek to one of the most impressive highlights of the park - the 'base of the towers'. A lakeside viewpoint from where you will look upon Torre Sur (2,850m), Torre Central (2,800m), Torre Norte (2,600m) and Cerro Nido de Cóndor. We descend back down the valley and return to our refuge to enjoy a hot meal and a well-earned drink.

Trekking time: Approximately 9 hours.

Note: To and from the refugio to the base of the towers is an 18 km round-trip (8/9 hours) and you can leave your bag at the refugio for this walk. There will be lockers available to leave your things, but please make sure to bring your own lock as these are not provided

We will walk down the valley towards the shore of Lake Nordenskjold and then follow the edge of the lake on a much flatter and easier terrain to reach Los Cuernos. This is considered by many to be one of the most charming sites in the whole park, a perfect spot to rest in our refuge for the night.

Trekking time: Approximately 4/5 hours.

Another long day of trekking lies ahead as we venture into the French Valley. The first 2 hours involve some ascents and descents with views of Nordenskjöld Lake accompanying us until reaching 'Campamento Italiano'. Here you can leave your backpack (unattended) at the campsite if you wish, enabling you to walk the next part of the trek empty handed (keep valuables with you). The slight ascent lasts for about 1 and a half hours until French Glacier lookout, where we’ll be able to observe an impressive hanging glacier and listen out for the rumbling noises of small avalanches as great chunks of ice and snow fall off. The trail does continue until 'Campamento Británico' and on to another lookout point 'Mirador Britanico', but note that how far the group will walk up into the valley is dependent upon weather conditions, timings, and the condition of the group - the decision will be taken by the local guide who will walk with us whilst in the National Park.

We return back down along the valley to Campamento Italiano and continue our walk onwards past the shore of the smaller Lake Skottsberg and into the Pehoé sector of the park. We arrive in the late afternoon to the inviting and idyllic site of 'Paine Grande' refugio and can spend the evening gazing upon the clear night skies or relaxing in the on-site bar.

Occasionally some groups may have full-service camping tonight instead of staying in the refugio dormitories - see accommodation section.

Trekking time: Approximately 10 hours.

Note: This is the trek distance if reaching the very end of Valle Frances, often we only go as far as one particular viewpoint due to the weather and/or group condition. The total walking distance for today therefore becomes 17 km.

Today we will start early in order to see the final day of the 'W-Trek' highlights - the Grey Glacier. This is a round trip to a lookout over Lake Grey that will end back at Refugio Paine Grande, so we can leave our bags and just carry any essentials with us. The trail goes along the western side of the Paine Massif with views to Lake Grey and various mountains. After about one and a half hours we will reach the lookout point and enjoy views of the Grey Glacier in the distance. We return by the same route back to Pehoé Lake from where we will take the Catamaran across the Lake to Pudeto sector. A bus will take us from here on the short drive to the park entry point at Laguna Amarga, and here we will board our transfer vehicle to Calafate (approx. 5/6 hours). After driving through beautiful scenery on our way out of the park (keep an eye out of the window for pumas!) we cross the border once more into Argentina and arrive late evening into the town of Calafate.

Trekking time: Approximately 4 hours.

This is a free day to either have a rest or you can also book optional tours in Calafate. We recommend the Perito Moreno Ice Trek or the half day tour to Estancia Nibepo Aike where you will have the chance to enjoy a typical Patagonian barbecue and see how a typical estancia works in Patagonia. Please ask your tour leader, and they will help you to arrange it.

In the morning we will transfer approximately 3 hours to the small mountain town of El Chalten that will be our base for walking in the Fitzroy region. After arriving, the rest of the day is free to relax. Alternatively, for those who wish, there are many short treks around town, which your tour leader will help you to arrange. We spend the night in El Chalten at a simple and friendly hosteria.

This morning we start with a short 30 minute bus journey on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park to our start point at El Pilar from where we will commence our trekking in the stunning Fitz Roy region. We follow the trail leading to Poincenot Camp, along the way enjoying views of Piedras Blancas Glacier and Fitz Roy if the weather conditions are clear. From Poincenot we then continue onwards to reach 'Laguna de los Tres', involving a steep ascent to reach a wonderfully scenic spot from which to relax and take photos of the Fitzroy Massif. We descend back down from the viewpoint and walk back down from the mountains to eventually reach the town of El Chalten on foot.

Today we will trek into a beautiful valley and make our way toward the stunning Torre glacier viewpoint. If time permits, we might be able to continue on to the Maestri Lookout at Laguna Torre (this 4km section of the walk can get very windy) before walking back to El Chalten.

After breakfast we will transfer by road down to El Calafate airport. This is quite a long journey and we allow approx. 3/4 hours in order to arrive on time for the midday or afternoon flight to Buenos Aires.

For Land Only bookings – the trip ends at El Calafate airport and the internal flights are not included in the price of the trip.'