DAY 1: The Patagonian Adventure starts

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

The trip begins with you being picked up from your hotel in Punta Arenas or Punta Arenas airport in the morning and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. Alternatively you can start your trip in Calafate.

En route you make a couple of stops – First in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of “Seno de Ultima Esperanza” and second at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890’s. The whole journey is very scenic, with plenty of wild birds and wonderful landscapes to be seen.

The day ends with your arrival and overnight stay at EcoCamp Patagonia’s Standard Domes, nestled in the heart of the park with a view of the Torres. During summer the sun sets around 11 p.m., so upon arrival there’s plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon.

Overnight Ecocamp Patagonia Standard Dome, Torres del Paine NP

DAY 2: Your Choice of Activities

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

Please see the chart below. The availability activities depend on the day of the week. You will be able to choose what you want to do when you’re at EcoCamp, you don’t need to decide ahead of time. Choices vary from easy walks, challenging hikes, wildlife viewing, biking, and more!

Overnight Ecocamp Patagonia Standard Dome, Torres del Paine NP

DAY 3: Your Choice of Activities

Torres del Paine NP, Chile

Please see the chart below. The availability activities depend on the day of the week. You will be able to choose what you want to do when you’re at EcoCamp, you don’t need to decide ahead of time. Choices vary from easy walks, challenging hikes, wildlife viewing, biking, and more!

Overnight Ecocamp Patagonia Standard Dome, Torres del Paine NP

DAY 4: Entering Argentinean Patagonia

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina

After enjoying a delicious breakfast you head to Argentina on a regular bus, doing the international border crossing at Cerro Castillo. Once you complete the immigration process you enter Argentina and continue to Calafate, a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares NP amid dramatic scenery and natural beauty.

At the bus terminal you are met by a representative and taken to a local restaurant where you have lunch and then enjoy free time in the city before boarding a regular bus in the late afternoon which will take you on the 3-hour journey to El Chalten. The drive is on isolated 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 Fitz Roy. You arrive at your hotel in time to get some well-deserved rest.

Overnight Hosteria Los Senderos 3*, El Chalten

DAY 5: Mount Fitz Roy

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina

Today’s hike is along Rio Blanco. You drive to El Pilar, 11 miles north of El Chalten, and follow the Rio Blanco Trail to Piedras Blances Glacier, a hanging glacier descending from the base of Mount Fitz Roy.

You picnic here, marveling at the glacier, and then continue up Rio Blanco Trail until reaching one of the best views of Mont Fitz Roy – the landmark in Los Glaciares National Park. You descend via another path heading past Laguna Capri, ending back in El Chalten.

Overnight Hosteria Los Senderos 3*, El Chalten

DAY 6: Hike to Laguna Torre

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina

Today you’ll do a full day hike along the Cerro Torre Trail to Laguna Torre, a stunning mountain lake with majestic Mount Torre in the background. After breakfast you walk eastwards, following the trail through beech forests until you reach Fitz Roy River.

You continue and reach Camp Base de Agostini from where you do a short hike to Laguna Torre, with Cerro Torre and the Adela range on your west. Icebergs can be seen peacefully floating on Laguna Torre as the wind pushes them to the coast and you stop at different points to take in the magnificent view and enjoy a picnic.

Back at the hotel you gather your luggage and begin the drive back to Calafate by a regular bus, following the same road filled with Argentinean pampas that welcomed you. You’ll arrive in Calafate after an approximately 3-hour drive and are driven to your hotel to check in.

Overnight Hosteria Los Hielos 3*, El Calafate

DAY 7: Glacier Perito Moreno

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina

After breakfast you head off on your final excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most famous landmarks in Patagonia. Unlike typical tours which go straight to the regular panoramic views, we go first to the glacier’s less-frequented north face to marvel at its splendor. We’ll observe, and hear, giant chunks of ice plummet into the waters of Lake Argentino. Your guide will answer questions about the glacier and the park.

You’ll then continue to the footbridges and take a break, enjoying the surroundings at your leisure. You’ll also have the opportunity to do a short nautical safari to observe this magnificent glacier from up close. After the thrilling encounter with the Perito Moreno, you head back to Calafate for your final night.

Overnight Hosteria Los Hielos 3*, El Calafate

DAY 8: Adios Argentina!

Calafate, Argentina

Today you finish this memorable trip, Adios Patagonia! After having breakfast, a transfer will take you to the airport and you’re free to continue traveling on your own or to take another extension with Cascada.

If you are taking the optional extension to finish in Punta Arenas then an early transfer takes you to the Calafate bus terminal where you board the public bus going to Puerto Natales, arriving in this town around midday.

A Cascada representative will wait for you and will take you to a nice restaurant in town. Then you’ll board a bus going to Punta Arenas city, where another Cascada representative will be waiting for to take you to the hotel.

Easy: Hiking or Biking to Laguna Azul
On our way to Laguna Azul, we will have the chance to enjoy some marvelous views of the famous Torres, as well as passing through the pampas (the local steppe) where we will be lucky enough not only to spot many elegant guanacos, but also to hop out of the van and walk amongst them.

After soaking up these beautiful surroundings, we will continue our drive to Laguna Azul (“Blue Lagoon”), where we’ll enjoy our box lunch looking out over the lake, with a view of the three granite towers in the distance. An alternative is a bike ride in the wilderness near Laguna Azul where you will cycle among the herds of guanacos that roam the pampas. We will then jump into our van again, heading back to the EcoCamp in time for cocktail hour.

• Difficulty: Very easy
• Activity: Nature walk or biking
• Distance: 5 kilometers / 3 miles
• Altitude: 200 meters / 660 feet
• Start Time: 10:00am
• End Time: 4:00pm

Challenging: Towers Base Trek
After a hearty breakfast we set off from Ecocamp towards Hostería Las Torres and join the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley.

Our big challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the world’s most famous views overlooking the Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2,850 m/ 9,350 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp.

• Difficulty: Challenging
• Activity: Hiking
• Approximate Walking Time: 9 hours
• Distance: 22 kilometers / 14 miles
• Altitude: 914 meters / 3,000 feet
• Start Time: 8:00am
• End Time: 5:00pm

Moderately Challenging: Pehoe Lake Boat Ride & French Valley Hike
After a hearty breakfast we set off from Ecocamp towards Hostería Las Torres and join the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley.

Our big challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the world’s most famous views overlooking the Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2,850 m/ 9,350 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp.

(NOTE: The excursion to French Valley varies throughout the season depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Refugio Pehoe. During May (low season) the catamaran service will be out of operation. Therefore, the excursion will be replaced by a 15km/9mi Trek to Los Cuernos.

[Read more about Los Cuernos Trek]. We will walk through the sinuous Cuernos Trail which leads us alongside the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this nice walk we will have the opportunity to admire the area’s exquisite flora and fauna, as we enjoy the magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns, majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite which crown the center of the Massif.)

• Difficulty: Moderately challenging
• Activity: Hiking
• Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours
• Distance: 18 kilometers / 11 miles
• Altitude: 500 meters / 1,640 feet
• Start Time: 8:00am
• End Time: 8:00pm

Easy: Drive & Walk Western Lakes & Grey Glacier Boat Ride
We start off driving across the park, admiring the view of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, and Los Cuernos with its black, granite horn-like spires. We stop at various viewpoints on the way to enjoy observing and photographing herds of guanacos, Andean condors and interesting flora.

As we walk along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we will see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe. From here, we drive up to Grey Lake and wander along the beach. Here we enjoy a tasty box-lunch by the lake before embarking on a boat ride across the icy waters to the towering blue walls of Glacier Grey.

After this incredible up-close look at the glacier, we drive back to EcoCamp. Please be aware that the Grey Glacier boat trip is subject to availability, so please confirm your reservation in order to participate on the day of your arrival. (NOTE: During shoulder season -September, October, April and May- the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be canceled as the boat requires a minimum of 15 passengers to sail, which might not be reached in some cases. If this is the case we will plan an alternative excursion in the park.)

• Difficulty: Easy
• Activity: Nature walk & boat trip
• Approximate Walking Time: 1 hour
• Distance: 0.8 kilometers / 0.5 miles
• Altitude: 200 meters / 660 feet
• Start Time: 10:00am
• End Time: 8:00pm

Moderately Challenging: Western Lakes Drive & Cerro Ferrier Hike
We will begin the day driving across the park, admiring the view of Paine Grande’s snowy peaks and the black, granite, horn-like spires of Los Cuernos. As we walk along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we will see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe.

The van will drive us south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey. It is here where we will begin our hike to Cerro Ferrier, a fairly steep route taking us through a fairytale-like Magellanic forest where we might spot the Huemul, the endangered South Andean deer.

We will go uphill for about an hour and a half to reach a breathtaking lookout that will offer us a unique perspective of the Paine Massive, Grey Glacier and some of the most famous lakes of the National Park. We will then walk back to Grey Beach to meet our fellow travelers coming back from the boat ride. Together, we all head to Ecocamp to enjoy a relaxed evening.

• Difficulty: Moderately challenging
• Activity: Hiking
• Approximate Walking Time: 3.5 hours
• Distance: 12 kilometers / 7.5 miles
• Altitude: 800 meters / 1,970 feet
• Start Time: 10:00am
• End Time: 8:00pm

Moderate: Lazo Weber Hike
We’ll start our day at 8:30am with breakfast at EcoCamp and a moment to prepare our Box Lunch before boarding our bus at 10am. Our ride takes us past the Lazo Weber Estancia where we’ll enter the National Park via Laguna Verde and begin our 12km hike.

The Lazo Weber Trail is packed with native flora and wildlife – so have your cameras ready to snap pics of the guanacos, owls, eagles, condors, and caranchos; another bird of prey – all with the mountainous Paine range on our right. The hike is rather easy and apart from a few hills, the trail remains rather flat.

We’ll stop a moment to refuel by the magical Laguna Honda, and enjoy the sights and sensations of the gorgeous landscape and fresh breeze. On our way, we will hike through one of the quietest forests in the national park, a fantastic opportunity to observe native trees such as the Lenga and the Coihue.

The rest of our hike takes us to a lookout point (El Toro Lookout) where we’ll be wowed with a 360 degree view of the Paine mountain range, the Patagonian Andes, and a suite of rivers and lakes (including the Paine, Grey, and Serrano Rivers, and Lake Toro, the largest in the region).

An hour’s descent towards Paine River will see us reunited with our van. But before we go back to EcoCamp, we’ll search for more animals to photograph and take a final moment to enjoy the scenery. At about 7pm, we’ll arrive back at our “dome sweet dome”, ready to share in a tasty dinner and talk about our day hiking the Lazo Weber Trail.

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Activity: Hiking
• Approximate Walking Time: 5 hours
• Distance: 12 kilometers / 7.5 miles
• Altitude: 700 meters / 2,300 feet
• Start Time: 10:00am
• End Time: 8:00pm

Moderately Easy: Sarmiento Lake & Fuana Trail
This predominantly flat trek boasts stunningly diverse natural scenery and offers the chance to feast your eyes upon a startlingly blue lake, which is secluded from all the other water systems of the area. There will be ample opportunity to spot many graceful guanacos and great grebes along the way.

First we will examine the geology of the area’s turbidite rock folds, before descending the isthmus which separates Lake Sarmiento from Lake Sarmiento Chico (the two lakes were once a single mass of water), walking along a slight slope, and ambling beside the eastern edge of Lake Sarmiento Chico.

We will eventually arrive at an impressive bay on the western side of Lake Sarmiento, admiring a breathtaking view which could easily be mistaken for a piece of art! Then begins our ascent back to the van, and along the way we will stumble across an awe-inspiring, panoramic vista of Lake Sarmiento from its western shore, looking towards its eastern coast glimmering on the horizon.

From here we drive back eastwards along the northern shore of Sarmiento Lake until we reach the starting point of the Fauna Trail. As we walk northwards along the trail we see park fauna on the Patagonian plains including guanacos, ostrich-like ñandús and maybe the occasional puma print! We pass by Goic lagoon and after an approximate 5 km relaxed walk we reach the Laguna Amarga ranger station where we’re picked up and driven back to EcoCamp.

• Difficulty: Moderately Easy
• Activity: Nature Walk
• Approximate Walking Time: 5 hours
• Distance: 10 kilometers / 6 miles
• Altitude: 200 meters / 656 feet
• Start Time: 10:00am
• End Time: 5:00pm

Moderately Challenging: Pehoe Lake Boat Ride & French Valley Hike
After a hearty breakfast we set off from Ecocamp towards Hostería Las Torres and join the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the world’s most famous views overlooking the Towers.

The famous Torres del Paine (2,850 m/ 9,350 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below.

Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp. (NOTE: The excursion to French Valley varies throughout the season depending on the catamaran connecting Pudeto and Refugio Pehoe. During May (low season) the catamaran service will be out of operation.

Therefore, the excursion will be replaced by a 15km/9mi Trek to Los Cuernos. [Read more about Los Cuernos Trek]. We will walk through the sinuous Cuernos Trail which leads us alongside the beautiful Lake Nordenskjold. During this nice walk we will have the opportunity to admire the area’s exquisite flora and fauna, as we enjoy the magnificent views of the park’s central lakes and the Paine’s Horns, majestic black horn-like peaks of slate atop gray granite which crown the center of the Massif.)

• Difficulty: Moderately challenging
• Activity: Hiking
• Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours
• Distance: 18 kilometers / 11 miles
• Altitude: 500 meters / 1,640 feet
• Start Time: 8:00am
• End Time: 8:00pm

Challenging: Towers Base Trek
After a hearty breakfast we set off from Ecocamp towards Hostería Las Torres and join the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley.

Our big challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the world’s most famous views overlooking the Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2,850 m/ 9,350 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp.

• Difficulty: Challenging
• Activity: Hiking
• Approximate Walking Time: 9 hours
• Distance: 22 kilometers / 14 miles
• Altitude: 914 meters / 3,000 feet
• Start Time: 8:00am
• End Time: 5:00pm

Moderately Easy: Wild Horse Tracking
After enjoying a buffet breakfast at EcoCamp, we’ll head towards the Laguna Azul sector. From here, we’ll begin our journey by 4×4 through the folds of the Cordillera Masle, from which we’ll be able to appreciate the Cordillera Baguales, Salto Las Chinas and Barranca de los Toros pass.

After about 40 minutes, we’ll arrive at a typical “puesto” where Patagonian “gauchos” would take refuge while caring for their livestock. Here, we’ll hear a short but interesting introduction to the area’s history and the evolution and characteristics of its wild horses.With the help of satellite tracking equipment, coupled with our guide’s experience and knowledge, we’ll begin our trek, searching for the 100 untamed horses that remain isolated in this sector surrounded by mountains, lakes, and plains, in the most pristine and untouched terrain of Torres del Paine.

Depending on the location of the horses, we’ll choose a place to have lunch and share our stories and experiences. The experience of tracking, observing, and analysing the horses in such natural surroundings is uncomparable. Additionally, we’ll be privy to fantastic views of Lago Stokes, the Cordillera Dickson and the imposing Towers. After 7-8 hours, we’ll return to EcoCamp, ready to enjoy an aperitif before settling down to a warm meal.

NOTE: The Wild Horse Tracking is not available during winter; the excursion is therefore not offered in May & September. During May and September (low season) the excursion will be replaced by a 6km/7.50mi walk to Salto Grande & El Condor Lookout: After breakfast we head westwards by van, taking a route along the southern shore of Nordenskjold lake.

Our first stop is the magnificent Salto Grande waterfall, with its impressive cascading waters falling from Nordenskjold lake into Pehoe Lake. From here it’s a short walk to Cuernos viewpoint, with a panoramic view of the mighty Horns. From the viewpoint, we drive to Pehoe Lake and begin the two hour round-trip walk to El Condor Lookout from its shores.

We go gently uphill through the steppe vegetation; a great opportunity to learn about the local flora. Here we witness the piercing blue of Pehoe Lake and and the Paine river. On a clear day, we can see the immensity of the Southern Patagonian ice fields in the distance. We re-energize while taking in the whole Paine Mountain range and its stunning snowcapped peaks. After a hearty lunch in this perfect location, we backtrack along the same trail and drive back to EcoCamp.

• Difficulty: Moderately easy
• Activity: Nature Walk
• Approximate Walking Time: 6 hours
• Distance: 8 kilometer / 4 miles
• Altitude: 300 meters / 1,000 feet
• Start Time: 8:00am
• End Time: 5:00pm

Very Challenging: Cerro Paine Trek
We leave after a tasty breakfast at EcoCamp to head to Cerro Paine, a nearby mountain characterized by its two imposing peaks. We hike along the mountain for half an hour, which allows us to warm up while admiring the view of the surrounding pampas. The challenge begins as we start climbing the eastern part of Cerro Paine.

We cross the lenga forest with the sound of the local birds and enjoy a few stops to observe the immense Almirante Nieto Mountain and its glacier on our left side. With any luck we will follow the tracks of the puma as the towers come into full view. A nice place for lunch, isn’t it? As we are ready to start the steepest part of the hike, we leave the forest and hike on the rock.

As we go up, we admire the spectacular panoramic view of the immense pampas and the mountains in the distance, like the Balmaceda mountain. We walk upward for about an hour up to 1500m/4920ft to reach the eastern peak of Cerro Paine, which offers an unforgettable lookout of the towers and the ascencio valley. After chilling and taking in one of the most striking views of the national park, we backtrack along the same trail and return to EcoCamp.

• Difficulty: Very Challenging
• Activity: Hiking
• Approximate Walking Time: 8 hours
• Distance: 16 kilometers / 9 miles
• Altitude: 1,500 meters / 4,920 feet
• Start Time: 9:00am
• End Time: 5:00pm

Easy: Salto Grande Waterfall & Condor Lookout
After breakfast we head westwards by van, taking a route along the southern shore of Nordenskjold lake. Our first stop is the magnificent Salto Grande waterfall, with its impressive cascading waters falling from Nordenskjold lake into Pehoe Lake. From here it’s a short walk to Cuernos viewpoint, with a panoramic view of the mighty Horns.

From the viewpoint, we drive to Pehoe Lake and begin the two-hour round-trip walk to El Condor Lookout from its shores. We go gently uphill through the steppe vegetation; a great opportunity to learn about the local flora. Here we witness the piercing blue of Pehoe Lake and the Paine river.

On a clear day, we can see the immensity of the Southern Patagonian ice fields in the distance. We re-energize while taking in the whole Paine Mountain range and its stunning snowcapped peaks. After a hearty lunch in this perfect location, we backtrack along the same trail and drive back to EcoCamp.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Activity: Walking
• Approximate Walking Time: 2 hours
• Start Time: 10:00am
• End Time: 5:00pm