Holly and Blaine Murphy
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, CHILE
You will be met in Punta Arenas either at your hotel or at the airport. From Punta Arenas you’ll be driven to EcoCamp Patagonia–located in the world famous Torres del Paine National Park.
During summer, the sun sets around 11 pm: as you drive in you will have plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizons. Enjoy a couple of steps before your arrival: the first 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.
Overnight EcoCamp Suite Domes
Day 2
GLACIER GREY- TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, CHILE
You’ll be driven 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’ll 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 will take you on a drive south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey. After relaxing with a picnic lunch by the lake, you’ll 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.
Overnight EcoCamp Suite Domes
Day 3
EXPLORING THE EASTERN LAKES- TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, CHILE
Today you’ll hike to the Laguna Azul lookout point where you’ll have a gorgeous view of both the lagoon and granite towers. You’ll continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento to the calcium formations on the lake’s shores where guanacos are often seen.
Later, you’ll trek to Paso Las Corneas with spectacular views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. You 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, celebrate with a farewell dinner. This is sadly your last night in Torres del Paine. Your days in the Park will make for profound memories when you return home.
Overnight EcoCamp Suite Domes
Day 4
TRANSFER TO LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINA
Wake up and after enjoying a delicious breakfast, board the van and start driving to the Cerro Castillo international border crossing. Once you complete the immigration process, you’ll enter Argentina and continue to Calafate, a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park amidst dramatic scenery and natural beauty.
A local coordinator will meet you at the restaurant where you’ll have lunch before heading to your next destination–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.
You’ll arrive at Hostería Los Cerros with time to get a well-deserved rest either in your room or in any of the nice areas of this beautiful hostería.
Overnight Hostería Los Cerros
Day 5
LAGUNA TORRE, LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINA
Today you’ll 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, walk eastward, following the trail through beech forests and bogs to a pleasant encounter with Fitroy River. You’ll 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. Stop at different points to take in the magnificent view and enjoy a picnic. Later, return to Chalten following the same trail. Upon returning from the hike, the evening is free for you to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Overnight Hostería Los Cerros
Day 6
MONTE FITZROY, MOUNTAIN OF MOUNTAINS LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK, ARGENTINA
Today’s hike is along Rio Blanco; you’ll follow its path until reaching a place with one of the best available views of Monte Fitzroy – the landmark in Los Glaciares National Park. Once again, a delicious breakfast and lots of enthusiasm is required. Initially you 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 you 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 cannot help but taste better!
When ready, you’ll come back through another trail heading to Laguna Capri, which will takes you back to tiny Chalten. Return in time to recover and enjoy your last night in this beautiful park.
Overnight Hostería Los Cerros
Day 7
LAST MEMORIES IN CHALTEN, GLACIER PERITO MORENO ON THE WAY!
After breakfast, prepare your luggage and start your way back to Calafate, following the same road filled with Argentinean pampas that welcomed you some days ago. Arrive in Calafate around noon, in time to check-in at Hotel Kosten Aike, leave your luggage and prepare for your final excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, the cherry of the pie.
Unlike the regular tours, upon arriving on site, you will not go straight to the regular panoramic views. Instead, you’ll first marvel at the splendor of the glacier’s less frequented north face. You’ll both watch and hear giant chunks of ice plummet into the waters of Lake Argentino.
As you face Moreno Glacier, your guide will answer all questions about the area. You 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, drive back to Calafate. This is your final night. Enjoy a tasteful farewell dinner and then sleep.
Overnight in Los Glaciares National Park
Day 8
ADIOS!
Today is the end of this memorable trip. Adios Patagonia! After breakfast, a transfer will take you to the airport to return home or continue with additional travel.
