Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago - Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine

All travellers must arrive into the Punta Arenas airport by noon this afternoon. We'll be there to greet you and transfer you to the famous Torres del Paine National Park, 345 km/216 miles away. The drive is approximately 5 hours, but a very scenic one and in the summer months (December to March) the sun sets around 11pm, so we have plenty of light to admire the landscape en route while entering the park. If we’re lucky we’ll see guanacos, rheas and huge rabbits grazing on the plains. We stop for lunch in Puerto Natales, and have some time to explore the town and visit the Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a pre-historic sloth. The craggy snow-peaked mountains become visible as we approach the park and check into our cozy eco-camp at Los Torres. There will be an extensive orientation meeting this evening over dinner where we will answer any questions that you may have about the adventure that lies ahead. Overnight at the Las Torres Eco-camp. (L,D)

Day 2: French Valley (Hike)

Our adventure begins with a 30-minute catamaran journey crossing Lake Pehoe to Pudeto. We’ll trek 8 km/5 miles to Campamento Italiano and then continue with a roundtrip to Mirador del Frances (3 km/2 miles), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine range. The vistas today are magnificent with the famous Horns of Paine directly in our path. We’ll walk along spongy plains of grasslands while watching twisty wind funnels develop on the turquoise lakes beside us. We’ll also meander through evergreen forests and follow the gurgling waters of the Frances River to El Mirador (Lookout Point). This spot is amazing with Francis Glacier directly in front of us, it’s hard to imagine just how deep the snow banks on the glacier are. We return to Campamento Italiano and then check into The Pehoe Refuge for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Pehoe - Grey Glacier (Hike)

After a hearty breakfast we set off on a 4 hour hike along “the Camino de Los Vientos” (Path of the Wind) to the northern end of “Grey Glacier”. This dramatic glacier is an ancient wall of ice sculpted by time and the elements. It’s common to see and hear pieces calving thunderously into the deep gray lake below. We’ll picnic for lunch across from Glacier Grey and with some luck we’ll have condors soaring overhead. Late afternoon we’ll board a boat and sail alongside the face of the glacier, allowing plenty of time to marvel at this beautiful natural sculpture. The journey concludes crossing Lago Grey and from here we’ll transfer from Lake Grey’s southern end to Ecocamp in Las Torres for overnight. If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate Grey Lake, we’ll hike roundtrip to the Grey Glacier (approximately 6-8 hours roundtrip) and then at Pudeto to board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Torres del Paine National Park - Valle Asencio (Hike)

Today is a full day trek to the famous Towers of Paine, a triad of sculpted granite peaks that are the remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. For 10 km/6 miles, we trudge along rolling dirt tracks through a pine forest and traverse the mountains with wide-open vistas of the deep valleys below. The last 3 km/2 miles is a scramble on foot over rocks and boulders to the base of this beautiful sculpture. You’ll feel the intensity of the natural world, as you sit beneath the jagged spires, this place is truly magnificent. Many climbers have attempted to conquer the Torres, but few have ever reached the summit. This climb is known as one of the most technical on earth. Late afternoon we return to the Las Torres Eco-camp and feast on a typical Chilean BBQ to celebrate our achievements. Approximately 8-9 hours of moderate hiking. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales

Early this morning we transfer to Puerto Natales by bus and check into a comfortable hotel in this cozy town nestled against the Pacific Ocean. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 6: Puerto Natales - El Calafate

This morning we transfer to the bus station where we’ll board a public bus to Argentina. Our Chilean guide assists the group getting on the bus, but doesn’t accompany the group. Once in El Calafate, Argentina, there will be an Argentine representative to meet us and assist us with the transfer to our estancia for the next two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 7: Los Glacieres National Park - Balconies of Perito Moreno (Hike)

After breakfast we transfer to Los Glaciares National Park in the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cap. Between the 48 and 51 South parallels, the Andean Range is covered by a large extension of permafrost known as the Patagonian continental icecap. It stretches 901 km/560 miles from north to south. It is so large, that it is also called "the third pole" because of the huge concentration of ice. It is the origin of 47 major glaciers, such as the famous Perito Moreno glacier that you will have the chance to see. With some luck we'll spot some wildlife in this area including condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles and ashy-headed geese. In the afternoon, we return to El Calafate to our hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Dinner is with the group this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 8: El Calafate - El Chalten (Hike, Bike, Kayak, Canoe)

After breakfast, we’ll be transferred to the bus station to connect with the public bus to El Chalten, a small windswept town at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. There is some free time in El Chalten for lunch, and then we’ll transfer to the Fitz Roy Adventure Camp. This wilderness adventure camp is located 17 km/10.5 miles north of El Chalten on the shore of Rio de Las Vueltas. It is surrounded by native beech-tree forest and stunning views of the north face of Mt. Fitz Roy. The lodge has a dining room, offering delicious local cuisine and robust Argentine wines. Mountain Bikes, canoes and kayaks, are available for guests wanting to enjoy the outdoors, or if you prefer, there is a cozy fireplace to relax in front of. Overnight in cabins at Fitz Roy Adventure Camp. (B,D)

Day 9: Mount Fitz Roy (Hike)

First a wholesome and hearty breakfast and then we're off for a full day trek. We ascend gradually all morning along the Rio Blanco to the base camp of the same name. This is the camp where climbers wait for a break in the weather when attempting the always-difficult ascent of the granite monolith named after Darwin’s ship Captain (The Beagle). We ascend more steeply to the Laguna de Los Tres where we will have close-up views of several of the routes used to climb Fitz Roy (weather permitting). In the afternoon, we’ll trek to Thorwood Camp, passing the Madre and Hija Lagoons. Overnight in tents at The Thorwood Campsite. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Cerro Torre (Ice Trek)

We have an exciting day ahead of us. We’ll be trekking on the ice at Cerro Torre. We start with a safety briefing and a crampon and harness checking. The hike starts around Laguna Torre, and traverses across the Fitz Roy River on a Tyrolean rope. We'll follow the rim of the moraine and eventually arrive on the Grande Glacier. On the ice, we’ll follow basic glacier travel procedures, glacier behavior and basic ice climbing practices. In the afternoon, we trek to our hotel in El Chalten where we are booked for the night (B,L,D)

Day 11: El Chalten- El Calafate - Buenos Aires

After breakfast we will transfer back to El Calafate by public bus. From here, we will transfer to the airport in El Calafate to connect with our flight to Buenos Aires. You'll be met upon arrival and transferred to a comfortable hotel in this lively cosmopolitan city. The evening is at leisure. (B)

Day 12: Departure

A BikeHike Adventures representative will transfer you to the international airport to connect with flights home.

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