Active Patagonia: Torres del Paine & Los Glaciares National Parks - 12 Days

Highlights

• Spend three days hiking in Torres del Paine National Park
• Get up close with glaciers near El Calafate, Argentina
• Enjoy the bars and restaurants of Argentina's trekking capital
• Kayak on the glassy water of Lago del Desierto

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival at Santiago International Airport, a driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city. Snap photos in front of the Palacio de la Moneda, Chile's opulent presidential palace, a short stroll from the Plaza de Armas. Next, stroll the cobblestone streets of Barrio Bellavista to see colorful houses, vibrant street art, and an eclectic array of eateries and bars that are great for people-watching.

For dinner, enjoy a culinary adventure in the city. In recent years, Santiago has emerged as a global foodie destination as Chilean chefs reinvent traditional dishes, like empanadas and cazuelas (stews), with ingredients sourced from the Atacama Desert and the southern Patagonian region. You'll find great restaurants and wine bars in the Bellavista neighborhood and the revitalized historic districts of Yungay and Italia. Head back to your hotel to get some rest.

Day 2: Travel to Puerto Natales, Explore

Today you'll travel to the small port city of Puerto Natales, formerly a fishing port and now the main base for excursions into Torres del Paine National Park. The town is set on the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), offering scenic views across the water to the mountains beyond. Facing north from here, you'll see the peaks of Cerro Benitez and Cerro Toro, and the sight is especially phenomenal at sunset.

Depending on your arrival time, you might take a stroll around town and stop for a drink at one of the town's many bars and cafés. Try a traditional seafood stew in a family-run restaurant before you get some rest at your hotel. Adventures in Patagonia's landscapes await tomorrow!

Day 3: Explore Torres del Paine on a Private Guided Tour 

Have breakfast at your hotel this morning. Then you'll be picked up to embark on a journey around Torres del Paine National Park. On this full-day guided tour, you'll explore Torres del Paine's unique ecosystem and impressive viewpoints at your own pace with a knowledgeable guide. Throughout the day, visit different areas of the park—its four ecological zones include the Andean desert, Magellanic subpolar forest, Pre-Andean shrubland, and Patagonian steppe.

Along the way, you'll spot wildlife, including cougars, foxes, guanacos, and birds of prey. Take in stunning landscapes, from the park's iconic horn-shaped peaks to glacial lakes. Enjoy a few short hikes and a picnic lunch with a view. Late in the afternoon, you'll be dropped off at Hotel Las Torres, your accommodations inside the park. Get some rest before tomorrow's trek to a famous lookout point. 

Day 4: Trek to Las Torres Lookout 

After a hearty breakfast, hike up Mount Almirante Nieto to enjoy views of the Asencio Valley and Lago Nordenskjöld. The round-trip hike is about 11 miles (18 km) in total. You'll begin by walking through ancient forests, taking breaks along the way as needed. The next part is a challenging steep ascent for 45 minutes until you reach the top, known as Mirador Base Torres.

This section of the mountain, with the Torres del Paine (torre is "tower" in Spanish) looming over a green lagoon, offers one of the best views in the park! You can also marvel at the towering peaks of nearby Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte, Condor's Nest, and Glacier Torre, all set amid the sweeping backdrop of the Patagonian highlands. Break for a picnic lunch before you start making your way back down to the Hotel Las Torres to spend the evening. 

Day 5: Hike Along Lago Nordenskjöld & Return to Puerto Natales 

On your last day in the national park, enjoy a day hike departing from Hotel Las Torres. Walk along the shore of Lago Nordenskjöld, admiring its stunning colors. You'll start on the same trailhead as yesterday but veer off toward the Cuernos for an entirely different view of the park. Along the way, you'll pass several rivers, catching glimpses of glaciers and the mountaintops above you. This hike can last between four and eight hours. Depending on the weather and your energy level, you'll turn back and return to Hotel Las Torres when you're ready.

Pick up your backpack at the hotel before taking a quick shuttle to Laguna Amarga. You'll catch a two-hour bus transfer back to Puerto Natales from there. Check into your hotel in town, then spend the evening enjoying Chilean cuisine and cocktails in the town's restaurants and bars.

Day 6: Transfer to El Calafate (Argentina), Visit the Glaciarium

In the morning, transfer to El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. Welcome to Argentina! El Calafate is also known for its location on Lago Argentino, Argentina's largest freshwater lake. After checking in at your hotel and getting settled, you'll have the afternoon and evening free to stroll around town and do some sightseeing.

Get ready for tomorrow's visit to the nearby glaciers by visiting the Glaciarium. This interactive museum offers hands-on displays and an ice bar where you can take a break for drinks. If you'd rather explore the outdoors, check out the birds at the Laguna Nimez Nature Preserve just outside of town. Stop in the quaint cafés and shops around El Calafate, then have dinner in a local parrilla (steakhouse) before getting some rest at your hotel.

Day 7: Experience the Perito Moreno Glacier

Today's adventure takes you to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Transfer from your hotel to the port, where you'll board a boat and start your day sailing along the Témpano Canal. The journey takes you past stunning landscapes, glaciers, and mountains, and you'll disembark several times for short hikes. Walk through some of the oldest forests in the area, admire pristine waterfalls, and take in impressive panoramic views.

As you enter the park by boat, you'll catch your first glimpse of the majestic Perito Moreno. This extensive ice mass flows down from the Andes out over Lago Argentino, ending abruptly in a great wall that curves around the lake. Witness "calving," the awe-inspiring sight of ice breaking off the facade and crashing into the tranquil waters below. The boat will drop you near the visitor's center, where you'll have time to explore the boardwalks and viewing platforms offering sweeping views of the glacier. Head back to El Calafate for the evening.

Day 8: Arrive in El Chaltén, Explore

Today you'll board a bus for the incredibly scenic three-hour ride to El Chaltén. This small Patagonian village, nicknamed "the trekking capital of Argentina," sits on the shores of Lago Argentino. Like El Calafate, it's a gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, with towering peaks rising 10,000 feet (3,048 m) above the windswept landscape. As you drive into El Chaltén, enjoy incredible views of Mount Fitz Roy.

Check in to your hotel, then take the rest of the day to acclimate to the area. Well-marked trails lead away from town if you're up for a short outdoor adventure. Or walk around the village and have a relaxing evening in one of El Chaltén's many restaurants and craft beer bars. Sample local dishes like roast Patagonian lamb, rib-eye steak, and empanadas for dinner. Then get some rest before tomorrow's early start. 

Day 9: Hike to Laguna de Los Tres 

This morning you'll embark on a full-day excursion into the national park. Today's hike through an alpine forest will take about eight to nine hours and cover over 12 miles (20 km). Your destination is Laguna de los Tres, a gorgeous lagoon facing panoramic views of three peaks: Fitz Roy, Poincenot, and Torre. Along the trek, you'll also take in views of Piedras Blancas Glacier. Break for lunch at the lagoon, then descend toward El Chaltén via the photogenic Laguna Capri. Relax in El Chaltén in the evening.

Day 10: Explore Mountain Trails Around El Chaltén

Spend today discovering the numerous hiking trails of El Chaltén at your own pace. One popular option is the hike to Laguna Torre, leading through a glacial valley to a scenic lagoon. This trek takes about six hours. Another possibility is the hike to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, which takes between six and seven hours and features excellent views over the park. If the weather is clear, you might enjoy the vistas of Viedma Lake. In the evening, return to El Chaltén.

Day 11: Kayak Lago del Desierto

Get ready to hit the water today! Your guide will pick you up at your hotel; then, you'll set out along the scenic route toward one of the region's highlights, Lago del Desierto. Its name means "lake of the desert," and the trip takes about two hours each way. On arrival, your guide will teach you some of the basics of kayaking in the area and get you properly outfitted with the necessary equipment.

Then you'll push off onto the lake's calm, glassy water and begin your paddling adventure, enjoying views of beautiful forests and impressive peaks in the distance. Take a break at Bahía Tranquila, a section of the lake protected from the wind. Since the water is shallow here, it's a nice place to hop off the kayak and enjoy your surroundings. After a 2.5-hour trip around the lake, return to shore. Take some free time to explore the nearby trails or visit the viewpoint of the nearby Huemul Glacier before returning to town for the evening.

Day 12: Depart Patagonia

The adventure has come to an end. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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