Classic Southern Patagonia Active Tour - 16 Days

Day 2: Day Trip to Isla Magdalena Penguin Colony

It's time for your first excursion in Patagonia! Bright and early, you'll transfer from downtown Punta Arenas by vehicle to a pier on the Strait of Magellan, then board a boat that will take you 18 miles (30 km) northeast to Isla Magdalena. On this island is Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, a protected area home to Chile's largest colony of Magellanic penguins (over 100,000 of them).

First, though, you'll travel to Isla Marta. Located in the middle of the strait, it's home to a large colony of Patagonian sea lions whose numbers top a thousand. These aren't the only residents on this rocky outpost—you'll also find several seabirds, which include cormorants, skuas, arctic pigeons, and more.

Eventually, you'll arrive at Isla Magdalena, where you'll disembark and spend one hour onshore. While here, you'll follow a 2,624-foot (800 m) path to an old lighthouse that offers sweeping views of the strait. As you go, you'll enjoy the company of the island's penguin residents. There's no experience on earth like hiking alongside these waddling birds amid waters that Magellan himself first mapped and later made famous by Charles Darwin. Afterward, it's time to return to the boat and transfer back to Punta Arenas.

Day 3: Transfer to Puerto Natales, Optional Activities

After breakfast, you'll hop on a bus for the three-hour drive north to Puerto Natales. This waterfront town is famous as the base for excursions into Torres del Paine, a legendary protected area that covers 700 square miles (1,810 sq km) and is renowned for its circuit treks. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel.

After checking in and receiving a trip briefing, you'll have the rest of the day free. Simple pleasures in Puerto Natales include strolling the promenade fronting the silver waters of the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound). In the distance, you'll see the peaks of Cerro Benitez and Cerro Toro, and the sunset views are phenomenal.

Day 4: Hiking & Horseback Riding at Estancia La Peninsula

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll set off for the beautiful Estancia La Peninsula on the Antonio Veras Peninsula. This sprawling sheep and cattle ranch is surrounded by glaciers, mountains, and beech forests. Getting there involves a fun 40-minute boat trip across the Última Esperanza Sound.

When you arrive at this working wool farm, you'll get an overview of the grounds and choose your own adventure for the day. Possible activities include horseback riding, wildlife viewing, hiking, bird-watching, and more. Your schedule depends on your interests. In the afternoon, enjoy a traditional Patagonian asado (barbecue) prepared by the staff and attend the daily sheepshearing demonstration. Return by boat to Puerto Natales in the evening.

Day 5: Guided Hike to Base Torres

The early start is well worth it, as today, you'll embark on the most famous day hike in Torres del Paine. First, meet your driver for a two-hour ride north to the entrance of the park. Once there, you'll embark on an 11.2-mile (18 km) guided hike that begins on a well-marked trail up Mount Almirante Nieto. This section of the route features spectacular views of Lago Nordenskjöld and the Asencio Valley below. After two hours of hiking, you'll reach Refugio & Camping Chileno, where you'll break for lunch.

Then it's another hour of hiking past ancient Lenga forests until you arrive at a moraine. The next part is a 45-minute hard scramble to the top and Mirador Base Torres. In this spot, three granite pillars jut out of the ground over a silver lagoon and make for the best view in the park. You'll also see the towering peaks of nearby Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte, Condor's Nest, and Glacier Torre. Later, you'll hike back down the mountain and meet your driver for the ride back to Puerto Natales. 

Day 6: Torres del Paine Full-Day Private Tour

Wake early and return to Torres del Paine. On a full-day private tour of the park, you'll visit famous attractions, such as Laguna Amarga, which features views of the iconic peaks of the Cordillera Paine. You'll also hike over a suspension bridge in the Lago Grey sector and enjoy views of glaciers. Continue trekking to Salto Grande, the park's famous thundering waterfalls. At the end of the day, you'll return to Puerto Natales.

Day 8: Perito Moreno Boat & Walking Tour

Meet your driver this morning and head out on a tour of Los Glaciares National Park. The ride there takes about an hour, and as you enter the park, you'll catch your first glimpse of the mighty Perito Moreno. This expansive glacier flows down from the Andes over the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, ending in a great wall that curves around the lake. Enjoy views of this marvel of Mother Nature via a network of wooden boardwalks on the waterfront (be sure to take plenty of photos).

Then, head over to the port at Bajo de Las Sombras and board a boat for a one-hour tour of the glacier's southern face. The first 20 minutes of the trip will take you past icebergs floating on the lake. These are the result of "calving," a periodic occurrence when ice breaks off the face of the glacier. Eventually, you'll get up close with Perito Moreno's massive ice wall, which rises as high as 230 feet (70 m). After the hourlong tour, you'll return to the port and transfer back to El Calafate.

Day 9: Transfer to El Chaltén, Explore

Leave El Calafate this morning on a three-hour drive north to El Chaltén. Nicknamed "the trekking capital of Argentina," this town sits on the banks of the Río Las Vueltas. 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. If the skies are clear during the drive, you'll have incredible views of the granite massif of Mount Fitz Roy. After checking into your hotel, you can take a walk around town and pop in at one of El Chaltén's many cafés and craft beer bars. 

Day 10: Guided Hike to Laguna de los Tres

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you'll meet your guide and head out on one of the most famous day hikes in El Chaltén: the trail up to Laguna de los Tres. Starting in town, the route covers 12.4 miles (20 km) and takes 8-9 hours to complete. During the trek, you'll pass through native lenga forests and stop at incredible viewpoints, looking out to the Fitz Roy Valley and Piedras Blancas Glacier. 

Then, cross a suspension bridge to reach Río Blanco Base Camp, a major hub for rock climbers. From there, it's a final push to Mirador Laguna de los Tres, which looks out to the gorgeous lagoon and affords panoramic views of three surrounding peaks: Fitz Roy, Poincenot, and Torre. After a break for lunch, you'll have some time to relax and enjoy the scenery before descending back to El Chaltén.

Day 11: Guided Hike to Laguna Torre

In the morning, you'll set off on a guided hike from El Chaltén to another gem of Patagonia: Laguna Torre. This lake sits at the foot of the granite peak of Cerro Torre and is fed by glacial meltwater. The trail you'll follow runs about 12 miles (20 km) and takes you through bright green lenga forests and around blue lagoons until you reach the lakeshore. After relaxing and admiring the impressive views, you'll return to El Chaltén along the same path. In total, the hike takes between 7-8 hours to complete and there will be stops for snacks and lunch along the way..

Day 12: Fly to Ushuaia, Explore

This morning, transfer back to El Calafate, where you'll board a 1.5-hour flight to Ushuaia and the Tierra del Fuego region of Patagonia. The southernmost city in the world, it's situated between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the silver waters of the Beagle Channel—the waterway Charles Darwin explored when he arrived on the HMS Beagle almost 200 years ago. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll transfer to your hotel, and after checking in, you can head out on a self-guided walking tour.

You'll find the most activity in Ushuaia's compact downtown area. There are cafés and restaurants where you can stop and try centolla (king crab), a regional specialty. If you like, stroll down the scenic waterfront and visit the Museo del Fin del Mundo (End of the World Museum). It's a small museum but is packed with fine exhibits detailing the area's natural and Indigenous history.

Day 13: Day Trip to Isla Martillo & Puerto Almanza

After breakfast, transfer east of Ushuaia through a glacial valley to Brown Bay, where you'll take a boat ride on the Beagle Channel. This cruise passes some incredible landscapes, and the highlight is visiting Isla Martillo, which is home to colonies of sea lions and Magellanic penguins.

After the boat tour ends, you'll meet a local family for lunch in the small village of Puerto Almanza. Enjoy fresh, local seafood straight from channel waters as you chat with the family, fishermen, and other village residents. It's a great way to learn about the daily routine of locals in this far-flung corner of the world. 

Later, embark on a hike through the forest along the Río Lasifashaj. The short route will take you along meadows to the Cascada Lasifashaj, a secluded waterfall. After the hike, it will be late afternoon, and you'll head to one of the famous "flag trees" of Tierra del Fuego to witness a golden Patagonian sunset. The area is full of these oddly beautiful trees, which are misshapen and bent due to the extreme winds. After the sunset, you'll transfer back to Ushuaia. 

Day 14: Day Hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park

A shuttle will pick you up in the morning at your hotel in Ushuaia for the transfer to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Located just outside the city, this vast protected area encompasses 155,000 acres (62,726 ha) of pristine wilderness that includes subantarctic forests and a rugged coastline.

Upon arrival in Ensenada Bay, you'll have a spectacular view of the Beagle Channel. There, you and your group will embark on a 4.3-mile (7 km) coastal walk amid the region's unique flora and fauna. Interesting animals here include woodpeckers, guanacos, and foxes. In addition, you'll see traces of the Yámana Indigenous settlements that once existed in the region.

After three hours, you'll arrive at Lago Roca, where a picnic lunch will be served. Relax and enjoy your leisurely meal amid gorgeous lake and river views before embarking on the last leg of the hike to the southern end of the Pan-American Highway. There, a shuttle will pick you up for the ride back to Ushuaia.

Day 15: Half-Day Hike to Laguna Esmeralda

Meet your driver at 8:30 am and leave on another active adventure that starts with a scenic drive along beautiful Route 3. Heading away from the Beagle Channel, you'll pass some of the most gorgeous valleys in Tierra del Fuego. At one such valley, you'll leave the car behind and head out on a three-hour, cross-country wilderness hike.

This 5.8-mile (9.4 km) trek will take you over a peat bog to a forest full of native lenga trees. From there, cross beaver dams and follow a stream to reach Laguna Esmeralda. Framed by snowcapped mountains and glassy turquoise waters, this is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Patagonia. Here, you can relax and enjoy lunch surrounded by some of the area's most visual hanging glaciers. Afterward, you'll head back along the same trail and meet your driver for the ride back to the city.

Day 16: Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart

You've traveled as far south as possible without dipping into Antarctica. Now it's time to head north back to civilization. In the morning, a driver will pick you up for the transfer to the airport in Ushuaia, where you'll board a plane to Buenos Aires and catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels! 

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