This trekking adventure in the southern Patagonian Andes of Chile and Argentina takes in three of the natural wonders of South America: The Los Glaciares (Fitzroy) National Park, the Torres Del Paine National Park, and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Effort is amply rewarded by the spectacular scenery.
In Torres del Paine National Park, condors, rheas and guanacos can be seen in the area. A wonder of natural sculpture, the two thousand metre high Cuernos (Horns) and Torres (Towers) must be seen to be believed.
The massif is encircled by a glacial hydrological system linking numerous opaque, silica-rich lakes of various hues of blue. Our time in the park takes us up to the vertical Torres, into the spectacular French valley, and to the spectacular iceberg-filled Grey Lake.
Our trekking itinerary in the Fitzroy area gives us the opportunity to get up close to the north wall of Fitzroy (3441 metres) and the fabulous granite spire of Cerro Torre.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Calafate or Punta Arenas, transfer in hotel. El Calafate is a small town of some four thousand inhabitants, El Calafate was for several decades a tiny staging post for the wagons transporting wool between remote estancias (sheep stations) and the coast. It lies near the shore of the vast, turquoise lake Argentino and is today a gateway to the natural wonders of the Los Glaciares national park
Day 2
Public bus to Puerto Natales, hotel. This remote town of 15,000 inhabitants stands on Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) Sound at the centre of an intricate network of fjords and snow-capped islands. The gulf is home to a variety of rare bird species, including the black-necked swan.
Day 3
Optional full day trip trip to see penguin colony (USD 25), or boat trip to Balmaceda glacier (USD 60), or sea kayak for a day (USD 60). Hotel
Torres del Paine Programme
This is our version of the “W” hike. We try to keep off the beaten track as much as possible. Days will be spent exploring this untouched, remote and pristine wilderness. Entering the park via Last Hope Sound and then the Serrano River this introduction to Patagonia is spectacular. Working our way up two waterways through the immense Bernardo O’Higgins National Park en route to Paine we will get a chance to see the Balmaceda, Serrano and Tyndall glaciers, Lago Toro and an endless chain of mountains and snowcapped peaks. A final boat ride up to the face of Grey Glacier and we will get dropped off just in front of this immense chunk of ice and begin our walk through Torres del Paine National park.
Our days ahead include stops at Lake Pehoe, the beautiful French Valley and the three soaring granite towers that give the park its name as well as a chance to see some of the numerous wildlife that abounds in the park.
Day 4
After breakfast we board the boat for a cruise up the Last Hope Sound to Mount Balmaceda. We will get a chance to see the Balmaceda hanging glacier which spills down into the fjord and then after a short hike get up close to the Serrano Glacier. After lunch we board zodiacs and cruise up the Serrano River entering Bernardo O'Higgins National Park passing the massive Tyndall glacier en route and finally ending up at Torres del Paine National Park. Our first night camping is on the bank of the peaceful Serrano River with spectacular views across the pampas towards the Paine massif. Enjoy a stroll and a glass of wine while dinner is prepared.
Day 5
Today we pack our lunches and transfer to Lago Grey where we walk along the shores of this large lake - turquoise icebergs are seen floating in the lake. At the far end of the lake lies Grey Glacier, the largest in the park. After our walk we board the new Grey 2 launch and set off into the iceberg choked lake towards the walls of this spectacular Glacier. The short boat trip will give us up close up views of this spectacle as well as stunning views of Paine Grande and surrounding mountains. The boat will leave us at the foot of the glacier where we start our hike along the shores of the lake. One of the classic hikes in the park today we climb up and out of the valley enjoying views of Grey glacier, the Patagonian ice-cap and innumerable mountains. Our destination and camp for the night is the shores of Lake Pehoe. Organized camp with full facilities.
Day 6
Today we head out towards the French Valley and along the edge of Lake Nordjenskold. A full day’s hike - we enjoy fantastic views of the amphitheatre of granite peaks that make up this enclosed valley as well all the waterscapes below including lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold. Our destination is the refuge Cuernos set below the imposing Horns of Paine. Night in bunk bed accommodation with shared facilities.
Day 7
Today’s hike takes us along the foothills of the Horns of Paine with the shore of Lake Nordjenskold on our right. For the brave a chance to swim in the freezing waters of this spectacular lake as we hike towards the three granite spires that give the park its name, the Towers of Paine. We camp at teh base of the Torres in an organized camp with full facilities.
Day 8
Today’s hike is the toughest, but worthwhile as we climb to the Towers themselves. Today we head out of camp and up the Ascencio valley via a steep, zig-zagging path which turns into the ravine high above the foaming river. The trail then passes through forest for an hour and a half. With patience, one of the extrovert forest-dwelling bird species, such as the screeching Austral parakeet (enicognathus terrugineus - southernmost parrot species in the world), flame-crested Magellanic Woodpecker (campephilus magellanicus) or mottled Chilean Flicker (colaptes pitius), may be spotted. Eventually we emerge onto an exposed moranic slope for the final clamber over boulders, ending at the moraine lip (1000m) and the Laguna Torre view point. The three pillars of the awesome Torres del Paine soar to almost 2km above the glacier-encrusted cirque. The descent to camp takes about three hours. Last night under canvas enjoying a fireside dinner.
Day 9
Pack up camp for our transfer back to Puerto Natales.
Day 10
Public bus to Calafate (6 hours), hotel.
Day 11
Perito Moreno glacier half day visit and hotel.
This day is dedicated to observing close-up the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. Vast in scale (over four miles wide and 60 metres high at its face!), this almost surreal spectacle is set amid a labyrinthine system of iceberg-filled waterways, and backed by deciduous beech forests and snow peaks. Spectacular even by the standards of the Los Glaciares National Park, this glacier also represents an anomaly: The Perito Moreno, unlike the other glaciers of the region, is still growing. Periodically (every so many years) its advancing edge reaches the near shore, cutting off and damming up the Brazo Sur ice-berg channel. When this occurs, the steadily-building water pressure forces a breach in the ice and eventually a huge volume of water bursts forth and surges through to Lake Argentino. A feature of the glacier is the frequent, ear-splitting calving of ice-bergs.
Fitzroy Programme
Day 12
Today we travel by bus north then west across Patagonia's 'flat, endless' plains, and finally through rolling pre-Andean heath. Flanking the opaque-blue waters of Lake Viedma to the south, we gradually approach a row of jagged peaks which, loom up ahead. Our destination is El Chalten, a small settlement on the floodplain of the Rio de Las Vueltas. It is set amid the magnificent surroundings of the Fitzroy Range on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park. The park comprises some 2300 square miles of forested mountains, sheer granitic spires and immense glaciers and lakes. It is one of the great glacial regions of the world. Hotel.
Day 13
Today, accompanied an English speaking guide, you can trek to the foot of Mount Fitzroy (3441 metres). This spectacular granite peak, named in honour of the captain of the Beagle, the ship Charles Darwin sailed on in the 1830s, reaches two miles into the sky and was first climbed in 1953. Return to Chalten and hotel.
Day 14
Today we suggest you walk to Cerro Torre base camp. Cerro Torre (3128 metres) is a sheer, needle-shaped mountain which was once rated unclimbable and conquered only after Everest. The walk is straightforward and doesn't require a guide. In the afternoon you can continue the walk to the old Maestri base camp along a moraine ridge on the northern side of Laguna Torre (source of the Fitzroy river). From here, weather permitting, you will have superb views of Cerro Torre, Aguja Standhardt and Torre Egger. Return to Chalten and hotel.
Day 15
Morning free to wander. In the afternoon travel by bus from El Chalten back to Calafate. Hotel.
Day 16
Transfer out.
Alternatives include out trek around the entire Paine massif on our Paine Circuit or, to reach the really remote areas, our Paine W trek and kayak trip.
Check our group and tailor made options. And you can always contact the office with questions or for advice.
The price includes: land transport as specified, 3 star hotel accommodation in towns (private bath and b'fast), all meals in Paine national park, Paine entry fee, camping and refuge in Paine, horse/vehicle or porter support and guide in Paine. One day only guide in Fitzroy for introduction to area etc - walks are very straightfoward and well signed and can be done as day walks - so no need to carry luggage.
Not included: Meals in Puerto Natales, Calafate or Chalten (other than b'fasts), airport tax, optional excurions.
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