Argentina · Chile · El Chaltén
Patagonia Wild Trek
Granite spires, glacier crossings, and estancia nights — a curated lodge-to-lodge trek across Argentine and Chilean Patagonia.
Patagonia is two countries pretending to be one ecosystem, separated by a border that ignores wind, ice, and granite. This ten-night journey moves you between both sides — starting on the Argentine slope at the foot of Fitz Roy, crossing south by land to El Calafate and the Perito Moreno glacier, then traversing into Chilean Torres del Paine for the legendary "W" hike, broken across four estancia and refugio stays.
This is an active trip — average hiking day is six hours with 600–900 m of elevation — but it's not a tent expedition. Every night you have a hot shower, a real bed, and a kitchen-cooked dinner. The guiding ratio stays at four travellers per lead guide, with a second wilderness-first-aid-certified guide on every full-day route.
The itinerary is deliberately back-loaded: easier acclimatisation days first, the harder "Towers" base trek mid-week, and a recovery day before flying out. The result is a trip that pushes you without breaking you, and that puts you in the right valleys on the right days when the wind allows it.
Weather is the unspoken thirteenth traveller. Our guides hold a flexible day in reserve for every leg, and routes are decided at the previous evening's briefing.
Your itinerary
11 days
- 01
Arrival in El Calafate
Land in El Calafate, transfer 220 km north to El Chaltén on a paved road that follows Lago Argentino's edge.
TransportPrivate transfer El Calafate (FTE) → El Chaltén (~3h)
AccommodationAguas Arriba Lodge — only-by-boat lakeside lodge
Reached by a 20-minute boat ride across Lago del Desierto. Twelve rooms, family-run, panoramic dining room.
ActivityWelcome briefing and gear check
- 02
Laguna Capri and Fitz Roy first view
A moderate 12 km warm-up hike with 350 m of elevation, ending with the first close-up of the Fitz Roy massif.
ActivityHike to Laguna Capri
Five hours round-trip through lenga forest, with a long lunch at the lake.
AccommodationAguas Arriba Lodge
- 03
Laguna de los Tres — Fitz Roy base camp
The hardest day on the Argentine side. 22 km round-trip, with the final hour gaining 400 m to the granite amphitheatre.
ActivityTrek to Laguna de los Tres
Eight to nine hours total. The final scree climb is steep but well-marked.
AccommodationAguas Arriba Lodge
- 04
Transfer south — El Calafate and Perito Moreno
A recovery day, mostly by vehicle, ending in front of one of the world's most active glaciers.
TransportEl Chaltén → El Calafate (~3h)
ActivityPerito Moreno glacier — boat approach and balconies
Forty-minute boat to the south wall, then the elevated walkway system for the iconic ice-calving viewpoints.
AccommodationEOLO Patagonia's Spirit — Relais & Châteaux estancia
- 05
Cross into Chile — Torres del Paine
A long overland day across the border post at Cerro Castillo, into the heart of Chilean Patagonia.
TransportOverland transfer El Calafate → Torres del Paine (~6h with border)
AccommodationRefugio Las Torres — twin shared room with private bath
- 06
The Towers base trek
The trip's signature day: 19 km round-trip, 900 m of ascent, finishing at the lake under the three granite towers.
ActivityTrek to the base of the Torres del Paine
Nine to ten hours, with the final 45 minutes scrambling up moraine to the lake at 850 m.
AccommodationRefugio Las Torres
- 07
French Valley refugio transfer
Cross Lago Pehoé by catamaran and walk to the next refugio, with views of Los Cuernos along the way.
TransportCatamaran across Lago Pehoé
ActivityWalk to Refugio Paine Grande
Three hours along the lake, easy gradient.
AccommodationRefugio Paine Grande — twin shared room
- 08
French Valley hike
A spectacular up-and-back into the hanging valley between Cerro Paine Grande and Los Cuernos.
ActivityFrench Valley trek
20 km, 600 m of elevation, with the upper viewpoint amphitheatre of granite and ice.
AccommodationRefugio Paine Grande
- 09
Grey glacier viewpoint and exit
Final hiking day — a 4-hour out-and-back to the Grey glacier overlook, then catamaran out of the park.
ActivityGrey glacier viewpoint
TransportCatamaran + private vehicle to Puerto Natales
AccommodationThe Singular Patagonia — restored cold-storage plant on the fjord
- 10
Recovery day in Puerto Natales
A slow day with a long lunch and a sauna. The hotel's spa floors look out over the Última Esperanza fjord.
ActivityOptional fjord kayak (2h)
AccommodationThe Singular Patagonia
- 11
Departure from Punta Arenas
Three-hour transfer south to Punta Arenas airport for your departing flight.
TransportPrivate transfer Puerto Natales → Punta Arenas (PUQ)
What's included
- All accommodation (estancia + refugios + 2 boutique hotels)
- All meals from day 1 dinner to day 10 lunch (10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners)
- Two licensed wilderness guides per group on all hiking days
- All overland transfers including the Argentina–Chile border crossing
- Perito Moreno boat-and-walk excursion
- Park entrance fees (Los Glaciares + Torres del Paine)
- Backpack, trekking poles, and emergency satellite beacon
Not included
- International flights to El Calafate (FTE)
- Departure flight from Punta Arenas (PUQ)
- Travel insurance with adventure-sports coverage (mandatory)
- Personal hiking boots and base layers
- Tips for guides
- Optional ice-hike on Perito Moreno glacier (€180)
Best time to visit
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