Paine & Fitz Roy Trek 2027

Please make your own way to the group hotel in Calafate. A pre-trip briefing will be given around 6pm in your hotel, please ensure you are in the hotel lobby at this time. Overnight: Hotel Quijote or similar.

Meals: Nil

Today we travel to one of Patagonia’s most awe-inspiring landmarks, the Perito Moreno Glacier. This impressive icefield advances across the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino and offers a dramatic introduction to Argentina’s glacial landscapes. Travel is by shared service with other visitors. Upon arrival, you may choose to explore the glacier via two unforgettable optional experiences (advance booking required): the Mini-Trekking on Ice, where you don crampons and walk across the crevassed surface with expert guides, or a boat excursion that sails close to the towering south face of the glacier, offering front-row views of potential calving ice. For those joining the Mini-Trekking, the adventure begins with a short boat ride across the lake, followed by a guided forest walk. After instruction, you'll spend 1–3 hours navigating the ice, discovering blue crevasses, frozen ridges, and meltwater channels underfoot. This option is available only to travellers aged 10–65 with no pre-existing medical conditions, in accordance with local operator insurance policies. If you prefer to skip the ice walk, you may instead enjoy a scenic boat cruise in the Bajo de las Sombras Bay, approaching within 300 metres of the glacier wall — a prime position to witness ice calving into the lake. Additional walking trails and boardwalks provide elevated viewpoints of this constantly shifting natural wonder. In the late afternoon, regroup and travel by private vehicle to El Chaltén, Patagonia’s trekking capital nestled at the foot of the Fitz Roy range. We arrive in the evening, ready to begin our hiking adventures tomorrow. Overnight: Poincenot Hotel or similar. Please Note: the ice trekking option on the Perito Moreno Glacier is only available for travellers between 10 and 65 years of age without any type of special pre-existing medical condition (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, pregnancy, etc). Our team in Argentina has the right to exclude you from the ice trekking if not all necessary criteria for participation are met.

Meals: B,L

After breakfast, we transfer by private vehicle to Hosteria El Pilar, where our hike begins. We follow a scenic trail through a forest of lenga trees, characteristic of the Patagonian landscape—alongside the Blanco River. Along the way, we pause to learn about the region’s unique flora and fauna. After about an hour, we reach the Piedras Blancas viewpoint for sweeping views of the glacier and the marks left by its gradual retreat. As we continue toward Poincenot Camp, the imposing Fitz Roy massif draws ever closer. Crossing a small bridge over the Blanco River, we begin the final ascent to Laguna de los Tres. This glacial lake, set beneath towering granite spires, is the perfect spot for a well-earned break, photos, and lunch on the shoreline. After soaking in the views, we descend to Poincenot Camp, where snacks await and a hearty dome-cooked dinner is served including drinks and dessert. Overnight: Poincenot Camp or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today's route leads us through the serene Valley of the Lakes, passing Laguna Madre and Laguna Hija, known as the "Mother and Daughter" lakes, with Fitz Roy’s towering peaks receding behind us. We'll pause to take in the scenic views and, with luck, spot Patagonian geese along the way. The trail continues into the spectacular Cerro Torre valley, winding through native lenga and ñire forests until we cross an ancient glacial moraine. This brings us to the shores of Laguna Torre, a stunning lake often filled with floating icebergs, with the impressive Grande Glacier as its backdrop. Weather permitting, we may continue a little further to the Maestri Viewpoint, named after the Italian climber Cesare Maestri, for a closer look at the glacier. Our return journey takes us back through the Cerro Torre valley, following the Fitz Roy River past a classic viewpoint and finishing at the picturesque Margarita Waterfall before arriving back in El Chaltén. Overnight: Poincenot Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L

Today we enjoy a final day exploring Los Glaciares National Park, with the option of a rewarding full-day hike to the viewpoint of Pliegue Tumbado (1,500m / 4,921ft), conditions permitting. This scenic trail offers expansive views over the Río Túnel Valley, framed by snow-covered peaks and verdant slopes. From the top, we can see across to Mount Huemul, the shimmering waters of Lago Toro, and the dramatic tongue of the Tunnel Glacier. After descending and returning to El Chaltén, we meet our private transfer for the drive back to El Calafate, arriving in the evening around 8:00pm. Overnight: Hotel Lar Aike or similar.

Meals: B,L

This morning we depart El Calafate and journey across the expansive Argentine steppe toward Chilean Patagonia. Travelling by comfortable public bus, we cross the border and continue to the charming port town of Puerto Natales, located on the shores of the scenic Última Esperanza Fjord. On arrival, we check into our hotel and prepare for the W-Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing and assist with repacking for the days ahead. Overnight Hotel Vendaval or similar.

Meals: B

We begin the day with a hotel pick-up in Puerto Natales and transfer by vehicle through Torres del Paine National Park to Lake Grey, approximately a two-hour scenic drive. Upon arrival, we board the Grey III catamaran for a one-hour journey across the lake to the Bigfoot Patagonia basecamp. At the base, our expert glacier guides will deliver a detailed briefing for the ice hike covering the route, safety considerations, and proper use of equipment. After fitting and adjusting the gear, we take a 15-minute Zodiac ride across to the western edge of the Grey Glacier. Disembarking on a rocky island known as a nunatak, we hike for about an hour across this unique terrain until we reach the glacier. Before stepping onto the ice, your guide will lead a safety session covering walking techniques and equipment use. The glacier hike itself lasts around three hours, during which we explore dramatic crevasses, ice tunnels, meltwater rivers, and bright blue lagoons—an unforgettable immersion in a frozen world. After completing our exploration, we return to the base camp via Zodiac and then transfer back to our accommodation. Overnight: Refugio Grey or camping

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we continue our W-Trek, hiking from Grey Glacier to Paine Grande. The trail gently undulates along the eastern shoreline of Lake Grey, offering magnificent views of icebergs adrift in its striking turquoise waters. Along the way, the dramatic silhouette of Paine Grande towers above, and if the skies are clear, you'll enjoy panoramic vistas that perfectly capture the grandeur of Torres del Paine. After approximately 3–4 hours of scenic walking (11 km / 6.8 mi), we arrive at Paine Grande, our base for the night. Nestled on the shores of Lake Pehoé, this is one of the most iconic and picturesque locations in the park. Overnight: Camping or refugio.

Meals: B,L,D

Today we head into the heart of Torres del Paine with a spectacular trek into the French Valley, one of the park’s most dramatic and beautiful landscapes. Towering granite spires surround this natural amphitheatre, while hanging glaciers regularly calve ice with a thunderous crack, echoing across the valley. There are two hiking options today, depending on fitness level, weather, and group preferences: Option A takes us all the way to British Camp at the far end of the valley, completing a round trip of 24 km (15 mi) in around 7–8 hours. Option B is a shorter trek to the French Valley Main Lookout, a scenic viewpoint offering incredible panoramas of the cirque of peaks and glaciers. This hike covers 16 km (10 mi) over 5–6 hours. Both options provide unforgettable views and a true sense of the scale and splendour of Patagonia. Overnight: Camping or Refugio

Meals: B,L,D

Today’s trek follows the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld, offering sweeping views of emerald glacial lakes and the dramatic backdrop of the Torres del Paine Massif. As we walk through gently undulating terrain, we are treated to some of the most picturesque scenery in the park — shimmering waters, rugged peaks, and expansive valleys. We end the day at the Torres sector, readying ourselves for tomorrow’s highlight: the hike to the base of the iconic granite towers. Overnight: Camping or refugio

Meals: B,L,D

Today is the grand finale of the iconic “W” Trek. Begin the day with a steady two-hour ascent into the scenic Ascencio Valley, stopping at Refugio Chileno to rest and refuel. The trail continues for about an hour through native lenga (beech) forest before reaching the glacial moraine. From here, a final steep push takes us to the famous Torres del Paine viewpoint, where the three sheer granite towers rise dramatically from a turquoise glacial lake. The "Three Towers" (Torres del Paine) are the iconic granite peaks, Torre d'Agostini, Torre Central, and Torre Monzino and represent one of Patagonia's most breathtaking vistas. After soaking in the incredible view, we begin our descent, which takes approximately four hours. Back at the trailhead, we reunite with our transport and drive to Puerto Natales to celebrate our trek with a farewell dinner. Overnight: Hotel Vendaval or similar

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred by private vehicle from your hotel to the bus station in Puerto Natales. From here, board a regular public bus for the scenic journey across the Chile–Argentina border to El Calafate. This morning we drive back to El Calafate. The drive will take around 5 hours and we should arrive in El Calafate by approximately 2:00pm (bus station), depending on border crossing wait times. Please do not plan to depart El Calafate before 5:30pm (or later). If you require a transfer to the airport or a private transfer to your hotel in El Calafate, please let us know and we can organise this (additional cost).

Meals: B