Patagonia Highlights: 9-Day Adventure 

Self-Guided Hike to Laguna Torre

Today’s adventure takes you along one of Patagonia’s classic hiking trails, leading through the wilderness of Los Glaciares National Park towards Cerro Torre and the beautiful Laguna Torre.

This approximately 8-hour, 12-mile (19 km) trek is moderately challenging, with gradual terrain and no major steep climbs, making it a rewarding option for hikers looking to spend a full day surrounded by some of South America’s most impressive mountain scenery.

The trail winds through native lenga and ñire forests, with views of snow-capped peaks appearing along the way. After passing the De Agostini campsite, continue towards the frontal moraine, where a short ascent reveals Laguna Torre, often dotted with icebergs that have broken away from the nearby glacier and framed by the dramatic Cerro Torre massif.

For those looking to extend the experience, continue approximately one mile to the Maestri viewpoint for an even broader panorama of the glacier, lagoon, and surrounding Patagonian peaks.

After enjoying the scenery, return along the same trail to El Chaltén.

Transfer El Chaltén / El Calafate

In the afternoon, board a bus for the approximately 3-hour journey back to El Calafate. Sit back and enjoy the vast landscapes of the Patagonian steppe, with distant mountains, lakes, and open skies accompanying you along the way.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure. Explore El Calafate at your own pace, stroll through the town, discover its shops and cafés, or sample some of Patagonia’s traditional flavors, such as roasted lamb and calafate berry ice cream.

Located on the shores of Lake Argentino, El Calafate is the gateway to some of South America’s most spectacular glaciers and the perfect base for the next stage of your Patagonian adventure.

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel for an unforgettable visit to Los Glaciares National Park, home to the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier and one of South America’s most impressive natural landscapes.

Travel from El Calafate across the vast Patagonian steppe before reaching the park. Once there, explore the network of walkways and viewing platforms, which offer spectacular perspectives of the glacier from different angles and bring you remarkably close to its immense walls of ice. With some luck, you may witness the dramatic sight and sound of ice calving into the waters below.

During the visit, a bilingual guide will introduce you to the fascinating geology and natural history of this enormous ice formation. Afterwards, board a boat for a navigation that takes you closer to the glacier’s towering front, offering a completely different perspective of its scale, textures, and intense blue colors.

At the end of this memorable encounter with one of Patagonia’s greatest natural wonders, you will be transferred back to your hotel in El Calafate.

Bus El Calafate / Puerto Natales 

Today, your journey continues across the border into Chile. In the morning, make your own way to the El Calafate bus station and board a bus to Puerto Natales. Remember to have your passport ready for the international border crossing.

During the approximately 5-hour journey, travel across the vast Patagonian steppe, surrounded by open plains and distant mountains as you make your way from Argentine to Chilean Patagonia.

Upon arrival in Puerto Natales, you will make your own way to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure. Located on the shores of the Última Esperanza Sound, this colorful town is the main gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, one of South America’s most celebrated natural destinations.

Take some time to explore the waterfront, wander through the town’s quiet streets, discover local shops and cafés, or simply relax while enjoying the atmosphere of this remote corner of Chilean Patagonia.

Today, enjoy a day at leisure to discover Puerto Natales and its surroundings at your own pace. Take a walk along the shores of Última Esperanza Sound, explore the town’s colorful streets and local cafés, or simply relax while enjoying the atmosphere of Chilean Patagonia.

Optional Tour – Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers: For those looking to explore further, we recommend a full-day navigation through the Patagonian fjords to discover the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. Sail through remote waterways once traveled by the region’s early pioneers and enter Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, one of Chile’s largest protected areas.

Surrounded by mountains, forests, waterfalls, and glaciers, this navigation offers another perspective of Patagonia and the pristine wilderness that makes this remote corner of South America so remarkable.

Bus Puerto Natales / El Calafate 

Today, your journey takes you back across the border from Chile to Argentina. Make your own way to the Puerto Natales bus station and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Remember to keep your passport handy for the international border crossing.

Travel through the vast Patagonian steppe as you return to El Calafate, enjoying another opportunity to admire the open landscapes and distant mountains that connect Argentine and Chilean Patagonia.

Upon arrival, make your own way to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Explore downtown El Calafate, browse local shops, or discover some of Patagonia’s traditional flavors. Try a local craft beer alongside Patagonian lamb, followed by calafate berry ice cream or a classic Argentine flan with dulce de leche.

It is the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the local atmosphere after your journey through two countries and some of South America’s most remarkable landscapes.

Transfer El Calafate Hotel / El Calafate Airport

Today marks the end of your journey through Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred from your hotel to El Calafate Airport for your onward flight.

From the trails and granite peaks of El Chaltén to the immense Perito Moreno Glacier and the dramatic landscapes of Torres del Paine, this adventure has introduced you to some of the most remarkable scenery in South America.

If you would like to continue exploring, Argentina and the rest of South America offer countless possibilities. From the culture and energy of Buenos Aires to the vineyards of Mendoza, the waterfalls of Iguazú, or the remote landscapes of the Andes, your journey does not have to end here.

Have a safe journey!

We make every effort to deliver your itinerary and hotel reservations exactly as planned. Occasionally, weather conditions, natural events, or other circumstances affecting your safety may require our local operators to modify the order of services.