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The Four Giants of Patagonia

The four giants of patagonia

24 DAYS/ 23 NIGHTS

Patagonia – a word that inevitably awakes associations with rugged mountain worlds and a nature of superlatives. A remote corner of the world, where life is as rough as the weather; and yet, its visitors are hooked once they conquer its mountains and feel the fresh breeze, their gaze wandering into the distance where infinite panoramas await.

This trek & drive tour is for all the adventurers out there who want to feel Patagonia in its essence, with their own two feet. It takes you along Patagonia´s four most imposing giants: The spectacular castle-like mountains of Cerro Castillo, the Fitz Roy massif in Los Glaciares National Park, the Torres del Paine National Park and, most adventurous of all, the toothlike peaks of Navarino Island in the southernmost extension of the continent, the “Dientes del Navarino”.

The progam

DURATION

24 days / 23 nights

Possibility to shorten trip to 18 days but leaving out the Dientes de Navarino trekking.

Day 1: Santiago de Chile

Welcome to Chile! After arrival at the international airport, you have time to acclimatize and get a glimpse of this metropolitan capital.

Overnight in Santiago de Chile.

Day 2: Santiago – Balmaceda – Villa Cerro Castillo

Take a flight south to Balmaceda, the main hub to Chile´s remote Aysén region. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car at the airport and drive on the Carretera Austral to nearby Villa Cerro Castillo.

(approx. 1 h drive – 70 km/43 mi)

Overnight in Villa Cerro Castillo.

Day 3: Cerro Castillo National Park Day hike

The majestic mountain world of Cerro Castillo National Park, a true hiking paradise, awaits you today. There are several trails to choose from; a highly recommendable, yet demanding option is the hike up to Laguna Cerro Castillo*.

Overnight in Villa Cerro Castillo.

*Duration: 8-9 h return / 15 km or 9 mi / high difficulty (1.100 m or 3.608 ft height difference)

Day 4: Villa Cerro Castillo – Puerto Guadal

Drive south on the Carretera Austral to Puerto Guadal, a town on the shores of Chile´s biggest lake, the General Carrera. On the way, there is the option to visit the lake´s spectacular marble caves on a short boat trip.

(approx. 4-5 h drive – 180 km/112 mi)

Overnight in Puerto Guadal.

Day 5: Puerto Guadal – Chile Chico

Drive along the southern shore of General Carrera Lake until reaching the village of Chile Chico, at the Argentine border.

(approx. 2-3 h drive – 105 km/65 mi)

Overnight in Chile Chico.

Day 6: Patagonia National Park & drive to Los Antiguos

Visit the recently opened Patagonia National Park (former Reserva Jeinimeni) at one-hour distance on a unique hike along ancient cave paintings and the colorful rock formations of the Valle Lunar*. Afterwards cross the border to Los Antiguos in Argentina.

(approx.20 min drive – 14 km/9 mi)

Overnight in Los Antiguos.

*Duration: 4-5 h loop / 7.4 km or 4.6 mi / low-medium difficulty

Day 7: Los Antiguos – Gobernador Gregores

Continue your journey through the barren pampa landscape of Argentina. The Ruta 40 leads south until reaching the small village of Gobernador Gregores.

(5-6 h drive – 415 km/256 mi)

Overnight in Gobernador Gregores.

Day 8: Gobernador Gregores – El Chaltén

Continue driving south on Ruta 40 (mostly gravel road) until you reach the hiking mecca of El Chaltén, a small village nestled into the Andes Mountains.

(5-6 h drive – 300 km/186 mi)

Overnight in El Chaltén.

Day 9: Los Glaciares National Park Hiking

Immerse in the spectacular mountain world that surrounds El Chaltén. There are numerous hiking trails of varying difficulties; a classic is the day hike that leads to Laguna Torre.

Overnight in El Chaltén.

Day 10: Fitz Roy Mountain (Los Glaciares National Park)

Without a doubt one of Patagonia´s most iconic treks is the one to Laguna de los Tres, at the feet of Fitzroy Mountain. This demanding day hike is worth the sweat!

Overnight in El Chaltén.

Day 11: El Chaltén – El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier)

Continue your way south to El Calafate today. In the afternoon, you have time to visit Perito Moreno, arguably Patagonia´s most impressive glacier. It is one of the few that is growing rather than shrinking.

(3-4 h drive – 215 km/134 mi)

Overnight in El Calafate.

Day 12: El Calafate – Puerto Natales

Cross the border to Chile and continue driving to the town of Puerto Natales, the main touristic hub for Torres del Paine National Park. Drop off your rental car in the city office.

(4-5 h drive – 355 km/220 mi)

Overnight in Puerto Natales.

Day 13: Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine

The multi-day W-Trek takes you to the highlights of Torres del Paine National Park.

Travel by public bus from Puerto Natales to the park´s Torres sector, where you start the trek on the morning to follow.

(2 h bus ride)

Overnight in Refugio Sector Torres.

Day 14: Trekking to Base Las Torres

A demanding full day hike* leads up to the viewpoint of the towers (“torres”) that give the park its name.

Overnight in Refugio Sector Torres.

*Duration: 8-9 h return / 20 km (12.5 mi) / medium-high difficulty (700 m (2300 ft) height difference)

Day 15: Trekking Refugio Torres – Refugio Los Cuernos

The trek continues today with stunning views of Nordenskjöld Lake, until reaching the Refugio Los Cuernos*.

Overnight in Refugio Los Cuernos.

*Duration: 4-5 h / 11 km (6.8 mi) / low-medium difficulty

Day 16: Trekking Refugio Los Cuernos –Valle Francés - Refugio Paine Grande

Today´s hike takes you into the spectacular French Valley*. Afterwards, continue on until reaching Refugio Paine Grande.

Overnight in Refugio Paine Grande.

*Duration: 9-10 h / 21 km (13 mi) / medium difficulty

Day 17: Trekking to Grey Glacier – Return to Puerto Natales

A day hike leads you to the impressive glacier Grey*, before returning to Paine Grande in the late afternoon. Cross Pehoé Lake by boat and continue your journey by public bus to Puerto Natales.

(30 min ferry + 3 h bus ride)

Overnight in Puerto Natales.

*Duration: 8 h / 22 km (13.5 mi) / medium difficulty

Day 18: Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas

Take the public bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas today. Get off at the airport if you want to end your journey here with a flight back home via Santiago, or continue to the city center in order to do the world´s southernmost trekking on Navarino Island.

(approx. 3 h bus)

Overnight in Punta Arenas or flight to Santiago.

Day 19: Flight from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams

In the morning, fly from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams on the remote island of Navarino, south of Tierra del Fuego. A transfer takes you to the nearby lodge.

(approx. 1.5 h flight)

Overnight in Lodge.

Day 20: Trekking Rio Robalo – Laguna del Salto

Your multi-day trekking adventure begins today together with a professional guide. After the first ascent enjoy panoramic views of the town, the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego. Continue until reaching Laguna del Salto and set camp*.

Overnight in tent.

*Duration: 4-6 h / 7 km (4.3 mi) / high difficulty (900 m (2950 ft) height difference)

Day 21: Trekking Laguna del Salto – Laguna de los Dientes

After packing up your tent, the route surrounds the Dientes massif until reaching the Southern part of the island, with great views to “the end of the world”. Continue until reaching the camping spot between Laguna de los Dientes and Laguna Escondida*.

Overnight in tent.

*Duration: 4-6 h / 9 km (5.6 mi) / high difficulty (575 m (1886 ft) height difference)

Day 22: Trekking Laguna de los Dientes – Laguna Martillo

Today´s trek takes you through a fairytale landscape with the Dientes mountain range as a backdrop. Continue ascending via the Ventarrón and Guerrico passes, before reaching scenic Guerrico valley. Reach a camp spot between Laguna Martillo and Laguna Zeta in the evening*.

Overnight in tent.

*Duration: 4 h / 7 km (4.3 mi) / high difficulty (350 m (1148 ft) height difference)

Day 23: Trekking Laguna Martillo - Lodge

The last ascent to the highest point of the tour to Virginia Pass awaits you today. Enjoy amazing views of the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego mountains, before descending. Arrive at the lodge in the evening.

Overnight in Lodge.

*Duration: 8-10 h / 16 km (10 mi) / high difficulty (930m (3051 ft) height difference)

Day 24: Departure via Punta Arenas or Ushuaia

Your adventure on this remote island ends today. A transfer takes you to the pier or airport, depending on your further travel arrangements. Take a boat to Ushuaia in Argentina (approx. 4 h) and a flight from here to Buenos Aires, or fly back via Punta Arenas and Santiago de Chile.

Dientes del Navarino – please keep in mind:

– The trekking is available from November to March (subject to weather conditions)
– The Dientes del Navarino Trekking is a very demanding trekking that requires participants to be in good physical shape, and to have the ability and disposition to carry a backpack by themselves. A porter is available at additional charge, yet the idea is to divide the group trekking equipment between all participants.
– The trekking includes a minimum of 2 nights tent camping, which can be extended to 3 nights if the climatic and participant´s physical conditions make it possible. In case of arrival back to the lodge on Day 22 (after 2 nights camping), the last day is at leisure at the lodge.
– It is possible to do this trekking as a self-guided trip with GPS only (without meals and guide). However, this is only recommended for travelers with experience in multi-day trekkings in remote places.

18 days/17 nights Itinerary Version Includes:

13 nights accommodation in 3-star-hotels with breakfast
4 nights in sharedrooms in mountain huts with full board in Torres del Paine
Private transfers with guide to/from hotel in Santiago de Chile, private transfers without guide to/from bus station in Puerto Natales, public bus Puerto Natales-Torres del Paine-Puerto Natales-Punta Arenas, ferry on Pehoé Lake
Car Rental: Category F2 (SUV 4×4) for 11 days incl. airport charge with CDW (240 USD deductible; exceptions of coverage apply), second driver FOC, Argentina permit (6-15 days), One-Way Drop Off Fee Balmaceda-Puerto Natales
GPS
Torres del Paine Entrance Fee

Full version with Dientes del Navarino Also Includes:

private transfers without guidefrom bus station/ to Punta Arenas Airport
1 night 3*Hotel in Punta Arenas with breakfast
Flight Punta Arenas – Puerto Williams
Flight Puerto Williams – Punta Arenas OR Ferry Puerto Williams – Ushuaia
5 nights accommodation on Navarino Island with Full Board, of which 2or 3 nights tent camping and 2or 3 nights at the lodge
Trekking Guide
Group trekking equipment: tents, campstove, cooking utensils, cutlery
Personal trekking equipment: Gaiters, backpacks, walking canes, sleeping bags, liners, sleeping pads.

Back to "Route of Parks" tours

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