THE 4 GIANTS OF PATAGONIA
Visit the end of the world and a nature of superlatives
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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
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
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
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.
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.
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)
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)
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 the 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)
The last ascent to the highest point of the tour to Virginia Pass awaits you today. Enjoy spectacular 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 (930 m (3051 ft) height difference)
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.
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