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Explore Patagonia's remarkable beauty on this hiking and trekking
tour that takes you to the most dramatic of its national parks.
You will discover the tempered rain forrest of Bernardo O' Higgens
National Park by Zodiac boat and hike in a small group of 12 members
maximum in Torres del Paine in Chile and the Fitz Roy Massif in
Argentina. In Torres del Paine we go for full day hikes, carrying
only light day packs. In Argentina, Los Glaciares National Park
with its massive glaciers is waiting for you. In its Southern
part we invite you to not only visit the breathtaking Perito Moreno
Glacier, but to explore it from up close in for of a ice hiking
tour. Further North you will enjoy 2 day hikes to discover the
surroundings of the imposing Monte Fitz Roy and the granite needle
of Cerro Torre. Up to today, the whole area is a true challenge
for the world's best climbers.
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Magellanic Penguins
(Spheniscus magellanicus)
© Turismo Aonikenk
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Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales
Arrive in Punta Arenas and meet your local guide. In the afternoon,
visit the Penguin Colony at Seno Otway, where during the Patagonian
summer months hundreds of Magallanic penguins hatch and bring up
their offspring. Later, transfer by public bus to the picturesque
town of Puerto Natales.
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Note:
All participants must arrive in Punta Arenas before 3:30 p.m.
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Trekking in Patagonia
© Johannes Schache
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Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
7:30 a.m.: Transfer to the port. 8:00 a.m.: We begin our today's journey sailing to Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. As we make our way through Ultima Esperanza Sound, which was Juan Ladrillero's "Last Hope" to find the Straight of Magellan in 1558, we visit a colony of hundreds of cormorants, watch the play of sea lions and condors that fly high in the sky. After an easy walk of 15-20min we reach the base of Serrano Glacier. In the afternoon, we enter Torres del Paine National Park cruising up Serrano River by Zodiac. After a short transfer through the pampas, we cross the turquoise waters of Lago Pehoe by catamaran (30min). 6:30 p.m. Arrival at our Eco Camp, where we will stay the next two nights.
[B, L, D]
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Hikers in Torres del Paine National Park
© Johannes Schache
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Grey Glacier
After a good breakfast we start a full day hike to the first main attraction in this national park: Grey Glacier, which extends in its full length of 26km (16¼ miles) from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field (8hrs RT). Return to Camp at Lago Pehoe.
[B, L, D]
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Cerro Cubo
and Dickson Glacier
© Turismo Aonikenk
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Valle & Glaciar Frances
Today the path leads us into French Valley. Depending on the group's pace, we reach a view point after 2½ to 3 hours (5½ - 6hrs RT) from where we observe Glaciar Frances on one side, the majestic Cuernos (Horns) on the other and in addition have a great overview of the lakes Pehoe and Nordenskjöld. Later this afternoon, we re-cross Lago Pehoe by catamaran. Our minivan waits on the other shore to take us to the next refugio. As the gravel road rolls over the foothills South of Lago Nordenskjöld, you will watch guanacos grazing in the evening sun. 8:30 p.m. Arrival at Refugio Torres, where we also camp for two nights.
[B, L, D]
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At the Torres del Paine lookout
© Johannes Schache
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Torres del Paine lookout
After a good breakfast, we depart for a full-day hike to the famous
Torres del Paine lookout (8 hours). This unforgettable excursion
takes you at first through Patagonian schrub land into the
Ascencio Valley, where you will cross some small streams and
forests. All the effort and the gained 720 meters in altitude (2,400 feet)
is rewarded by a unique panarama: the peaks of the granite towers,
Las Torres, after which the park is named, stand in front of you,
2,000 meters (6,700 feet) above a glacial lake. In the afternoon,
return to eco our camp at the foot of the mountain massif.
[B, L, D]
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Grey Glacier near
Paso John Garner
© Johannes Schache
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Lago Nordenskjöld - El Calafate
After a good breakfast we have planned a beautiful and relaxing hike for you. We walk along the foot of the 8,751 feet tall Monte Almirante Nieto to Lago Nordenskjöld. In the early afternoon we leave for El Calafate, Argentinia, which will take about 5,5 hours.
[B, L, D]
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Ice hiking on Grey Glacier
© Turismo Aonikenk
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Perito Moreno Glacier
This morning we enter Los Glaciares National Park, where an unforgettable adventure is waiting for you today. We continue towards the probably most spectacular glacier in Patagonia, Perito Moreno. Its 200 feet tall wall of frozen water is known for letting huge masses of ice break off and fall noisily into Lago Argentino in front of the eyes of the astonishes tourists. With a bit of luck, you will experience this dramatic scene of nature from up close. You will have the unique opportunity to do an Ice Hiking tour to explore the glacier from up close and be challenged to try yourself in Ice Climbing. We return to El Calafate in the evening.
[B, L, D]
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Lookout in French Valley
© Gerd Anders
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El Calafate - El Chalten
Early bus to the small mountain village El Chalten, in the Northern part of Los Glaciares National Park at the foot of the Fitz Roy Massif. After checking into our friendly hostel, join your guide for a pleasant hike (6 hours) to Cerro Torre. This huge granite needle rises vertically above Laguna Torre. Return to El Chalten.
[B, L, D]
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Cerro Fitz Roy/
Chaltén
 GFDL
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Los Glaciares National Park
Set out today for a full day hike (7 hours) to Laguna de los Tres to get a great panoramic view of the famous Mount Fitz Roy. To the Aonikenk people it was known as Chalten, the smoking mountain. Having almost always a cloud stuck to its very top, let it appear to them as a volcano. We now know that it actually is one solid piece of granite rock, which for climbers makes him "The invincible King." Return to El Chalten to spend the night.
[B, L]
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Magellanic Penguins
(Spheniscus magellanicus)
© Turismo Aonikenk
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El Chalten - El Calafate
Early morning, return through the vast Patagonian pampas to El Calafate by public bus. Spend a relaxed afternoon, for example to shop for souvenirs at the local handicraft market. Farewell dinner at your leisure with the other tour members and your guide.
[B, L]
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Magellanic Penguins
(Spheniscus magellanicus)
© Turismo Aonikenk
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El Calafate - Punta Arenas
Take the morning bus to Puerto Natales, back to Chile. After lunch on your own, transfer by bus to Punta Arenas.
[B, L]
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Don't forget
to touch the toe...
© Gerd Anders
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Farewell Patagonia
Enjoy your last morning in Patagonia at your leisure. Transfer from
the hotel to the airport according to your flight schedule to fly to
Santiago de Chile and connect with your homeward-bound flight.
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General Cemetery
Santiago de Chile
GFDL
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Stay a Little Longer
Break up the long journey to and/ or from Patagonia and plan to extend your
trip by a day or two. We may book extra nights in Punta Arenas or Santiago
de Chile for you and organize according transfers from/ to the airports
and/ or tours to discover the surrounding. Just let us know, we are happy
to give you individual advise.
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Los Cuernos del Paine
© Johannes Schache
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Recommended extension
We also offer other exiting trekking tours in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
If you like this tour, you should also take a look at our
Torres del Paine active - The "W"
trekking tour, a 7 day adventure from/ to Punta Arenas to Chile's
most celebrated national park.
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