Compare Trekking in Patagonia, Southern Argentina by The Outdoor Vibe vs Classic Patagonia Treks by Exodus Travels

Day 1: Arrive at Ezeiza International airport, Buenos Aires

On arrival you’ll be met by a English speaking guide who’ll accompany you via private carriage to your hotel and assist you with your check in.  Once you are refreshed from your flight the group will enjoy a private Buenos Aires city cultural tour including a tour of the famous Boca Juniors Football Stadium, during the trip you’ll also stop for a traditional Argentine asado (BBQ) lunch including drinks. On return to your hotel your evening is free.

Day 2: Tigre Delta & Tango

Breakfast at the hotel before private transfer to the Tigre Delta for a full day boat excursion around the delta including lunch on one of the islands and a tour of the Tigre market. On your return to the hotel you’ll have time to freshen up before collection for transfer to a Tango show including 3 course meal and drinks. After the show you’ll be returned to your hotel.

Day 3: Flight to El Chalten

After taking breakfast at the hotel you’ll check out and be transferred via private carriage to the airport for your internal flight to El Chalten in Southern Argentina. On arrival you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Evening is free.

Day 4: Viedma Ice Trek

After breakfast you’ll meet up with your guide to undertake the full day Viedma Ice trek excursion. Lunch box is included.

Day 5: Laguna de los Tres

After breakfast you’ll meet up with your guide to undertake the full day Laguna de los Tres trek. Lunch box included.

Day 6: Laguna Torre

After breakfast you’ll meet your guide and hike to Laguna Torre. Lunch box included. Evening you’ll transfer to El Calafate.

Day 7: Perito Moreno

Boat safari with English speaking guide around the National Park.

Day 8: Flight to Buenos Aires

After breakfast you’ll be transferred to El Chaten / El Calafate airport for your return trip to Buenos Aires. On arrival you’ll be met by an English speaking guide and checked in to your hotel. In the Evening you’ll have a Goodbye meal at a local restaurant (drinks included) before being returned to the hotel.

Day 9: Depart Argentina

Breakfast at the hotel before assisted check out and transfer to Ezeiza International airport for your flight home.

Day 1 Start El Calafate; visit Perito Moreno Glacier

The adventure begins in El Calafate. Today we drive the short distance to visit Perito Moreno Glacier. One of the most famous geological sights in the world, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of only a few glaciers that grows and shrinks with seasonal fluctuations. It calves into Lake Argentino and sometimes part of the lake becomes landlocked depending upon the position of the ice. Every so often, it is possible to see (and hear) huge lumps of ice break off and tumble into the lake before floating away as icebergs. As there is an early morning start tomorrow, we suggest sorting your luggage tonight and preparing a smaller bag you will carry throughout the next four days of trekking in Chile. We have an agreement with the hotel in El Calafate that means excess luggage can be left securely until your return – the tour leader provides further details and assistance. You need to carry everything you bring with you to Chile on the treks . Accommodation: Hosteria Tierra Tehuelche (or similar)

Day 2 Travel to Torres del Paine National Park; transfer to first refugio

We start early with a long but scenic journey, crossing the Andean border that starts out on the Argentine plateau and emerges in the stunning Chilean landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park.  Once we arrive at the Lago Amarga entrance to the park, we meet our local guide who joins us for the next four days to provide expert guidance and insight. From here, we are transferred to our first refugio. This afternoon, we can enjoy short treks around the area. Accommodation: Refugio Torre Central or Torre Norte

Day 3 First day of W Trek; hike to the Base of the Towers viewpoint

Today we embark on the iconic trek to the Base of the Towers of Paine, that sit on the far side of our glacial lake viewpoint, where we can look upon Torre Sur (9,350ft/2,850m), Torre Central (9,185ft/2,800m), Torre Norte (8,530ft/2,600m) and Cerro Nido de Cóndor. We descend back down the valley and return to our previous nights refuge to enjoy a hot meal and well-earned drink. Please note:  Non essential trek items can be stored in refugio lockers. Accommodation: Refugio Torre Central or Torre Norte

Day 4 Second day of W Trek; hike to Los Cuernos

We walk down the valley towards the shore of Nordenskjöld Lake and then follow the edge of the lake on a much flatter and easier terrain to reach Los Cuernos. This is considered by many to be one of the most charming sites in the whole park, a perfect spot to rest in our refuge for the night. Accommodation: Los Cuernos Refuge or Frances Domes Refuge

Day 5 Third day of W Trek; hike to Valle Frances and onto Paine Grande

Another long day of trekking lies ahead as we venture into the Valle Frances. The first two hours involve some ascents and descents with views of Nordenskjöld Lake accompanying us until we reach Campamento Italiano. Leave your backpack (unattended) at the campsite if you wish, enabling you to walk the next part of the trek empty handed (keep valuables with you). The slight ascent lasts for about 1hr 30min until French Glacier lookout, where we can observe an impressive hanging glacier and listen for the rumbling of small avalanches as great chunks of ice and snow fall off. The trail continues until Campamento Británico and onto another lookout point, Mirador Británico, but note that how far the group walks up into the valley is dependent upon weather conditions, timings, and the condition of the group – the decision is taken by the local guide who walks with us in the national park. We return back down along the valley to Campamento Italiano and continue our walk onwards past the shore of the smaller Lake Skottsberg and into the Pehoé sector of the park. We arrive in the late afternoon to the inviting and idyllic site of Paine Grande refugio and can spend the evening gazing upon the clear night skies or relaxing in the on-site bar. Occasionally, some groups may have full-service camping tonight instead of staying in the refugio dormitories – see accommodation section. Please note: The full trek distance of 15mi (24km) is only if we reach the very end of Valle Frances; often, we only go as far as one particular viewpoint due to the weather and/or group condition. The total walking distance for today therefore becomes 11mi (17km). Accommodation: Refugio Paine Grande or full-service camping

Day 6 Final day of W Trek; hike to Glacier Grey viewpoint; catamaran and bus transfer to El Calafate

We start early to see the final day of the W Trek highlights: the Grey Glacier. This is a round trip to a lookout over Lake Grey that ends back at Refugio Paine Grande, so we can leave our bags and just carry essentials with us. The trail goes along the western side of the Paine Massif with views to Lake Grey and various mountains. After about 1hr 30min, we reach the lookout point and enjoy views of the Grey Glacier in the distance. We return by the same route back to Pehoé Lake from where we take a catamaran across the lake to the Pudeto sector. A bus takes us from here on the short drive to the park entry point at Laguna Amarga. Here we board our transfer vehicle to Calafate (approximately five/six hours). After driving through beautiful scenery on our way out of the park (keep an eye out of the window for pumas!), we cross the border into Argentina and arrive late evening into El Calafate. Accommodation: Hosteria Tierra Tehuelche (or similar)

Day 7 Free day to take part in optional excursions in and around El Calafate

This is a free day to either rest or book optional tours in Calafate. We recommend the Perito Moreno Ice Trek or the half-day tour to Estancia Nibepo Aike, where you can enjoy a typical Patagonian barbecue and see how a typical Patagonian estancia works. Please ask your tour leader and they will help to arrange it. Accommodation: Hosteria Tierra Tehuelche (or similar)

Day 8 Transfer to El Chaltén; free afternoon

In the morning, we transfer approximately three hours to the small mountain town of El Chaltén, our base for walking in the Fitzroy region. After arriving, the rest of the day is free to relax. Alternatively, for those who wish, there are many short treks around town, which your tour leader can help to arrange. We spend the night in El Chaltén at a simple and friendly hosteria. Accommodation: Hosteria Don Atilio (or similar)

Day 9 To Los Glaciares National Park; trek in Fitzroy Massif up to Laguna de Los Tres

This morning, we start with a 30-minute bus journey on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park to our start point at El Pilar, from where we commence our trekking in the stunning Fitzroy region. We follow the trail leading to Poincenot Camp, along the way enjoying views of Piedras Blancas Glacier and Fitzroy if the weather conditions are clear. From Poincenot, we then continue to reach Laguna de los Tres, involving a steep ascent to reach a wonderfully scenic spot from which to relax and take photos of the Fitzroy Massif. We descend from the viewpoint and walk back down from the mountains to eventually reach the town of El Chaltén on foot. Accommodation: Hosteria Don Atilio (or similar)

Day 10 Trek to Torres Glacier and Cerro Torre viewpoint; return on foot to El Chaltén

Today we trek into a beautiful valley and head toward the stunning Torres Glacier viewpoint. If time permits, we might be able to continue to the Maestri Lookout at Laguna Torre (this 2.5mi/4km section can get very windy) before walking back to El Chaltén. Accommodation: Hosteria Don Atilio (or similar)

Day 11 Transfer to El Calafate; fly back home

After breakfast, we transfer by road back to El Calafate airport, where the trip ends. Alternatively, if you’d like the adventure to continue, speak to your sales representative about seeing two natural wonders: the magnificent curtain of cascades that is Iguazu Falls or the otherworldly landscapes in the northwest of Argentina on our Salta extension.