Experience the Best of Patagonia
- The Absolute Best of Patagonia — We’ll get you to the most iconic mountains and glaciers, hiking by day and relaxing at boutique accommodations by night.
- The Right Pacing — Patagonia’s changeable weather and vast distances mean this trip cannot be rushed—we take the time to do it right.
- Insider Access to Exclusive Accommodations — We give you special access to some of Patagonia’s most renowned estancias and historic lodges.
- Superb Trip Leaders and Expert Local Guides — They provide an insider’s perspective, sharing deep knowledge of the region’s ecosystems and culture.
- Tierra del Fuego: Gateway to the Antarctic — Hike through ancient lenga forests and one of the southernmost penguin rookeries in the world.
Special Event!
A special variation of this itinerary is part of our Patagonia! Epic Climbers and Conservationists Symposium and Tour Program in Nov-Dec 2018, featuring renowned Guest Speakers Kris Tompkins, Alex Honnold, Conrad Anker, and Rick Ridgeway.Overview
Patagonia is an extraordinary landscape of granite towers, massive glaciers, and beautiful forests. Wilderness Travel has been exploring and sharing the wonders of Patagonia for four decades, and we’ve honed our journey here to perfection. Join us to experience incredible views of Cerro Torre and the Fitz Roy massif. See the massive ice wall of Perito Moreno Glacier, the soaring spires of Torres del Paine, and discover penguin colonies on hikes in Tierra del Fuego. Wonderful meals, including a private asado, are the perfect complement to our days of hiking. We take a bit more time to share Patagonia with you for a reason—you don’t want to come this far and miss the views because of a few days of bad weather, or spend your whole trip just getting from one destination to another. Our expert Trip Leaders have incomparable knowledge and a great gift for making you feel right at home in this spectacular and distant land. Join us for the hiking and natural history trip of a lifetime.
Everything about this trip was top rate. What truly sets Wilderness Travel apart from other adventure outfitters we've used is the attention to detail...the small things and the welcomed surprises along the way.
— Craig F., Gainesville, FL
Days 1-3
Buenos Aires / Ushuaia / Tierra del Fuego
After exploring Buenos Aires, we fly to Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel, where our explorations include a Zodiac ride, coastal hikes, and a visit to a Magellanic penguin colony.
Buenos Aires / Ushuaia / Tierra del Fuego - Days 1-3
Melia Buenos Aires (2017-2018 Season)
Day 1 (1 night), Buenos Aires, ArgentinaLocated in the central walking part of Buenos Aires, the Melia offers easy access to all the attractions in the heart of the city. Right outside the front door are bars and cafes for unwinding after a day of urban exploration; the upmarket Pacifico Galleria is just a 10-minute walk away. Also nearby is the Puerto Madero waterfront, with its old brick warehouses, and Calle Florida, Buenos Aires’ first pedestrian-only street.
CasaSur Palermo Hotel (2018-2019 Season)
Day 1 (1 night), Buenos Aires, ArgentinaThe CasaSur Palermo has a prime location in the trendy Palermo Hollywood district of Buenos Aires, home to art galleries, bars, and bistros. The hotel’s peaceful rooftop terrace is the perfect place to sip a glass of Malbec and enjoy the sunset after a day of exploring. Rooms are stylish and spacious, with minimalist furniture, hardwood floors, and private balconies for enjoying the view.
Hotel Los Yamanas
Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Ushuaia, ArgentinaRight on the shores of the Beagle Channel just outside Ushuaia, Los Yamanas has incredible panoramas of this legendary waterway and the rugged mountains that flank it. It's a perfectly positioned base for our explorations around Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel.
Days 4-7
Los Glaciares National Park
Up-close perspectives of Fitz Roy (11,703') and the slender granite pinnacle of Cerro Torre (10,280') are the thrill of our hikes in this famed park. We hike to deep blue Laguna Torre, with Cerro Torre soaring directly above it, and through forest and steppe environments on the Pliegue Tumbado trail for a spectacular and unconventional 360-degree view of the Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy massifs.
Los Glaciares National Park - Days 4-7
Hostería El Pilar
Days 4 to 7 (4 nights), El Chalten, ArgentinaWith the perfect location on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park, El Pilar is a picturesque 10-room country inn with incomparable access to the trailheads of the park’s most sought-after hikes—and we usually have this special place all to ourselves! Guest rooms are simple and cozy, and there are phenomenal Fitz Roy views right from the dining room. It’s a great place to relax after our hikes, welcomed in with a roaring fire and a glass of Malbec. Our hosts, Guillermo and Cristina, offer warm hospitality and delicious home-cooked meals.
Days 8-9
Estancia Helsingfors / Los Glaciares National Park
From our historic lodge, Estancia Helsingfors, we hike through beech forests to stunning Lago Azul for magnificent Fitz Roy views, with possible sightings of native Patagonian wildlife, from guanacos to rheas.
Estancia Helsingfors / Los Glaciares National Park - Days 8-9
Estancia Helsingfors
Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Lago Viedma, ArgentinaThis historic end-of-the-road estancia, with just nine guest rooms, stands in magnificent isolation on the shores of Lago Viedma. Our group always has this serene lodge—and the nearby hiking trails—to ourselves, which gives Helsingfors an exquisitely exclusive feel. The scenery is breathtaking, the bar is well stocked, and meals are first class (local lamb roasted over an open fire is a specialty).
Day 10
Moreno Glacier / Lago Argentino / Calafate
Crossing rolling Patagonian pampas to turquoise Lago Argentino, we follow a boardwalk trail near the 20-story-high ice wall of the Moreno Glacier, with its icebergs calving right into the lake—the sounds are as amazing as the views.
Moreno Glacier / Lago Argentino / Calafate - Day 10
Kosten Aike
Day 10 (1 night), El Calafate, ArgentinaCentrally located in El Calafate, Kosten Aike sits just two blocks from the main street’s many shops and restaurants. The alpine-style décor is cozy, with wood paneling and decorative motifs from the ancient Tehuelche culture of Patagonia’s indigenous people. Guest rooms are spacious and well appointed and the on-site spa, sauna, and lovely bar offer relaxation after an afternoon exploring the town.
Days 11-16
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park is one of the scenic wonders of the planet. Our lodges give us great access, with several hikes starting right outside our front door, including a classic hike through the Ascencio Valley to the base of the three giant monoliths of the Paine Towers. Depart on Day 16 from Punta Arenas.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile - Days 11-16
Estancia Lazo
Day 11 (1 night), Paine National Park, ChileA working ranch, Lazo has a rustic vibe and sweeping panoramas of the Torres del Paine—and we usually have it all to ourselves. This family-run estancia is a good place to observe sheep dogs doing their job of protecting the flocks, enjoy a home-cooked meal, and rest in the comfortable guest rooms. We hike right from the estancia’s front door to our next hotel, with spectacular views all the way.
Hotel Lago Grey
Day 12 (1 night), Paine National Park, ChileWith its prime setting along an iceberg-dotted lake in Paine National Park, Hotel Lago Grey gives us direct access to Paine’s glaciers and trails. From the dining room’s picture windows, we’ll have a stunning perspective on the calving ice of the Grey Glacier. There are great places around the property to watch the sunset, and the views of massive Paine Grande provide a constant visual feast.
Hosteria Las Torres
Days 13 to 14 (2 nights), Paine National Park, ChileLas Torres is located in an extraordinary, privileged site—inside Paine National Park and right at the foot of the majestic Torres del Paine. Founded as an 8,000-acre cattle ranch before the park even existed, the property has stunning Paine views, a stable of Patagonian horses, and direct access to trails. The guest rooms are comfortable, spa services are available, and the restaurant was recently recognized with an award for the best cuisine in the park.
Hotel Cabo de Hornos
Day 15 (1 night), Punta Arenas, ChileLocated on the central Plaza de Armas in the old port city of Punta Arenas, Cabo de Hornos is a renovated historic property with a stylish lobby of glass and stone, and a cozy bar. Guest rooms are spacious and modern, and many have views over the Strait of Magellan and the historic town square.
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