In Patagonia

Patagonia’s epic landscapes—the granite-and-glacier realms of Paine and Fitzroy and remote Tierra del Fuego, the archipelago at the “uttermost ends of the earth”—are like no other in the world. On this insider’s adventure, exhilarating day hikes—many of them starting right from our lodges—grant spectacular panoramas of the great shark fin of Fitzroy and the needle-like spire of Cerro Torre, the crown jewels of Argentina’s Glacier National Park, and the soaring rock towers of Chile’s Paine National Park, while explorations in Tierra del Fuego reveal penguin colonies, secluded islands, and sweeping views of the Beagle Channel. Throughout our journey, you’ll enjoy the good life, Patagonia-style, at fine hotels and inns, some of them exclusive to our group, including historic Estancia Helsingfors, a former sheep ranch on the shores of glacier-fed Lago Viedma.

Itinerary at a Glance

Days 1-3
Buenos Aires / Ushuaia / Tierra del Fuego

After exploring Buenos Aires, we head to Ushuaia, set on the Beagle Channel and surrounded by snowy peaks. Our hikes lead along the secluded bays of Tierra del Fuego, and on the Beagle Channel, a Zodiac ride takes you to a remote island for a hike and lunch at a shepherd’s hut (complete with a locally produced red wine!), and a visit to a Magellanic and Adelie penguin colony.

Days 4-7
Glacier National Park

Up-close perspectives of Fitzroy (11,703’) and the granite pinnacle of Cerro Torre (10,280’) are the thrill of our hikes in this famed park. One hike leads through a valley of native lenga trees to Laguna Torre, a serene glacial lake with the spire of Cerro Torre soaring directly above it. We also journey across deep Lago Viedma by boat, navigating amid floating icebergs, then hike right on the vast Viedma Glacier for a chance to peer into its fantastic ice caverns.

Days 8-9
Estancia Helsingfors

From renowned Estancia Helsingfors, with its outrageously scenic location in western Glacier National Park, our trails bring you through beech forests to stunning Lago Azul, and we keep an eye out for Patagonia’s exotic creatures, including guanacos and rheas.

Days 10-16
Moreno Glacier / Paine National Park, Chile

After viewing the spectacular 20-story-high icewall of the Moreno Glacier, head to Chile’s Paine National Park, one of the natural masterpieces of the planet, with its granite spires, azure lakes, and massive glaciers. We stay in three different lodges here, giving us great access to the best areas of the park. Our hikes start right from the door of our lodges, including the trail to the base of the three giant monoliths of the Paine Towers. From Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan, depart on Day 16.

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 4, Moderate to Strenuous. The hiking will be physically demanding at times (but we do offer shorter hiking options on the two longest hiking days). Most of the hiking takes place below altitudes of 4,000 feet. For the most part, the trails are not overly rugged or difficult, but the approaches and descents can be steep, and the trail conditions rocky or muddy. There are also some long driving days across the steppes, and everyone should be prepared for bumpy, dusty road conditions. Please note that your leader may make adjustments to the itinerary and hiking routes, depending on local weather and trail conditions.

We recommend you make a special effort to get in good physical condition for this trip. The better condition you are in, the more you will enjoy your experience. We suggest you begin training several months before departure. Start gradually by doing hikes, running, using a Stairmaster, or riding bikes. The object is to improve your overall aerobic capacity and get your hiking muscles limbered up. Even a brisk 30-45 minute walk every other day over moderately steep terrain can do wonders for your conditioning.

Accommodations
We stay in a variety of well-located hotels and lodges. Rooms in these places are not always of uniform or international size. However, our leaders try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms in Patagonian lodges tend to come in small sizes in exchange for the privacy they afford. In addition, please note that many hotels and lodges in Patagonia have twin-bedded rooms. Very few have “matrimonial” rooms (rooms with a double bed). While we can request a double-bedded room for you if you ask us well in advance, we cannot guarantee it.

Explanation of Trip Levels