Cuernos del Paine, Paine National Park, Patagonia

The twisted granite peaks and spires of the Paine Massif are one of the most famous landmarks of Patagonia. We explore both the Chilean and Argentine sides of Patagonia as we set out on the best hikes in Paine National Park and Glacier National Park.

Photo by Gerard Coles

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In Patagonia

Tierra del Fuego and the Mountain Splendor of Chile and Argentina

In Patagonia route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $7295   see pricing
Length: 16 days
Arrive: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Depart: Punta Arenas, Chile
Lodging: 15 nights in hotels and lodges describe
Meals: All meals included except 1 lunch and 1 dinner
Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Wildlife & Natural History
Trip Level: 10 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 5-7 hours a day, altitudes below 5,000 feet
4 explain

Highlights

  • Enjoy spectacular hikes with amazing up-close views of Fitzroy and the Paine Towers
  • Explore the “end of the world” landscapes of Tierra del Fuego
  • Overnights in comfortable hotels and inns, including Estancia Helsingfors, a landmark Patagonian estate


Wilderness Travel is always a class act, which is why this is our 3rd WT trip.Sue M.—San Carlos, CA

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

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 phenomenal, like no other in the world. On this wonderful lodge-based adventure, exhilarating day hikes grant us 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 Towers, while explorations in Tierra del Fuego reveal an abundance of birdlife and sweeping views of the Beagle Channel. Throughout our journey, we enjoy the comforts of fine hotels and inns, including historic Estancia Helsingfors, a former sheep ranch on the shores of Lago Viedma with superb views of the Viedma Glacier.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

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

After an overnight in Buenos Aires, we fly to Ushuaia for hikes along the secluded bays and islands of Tierra del Fuego National Park and along the shores of the Beagle Channel. We also explore by Zodiac.

Days 4-7
Glacier National Park

The Fitzroy Massif and its surrounding peaks rise at dramatic and seemingly impossible angles, sculpted into fantastic spires by the tremendous force of glaciers. From our comfortable lodge at El Chaltén in Glacier National Park, we hike each day to stunning perspectives of Fitzroy (11,703') and the slender granite pinnacle of Cerro Torre (10,280'), one of the world’s fabled wall climbs.

Days 8-9
Estancia Helsingfors

From Estancia Helsingfors, a magnificently located century-old ranch on Lago Viedma, we enjoy views of the beautiful Viedma Glacier and the Fitzroy Massif and hike to remote Lago Azul. The wildlife is abundant around this historic ranch and we keep an eye out for Patagonia’s exotic creatures, including guanacos and rheas.

Day 10
Perito Moreno Glacier / Lago Argentino / Calafate

A beautiful drive across the steppes brings us to the shores of turquoise Lago Argentino, where we view the massive Perito Moreno Glacier, a 20-mile-long river of ice with a 200-foot-high icewall fed by the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.

Days 11-14
Paine National Park, Chile

Crossing into Chile, we discover Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a stupendous landscape of granite towers, azure lakes, and massive glaciers. One of our hikes brings us to incredible viewpoints of the massive Grey Glacier in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which calves blue-white icebergs into beautiful Lago Grey. From the Hosteria Las Torres, in the heart of Paine National Park, we hike right up to the glacial lake at the base of the monumental Paine Towers, and up to high lookouts in the stunning Ascencio Valley.

Days 15-16
Punta Arenas

A scenic drive brings us to Punta Arenas, set on the legendary Strait of Magellan. Depart on Day 16.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:

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.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

Departures

Dec 21, 2013-Jan 5, 2014
Jan 11-26, 2014
Jan 15-30, 2014
Jan 23-Feb 7, 2014
Feb 8-23, 2014
Mar 8-23, 2014

In Patagonia: Whale Watching Departure: We offer a November departure of this extraordinary journey, scheduled during Patagonia’s spring when the whales are abundant along the coast, features phenomenal wildlife viewing as well as the magnificent landscapes of Glacier and Paine National Parks and Tierra del Fuego. Download a separate Full Trip Brochure or call us for more details.

*Book early to get the most attractive air fares, especially for the holiday departures!

Trip Cost

Prices valid through Spring 2014
$7295 (13-15 members)
$7595 (10-12 members)
$7895 (7-9 members)
Single supplement: $1495
Forced single supplement: $1295
Internal airfare: $720 (subject to change)

Chilean Reciprocity Fee (payable in Chile): $160
Argentine Reciprocity Fee for US citizens: $160
   (must be obtained in advance online)
more on pricing

Trip Cost Includes:

  • Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
  • Accommodations in comfortable lodges, inns, and hotels
  • All meals included except 1 lunch and 1 dinner
  • Land and boat transportation, airport transfers, and baggage handling as noted in the Full Trip Brochure

Trip Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, internal flights, meals not specified after each itinerary day, travel insurance, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors, cost of medical immunizations (if any), and expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20%
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule

Minimum fee: None
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost

Melia Buenos Aires

Melia Buenos Aires

Day 1 (1 night), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Located in the heart of Buenos Aires on a pedestrian-only street, this hotel allows for fun, safe, and easy access to some of the best areas of the ...
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Hotel Tolkeyen

Hotel Tolkeyen

Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Ushuaia, Argentina

Right on the shores of the Beagle Channel outside Ushuaia town, this lodge built of local wood and stone offers a serene setting and good views of ...
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Estancia El Pilar

Estancia El Pilar

Days 4 to 7 (4 nights), El Chalten, Argentina

A charming 10-room country inn surrounded by native lenga forests on the edge of Glacier National Park, this is the best place to stay in the ...
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Estancia Helsingfors

Estancia Helsingfors

Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Lago Viedma, Argentina

This century-old estancia has a magnificent setting on Lago Viedma surrounded by world-class Patagonian scenery. There’s nothing else like it ...
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Hotel Kau Yatun

Hotel Kau Yatun

Day 10 (1 night), El Calafate, Argentina

Located on the outskirts of El Calafate town, the hotel has attractive grounds and gardens, two restaurants, and a wood-paneled bar. The rooms are ...
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Estancia Lazo

Estancia Lazo

Day 11 (1 night), Paine National Park, Chile

A converted estancia on the banks of the Lago Verde, this place offers one of the very best panoramas of the Paine Massif. There’s also ...
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Hosteria Lago Grey

Hosteria Lago Grey

Day 12 (1 night), Paine National Park, Chile

This hotel has a magnificent setting along iceberg-dotted Lago Grey in Paine National Park. From the dining room there is an absolutely stunning ...
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Hosteria Las Torres

Hosteria Las Torres

Days 13 to 14 (2 nights), Paine National Park, Chile

Las Torres has an ideal location in Paine National Park and direct trail access to the Paine Towers. While over the years the hotel has grown to be ...
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Hotel Cabo de Hornos

Hotel Cabo de Hornos

Day 15 (1 night), Punta Arenas, Chile

Located on the Punta Arenas town square, a beehive of activity, this European-style hotel is the best in Punta Arenas, with a stylish lobby of glass ...
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Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions option:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:

Argentina

Iguazu Falls Extension

One of the World’s Spectacular Natural Wonders

Wildlife & Natural History
3 days  -  Level 1

Client Comments

Wilderness Travel is always a class act, which is why this is our 3rd WT trip. Sue M., San Carlos, CA This was an amazing experience. The group size was perfect, the itinerary well paced, the Trip Leaders outstanding. Christine S., Redwood City, CA I had the best possible experience in Patagonia with this trip—the right combination of great hiking, beautiful scenery, traveling with friends, and having great leaders. Yvette P., Carbondale, CO Our first with WT! We loved it. You have a first-class operation. Richard and Margaret T., Napa, CA The trip exceeded my expectations. Each day was a new adventure, and each hike always ended with something new and beautiful to look at. Terrell N., Los Angeles, CA A fabulous itinerary, with spectacular scenery and hiking opportunities, wildlife, lodge comfort, quality dining, and no altitude—wow! Karen G., New York, NY We loved the trip. The scenery is fantastic, and the extension to Iguazu Falls was a highlight. Nancy L., La Jolla, CA One of the best trips we’ve been on! Maureen and Frank B., Millerton, NY A 5-star experience—unforgettable, well organized, planned, paced. Daisy R., New York, NY Really a fantastic trip. One of the best we have ever taken. Steven A., New York, NY A lifetime dream and it met my expectations! Eugene J., Salt Lake City, UT The trip was seamless and smoothly run under all conditions and weather. The itinerary was appealing and comprehensive. All our friends are jealous and we’ll be dining out on this trip for a long time. Ed and Lois B., Washington, DC
Great scenery, great itinerary, great hikes. Bill and Kathleen H., Lafayette, CA We loved the all-day hikes and also appreciated having options on some hikes. Nancy and Tom F., Sarasota, FL Magnificent scenery, fantastic Trip Leader, excellent local guides, great food, and a fun group of participants made for a wonderful trip! Charlaine D., Philadelphia PA The trip design was brilliant. Each day we thought we had captured “the prize” but the next day was even better. How did you do this? Peter G., Washington, D.C. No adjectives could do justice to this trip. Every bend, every crest on the trail unveiled a new and indescribably beautiful scene—the scale and power of Fitzroy or the Paine Towers looming above, lakes and glaciers in every imaginable shade of blue, a sky full of stars at Chalten. Each day’s hike left us in awe of the majesty of nature. Niles B., Madison, WI The trip totally surpassed my expectations. Patagonia was absolutely breathtaking and one of the most spectacular travels I have had so far. Elizabeth C., Toronto, Ontario We were blessed with exceptional weather, so our days in Patagonia were magical and majestic. We also had a great group of travelers and that was just fun! Will highly recommend this to my friends! Susan C., Colorado Springs, CO Could not have been improved upon. Even the WEATHER was on our side! Barbara C., Westmoreland, NH