Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival at the airport in Santiago, you will be greeted by your driver, holding a sign with your name on it. They transfer you directly to your hotel, for a smooth and comfortable start to your adventure. Get settled into your room and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure to relax and explore. (This service is on a private basis.)

Santiago

A city, which for many years has played second fiddle to Buenos Aires and Rio, Santiago is used to being the underdog metropolis in South America. However, since it's 200-year anniversary, public work projects have aimed to rejuvenate a once stale region, into a desirable destination in itself. The result is that now, more than ever, Santiago is turning into a city worth visiting. New and trendy restaurants, modern hotels, excited locals and bustling shops combine for the perfect gateway to Chile.

After breakfast, a private transfer will drive you to Santiago airport where you will catch your domestic flight to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales (flight not included).

Upon arrival, a shared Eco Camp transfer will be waiting to drive you approximately 5 hours to your hotel located in the Torres Del Paine National Park. (This service is on a shared basis.)

Patagonia

Patagonia inspires the passion behind Chile's final frontier. Idyllic for bold adventurers, so much of this fascinating region radiates the feeling that it has yet to fully be discovered. The unspoiled settings, exclusive experiences and tranquil nature, promises the ultimate paradise for outdoor explorers and intrepid backpackers. Even as its popularity grows and accessibility increased, the Chilean Patagonia will always offer a remote retreat, unplugged from the chaos of reality. After all, that is what makes it truly irresistible.

EcoCamp Activities & Excursions

You will have three full days to enjoy Torres Del Paine National Park and the incredible all-inclusive excursions provided by Eco Camp. EcoCamp is situated in the very heart of Torres del Paine National Park and provides the region’s first fully sustainable accommodation, complete with green technology. You enjoy guided treks and wildlife excursions by day and share evening meals with new friends, before falling asleep gazing up at the star-filled sky through your dome ceiling. Wake up in the middle of the Patagonian wilderness in a cozy geodesic dome, with a panoramic view of the majestic Torres Del Paine, ready to pick up the hiking trail! Each day offers different activities which will be posted in the lodge on arrival.

After breakfast, a shared transfer provided by Eco Camp will take you to Calafate. Welcome to Argentina! On arrival in El Calafate, you will enjoy lunch before checking into your accommodations. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. (This service is on a group basis.)

El Calafate

The small town of El Calafate is located on the southern border of Lake Argentino, in the great Patagonia region of Argentina. This quiet little town is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, home of the famous Perito Moreno Glacier and the Cerro Torre. The Perito Moreno Glacier is the largest advancing glacier in the world. Due to its idyllic location, the opportunities for outdoor adventure are unparalleled. From hiking through snow capped mountain peaks and cycling around wide open lakes, to trekking the icy surface of glaciers and paddling past ice blocks in kayaks, you can find it all!

Mini Trekking Perito Moreno Glacier

Depart from the hotel towards Los Glaciares National Park entrance and Ventisquero Perito Moreno (westwards, 80km, 1 hr easy drive, paved route, no toilet on route).

This excursion begins in the embarking pier located in “Bajo de las Sombras” bay- about 6 km before the glacier Balconies- where you embark for 20 minutes navigation across the Rico Arm, enjoying the views of the glacier’s front walls and Icebergs Channel. You disembark on the opposite shore, where specialized mountain guides welcome you and lead you to a small shelter. After checking the last details, groups of 20 follow their guides along the lake’s shore towards the edge of the glacier. Once on the ice the guides put each participant a pair of crampons on, and explain how to use them.-

The two hours circuit that follows introduces you to the landscape of the glaciers: streams, small lagoons, gullies and plenty of ice formations of the most incredible blues. The trekking is moderate. The ice surface over which you walk is irregular, but firm and safe. You will receive explanations about flora, fauna and general glaciology of the region and also about the particular phenomenon that happens in the Perito Moreno Glacier and eventually produces its rupture. After the walk, a stroll through the forest brings you back to the shelter, and onto the boat, to head back to the port.

Slow drive along panoramic zigzag road for 15 km to visit to main vista point, boarding Lago Roca lake shores. Upon arrival, stop for 2-3 hrs for short walks in the area along the 3.5 km “pasarelas” vantage point in front of the glacier (up and down wooden and fenced loop-trail). The Perito Moreno glacier was declared a "Mankind Heritage Site" by the UNESCO.

During the short walks, you will be able to witness the ice detachment phenomena, with the hollow sounds of ice falling and becoming smaller floating glaciers. Periodically the glacier advances over the L-shaped Argentino Lake forming a natural dam which separates the two halves of the lake when it reaches the opposite shore. With no escape route, the water-level on the “Brazo Rico” side of the lake can rise by up to 30 meters above the level of the main lake. The enormous pressure produced by the height of the dammed water finally breaks the ice barrier holding it back, in a spectacular rupture event. This dam/rupture cycle is not regular and it recurs naturally at any frequency between once a year to less than once a decade.

Return to Calafate is by the same route.

*Please note park entrance fee cannot be included and must be paid directly (currently 500 pesos, approximately $28)

Duration: 8 hours
Driving time: 80 km / 1.5 hours
Difficulty: moderate / requires no special skills
Elevation: none
Restrictions for the minitrekking: + 10 years old and - 65 years old. Not advisable for pregnant women, people with overweight or some types of disability. (This service is on a group basis.)

Today you will be picked up at your accommodations in El Calafate and transfer to the charming village of El Chalten located at the base of the famous Fitz Roy ridge. On arrival, check in and enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. (This service is on a group basis.)

El Chalten

El Chalten is nestled in the heart of the Southern Patagonian Andes, at the base of the iconic Fitz Roy Mountain. This destination is an adventure lover's paradise, with close proximity to the Los Glacieres National Park in the north. The region offers everything from leisurely walks that showcase epic lookout points, to expedition style trekking and even mountaineering. Other activities include camping, climbing, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching or visiting the legendary Estancias in Santa Cruz. No matter what you are here for, El Chalten promises to keep you captivated.

Guided Laguna Torre Trek

Enjoy the opportunity today to head out on one of the most classic treks of El Chaltén. This guided adventure will take you to the Torre lagoon, at the foot of the amazing Adela range, Torre and Grande glaciers and the incredible Cerro Torre. Ten minutes before arriving in the lagoon, you will reach the DeAgostini base camp. Just getting to the Cerro Torre viewpoint, halfway and just two hours from El Chalten, allows you to witness one of the most majestic mountain landscapes in the world and one of the mythical mountains of Patagonia: Cerro Torre!

With a difficulty level of moderate, this trek will be roughly four hours in each direction, with an elevation of 200 meters from El Chalten. The best season to embark on this hike is typically from October, until May.

From El Chaltén, there are two head-trails to Laguna Torre, though both paths join together after 5 minutes walk. The trail enters the Fitz Roy river valley and continues following the river upstream, to its source. At only 15 minutes walk you will access the first viewpoint, which is located at the gorge of the Fitz Roy river, called Cascada Margarita. Here, you can marvel at panoramic views of the Cerro Solo, Adela range, Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy. Across the river, lies the Margarita waterfall. Halfway there, you will reach the Cerro Torre viewpoint with unforgettable views of the Adela range, Cerro Torre, and other granite needles. Finally, the path crosses the DeAgostini base camp, where only fifteen minutes along the way from the camp, you will reach Laguna Torre. You did it! At the shore of this lagoon, it is often possible to find a number of icebergs from the Grande glacier.

Note: Although the access to Laguna Torre is possible during select months of the year, it always depends on the accumulation of snow, especially in the last stretch of the trail. We recommend you always check the condition of the trails at the Visitors' Center of Los Glaciares National Park, located just before the entrance to the tourist village. (This service is on a private basis.)

Guided Fitz Roy Trek

Today, you will be met by your trekking guide for a full day small group excursion up Mount Fitz Roy. First climbed in 1952 by French alpinists Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone, Mount Fitz Roy remains among the most technically challenging mountains on Earth for mountaineers. Of course, you won't be trekking all the way to the top, but your full day adventure in the area will provide amazing views of the mountain and the iconic skyline, which has become the impetus for the Patagonia brand logo. (This service is on a private basis.)

Although your adventure must come to an end today, you will be leaving with new friends, amazing experiences and memories to cherish for the rest of your life. Once you have checked out of your hotel, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the airport in good time to board your flight to Buenos Aires (flight not included). You will be met at the domestic airport and transferred to Ezeiza Airport for your international flight home.

We wish you safe and happy travels home! (This service is on a private basis.)