Discover the icebergs and mountains of Patagonia on the El Chalten, Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares Tour
Take a 13-day South American dream adventure through Patagonia and explore the world-famous Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine National Parks on the guided Los Glaciares, Torres del Paine and El Chalten Trekking Tour you’ll never forget. Travel between Argentina and Chile to hike some of the best trails in all of Patagonia.
Hike through the stunning landscapes to incredible vistas of glaciers, stark tundra, and snowy peaks towering above.
You’ll visit both Argentina and Chile and explore by bus, boat, and on foot. Lose yourself in the amazing natural beauty of the parks as you explore glacier-fed lagoons and get up close and personal with Perito Moreno Glacier. Walk around Lake Grey, hike beneath the Horns, and witness the incredible majesty of Mt. Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and more!
Take in the Beauty of Los Glaciares National Park
Established in 1937 and covering an area of 7,269km²/2,806 sq miles, Los Glaciares National Park is the largest national park in Argentina, and closely borders the nearby Torres del Paine National Park. A breathtaking destination characterized by wild terrain, Los Glaciares is the ideal place to experience some of the most pristine landscapes in South America.
For anyone who enjoys exploring the wilderness, Los Glaciares National Park is a visually stunning place to visit. Thirty percent of its total area is covered by a giant ice cap that feeds 47 glaciers, which makes for a dramatic landscape that is perfectly suited to adventure travel. The rest of the terrain that can be found within the park is made up of the Patagonian steppe, diverse forests, and rugged mountain peaks that are popular with climbers, such as Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
Experience Torres del Paine National Park
Averaging over 250,000 visitors per year, Torres del Paine National Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in Chile. Best known for - and named after - the Torres del Paine granite peaks of the Paine mountain range, the area is well-renowned by adventure travel enthusiasts and is often explored in conjunction with nearby Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. If you are looking to spend some time reconnecting while surrounded by some of the most picturesque alpine scenery in the world, then Torres del Paine is the place to visit.
Visit El Chaltén
Located in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, El Chaltén is a picturesque little village that is commonly visited by tourists in Los Glaciares National Park. The village is utilized as a homebase for hikers in the area, as it is situated close to the base of both Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy, and is also in close proximity to Laguna Torre. Because of its popularity with outdoor enthusiasts, El Chaltén was designated as the trekking capital of Argentina.
Highlights Of Los Glaciares And Torres Del Paine Trekking Tour
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Los Glaciares, Torres del Paine and El Chalten Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival at El Calafate
Argentina welcomes you! You’ll be met at the Calafate airport and you and your luggage will be taken into town where you can check in at your accommodation. For the rest of the day you are free to enjoy exploring the town before your hiking adventure begins tomorrow.
Overnight Location: Hosteria Hainen, El Chalafate, Argentina
Distance: N/A
Meals: N/A
Day 2 Transfer to El Chaltén on Ruta 40
All aboard the bus! Today is a 220 km drive to a picturesque village called El Chaltén which is tucked away below the mountains of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. The bus will stop about halfway through the drive so you can stretch your legs and enjoy some of the local coffee and pastries. Once you arrive in El Chaltén you will begin your guided hiking tour. You need only bring the necessities for your 3-day journey, as you can leave your additional luggage in the office where it will be delivered to your accommodations on day 4. As you begin hiking, you’ll ascend gently along the Fitz Roy trail until you reach the top overlooking the River de las Vueltas Valley. From there a couple more hours walk will bring you to several viewpoints displaying the incredible mountain scenery. Two hours more will take you through dense forests and bogs to the first Full Camp, which displays a stunning view of the entire Fitz Roy mountain group pushing up skyward from the glaciers all around
Overnight Location: Camp, Los Glaciares National Park
Distance: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Trek to Laguna de los Tres via Cerro Fitz Roy
Today on the Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine Tour, you’ll begin your trek by following the first morning glow up the trail as it illuminates the granite face of Fitz Roy. You’ll hike along the Fitz Roy trail over the ridge known as Cerro Fitz Roy on the way to Rio Blanco. From there a challenging one-hour hike will take you to Laguna de los Tres, which is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the park. Steep yourself in the natural beauty of aquamarine water shimmering under the massive jutting peaks of the Fitz Roy mountain group as it stretches 3405 meters into the sky.
Overnight Location: Camp, Los Glaciares National Park
Distance: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Hike to Laguna Torre
Your guided hiking adventure begins to the south today as you make your way along the Hija Valley down into the Fitz Roy River Valley. It’s there you’ll find the Cerro Torre trail and begin your journey through a beech forest and a mix of bogs and shrublands until you arrive at Laguna Torre. There you’ll discover stunning vistas of Grande Glacier carving west, while the towering spire of Cerro Torre presides over all 3128 meters above. While you explore, keep your eyes peeled for icebergs that have been blown in toward the coast. You’ll return to El Chaltén in the afternoon via Cerro Torre trail.
Overnight Location: Hosteria Pudu Lodge, El Chaltén
Distance: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Day 5 Hike to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Today you’re in for a treat with some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the El Chaltén area! Your climb will take you to vistas overlooking Cerro Torre, Fitz Roy, and various glaciers and lakes. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be able to see Paso del Viento which has several peaks jutting up out of the Patagonian Ice field. You’ll arrive back in El Chaltén by late afternoon.
Overnight Location: Hosteria Pudu Lodge, El Chaltén
Distance: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Day 6 Explore El Chaltén and transfer to El Calafate
Your free to spend the morning exploring El Chaltén and taking advantage of any optional excursions you’d like to do in the area. After you finish, you’ll return to El Calafate in the late afternoon.
Overnight Location: Hosteria Hainen, El Calafate
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Perito Moreno Glacier
This day is a favorite on the guided trek as you journey to the legendary Perito Moreno Glacier, a natural wonder! This type of glacier is known as an ice-field type glacier and it flows all the way down from the Patagonian icefield, which is the third largest in the world. Witness the only glacier on the planet with the special conditions that allow you to see a closure and rupture process. When you reach the end of the road you’ll be mere meters from the face of the glacier, and you’ll have a chance to experience the awesome power of the roar and crash of ice chunks shearing off and falling, sometimes within, and sometimes into the pristine azure water below.
Overnight Location: Hosteria Hainen, El Calafate
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Scenic Drive to Torres del Paine National Park
Your morning begins with a 6-hour scenic drive to the camp in Torres del Paine National park. You’ll travel over the Patagonian steppes as you circle around the Sierra de los Baguales mountains to get to the Park. You’ll cross the Chilean border and begin your final leg of the journey into Torres del Paine. As you go, you’ll glimpse Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto, and the Towers. After you get to the park, you’ll get out and embark on a 1-2 hour nature walk where you’ll see many local birds and wildflowers and familiarize yourself with the local landscape. Following the nature walk, you’ll head to camp.
Overnight Location: Full Camp, Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 1-2 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Climb to Paine Towers via Ascensio River Valley
Today your guided trek starts off with a steep hike up to the Ascencio River Valley. When you reach it, you’ll continue along a sloping downhill to Refugio Chileno lodge. From there you’ll follow the riverbank through a beech forest until you reach the majestic Paine Towers viewpoint. Below and beyond you’ll see a glacier-fed lagoon with the three giant towers pushing 1000 meters up from the glacier itself. Breathtaking!
Overnight Location: Full Camp, Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 7-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Ride the Catamarán across Lake Pehoe to French Valley
Take a 1-hour drive to Port Pudeto and climb aboard the catamarán to the far side of Lake Pehoe. After crossing, you can stop by your tent to drop off any items you won’t need for the day and then set off on your guided hiking adventure down French Valley trail. As you go, you’ll walk along the edge of the Paine Grande south slopes and Lake Skottsberg, through various hills and valleys, and eventually arrive at the hanging bridge over the French River. From there you’ll see a spectacular westerly view of the southeast face of Paine Grande rising 2700 meters, while to the east you’ll see The Horns with their striped, craggy peaks
Overnight Location: Full Camp, Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 5-6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Glacier Grey Trek
As you embark today, you’ll hike along the edge of Lake Grey, climbing and descending along the western slopes of Paine Grande. Along your guided hiking adventure, you’ll find some of the Park’s most magnificent sights. Witness how the massive glacier, flowing 60 km down from the Patagonian icefield, cut its way through the solid rock all the way to Lake Grey. You’ll marvel at the blue icebergs clustering in the southern waters of the lake, while mountain peaks meet the stark sky above the ice flows. On returning, you’ll take the boat back across Lake Pehoe to your next accomodation in Puerto Natales, a small fishing town on the shores of the Ultima Esperanza fiord.
Overnight Location: Lodge, Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Day 12 Transfer to El Calafate over the Patagonian Steppes
You’ll leave Puerto Natales early in the morning. Your guided trekking adventure has come to an end, as all good things do. Today you’ll head back across the border into Argentina and arrive in El Calafate where you’ll be taken to your accommodation. After you get settled, you’ll be free to explore the town and rest from the hiking trek
Overnight Location: Lodge, El Calafate, Argentina
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 End of Tour
After breakfast, you and your luggage will be transferred to the El Calafate airport. This concludes your guided tour.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This guided Los Glaciares, Torres del Paine and El Chalten hiking tour is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group.
The prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room, however, there are some alternative options (please check the ‘Accommodation’ section to find out more).
Accommodation on Los Glaciares, Torres del Paine and El Chalten Guided Trekking Tour
This tour is based in Lodges and Campsites.
The Campsites are already set up upon arrival each day and will be outfitted with comfortable igloo-style tents that can sleep 1 or 2 travelers. Inside you’ll find an insulation mat and sleeping bags. The camp also features a large tent for dining, a kitchen tent, chairs or benches, tables, and a complete set of table/kitchenware.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
If you are a solo traveller willing to join a tour, here are your options:
- If you want to have a private room during the trip (where possible) with a price supplement.
- If you don’t mind sharing the living space and are willing to stay in dormitory rooms to cut costs, the price of the tour would be deducted. Please note, that the accommodation for dormitory-type of rooms is different than the one listed below.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hosteria Hainen, El Chalafate
Stay in a cozy lodge in El Calafate near Argentinean Lake with stunning views of the surrounding Andes Mountains.
Camp in Los Glaciares National Park
The igloo-type of tents will be already set and waiting for you for 2 nights of your trek in beautiful Los Glaciares National Park.
Hosteria Pudu Lodge in El Chaltén
Stay in comfortable and relaxing lodge in El Chaltén with a homey feel. Hosteria Pudu Lodge has everything needed to make your stay enjoyable.
Hosteria Hainen, El Chalafate
Stay in a cozy lodge in El Calafate near Argentinean Lake with stunning views of the surrounding Andes Mountains.
Camps in Torres del Paine National Park
The igloo-type of tents will be already set and waiting for you for 4 nights of your trek in beautiful Patagonia wilderness.
Hosteria Hainen, El Chalafate
Stay in a cozy lodge in El Calafate near Argentinean Lake with stunning views of the surrounding Andes Mountains.
What’s included in the Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine Guided Trekking Tour?
Meals
12 breakfasts, 8 box lunches, 6 dinners
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights in Full Camps and 7 nights in Lodges.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation is included for you and your luggage from El Calafate airport to the El Calafate Lodge and back again. Transportation is also included to each new Lodge or tour destination.
Also Included
- Arrival reception service
- Bilingual tour leader during all days/activities
- Mountain guides while trekking in the park
- Moreno Glacier excursion
- 2 Boat trips across Lake Pehoe
Not included
- Entrance fees to National Parks
- Medical and life insurance
- Tips
- Drinks and beverages
- Flights or airport taxes
- Optional excursions.
- Services not explicitly stated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Los Glaciares, Torres del Paine and El Chalten Trekking Tour
Camino Abierto was founded in 1993 and have focused on adventure travel in Patagonia. With offices in both El Chalten and Buenos Aires, Camino Abierto offers tours throughout Patagonia, including to Ushuaia and Torres del Paine in Chile.
Learn MoreLos Glaciares, Torres del Paine and El Chalten Trekking Tour Map
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