Hiking the Patagonian Andes

An Upscale Walking Adventure Through the Jewels of Patagonia


Type of Trip: Hiking Length: 12 days Season: October-March Rating: Grade III


For those seeking an outdoor Patagonia adventure in the magnificent wilderness areas of Argentina’s Los Glaciares and Chile’s Torres del Paine National Parks, here nature rules supreme. Witness wildlife such as the guanaco, ñandú, condor, fox and dozens of bird species. Further south, in the Land of Fire, Tierra del Fuego, the beautiful landscapes are reminiscent of the Alaskan wildlands.

This exciting itinerary is designed for hikers and nature enthusiasts who would like to experience the full range of the Patagonian Andes, with active days and relaxing nights at cozy lodges.


 

Trip Highlights:

  • Become dwarfed by the magnificent glaciers in Argentina’s Glaciers National Park
  • Spend time exploring the valleys around Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre on foot
  • Enjoy the warmth and refined comfort of Patagonian lodge hospitality
  • Visit the surreal, glacier-carved peaks of Torres del Paine in Chile
  • Hike toward the impressive vertical granite walls of the French River valley
  • Feel the energy of South America’s most sophisticated city: Buenos Aires

Hiking the Patagonian Andes

Trip Itinerary


DAY 1: DEPARTURE FROM HOME
Overnight flight to Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires.

DAY 2: BUENOS AIRES
Arrival and sight-seeing in this vivacious capital city. Welcome dinner and tango show.

DAY 3: BUENOS AIRES / EL CALAFATE / EL CHALTEN
Flight to El Calafate, scenic vehicle transfer to El Chalten, short afternoon hike.

DAY 4: FITZ ROY
A full day of hiking along the Rio Blanco river valley at the base of Mount Fitz Roy.

DAY 5: CERRO TORRE / EL CALAFATE
Morning hike in the Fitz Roy River Valley, with views of Cerro Torre and a picnic lunch. Return drive to El Calafate.

DAY 6: PERITO MORENO GLACIER
Full day of Los Glaciers National Park exploration, by catamaran, vehicle, and on foot.

DAY 7: EL CALAFATE / PAINE NATIONAL PARK
Drive across the border to Paine National Park, afternoon scenic hike to photograph the region’s varied wildlife.

DAY 8: NORDENSKJOLD LAKE HIKE
A full day of hiking with views of the iconic Paine Horns and Nordenskjold Lake.

DAY 9: GREY LAKE
Morning walk by Grey Lake, boat across the lake and hike to Pehoé Lake, catamaran ride to Pudeto.

DAY 10: PEHOE LAKE / FRENCH VALLEY
Cross Pehoé Lake and hike along the majestic scenery towards the French River Valley.

DAY 11: PAINE NATIONAL PARK / PUERTO NATALES / SANTIAGO
Bid farewell to Paine Park this morning and vehicle transfer to Puerto Natales. Fly to Santiago, board an international overnight flight.

DAY 12: HOME
Arrive home this morning.


All Southwind itineraries are fully customizable to your personal interests and travel dates. Please contact us for firsthand knowledge and help with your travel plans.

Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF for the 2024/25 season)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.

Hiking the Patagonian Andes

Dates & Rates


Departures

On request any week throughout the October-March season

You can pick your own dates and have Southwind design a custom itinerary anytime during the season for a minimum of four participants. Please contact our Travel Specialists.

2024/2025 Land Cost

4-5 participants: from $8,900 p.p.d.
6-9 participants: from $8,200 p.p.d.
10-12 participants: from $7,500 p.p.d.
Single Supplement: from $2,000

p.p.d. = per person based on double occupancy. Price does not include international or local flights. Southwind ticketing affiliate helps coordinate flights to match your itinerary.

Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF for the 2024/25 season)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.

Hiking the Patagonian Andes

Accommodations


patagonia adventure
BUENOS AIRES: EMPERADOR HOTEL — The modern architecture, classic details, and natural lighting of the Emperador Hotel make it one of Buenos Aires’ finest properties. Situated in the chic Recoleta neighborhood, the 5-star hotel’s well-appointed rooms feature views of the city, river or hotel garden.
patagonia hiking adventure
EL CHALTEN: HOTEL DESTINO SUR — A newer and modern-looking hotel in El Chalten, Destino Sur upholds standards of quality to charm guests from all over the world. Strategically located, the hotel is on the main street of town and also close to the incredible hiking trails surrounding Mt. Fitz Roy.
patagonia adventure argentina
EL CALAFATE: XELENA HOTEL & SPA — Capturing the spirit of Patagonia, Xelena Hotel & Spa sits on the banks of Argentino Lake, quiet and majestic. Its comfort and warmth come out in the personalized attention, unique common areas, and luxurious spa. Each of the Xelena’s 71 rooms exhibits an authentic and vibrant view of the lake.
patagonia adventure chile
PAINE: HOTEL LAS TORRES PATAGONIA — Located at the foot of Mount Almirante Nieto, Hotel Las Torres Patagonia is part of Cerro Paine Cattle Ranch, a 12,000-acre private estate within Torres del Paine Park. Its 57 tastefully decorated rooms are fully carpeted and feature central heating and private bathrooms. The grand living room faces the mountains.
patagonia adventure
PAINE: HOTEL RIO SERRANO — With spectacular views of the Paine Towers, the scenic Hotel Rio Serrano has 99 rooms and blends a rustic feel with upscale modern amenities. The Restaurant El Mirador features both local and international cuisine, while the Dickson Wine Bar is home to a wide variety of Chilean wines.
patagonia adventure costaustralis
PUNTA ARENAS: CABO DE HORNOS HOTEL — Located on the renovated main square in Punta Arenas, the Cabo de Hornos Hotel blends warmth with elegant luxury. The hotel’s exterior reflects its historic past, while the interior is modern and sophisticated. Rooms have views of either the Plaza de Armas or the Strait of Magellan.

Hiking the Patagonian Andes

Extensions


patagonia adventure extension
EASTER ISLAND
Length: 5 Days/4 Nights from Santiago
Season: October – April
One of the most isolated islands in the world, with enormous stone figures erected hundreds of years ago, Easter Island is a land shrouded in enigma in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Spend 3 full days to explore this fascinating island.
extend your patagonia adventure
ATACAMA DESERT
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights
Season: Year-round
The driest desert on the planet, the starkly desolate, but unique, Atacama Desert in northern Chile, with its canyons, salt lakes, geysers, hot springs, and volcanic peaks, make it ideal for active nature lovers.
patagonia adventure trip
THE LAKE DISTRICT
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights
Season: Mid-October to Mid-April
A lovely region of rolling hills, glacier-clad volcanoes and sparkling lakes, the Lake District is a natural gem of Chile. Travel through spectacular landscapes, including a hike on Osorno Volcano.
patagonia adventure extension option
IGUAZU FALLS
Length: 3 days/2 nights from Buenos Aires
Season: Year-round
Iguazú Falls, one of the world’s most famed waterfalls, is located in a dense tropical forest along the Brazilian border in northern Argentina. At 230 feet in height and a-mile-and-a-half-wide, the falls are higher than Niagara!
patagonia adventure mendoza option
MENDOZA WINE REGION
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Buenos Aires
Season: October – April
Refine your connoisseur palette in Mendoza, South America’s premiere wine region famous for its varieties of Malbec. During this 4-day cultural and gourmet experience, you’ll visit several top wineries.
SALTA AND CAYAFATE
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Buenos Aires
Season: April – November
The colonial city of Salta, called Salta la Linda or “Salta the beautiful”, is home to Argentina’s best-preserved colonial architecture. This is the place to enjoy nature, learn about the local Spanish and Gaucho culture, and taste delicious wines and traditional dishes.
patagonia adventure
TIERRA DEL FUEGO
Length: 3 Days/2 Nights from Buenos Aires
Season: October – March
The Land of Fire in Southern Argentina is a lovely, tranquil place of snow-capped mountains, forests and lakes located at the ends of the earth. Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park and the Beagle Channel.
patagonia adventure
AUSTRALIS CRUISES
Length: 4-5 Days from Punta Arenas and Ushuaia
Season: October – March
Discover the marvels of Patagonia by land and by sea aboard one of two sister vessels, the 210-passenger Stella Australis and the 126-passenger Via Australis. Round-trip and one-way routes available.