Patagonia Hiking Adventure
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Chile & Argentina – Patagonia Hiking Adventure Trip Summary Jaw-dropping moment after jaw-dropping moment awaits your discovery on our Patagonia Hiking Adventure 'Condor' tour. Find out why everyone raves about the W-Trek and take your own enviable photos of Monte Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre as you hike, bike and kayak some of the most incredible landscapes in the world on our 14-day Patagonia Hiking Adventure 'Condor' tour. Starting in Punta Arenas, you'll first explore the Chilean side of Patagonia, where the iconic W-Trek is located. With options to hike from Refugio to Refugio or stick to day-hikes, you'll make your way through Torres del Paine National Park taking in French Valley, Grey Glacier and Lake Grey. From here, you'll cross the border into Argentina. After an afternoon of wandering El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, you'll leave the city behind to witness the Perito Moreno Glacier, hike up to Mirador Laguna Torre, where dramatic views of Fitz Roy Valley and Cerro Torre sit waiting, and spend time in the charming mountain village of El Chalten. There's no better way to tick off these bucket list landscapes than on our Patagonia Hiking Adventure 'Condor' tour. Itinerary Day 1: Punta Arenas Welcome to Chilean Patagonia! The windswept plains of this southern region stretch on for miles, joining Chile’s rugged coastline and majestic mountain peaks into one of the world’s most awe- inspiring mountain environments, perched on the edges of the icy isthmus and fiords of the southern Pacific Ocean. If you plan on arriving early today, chat to us about for suggestions for your first day in Patagonia! This evening you’ll meet your trip leader and head out to a local restaurant for your first taste of Patagonian cuisine. Overnight at Hotel Rey Don Felipe, Punta Arenas (D) Day 2: Magdalena Island / Cueva del Milodon This morning we’ll take a cruise, weather permitting, across the Magellan Strait to Magdalena Island. The Island is protected, and uninhabited by humans, and is home to the largest penguin colony in Southern Chile, with around 60,000 breeding pairs of Magellanic penguins. Alternatively, if the Magellan Strait, which is subject to high swells, is uncrossable, we’ll head instead to Cueva del Milodón (Cave of the Mylodon). In this case, after breakfast, we’ll take a scenic drive through the fertile Patagonian lowlands to Puerto Natales, and on to the cave system. Alongside a local guide, we’ll explore all three caves, spread across an area of a few square kilometers, culminating in the lair of the mystical mylodon – a gigantic, and now extinct member of the sloth family, which survived in the region up until around 5,000 years ago. You’ll want to get your photo taken next to the life-size replica of this ancient beast at the cave entrance! Afterwards we’ll explore the nearby interpretation center, then head back to Puerto Natales for dinner together. Overnight at Hotel Natalino, Puerto Natales (B, L, D) Days 3-7 Option A: W-Trek Hiking Day 3: Torres del Paine National Park Today we’ll begin the legendary four-day ‘W’ hike, an amazing trek among sheer granite peaks, snow- clad mountains, glacial lakes and the thick Magellanic forest. We’ll follow the Rio Ascensio Valley as it winds its way up to the park’s namesake. As we reach the top of the boulder field near the end of our hike, we’ll come face to face with one of the most famous mountain landscapes in the world – above you, three mammoth granite peaks rise like tombstones from the rugged hills and snow-coated mountains of Patagonia to pierce the sky – Torres del Paine (‘Towers of Blue’). At a height of about 1 The toughest part is going home.SM Chile & Argentina – Patagonia Hiking Adventure 3000 feet, they are believed to be the highest natural cliff faces in the world. Tonight you’ll sleep well at a cozy refugio (mountain lodge), a welcome sight after a full day’s hike. Only a light day pack is required as it's a return hike. There are shorter options available. Overnight at Refugio, Torres del Paine (B, L, D) Day 4: Los Cuernos It’s an easier hike today, as we contour around the northern shore of Lake Nordenskjold, a glacial lake in the heart of the national park. As we head around the lake, we’ll start to see glimpses of Los Cuernos – Spanish for ‘The Horns’ – three fantastically sculpted grey and white sedimentary and granite peaks rising 800 feet. The intense turquoise hue of the lake and starkness of the mountains make for spectacular photo opportunities. This evening, we’ll stay in the shadow of the mountains at Refugio Los Cuernos. Overnight at Refugio Los Cuernos, Torres del Paine (B, L, D) Day 5: French Valley We’ll rise with the sun this morning to begin our hike up French Valley for a closer look at Los Cuernos. This ravine is probably one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see, with multiple glaciers cascading down its steep sides, creating a patchwork of ice and rock. The track steepens as we ascend a ridge line to the upper French Valley past waterfalls and mountain tarns. At the top, we’ll have incredible views of a massive natural amphitheater, filled with the awesome French Glacier, the Paine Massif and Cuernos granite towers. This afternoon, we’ll hike to Refugio Paine Grande. Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande, Torres del Paine (B, L, D) Day 6: Lake Grey Grey Glacier is a 650 feet high wall of ice that marks the northern end of Lake Grey. This is one of the largest calving glaciers in the world, with giant ice cliffs that plummet into the depths of the lake. Our hike finishes at the lake, where we’ll meet our specialist kayak guides. They’ll match you with a kayak and provide all the necessary equipment for a unique way to explore Lake Grey and enjoy amazing views of the glacier and icebergs. When we return to shore, we’ll head to Refugio Grey, where we spend our last night in Torres del Paine National Park. Overnight at Refugio Grey, Torres del Paine (B, L, D) Day 7: Grey Glacier This morning we’ll hike a bit further up the valley to a magnificent lookout over the Grey Glacier. After we’ve finished our morning’s activities catch the boat across Lake Grey, taking in views of the surrounding mountains. When we complete our boat trip, we’ll head back to Puerto Natales, where we started our hike four days ago, to re-group with the W Trek day hikers, and enjoy a well-earned rest and another tasty meal together. Optional (extra fee applies): A glacier hiking option you can opt for the morning is the ‘Touching the ice’ trip. On this activity, you’ll take a 15-minute boat trip across the glacier’s terminal lake, to a point at which we can access incredible close-up views of the glacier. Then it’s a guided hike to areas where the glacier’s retreat is strikingly clear, and up to the glacier’s edge. Afterwards, we’ll head back to our ‘Zodiac’ boat and return to the shore. This is a shorter, less strenuous option that still allows you a unique view and access to the glacier. This option is extremely popular, so we offer advance reservations with the guiding company. At the time of booking, or up until one month before your trip, 2 The toughest part is going home.SM Chile & Argentina – Patagonia Hiking Adventure we can reserve a space for you, or you can leave your decision until the start of your trip and your guides will get you a spot if it’s available. Overnight at Hotel Natalino, Puerto Natales (B, L, D) Days 3-7 Option B: W-Trek Experience ($499 fee) Day 3: Azul Lagoon Today we’ll begin the four-day exploration of Torres Del Paine, with amazing day treks among sheer granite peaks, snow-clad mountains, glacial lakes and the thick Magellanic forest. Our first hike will take us to Azul Lagoon, where we’ll circumnavigate the lagoon with views of the Torres del Paine towers just south of us. After lunch we’ll head back south and journey further into the park, stopping off along the way for views of Lake Nordenskjold and Lake Pehoe before arriving at Kau Rio Serrano Refugio, our accommodation for the next 4 nights. Overnight at Kau Rio Serrano, Torres del Paine (B, L, D) Day 4: French Valley After a scrumptious breakfast, we’ll head back to Lake Pehoe where we’ll hop on a catamaran across to Refugio Paine Grande. Our hike today takes us toward the French Valley for a closer look at Los Cuernos, and at the base of the French Valley, we’ll have incredible views of ravines. It is probably one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see, with multiple glaciers cascading down its steep sides, creating a patchwork of ice and rock. We may catch a glimpse of the impressive French Glacier, the Paine Massif and Cuernos granite towers in the background. We’ll enjoy lunch along the way before hiking back down on the same trail, making our way back to the refugio and onward on the catamaran to the refugio with time to relax before dinner. Overnight at Kau Rio Serrano, Torres del Paine (B, L, D) Day 5: Grey & Tyndall Glaciers You’re in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet, so take your time today and take it all in – enjoying breakfast at your leisure.