Hiking Patagonia: Two-Week Active Adventure

Your active adventure in Argentina will begin in Buenos Aires, the South American country’s bustling capital city. A driver will collect you from the airport and take you through the city’s vibrant, colorful districts to accommodation around the corner from the action. Buenos Aires is a fascinating place to wander and you will happily explore the charming barrios, or neighborhoods, to take in the absorbing atmosphere, watch tango performers twirl around Plaza squares, and tuck into Argentine Asado, a traditional barbeque of grilled meats with cultural spices.

You will enjoy a delightful continental breakfast spread paired with Argentina’s famous dulce de leche, a caramelized milk condiment. Following breakfast, a private tour of the city will spotlight heritage sites, points of interest, and more. The Claustros Históricos Basílica del Pilar and graveyard in Recoleta highlight the city’s deep spiritual roots, the colorful port town of La Boca showcases the generational influence of diverse settlers, and the Plaza de Mayo hosts a collection of landmarks including the emblematic pink Casa Rosada governmental building. In the evening, you will dine with the locals or witness a riveting Tango performance.

You will wake up with the sunrise to embrace the spirit of Buenos Aires this morning. Shortly after breakfast, you will transfer to the airport and catch a flight to a town on the border of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in Santa Cruz, Argentina. El Calafate will introduce you to the picturesque Patagonian landscape beneath the soaring snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountain range. The tranquil parkland of Reserva Laguna Nimez will invite you to spot the marvelous Argentinian birdlife and capture the lush meadows before you return to your accommodation for your first evening in Patagonia.

Your adventure hikes across the illustrious Patagonian region begin today. The goal of this excursion is to cross the Rico Arm of the Perito Moreno Glacier along icy catwalks and forest trails to observation points that share uninterrupted views of the mesmerizingly white glacial scenery. Your guide will bring you to a boat on the shores of Puerto Bajo las Sombras on which you will sail to the face of the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. You will navigate the crunching ice with winter hiking equipment and arrive on the other side of a forest at the glacier’s most impressive overlook.

Argentine Patagonia represents only half of the vast icy region that is shared with Chile. Today, you will cross over to the other side to see what snowy scenery lies over the towering peaks of the Andes in the shadows of the slopes that descend to the Chilean port city of Puerto Natales and the breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park. The pristine olive-green pastures hem your accommodation, a perfectly suited hiking cabin, in the park beneath the looming ridges and mountaintops. Few places on Earth are quite as sensational and serene as the rolling valleys of Torres del Paine.

The anticipation for the adventures ahead will overwhelm you this morning as you wake up, eat breakfast, and grab your gear for a thrilling trek to the base of Torres del Paine, Mirador las Torres. Views of the sparkling lake Nordenskjöld and the rocky peaks of Almirante Nieto will backdrop your first ascent up steep slopes to Refugio Chileno bridge. You will continue beneath the lush emerald canopy of Lenga forest to a challenging ascent that will reward you with the most magnificent spectacles at the base of Torres del Paine namely Torre Sur, Torre Central, and Torre Norte.

Today’s hike is modest and you will take your time to appreciate the breathtaking environment that encompasses the sweeping Patagonian pastures and peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. The pathways take you past colorful flowers and cascading shamrock-green slopes with views of the Paine Massif and Nordenskjöld Lake setting the stage for a marvelous meander in the postcard-perfect park. Your travels will bring you to a cabin stationed at the Base of Los Cuernos that affords the opportunity to relax and unwind without another soul in sight as you mentally prepare for the demanding trek tomorrow.

The popular circuit dubbed The French Valley is a challenging but completely rewarding experience that you will relish every second of as you begin with ascents and descents across the edge of the shimmering Nordenskjöld waters. After reaching a small camp, you will continue up a trail that weaves to the top of the valley’s lofty lookout point that shares unrivaled views of the massive hanging glacier the valley is famous for. Here, you will observe small avalanches from a safe distance and then continue to Mirador Britanico for remarkable views of the rugged mountains, snowy summits, and unfolding greenery.

Your final gallivant in Torres del Paine National Park will guide you through the western edge of the Paine Massif with panoramic views of the Grey Lake and surrounding craggy formations. Lookout points scatter the paths that wind through the mountains and you will make stops at each to absorb the breathtaking scenery. You will wander closer to the Grey Glacier during the trek and arrive at the main lookout point in front of its commanding precipice. Your return journey will take you to the Pehoé Lake where you will board a catamaran and toast to your Torres adventures.

You will return to Argentina this morning for the remainder of your Patagonian adventures and spend days exploring the majesty of Los Glaciares National Park from the charming mountain village of El Chalten. Friendly hosts will welcome you to their community tucked away in the gorgeous, unspoiled pastures of the Santa Cruz province. Here, you will enjoy authentic regional delicacies that you will be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world and delve into the rural culture that prevails in the far-flung destination.

El Chalten is a gateway to the glorious Las Glaciares landscape with trails that dissect the town and navigate the undulating terrain and beauty beyond your doorstep. You will tour the modest trekking trails on your own as they are quiet, tranquil, and safe. El Chalten’s classic trek to Torre lagoon in the shadows of the imposing Adela range will take you to viewpoints that overlook the sweeping meadows and frosty glaciers hanging from tall cliffs. You will pass river valleys where the birds sing to waterfalls where the creatures come to drink before you return to camp for the evening.

After breakfast, you may view the impressive Fitz Roy massif and the surrounding granite peaks from lofty observation decks at the end of a stunning Laguna de Los Tres trek. The trails begin at the edge of town and you will wander up slopes to the Del Salto stream valley. Here, the beautiful blue ribbon of water flows over rocks coated in vibrant red algae and the snowy mountains line the horizon. The trek will continue to Río Blanco where a camp lies between you and the old moraine ridge, evocative views of the lagoon, and Mount Fitz Roy.

The azure waters of Laguna Capri alongside the looming summit of Fitz Roy are a welcomed treasure at the end of the trail that you will relish today. After breakfast, you will head from the north end of town to the Del Salto stream valley once more and then veer off the beaten path past the De las Vueltas river to where the waters of Laguna Capri come into sight. You may continue along the signposted paths to the magnificent Fitz Roy viewpoint that looks out towards the mountain and Piedras Blancas glacier.

You will wake up and enjoy your final morning in El Chalten over a delicious Argentinian breakfast to views of the sensational sun-soaked Patagonian landscape. After you treasure your last moments in Patagonia, the trekking adventure capital of the world, you will join your transfer and head for the airport where you will catch a flight back to where it all began, Buenos Aires. You may take some time this afternoon to unwind in the comfort of your sky-rise accommodation or head out to see what the Argentinian markets have to offer before you go to bed.

Though your adventure tour of South America’s extraordinary Patagonian region will come to an end today, you will relish your morning in Buenos Aires with a quick walk around the barrios, or neighborhoods. Friendly locals will invite you into their colorful boutiques, street food vendors will encourage you to try the interesting Argentine delicacies, and landmarks will attract your attention as you explore the boisterous capital. After your self-guided stroll, you will head back to your accommodation to meet your transfer and zip off to the airport.