Trekking the Patagonia Circuit, Argentina and Chile
Sierra Club Outings Trip | International
![Photo: Angela White Trekking the Patagonia Circuit, Argentina and Chile](https://content.sierraclub.org/outings/sites/content.sierraclub.org.outings/files/styles/trip-main/public/trips/main-images/16885_1_AngelaWhite_0.jpg?itok=cpfcHBZE)
Highlights
- Trek in Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)
- Hike to Mt Fitzroy in Glacier National Park (Argentina)
- Visit an authentic Patagonian estancia (ranch)
Includes
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Lodgings, entrance fees, gratuities, and most meals
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On-trip transportation
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Knowledgeable local guides
Overview
The Trip
Patagonia is a remote, unspoiled, and untamed wilderness, and the southern part is where nature is at its wildest. Measuring about twice the size of France, the Patagonian landscape ranges from towering granite peaks and turquoise glacial lakes to windswept steppes and icy seas. Two countries, Argentina and Chile, share this sparsely populated, wide-open space, split by the Andes Mountains and bodies of water -- and we will see the best of both!
The Trip
Patagonia is a remote, unspoiled, and untamed wilderness, and the southern part is where nature is at its wildest. Measuring about twice the size of France, the Patagonian landscape ranges from towering granite peaks and turquoise glacial lakes to windswept steppes and icy seas. Two countries, Argentina and Chile, share this sparsely populated, wide-open space, split by the Andes Mountains and bodies of water -- and we will see the best of both!
Our trip starts in El Calafate, Argentina, and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile. The centerpiece of the Argentinian side of Patagonia is Los Glaciares National Park, where the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier is found in the southern part. This groaning, grinding river of ice is vast and seemingly endless and, in fact, is one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing. In the north of the national park is the famous Mount Fitzroy massif, named after the Beagle's Captain Fitzroy, who sailed Charles Darwin's expedition up the Rio Santa Cruz in 1834. The vertical granite fin of the mountain is 11,290 feet high and is surrounded by icy glaciers. To get there, we’ll hike through forests of Lenga and Nirre trees (deciduous beeches).
One of the most beautiful areas of the Chilean side of Patagonia is Torres del Paine National Park. Filled with stunning mountain peaks, brilliant turquoise lakes, and calving glaciers, it is considered by many to be the finest travel destination in Chile. The "W," one of the classic treks in Patagonia, winds along the edge of the mountains next to a chain of glacial lakes and ends at the breathtaking Torres for which the park is named. Our trip will spend several days lodging and day-hiking within this park.
Hiking in Patagonia is "high altitude" hiking, in the sense that we are often above tree line, but, in fact, we will actually be at relatively low altitude -- our daily hiking explorations will take us to altitudes between 1,000 to 3,400 feet.
Itinerary
The itinerary may be modified due to inclement weather and unanticipated circumstances. The order of the activities in Torres del Paine NP (Chile) may also be changed. It is highly recommended that you arrive at least a day early in El Calafate, Argentina, as the national Argentina airlines frequently change schedules and missed flight connections are possible.
Day 1: We’ll meet in El Calafate, the gateway to Patagonia, located on the shores of Lago Argentino. We’ll have an orientation meeting and a welcome dinner, and settle in for the night as we prepare to be introduced to the wonders of Patagonia. Overnight at our hotel in El Calafate
The itinerary may be modified due to inclement weather and unanticipated circumstances. The order of the activities in Torres del Paine NP (Chile) may also be changed. It is highly recommended that you arrive at least a day early in El Calafate, Argentina, as the national Argentina airlines frequently change schedules and missed flight connections are possible.
Day 1: We’ll meet in El Calafate, the gateway to Patagonia, located on the shores of Lago Argentino. We’ll have an orientation meeting and a welcome dinner, and settle in for the night as we prepare to be introduced to the wonders of Patagonia. Overnight at our hotel in El Calafate.
Day 2: We’ll be transported to a nearby trailhead at the base of the Cordon de los Cristales (mountain range), and embark on a warm-up hike of three to four hours in duration, followed by a visit to an authentic Argentinian estancia (ranch), where we’ll enjoy a traditional asado (barbecue) lunch. We’ll learn about the importance of the estancia in the history of Patagonia, and discover the work and challenges of ranching in this austere landscape. Dinner will be on our own tonight in town. Overnight at our hotel in El Calafate.
Day 3: We’ll explore the Perito Merino Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world. We’ll hike along boardwalks directly across from the glacier. We’ll watch icebergs calve and listen to the cracking sounds as huge chunks of ice fall into the water. We’ll board a boat and journey close to the face of the glacier to observe the beautiful deep blue colors created as the light penetrates glacier and ice. We’ll have a box lunch. On the way back, time permitting, we’ll visit the Los Glaciares museum outside of El Calafate, which explains the power of glaciers and how they have sculpted the Patagonia landscape. We’ll have dinner together at a local restaurant. Overnight at our hotel in El Calafate.
Day 4: We’ll travel four hours to El Chalten, taking in views of turquoise-colored, glacier-fed Lago Argentino and Lago Viedma. As we approach El Chalten, the splendor of majestic Mount Fitz Roy and surrounding massifs great us. We’ll have a box lunch, then embark on a moderate hike alongside the Rio Electrico, across the graveled Rio Blanco Valley, and through woodland Lenga (beech) forest to Piedra Del Fraile. Along the way, we’ll take in views of the Andes Mountains. Hiking out and back distance 7.5 miles. We’ll have dinner together at our inn lodging in El Chalten.
Day 5: Today begins with moderate hiking through Lenga forest and along a beautiful glacial river, including a stop at Laguna Capri to our next lodge (8 miles, 1,500-foot elevation change). We’ll have a box lunch. If our group is up for a more spectacular and strenuous hike, we will depart about half way along the previous trek and climb up a steep trail to Laguna de los Tres and the very base of Mount Fitz Roy (12 miles, 3,000-foot cumulative elevation change). We’ll have dinner together at our next Inn lodging in El Chalten.
Day 6: Today we’ll hike through Lenga forest to the glacial lake Laguna Torre and observe the Glaciar Grande that feeds it. We’ll revel in dramatic views of Cerro Solo, the Adela range, the towering granite spire of Cerro Torre, and Mount Fitz Roy. We will have a box lunch at Laguna Torre and hike back to our El Chalten Inn. We’ll have dinner on our own at one of the local restaurants. (12 miles, moderately difficult, 900-foot elevation change).
Day 7: Today, we’ll travel six and a half hours (crossing the border into Chile) to Torres del Paine National Park. We’ll take in incredible panoramas of nearby mountain ranges, and stop for wildlife viewing and short breaks. It is common to see herds of guanacos, flocks of rheas and flamingos, and possibly foxes and condors along the way. We’ll have a box lunch. It is difficult to predict how long the border crossing will take. We’ll stay two nights at a refugio located in Torres del Paine. We’ll have dinner together at our refugio.
Day 8: Today we’ll make the classic hike to the base of the Torres (vertical monoliths that are the namesake of the park). The last section of the trail steeply climbs alongside rocky talus slope and ends with amazing views of vertical rock, a glacial cirque with an azure glacial lake at its center, and breathtaking views of the iconic Torres. We’ll have a box lunch then return to our refugio. We’ll have dinner together at the refugio. Our moderately strenuous hike is approximately 13 miles on a well-maintained trail with 3,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain and 3,000 feet of descent.
Day 9: We’ll start the day with a short and easy hike on the La Fauna trail near Laguna Amarga. The hike offers wide open landscapes amidst the impressive background of the Paine Massif. The area is also home to herds of guanaco and two species of fox. We’ll reach the base of a cliff where we’ll see prehistoric cave paintings made by Paleo-Tehuelches several thousands of years ago. We’ll have a box lunch, then transfer to Pudeto and board a catamaran that will take us 30 minutes across the crystal-clear waters of Lago Pehoe to reach our next refugio. Our lodging for the next two nights will have multi-bed rooms. We’ll have dinner together at our refugio.
Day 10: Today we’ll hike to Campamiento Italiano (Italian camp) at the entrance to the Valle del Frances (French Valley). We will have views of Lago Pehoe, Lago Skottsberg, and Lago Nordenskjold and we will have glimpses of Los Cuernos (the horns). We’ll have a box lunch. We can hike up the French Valley to a beautiful overlook across the valley from a large glacier, before returning to our Torres del Paine refugio and having dinner together at the refugio. (11 miles to overlook, 850-foot elevation change).
Day 11: We’ll hike to the Glacier Grey Lookout. The view of Lago Grey, Glacier Grey, and Paine Peaks are absolutely stunning. Glacier Grey is a beautiful glacier that extends into the lake. We’ll have a box lunch. After our hike, we’ll board the catamaran and return to Pudeto, then transfer to our next hotel in Puerto Natales. (10 miles, 1,000-foot elevation change).
Day 12: We’ll travel toward Puntarenas and embark on a boat tour to Magdalena Island to explore the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, habitat of one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in Chile. This area is also home to protected species of gulls, albatross, and cormorants. Afterward, we’ll return to Puntarenas and our next lodging. We’ll enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Day 13: After breakfast, our trip ends and we’ll say our goodbyes. Participants will coordinate their own transportation and departure to the nearby Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport or other adventures in South America.
Logistics
Getting There
This trip starts in El Calafate in Southern Argentina and ends in Puntarenas, Chile. The nearest airports are the El Calafate Airport (FTE) in Argentina, and the Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ) in Chile. A multi-stop booking may be the best flight plan option for this trip. Buenos Aires is the major city international flight connecting hub with two airports, EZE and AEP. U.S. citizens entering Argentina or Chile must have a valid passport (good for six months AFTER you leave either country) with at least four empty pages. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified by the trip leader
Getting There
This trip starts in El Calafate in Southern Argentina and ends in Puntarenas, Chile. The nearest airports are the El Calafate Airport (FTE) in Argentina, and the Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ) in Chile. A multi-stop booking may be the best flight plan option for this trip. Buenos Aires is the major city international flight connecting hub with two airports, EZE and AEP. U.S. citizens entering Argentina or Chile must have a valid passport (good for six months AFTER you leave either country) with at least four empty pages. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified by the trip leader.
Accommodations and Food
We will be staying in seven different hotels and refugios (mountain huts) during our trip. On days when we are staying at refugios, we will be sleeping in multi-bed co-ed dorm rooms (shared with other visitors), with common eating areas and shared bathrooms. The refugios are rustic and typically without cell reception or Wifi access. In some cases when the lodge in the national park is at capacity, (due to in-country organizations having priority placement), it will be necessary to “over-flow” to tent camping. Group flexibility and an adventurous mindset will be key if we are faced with this predicament.
While in the towns, we will stay in basic but comfortable local hotels that have double rooms with private bathrooms.
All meals (except two dinners) are provided in the trip price. Patagonian food is fresh, and mostly local. It is very meat based. Salads and vegetables are served with most meals, and the guides will go out of their way to accommodate vegetarians. Breakfasts are simple (cereal, toast, fruit, and eggs) and lunches will be a simple box lunch. All but two dinners will be eaten at our lodgings or local restaurants while in town. Dinners at the refugios are generally cafeteria-style aimed at supporting a large volume of diners.
Trip Difficulty
This is a moderately strenuous trip and participants should be in good physical condition to fully enjoy our hikes. On all of our treks we’ll be carrying day packs with food, water, clothing, and a personal first aid kit. Most of our treks return the same way, so if participants get tired, they can stop and rejoin the group on their return to the lodge. If you take part in a regular, vigorous exercise program (walking/hiking, running, biking, swimming, weight training) you should enjoy the physical aspects of our trip much more! The two most strenuous hikes are to Las Torres in Torres del Paine NP (Chile) and the (optional) strenuous climb up to the base of Mt. Fitz Roy (Argentina).
Equipment and Clothing
The weather in Patagonia is very unpredictable. We can get extreme wind, torrential rain, brilliant sunshine -- all in the same day. Clothes made of a wicking fabric are essential as are good rain clothes and warm layers. You will need a good pair of broken-in, waterproof, over-the-ankle hiking boots. Hiking/Trekking poles are strongly recommended. A detailed equipment list will be sent to participants.
References
Books:
- Chatwin, Bruce, In Patagonia.
- Yates, Simon, Against the Wall.
- Bridges, E. Lucas, Uttermost Part of the Earth.
- Any guidebook e.g. Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Frommers etc.
- Jaramillo, Alvaro, Birds of Chile.
- "Patagonia: The Wild, Wild South." National Geographic, January 2004.
Websites:
Maps:
- Hiking maps of the two areas will be provided to participants on the trip.
Conservation
Since its founding in 1892, the Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our own backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.
Patagonia is a beautiful region that is facing several major challenges to its fragile environment:
- More and more tourists are attracted to this region, but the infrastructure is not growing fast enough to handle the increased demand for sewage, garbage, etc.
- Some tourists have been careless handling fires -- this caused several major wildfires with huge damage to the forests and habitats.
- Overgrazing has caused severe damage to the natural wildlife and habitat. Furthermore, the livestock industry is no longer viable as the damaged land can no longer support livestock.
- Hydroelectric plants: Patagonia has one of the world's greatest water reserves due to its glacial lakes, powerful rivers, and two very large non-polar ice fields. However, this makes it of great interest to hydroelectric companies, with international investment, as the demand for energy keeps increasing.
There are several organizations that are working hard to deal with these challenges. Also, private individuals like Chouinard and Tompkins have been buying land to protect it and turn it back over to the countries to manage as national parks.
Evacuation and Travel Insurance
The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.
Staff
Important Notes
- Carbon Offsets
- Carpooling
- Electronic Billing and Forms
- Electronic Devices
- Equipment
- Essential Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for a Trip
- Leader Gratuities
- Medical Issues
- Non-discrimination Statement
- Participant Agreement
- Seller of Travel Disclosure
- Single Supplements
- Terms and Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Feedback
- Trip Price
- Wilderness Manners