Chile & Argentina Hiking
Glaciers & Mountain Peaks in Chile & Argentina
Marked by frozen mountains, gaping fjords, enormous glaciers and desolate rolling pampas, Patagonia is one of the world's most spellbinding landscapes. Here Andean condors soar on air currents, guanacos graze in the alpine meadows and flightless ñandúes roam the wind-whipped prairies. With the jagged granite spires of the Torres del Paine and the 200-foot-high, 3-mile-wide river of ice known as the Perito Moreno Glacier, it's easy to understand why explorers, adventurers - and the occasional outlaw - have been drawn to the area for centuries. Complementing the untrammeled beauty of the landscape, each night's hotel welcomes us with plenty of creature comforts.
Trip Planning Links
- Argentina's newest town, El Chalten, regarded as the country's hiking capital
- Come face to face with Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world's only advancing glaciers
- Observe baqueanos (cowboys) hard at work on an authentic self-sufficient estancia
- Learn the art of making empanadas
- Hiking in Chile's spectacular Torres del Paine
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-3 El Chalten
Meet in El Calafate 
Shuttle to El Chaltén for some of the most spectacular hiking in Argentina Explore the remote northern section of Los Glaciares National Park Choose from such spectacular routes as Laguna Capri and Laguna de los Tres, which provide sweeping views of the Fitz Roy (Cerro El Chalten) massif.
Days 4-5 El Calafate
Enjoy a hands-on cooking class where you'll learn the secrets of making an authentic empanada Relax, explore town or go horseback riding Strap on crampons and follow expert mountaineering guides across the Perito Moreno Glacier, a frozen landscape of crevasses and ice formations of the most incredible blue Walk to the balconies lookout along the iceberg-laden Canal de los Tempanos.
Days 6-9 Torres del Paine
Arrive in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, a Biosphere Reserve that is one of the most remote and unspoiled places on earth Enjoy a traditional asado barbecue and visit a historic working estancia Trek through a lenga forest and along a glacial river en route to the base of the breathtaking 12-million-year-old torres After boating across Lago Pehoé, continue on foot through the French River Valley, which cuts between the Paine Grande massif and the Cuernos (Horns) Shuttle to Punta Arenas, where our trip concludes.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Patagonia is beautiful and the leaders and local guides made it even more interesting and beautiful. I learned so much about the land and the people. This trip had to go down as my best and most enriching Backroads trip.- New York, NY More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Chile & Argentina Hiking
HOSPITABLE HOSTERIAS: Casual Inns
Hosteria El Puma
El Chalten (3 nights) Located at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy and Mount Torre, the hotel's warming fireplace lounge and charming guest rooms make this a great place to begin our trip.
Kau Yatun
El Calafate (2 nights) This country-style hotel is set on 10 forested acres at the foot of Mount Calafate and features a welcoming reading lounge, spacious guest rooms and two restaurants.
Lodge Cerro Guido
Comuna Torres del Paine (1 night) Featuring breathtaking views of the Paine Massif peaks, this lodge has retained much of its original architecture from the 1900s.
Hotel Rio Serrano
Torres del Paine (2 nights) This stunning hotel on the Serrano River offers panoramic views of the Torres del Paine.
Chile & Argentina Hiking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Start of Trip
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 6.2, 12.4, 15 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 4 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 10.6, 13.7 miles
- 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 2.2 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Activities
Day 5
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Glacier trekking 2 hours
- Walking 1 mile
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 2.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Level 4 1 Route Option Available
- 10 miles
- 2000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Levels 4 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 9.9, 11.8 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 9
- Conclusion of Trip