Be ready for another long travel day today. Early this morning, jump on a local bus to Cerro Castillo in Chile. Here, stop and get yourself some lunch while waiting for the connecting transfer to Torres del Paine National Park – sitting at the end of the earth in Chilean Patagonia. Once a sheep estancia (a type of ranch), the park was established in 1959. This trekking country is where nandus, condors and pink flamingos abound. When you arrive, you may be greeted by a herd of guanacos (the local relatives of alpacas). These strange animals provide great photo opportunities, but don't get too close, they're likely to spit! The real star of the show is the surrounding landscape. With sparkling lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and mountains, much of the time trekking is spent in awe of your surroundings. After arriving at the campsite that will be your home for the next three nights, tonight is yours to relax.
Your travel time today will be approximately 6.5 hours.
Bathroom facilities are available in the campsite with communal showers. You will share a tent for the next three nights. A camping mattress is provided for you, however sleeping bags are not, so please bring your own. Alternatively, you can hire them locally for approximately USD 23. Make sure you inform your leader on Day 1 of the trip if you intend to hire so they can make necessary arrangements.
The treks are classed as moderate to difficult and venture along clearly marked trails.
While you hike, all your belongings will be left at the campsite inside the tent. Intrepid is not responsible for anything that may go missing from your tent, however, the campsite dedicates one person to look after the site and all belongings, and as such, there has never been an issue.
The most popular trek in this area (sure to be a highlight of this trip) is Base las Torres (The Tower's Base) – this full-day hike is a well-marked route through rocky valleys, grasslands and small running streams. You’ll cross a rickety-looking swing bridge, which looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, and then ascend to the Windy Pass. The cold wind might just be a welcome relief after a bit of a climb, and when you turn the bend, you’ll be met with a stunning view looking down onto a green valley backdropped by snowy mountains. Once you reach Chileno Refugio (the backcountry huts and lodges throughout the park), you’ll have the chance to rest, recharge and refill your water bottle before heading to the jewel of the hike. Traverse through forests and creeks until you reach the milky-green lagoon that bases the view of the three towers of Torres del Paine. You’ll have time to take in the views and get a few prized photos, before making your way back to the campsite.
Your trekking time today will be approximately 8 hours or 18 km, with an elevation gain of 758 m and a descent of 1000 m.
Today, you’ll tackle the full-day French Valley hike. One of the paths along the famed W Trek, the French Valley hike is a scenic route, full of classic Patagonian scenery. You’ll spot glacier-fed lakes in shades of blues and greens and the distinctive Los Cuernos peaks towering over the horizon. Along the way, see the highest summit of the Cordillera Paine Mountain Range – Cerro Paine Grande. Take in the fantastic scenery, which look like a Bob Ross painting come to life, especially when you ascend to a panoramic view of the turquoise Lake Pehoe. As you continue through rolling grasslands, you’ll see red notro flower bushes along the shores of Lake Skottsberg. Stop at nearby refugios to fuel up on water, then be met by the French Glacier – the pinnacle of this trek.
Your trekking time today will be approximately 7 to 9 hours or 18.5 km, with an elevation gain of 470 m and a descent of 700 m.
Today is your last day in Torres del Paine National Park. After breakfast, you’ll be taken on a guided tour around another part of the park, including a visit to Grey Lake. If time permits, take the short Los Cuernos hike for a view of Salto Grande waterfall – the park’s largest and most impressive waterfall. This easy hike is a great way to cap off your experience in Torres del Paine National Park, as it’s less busy than other treks and full of incredible scenery. This afternoon, take a private transfer to Puerto Natales and then a public bus to Punta Arenas, where you’ll spend the night.
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. Your trekking time will be approximately 2 hours or 6 km.
Today, hit the road again for a scenic bus journey back to Argentina and to the southernmost city in the world – Ushuaia. Needless to say, you should arm yourself with your favourite book, music player and some drinks and snacks for the journey.
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
Ushuaia is nicknamed ‘The End of the World’ and is the access point to the Tierra del Fuego National Park (the nation’s only park with an ocean shoreline). This windswept town is backdropped by snowy mountains and sits next to the Beagle Channel – the gateway to Antarctica. This morning after breakfast, embark on the Emerald Lake hike (also known as Laguna Esmerelda). This route is considered moderately challenging and is quite a popular trek in the area due to the beautiful landscape. You’ll witness classic Patagonian forests, rich with vegetation on the way to the the lagoon, surrounded by the Andean Mountain Range. Tonight, you’re free to explore more of the park or to rest and recharge.
Your trekking time today will be approximately 3.5 hours or 9 km, with an elevation gain of 220 m and a descent of 220 m. This trail can be quite muddy, so ensure you’re wearing appropriate footwear.
Today, enjoy breakfast with your group and a leisurely morning. You have a free day to explore southern Ushuaia and its surroundings. You could head on a penguin tour and see the several local different species, most of which inhabit Martillo Island. Or you could take a hike at Martial Glacier, close to a mountain range of the same name and offering panoramic views of the Beagle Channel.
After breakfast, you’ll return to Buenos Aires by plane. Arrive back in Argentina’s capital in the early hours of the afternoon. As you’re back in the big city, you might want to kick back, relax and feast in one of the many popular restaurants in the area. Maybe hit the town tonight and experience Buenos Aires’ vibrant nightlife with your fellow travellers.
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
While you intend to return to Buenos Aires in the early hours of the afternoon, airline schedules in Argentina are known for changing without much notice, meaning that you could potentially arrive in Buenos Aires as late as 11 pm.
As there are no activities planned for your last day, you’re free to depart at any time. If you didn’t have the opportunity to see Buenos Aires before your trip, consider staying an extra few days. If you would like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Plane, local bus, private vehicle, boat
Hotel (11 nights), Camping (3 nights)
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The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
On this trip we will camp for 3 nights in Torres del Paine National Park. We will provide two-man tents and sleeping mats, but you must bring a sleeping bag (or hire one locally) and camping pillow if you need one. Facilities at the campsite are basic and shared with bathrooms and shower blocks separated by sex. Spectacular views of the mountains and lakes surrounding our campsite make the park famous.
Two Hotel Buenos Aires
Moreno 785 C1091AAN Cdad
Buenos Aires
ARGENTINA
Phone: +54 1143489700
D1: Arrival transfer is NOT included, but an optional transfer can be booked with extra cost
D14: Departure transfer is NOT included, but an optional transfer can be booked with extra cost
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
Two international airports service Buenos Aires: Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP).
Arriving at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)
If you have a confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met outside the airport by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. Our drivers are under the McDonald’s sign.
Arriving at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP)
If you have a confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met after exiting the baggage claim area by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign who will know your name.
Please ask them who they’re picking up to confirm you’ve met the correct transfer representative.
In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please call the number listed in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section of your Essential Trip Information. Free wifi is available at both airports.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. We recommend arranging one with the taxi services with desks located inside the airport.
1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance fees to certain National Parks as well as flights and overland transfers.
2. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 3 pm on Day 1.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 7, 8 and 9 (Camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. We highly recommend you take US Dollars with you to Argentina and change it locally. While ATMs are widely available in the cities, they are limited in the countryside or certain regions such Patagonia. There is also a daily limit for withdraws of around USD80. The exchange rate does fluctuant.
5. This trip includes domestic flights. Argentina is particularly strict on excess baggage and usually enforces a maximum allowance of 15 kilograms for checked luggage.