Torres del Paine and Ushuaia Trekking

Torres del Paine and Ushuaia Guided Trekking Adventure Itinerary

Day 1 Arriving in El Calafate

Welcome to South America! You will be met at the El Calafate airport and taken to town for check-in at your accommodation. The rest of the day is at your leisure for exploring the El Calafate.
Overnight Location: Hosteria Hainen, El Calafate
Distance: N/A
Meals: None

Day 2 Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park

Embark on a scenic journey across the Patagonian steppes! You’ll see portions of the historic Route 40 (Ruta 40) as you skirt the peaks of Sierra de los Baguales to make your way to Torres del Paine National Park.

You’ll cross the Argentinian/Chilean border near Cancha Carrera and begin the last phase of the trip into the National Park. On the approach to the park, you’ll get a chance to glimpse some famous mountains: Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto, and the Towers. Upon entering the park proper you’ll go for a short 1-2 hour jaunt to whet your appetite for the upcoming hiking adventure and to familiarize yourself with the local landscape, flora, and fauna. After you’re finished exploring, hop back in the bus for a quick trip to fully-serviced your campsite.
Overnight Location: Campsite in Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 6 hours driving, 2 hours walking
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Hike to Paine Towers

Start with an uphill warmup hike to reach the valley carved by the Ascencio River. Once inside the narrow valley, you’ll follow a gentle downhill slope to Refugio Chileno Lodge. Continuing on from there, you’ll trek by the riverside enjoying the sights as it runs through a beech forest. A final push will bring you up the ridge and to the Towers Viewpoint where you’ll have a commanding view of a glacier-formed lagoon pierced by three massive towers rising 1000 meters from the glacier. It’s a sight sure to steal your breath away, if you have any left from the hike!
Overnight Location: Campsite in Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Cross Lake Pehoe via Catamarán and hike to French Valley

A brief, hour-long drive will bring you to Port Pudeto where you’ll find a catamarán ready to ferry you across Lake Pehoe and into French Valley. Once you reach the shore, you’ll have a moment to drop any unneeded items at your tent before continuing on your guided hiking adventure beginning on the French Valley trail. As the trail progresses, you’ll follow the edge of the south slopes of the Paine Grand and skirt around Lake Skottsberg. You’ll climb and descend as the trail wends along until you reach the hanging bridge spanning the French River. From there you’ll experience the jaw-dropping view of Paine Grande’s south-east face as the peak rises 2700 meters into the sky. Turning now to the east, take a moment to admire the Horns sending their striped, craggy bulk into the clouds. We’ll continue from there on to Italian Camp and stop for lunch and photos from the several viewpoints before returning to camp for the night.
Overnight Location: Campsite, Torres del Paine National Park
Distance: 1 hour drive, boat ride, 5-6 hour hike
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Hike from Pehoe Valley to Grey Valley

Grey valley was carved by Grey glacier and sweeps 60 km from the Patagonian ice field ending in Lake Grey where the glacier begins to break apart into icebergs of stunning azure. Today, you’ll be hiking along the edge of the lake following the western slopes of Paine Grande and taking you to some of the most coveted views in the park. Continue your guided trek to the main viewpoint with stunning views of the lake, the blue icebergs clustering at the edge of Grey glacier, and the mountains piercing the clouds in the distance. After your return, you’ll take a boat across Lake Pehoe and then continue on to the fishing village of Puerto Natales.
Overnight Location: Hostal Francis Drake, Puerto Natales
Distance: 4 hour hike, boat ride
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch

Day 6 Scenic Drive and Ferry Ride to Estancia Las Hijas

Your adventure today will be mostly from a seat as you drive across some of the best scenery in Patagonia. It’s a long day, but a great trip! You’ll head for the historic Strait of Magellan where you’ll board a ferry and cross. From there, you’ll continue through Tierra del Fuego and cross the border back into Argentina via Paso San Sebastián. A couple more hours will bring you to the cattle ranch Estancia Las Hijas where you’ll get to experience classic Patagonian dining with a delicious lamb BBQ before bedding down for the night.
Overnight Location: Bed in Refuge, Estancia Las Hijas
Distance: Driving all day
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Drive to Ushuaia and Tierra Del Fuego National Park

After breakfast, you’ll have a chance to explore the estancia (cattle ranch) and then by mid-morning you’ll be off again south through Patagonia to Lake Fagnano. From there you’ll journey to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city! After pausing in the city, you’ll continue on that afternoon to Tierra del Fuego National Park in the afternoon.
Overnight Location: Lodge, Tierra del Fuego National Park
Distance: Driving all day
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch

Day 8 Boat Trip across Beagle Channel

In the morning you’ll walk down to the Ushuaia pier where you’ll find the boat ready to take you across the historic Beagle Channel. You’ll visit Alicia Island and have the opportunity to watch a sea lion colony, then off to the Island of Birds where you’ll be able to watch the cormorants fishing and view the Lighthouse Les Eclaireurs built in 1919. You’ll return to port in the afternoon and be treated to western views of the Darwin mountains and northern views of the Andes towering above Ushuaia.
Overnight Location: Hotel Los Naranjo, Ushuaia
Distance: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Departure

You’ll have the morning to further explore Ushuaia and take in the sights and history of the place. In the afternoon you’ll be taken to the Ushuaia airport for your flight home.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast