Guided Trekking in Patagonia

Day 1: To Santiago - Fly via Madrid to Santiago de Chile.

Day 2: Santiago - Morning arrival and transfer to the Hotel Galerias for 2 nights. Afternoon tour of the historic and modern parts of the city, including the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and San Cristobal hill from where there are panoramic views of Santiago and possibly the Andes beyond.

Day 3: Santiago - Travel to the valleys north of the capital for walking in La Campaňa National Park. The national park has unusual flora due to the microclimates, with native forest which is in danger of extinction. This evening dinner will be gourmet Chilean food at the Meson Nerudiano restaurant, located in Bellavista near Pablo Neruda’s old house.

Day 4: To Punta Arenas - Fly to Punta Arenas in the far south. In fine weather the flight offers views of the Andes and the Patagonian ice cap. Stay at the Hotel Isla Rey Jorge for 1 night and take an afternoon tour of this pioneer town.

Day 5: To Torres del Paine - Morning visit to the Magellanic penguin colony at Otway Sound. Continue the long but incredibly scenic drive to Puerto Natales and on into the heart of Chilean Patagonia, the Torres del Paine National Park. Reach the entrance to the park in the late afternoon from where a winding drive leads to Hosteria Mirador del Payne, situated near Laguna Verde, for 1 night.

Day 6: Torres del Paine - The first walk in the park is a wonderful foretaste of days to come, on an easy clear path through grass meadows and beech woodland, passing clear mountain lakes framed by the magnificent Torres del Paine mountain range. Continue to Lago Grey for a view of the shimmering blue icebergs as they break off the nearby Grey Glacier, and then on to Hosteria Las Torres, with a breathtaking location near the base of the granite towers, for 3 nights.

Day 7: Torres del Paine - An extraordinary walk to the Paine towers viewpoint, the spectacular granite pillars that rise over 2,000m above the Patagonian steppe, or walk the Paso Los Cuernos path along Lago Nordenskjold, with possible views of Mt Almirante Nieto.

Day 8: Torres del Paine - Take a catamaran across Lago Pehoe for a walk in the tranquil Valle de Frances for wonderful views of the lakes and the nearby peaks, and walk alongside Lago Skottsberg to the viewpoints of the towers and glaciers.

Day 9: To El Calafate, Argentina - Early departure towards the border with Argentina and continue across the wild Patagonian expanses. A lunch of delicious local food will be taken at a traditional Argentinian estancia. Continue to the small town of El Calafate for 3 nights at Hotel Quijote.

Day 10: Moreno Glacier - Full day tour to the extraordinary views of the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s only advancing glaciers, where the deep blue colours of the huge ice wall combine with the sounds of creaking and crashing. There is the chance to take an optional boat trip on the lake in front of the glacier.

Day 11: To El Chalten - Journey across the wilderness following the lakes Argentino and Viedma to the remote mountain town of El Chalten. Arrive in time for an afternoon walk to the Cerro Torre viewpoint and stay at the Hosteria Senderos for 3 nights.

Day 12: Mount Fitzroy walk - An incredible full day walk to Laguna de Los Tres, close to Mount Fitzroy, with views of the jagged peaks of the Fitzroy range and the Andean wilderness.

Day 13: Laguna del Desierto - Travel further into the mountains on dirt roads to the breathtaking panoramas of the Laguna del Desierto, surrounded by lush native forest and complete with orchids. The lake is deep into the mountains among pristine natural surroundings where few people tread.

Day 14: To Buenos Aires - Early transfer across the steppe to El Calafate and fly to Buenos Aires. Transfer to Hotel Las Americas for 2 nights.

Day 15: Buenos Aires - Morning walking tour of the capital, including the Casa Rosada, the colourful port district of La Boca and fashionable Recoleta. There is a classic Buenos Aires experience this evening with a tango show and dinner.

Day 16 To London:

Day at leisure before an evening flight to London via Madrid.

Day 17: London - Morning arrival.