Walking in Patagonia

Travel to the far reaches of South America and discover a land of raw wilderness and natural beauty straddling both Argentina and Chile. The vast Patagonian steppe is where towering, rocky pinnacles overlook turquoise lakes, and the immense Perito Moreno Glacier drops sheets of ice into the waters below. Above it all stands the sheer faces of Mount Fitz Roy – an eye-catching centrepiece to this astonishing landscape. You’ll also venture to islands where colonies of Magellan penguins and sea lions thrive, while time in lively Buenos Aires and Santiago provide a complete contrast to exploring one of the world’s most remote regions.
What you’ll love
- Exploring the incredible Torres del Paine National Park on foot
- Walking in the Los Glaciares National Park
- Spending time in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires
- Getting close to Grey Glacier by boat
- Spotting Magellan penguins, rheas, guanacos, and condors
- Visiting La Campana National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
What’s included
- Full programme of guided walks led by local leaders
- HF Holidays Tour Manager
- Comfortable accommodation
- Full board from dinner on arrival (except one lunch and one dinner)
- All sightseeing and entrance fees (as per itinerary)
- Air-conditioned transport
- Internal flights
- Return flights from the UK including hold baggage and airport transfers
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
Gallery
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Overnight flight to Buenos Aires.
Once you’ve arrived in Buenos Aires, you’ll set off on a tour to discover the city’s highlights. Known as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires’ architecture is enchanting. We’ll visit the Avenida de Mayo Boulevard and the Plaza de Mayo, home to the cathedral and city hall, as well as the colourful tin houses of San Telmo de la Boca. We’ll wind up in the northern part of Buenos Aires, where parks and wide avenues dominate the cityscape.
Hotel Cyan Americas Towers, Buenos Aires - Patagonia
The Hotel Americas Towers is located in the centre of the city in an attractive neighbourhood within walking distance of fashionable Recoleta and the pedestrianised Florida Street. The modern 4-star hotel has large rooms and an outdoor pool.
Fly from Buenos Aires to El Chalafate and transfer to El Chaltén
Hosteria Senderos, El Chalten - Patagonia
Located in Los Glaciares National Park near the entrance to the village El Chaltén at the base of the spectacular Mount Fitz Roy, Hosteria Senderos is an attractive mountain lodge designed in the style of an old Patagonian estancia. You’ll stay in comfortable, light, and warm rooms, plus there’s an attractive restaurant, wine bar, and lounge corner with a log fire.
Distance: 9km
Ascent: 800m
This is the signature walk in this part of the world, and the closest to Mount Fitz Roy. We’ll set off on a long, but well-marked trail that starts in El Chaltén, firstly tackling a steep slope to reach Del Salto Valley. We’ll cross the Rio Blanco to arrive at the base camp. From here, we’ll continue ascending approximately 400m until we reach Laguna de los Tres.
Hosteria Senderos, El Chalten - Patagonia
Located in Los Glaciares National Park near the entrance to the village El Chaltén at the base of the spectacular Mount Fitz Roy, Hosteria Senderos is an attractive mountain lodge designed in the style of an old Patagonian estancia. You’ll stay in comfortable, light, and warm rooms, plus there’s an attractive restaurant, wine bar, and lounge corner with a log fire.
Distance: 6km
Ascent: 300m
We’ll transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate to trek to the Cerro Torre viewpoint. Our walk begins with a 20-minute uphill climb through a beautiful lenga forest – Patagonia’s native trees. We’ll enjoy views of the Fitz Roy River running through the base of the canyon to our left. On the horizon, we’ll be able to see the granite formations of the entire massif, Fitz Roy and its surrounding hills. We’ll return on the same path, this time soaking up the immensity of the Patagonian steppe and the hills in the vicinity of Lake Viedma.
Hotel El Quijote, El Calafate - Patagonia
In El Calafate, stay at the Hotel El Quijote, a comfortable 3-star hotel built in a Spanish style with lots of dark wood. It’s a short stroll into the centre of El Calafate, where you’ll find the various shops and outfitters in this small town.
Hotel El Quijote, El Calafate - Patagonia
In El Calafate, stay at the Hotel El Quijote, a comfortable 3-star hotel built in a Spanish style with lots of dark wood. It’s a short stroll into the centre of El Calafate, where you’ll find the various shops and outfitters in this small town.
Today we’ll travel from Argentia into neighbouring Chile. We’ll need to change our vehicle at the border after custom formalities, from where we’ll continue to Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the Chilean side of the border along the way.
Hotel del Paine, Torres del Paine - Patagonia
The Hotel del Paine is located on the banks of the Serrano River, on the edge of the Torres del Paine National Park. You’ll be able to gaze out at the Paine massif from the dining room, where large windows maximise the eye-catching views. Many of the rooms are housed in several wooden cabins, while others are in the main house. The restaurant serves up Patagonian and international cuisine.
Distance: 7km
Ascent: 200m
Embark on a three-hour boat excursion to Grey Glacier, the largest in Torres del Paine National Park. Starting at Hotel Lago Grey, we’ll cruise up the lake towards the glacier, which stands tall at 30m (100ft) high and 6km (3.7 miles) wide. Pieces of ice both large and small regularly break off from the front of the glacier, falling into the water and floating across the lake like fluorescent blue icebergs. We’ll pass in front of the glacier as close as possible for a close-up view of the majestic sight, before returning to the hotel.
Afternoon trek in the Sarmiento sector
Our hike begins after a short transfer to Lago Sarmiento park entrance and takes us northwards to the Laguna Amarga entrance. We’ll be able to spot a wide range of flora and fauna, including rheas (large, flightless birds) and wild guanaco (similar to domesticated llamas). What’s more, we’ll see fascinating rock paintings created by the region’s indigenous population.
Hotel del Paine, Torres del Paine - Patagonia
The Hotel del Paine is located on the banks of the Serrano River, on the edge of the Torres del Paine National Park. You’ll be able to gaze out at the Paine massif from the dining room, where large windows maximise the eye-catching views. Many of the rooms are housed in several wooden cabins, while others are in the main house. The restaurant serves up Patagonian and international cuisine.
Distance: 18km
Ascent: 650m
We’ll climb upwards into the Asencio Valley, stopping to admire the marvellous views of Nordenskjöld Lake and Almirante Nieto Mountain (2,670m) behind you. After resting at Refugio El Chileno, we’ll continue for about an hour and a half, passing through an age-old lenga (beech) forest and crossing plunging streams to the Campamento Torres.
Here, we’ll climb steeply up the side of the valley, through a rock-covered glacial moraine to the Las Torres Base viewpoint. This magnificent spot rewards with memorable views of the Torre Sur at 2,850 m, Torre Central (2,800m), Torre Norte (2,600 m), and Cerro Nido de Cóndor.
Hotel del Paine, Torres del Paine - Patagonia
The Hotel del Paine is located on the banks of the Serrano River, on the edge of the Torres del Paine National Park. You’ll be able to gaze out at the Paine massif from the dining room, where large windows maximise the eye-catching views. Many of the rooms are housed in several wooden cabins, while others are in the main house. The restaurant serves up Patagonian and international cuisine.
We’ll travel to Punta Arenas, the capital of the Magellan region, which thanks to its location on the Magellan Strait, prospered and continues to be used by merchant ships to this day.
We’ll drive to the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint for far-reaching views of the city and the Magellan Strait. Then we’ll head to the main square, Plaza de Armas, which is lined with 19th century mansions.
Hotel Diego de Almagro, Punta Arenas - Patagonia
The modern Hotel Diego de Almagro Punta Arenas is located along the waterfront, just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre. Rooms are large and well-furnished, many with an unbeatable view of the historic Strait of Magellan. The hotel features a fitness room, a sauna, a jacuzzi, a heated swimming pool, and restaurant.
This 4.5-hour shared boat trip takes us through the icy waters of the Strait of Magellan to the islands of Santa Marta and Magdalena. The islands are home to an enormous colony of Magellan penguins, as well as many other animals, including cormorants and petrels.
We’ll set off from Laredo Bay to Santa Marta Island, home to a colony of sea lions, along with cormorant nesting grounds. After a tour of Santa Marta, we’ll venture to Magdalena Island, also part of the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument protection area since 1982. Each year, from October to March, over 60,000 pairs of Magellan penguins converge to nest and fledge their young. We’ll visit an environmental interpretation centre for more information on the Magellan Strait and its ecological richness.
There’s time for lunch followed by condor watching at Estancia Olga Teresa, home to 60 to 100 Andean condors. Under professional guidance, we’ll be able to marvel at these creatures through a telescope. Your guide will explain everything about them and their behaviour.
Hotel Diego de Almagro, Punta Arenas - Patagonia
The modern Hotel Diego de Almagro Punta Arenas is located along the waterfront, just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre. Rooms are large and well-furnished, many with an unbeatable view of the historic Strait of Magellan. The hotel features a fitness room, a sauna, a jacuzzi, a heated swimming pool, and restaurant.
After our flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago, we’ll enjoy a sunset visit to the Sky Costanera observation platform, atop the tallest building in South America. With clear skies, you’ll even be able to see the ski centres in the Andes.
Four Points by Sheraton - Patagonia
The upmarket Four Points by Sheraton lies in the heart of the Providencia district, near boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and bars. Rooms feature views of the city or the Andes. Plus there’s a restaurant and a bar that serves up pisco sours every night of the week.
Distance: 3km
Ascent: 400m
An early transfer brings us La Campana National Park, named after La Campana mountain (1,910m/6,267ft). The park encompasses one of the few protected central regions of Chile that still retains its original flora and fauna, and was added to the UNESCO World Biosphere list in 1985.
Our hike leads through an impressive natural forest and a particular highlight are the palm groves here, in the northern Ocoa sector of the national park. Towards the end of the hike, we’ll reach a viewpoint with panoramic vistas of the entire valley. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at local restaurant in Santiago.
Four Points by Sheraton - Patagonia
The upmarket Four Points by Sheraton lies in the heart of the Providencia district, near boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and bars. Rooms feature views of the city or the Andes. Plus there’s a restaurant and a bar that serves up pisco sours every night of the week.
Private transfer from the hotel to the airport in Santiago.
Hotel Cyan Americas Towers, Buenos Aires - Patagonia
The Hotel Americas Towers is located in the centre of the city in an attractive neighbourhood within walking distance of fashionable Recoleta and the pedestrianised Florida Street. The modern 4-star hotel has large rooms and an outdoor pool.
Hosteria Senderos, El Chalten - Patagonia
Located in Los Glaciares National Park near the entrance to the village El Chaltén at the base of the spectacular Mount Fitz Roy, Hosteria Senderos is an attractive mountain lodge designed in the style of an old Patagonian estancia. You’ll stay in comfortable, light, and warm rooms, plus there’s an attractive restaurant, wine bar, and lounge corner with a log fire.
Hotel El Quijote, El Calafate - Patagonia
In El Calafate, stay at the Hotel El Quijote, a comfortable 3-star hotel built in a Spanish style with lots of dark wood. It’s a short stroll into the centre of El Calafate, where you’ll find the various shops and outfitters in this small town.
Hotel del Paine, Torres del Paine - Patagonia
The Hotel del Paine is located on the banks of the Serrano River, on the edge of the Torres del Paine National Park. You’ll be able to gaze out at the Paine massif from the dining room, where large windows maximise the eye-catching views. Many of the rooms are housed in several wooden cabins, while others are in the main house. The restaurant serves up Patagonian and international cuisine.
Hotel Diego de Almagro, Punta Arenas - Patagonia
The modern Hotel Diego de Almagro Punta Arenas is located along the waterfront, just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre. Rooms are large and well-furnished, many with an unbeatable view of the historic Strait of Magellan. The hotel features a fitness room, a sauna, a jacuzzi, a heated swimming pool, and restaurant.
Four Points by Sheraton - Patagonia
The upmarket Four Points by Sheraton lies in the heart of the Providencia district, near boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and bars. Rooms feature views of the city or the Andes. Plus there’s a restaurant and a bar that serves up pisco sours every night of the week.
Essential information
It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Insulated jacket/top
- Walking clothing
- Walking socks (plus spares)
- Sunhat
- Gloves/mitts and warm hat
- Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)
- Headtorch
- High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)
- Sunglasses with a dark lens
- Rucksack (15-30 litres)
- Mobile phone
- Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.)
- Passport
- Visa (if applicable)
- Copy of your travel insurance policy
- UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC)
Recommended
- Collapsible walking poles
- Swimwear and travel towel
- Snacks
- Dry bags
- Rubbish bags
- Insect repellent
Optional extras
- Camera
- Sit mat
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Gaiters
- GPS device
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All packages that include flights are ATOL protected. Advertised prices listed below show the lowest economy flight price option for that departure. On holidays where we offer local UK airports, details will appear in the “Important Information” section below and available alternative flight options will be offered when you book. Seating upgrades may be available on request and at an additional charge, please call 020 3974 8865 for a quote.
Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | ||||||||
12 Oct - 25 Oct 2024 13 nights |
Itinerary Flight from London Heathrow Airport Single from £8,427 Double from £7,569 pp |
from £7,569 pp |
from £8,427 |
Trip Notes | Book Now |
Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | ||||||||
12 Oct - 25 Oct 2024 13 nights |
Itinerary Single from £7,027 Double from £6,169 pp |
from £6,169 pp |
from £7,027 |
Trip Notes | Book Now |
Important information
- With flight holidays: Price includes economy flights to Buenos Aires returning from Santiago, hold baggage and airport transfers
13 nights
from
£7,569pp
with flights
New holidays
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