Wild Patagonia Tour

The name Patagonia evokes images of a windswept and isolated landscape, of endless steppe towered over by jagged peaks. On this tour you will be able to explore this remote area for yourself, from the southernmost tip of South America up through the most impressive of Patagonia's National Parks. We hike in Torres del Paine with its granite spires, visit the massive Moreno Glacier and explore the majestic scenery of the Fitzroy Massif.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 15
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Trek Grade: B - Moderate
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guide in the Fitzroy Massif area
Transport: Private and public bus, boat
Activities: Hiking in National Parks, boat trips in Torres del Paine
Accommodation: 6 nights hotels and lodges, 6 nights multi-share accommodation in refuges (dormitories)
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance Fees: Included for all sites and National Parks listed as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Optional boat trip in the Beagle Channel
• Hike in the region's most spectacular National Parks
• Perito Moreno Glacier
• Sail on Lake Grey and Lake Pehoe in Torres del Paine
• Ice hiking and climbing in the Fitzroy area

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 2, USHUAIA: Ushuaia is the world’s southernmost city, between the frigid waters of the South Atlantic and high snowcapped peaks. We have a full free day with the option to take a hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park or a boat trip out onto the Beagle Channel. (B)

Day 3, USHUAIA - PUNTA ARENAS: A long day’s drive through the wilds of Patagonia to the small town of Punta Arenas. (B)

Day 4, PUNTA ARENAS - TORRES DEL PAINE: Travel via Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park. This park offers breathtaking scenery of lofty peaks topped with sheer rock pinnacles, turquoise lakes and dramatic glaciers. (BD)

Day 5, TORRES DEL PAINE: Morning drive to Lake Pehoe and then set sail with the breath-taking skyline of Los Cuernos Del Paine in the background. From there we hike to Refuge Pehoe, close to the Grey Glacier, and then sail across Lake Grey. (BLD)

Day 6, TORRES DEL PAINE: We hike to the impressive scenic area of Las Torres. (BLD)

Day 7, TORRES DEL PAINE - EL CALAFATE: Travel by bus to El Calafate, our base for exploring the Moreno Glacier. (B)

Day 8, MORENO GLACIER: A full day excursion to the Moreno Glacier. One of the earth’s few advancing glaciers, this monumental sheet of ice is up to 1km thick and 6km wide. We leave early to have the area for ourselves to enjoy, with no rush and plenty of time for birdwatching. We walk on some of the lesser visited trails, enjoying almost by ourselves the glacier's north face in all its splendour, watching and hearing giant chunks of ice plummeting into the waters of Lake Argentino. We then go to the main viewing area, where you have time to enjoy this amazing natural site at your leisure. (B)

Day 9, EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN – FITZROY MASSIF: We drive to El Chalten where we meet our local guide for exploring the Fitzroy Massif. We head then into the National Park to start our hike. In the evening we set up camp to spend the night. (BLD)

Day 10, FITZROY MASSIF: Early in the morning we leave our camp. A zip-line will allow us to cross the Fitzroy river, hanging by our harnesses. After an hour walking around the lagoon, we get to the glacier. Once there, we put our crampons on and start our trek on the ice until we get to walls of ice that block the way. At this point we will be given our first instructions on ice climbing, and after putting on all the necessary gear you can practice under the safe supervision of our guides. (BL) Note: The ice climbing is an included activity, but is optional.

Day 11, FITZROY MASSIF: Free day to take one of the many optional hikes or horseriding excursions in the majestic scenery of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, in the area around the Fitzroy Massif. The views are staggering with serrated peaks interspersed with huge glaciers that tower over the Patagonian steppe. (B)

Day 12, FITZROY MASSIF - EL CALAFATE: We return to El Calafate. (B)

Day 13, EL CALAFATE: Tour ends. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]