Hiking in Tierra del Fuego, Chile, and Argentina
Ultimate Patagonia
Overview
With over four decades of exploring Patagonia, we've honed our journeys to perfection. There is so much to see in this incredible realm that we feel strongly you shouldn't rush this trip. We take the time to get you to all the iconic highlights, from the storied Beagle Channel to the soaring spires of Fitz Roy in Argentina and Torres del Paine in Chile. We'll visit penguin colonies in Tierra del Fuego, and in Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine national parks, hike the classic trails plus our "secret hikes" with Patagonia's grandeur all to ourselves!
Arrive: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Depart: Punta Arenas, Chile
Highlights
- Hike in the world-famous national parks of Los Glaciares (Argentina) and Torres del Paine (Chile)
- Enjoy a choice of shorter or longer hiking options on many days
- Explore Tierra del Fuego at the very tip of South America
- Stay in boutique estancias and lodges—two are exclusive to our group
Itinerary
After exploring Buenos Aires, we fly south to Ushuaia, only 600 miles from Antarctica. We'll get a taste of this austral realm and look for penguins on our explorations in Tierra del Fuego National Park along the Beagle Channel, named for the HMS Beagle.
Fitz Roy, the crown jewel of Los Glaciares National Park, is a granite shark fin jutting out of the pampas. From our remote 10-room lodge, Hostería El Pilar, we hike to the blue lagoon right below the towering spires of the Fitz Roy massif. Another hike brings us to a glacial lake below the granite spike of Cerro Torre, rising a vertical mile and capped by an otherworldly ice mushroom.
We are welcomed like family at the charming 9-room Estancia Helsingfors and we normally have this lodge all to ourselves. In this extraordinary location, one of our hikes brings us up the narrow arm of Lago Viedma through alpine terrain to picture-perfect Lago Azul.
We'll visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, a 200-foot-high wall of blue ice and one of the few glaciers in the world that is still in equilibrium. The sounds of creaking ice are as amazing as the sight of this three-mile-wide ice wall dropping huge chunks of ice into the lake below.
In Chile, we enter the spectacular realm of Torres del Paine National Park, a surreal world of stone carved by ice. Paine Grande, the highest tower, tops 10,000 feet. Our day hikes include the Lago Nordenskjöld trail, with the Paine massif wonderfully reflected in turquoise waters, and a grand finale hike right to the base of the three massive towers that form the central Paine massif. Depart on Day 16 via Santiago.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 4, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system, with 10 hiking days. The hiking will be physically demanding at times, but we do offer shorter options on the longer hikes. For the most part, the trails are not overly difficult, but the approaches and descents can be somewhat steep, and the conditions can at times be rocky or muddy. All the hikes take place below 4,000 feet, so altitude acclimatization is not an issue.
Please note that the Trip Leader may make adjustments to the itinerary and hiking routes, depending on local weather and trail conditions.
Review Trip Level Details
We recommend you make a special effort to get in good physical condition for this trip. The better condition you are in, the more you will enjoy your experience. We suggest you begin training several months before departure. Start gradually by doing hikes, running, using a Stairmaster, or riding bikes. The object is to improve your overall aerobic capacity and get your hiking muscles limbered up. Even a brisk 30-45 minute walk every other day over moderately steep terrain can do wonders for your conditioning, and it's a great way to break in your hiking boots.
We time our trips for Patagonia's ideal hiking weather, which is from late November through early March, when we can enjoy the mildest temperatures and 16 hours of daylight. November (spring) is blessed with wildflowers and March (fall) offers the start of spectacular fall foliage. With its deep southern latitude, you might expect Patagonia's weather to be more "polar" than it really is. In fact, the austral summer temperatures are relatively moderate. During Patagonia's summer months (November through March in the Southern Hemisphere), the thermometer rarely drops below 40°F and will usually reach into the high 60s°F and even low 70s°F during the day. Nevertheless, the weather is radically changeable. Rain, sleet, and snow can occur at any time—perhaps just a few hours before or after sunny skies and 70°F temperatures.
The enormous, unbroken stretches of ocean to the west and south of the tip of South America leave the Patagonian Andes exposed to strong and persistent winds. Winds circling the globe between latitudes of 40s°F and 60s°F have little obstruction when they reach the tip of South America. Experiencing these winds is almost inevitable on any Patagonian journey. For most part, you can expect winds of 9 to 13 miles per hour, but they can occasionally gust much higher, quickly "cooling down" an otherwise pleasant day. Prepare for this by wearing layered clothing and always having rain and/or wind protection handy.
Our spectacularly located estancias and lodges are a highlight of the trip, and we often have these entire lodges to ourselves. Please remember, though, that rooms in these unique places are not always of uniform or international size. Our Trip Leaders try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. In addition, please note that many hotels and lodges in Patagonia have twin-bedded rooms. Very few have "matrimonial" rooms (rooms with a double bed). While we can request a double-bedded room for you if you ask us well in advance, we cannot guarantee it. Single rooms in Patagonian lodges tend to come in small sizes in exchange for the privacy they afford.
There are some long driving days on this trip, and although we have a very comfortable vehicle, everyone should be prepared for stretches of bumpy road conditions
Client Testimonials
"This was an exceptionally designed trip. Words cannot do justice to the scenery and natural abundance in that part of the world, and it was apparent we took advantage of it as much as possible."
Alicia K.
Grosse Pointe Park, MI
"This trip to Patagonia was one of the best experiences of my entire life. Every part of it was well thought out. I will always hold the time I spent in Patagonia under the guidance of Wilderness Travel as one of the finest memories of my entire life. "
Andrew S.
Palo Alto, CA
"This was our first trip with Wilderness Travel, and we were truly spoiled! Our accommodations were simply the best, the group was congenial and lots of fun, we had unbelievably good food on the entire trip, and our trip leader was fabulous. The hikes took us to spectacular scenery that we could only see from hiking there. We also had the luxury of hiking some trails in relative solitude, which was wonderful. I also enjoyed the extra experiences—visiting the working estancia and seeing the sheep herding dog in action, and watching the owner shear a sheep."
Anna H.
Corvallis, OR
"It was amazing, the trip of a lifetime. The vast wild open beauty of the Patagonian landscape captured my heart."
Barbara C.
Tempe, AZ
"Could not have been improved upon. Even the WEATHER was on our side!"
Barbara C.
Westmoreland, NH
"Amazing trip! Excellent trip leaders and extremely knowledgeable guides made this a real learning experience as well as a lot of fun!"
Barbara D.
Thetford Center, VT
"I highly recommend this trip. The itinerary was fabulous, and everything ran like a Swiss watch, on time, seamlessly, and happily."
Betty G.
Kirkland, WA
"Great scenery, great itinerary, great hikes."
Bill and Kathleen H.
Lafayette, CA
"The trip was spectacular. Every day managed to amaze and thrill. I'd have thought we'd eventually get jaded, but no!"
Bill E.
Carmel Valley, CA
"Having access to this magical landscape with its startlingly beautiful scenery is a gift like no other . . . thank you for making it accessible. As I tell my friends, with WT, you just have to show up and hike!"
Candace S.
Palo Alto, CA
"This was a tremendous experience and I am so glad I did it. Wilderness Travel planned a wonderful itinerary. Thank you for doing all you do."
Carin M.
Portland, OR
"One of the top 4 trips I have taken. The guide, people in the group, itinerary, weather, everything was great. How can each day be better than the past? Somehow it was."
Carla K.
St. Simons Island, GA
"Magnificent scenery, fantastic Trip Leader, excellent local guides, great food, and a fun group of participants made for a wonderful trip!"
Charlaine D.
Philadelphia PA
"This was an amazing experience. The group size was perfect, the itinerary well paced, the Trip Leaders outstanding."
Christine S.
Redwood City, CA
"Everything about this trip was top rate. What truly sets Wilderness Travel apart from other adventure outfitters we've used is the attention to detail...the small things and the welcomed surprises along the way."
Craig F.
Gainesville, FL
"A 5-star experience—unforgettable, well organized, planned, paced."
Daisy R.
New York, NY
"The trip was fabulous and everything I hoped for and expected."
Daniel R.
Marshall, NC
"Hiking in Patagonia has long been a dream of mine. My dream has come true and the trip exceeded my expectations. What beautiful country!"
Darrell K.
Danville, CA
"The trip was seamless and smoothly run under all conditions and weather. The itinerary was appealing and comprehensive. All our friends are jealous and we’ll be dining out on this trip for a long time."
Ed and Lois B.
Washington, DC
"The trip totally surpassed my expectations. Patagonia was absolutely breathtaking and one of the most spectacular travels I have had so far."
Elizabeth C.
Toronto, Ontario
"This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, led by a constellation of talented professionals. The itinerary gave us a strong sense of this wondrous place called Patagonia. I saw beauty that left me speechless, learned about and saw some of Patagonia's wondrous natural world—from glaciers to penguins, from the beauty of hidden lagoons to guanaco to pink flamingo—and, on the trail and off, experienced camaraderie that enriched the entire experience."
Elizabeth W.
Hillsborough, NC
"Beautifully structured trip covering key Patagonia locales in the time allotted. The hikes and glacier walk were fabulous."
Ellen R.
New York, NY
"A lifetime dream and it met my expectations!"
Eugene J.
Salt Lake City, UT
"Of all 9 of our wonderful WT adventures, Ultimate Patagonia is one of our most memorable. The combination of outstanding WT staff and a truly magical place (plus the good fortune of great weather) made this trip a ‘life list’ experience for us!"
Frank S.
Wrightsville Beach, NC
"This was the best group trip I have been on. Well-organized, great leaders, best group of people I've traveled with, interesting accommodations, extremely well orchestrated."
Ginger R.
Bend, OR
"We have trekked all over the world. This trip offered some of the most impressive scenery and most knowledgeable guides we've experienced."
Ivy W.
Essex, CT
"Impeccable itinerary and outstanding implementation. Every day delivered a new 'oh my' because of the variety of the scenery and experiences. Thanks, Wilderness Travel!"
Jan D.
Meyersdale, PA
"This was an amazing trip. There are likely few more beautiful places in the world, the guides were fantastic, and the hotels and food great."
John I.
Fremont, CA
"A great trip! Very well coordinated and all staff were professional, knowledgeable, helpful, and easy to deal with. Will recommend it to my friends."
Judith R.
Albany, NY
"A fabulous itinerary, with spectacular scenery and hiking opportunities, wildlife, lodge comfort, quality dining, and no altitude—wow!"
Karen G.
New York, NY
"You could not have designed a better itinerary. Every day, every lodge, every meal, every experience was (unbelievably) better than the day before. Thank you for making this a phenomenal travel experience that I'll remember for a lifetime."
Kathie D.
Belle Isle, FL
"I have seen a lot of beautiful places, but none more beautiful than Patagonia. Every day was a new and amazing hike with unimaginable views."
Ken G.
Orlando, FL
"I am very impressed with the exceptional organization and design of this trip—each day was better than the prior! From the smooth transfers, our outstanding guides and driver, to the spectacular hiking and views—all exceeded expectations!"
Laura F.
Englewood, CO
"This was a trip of a lifetime. I loved, loved, loved the hiking, the views, the corners turned to find a spectacular glacial lake, towering rocks, a glacier swooping down, a waterfall. What more could a person want??"
Lee W.
Riverside, RI
"We loved the variety, from penguins and glaciers to high deserts and craggy mountains, and loved learning about an area we both truly knew nothing about."
Linda and Bob Doyle S.
Novato, CA
"Wow! What an adventure. I really enjoyed it from start to finish."
Lynn R.
Hilton Head Is., SC
"We had excellent weather, an awesome group of people, and a wonderful leader in Carlos Leon. And, we were in Patagonia! That's never a bad thing."
Marie K.
Pittsburgh, PA
"One of the best trips we’ve been on!"
Maureen and Frank B.
Millerton, NY
"We loved the all-day hikes and also appreciated having options on some hikes."
Nancy and Tom F.
Sarasota, FL
"The trip design and splendor of Patagonia make this trip a wonderful experience in every respect! I can't imagine better hikes in a more spectacular setting. Every day was interesting and new. The trip leaders were great, the flora and fauna were interesting, and the variety of activities made for a trip that exceeded every expectation."
Nancy L.
Indianapolis, IN
"We loved the trip. The scenery is fantastic, and the extension to Iguazu Falls was a highlight."
Nancy L.
La Jolla, CA
"The combination of civilized amenities and virtually untouched natural wonders delighted me throughout the trip."
Nancy P.
Los Angeles, CA
"No adjectives could do justice to this trip. Every bend, every crest on the trail unveiled a new and indescribably beautiful scene—the scale and power of Fitzroy or the Paine Towers looming above, lakes and glaciers in every imaginable shade of blue, a sky full of stars at Chalten. Each day’s hike left us in awe of the majesty of nature."
Niles B.
Madison, WI
"This was a truly exceptional trip where we felt that we were able to fully experience the Patagonian wilderness but from the relative comfort of some wonderful small hotels and estancias."
Paul F.
Croton-On-Hudson, NY
"The trip design was brilliant. Each day we thought we had captured “the prize” but the next day was even better. How did you do this?"
Peter G.
Washington, D.C.
"Our first with WT! We loved it. You have a first-class operation."
Richard and Margaret T.
Napa, CA
"Ultimate Patagonia must be your flagship trip. It is spectacular and runs like a well oiled machine with personality."
Sara K.
West Hartford, CT
"It was a magical experience with every effort possible made to assure that we fully came to appreciate the beauty and culture of Patagonia. And, more to the point, to assure that we enjoyed some of the best hiking we will ever do."
Skip S.
Thetford, VT
"Really a fantastic trip. One of the best we have ever taken."
Steven A.
New York, NY
"Wilderness Travel is always a class act, which is why this is our 3rd WT trip."
Sue M.
San Carlos, CA
"We were blessed with exceptional weather, so our days in Patagonia were magical and majestic. We also had a great group of travelers and that was just fun! Will highly recommend this to my friends!"
Susan C.
Colorado Springs, CO
"This was an amazing trip with gorgeous scenery, awesome hiking, a great guide, and wonderful places to stay."
Teresa B.
Bethesda, MD
"The trip exceeded my expectations. Each day was a new adventure, and each hike always ended with something new and beautiful to look at."
Terrell N.
Los Angeles, CA
"The planning and execution of the trip was flawless. It was a great way to see this large area in a limited amount of time."
Thomas Y.
Sedona, AZ
"I loved the trip—a great experience you could never have on your own."
Walter Z.
Rye Brook, NY
"I had the best possible experience in Patagonia with this trip—the right combination of great hiking, beautiful scenery, traveling with friends, and having great leaders."
Yvette P.
Carbondale, CO
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.