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This trek is sure to captivate the most seasoned trekker and offers the opportunity to traverse Patagonia, travelling its length from Coyhaique in the north to Puerto Natales in the South, mostly on foot and by boat via some of the most captivating and untouched national parks in the region. We begin in Balmaceda with a long drive down the Austral road to our lodge at Puerto Guadal, where the lake gives way to a breathtaking mountain vista beyond compare. Our forays into the mountains surrounding the lake set the scene for the rest of the trip. Our journey takes us via Villa O’Higgins, so named for the hero of Chilean independence, Bernardo O’Higgins, before joining our boat to cross Lago O’Higgins, with the Southern Patagonian Icefield in our midst. A recently opened pass between the shores of Lago O’Higgins in Chile and Laguna del Desierto in Argentina offers a unique way to continue our traverse and offers a side to Patagonia rarely seen by other trekkers.
Of course our trip does not end there and continues to Los Glaciares National Park, home to a stunning array of granite spires including Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy and onwards to El Calafate where another perspective of the Southern Patagonian Icecap at the Perito Moreno Glacier is on offer. Of course no trip to Patagonia is complete without trekking in the Paine National Park. Here complete the ‘W’ trek and enjoy forays to the Grey Glacier, up the French Valley and the Ascensio Valley before we finally ascend to the base of Torres del Paine for one of the most unforgettable mountain views in the world, before driving across the pampas to Punta Arenas where our traverse concludes.
Day 1 JOIN BALMACEDA (BEFORE 12:00), DRIVE TO PUERTO GUADAL VIA COYHAIQUE
Day 2 FULL DAY TREKKING IN THE VERANADA AREA
Day 3 TREK TO LAKE LEONES TO VIEW THE LEONES GLACIER
Day 4 TRANSFER TO VILLA O’HIGGINS
Day 5 EMBARK AT BAHAMONDEZ PORT, CROSS LAGO O’HIGGINS BY BOAT
Day 6 CROSS INTO ARGENTINA VIA LAGUNA REDONDA AND LAGUNA DEL DESIERTO
Day 7-8 LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK
Day 9 DRIVE TO EL CALAFATE AND VISIT PERITO MORENO GLACIER
Day 10 DRIVE TO TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
Day 11 TREK TO THE GREY GLACIER MIRADOR
Day 12 HIKE TO REFUGIO LOS CUERNOS & THE FRENCH VALLEY
Day 13 TREK TO LAS TORRES
Day 14 TREK UP ASCENSIO VALLEY TO BASE OF TORRES DEL PAINE & RETURN TO LAS TORRES
Day 15 DRIVE TO PUNTA ARENAS AIRPORT WHERE TRIP CONCLUDES
14 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 10 dinners
Expert bilingual guide
Comfortable lodges and hotels
Refugios or camping (incl all equipment required) in Torres Del Paine and basic homestay/estancia in Candelario Mancilla
One group transfer included in Balmaceda on day 1 and from Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas on day 15
All internal ground transport by private bus for groups of 7 or more people
All national park and site entry fees
Horses to carry equipment on day 6
Boat trips on Lago O’Higgins and Laguna Desierto
Group medical kit
Internal flights
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Bottle water, aerated and alcoholic beverages
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Tips
International airfares and departure taxes
Visa
Travel Insurance
Most of the tracks on which we trek are fairly well defined although on higher ground the trails can be steep and not as clearly defined making sections of the trail quite difficult. You can be trekking through undulating country for up to eight hours a day at a steady pace. Generally groups like
to spread out over the trail, stopping for photographs, resting, bird watching or just ambling and taking time out to absorb the lovely surroundings. The only thing we ask you to remember is not to get too far ahead of, or behind, the main party and to keep your guide within view. Obviously in the event of very bad weather or adverse conditions, the guide will keep the group as close together as possible.
Argentina
Argentina has a population of over 30 million and an area of 2,807,500 square kms. It is the second largest country in South America after Brazil. Its diverse geography ranges from tropical jungle
in the north to the polar ice caps in the south. One needs to travel great distances between tourist regions in Argentina, and this factor makes this a very expensive destination. The cost of living in Argentina is quite high in comparison to other Latin American countries. The capital, Buenos Aires ‐ is famed for its restaurants, shops and boulevards, and has a population of more than 10 million. There are many very good restaurants (including a few vegetarian restaurants ‐ which is surprising for a country of such devoted meat eaters!). All tend to have good food and good service including the smallest ones, but some are expensive so always check the menu before ordering. Wines are very good and come mainly from the Mendoza region. All of our Patagonia programs spend time in El Calafate, which lies on the edge of Lago Argentino.
Chile
Chile boasts an astounding geographical diversity ranging from the driest place on earth (Atacama Desert) to the rain swept Patagonian peaks in the south where the Patagonian ice‐cap is the
third largest mass of ice in the world. The country rarely exceeds 200km in breadth, yet is 4300 km long. To the north, Chile borders Peru and Bolivia, whilst to the east the Andes separate it from Argentina, and the Pacific Ocean runs the length of its western coast line. It has the largest European population in South America (5%) yet the traditions of its Indian population (5%) continue to thrive in the Andean foothills. Just over 14 million people live in Chile, of which 5 million are based in Santiago. The capital city of Santiago, like its Argentinean equivalent Buenos Aires, has a distinctly European flavour. The southern towns of Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales are completely different again, located as they are near the end of the world! Both towns have great seafood and good scenery and Punta Arenas has the added bonus of some excellent museums.
Patagonia’s southern coastal position leaves it exposed to the intense winds that circle the Antarctic land mass. As such, the climate of Patagonia is unpredictable. The summer season spanning November to March, experiences day time temperatures of between 8‐20 degrees Celsius and in the evenings the temperature can reach zero. By Andean standards, the Patagonian Mountains are low in altitude, but they capture virtually all the south‐west air borne moisture cladding their summits with snow, and leaving the leeward side, the Patagonian plains, in a severe rain shadow. This makes for some very interesting contrasts in the landscapes.
Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut‐free or allergen‐free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travelers with life‐threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self‐administering these medications.
Most of the hotels and lodges we use can be described as 3 star accommodation. In smaller towns and villages hotel options are often limited and we might have to use more basic accommodation with a lower or without star rating. Please note that the star rating in South America is very fluid and can’t be compared to a western standard star rating, however you can be assured of clean, comfortable and well located lodgings.
Basic lodge accommodation/ refugio’s or camping in the National Parks. The refugios are bunk style accommodation with 4 or more people and shared bathroom facilities. The atmosphere in the refugios or camping is convivial and friendly and is part of the experience when trekking in the southern part of Torres Del Paine national park. Camping nights include tent, insulation mat and sleeping bag and shared bathroom facilities with hot water.
In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (depending on the altitude, location and weather), a rainjacket, water bottle, camera, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip‐eze etc.
Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre‐departure information provided on booking).
During the course of your trip, we will use a variety of vehicles, all of which are fit for purpose and the conditions encountered. It should be noted that laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and whilst wherever possible, vehicles with seatbelts are provided, on occasion some vehicles may not have seat belts fitted.
Groups operating with 7 or more people will have private transport throughout the entire trip.
A national guide will accompany the group commencing in Coyhaique and a second guide will accompany the group within the National Parks. For groups of less than 7 people tourist buses will be used for travel between the parks and towns and local guides within the National Parks.
Chile
Visas are not required for passport holders from the following countries visiting Chile however some nationalities are required to pay a “reciprocity fee” in USD cash on arrival if entering via Santiago International Airport, for short term tourism purposes.
Australia: fee of approximately US$117
For NZ, UK, CA & US Passport holders there is no fee applicable.
For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy.
Argentina
A visa is exempt for passport holders from the following countries visiting Argentina for short term tourism purposes:
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
United States
United Kingdom
For all other nationalities and longer stays please contact the relevant embassy.
Please bear in mind that visas may be required for countries you are visiting en route or transiting through on the way to your destination. It is important that you check the requirements of all countries you will visit. Visa costs and requirements do change regularly so we suggest you check with your travel agent or Rogue Adventures reservations consultant. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary visas.
The adventures featured in our brochures, and on our website, are just a starting point for many of our private group travelers. Working closely with our Groups Department we can organise custom designed itineraries for groups of friends, clubs, charity’s, schools or even work colleagues. Our team will assist you with all aspects of your private group adventure from itinerary design to group flights. Contact our team today.
