Argentina is among countries that start with A listed on Countryaah.com. In the west, the Andes mountain range forms the border with Chile. The highest peak on the American continent is also located here: the 6,962 m high Aconcagua. In the south-east of the country stretches the huge grass steppe of the pampas – the granary of the country and pasture area for the famous Argentine cattle. South of the Rio Colorado begins the unspoilt, mountainous landscape of Patagonia, which extends to Tierra del Fuego. Patagonia is home to two of the country’s top attractions, with the striking peaks Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy.
- Day 1: Start in El Calafate
- Day 2: Trekking start in El Chaltén
- Day 3: Hike to the Laguna de los Tres & Fitz Roy
- Day 4: Hiking to the Cerro-Torre-Panorama
- Day 5: Hike to the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
- Day 6: From El Chaltén back to El Calafate
- Day 7: A natural wonder: the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Day 8: Through the steppe to the Torres del Paine National Park
- Day 9: Hike to the Torres del Paine
- Day 10: Boat trip on Lake Pehoe – Valley of the French
- Day 11: Lake Gray & Glacier
- Day 12: Puerto Natales: free day
- Day 13: Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world
- Day 14: Beagle Channel: visiting seals and cormorants
- Day 15: Ushuaia: the southernmost city in the world
We approach the famous, 30-kilometer-long Perito Moreno Glacier via steps and footbridges. We almost believe that if we hold out our hand we will feel his ice-cold touch. Chunks of ice constantly tumble down and thunder into Lake Argentino. “When you stand in front of these huge walls of snow and ice, you are simply speechless,” says Michael, who went on the tour. The trip is just the thing for nature lovers: we pay a visit to Ushuaia, the southernmost city on earth. “Otherwise we are in pristine, unobstructed landscapes,” says Michael: “without disruptive industrial plants, without large settlements.”
In a four-day trek we have the best views of the steep granite mountains Fitz Roy (3,405 m) and Cerro Torre (3,128 m). We make the detour to Chile because of the granite needles of the Torres del Paine, which are UNESCO World Heritage. Their tips bear names such as Cuernos (horns), Máscara (mask) or Aleta de Tiburón (shark fin). Finally we cross the Strait of Magellan, on a boat trip in Tierra del Fuego we can observe sea lions and cormorants. Patagonia is the most beautiful end of the world, they say, and that’s not just a bon mot.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Start in El Calafate
Our trip starts in El Calafate, a small town in the southern Andes. We will be waiting at the airport by a driver who will take us to the hotel where we will meet our local guide.
Before we start trekking tomorrow, we still have time this afternoon to enjoy the atmosphere of a small Patagonian town. The town of El Calafate, with a population of around 20,000, is located on Lake Argentino and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains. The city is a popular starting point for tours in Patagonia and attracts tourists from all over the world.
If you would like to arrive in Argentina a little earlier and would like to visit the Queen on the Río de la Plata, the metropolis of tango and the capital of Argentina, we offer you a package around the basic tour in Patagonia. 3x overnight stays in Buenos Aires (Hotel A), 1x before and 2x after the basic trip including an audiovisual city tour on the first day and all airport transfers (per person in a double room € 290 / single room surcharge € 90).
No international or national flights are included!
Overnight in a hotel
(- / – / A)
2nd day:
Trekking start in El Chaltén
After breakfast we drive to El Chaltén, the starting point for our trekking tour within the Los Glaciares National Park. After a 3-hour bus ride, we arrive at our destination and only pack the bare essentials for the next three days of trekking. The approximately 6,000 km² Los Glaciares National Park encompasses a fascinating, globally unique glacier landscape and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. We hike the first part along the Río de las Vueltas until we come to the first viewpoints that offer breathtaking views of the Fitz Roy. At 3,406 m, the Fitz Roy is the highest point in the national park and is known for its distinctive, pointed shape. On our hike we approach the Lagoon de Los Patos and finally reach the tent camp that has already been prepared. The igloo tents in double or single version are already set up and we can arrive relaxed and let the impressions of the day take effect. Sleeping mats and sleeping bags are prepared in each tent. We also have a spacious tent with tables and benches where we can eat and chat. We don’t have the luxury of a hotel here, but we don’t need one in the midst of a fascinating natural landscape.
Driving time: approx. 3 hours
Hike: approx. 3 hours
overnight stay in a tent (Camp Poincenot)
(B / L / D)
3rd day:
Hike to the Laguna de los Tres & Fitz Roy
After breakfast together in the heart of Patagonia, the spirit of discovery in us is sure to urge us to finally get started. We’ll set off on a day’s hike and only take the bare essentials with us – don’t forget your camera, it will be worth it! On the way to the base camp Rio Blanco at the foot of the Fitz Roy, we see the impressive peaks of the mountain and the glacier soaring into the sky. From the base camp, a steep ascent (approx. 1.5 hours) leads us to one of the best viewpoints in the park, the Laguna de los Tres. The effort of the climb is worth it: You can hardly get enough of this view and you get an impression of the Patagonian vastness. Then we go back to our tent camp.
Hike: approx. 5 hours
overnight in a tent (Camp Poincenot)
(B / L / D)
4th day:
Hiking to the Cerro-Torre-Panorama
We leave the Laguna Capri early in the morning and make our way towards Cerro Torre – next to the Fitz Roy the second legendary granite mountain in the national park. We follow a valley along the Madre e Hija lagoons and penetrate dense forest to the Fitz-Roy River. We walk along the river to its source at the Laguna Torre. The lagoon is nestled between glacier moraines and ice floes drift from Glaciar Grande to the shore. From here we have a beautiful view of the impressive summit of Cerro Torre. With its slender 3,128 m high granite tower, Cerro Torre is one of the most difficult peaks in the world to climb – but also one of the most beautiful. Only experienced and persevering climbers dare to climb Cerro Torre and even most professionals fail. The view from afar alone inspires us hikers. We enjoy this unique panorama before we return to El Chaltén.
Hike: approx. 7-8 hours
overnight in a hotel
(B / L / -)
5th day:
Hike to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Today we start a day hike from El Chaltén and have the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado as our destination. This 1,500 m high mountain is located directly to the south of Fitz Roy and offers wonderful views over the surrounding mountain ranges. The hike starts comfortably over forest and meadow paths and then ends in stony mountain paths. Depending on the skill and the wishes of the group, we can go up to a lookout point (approx. 900 m) or try to climb the summit (1500 m, approx. +1,100 m). From the summit we can enjoy the wonderful view over the Fitz Roy, the Cerro Torre and the impressive glacier valley. After another day full of new impressions, we return to El Chaltén.
Most of the vertical meters are hiked on this day. All other walks are below it.
Hike: approx. 5-7 hours depending on the variant
Overnight in a hotel
(B / L / -)
6th day:
From El Chaltén back to El Calafate
After the intense experiences of the last few days, this morning is at our disposal. Just relax, explore the place or take a short hike.
In the afternoon we leave El Chaltén and return to El Calafate in the late evening after a 5 hour bus ride.
Driving time: approx. 5 hours
overnight in a hotel
(B / – / -)
7th day:
A natural wonder: the Perito Moreno Glacier
Today one of the most famous and imposing natural wonders of Argentina is on the program: the Perito Moreno Glacier. Immediately after breakfast, the bus goes to the Península de Magallanes, where the glacier is located. In contrast to most of the glaciers in the world, the Perito Moreno does not retreat, but actually continues to grow. The outlet glacier extends over a length of approx. 30 km and occupies around 250 km². After about 1.5 hours of driving we reach the glacier and even its silhouette from a distance amazes us. During a short hike we can get an idea of the enormous dimensions of the glacier. There is also the option of a boat trip on Lake Argentino, where the glacier tongue ends. Again and again, blocks of ice – some of which are huge – break away from the more than 60 m high front walls of the ice mass and crash into the water. We can watch the mighty natural spectacle calmly and with a certain amount of awe. Even those who have already been to the Arctic or Greenland will be overwhelmed by the Perito Moreno Glacier and its exposed location. In the afternoon we return to El Calafate.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours.
Hike: approx. 1-2 hours
overnight in a hotel
(B / – / -)
8th day:
Through the steppe to the Torres del Paine National Park
Breakfast is early today because we have a long way to go – we are going to neighboring Chile. From El Calafate we drive through the vast Patagonian steppe landscape towards the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. When driving through the peaceful landscape, choiques (a small ostrich) and flamingos may cross our path every now and then. After about 4 hours we reach the border crossing at Cancha Carrera. We have lunch in a restaurant at the border crossing. High mountains, glaciers, picturesque fjords and large lakes characterize this national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The eponymous landmarks of the park are the Torres del Paine, three pointed granite mountains typical of Patagonia. Before we get to our tent camp, we hike a little along the lake Nordenskjöld. From here we have a beautiful view of the “Cuernos del Paine” (“the horns”) and can imagine what overwhelming impressions await us here. Our tent camp is at the foot of the mountains (Torres Camp).
Driving time: a total of approx. 6 hours.
Hike: approx. 1-2 hours
overnight in a tent (Camp Torres)
(B / L / D)
Day 9:
Hike to the Torres del Paine
Today we go on one of the most beautiful hikes in the park and get closer to the Torres del Paine – the “towers of the blue sky”. We walk through a varied landscape along the Río Ascensio, at the foot of Monte Almirante Nieto, to a rest stop. From there, a particularly scenic path leads us to the de las Torres base camp. Here mountaineers wait for suitable weather conditions to be able to climb the steep walls of the Torres. We hike along a moraine to a unique viewpoint. This natural and spectacular amphitheater at the foot of the impressive and steep granite towers (2,800 m) gives us the best views. Then we start the way back and return to the starting point of today’s stage.
Hike: approx. 7 hours
overnight in a tent (Camp Torres)
(B / L / D)
10th day:
Boat trip on Lake Pehoe – Valley of the French
Early in the morning we set off for Puerto Pudeto on Lake Pehoé. We reach the lake after about an hour and change to a catamaran. We cross the lake, leave the unnecessary pastries in our tents upon arrival and hike from there towards the “Valley of the French”.
The 2-hour hike takes us over the southern slopes of the Paine Grande and Lake Skottberg. Over permanent inclines and declines it goes to the suspension bridge over the “French River”. We continue our hike through the Italy camp and finally reach breathtaking viewpoints over the entire area.
After a snack and photo break, we leave this stage behind us and get on the catamaran that takes us back to Puerto Pudeto. Upon arrival, it’s back to our camp in the Pehoé rest area. The accommodation is located on Lake Pehoé with single or double tents and sanitary facilities.
Hike: approx. 5-6 hours
overnight in a tent (Camp Paine Grande)
(B / L / D)
11th day:
Lake Gray & Glaciers
Today we spend another day in the Torres del Paine National Park. The hiking trail leads from the Pehoe Valley into the Gray Valley, which leads 60km away from the Patagonian Ice Field and repeatedly reveals views of the impressive Gray Glacier, which flows into Lake Gray. We hike along the lake and walk the western trails of the Paine Grande massif. Blue ice floes swim next to us and on the horizon we see imposing mountains that rise above the Gray and Tyndall glaciers. The way back leads over the same path through the typical Patagonian landscape back to the starting point. Arrived at the Paine Grande Refuge, we take the boat across Lake Pehoe and continue to Puerto Natales, a fishing village on the Ultima Esperanza Fjord.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours.
Hike: approx. 4-5 hours.
Overnight stay in a hotel
(B / L / -)
12th day:
Puerto Natales: free day
We’re giving our hiking boots a day off in Puerto Natales. If you feel like it, there are various optional excursions, for example a boat trip to the Balmaceda or Serrano glacier or a visit to a Mylodon cave (Mylodon is a primeval giant sloth that lived in this area).
Overnight in a hotel
(B / – / -)
13th day:
Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world
Today we drive to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina. It is located on the Beagle Channel in the Tierra del Fuego province and is the starting point for many expeditions to the Antarctic. The journey is long, but is interrupted again and again to stretch your legs.
Driving time: approx. 10 hours
overnight in a hotel
(B / – / -)
14th day:
Beagle Channel: visiting seals and cormorants
After breakfast we take a boat trip on the Beagle Channel. Besides the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel is the only waterway in South America that connects the Pacific with the Atlantic. We drive to Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, head for the Les Losbos and Los Patos islands and visit the Acatushun Museum at the Estancia Harberton. The day is rounded off with an unforgettable walk among penguins on Martillo Island.
Overnight in a hotel
(B / – / -)
15th day:
Ushuaia: the southernmost city in the world
After breakfast we still have time to explore Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Around 60,000 people live in the city on the Beagle Channel and due to the special location (from here the Antarctic is easiest to reach) many tourists mingle with the local population. Due to its remote location and the laborious procurement of goods, Ushuaia is one of the most expensive cities in South America. Our journey through the breathtaking Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego ends here. You will be taken to the airport in Ushuaia and start your return journey.
Alternatively, we offer a 3 day / 2 night extension to the Iguazú waterfalls. Visit from the Brazilian as well as the Argentine side (Hotel Jardin de Iguazu).
Price without flight in a double room € 360 per person (for single travelers surcharge for single room and transfer € 120)
We will be happy to send you a detailed program on request!
(F / – / -)
