Nature walk in Chilean and Argentine Patagonia.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Santiago de Chile

  

  Arrival of the international flight in the morning. (Note: NIGHT flight, DEPARTURE THE DAY BEFORE from France – time difference: 4 hours less in Chile during the austral summer, from October to March). Private transfer to the hotel, located in the historic center, a stone's throw from Cerro Santa Lucia and a 15-minute walk from the La Moneda Palace and the San Francisco Church. Guided tour of the capital (half-day) on foot. Two free meals.

• day 2

  Santiago - Valparaíso

  

  Private vehicle transfer to Valparaíso, passing through the Casablanca Valley and its vineyards (you can choose to visit a vineyard, visit and tasting at your own expense, no reservation, you decide at the moment with your driver), then through Viña del Mar and along the coastal road for a beautiful viewpoint over the entire bay; 2 hours of travel to reach the picturesque and incomparable port of Valparaíso. Accommodation in a family-run hostel (B&B) on one of the countless colorful hills overlooking the bay. Free time*… Meals not included. Suggestions for your free time Boat ride from the port, muelle Prat, for another panoramic view of the city and its approximately 45 hills; Pablo Neruda's house, La Sebastiana (self-guided visit, open from 10am to 5:30pm except on Mondays), Walk on foot from the Barón dock (muelle) to Portales (30 min one way), along a promenade overlooking the Pacific, to the fish market and small seafood restaurants.

• day 3

  Valparaíso

  

  Francophone guided tour (½ day) of this atypical city, listed as a World Heritage Site in 2003. Walking tour in the heart of the colorful hills, through narrow streets and stairs climbing up the cerros; funiculars and elevators, old neighborhoods with tin houses, mural frescoes, numerous viewpoints overlooking the bay... Meals at your leisure. Free afternoon. Overnight at the same B&B.

• day 4

  Valparaiso – Santiago / Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas

  

  In the morning, private transfer from Valparaíso to Santiago airport for your domestic flight (duration 1h45) to Puerto Montt, capital of the Lake District. Transfer to Puerto Varas, a small picturesque town founded by German settlers in the mid-19th century, a pleasant resort on the shores of Lake Llanquihue: a glacial lake and the 4th largest lake in South America by surface area. In the background, the active volcano with its perfect snow-capped cone, Osorno, rising to 2670 m. And, not far away, Calbuco, which makes the news from time to time. Free time. Meals not included.

• day 5

  Puerto Varas - Lake Todos Los Santos - Bariloche/Argentina

  

  Beautiful day of excursion-sailing by catamaran departing from Puerto Varas. An alternation of short bus rides and crossings of 3 lakes (crossing Lake Todos los Santos in 2h45, 20 min navigation on Lake Frias, 1h catamaran on Lake Nahuel Huapi), with customs formalities in the middle of the day. Around 6:30 pm, the journey ends by bus on the Argentine side, arriving at 7:30 pm in Bariloche. Private transfer with Spanish-speaking driver from the Cruce Andino office to the hotel in the city center. Overnight in a hotel facing the lake. Entrance fees and port taxes not included. Meals not included.

• day 6

  Bariloche - Cerro Challhuaco Hike

  

  After breakfast, meet your private French-speaking guide at the hotel. Transfer by vehicle to the Challhuaco refuge, located 18 km from the city of Bariloche, at an altitude of 1,320 m, and surrounded by a lenga forest. From here, we begin our trek to the summit of Cerro Challhuaco (2,000 m), from where we have a spectacular view of the region. On the way back to the refuge, we pass by the Green Lagoon, where an endemic frog of this valley lives. Return transfer to the city. Overnight at the hotel. Picnic included. Dinner at leisure. Entrance included.

• day 7

  Bariloche - Cerro Catedral Hike

  

  Second day of hiking with your French-speaking guide. After a short transfer to the base of Cerro Catedral, we take the funicular/chairlift to the summit to start our hike towards the Frey refuge. We walk along the ridge of Cerro Catedral, from where we have a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks: Cerro Inviares, Cerro Brecha Negra, Cerro Tronador, Cerro Tres Reyes, Cerro Lopez, and Cerro Capilla. We descend to the crystal-clear waters of Laguna Schmoll, then walk along Laguna Toncek to the Frey refuge for a moment of rest. We continue our descent through the forest to reach the vehicle. Return to the city. Overnight at the hotel. Picnic included. Dinner not included. Entrance included.

• day 8

  Bariloche / El Calafate – El Chaltén

  

  Private transfer to San Carlos de Bariloche airport to take the domestic flight (duration 1h45) to El Calafate. Then, directly from the airport, travel by shared minibus service to El Chaltén: 3 hours of journey through the semi-arid pampa, a wind-swept steppe: endless wide open spaces! Crossing the Santa Cruz river, the La Leona river, then skirting Lake Viedma to arrive in this small pioneer village at 450 m altitude, at the foot of the Fitz Roy massif. Night in a hotel in El Chaltén. Free time. Meals not included. You will find on site complete maps of all possible hikes starting from the village.

• day 9

  Trekking Lago Tres, Fitz Roy

  

  3 days of self-guided hiking starting from the village The hikes are well marked, all out-and-back; self-guided, so you walk at your own pace and can take breaks and turn back whenever you wish. It is not necessary to go all the way to the end of the route to enjoy extraordinary landscapes... There are breathtaking panoramic views at any time during the hikes. You can remove 1 or 2 days from these 3 proposed days: it's up to you! D1: Magnificent hike with varied landscapes to the Los Tres and Sucia lagoons, at the foot of the impressive granite wall of Cerro Fitz Roy, 3405 m. We enter the Glaciers National Park through a beautiful forest of lengas and ñires, with a view of the Río Las Vueltas, then follow the shore of Lake Capri before climbing towards the Fitz Roy base camp. 800 m elevation gain, about 9 h round trip. Marked, popular trail. Night in a hotel in El Chaltén. Meals not included.

• day 10

  CERRO TORRE hike

  

  3 days of self-guided hiking starting from the village You can remove 1 or 2 days from these 3 proposed days: it's up to you! J2: Easy hike to Lake Torre, the Grande and Adela glaciers, and the surrounding peaks; 400 m of elevation gain. Well-marked and frequented trail. 7 hours round trip. We will be able to appreciate the colossal work of the glaciers by crossing the moraines and walking along the glacial threshold. Night in a hotel in El Chaltén. Meals not included.

• day 11

  Pliegue Tumbado Hike - El Calafate

  

  3 days of self-guided hiking starting from the village You can remove 1 or 2 days from these 3 proposed days: it's up to you! It is recommended to leave early that morning for this hike to the Pliegue Tumbado viewpoint at 1,298 m, in order to enjoy an extraordinary panoramic view of the Fitz Roy massif and its granite spires, as well as Lake Viedma to the south. 800 m of elevation gain. 7 hours round trip on a marked trail. Transfer to the bus station. 6:00 p.m.: public bus from El Chaltén to El Calafate. Transfer to your hotel in El Calafate. Meals not included.

• day 12

  Perito Moreno Glacier

  

  Unforgettable day in the Glacier National Park to make the most of the spectacular and unique Perito Moreno. Free time walk (walkways arranged over several kilometers) and viewpoints allowing you to appreciate the grand spectacle of this 60 m high ice cliff. Bus excursion, shared service (local Spanish-English guide). 40-minute catamaran navigation along the southern face of the glacier. Round trip from your hotel. Overnight in a hotel in El Calafate. Meals (2) at your own expense (it is suggested to plan a picnic the day before). National park entrance not included, to be paid on site at the park entrance (in Argentine pesos).

• day 13

  Navigation on Lake Argentino

  

  Transfer (shared service) to Puerto Bandera, 50 km from El Calafate. Navigation (8:30 am-2:00 pm) by catamaran on the North arm of Lake Argentino, allowing you to discover 4 glaciers, including the famous Upsala and Spegazzini: an exceptional day of navigation among the icebergs. Commentary in English and Spanish on the boat. This magnificent trip, complementary to the day at Perito Moreno, allows you to appreciate the immensity of the Southern Ice Field - 13,000 km2 - shared by Chile and Argentina, the remains of the enormous ice cap that covered all of Patagonia more than 10,000 years ago. Return transfer to your hotel in El Calafate. A suggested independent visit (15 minutes on foot from the city center): the Nimez Lagoon bird reserve, where about 150 species are present during the austral summer. Beautiful bright landscape of wet meadows and lagoons, very close to Lake Argentino. Night in El Calafate. Meals (2) at your own expense (plan for a picnic). Entrance not included, to be paid in Argentine pesos on site at the port.

• day 14

  El Calafate – Puerto Natales / Chile

  

  Public bus leaving at 6:30 am from El Calafate. Crossing the two border posts located in the middle of the windswept steppe. Arrival around 11:30 am in Chile, at Puerto Natales, a town of 20,000 inhabitants founded in 1911 thanks to... sheep (!) and European settlers who came to settle there. Today, a small port on the edge of the Last Hope fjord and a starting point for Torres del Paine National Park. Private transfer to your B&B-type hotel, located in the city center; in the afternoon, free walk along the Señoret canal and in town. Two meals not included. It is recommended to buy a picnic in Puerto Natales on D14 for D15 in the park.

• day 15

  Torres del Paine National Park

  

  Day in private service, with driver and French-speaking guide; vehicle at your disposal for a comprehensive discovery of the national park, a world biosphere reserve. Observation of rheas, guanacos, birds of prey along the way (and maybe even the condor!); stops at various viewpoints of Laguna Amarga, Lake Sarmiento, Lake Nordenskjöld, then Lake Pehoe. Walk to the large waterfall "Salto Grande" and viewpoint over the Paine Horns (2 hours round-trip hike, easy trail, no elevation gain). Picnic along the way (with a view!!), then walk along the shore of Lake Grey and its icebergs, up to the viewpoint (2 hours round-trip, easy, no elevation gain). Panorama of the Paine massif all day long (weather permitting!!). Park entrance included. In the evening, your driver and guide will drop you off at the place called Pudeto, where you will take the 6:00 pm catamaran, crossing the turquoise-colored Lake Pehoe in 30 minutes. Arrival at the Pehoe sector, where the lodge and Paine Grande campsite are located; overnight in the campsite and dinner at the refuge. Possibility to sleep at the refuge (6-bed dormitory), to be booked well in advance: please consult us.

• day 16

  Hiking to the Frenchman's Valley

  

  Breakfast at the Paine Grande refuge, where you pick up your picnic lunch. Self-guided hike: about 9 hours of walking, 600 m of elevation gain. After 2 hours of walking to the Italiano campsite, allow 2 hours and 15 minutes of ascent along the river, between the French Glacier, Paine Grande, and the magnificent bicolored Horns. Panoramic views of the valley and lakes, as well as a beautiful forest. At the top, spectacular view of a cirque of granite mountains. Return by the same well-marked and frequented trail. Night in a tent (or at the refuge) and dinner at the Paine Grande Lodge.

• day 17

  Self-guided hike to the Grey Glacier – Las Torres

  

  Breakfast at the Paine Grande refuge, where you pick up your picnic lunch. Hike of about 7 hours round trip, on a well-marked and busy trail; 400 m of total positive elevation gain. Magnificent views of the lake and the Grey Glacier, the most accessible on the Chilean side of the immense Southern Ice Field (13,000 km²) shared between Chile and Argentina. Return to the Paine Grande refuge and campsite by the same trail, then departure to Pudeto with the 6:30 pm catamaran. Once in Pudeto, you will take the bus that connects with the catamaran and will take you to the entrance of the national park at Laguna Amarga. There, a shuttle will be waiting to take you to the Las Torres sector, at the foot of the Paine towers. Night in a campsite or in a refuge (6-bed dormitories) and dinner at the Torre Central refuge.

• day 18

  Hiking at the base of the PAINE TOWERS - PUERTO NATALES

  

  Breakfast at the Torre Central refuge, where you pick up your picnic for the day. From the refuge, hike freely towards the base of the Paine towers, crossing the valley where the hostería (hotel and estancia, farm) is located. Continuing beyond, the trail begins to climb. There will be 850 m of positive elevation gain (on the way out) and about 7h30 of hiking round trip; a hike with a steep final ascent on a trail parallel to the moraine. The trail is an out-and-back, well-marked and busy, like all the trails in the park. Beautiful panoramic views and a breathtaking finale. In the evening, your driver will pick you up near the Torre Central refuge and take you to Puerto Natales. 2h15 drive. Night at the same hotel. Dinner on your own.

• day 19

  Puerto Natales / Punta Arenas - Fuerte Bulnes

  

  Transfer to the bus station. Morning public bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas. 3 hours of good road through the windy pampa, the large sheep farms (estancias) typical of this region straddling Chile and Argentina. Private transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, excursion to the first settlement of Chilean colonists in 1843 on these southern lands (visit of the reconstructed historic village), following the Strait of Magellan due south; walks and viewpoints over the strait and the islands and mountains that form the Brunswick Peninsula and the Fuegian archipelago. Beautiful Patagonian forest landscapes along the way, many birds along the strait; jagged coastline and fishing cove (Bahia Mansa) for seaweed or king crabs depending on the season. Stop at the so-called "geographical center of Chile" (sic!!!); walk in the forest by the strait; visit the place where, for the first time, in the 16th century, the Spanish tried to found a city, the city of King Don Felipe, which became... Port Famine (Puerto del Hambre)! History and nature along this route; excursion with Spanish-speaking driver/guide. Entrance not included. Return in the evening, overnight at a hotel in town.

• day 20

  Magdalena Island / Santa Marta Island

  

  Early in the morning, meet in town for the transfer to Laredo port, north of the city, the departure point for the zodiac (excursion times: 6:30 am – 12:00 pm). **1-hour navigation on the Strait of Magellan followed by a 1-hour walk on Magdalena Island, a reserve island home to tens of thousands of Magellanic penguins that come to nest there each year between October and mid-March; during the navigation, there is a chance to observe sea lions (on Santa Marta Island) and the small black and white Commerson's dolphins, whose southern waters are their habitat.** Return to the hotel at midday. Two meals on your own. **Attention: the navigations are subject to weather conditions! Only the port authorities decide and authorize or not the departure of the boats. The excursion may therefore be canceled (and refunded) at the last moment.** If the navigation does not take place, it will be an opportunity to freely visit this city of 150,000 inhabitants, capital of the 12th Magellan region, industrial and commercial hub, free port, located on the edge of the Strait of Magellan facing the large island of Tierra del Fuego. Founded in 1848, it is a port with a rich historical past where settlers from all over the world (a strong Croatian community) came to settle, some of whom made their fortune thanks to sheep farming; a dynamic city and regional capital with a strong identity. Interesting museums, historic cemetery, walk and viewpoint over the strait along the costanera. Overnight at the same hotel.

• day 21

  Punta Arenas / Santiago - International flight

  

  30-minute transfer to Punta Arenas airport; morning domestic flight to Santiago (duration 3h20). Upon arrival at the airport, direct check-in of your luggage for your international flight. Arrival in France the next day.