Patagonia is the ultimate playground for intrepid adventurers. Its endless pampas, snow-capped peaks and turquoise lakes provide a spectacular backdrop for our 10-day Discovery Trek, where you will explore the region in small groups, led by our expert naturalist and expedition guide. During the day, we explore by foot the world-renowned national parks in both Argentina and Chile, before returning each night to delicious meals and comfortable lodgings in colorful local towns. Get up close with calving glaciers, grazing guanacos and soaring condors when you join us for the adventure of a lifetime in Patagonia!
Highlights
Trek to Cerro Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre base camps in Los Glaciares National Park
Cruise to Balmaceda Glacier for spectacular views
Sunrise walk to the base of the three Torres del Paine
Sample Patagonian cuisine in local villages and towns along the way
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Arrive in El Calafate and make your way to the group hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore the town or walk down to Lake Argentino to watch the waterbirds. There will also be an evening briefing, to meet your trek guide and learn about your upcoming adventure.
An early departure takes you to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, where you can witness the thunderous crash of frequent ice calving. Afterward, drive across the Patagonian steppes to the village of El Chaltén, which will serve as your home base in Los Glaciares National Park.
Over the next two days enjoy daily walks to the base camps of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. These picturesque walks will take you along dramatic rock spires, pristine valleys and shimmering lakes & glaciers sitting in the foothills of jagged peaks. Return to your accommodation each night with time to sample the local cuisine and village atmosphere.
Leave El Chaltén this morning and cross the border into Chile, driving across pampas towards Puerto Natales. Set on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza, this city is the gateway to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. The afternoon is yours to explore this delightful town, and in the evening you may like to sample to the local specialty of King Crab in one of the seafood restaurants.
Day 6: Serrano River & Balcameda Glacier
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning leave Puerto Natales and journey further into Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way, board a boat and travel down a fjord, stopping at the Balmaceda Glacier en-route. Then change to Zodiacs and continue along the Serrano River before you arrive in the heart of Torres del Paine.
Day 7-8: Torres del Paine National Park
2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners
Over the next two days take in some of the highlights of the National Park, such as Salto Grande Falls, Mirador Cuernos Lookout, Nordenskjöld Lake, Armaga Lagoon, Pehoe Lake and Condor Viewpoint. There will also be plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching, possibly spotting herds of guancos, foxes, condors, falcons and maybe even the elusive Patagonian puma. On the first day, travel by bus to move from one trail to another in order to maximize your time. Tackle the longer and more challenging Ascencio Valley trail on the second day, which takes you to the base of the famous Torres del Paine peaks.
Day 9-10: El Calafate
2 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner
Depart Torres del Paine today and cross the border back to Argentina towards El Calafate. The drive will take you through some spectacular Patagonian scenery, where rolling hills are dotted with stunted beech trees. Plan to arrive in El Calafate in the afternoon where the rest of the day is yours for some last-minute shopping or to indulge in some “dulce de leche” dessert! Your trek ends the next day after breakfast, where you will continue on with your own arrangements.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $2,700, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Credit cards accepted. All final payments by credit card subject to a surcharge of 2.5% and a maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
9 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 8 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
9 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Comprehensive pre-departure information
Beer, House Wine, and Soft Drinks with Dinner
Educational Lectures and Guiding Services from Expedition Team
Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
Complimentary use of Muck boots during the voyage
All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
Park Entrance Fee - All guide fees and National Park entrance
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
Optional activity surcharges
Reciprocity and Vaccination Charges
Passengers traveling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a reputable travel insurance policy that includes baggage loss, cancellation & curtailment of the holiday, medical, accident, and repatriation/emergency evacuation coverage worth at least $250,000 USD.
Arrival Transfer
Departure Transfer
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
