Chile & Argentina Hiking
Join us in Patagonia, a land almost too magnificent to believe. You’ll soon understand why explorers, adventurers - and even the occasional outlaw - have been drawn to the region for centuries. You’ll be rendered speechless by the sight of the jagged granite spires of the Torres del Paine, awed by the Perito Moreno Glacier, a 200-foot-high, three-mile-wide river of ice, and welcomed each night at cozy hosterías.
Days 1-3 El Chalten
Meet in El Calafate 
Shuttle to El Chalten, where you can look forward to some of the most spectacular hiking in Argentina Explore the remote northern section of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares Choose from such spectacular routes as Laguna Capri and Laguna de los Tres, which provide sweeping views of the Fitz Roy (Cerro El Chalten) massif.
Days 4-5 El Calafate
En route back to El Calafate, enjoy a lunch of Patagonian cuisine combined with Mediterranean flavors The afternoon is yours to relax, explore town or go horseback riding Strap on crampons and follow expert mountaineering guides across the Perito Moreno Glacier, a frozen landscape of crevasses and ice formations of the most incredible blue Walk to the Balconies lookout along the iceberg laden Canal de los Tempanos.
Days 6-9 Torres del Paine
Arrive in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, a Biosphere Reserve that is one of the most remote and unspoiled places on earth Enjoy a traditional asado barbecue and visit a historic working estancia 
Trek through a lenga forest and along a glacial river en route to the base of the breathtaking 12-million-year-old torres After boating across Lake Pehoé, continue on foot through the French River Valley, which cuts between the Paine Grande massif and the Cuernos (Horns) Clouds willing, you’ll delight in views of the Frances Glacier and the top of the Paine Grande on the mostly gentle walk past Lake Skottsberg Shuttle to Punta Arenas, where our trip concludes.
HOSPITABLE HOSTERIAS : Casual Inns
Hosteria El Puma (3 nights): At the foot of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, this cozy hosterías is our Argentine home away from home at the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park.
Kau Yatun (2 nights): This country-style hotel is set on ten forested acres at the foot of Mount Calafate and features a welcoming reading lounge, spacious guest rooms and two restaurants.
Lodge Cerro Guido (1 night): We're warmly welcomed at this historic 200,000-acre working estancia, where we get a glimpse into its pre-Colombian heritage.
Hotel Rio Serrano (2 nights): Enjoy modern comforts and expansive views of the Paine massif from the lodge’s panoramic windows.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Start of Trip
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 6.2, 12.4, 15 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 4 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 10.6, 13.7 miles
- 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 2.2 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Activities
Day 5
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Glacier trekking 2 miles
- Walking 2.5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 2.2 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Level 4 1 Route Option Available
- 10 miles
- 1000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Levels 4 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 9.9, 11.8, 14.9 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 9
- Conclusion of Trip
Trips For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 1/13-21Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1790 for sgl. occ.)
- 2/6-14Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1790 for sgl. occ.)
- 3/7-15Price: $5398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1790 for sgl. occ.)
- 4/4-12Price: $4998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1790 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/20-28Price: $5398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1790 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Trip praise
Patagonia is beautiful and the leaders and local guides made it even more interesting and beautiful. I learned so much about the land and the people. This trip had to go down as my best and most enriching Backroads trip.- New York, NY
All our guides were exceptional. All of them were very knowledgeable and were extremely helpful, courteous and interesting.- South Salem, NY