Argentina's Fall Colors Patagonia Hiking & Walking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
Argentina's Fall Colors Patagonia Hiking & Walking Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2027: Mar-Apr
Epic Peaks, Lakes & Glaciers
Fall is when Patagonia is at its wildest. Vivid oranges and yellows paint the hillsides. Ice rimes the mountain peaks. Fog turns forests into mazes. And at frontier lodges, a roaring fire welcomes you back each day.
Highlights
- As the seasons change, get a front-row seat to the elements that continue to shape Patagonia... minus the crowds
- Hike below Cerro Fitz Roy’s iconic spires in Los Glaciares National Park, a World Heritage Site whose many glaciers may already be dusted with fresh snow
- Cruise among towering aquamarine icebergs in the Upsala Glacier channel and witness the spectacular calving of the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Stay at an exclusive estancia, reachable only by boat, and experience the wilderness as old-time ranchers once did
- Ride horseback in the awe-inspiring Patagonian landscape—no better place than this to play gaucho!
Start/End El Calafate
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Welcome to Los Glaciares National Park and our first remote mountain lodge • Hike across the pampas to Punta del Viento (Windy Point) for a first taste of Patagonia's famous weather • Climb to the suspended lake of Laguna Azul, whose crystal clear waters are surrounded by cathedral-like peaks and twisted lenga trees • Relish a traditional Patagonian lamb asado (barbecue) • Malbec, Pinot Noir, Torrontés and more—discover delectable Argentine vintages at our wine reception.
Nights 1-2
On the shore of Lake Viedma and surrounded by lush woods, this estancia (ranch) gives you a taste of traditional Patagonian life in a tranquil setting.
Day 3
Take in spectacular vistas of 50-mile-long, glacier-fed Lake Viedma • Trek along ice-carved valleys on the outskirts of the small mountain town of El Chaltén • Ogle panoramic views on our hike to Mirador de los Cóndores and Mirador de las Aguilas • Conquer the challenging, rocky switchbacks to Laguna de los Tres • Gaze upon the famed Fitz Roy peaks mirrored in the impossibly blue waters of Laguna Capri.
Night 3
Enjoy sensational views of the Chaltén Valley and the Río de las Vueltas from your room, and access memorable hikes from your doorstep. (spa)
Days 4-5
Our Mirador Cerro Torre hike takes us along young glacial moraines and the Fitz Roy River, showcasing the panorama of a stunning glacial valley and impressive Cerro Torre • Visit a local brewery and find out how modern mountain-town residents are carrying on German immigrant traditions • Prepare to be awestruck on a walk to see the Perito Moreno Glacier, a stunning ice mass with 200-foot-high, blue-hued walls • Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in El Calafate browsing craft shops.
Nights 4-5
Beautifully constructed from timber and stone, this historic hotel can trace its origins back to the early days of the Argentinian National Park Service. (pool, spa)
Days 6-8
Get ready for an unforgettable boat ride among icebergs and spectacular views of the famous Upsala Glacier • Stay at remote Estancia Cristina for the ultimate authentic Argentine ranch experience • Watch for soaring condors along Cristina Bay • Hike to Fossil Canyon for jaw-dropping views of mountains, lakes, glaciers and multicolored rock formations • Enjoy a walking tour of our estancia and learn about its history from the family’s private museum collection • Try on gaucho life with a guided horseback ride across the pampas • Sip yerba maté, the local beverage, like Patagonian cowboys.
Nights 6-7
A favorite among our guests, this remote historic ranch founded in 1914 offers the perfect launching point for hikes into Patagonia's wilderness. It's accessible only by boat, after a cruise on Lake Argentino past the dramatic Upsala Glacier. (This hotel is solar-powered; no electricity 11 p.m.–6 a.m.)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Our hikes through Patagonia’s captivating, yet rugged, terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but due to the nature of these trails, we won’t see our vehicles along the route. Ample trail support in the form of snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
Most hikes on this itinerary are inside Argentine national parks and, unlike other Backroads Walking & Hiking trips, regulations require a certified local guide to accompany us. We offer flexibility by dividing into several groups of different paces, with each group hiking in the company of a local guide.
In order to experience the full grandeur of Argentina's Patagonia region, we spend more time shuttling and on boat crossings on this trip than on a typical Backroads trip. This enables us to explore the incredible variety of ecosystems and scenery this region has to offer.
Trips with a small number of guests may be supported by one Backroads Trip Leader and a team of knowledgeable local guides. There will always be at least two people hiking on the trail with you.
Because of Patagonia's extreme weather conditions and strong winds, mid-trip itinerary changes are possible. Boat crossings can be cancelled, which may delay our arrival to or departure from the hotel Estancia Cristina. If severe weather affects our planned activities, your Trip Leaders will find alternative activities that you're sure to enjoy. Expect the unexpected in this remote region, including slow or no internet and the occasional ATM possibly running out of cash. It's all part of the adventure!
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
On the shore of Lake Viedma and surrounded by lush woods, this estancia (ranch) gives you a taste of traditional Patagonian life in a tranquil setting.
Night 3
Premiere Hotel
Enjoy sensational views of the Chaltén Valley and the Río de las Vueltas from your room, and access memorable hikes from your doorstep. (spa)
Nights 4-5
*Deluxe Hotel
Beautifully constructed from timber and stone, this historic hotel can trace its origins back to the early days of the Argentinian National Park Service. (pool, spa)
Nights 6-7
Premiere Hotel
A favorite among our guests, this remote historic ranch founded in 1914 offers the perfect launching point for hikes into Patagonia's wilderness. It's accessible only by boat, after a cruise on Lake Argentino past the dramatic Upsala Glacier. (This hotel is solar-powered; no electricity 11 p.m.–6 a.m.)
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Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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