Patagonia Trail
Patagonia Trail
Patagonia Trail
9 Days Starting in Puerto Natales and ending in El Calafate
Visiting: Puerto Natales, El Calafate, El Chaltén
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PATA19
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Jagged glaciers, snow-topped peaks, glittering turquoise lakes and lively beech forests make Patagonia one of the most dramatically beautiful landscapes in the world. This one explores the Chilean & Argentine sides of this region, where you'll be exploring spectacular national parks, sailing up close to glittering glaciers, spotting flamingos, hiking past blue lagoons and exploring options such as riding horses like a Gaucho and climbing glaciers with ice axes. You've never seen our planet look quite this beautiful.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Puerto Natales
Location: Puerto Natales
Accommodation: Hotel Vendaval (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Puerto Natales is known as the gateway to Patagonia and the iconic Torres Del Paine National Park. Formerly a modest fishing port, this will be our home for the next few days, as we admire the towering granite rocks, bright blue glacial waters and frosted snowy peaks.
Day 2: Puerto Natales
Location: Puerto Natales
Accommodation: Hotel Vendaval (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we'll kickstart our Puerto Natales adventures. After breakfast we'll board a catamaran and head to the Balmacede and Serrano glaciers. Along the way to the glaciers we'll glide over the bright azure waters, stopping for views of penguin colonies, sea-lions and rushing waterfalls before we finally reach the glittering glaciers. Here, we'll take a short hike and soak up some jaw-dropping vistas.
Day 3: Puerto Natales
Location: Puerto Natales
Accommodation: Hotel Vendaval (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today's your opportunity to explore Puerto Natales for yourself. Check out the ship museum, explore the historic centre, spot condors soaring overhead, discover the Milodon cave or just admire the vibrant colours that paint the sky at sunrise and sunset. There's also an option to enjoy some authentic, rustic Patagonian culture with a visit to an Estancia (working farm) where you can learn about the Gaucho way of life and soak up some scenery atop your very own horse.
Day 4: Puerto Natales
Location: Puerto Natales
Accommodation: Hotel Vendaval (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today it's time for the headline event, Torres Del Paine National Park. Encompassing lakes, rivers, mountains and glaciers, the Chilean Torres Del Paine National Park is one of the most recognisable symbols of Patagonia’s natural beauty, and today we'll hike deep into this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. With 17 hours of daylight during the summer months, watching the Torres Del Paine horns reach into the sky, glowing furious violets and reds as the sun sets, is an experience that has no comparison. Keep a look out for foxes, condors, deer and maybe even the elusive puma.
Day 5: Puerto Natales To El Calafate
Location: Puerto Natales, El Calafate
Accommodation: Hotel Cyan Calafate (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, after breakfast, we'll make the crossing from Chile to Argentina as the locals do - by public bus, with plenty of opportunity to marvel at the staggering scenery all around us.
Named after a berry that, according to legend, once eaten guarantees your return to the Patagonian region, El Calafate is the gateway to even more spectacular beauty, namely the gargantuan Perito Moreno Glacier and the Los Glaciares National Park.
Day 6: El Calafate
Location: El Calafate
Accommodation: Hotel Cyan Calafate (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll visit the Los Glaciares National Park. Known as the 'Austral Andes', this is a bonafide natural wonder of the world, with mountains, lakes, woods, glaciers and the arid Patagonia steppe. We'll hike in the southern area of the park, before taking a tour of the Perito Moreno glacier on a boat, getting up close to the epic walls of ice and watching how its blueish tint dyes the sparkling lake below. This is an experience we'll never forget.
Day 7: El Calafate To El Chaltén
Location: El Calafate, El Chaltén
Accommodation: Lunajuim Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we'll head to El Chaltén, a small village in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park.
Known as the 'capital of trekking' El Chaltén is the perfect place to be immersed in unspoiled nature. Simply walk the magical forest trails and breath the pure mountain air, or opt for an ice climbing lesson for an adventure like no other.
Day 8: El Chaltén
Location: El Chaltén
Accommodation: Lunajuim Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is a full day to make the most of El Chaltén. Checking out the rugged, sky-puncturing peaks of Mount Fitz Roy -the most iconic symbols of Patagonia- is a must, and we'll trek to the famous viewpoint of Laguana De los Tres, with the sparkling blue lagoon, granite walls and pure white De los Tres glacier giving us a feast for the eyes unmatched anywhere in the world. We'll have our final group dinner in El Chaltén tonight, still giddy from all that natural beauty.
Day 9: El Chaltén To El Calafate
Location: El Chaltén, El Calafate
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll show each other our favourite photos and say our sad farewells over a final group breakfast together, but we won't forget those Patagonian peaks in a hurry. We complete our journey with a transfer back to the hotel in El Calafate, where our trip ends on arrival.
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
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Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 60 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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