Begin your journey in El Calafate with Los Glaciares National Park's stunning scenery, move to Torres del Paine to witness free-roaming majestic pumas and vibrant wildlife, and conclude in Punta Arenas, the heart of Chilean Patagonia, where wildlife and culture merge.
Upon arrival, your guide will warmly welcome you and escort you to a local restaurant for a delicious meal while discussing the exciting plans for the days ahead.
Following lunch, you will be chauffeured to your hotel where you can unwind and relax after your journey.
Overnight at Hotel Posada Los Alamos, Standard Room.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Embark from Puerto Argentino or Puerto Moreno for a boat tour through Canal de los Témpanos to the stunning glaciers of Cerro Mayo and Cerro Negro within Mayo Sound, Lago Argentino, and Los Glaciares National Park. A guide will then lead you on a walk through the Patagonian Andean Forest for breathtaking views, followed by a visit to the north wall of Perito Moreno Glacier. The adventure concludes with a return to El Calafate. The tour starts at 8:00 AM and ends around 6:00 PM.
Overnight at Hotel Posada Los Alamos, Standard Room.
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch.
Following breakfast, you will start your journey in a semi-private van that will transport you across the border to Chile and the breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park.
Upon arrival at Torres del Paine, a delectable lunch awaits you at Ecocamp.
Subsequently, seize the opportunity of the afternoon to immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of the surroundings and perhaps catch a glimpse of the diverse fauna that calls Ecocamp home.
Overnight at Ecocamp Patagonia, Suite Dome.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Mornings at Ecocamp start with sunrise, featuring coffee, breakfast, and puma tracking in Torres del Paine's varied landscapes under our guide's expertise. After exploring, we lunch and unwind at Ecocamp, then venture out again in the afternoon. Evenings offer dinner and rest post-sunset. Observation runs from 6 AM to 11 AM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. While puma sightings can't be guaranteed, our efforts aim to maximize chances. The itinerary includes 2 days at Estancia Laguna Amarga for puma tracking and 1 day in Torres del Paine for general wildlife, adapted based on puma movements.
Overnight at Ecocamp Patagonia, Suite Dome.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast at Ecocamp, we head to Laguna Azul, then journey by 4x4 across Cordillera Masle, admiring Cordillera Baguales, Salto Las Chinas, and Barranca de Los Toros pass. Arriving at a traditional "puesto" after 40 minutes, we learn about the region's history and its wild horses from Patagonian "gauchos." Equipped with satellite tracking and guided by experts, our trek seeks the 100 wild horses roaming the untouched Torres del Paine, surrounded by mountains, lakes, and plains. Lunch is enjoyed amidst this quest, sharing stories against the backdrop of Stokes Lake, Dickson Mountain Range, and the Towers. After 7-8 hours, we return to Ecocamp for dinner.
Overnight at Ecocamp Patagonia, Suite Dome.
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at Ecocamp, we head south towards Puerto Natales, pausing for an exploration 25 km north of the town. We'll wander through the Archaeological Park in the Ernesto Helmer Estancia, admiring stunning landscapes and ancient cave paintings in Cerro Benítez, some dating back 3,500 years. With headlamps, we delve into caves to see millennia-old stalactites and historic rock art. Post-adventure, we'll savor lunch in Puerto Natales before driving to Punta Arenas, where Hotel La Yegua Loca offers a sumptuous dinner and cozy overnight stay.
*Inside the caves, you will have to crawl in some sectors that are more difficult to access.
Overnight at Hotel La Yegua Loca, Panoramic Room (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast, then explore the Magellan Strait Park, 50 km south of Punta Arenas and home to Bulnes Fort and "Port Famine." Visit the museum for history and views. Later, enjoy lunch in Punta Arenas, followed by a city tour featuring Plaza de Armas, Hernando de Magallanes monument, unique mausoleums, “El Ovejero" Monument, and the Nao Victoria Museum's ship replicas. Wrap up with stunning views from Cerro de la Cruz before returning to Hotel La Yegua Loca.
Overnight at Hotel La Yegua Loca, Panoramic Room (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Gear up for a day packed with wildlife encounters on our adventure's last day!
Rise early for a transfer to Punta Arenas, where we'll embark on a scenic journey to Magdalena Island. Witness the vast Magellanic Penguin colony and keep an eye out for Southern Dolphins, Overas Dolphins, and Sei Whales on our return. Back in Punta Arenas, explore the city's offerings, with our guide's top dining and shopping recommendations.
The day concludes with a special farewell dinner at Hotel La Yegua Loca, celebrating our shared adventures.
Overnight at Hotel La Yegua Loca, Panoramic Room (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner.
For this last day, we understand the importance of a seamless travel experience, which is why we will ensure that you are picked up from your hotel at the perfect time to either make it to your return flight or embark on new adventures in the stunning landscapes of Chile or Argentina. Our private transfer service can be arranged in advance to accommodate any schedule you may have on this final day of your journey. Let us take care of the logistics so you can focus on making the most of your time in this beautiful region.
Meals: Breakfast.
Private Departures are available on request from October to March. Subject to availability.
Operational Season: October 1st to March 31st.
The trip starts in El Calafate, Argentina (airport or hotel) and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile (airport, hotel or cruise).
This trip does not demand a high level of physical fitness to perform well, but you need to consider that tracking wild animals can involve spending several hours outdoors either taking short walks or waiting in specific spots until the sightings occur. All trails visited in the programs are under 1,000m / 3,000ft high so travelers don’t need to worry about altitude
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to winds that circle Antarctica making the weather hard to predict. Winter’s temperature ranges between -2ºC/28ºF and 6ºC/43ºF. June, July, and August are the wettest months in Torres del Paine and sub-zero temperatures are common. Nevertheless, the winds are relatively mild in winter and visitors should come prepared for sunshine as well as the cold.
Passengers to need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. We recommend the following:
Are you wondering about photography equipment? We got you! take a look at our What to bring to Patagonia for Photographers.
Please Note: This list is just to give you an idea. We will send you a detailed list prior to the departure date of the program.
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on these considerations.
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Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia
