AMC Group - JANUARY 2025 | Mitsana Travels

TREKKING PATAGONIA: CHILE AND ARGENTINA

AMC Group - JANUARY 2025

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1 Tuesday, 21 January 2025

Arrive in Punta Arenas (PUQ) on the Straits of Magellan and transfer to our local accommodation. The name and address of your hotel in Punta Arenas is Hotel Isla Rey Jorge. Each participant in the group will have their transfer from the airport to the hotel arranged by Mitsana Travels, according to their flight arrival times

DAY 2 Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Pick-up at 6:45 AM for the morning excursion, weather permitting, to Magdalena Island, where you will have the opportunity to walk among the penguins and observe them nesting and waddling around. The island has been designated the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, as it is estimated that around 120,000 Magellanic penguins reside there. A guide will provide information during the tour in both English and Spanish.

In the afternoon, we will take the bus to Puerto Natales, our starting point for the famous "W" trek. Any luggage not needed for the 5-day trek will be stored at our hostel in Puerto Natales.

DAY 3 Thursday, 23 January 2025

After an early breakfast, our transportation will pick us up at 7:20 AM and take us to Torres del Paine National Park, where we will begin the “W” trek. We will start with a short hike up to the Camping Chileno, where we can leave our backpacks (and eat if needed), and then continue on to the famous Torres del Paine lookout (Mirador). This hike is about a 4-hour round trip, covering approximately 5 miles with an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet from the campsite. Upon our return, we will enjoy a local dinner and get a restful night’s sleep.

DAY 4 Friday, 24 January 2025

Today we continue our trek by hiking down taking about 2 hrs to go 3.4 miles downhill for 1182’ elevation loss. We continue trekking along the tranquil shores of Lago Nordenskjöld (4.5 hrs/6.7 miles/528') hiking to Albergue Los Cuernos.

DAY 5 Saturday, 25 January 2025

If the weather is good today, we will hike up to the first Mirador going up the French Valley. There we can enjoy the rumbling of glaciers calving up on the mountain across the narrow valley. Otherwise we will hike directly to Paine Grande Lodge. The optional side trip to the mirador is 2.5 hours, 2.45 miles with a 935’ elevation gain. The straight hike to Paine Grande Lodge is 7.15 miles with a 328’ elevation gain and will take about 4 hours.

DAY 6 Sunday, 26 January 2025

We will conclude the “W” trek with a hike to Refugio Grey. The hike covers 6.8 miles with an elevation gain of 672 feet and will take approximately 4 hours. Afterward, we have scheduled a Grey Navigation, with the departure scheduled for 1:30 PM. This boat trip will take us to the edge of Grey Glacier, where we may pass by some large icebergs along the way. Following the navigation, we will be transferred to Guardería Grey, where our private chartered van will pick us up and drive us to Puerto Natales.

DAY 7 Monday, 27 January 2025

At 7:30 AM, we will depart on a private charter van, enjoying many magnificent landscapes along the way from Puerto Natales, Chile, to El Chaltén, Argentina.

DAY 8 Tuesday, 28 January 2025

At 8:00 AM, we will embark on a day hike in Los Glaciares National Park to Laguna Torre, where we will be treated to magnificent views of the striking rock spire of Cerro Torre and a vast expanse of intersecting glaciers. We may also take a side trip to Mirador Maestri for additional views of Cerro Torre and the Cordón Adela, a jagged ridge of snow-capped peaks situated between Cerro Grande and Cerro Torre. The hike covers approximately 13 miles (without the side trip), with an estimated duration of 7-8 hours and an elevation gain of about 1,200 feet.

DAY 9 Wednesday, 29 January 2025

At 8:00 AM, we will depart from the hotel and transfer to the trailhead, where we will begin another spectacular day hike from El Chaltén, heading toward Campamento Poincenot and Laguna de los Tres. This breathtaking lake lies at the base of the iconic Monte Fitz Roy. From Campamento Poincenot, we will enjoy a direct view of the towering spires of the Fitz Roy massif. As we continue toward Laguna de los Tres, the stunning vistas of Fitz Roy will reward our ascent of approximately 2,500 feet. The hike covers around 13 miles and will take a total of 8-9 hours.

DAY 10 Thursday, 30 January 2025

Pick-up: Between 07:30 and 08:00 AM (approximately).

Departure: The bus will depart from El Chaltén at around 08:00 AM, traveling the 37 km to Lago del Desierto. Once at the Punta Sur pier, we will embark on a 30-minute boat ride, passing by the Huemul and Crestón Glaciers. We will disembark at the Great Vespignani Glacier, located in the central area of the lake. Upon arrival, you will have 3 hours to explore and choose from any of the three well-marked trails, each varying in difficulty: the Red, Yellow, and Green Trails. Afterward, we will board the boat again to return to Punta Sur pier. Once there, you will have some free time to explore the self-guided trails in the area, offering spectacular views of the Huemul Glacier. You may also choose to hike to the foot of Laguna Huemul (Approximate hiking time: 2 hours. Additional cost applies).

At the scheduled time, the bus will take us back to El Chaltén, where the excursion will conclude, with an estimated arrival at 5:30 PM.

DAY 11 Friday, 31 January 2025

At 9:00 AM, we'll take a private van from El Chaltén to El Calafate. In El Calafate, you’ll have the option to visit the beautiful Laguna Nimez, a bird sanctuary just a short walk from our hotel. It’s a peaceful place, known for its wide variety of birds. The trails are easy to walk and offer great views of the lagoon. The sanctuary is open every day from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and the entrance fee is about 12,000 Argentine pesos. This is an optional activity, so you can choose to go if you’d like, at your own pace.

DAY 12 Saturday, 1 February 2025

At 8:00 AM, we will begin our transfer to embark on an amazing boat tour of the Perito Moreno Glacier. The glacier's face rises nearly 200 feet above the water, and if we're lucky, we may witness massive chunks of ice calving off. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included as part of the package. This breathtaking natural spectacle will be the highlight and lasting memory of an incredible adventure.

DAY 13 Sunday, 2 February 2025

Transfer to the airport in El Calafate (FTE) for flights home or elsewhere

TRIP ITINERARY SUMMARY

This trip is rated Hiking Level #4 (Vigorous, between Moderate and Strenuous). We will hike between 6 and 10 hours per day, including breaks. The typical daily elevation gain will be 500 to 2,500 feet. We will hike at a moderate pace, allowing time for photos and rest breaks. Participants should be in excellent physical condition and able to hike for 6 to 10 hours per day for 4 consecutive days. Daily hikes will be up to 13 miles with an elevation gain of 2,500 feet.

DAY

DATE

Tuesday, 21 January 2025

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Thursday, 23 January 2025

Friday, 24 January 2025

Saturday, 25 January 2025

Sunday, 26 January 2025

Monday, 27 January 2025

Tuesday, 28 January 2025

Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Thursday, 30 January 2025

Friday, 31 January 2025

Saturday, 1 February 2025

Sunday, 2 February 2025

DESTINATION

Arrive Punta Arenas, Chile; transfer to local accommodation.

Morning boat ride to Magdalena Island to watch penguins, weather permitting. Afternoon bus ride to Puerto Natales.

Take the bus to Torres del Paine National Park, where we will start the world-famous “W” trek. Hike to Camping Chileno, Mirador de Las Torres, and back to Camping Chileno.

Hike to Refugio Cuernos along beautiful Lago Nordenskjöld.

Hike to Paine Grande Lodge; side trip up the French Valley, weather permitting.

Hike to Refugio Grey ending the W. Take a boat cruise to view Grey Glacier. Private charter van to Puerto Natales.

Private charter van excursion from Puerto Natales to El Chaltén.

Day hike to Laguna Torre for views of Cerro Torre and massive glaciers.

Day hike to Laguna de los Tres for excellent views of Mt. Fitz Roy.

Excursion to explore two glaciers.

Private charter van excursion from El Chaltén to El Calafate.

Sightseeing cruise for close-up view of Perito Moreno Glacier.

Transfer to airport for flights home.