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El Chaltén & Torres del Paine: Private Hiking Circuit

El Chaltén & Torres del Paine: Private Hiking Circuit

Patagonia
13 Days

Overview

This 13-day private Southern Patagonia itinerary covers the complete circuit of Argentina and Chile's most iconic landscapes in one coherent sequence: three days of trekking in El Chaltén (Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, Loma del Pliegue Tumbado), two glacier days in El Calafate including the Big Ice trek on Perito Moreno, four days in Torres del Paine covering the Base Torres trail, the French Valley by catamaran, and the Grey Glacier, and three active days in Ushuaia finishing with the Tierra del Fuego National Park canoeing circuit and Laguna Esmeralda. Every domestic flight, cross-border ground transfer, and park permit is coordinated in advance by our team based in El Calafate — the geographic center of the route.

  • Perito Moreno Glacier — Three Formats in One Day: the Big Ice minitrekking crampon excursion on the glacier surface, navigation in front of the glacier to cross the lake, followed directly by the elevated walkways alongside the 70-meter ice face — three completely different physical relationships with the same glacier.

  • Torres del Paine — Four Days, Four Different Experiences: The Base Torres trail (Day 8), the French Valley catamaran and hike (Day 9), the Grey Glacier walk along the volcanic sand beach (Day 10), and the cross-border transition drive with guanaco and condor stops (Day 7) — enough time to cover the park's main zones without compressing them into a single rushed day.

  • Ushuaia — Three Full Days: More time in Tierra del Fuego than most Patagonia circuits allow: the Lapataia River canoeing circuit through Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Laguna Esmeralda trek through lenga forest and beaver-shaped streams, and a full day buffer for conditions-dependent activities.

  • Private mountain guides and transfers throughout: a local specialist guide on every hiking day across all four destinations, with private vehicles between all trailheads, hotels, and airports — including the cross-border connections between Argentina and Chile

  • Fully Customizable: This private southern Patagonia itinerary extends naturally to Viedma Glacier from El Chaltén, a Vinciguerra Glacier trek in Ushuaia, or the Bariloche Lake District to the north.

Trip Highlights

The signature moments that make this journey unforgettable.

  • Trek to Laguna de los Tres beneath Fitz Roy's north face with a private guide

  • Hike to Laguna Torre and the floating icebergs of Glaciar Grande

  • Ascend Loma del Pliegue Tumbado for 360-degree views over Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the Patagonian steppe

  • Ice trek on Perito Moreno Glacier with crampons from the glacier's southern shore

  • Hike to the Base of the Torres del Paine towers and trek the French Valley

  • Navigate Grey Lake to Grey Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field

  • Trek and canoe in Tierra del Fuego National Park, following the Lapataia River to the bay where Route 3 ends

  • Trek to Laguna Esmeralda through subantarctic lenga forest above Ushuaia

Itinerary

Day 1

A flight to El Calafate Airport (FTE) and a private transfer across the Patagonian steppe to El Chaltén, with Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre rising above the valley as the route approaches the village. An evening briefing from your guide covers conditions and timing for the three trekking days ahead.

Day 2

22 km round trip | 960m elevation gain | 8–9 hours | Challenging

A private drive to the Río Eléctrico trailhead, then a full day through lenga and ñire forest past the Piedras Blancas hanging glacier to the glacial lagoon at 3,054 meters below Fitz Roy. Descent via the Laguna Capri trail.

Day 3

~21 km round trip | 600m elevation gain | ~9 hours | Moderate

A private guided hike west through the Fitz Roy River canyon to Laguna Torre, with Cerro Torre's granite spire and the icebergs of Glaciar Grande as the payoff.

Day 4

20–22 km round trip | 1,100m elevation gain | 7–8 hours | Moderate–Challenging

A sustained ascent to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, one of the few viewpoints where Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Lake Viedma, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are simultaneously visible. After descending, a private transfer to El Calafate.

Day 5

A boat crossing of Lake Argentino's Rico Arm to the glacier's southern shore, followed by a hike to the ice where crampons go on. Approximately 90 minutes of crampon travel past blue meltwater lagoons, seracs, and crevasses. After returning by boat, a walk through Perito Moreno's elevated viewing walkways before heading back to El Calafate.

Day 6

An early departure from El Calafate crossing into Torres del Paine National Park via the Cerro Castillo checkpoint. Multiple stops along the steppe for fauna — guanacos, condors, and foxes are regular subjects along this route. An introductory hike from Sarmiento Station to Laguna Amarga on arrival, with first views of the Paine Massif.

Day 7

18 km round trip | 880m elevation gain | 6–8 hours | Challenging

A private guide leads the ascent through lenga beech forest and over the moraines to the glacial lagoon below the three granite Paine Towers. Return to the lodge by late afternoon.

Day 8

16–21 km round trip | 500m elevation gain | 6–7 hours | Moderate–Challenging

A catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoé to the French Valley trailhead, then a hike into the glacial amphitheater flanked by hanging glaciers and vertical rock walls.

Day 9

A morning walk along the Grey Lake shoreline with views of icebergs drifted from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, then a private transfer back across the border to El Calafate for the flight south.

Day 10

A domestic flight from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia (USH). A local guide meets you at the airport for the transfer to your hotel with views over the Beagle Channel.

Day 11

A coastal trek through Tierra del Fuego National Park past Yamana archaeological sites to Lake Roca, followed by a canoe descent of the Lapataia River to Lapataia Bay, where Pan-American Route 3 ends at the water.

Day 12

~9 km round trip | ~200m elevation gain | ~4 hours | Moderate

A hike through subantarctic lenga forest and peat bog to Laguna Esmeralda, a turquoise glacial lagoon above Ushuaia. Active beaver dams along the stream reshape the valley terrain; the lagoon is fed by a hanging glacier visible from the shoreline.

Day 13

A private transfer to Ushuaia Airport (USH) for your flight north and onward international connections.

Southwind Experience

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  • Transportation throughout the trip

  • Accommodation

  • Expert local guides

  • Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip

  • International or domestic flights

  • Personal expenses and optional activities

To start this journey, travelers will need to fly into El Calafate Airport Aeropuerto Internacional Comandante Tola (FTE), located just outside El Calafate City. This airport receives domestic flights from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery – AEP) and international connections via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

  • Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to El Calafate Airport (FTE).

  • Domestic Flight: Travelers fly from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia Airport Aeropuerto Internacional Malvinas Argentinas (USH).

  • Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from Ushuaia Airport (USH) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) for onward international connections.

What our travelers say

S

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southwind from the planning stages to delivery of the trip in Patagonia were faultless and I really love the little reminders sent for each separate stage and really appreciated the added bits around passport checking and border crossing paperwork. The whole team was super friendly, and for our trip with Fernando he was great company and knew where to stop for refreshments and a view! We would strongly recommend southwind, they go the extra mile on service and have a permanent smile. Thank you guys you were faultless.

S

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great experience with Southwind. They organized a tour for us to visit Monte Leon from El Calafate. Fernando & Laura organized the logistics and were very helpful. Martin accompanied us on the tour and doubled up as driver and tour guide, which was beyond our expectations. We saw a lot of wildlife en route, as well as in the park with Martin’s help. I highly recommend Southwind for your Patagonia experience.

F

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The agency proved to be extremely professional. During the long transfer, in an impeccably clean and perfectly maintained vehicle, Mr. Fernando was very attentive to ensure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this agency for organizing your trips to South America. Only 5 stars because I can't give more!

J

Joanna Green

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maria and her team looked after us so well. I would recommend them in a flash. It was 20 years since I had been to El Calafate so I didn't know what to expect. It had changed so much! Maria was helpful, honest, well priced and a pleasure to work with. You could not ask for more. We had the best time thanks to Maria and her organisation. Fernando was our driver to a tour and a delight. Punctual, knowledgeable and all round wonderful. Gracias!!

R

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

M

Martin Bride

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

E

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

P

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muy buena la atención tanto por WhatsApp como en las excursiones. Puntuales en las búsquedas en el hotel... De las excursiones que llevo hechas (todas excelentes) la atención, la coordinación y el conocimiento de los guías es muy bueno. Un excelente servicio, lo recomiendo!

A

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

Google

Average rating

4.9 ★

Where to stay

Hosteria El Pilar

Hosteria El Pilar

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

Poincenot Hotel

Poincenot Hotel

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

Pudu Lodge

Pudu Lodge

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

Las Dunas Hotel

Las Dunas Hotel

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Calafate

Kosten Aike Hotel

Kosten Aike Hotel

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Calafate

Río Serrano Hotel

Río Serrano Hotel

Torres del Paine & Magallanes , Torres del Paine

How to Customize This Itinerary

This itinerary is a foundation, not a fixed template — we shape it around what draws you to Patagonia in the first place.

  • Add the Vinciguerra Glacier trek in Ushuaia for a second high-altitude day above the city.

  • Extend in El Chaltén with the Viedma Glacier navigation or Cagliero Glacier ice trek.

  • Add Buenos Aires for tango, world-class restaurants, and the city's historic neighborhoods.

  • Extend to Bariloche's Lake District for mountain lake navigation and boutique Andean lodges.

Every adjustment is shaped around what the trip means to you, then re-engineered with the same private logistics as the original route.

Let's plan your adventure!

Customize your adventure!

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