Patagonian highlights.

El Chalten:Your first day hike is to the lookout of Laguna de los Tres - a turquoise lagoon named because three glaciers drain into it. You head towards Fitz Roy massif, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, with breathtaking views of its iconic spires and peaks. You follow a beautiful trail to our first panoramic views of Mount Fitz Roy. Our trail then continues through forest and open areas to Rio Blanco, the Fitz Roy basecamp where climbers prepare to climb its 11,290-foot summit. From here it is a steep but worthwhile 1300 ft climb to Laguna de los Tres, a striking azure blue lake at the foot of the massif. From the lake you have close-up views of the vertical rock walls of Fitz Roy's east face, the impressive spire called Poicenot Needle, and the dramatic blue of Piedras Blancas glacier. Retracing our steps, you return to the town of El Chalten for a well deserved dinner and night's rest. Hiking: 12.4 miles, 3100 feet elevation gain, 9- 10 hours.(B-L).

 El Chalten: You walk where the Andean condors fly today. Loma means "hill" in Spanish and Pliegue Tumbado is the name of the grouping of hills at the top. This mountain, 4200 ft tall, is located immediately south of the Cerro Torre valley and offers spectacular views over the mountains, glaciers, and lakes. The trail starts winding through shrubland and forest as it climbs the slopes of the mountains, arriving at a viewpoint with panoramic views of Fitz Roy, Torre, and the dramatic glacier valley in between both. If you go all the way to the summit, you start climbing a long but gentle path on scree and are rewarded at the top with views of Paso del Viento (Wind Pass) and some of the mountains rising from the Patagonian Icefield. After 6 to 8 hours of hiking you are back in Chalten by late afternoon. Hiking: 12 - 13 miles, 2400+ ft elevation gain, 6 - 8 hours.
Overnight Luna Juim t in El Chalten .( B, Box Lunch)

 El Chalten: One of the classic treks of El Chalten is to the cerro Torre Lagoon, at the foot of the amazing Adela range, Torre and Grande glaciers, and the incredible Cerro Torre. Mt. Torre is famous for its beauty, as well as for its climbing difficulty. Every year, countless expeditions attempt to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. In comparison to our first two days, our hike today is easier with gentler uphills. Evidence of its glacial past is everywhere as you cross terminal moraines and hike in an ancient glacial valley to a magnificent viewpoint of the area and have lunch with a view, weather permitting then may continue to Laguna Torre. Back to town and enjoy last  night at this lovely mountain setting. Pack again for tomorrows road trip. Hiking: 13 miles, 1900 ft elevation gain, 7 hours.

 El Chalten: One of the classic treks of El Chalten is to the cerro Torre Lagoon, at the foot of the amazing Adela range, Torre and Grande glaciers, and the incredible Cerro Torre. Mt. Torre is famous for its beauty, as well as for its climbing difficulty. Every year, countless expeditions attempt to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. In comparison to our first two days, our hike today is easier with gentler uphills. Evidence of its glacial past is everywhere as you cross terminal moraines and hike in an ancient glacial valley to a magnificent viewpoint of the area and have lunch with a view, weather permitting then may continue to Laguna Torre. Back to town and enjoy last  night at this lovely mountain setting. Pack again for tomorrows road trip. Hiking: 13 miles, 1900 ft elevation gain, 7 hours.
In late afternoon we drive back to El Calafate. Overnight Hotel Hainen  or similar in El Calafate .( B, Box Lunch)

 El Calafate: Los Glaciares National Park:Today we experience the Perito Moreno glacier, one of the world's few glaciers that is not receding. The stunning mass of tiny blue ice peaks at the terminus is even more awesome because of constant cracking sounds when pieces of ice break and crash into the water below. Most glaciers calve, or release ice, in deep water, but not Perito Moreno, where the calving rates are higher than on other Patagonian glaciers. Lago Argentino, the lake where Perito Moreno ends, is shallower than the bodies of water at the ends of most glaciers so the ice bergs don't melt as quickly, perhaps one reason why the glacier is still advancing. Hopefully we will see a car-sized chunk of ice calve into the lake below. Weather permitting, we'll have our lunch overlooking the glacier along an expansive boardwalk and view points, then take an hour-long boat ride on the lake for another close-up perspective.We return to El Calafate in the afternoon. Afternoon free to explore  the glamourous Calafate city centre and go for a walk .You'll have time to explore the many outdoor stores and artisan shops that offer handcrafts and regional products. Dinner is on your own tonight, with choices from number of great restaurants. .( B)

EL CALAFATE: Today you  experience the Perito Moreno glacier, one of the world's few glaciers that is easy to reach exploring on the minitrekking excursion. Walking on glacier ice is a unique and unforgettable experience! From Bajo Las Sombras Pier, 70 km away from El Calafate, we will navigate the Rico Branch of the Argentino Lake, with views to the Perito Moreno Glacier’s Southern face. When docking, a short walk will take us closer to the ice limit, where we will be equipped with the crampons and receive instructions to begin the ice trek.  During 1.45 h we will appreciate different formations, as cracks, drains and small lagoon. The stunning mass of tiny blue ice peaks at the terminus is even more awesome because of constant cracking sounds when pieces of ice break and crash into the water below. Most glaciers calve, or release ice, in deep water, but not Perito Moreno, where the calving rates are higher than on other Patagonian glaciers. Lago Argentino, the lake where Perito Moreno ends, is shallower than the bodies of water at the ends of most glaciers so the ice bergs don't melt as quickly, perhaps one reason why the glacier is still advancing. Hopefully you will see a car-sized chunk of ice calve into the lake below. Weather permitting, you'll have your lunch overlooking the glacier along an expansive boardwalk and view points. Another close-up perspective. Return to El Calafate in the afternoon. Have time to explore the many outdoor stores and artisan shops that offer handcrafts and regional products. (B)

TORRES DEL PAINE: After an early breakfast, we leave for a scenic drive of about seven hours through the spectacular landscape of the Patagonia steppes into Chile and Torres del Paine National Park. We'll see unique wildlife such as herds of guanacos (llama relatives) and lesser rheas (related to emus and ostrich). We'll also see the mountains that make the park famous -- Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto and the Towers. After we settle into our lodging at the base of the Towers magnificent rock spires, we'll take a walk to get familiar with the landscape and perhaps, the wind. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park.  Hotel Rio Serrano(B, D)

TORRES DEL PAINE: After an early breakfast, we leave for a scenic drive of about seven hours through the spectacular landscape of the Patagonia steppes into Chile and Torres del Paine National Park. We'll see unique wildlife such as herds of guanacos (llama relatives) and lesser rheas (related to emus and ostrich). We'll also see the mountains that make the park famous -- Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto and the Towers. After we settle into our lodging at the base of the Towers magnificent rock spires, we'll take a walk to get familiar with the landscape and perhaps, the wind. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park.  Hotel Rio Serrano(B, D)

TORRES DEL PAINE: A full day in Torres del Paine National Park, this time to explore the Western highlights and  the Lake Grey. This deep lake, fed by the glacier of the same name. We will walk along the beach for  60 minutes  by crossing a suspension bridge over the Pingo River. From here the path leads through a Lenga forest typical of the area, and continues onward to the tip of the narrow peninsula at the lake's southern   on  pebble The  walk continues along  towards the look out   offering  a spectacular view of the lake with its icebergs, the tongue of Grey Glacier at the far northern end, and the snow-covered mountain peaks soaring above. On the way back we will stop at the Visitors' Center for the exhibition on   the origin and history of the park. Hotel Rio Serrano B.L,D

TORRES DEL PAINE: Our trek today on the famous W, so named for the shape of the trails.  First, we head up the Ascencio Valley to the Base of Towers of Paine lookout. The trail involves some steep sections and crossing a boulder field, just before the final lookout where the spectacular towers rise from a turquoise glacial lake. This is the basecamp from which expert climbers start their attempts to scale the sheer forbidding walls of Torres Norte, Central, and Sur. If the weather's right, we'll get that postcard-perfect photograph. We return on the same trail back to our lodge and a well-earned dinner. Hiking: 12 miles, 4000 ft elevation gain, 8 - 9 hours. Overnight Torres del Paine  (B, L, D)

TORRES DEL PAINE -PUERTO NATALES: Our last day in the park Torres del Paine visiting Laguna Azul and a short hike around this quiet side of the park. In the evening we will meet up in Puerto Natales where we will gather for a delicious  meal together, taking time to laugh and reminisce about our shared journey. Hotel Lady Florence Dixie B, box lunch)

TORRES DEL PAINE -PUERTO NATALES: Our last day in the park Torres del Paine visiting Laguna Azul and a short hike around this quiet side of the park. In the evening we will meet up in Puerto Natales where we will gather for a delicious  meal together, taking time to laugh and reminisce about our shared journey. Hotel Lady Florence Dixie B, box lunch)

PUERTO VARAS : Today we travel south across the barren Pampa of Patagonia, an impressive 3 hour road trip as we journey to Punta Arenas Airport where we will fly back to Puerto Montt in the Lake District region. From here we have a 30 minute drive to Puerto Varas on the shores of Lago Llanquihue where the Volcan Calbuco and Osorno lay in the background. During the afternoon we will have an opportunity to explore local customs and participate in a cooking class! (According to flight schedules and time of arrival into Puerto Varas). Hotel RADISSON PUERTO VARAS or similar. (B,)

PUERTO VARAS:Today we explore the Lake District. We drive along the shore of Lago Llanquihue and enjoy breath-taking views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. We will ascend to 4430 feet altitude from where we can appreciate the colors of the sky and lake blending in together. There will be a short hike near the crater as well as the Solitario hike across the last lava flow in 1869. This will put us at the entrance of Saltos del Petrohue where cooling lava from the Osorno Volcano formed a series of rapids and waterfalls. Together they form an impressive sculpture of extruded volcanic rock shaped by thousands of years of river flow. We board a small typical wooden boat for a short cruise of Lago Todos los Santos (All Saints Lake). The lake is surrounded by high mountains and the lower slopes are thickly forested. As we pull away from the landing and the source of the river Petrohue, the view is quickly stolen away by the tremendous size and proximity of snow-capped Osorno Volcano behind us. Walking: approx. 3.5 miles, moderate. Hotel RADISSON PUERTO VARAS

PUERTO VARAS- SANTIAGO: After breakfast and packing up, we take a sightseeing tour of the city of Puerto Montt founded in 1853 by German colonists on the site of an indigenous Mapuche community. Afterwards we'll visit Port Angelmo where there is a large handicraft market and a seafood market, brimming with salmon and trout. In the afternoon we'll head to the airport, about a half hours drive, to board a flight to Santiago. End of  our services.