Great Self Guided Treks of Patagonia: W-Trek and El Chaltén

You will be picked up from El Calafate Airport and transported to your hotel in El Calafate. Originally a town for wool traders, today it is the jump-off point for numerous activities in Patagonia. After arriving, you can enjoy the downtown area's quaint shops and bustling restaurants. (Overnight at Alto Calafate (B))

Today, you will catch a bus to Torres del Paine in Chile. Expect a 5 hour ride plus time at the border for customs. You will be dropped off at Laguna Amarga, where you will take an internal shuttle (3,500 CLP) to the Las Torres Base area. Torres del Paine is a national treasure of Chile. It boasts some of the most spectacular views of Patagonia. Tomorrow you will begin your W-Trek. Highlights include the trek to the Towers, hearing small avalanches in Valle del Frances and seeing the massive Glacier Grey. (Overnight at Hotel Las Torres (B))

Start your first trekking day off with a bang. Today you will be hiking to see the iconic Towers—the ones that the park is named after. It’s a challenging hike, since you will need to do a bit of light scrambling up some rocky areas. If it’s been raining, which it does a lot, then things can get very slippery. Take your time and travel with a partner (ask about private guides or groups when you inquire). But it’s all worth it once you reach the towers, which rise magnificently into the cold, Chilean sky. After seeing the towers, head back down through Ascencio valley to Hotel Las Torres (Breakfast, Overnight at Hotel Las Torres).

This will be the easiest hike of your trip. After a filling breakfast, you will head out across the stretching pampas, skirting the southeast side of the Paine Massif. To your left are the milky waters of Lago Nordenskjöld, and to the right the mighty Los Cuernos unfolds its horns, jagged peaks and dreamy waterfalls. Once you reach your cabin next to Refugio Los Cuernos, take pause to enjoy your surroundings. Perhaps a quick soak in the hot tub is what the doctor ordered. Tomorrow will be a long day, so rest up. (Overnight at Cabins of Los Cuernos, Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner)

Today you will tackle Valle del Frances. It takes about 3.5 hours to reach the first lookout, high above Lago Nordenskjöld. On your left-hand side you will see Glacier Frances, where frequent small avalanches take place. The noise booms throughout the valley, although the ice that breaks away seems much smaller than it should, considering the noise. After returning down the valley, you will hike 2.5 hours through undulating terrain, stopping briefly at a lookout point above Lago Skottsberg, before arriving at Refugio Paine Grande. (Overnight at Refugio Paine Grande, Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner)

Today you will hike along the icy blue waters of Lago Grey. An easier hike than yesterday, there is still some elevation change, so you are not out of the woods yet. The mirador of Glacier Grey is thirty minutes past Refugio Grey. After lunch at Refugio Grey, head to the glacier to see the expansive and imposing wall of ice that feeds the lake of the same name. Afterwards, you will board your boat to navigate the waters of Lago Grey. Not only will you enjoy the view of the powerful glacier, but also views of the hill Cerro Paine Grande, the Paine Massif, forests along the edge of the lake, hills made of stratified rocks, and snow-covered peaks that reach up to the clouds. The navigation ends at Hotel Lago Grey, where you will be picked up and transported to El Calafate. (Overnight at Alto Calafate (B))

The excursion begins in the embarking pier located in “Bajo de las Sombras” port, about 3.5 miles (6 km) before the glacier Balconies, where you embark for a 10 minute navigation across the Rico Arm, enjoying breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno Glacier’s front walls. After the fitting of your harnesses and crampons, you will start the ice trekking. During the walk, you will be introduced to a number of features within the ice: huge moulins, crevasses, caves and above all the special feeling of exploring the middle of the ice. Expert bilingual mountain guides will always lead you, looking after your safety and teaching you the “ways of the ice.” You will hike for about 3.5 hours, and spend some time having lunch somewhere on the glacier. Back on the moraine, you will start your descent back to the port, then take the boat and navigate for 20 minutes very close to the southern wall. (Overnight at Alto Calafate(B))

Today, you will take a shared bus to El Chaltén where you have a free day to enjoy the small town atmosphere. Rest up, because tomorrow you will trek to the imposing Cerro Torre. (Overnight at Don Los Cerros (B))

You gain most of your height at the beginning of your trek. After around 2 miles (3.2 km), the path levels out and becomes undulating until you reach Laguna Torre. The hike from El Chaltén to Laguna Torre takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Here you can relax on the rocky shores and stare contemplatively at the mighty peak of Cerro Torre, which stands at 10,177 feet (3,102 meters) high. There is an optional hike to Mirador Maestri, which takes 2 hours round-trip. Afterwards, descend back to El Chaltén and enjoy the evening in town. (Overnight at Don Los Cerros (B))

Today you set out for the magnificent Laguna de los Tres and the Fitz Roy Massif. From the town of Chaltén, it takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach your first waypoint at Laguna Capri. From there you will ascend to Camp Poincenot for a quick rest. Then it's off to tackle the most difficult part of the day. To reach Laguna de los Tres, it will take about 1.5 hours. The ascent is challenging; you will ascend over 1,600 feet (487 meters) in less than 2 miles (3.2 km). After taking in the scenery, head back to El Chaltén. The return should only take around 2.5 hours. (Overnight Don Los Cerros(B))

After a leisurely breakfast, you will take a private transfer to the El Calafate airport. It's time to say goodbye to Patagonia. Remember to get a window seat to see the rugged landscape from 30,000 feet.