At the tip of South America, there’s a remote, sparsely populated land of rugged beauty that tops many bucket lists: Patagonia.
Patagonia spans both Chile and Argentina, with the Andes mountains serving as the border. Due to its sheer size, the Argentine side of Patagonia offers more varied regions than the Chilean side, but both offer ample opportunities for adventure. In Chile, you’ll find the iconic W Trek in the stunning Torres del Paine National Park among many other wonders. Across the mountains in Argentina, you’ll want a front row seat at Perito Moreno Glacier to watch for the thundering crack of a calving glacier. And right on the border between the two countries is the iconic jagged peak of Monte Fitz Roy, just begging to fill up your camera roll.
Adventure tours to this region feature plentiful hiking, incredible kayaking, and paths ideal for scenic biking. Discover it for yourself today on our Patagonia adventure vacations!
Check out our incredible adventures exploring the highlights and hidden gems of South America!
Central & South America
Patagonia Hiking Adventure
4.85
Activity Level 3
Step It Up
I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.
Read more about the Active Range
Behold jaw-dropping scenery in Chile and Argentina as you hike, bike, and cruise through Patagonia. Find out why everyone raves about the W Trek and take your own enviable photos of Monte Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre on this 14-day adventure.
Central & South America
Northern Patagonia Adventure
4.65
Activity Level 3
Step It Up
I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.
Read more about the Active Range
You'll fall in love with the relaxed Patagonian culture and picture-perfect landscapes of Chile and Argentina. Hike a handful of national parks, kayak across fjords, stay in comfortable accommodations, and enjoy delicious local cuisine.
Activity Level 1
What's The Rush?
I'm active and in decent shape and not looking to experience a place just through a bus window. I'm happy to slow down on the trail, soak it in and breathe in the fresh air.
Walking: 2-3 hours per day on gentle-gradient trails.
Other activities: On these trips, you'll be taking part in a range of other activities that focus less on building up a sweat and more on enjoying the finer things in life.
Activity Level 2
On the Move
Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.
Walking: 2-4 hours per day on gentle to moderate gradient trails. No multi-day hikes.
Biking: 1-3 hours, cruisy rides achievable by anyone, even first-timers. Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. snorkeling): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 3
Step It Up
I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.
Hiking: Typically, 3-6 hours per day on well-formed backcountry trails. Expect some significant gradient inclines and declines.
Altitude: Your trip may include some moderate altitude areas, though these don't form the focus of the trip and are generally manageable.
Biking: 1-3 hours on well-formed paths or roads where you can expect some hills with moderate climbs and descents.
Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats.
Other activities (i.e. caving): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
Activity Level 4
Challenge Accepted
I'll let my trusty guides sweat the small things, so I can focus on my goal. Getting to the top, reaching the end, achieving my dreams! Sure, it'll be tough, but the views will be worth it.
Hiking / Trekking: Typically, 4–6-hour hikes with options for more, sometimes with limited or no vehicle support and nearly always with ascents and descents.
Altitude: Some trips at this level will reach a significant altitude. We are here to help you manage that and make your experience one to cherish for a lifetime.
Biking & Kayaking: If one, or both, of these activities are 'your thing,' there are trip options in this range, allowing you to be on two wheels or with a paddle in your hand for most of the day.
Activity Level 5
The Upper Limit
I'm ready to put in the hard work to reap the rewards. I'm a seasoned adventurer, not afraid to get my boots wet.
Trekking & Altitude: This is classic trekking, at altitude. Some might even call it 'expedition-style.' We've had folks from all walks of life achieve their dreams on our grade 5 trips, so if you're in for a challenge get in touch to find out if this is for you.
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - November 2023
"What a great adventure in Patagonia! Me and my 2 adult children spent 14 days in Patagonia with wonderful guides! Jessica was absolutely amazing! She took care of every detail, truly cared about us and the region, was fun, knowledgeable!! She made the trip very special for us. Active Adventures you have a gem in Jess! The local guides were great too -- Andrea was a blast and knew all the great places to take us. Her love of the region was evident in her knowledge and enthusiasm. My daughter did the W trek and Chris and Jess took great care of her. It was an experience of a lifetime for her. Loved the small group -- only 5 of us! Loved the attention to detail, the food, the drivers, the accommodations! The shear beauty of the place would have been enough but all the other details took it over the top!!
read more"What a great adventure in Patagonia! Me and my 2 adult children spent 14… read more
"What a great adventure in Patagonia! Me and my 2 adult children spent 14 days in Patagonia with wonderful guides! Jessica was absolutely amazing! She took care of every detail, truly cared about us and the region, was fun, knowledgeable!! She made the trip very special for us. Active Adventures you have a gem in Jess! The local guides were great too -- Andrea was a blast and knew all the great places to take us. Her love of the region was evident in her knowledge and enthusiasm. My daughter did the W trek and Chris and Jess took great care of her. It was an experience of a lifetime for her. Loved the small group -- only 5 of us! Loved the attention to detail, the food, the drivers, the accommodations! The shear beauty of the place would have been enough but all the other details took it over the top!! read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
B Barbara | November 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - October 2023
"Our Mother/daughter trip was perfect for us! We both love the outdoors and physical challenges so Patagonia fit both criteria. Meeting new people and becoming fast friends with others who enjoy the same experience was another highlight. Our guides were all fantastic and kept a very positive spirit even when the weather would change our plans. We were only disappointed that it had to come to an end.
read more"Our Mother/daughter trip was perfect for us! We both love the outdoors and physical challenges… read more
"Our Mother/daughter trip was perfect for us! We both love the outdoors and physical challenges so Patagonia fit both criteria. Meeting new people and becoming fast friends with others who enjoy the same experience was another highlight. Our guides were all fantastic and kept a very positive spirit even when the weather would change our plans. We were only disappointed that it had to come to an end. read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
D Deanna | October 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - October 2023
"I went for the scenery, but it was our caring guides, the hospitality of everyone from drivers to innkeepers, and having all the details taken care of, that made this the trip of a lifetime.
All of our guides went above and beyond the rules of guiding (such as "a guide always goes last"), and what might get an extra tip. Just to single out one example from everyone: Cem Inal, our Tour Guide, always stayed well behind me on the W-trek, making sure I never felt pressured to hurry. Baru, our extra W-trek guide, decided to simply hold me down in one bad wind rather than make me leave the wonderful view--I'm still unsure if this was he thought I'd blow away or if I was going to do something stupid! Viktor, our "lead" W-trek guide, not only lightened my load, but came rushing out to greet me at the end of the days--especially I remember at Refugio Paine Grande. Cecilia and Paula, our local guides in Argentina, shared so much, not letting on that that we must have been the hundredth time each had given the same information or taken the same hike.…
"I went for the scenery, but it was our caring guides, the hospitality of everyone… read more
"I went for the scenery, but it was our caring guides, the hospitality of everyone from drivers to innkeepers, and having all the details taken care of, that made this the trip of a lifetime.
All of our guides went above and beyond the rules of guiding (such as "a guide always goes last"), and what might get an extra tip. Just to single out one example from everyone: Cem Inal, our Tour Guide, always stayed well behind me on the W-trek, making sure I never felt pressured to hurry. Baru, our extra W-trek guide, decided to simply hold me down in one bad wind rather than make me leave the wonderful view--I'm still unsure if this was he thought I'd blow away or if I was going to do something stupid! Viktor, our "lead" W-trek guide, not only lightened my load, but came rushing out to greet me at the end of the days--especially I remember at Refugio Paine Grande. Cecilia and Paula, our local guides in Argentina, shared so much, not letting on that that we must have been the hundredth time each had given the same information or taken the same hike. The guides Camille and Simon who took us on the "add-on" glacier walk on Grey Glacier were similarly caring, careful, and welcoming.
Although I was assured by Tash (Active Adventures chat) that "The majority of our customers on any of our given trips are in their 60's - 70's," at 69 I was the oldest in my group, with 6 long-legged, very fit, and much younger trekkers (one age 29, four in their 50's, and one in mid/early 60's.) I am especially grateful to the W-trek guides Baru and Viktor, and Cem (truly a "gem") for making me feel welcomed, appreciated, and never, ever, as I trailed all the others, suggesting that I take fewer pictures, hurry the pace, or not stop to chat with other trekkers. read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
A Amy | October 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - April 2023
"Wonderful experience to Chile and Argentina. Couldn't fault the complete end to end process of arriving, trip management and guides knowledge and friendliness.
read more"Wonderful experience to Chile and Argentina. Couldn't fault the complete end to end process of… read more
"Wonderful experience to Chile and Argentina. Couldn't fault the complete end to end process of arriving, trip management and guides knowledge and friendliness. read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
D Duane | April 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2023
"Excellent trip guides throughout the trip. Very informative, interesting, attentive and helpful individuals. Our group chose to do the W Trek with the backpacking and refugios in Torres del Paine. Completely worth it for the hiking -- just be prepared, refugios are like hostels with food. We rented equipment and it was good quality and condition. Most of the rest of the hotels on trip aren't notable -- they tend to be a mixture of moderate to budget level hotels. However, the experience of Patagonia and hiking (in all types of weather!) was perfect!
read more"Excellent trip guides throughout the trip. Very informative, interesting, attentive and helpful individuals. … read more
"Excellent trip guides throughout the trip. Very informative, interesting, attentive and helpful individuals. Our group chose to do the W Trek with the backpacking and refugios in Torres del Paine. Completely worth it for the hiking -- just be prepared, refugios are like hostels with food. We rented equipment and it was good quality and condition. Most of the rest of the hotels on trip aren't notable -- they tend to be a mixture of moderate to budget level hotels. However, the experience of Patagonia and hiking (in all types of weather!) was perfect! read less
4 Stars (346 reviews)
K K Lynne | March 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2023
"No doubt this is a top destination on the "bucket-list" so many of carry around in our heads, but the Active Adventures team made this a truly outstanding experience. Our very patient Trip Leader Gustavo saw to it that we were informed ("OK, Chicos!), prepared, and well-fed before heading out for each day's adventure. The Torres and El Chalten guides clearly love what they do and where they get to work, and shared that with us. Two weeks in Patagonia got away too soon!
read more"No doubt this is a top destination on the "bucket-list" so many of carry around… read more
"No doubt this is a top destination on the "bucket-list" so many of carry around in our heads, but the Active Adventures team made this a truly outstanding experience. Our very patient Trip Leader Gustavo saw to it that we were informed ("OK, Chicos!), prepared, and well-fed before heading out for each day's adventure. The Torres and El Chalten guides clearly love what they do and where they get to work, and shared that with us. Two weeks in Patagonia got away too soon! read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
J John | March 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2023
"Totally loved this trip. It was a great combination of tough backpacking for the first week and more relaxed day hikes on the second week so it was a great blend. The additional activities of the kayak, walking on the glacier and the bike ride were truly awesome. Guides were great, friendly and worked with us all as there were different levels of fitness on our team. The most surprising item for me was the food....both in the hostels and the Cafe's in town. Food in this part of the world is amazing and the choices of the guides were all excellent. Weather for us was not the best, but thats also a part of the adventure. Its a great part of the world to hike and the nature is amazing. I would highly recommend Active as your trek guides.
read more"Totally loved this trip. It was a great combination of tough backpacking for the… read more
"Totally loved this trip. It was a great combination of tough backpacking for the first week and more relaxed day hikes on the second week so it was a great blend. The additional activities of the kayak, walking on the glacier and the bike ride were truly awesome. Guides were great, friendly and worked with us all as there were different levels of fitness on our team. The most surprising item for me was the food....both in the hostels and the Cafe's in town. Food in this part of the world is amazing and the choices of the guides were all excellent. Weather for us was not the best, but thats also a part of the adventure. Its a great part of the world to hike and the nature is amazing. I would highly recommend Active as your trek guides. read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
M Mark | March 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2023
"This was a bucket list trip and it did not disappoint. We selected option B because we did not want to carry big packs or sleep in refugios. We have done that several times and did not need to repeat. The option B provided great hikes and wonderful views. Our gide were informative and fun to be with. It was a great trip.
read more"This was a bucket list trip and it did not disappoint. We selected option B… read more
"This was a bucket list trip and it did not disappoint. We selected option B because we did not want to carry big packs or sleep in refugios. We have done that several times and did not need to repeat. The option B provided great hikes and wonderful views. Our gide were informative and fun to be with. It was a great trip. read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
B Barb | March 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2023
"Our trip to Patagonia was superlative in many ways. The guides were wonderful, the food was amazing and the photo ops unprecedented. But we were mostly blown away by the ever present wind! We could hike for miles to get to a viewpoint, have rain obscure the view and then the clouds would blow on by and the mountains would appear. The wind caused cancellation of our penguin boat trip at the beginning of the trip and kayaking in the middle of the trip. It caused our Grey Glacier ferry to turn around and leave the W trekkers stranded at the dock with a 3 mile hike to get to an alternative ferry. As our guide said, "I can give you a great experience but I can't give you good weather." But it WAS a great experience! The trails were interesting and often spectacular. We had enough beautiful days to outweigh the rainy ones. The guides were helpful, knowledgeable, encouraging and good company on the hiking trails. Our main guide knew the best restaurants in every town so we had outstanding dinners every night. Our group of 10 was…
read more"Our trip to Patagonia was superlative in many ways. The guides were wonderful, the… read more
"Our trip to Patagonia was superlative in many ways. The guides were wonderful, the food was amazing and the photo ops unprecedented. But we were mostly blown away by the ever present wind! We could hike for miles to get to a viewpoint, have rain obscure the view and then the clouds would blow on by and the mountains would appear. The wind caused cancellation of our penguin boat trip at the beginning of the trip and kayaking in the middle of the trip. It caused our Grey Glacier ferry to turn around and leave the W trekkers stranded at the dock with a 3 mile hike to get to an alternative ferry. As our guide said, "I can give you a great experience but I can't give you good weather." But it WAS a great experience! The trails were interesting and often spectacular. We had enough beautiful days to outweigh the rainy ones. The guides were helpful, knowledgeable, encouraging and good company on the hiking trails. Our main guide knew the best restaurants in every town so we had outstanding dinners every night. Our group of 10 was very compatible across an age range of 34-74. We had a lot of laughs together! Everyone was exceptionally fit and had done a lot of hiking. This is not a trip for a casual hiker! We appreciated the opportunity to see so much of Patagonia, even though it meant spending time in a van on unpaved park roads. Fourteen days was a good length for the trip. We recommend it to anyone who likes to hike. read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
C Connie | March 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2023
"Patagonia was a great trip! Amazing scenery, great guides, delicious food, and tons of activity. As always, Active fit a lot in to the two weeks we were there; far more than we would on our own. The packed itinerary and high level of activity can be a bit exhausting but activities are planned thoughtfully with lighter days following really heavy days and later mornings following early mornings so that you aren't too wiped out to enjoy yourself. The weather was pretty wild too, which we had been warned about, and for that reason, I'm not sure I'd do the trip again but I'm definitely glad to have done it once!
read more"Patagonia was a great trip! Amazing scenery, great guides, delicious food, and tons of… read more
"Patagonia was a great trip! Amazing scenery, great guides, delicious food, and tons of activity. As always, Active fit a lot in to the two weeks we were there; far more than we would on our own. The packed itinerary and high level of activity can be a bit exhausting but activities are planned thoughtfully with lighter days following really heavy days and later mornings following early mornings so that you aren't too wiped out to enjoy yourself. The weather was pretty wild too, which we had been warned about, and for that reason, I'm not sure I'd do the trip again but I'm definitely glad to have done it once! read less
4 Stars (346 reviews)
L Laura | March 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2023
"The reports that the weather in Patagonia can be wild are certainly true. During our visit we encountered heavy wind, rain, sun, sleet, and snow.
Our guide, Cem, did a great job of keeping us on schedule and letting us know backup plans when things needed to change. The tour group size was perfect and we have lots of new great memories from the trip. Bonus, we were active enough that all the great food we ate didn't add any to the scale when we got home!
"The reports that the weather in Patagonia can be wild are certainly true. During… read more
"The reports that the weather in Patagonia can be wild are certainly true. During our visit we encountered heavy wind, rain, sun, sleet, and snow.
Our guide, Cem, did a great job of keeping us on schedule and letting us know backup plans when things needed to change. The tour group size was perfect and we have lots of new great memories from the trip. Bonus, we were active enough that all the great food we ate didn't add any to the scale when we got home! read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
D David | March 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - March 2023
"We're older (in early 70's) so W Trek Experience was great for us. Really enjoyed staying several nights in same lodge and going on day hikes. Our guides on both phases of the trip (Chile and Argentina) were wonderful. There is a fair amount of transport time as the distances are significant but the scenery makes up for it. Be prepared for bumpy roads!
read more"We're older (in early 70's) so W Trek Experience was great for us. Really… read more
"We're older (in early 70's) so W Trek Experience was great for us. Really enjoyed staying several nights in same lodge and going on day hikes. Our guides on both phases of the trip (Chile and Argentina) were wonderful. There is a fair amount of transport time as the distances are significant but the scenery makes up for it. Be prepared for bumpy roads! read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
B Bruce | March 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2023
"This trip honestly exceeded all of my expectations. I was the only one in the group that came on my own but after the first day I did not feel that way at all. Every aspect throughout this trip was very well communicated and presented to us.
I always felt that my personal comfort and experience was most important. The scenery, geography and history of this part of the world is amazement around every corner. I feel that for the time available we experienced a wide variety of sites, history and experiences. The Refugios and hiking of the W trek were great to experience. It was also nice to get back to the wonderful accommodations and meals that were supplied by Active Adventures when we were not on the W trek for both the Chilean and Argentinian portions of the trip.
The professional and friendly guides and drivers certainly added to the experience with their combined knowledge and ability to work with the large number (13) in our group to ensure that everyone was hiking and moving along at a comfortable pace for them.
Our main guide Gustavo who was with us for the entire 14 days certainly made…
"This trip honestly exceeded all of my expectations. I was the only one in the… read more
"This trip honestly exceeded all of my expectations. I was the only one in the group that came on my own but after the first day I did not feel that way at all. Every aspect throughout this trip was very well communicated and presented to us.
I always felt that my personal comfort and experience was most important. The scenery, geography and history of this part of the world is amazement around every corner. I feel that for the time available we experienced a wide variety of sites, history and experiences. The Refugios and hiking of the W trek were great to experience. It was also nice to get back to the wonderful accommodations and meals that were supplied by Active Adventures when we were not on the W trek for both the Chilean and Argentinian portions of the trip.
The professional and friendly guides and drivers certainly added to the experience with their combined knowledge and ability to work with the large number (13) in our group to ensure that everyone was hiking and moving along at a comfortable pace for them.
Our main guide Gustavo who was with us for the entire 14 days certainly made the trip for everyone.
His relaxed personality and infectious laugh and sense of humour always made everyone feel at ease. His comfortable command of the english language was particularly important with our group as I was the only one who knew any amount of Spanish. Gustavo knew when to keep things light and entertaining but was always there to be serious when needed and to make sure everyones needs no matter how small or large were properly attended to. There were a couple of injuries through out the trip that required outside medical attention as well as smaller situations that were taken care of in house. In either case Gustavo did what he had to do to accompany, assist and translate for those persons to ensure that they got all of the care that they required. I think I can say that Gustavo made everyone feel that he was there for them personally. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone that is looking for a great "Active Adventure" while being treated to some high end accommodations, meals and personal attention at the same time. I would add that the W trek is a great experience and I highly recommend it but is not nearly at the same level as the accommodations and meals supplied by Active Adventures directly. This was also clearly stated in the Itinerary preceding the trip so there was no surprises. For anyone that this part does not appeal to and would prefer to experience this area by staying in a nice Hotel, eating in nice restaurants for all meals and doing day trips should strongly consider the add on option B instead of the full W trek option A. Two members of our group went this route and had a great time as well with their own personal guide for the 5 days. Thank you Active Adventure for a wonderful experience all round. read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
J James, Canada | February 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2023
"The head guide on your trip is so important. Our guide, Cem was amazing. He was knowledgeable, caring and for sure wanted us to have the best trip. I feel the staff at active international headquarters could have been a little more in tune to the intricacies of the trip.
read more"The head guide on your trip is so important. Our guide, Cem was amazing.… read more
"The head guide on your trip is so important. Our guide, Cem was amazing. He was knowledgeable, caring and for sure wanted us to have the best trip. I feel the staff at active international headquarters could have been a little more in tune to the intricacies of the trip. read less
4 Stars (346 reviews)
A Allen, United States | February 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2023
"Everything was more than perfect and super smooth! Thanks to Gustavo that did an awesome job managing all the adventure and was super funny too! Also the local guides (Cristiano of Torres del Paine expecially) were excellent as was very good the hotel choice and the food.
I was really lucky to hike the W Trek with very good weather (even too warm) that allow me to enjoy the amazing views that Torres del Paine offers, but unfortunately the weather didn't allow to hike the Laguna de Los Tres.
The only negative (very small one), is that I would preferred to have more time on Perito Moreno glacier, maybe with the option of hiking in the glacier.
In future I would love to travel again with Active Adventure!
"Everything was more than perfect and super smooth! Thanks to Gustavo that did an awesome… read more
"Everything was more than perfect and super smooth! Thanks to Gustavo that did an awesome job managing all the adventure and was super funny too! Also the local guides (Cristiano of Torres del Paine expecially) were excellent as was very good the hotel choice and the food.
I was really lucky to hike the W Trek with very good weather (even too warm) that allow me to enjoy the amazing views that Torres del Paine offers, but unfortunately the weather didn't allow to hike the Laguna de Los Tres.
The only negative (very small one), is that I would preferred to have more time on Perito Moreno glacier, maybe with the option of hiking in the glacier.
In future I would love to travel again with Active Adventure! read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
F Federico, Italy | February 2023
Patagonia Hiking Adventure - February 2023
"My name is Stefania, l am a 55 year old doctor from Melbourne, Australia, l embarked on my trip to Patagonia to escape the pressures of day to day work, recharge and reconnect with nature. I travel extensively for both work and pleasure and my aim with the South American Active Adventures trip was to challenge my fitness and endurance, meet locals from both Chile and Argentina, experience their culture and meet like minded people on the trek. Unlike many in my group this was my very first hike which initially probably stressed my guide, Alvaro, but l endured and made it all the way to the finale!! I enjoy life and ALL my trips but this one will stay with me forever!Starting from the guides Alvaro (all 14 days) and Sergio (who joined us for the W trek) all the way to our drivers, our accommodation, the food and ALL my new friends on the trip, it was simply exhilarating. Alvaro had everything under control. I normally coordinate many of my trips but there was no need here. He was just brilliant - it all just happened without a glitch!! Sergio helped us do the challenging W trek. The…
read more"My name is Stefania, l am a 55 year old doctor from Melbourne, Australia, l… read more
"My name is Stefania, l am a 55 year old doctor from Melbourne, Australia, l embarked on my trip to Patagonia to escape the pressures of day to day work, recharge and reconnect with nature. I travel extensively for both work and pleasure and my aim with the South American Active Adventures trip was to challenge my fitness and endurance, meet locals from both Chile and Argentina, experience their culture and meet like minded people on the trek. Unlike many in my group this was my very first hike which initially probably stressed my guide, Alvaro, but l endured and made it all the way to the finale!! I enjoy life and ALL my trips but this one will stay with me forever!Starting from the guides Alvaro (all 14 days) and Sergio (who joined us for the W trek) all the way to our drivers, our accommodation, the food and ALL my new friends on the trip, it was simply exhilarating. Alvaro had everything under control. I normally coordinate many of my trips but there was no need here. He was just brilliant - it all just happened without a glitch!! Sergio helped us do the challenging W trek. The expertise of both Alvaro and Sergio were noted as they safely guided us through the rough terrain. Both were extremely professional and knowledgeable. Visiting Punto Arenas, Puerto Natales, hiking the W then moving across to Argentina to El Calafate and El Chalten to hike Mt Fitz Roy were incredible adventures which l was lucky to share with a group that consisted of a multitude of personalities that embraced life and we all escalated the fun to a new level!! So many fun stories to tell: reading signs on the trek and allocating a different meaning to them, dancing Zumba at a refugio, singing and creating RAP songs to narrate our story. What an absolute blast!! Our accommodation was much better than what l expected. I did expect the refugios to be basic and they were. The food was amazing, in fact, it was plentiful and delicious. I am definitely booking in for another trip with Active Adventures as they encapsulate what we all should be doing with our life: STAY ACTIVE for as long as possible and be healthy. Well done!! read less
5 Stars (346 reviews)
S Stefania, Australia | February 2023
The prime season in Patagonia is October-March when average daytime highs range from 65 degrees F in the sun to the low 40s in the shadier spots. Night temperatures are typically in the mid to upper 30s, but occasionally dip into the 20s.
The weather is extremely erratic in Patagonia. It varies from warm sunshine to drizzle, to rain and/or sleet in a matter of minutes and returning to sunshine just as quickly. Wind is a constant factor, ranging from strong breezes of 15-20 mph to gale forces up to 60 mph. Clothing must be appropriate, adaptable outdoor gear.
As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.
While Chile & Argentina are both pretty safe places, we recommend taking the same precautions you would anywhere else - just to be on the safe side! Pickpockets occasionally operate in areas where visitors are found so we suggest you leave any valuables you don’t need with you in the hotel safe (e.g. passports and credit cards). A copy of your passport and any valuables you do need with you should be kept in a passport wallet under your clothes and a small amount of money in your pocket/purse. It’s also a good idea to take a taxi after dark rather than walk.
In the extreme south, the scenery of southern Patagonia doesn't get more dramatic than this - with spectacular vertical granite peaks, immense rivers of ice, wind-swept plains and native beech forest. The Andes of southern Patagonia are covered by the most extensive area of glaciers outside the world's polar regions. The main attractions of this region include the beautiful scenery of the Laguna de los Cisnes and Cueva del Milodón Natural Monuments and the Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks, home of the Perito Moreno Glacier and world-famous W-Trek Hike.
The Araucanía and Lakes District is the northernmost region of Patagonia, and is characterised by fertile green farmlands, snow-crowned volcanoes, forest and of course, dozens of beautiful deep blue lakes. Small and major volcanic eruptions are quite common in this area, with two major eruptions in 2008 - Llaima volcano in January and Chaiten volcano in May.
The four-day W-trek through Torres del Paine National Park will definitely be one of the most memorable aspects of your trip! This amazing trek will take you past sheer granite peaks, snow-clad mountains, glacial lakes and through thick Magellanic forest. While it might be a bit of a challenge, the rewards are well and truly worth it! The trek is close to sea level, so you won’t be dealing with any altitude factors.
The trails are very well maintained so finding your way is never a problem. If you’ve not done a multi-day trek before and would like some expert advice on how to prepare for one, get in touch!
As long as you enjoy hiking, you'll love these trails - you'll be hiking about eight miles a day, but there's no rush, you can take it at your own pace. In fact, the slower the better I say, as that way you get plenty of time not only to enjoy your surroundings, but let your body acclimatise to the altitude as well.
We recommend doing plenty of practice before you arrive, as the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy your experience. We suggest you try and get out 3-4 times a week and go out walking. If you have access to some walking trails that go over hills then go and explore, and if you live in a city and don't - then simply walking round the park and up and down stairs (such as in a high-rise instead of using the elevator) works wonders too.
That said our trips are designed for regular active people, so you don’t need to be a triathlete or anything - though if you are you won’t be bored!
It is your responsibility stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Please use the CIBT entry tracker on our website as a guideline or visit the relevant immigration webpage for more information regarding this.
For the most up-to-date recommendations please check with your doctor or travel clinic, and always go with their recommendations, as these can often change. We strongly recommend that you see a doctor, preferably one with experience in travel medicine, at least 8 weeks before your trip starts to discuss appropriate vaccinations.
The most direct international routes to and from Punta Arenas, Bariloche and El Calafate, are via national capitals Santiago and Buenos Aires. We recommend booking your domestic connections within Argentina and Chile as part of your international fare. It’s more economical that way, and can make life a bit easier if your international flight is delayed. There are a couple of airlines available for getting between Santiago & Punta Arenas, or El Calafate and Bariloche & Buenos Aires. Latam Chile (www.latam.com) departs several times a day and Sky Airline (www.skyairlinechile.com) offer a couple of flights a day.
Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!
The Chilean Government has a reciprocal agreement with Australia so for Australian passport holders, you’ll need to pay US$117 on arrival. This must be paid in cash on arrival into Santiago airport, and the one-time fee is good for the
life of a travelers’ passport. You may pay this fee at the airport counter (to the left of Customs) via credit card or US$ cash. There is no fee charged if you’re arriving into Chile by any other means, and holders of other passports aren’t charged anything, in accordance with their agreements. You’re issued with your immigration arrivals receipt on arrival. It’s really important to keep this safe as you’ll need it when you depart Chile. Failure to submit this card upon departure may result in delays until a replacement is obtained.
Accommodation
Down in Patagonia you'll lay your head each night in hotels, lodges and the famous 'refugios' in the National Parks. While these may sound basic they have incredible facilities (including electricity), the views are out of this world, they have restaurants and you'll meet an incredible array of people that have travelled from far and wide to visit the bottom of the world.
Transport
Your transport will be a mixture of bus, plane, boat, bike and your very own two feet on our trips in South America. All your transport is included from the start of your trip and we'll drop you at the airport at the end. The details are all listed in the trip specific itineraries.
Meals
All your meals are included as described in the itinerary except on your free days. We have found that people enjoy checking out what is on offer by themselves sometimes, so you can go and see what's out there! On every other day and especially after any long hikes, we've chosen places to eat that can cater for our hearty appetites, work well with our small groups (they know we are coming) and provide us with an authentic destination specific culinary experience. There are always options for you, so you can either be brave or choose something more familiar. You can be assured that on all our trips we will make sure you are very well fed.
Trip leaders
Our trips are all led by an experienced Trip Leader. Our Trip Leaders are very proud to work with Active Adventures and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. They work closely with our local specialist guides to provide you with a seamless, fun, exciting and memorable trip. They will happily share with you as much or as little as you want to know about the history, culture, social aspects and lifestyle of the country you are visiting.
You will need proper hiking boots - trail shoes are not good enough. We'll be taking you to some awesome places where you'll be hiking over a variety of terrain, therefore your boots should have full ankle support and a stiff sole with a high profile tread. It's also important that whichever footwear you decide to bring that it's well broken-in and waterproofed before you come down. If you have good ankles that will be able to cope pretty well with varied terrain, then good hiking shoes should be fine, but if not then hiking boots will give you better support.
Once you've booked your trip, you'll have access to a gear list in your portal on exactly what to bring along. The gear list is carefully thought out to provide you with everything you need to be warm and happy, or cool and relaxed, whatever the weather! So it is best to bring everything we recommend along, if you don't bring everything you need, we can't guarantee your comfort.
Tap water in Chile & Argentina is not safe to drink, or brush your teeth in, so you’ll need to use filtered water instead, which we’ll provide, and treat ice and salads with caution. You can also use hand sanitiser, iodine or water purification tablets if you prefer. Active Adventures is promoting ‘Travellers Against Plastic’ pledge, so to reduce single use plastic we encourage you to bring a durable water bottle to refill instead of purchasing bottled water.
While Patagonian cuisine isn’t particularly spicy or adventurous, it makes up for any lack through the sheer abundance and variety of produce, seafood, wine and meats - especially beef.
Vegetarians should ask for un plato vegetarian (a vegetarian dish) or try saying ‘soy vegetariano/a’ (I’m a vegetarian) just to be on the safe side. Vegan choices may be limited but we’ll do our best to help find things you may like. Fruit is very limited due to our locations and not always available, and breakfast meals are usually quite basic.
Dinner meals are often very late in the evening too as per the local customs.
Vegan and Gluten-free Dietary supplements – If you’re gluten-free or vegan, please bring some of your own protein bars or protein shakes with you, to get enough protein during the 4-days and nights we spend hiking the W-trek. The only bars we have in South America are cereal and sugar-based, and offer very little protein. Being gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian is not common in South America, so sometimes the veggie option at the 4 Refugio’s could just be grilled vegetables and rice, and it’s hard to hike the next day just with a simple meal like that.
We are accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in our pre-trip questionnaire. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online questionnaire.
Chile’s currency is the Chilean peso (CLP) and Argentina’s currency is the Argentinean peso (ARS), however both countries use the dollar symbol ($) to show prices in their local currency.
Your trip fare includes all transportation, guiding, meals and activities (except any optional activities). Most people like to bring a little extra to cover a round of drinks at the pub, take home some souvenirs, book a tour and eat out on their free day, and tip our guides if they've had a great time.
ATM’s are available in most towns in Patagonia, although the ones in smaller towns are less reliable – for example it’s hard to get money out of ATM’s in El Chalten and El Calafate, especially in peak season and most ATM’s have a limit of US$200 per withdrawal also.
Visa and MasterCard are most widely used except in Llancahue (Northern Patagonia) where they’ll not take Visa, although AMEX may also be accepted
Altitude isn’t really a factor in Patagonia as we only get up to around 1,100 metres (3,600 feet).
Spanish is the main language of Chile & Argentina. English is spoken in some hotels, airports and tourist areas but not everywhere. A little would be helpful, especially on arrival and for ordering food in restaurants, but it's certainly not required. Our trip leaders are all fluent Spanish speakers so if you don't have time to learn a little Spanish before arrival you don't have to worry... they will take care of everything.
Chile & Argentina are in the Chile/Argentina Standard Time. It is -3 hours behind of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Electricity is available in most places in Patagonia – even in the Refugio’s on the W-Trek. Chile & Argentina both operate on a 220V AC system, and Chile uses Type C while Argentina uses Type I.
WiFi is available almost everywhere in cities and easy enough to find in most towns/villages so you can rely on having regular access during your trip. If you have data roaming switched on, then you'll be able to use the internet on your smartphone, but beware of the fees! WiFi is available at some of the accommodations that you'll be staying at, usually for a small cost so check this out at each location when you arrive, though it may be sporadic. There's no WiFi along the W-Trek Hike and cellphone coverage will be minimal.
Patagonia’s seasons mirror those of the Southern Hemisphere, so the best time to visit is in the summer between November and April. Late December to early March marks the Patagonian summer. Daytime temperature ranges from 70-80°F (21-26°C) in the sun. Night time temperatures in Punta Arenas range in the 40’s F (4-7°C) and on the trek can dip into the 30’s F (-1°C).
Please note tempestuous weather is normal for this region in any season. With Patagonia so near to the southern Patagonian ice cap and two big oceans, you’ll likely see rain, wind, a bit of snow, cold and hot weather
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With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.
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