PATAGONIA TREK
THE ITINERARY
Tusker Trail's trekking ventures to South America for a Patagonia Trek occur in March and November, offering a diversity of accommodation and unique lodgings to match the region’s startling biodiversity. The all-inclusive trip includes backcountry treks in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park and Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park with accommodations connected by road as well as water.
By deviating from the competition’s standard trek routes and group accommodations, Tusker has created an unparalleled experience in Patagonia. There are three boat trips on the journey, including a cutter up Ultima Esperanza and a zodiac on the Serrano River that drops the group at Pampa Lodge on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park.
TREK STATES
- Trekking Distance: 47 miles or 76 km
- Duration of Trek: 9 Days
- Daily trekking time: 3 to 7 hours
- Trek Season: Summer (August)
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"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous." ~ Aristotle
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1 ~ CHILE - PUNTA ARENAS
Chile - Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales
In the far south of Chile your adventure begins when we arrive in the town of Punta Arenas and drive to Puerto Natales, on the shores of the Última Esperanza Sound.
In 1557 sailor Juan Ladrilleros named the sound, “Última Esperanza,” or “Last Hope,” as it seemed to be his last possibility of getting to the Straits of Magellan. Puerto Natales was then foudned in 1911, and long served as a main port from which much of Patagonia's wool wealth sailed.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Overnight at Indigo Hotel or similar.
In the far south of Chile your adventure begins when we arrive in the town of Punta Arenas and drive to Puerto Natales, on the shores of the Última Esperanza Sound.
In 1557 sailor Juan Ladrilleros named the sound, “Última Esperanza,” or “Last Hope,” as it seemed to be his last possibility of getting to the Straits of Magellan. Puerto Natales was then foudned in 1911, and long served as a main port from which much of Patagonia's wool wealth sailed.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Overnight at Indigo Hotel or similar.
DAY 2 ~ PUERTO NATALES • LAGUNA SOPHIA
Chile - Puerto Natales and Laguna Sophia
These days the scent of adventure wafts over town, as it is the perfect launching point to the Torres del Paine National Park and our last hope to stock up before we venture deeper into the Patagonian wild.
On day two in Natales we get out on a spectacular hike to Laguna Sophia, and visit the Milidon cave, where remains of the now extinct giant sloth were found.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Overnight at Indigo Hotel or similar.
These days the scent of adventure wafts over town, as it is the perfect launching point to the Torres del Paine National Park and our last hope to stock up before we venture deeper into the Patagonian wild.
On day two in Natales we get out on a spectacular hike to Laguna Sophia, and visit the Milidon cave, where remains of the now extinct giant sloth were found.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Overnight at Indigo Hotel or similar.
DAY 3 ~ BERNARDO O'HIGGINS & TORRES DEL PAINE
10,600-ft/2,972-m • 7.2 miles/11 km • 6-7 hours
After breakfast, we drive to Machame gate, sign into the national park, and start our climb. The track narrows, and then winds uphill through the dense mossy rain forest, where Colobus monkeys bark at you from the tree canopy. Tusker's guides are experts on the habitat, and they share their knowledge of the plant and animal life as you trek higher through the forest.
The Tusker Crew goes ahead to Machame camp and sets up our camp in a clearing, so all you needd to do is roll out your sleeping bag and show up for a hot cup of tea, while soaking up the beauty of Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
After breakfast, we drive to Machame gate, sign into the national park, and start our climb. The track narrows, and then winds uphill through the dense mossy rain forest, where Colobus monkeys bark at you from the tree canopy. Tusker's guides are experts on the habitat, and they share their knowledge of the plant and animal life as you trek higher through the forest.
The Tusker Crew goes ahead to Machame camp and sets up our camp in a clearing, so all you needd to do is roll out your sleeping bag and show up for a hot cup of tea, while soaking up the beauty of Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
DAY 4 ~ TORRES DEL PAINE & GREY GLACIER
12,480-ft/3,804-m • 3.1 miles/5 km • 7-8 hours
We start out after breakfast and after an hour, leave the last glades of the rain forest behind, toward the Shira Plateau, actually a caldera, which is collapsed volcano. After lunch we start climbing up the ridge to the edge of the caldera at 11,560-ft/3534-m, mid afternoon.
Passing through fields of heath and moorland, the mountainside gradually opens up, with stunning views of the caldera. You now start to feel the effects of the altitude, as you hike slowly to our camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
We start out after breakfast and after an hour, leave the last glades of the rain forest behind, toward the Shira Plateau, actually a caldera, which is collapsed volcano. After lunch we start climbing up the ridge to the edge of the caldera at 11,560-ft/3534-m, mid afternoon.
Passing through fields of heath and moorland, the mountainside gradually opens up, with stunning views of the caldera. You now start to feel the effects of the altitude, as you hike slowly to our camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
DAY 5 ~ TORRES DEL PAINE & LAKES PDHOE • NORDENSKJOLD
12,950-ft/3,950-m • 6.2 miles/10 km • 7-8 hours
We hike through the Heather and Moorland, uphill to Lava Tower (14,950-ft/4557-m), where you rest at a hot lunch and acclimatization break. Then, it's a steep trek downhill slowly trek downhill into the Barranco valley, past beautiful Lobelia plants and towering giant Senecios.
On your left, looming above are the dwindling south-facing glaciers of Kibo Peak. The view of the towering walls are spectacular. After a full day's hike, our team arrives at camp at the foot of the Barranco wall.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
We hike through the Heather and Moorland, uphill to Lava Tower (14,950-ft/4557-m), where you rest at a hot lunch and acclimatization break. Then, it's a steep trek downhill slowly trek downhill into the Barranco valley, past beautiful Lobelia plants and towering giant Senecios.
On your left, looming above are the dwindling south-facing glaciers of Kibo Peak. The view of the towering walls are spectacular. After a full day's hike, our team arrives at camp at the foot of the Barranco wall.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
DAY 6 ~ TORRES DEL PAINE & FRENCH VALLEY
13,200-ft/4,033-m • 3.6 miles/5.8 km • 4-5 hours
As you emerge from your tent, you can’t help focusing on the wall, contemplating its fortress-like mass. It stands like a guardian blocking your highest goal, the final ascent to Uhuru Peak .Right after a hot breakfast, we start our steep climb.
You ascend about 500-ft/152-m out of the valley, taking about 2 hours, surrounded by dazzling views of ancient lava flows and towering peaks. Then it’s a meandering hike down toward the steep Karanga valley, and up the other side to camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
As you emerge from your tent, you can’t help focusing on the wall, contemplating its fortress-like mass. It stands like a guardian blocking your highest goal, the final ascent to Uhuru Peak .Right after a hot breakfast, we start our steep climb.
You ascend about 500-ft/152-m out of the valley, taking about 2 hours, surrounded by dazzling views of ancient lava flows and towering peaks. Then it’s a meandering hike down toward the steep Karanga valley, and up the other side to camp.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
DAY 7 ~ TORRES DEL PAINE & LAKE NORDENSKJOLD
15,790-ft/4,813-m • 2.6 miles/4.18 km • 5 hours
It's a tough, but a rewarding uphill climb to the rocky, craggy slopes at Barafu High Camp, sometimes called Kosovo. Tusker has special permission to camp here. Because the camp is at 16,000-ft/4877-m, it gets quite cold and windy at night.
The air starts getting quite thin, and you find yourself breathing hard. There is a buzz of excitement in the air, as our climbing team anticipates the toughest day just ahead. The clouds move in and out, revealing the eroded Mawenzi Peak, rising from the plains below.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
It's a tough, but a rewarding uphill climb to the rocky, craggy slopes at Barafu High Camp, sometimes called Kosovo. Tusker has special permission to camp here. Because the camp is at 16,000-ft/4877-m, it gets quite cold and windy at night.
The air starts getting quite thin, and you find yourself breathing hard. There is a buzz of excitement in the air, as our climbing team anticipates the toughest day just ahead. The clouds move in and out, revealing the eroded Mawenzi Peak, rising from the plains below.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
DAY 8 ~ LAS TORRES LOOKOUT & PUERTO NATALES
Summit: 19,341-ft/5,895-m • 2.55 miles/4.1 km • 6-7 hours
We start climbing a couple hours before sunrise, so we climb during daylight on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain, reaching the Crater rim after a pack lunch on the trail. Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight at your back and the crater's ice-walls looming ahead.
We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs,) the highest point in Africa (19,341-ft/5,895-m). The feeling of euphoria is intense, and the descent is invigorating. We continue back down to Barafu Camp for a rest and a refreshment, then down to Millennium camp for your last night on Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
We start climbing a couple hours before sunrise, so we climb during daylight on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain, reaching the Crater rim after a pack lunch on the trail. Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight at your back and the crater's ice-walls looming ahead.
We now continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hrs,) the highest point in Africa (19,341-ft/5,895-m). The feeling of euphoria is intense, and the descent is invigorating. We continue back down to Barafu Camp for a rest and a refreshment, then down to Millennium camp for your last night on Kilimanjaro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
DAY 9 ~ ARGENTINA - EL CHALTEN
Millennium: 12,590-ft/3,837-m • 6.3 miles/10.1 km • 5-6 hours
After celebrating your success at the summit, and marveling at the view from the highest point on the African continent, you're on a buzz of euphoria. We then start a slow 3-hour descent through the scree to Barafu camp for a short break and a snack.
Then a further 2-hour hike brings us down to the edge of the rainforest at MIllennium camp. Once at camp, it's time to relax and enjoy our last dinner followed by a deep and restful sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro, before the final descent to national park gate tomorrow.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
After celebrating your success at the summit, and marveling at the view from the highest point on the African continent, you're on a buzz of euphoria. We then start a slow 3-hour descent through the scree to Barafu camp for a short break and a snack.
Then a further 2-hour hike brings us down to the edge of the rainforest at MIllennium camp. Once at camp, it's time to relax and enjoy our last dinner followed by a deep and restful sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro, before the final descent to national park gate tomorrow.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Camping
DAY 10 ~ LOMA DEL PLIEGUE TOMBADO FITZ ROY • CERRO TORRE
Mweka Gate: 5,500-ft/1,676-m • 7.5 miles/12 km • 6 hours ~ Drive Moshi • 30 mins
After celebrating your success at the summit, and marveling at the view from the highest point on the African continent, you're on a buzz of euphoria. We then start a slow 3-hour descent through the scree to Barafu camp for a short break and a snack.
Then a further 2-hour hike brings us down to the edge of the rainforest at MIllennium camp. Once at camp, it's time to relax and enjoy our last dinner followed by a deep and restful sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro, before the final descent to national park gate tomorrow.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel
After celebrating your success at the summit, and marveling at the view from the highest point on the African continent, you're on a buzz of euphoria. We then start a slow 3-hour descent through the scree to Barafu camp for a short break and a snack.
Then a further 2-hour hike brings us down to the edge of the rainforest at MIllennium camp. Once at camp, it's time to relax and enjoy our last dinner followed by a deep and restful sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro, before the final descent to national park gate tomorrow.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Bristol Cottages Hotel
DAY 11 ~ LAGUNA DE LOS TRES • FITZ ROY • POINCENOT • ST EXUPERY
Wildlife Safari
Fly home from Tanzania, or even better -- continue on an incredible Wildlife Safari through some of the most spectacular animal reserves on the planet.
Zanzibar
For a total immersion in cultural history, you can also travel back 300 years in time to the mystical Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar, just off Tanzania’s coast & enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches on earth.
Heading Home?
Your Pre-Travel Breakfast Meal is also Included
DAY 12 ~ GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK & PERITO MORENO GLACIER
DAY 13 ~ EL CALAFATE & FLY HOME