Iconic lanscape of Torres del Paine National Park
15-day adventure

Peaks of Patagonia

Argentina
  • Kandoo Trekking
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Code: ARTOPP

15 days
Challenging
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Kandoo's view

All lovers of the great outdoors have seen photos of the majestic peaks of Patagonia and yearned to just grab their backpack and jump on a plane. Let Kandoo Adventures help you make that dream come true. This adventure is for those who want to journey into the very heart of the mountains. In Los Glaciares National Park we will spend 4 days trekking from El Chalten to Laguna Condor, making camp each evening in the shadow of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Crossing the border into Chile, we will then take on the world renowned W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park. Two challenging trekking routes and one epic journey that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Your adventure will begin and end in El Calafate, this is a great option for those who are already travelling independently in the area and want to include the trek as part of a larger trip.

Trip highlights

  • Visit the astounding Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Spend 4 days trekking and camping beneath the mighty peaks of Mt Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre
  • Reach the summit of Loma de las Pizarras (1708m) for outstanding views
  • Complete the world famous W Trek in Chile

Experiences

  • Kandoo Trekking
    Hikers in Thorong, during the Annapurnas Tour
    Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes

Gallery

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    ARRIVE IN EL CALAFATE

    Arrive in El Calafate and meet your guide and the other members of your group. Your flight will need to arrive in the morning and your guide will be waiting to greet you at the airport. We will have lunch in El Calafate before jumping on a local bus to El Chalten, a journey of about 2½ hours. Once we arrive in El Chalten (weather permitting) we will be able to see the peaks of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre rising up in the distance. We transfer to our hotel and settle down for the evening.

    • Accomodation: Hotel
    • Meals included: Lunch
  • Day 2

    EL CHALTEN TO THORWOOD CAMP

    Our first objective is Laguna Torre at the foot of the breath-taking Cerro Torre peak. Our trail passes through forests and various view points as we wind our way up to the lake. If the weather is clear we can continue past the lake, along the Fitz Roy river to the Maestri Viewpoint and gaze up at the incredible Grande Glacier. After taking some time to appreciate the awesome, near vertical granite peaks, we head to the Thorwood Campsite to spend the night.

    NOTE: In El Chalten you will leave part of your luggage in secure storage so you are only carrying the bare minimum whilst trekking. We will collect our non-essential luggage when we return.

    • Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
    • Ascent: 450 m
    • Descent: 200 m
    • Accomodation: Camping
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
  • Day 3

    THORWOOD CAMP TO POINCENOT CAMP

    After breakfast and breaking camp, we set out for the peak of Loma de las Pizarras at 1708m. The name translates as “The Slate Hill” and from the top we will have spectacular views of Mt Fitzroy and the surrounding peaks and valleys. After some time to relax and soak up the views, we descend again and pass by the Madre and Hija lagoons before arriving at Poincenot Campsite.

    • Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
    • Ascent: 1100 m
    • Descent: 1100 m
    • Accomodation: Camping
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Peaks of Patagonia Route Map See the map

Details

Trip information

Difficulty

This Patagonia adventure is given a challenging rating. You will be trekking for up to 4 days at a time, occasionally on steep and rocky terrain. The maximum distance covered on a single day is 25km. There may be as much as 1100m of vertical ascent and descent in a day. You should be fit and healthy with recent experience of walking in a mountainous environment for several days in a row. On steep and possibly loose ground, care should be taken to avoid slips and trips, you may find walking poles to be useful. The weather in Patagonia is notoriously changeable and you should be prepared to walk in strong winds and heavy rain. If you have any questions about your suitability for this trip please feel free to get in touch. 

Food & drink

Whilst camping in the Fitz Roy region your meals will be prepared at the campsites using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. We will provide you with a dinning tent in which to take your meals and all crockery, cutlery, tables and chairs are provided. Picnic lunches will also be prepared for you. 


In Torres del Paine National Park, breakfast and dinners will be taken at the mountain refuges and picnic lunches will be provided. Whilst staying in hotels in the larger towns, you can choose to eat at the hotel or go out and find a local restaurant.


Argentine cuisine consists mainly of meat. More precisely, beef. Argentina is renowned for the quality of its steak and it is a meat lovers paradise. You will find grilled meats available everywhere including tripe, intestines and even udders. Meat aside, the cuisine is a mix of Spanish, native American and Italian influences so vegetarians can always fall back on dishes like gnocchi, pasta and pizza. In the large towns and cities, you will find all dietary requirements are catered for. You may also have the opportunity to sample “Mate”, a Paraguayan tea made from a variety of holly and typical drank from a “bombilla”.


If you have special dietary requirements please inform us when booking your adventure. We can cater for vegetarian and gluten free diets and you are welcome to bring along your own gluten free produce. Please be aware that in Torres del Paine you will need to carry any special food items yourself.


Whilst trekking, boiled and filtered water is available every morning for you to fill your bottles or bladder. We recommend you also bring a water filter or purification system to allow you to refill at refuges or springs. All drinks, including water, are your own responsibility through out the trip. We don’t recommend the use of plastic bottles which will need to be carried out and recycled.

Accommodation

In El Chalten, El Calafate and Puerto Natales we will stay in comfortable 3-star hotels.  Rooms will be double or twin with en-suite bathroom.  We ensure that all the hotels we use are well located to allow you to get out and explore the area.


In Los Glaciares National Park we will be camping.  A 3 man tent is provided per two people along with a mattress.  Your meals will be prepared at the campsite. A large dinning tent is provided for eating meals and as a communal space. All crockery and cutlery is provided. There will be dry “long-drop” style toilets at the campsites but no showers so we advise you to pack wet wipes.  On our last night in the Fitzroy region we will stay at Laguna Condor Refuge in wooden chalets with twin or double en-suite rooms.


In Torres del Paine National Park we will be camping.  A 2-man tent is provided per two people along with a foam mattress. Tents will already be set up with mattresses inside...some of them are even raised on special platforms! There will be shared bathrooms with flushing toilets and hot water at all sites. 

Your meals will be prepared at the campsite and you will eat in the refuge 'restaurant' each morning and evening. All crockery and cutlery is provided. Packed lunches will be provided from the refuge kitchens each morning for you to take with you in your backpack.


Sleeping bags are available to rent,for an additional cost.

Wifi is available at the refuges but must be bought on a pre-paid card. This can be purchased at the refuges or mini-markets at the campsites. 

Luggage

Bag weight: 15kg


Your main bag should be a flexible duffel bag or backpack of roughly 100 litres. We request that you do not bring a rigid suitcase as they are more difficult to transport. In addition, you will need a daypack of roughly 40 litres to carry with you each day. This can be used as your hand luggage on international and domestic flights.  Whilst trekking we will leave our main bags in secure storage and carry with us only what we need during the trek.


Please be aware that on domestic flights in Argentina and Chile there is a maximum weight of 15kg on all checked luggage.  If your main bag weighs more than 15kg you may be asked to pay excess luggage fees which will be your own responsibility.

How do I get there?

You will need a flight that arrives at El Calafate Airport (airport code FTE) on or before day 1 of your itinerary. If you are arriving on day 1 and not before you should ensure your flight arrives in the morning before midday. To reach El Calafate most will people will need to connect through Buenos Aires. Please be aware that you may need to change airports in Buenos Aires so you should allow time for this. 

To reach Buenos Aires from the UK, British Airways have direct flights departing from Heathrow at 22.10 and arriving at 09.10 the next day (local time). The flight time is 14hrs. Lufthansa offer flights from Manchester with a 1hrs 30min stop in Frankfurt. KLM have flights from Edinburgh with a stop of 1hrs 45min in Amsterdam. Indirect flights have a total travel time of roughly 17 hours.

For travellers from the USA, American Airlines have a direct flight from New York departing at 21.55 and arriving the next morning at 09.40 (local time). The flight time is 10hrs 45min. American Airlines also offer direct flights from Miami and Dallas with similar times. Indirect flights are available from Los Angeles and San Francisco with Latam, United and American Airlines.

If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.

Budget & change

In Chile the currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP). In Argentina the currency is the Argentine Peso (ARS). For the latest exchange rates please visit www.xe.com

We do not recommend the use of traveller’s cheques as they are often impractical.  Bank cards are widely used for most things but it is best to use Visa as Mastercard is not commonly accepted.  Your guide will show you the best places to change currency at the best rate.  The official exchange rate offered by banks and ATMs is not good as these are controlled by the government and reflect the poor rate of the Argentinian peso. You will therefore find that it is best to take Euros or Dollars with you and exchange locally with "arbolitos" or use specific banks that offer 'Blue Dollar' exchange. See our Argentina Travel Guide for more information on this. 


In Puerto Natales,  an average meal for 2 will be around $50 and a 5km taxi ride around $8. Taxis are plentiful and most drivers should have a meter, however if they don't, always remember to settle on a price before leaving. If you prefer to do it a bit cheaper then take to the streets, pretty much everywhere in Puerto Natales is less than a 20 minute walk from the town centre.
In El Calafate and El Chalten, an average meal for 2 will cost around $80.

Expected budget for meals out on your trip (per person): $150

Our recommended guidance for spending budget per person in Patagonia would be between $250-300 on top of your tips. This will give you ample souvenir spending money. 


Tips

Tipping is common but not mandatory and should be based on the level of service you feel you have received. 


The amounts below will give you an indication of how much to tip. Please note that these amounts are for the entire group, therefore you should divide them by the total number of people in your party. You will be provided with a Tip Recommendation three weeks prior to departure with recommended tips based on the number of people in your group. 


Guide: $20 US Dollars per day

Driver: $5 – $10 US Dollars per day


As an example: a guide may receive $20 per day x 17 days = $340.  Divided by 10 people in the group = $34 per person.

Formalities & health

Passport

As soon as possible after booking your tour, please provide Kandoo Adventures with your passport details (first name, last name, date of birth, passport number, issue date, expiry date) along with a photocopy of the photo page. We need this information in order to book your domestic flights (where applicable) and hotels.

Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your departure date.

Visa

United States and UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Argentina. On arrival you will be granted a maximum 90 day stay in the country. The same applies in Chile.

This information may be subject to change, without notice, by the local authorities. It is your responsibility to check the latest travel requirements and information before departure.

Vaccinations

The World Health Organisation recommend the following vaccinations for travel to Argentina:

Tetanus
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Diphtheria
Typhoid
Yellow Fever

It is your responsibility to check the latest health information before travelling.

Insurance

Before you can join any Kandoo Adventures trek, you will need to insure yourself against accident, injury, and illness.

Your insurance must cover the cost of helicopter evacuation and repatriation if necessary. Make sure your insurer knows of your travel plans, and verify that your policy fully covers your trek, climb, and any other activities you will participate in. Specifically, for all our adventures in Patagonia, you need to be covered for trekking above 2000m. If you are climbing Aconcagua, you need to be covered for climbing up to 7000m. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses.

We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf. You will also need to bring details of your insurance cover to the pre-trek briefing.

We recommend the global supplier of travel insurance, World Nomads. Make sure to choose the correct policy for the altitude you are trekking to. Be sure to read the small print carefully for any policy you are considering - different policies provide different levels of cover, so make sure you understand what is and isn't included in your policy.

Health

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or hypobaropathy, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many climbers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400m. Our routes have been designed to aid your acclimatisation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:

Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group.

Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day.

Diamox

There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows is that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimatisation process. In the UK it is a prescription drug which must be prescribed by a doctor, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. The concern is that by taking Diamox, people believe that they are immune from AMS and can ignore the symptoms. In reality, although Diamox can help prevent the symptoms, should symptoms still develop it means that you are not acclimatising and you have to take notice. Diamox is taken before you start the trek to prevent altitude sickness, not once symptoms have developed.

Malaria

There is no risk of malaria in any of the regions of Argentina we operate in. However, malaria is present in some parts of Argentina so if you intend to go travelling before or after your tour, please check the specific health risks for the areas you will be visiting.

Dehydration

You can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating, and may even suffer from diarrhoea. As a result, you will have to drink much more water than you normally would and you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while trekking. Even when you do not feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum, preferably more. Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow trekkers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.

Medication

Your guide carries a first aid kit at all times. However, we recommend bringing any medicine you feel you may need. This could include: -

  • Painkillers
  • Anti-diarrhoea tablets
  • High factor sunscreen for lips and skin
  • Moisturising cream (for sunburn)
  • Elastic bandage, regular bandages and Blister bandages
  • Sanitary products
  • Water purifying tablets or filters
  • Mosquito repellent

Equipment & clothing

Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures

Whilst trekking and camping we will provide the following:

  • 3 man tent per 2 people
  • Sleeping Mattress per person
  • Communal dining tent for meals
  • Cutlery, crockery, tables and chairs

Clothing to bring

  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Buff / gaiter
  • Sunglasses
  • T-shirts (short and long sleeve)
  • Thermal long sleeve shirt
  • Thermal leggings in case of cold nights
  • 2 sweaters - 1 light/1 warm
  • Soft shell or fleece jacket
  • Insulated jacket
  • Waterproof and windproof hard shell jacket
  • Waterproof and windproof hard shell trousers
  • Breathable fast drying underwear
  • Comfortable long trousers (fast drying)
  • Shorts for trekking in warm weather if desired
  • Comfy trainers/shoes for evenings
  • Wool and cotton socks
  • Hiking boots (with ankle support and a slightly ridged sole)

Equipment to bring

  • Sleeping bag (minimum rating of -10 degrees  - hire available)
  • 2 water bottles (minimum 1 litre or a water bladder)
  • Walking poles (recommended)
  • Head torch with spare batteries and bulb
  • 1 duffel bag - 80 to 100 litres (flexible and water resistant)
  • 1 daypack - 30 to 40 liters to carry with you each day
  • Water purification system (charcoal filter, chlorine tablets or similar)
  • Quick drying towel
  • Dry bags – for packing your kit into if your bag is not waterproof
  • Toiletries (including wet wipes)
  • A container for any toxic rubbish (batteries, sanitary products etc.)

Gear rental

Sleeping bags are available to rent for $30, to be paid locally. 

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Dates & prices

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27/10/2024 10/11/2024 £5,599 $7,275
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17/11/2024 01/12/2024 £5,599 $7,275
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22/12/2024 05/01/2025 £5,599 $7,275
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05/01/2025 19/01/2025 £5,599 $7,275
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09/02/2025 23/02/2025 £5,599 $7,275
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09/03/2025 23/03/2025 £5,599 $7,275
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06/04/2025 20/04/2025 £5,599 $7,275
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26/10/2025 09/11/2025 £5,599 $7,275
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Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!

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Price includes

  • An expert Kandoo Adventures guide
  • Airport transfers
  • All accommodation as outlined in your itinerary
  • All transportation as outlined in your itinerary
  • Full board while trekking
  • Lago Grey boat tour
  • Camping Equipment (excluding sleeping bag)

Price does not include

  • International flights
  • Visa
  • Drinks, tips and personal expenses
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal trekking equipment

Options

  • Boat tour of Perito Merino Glacier ($35-$40) - highly recommended!

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