12‑Day Best Hikes of Patagonia : Torres del Paine, El Chaltén & Perito Moreno Glacier

Self-Guided Hiking in Torres del Paine & El Chaltén – Patagonia Adventure

Experience the wild beauty of Patagonia on a 12-day self-guided hiking tour through two of South America's most iconic trekking regions: Torres del Paine in Chile and El Chaltén in Argentina. This adventure combines dramatic mountain scenery, crystal-clear lakes, and massive glaciers, offering an unforgettable journey across Torres del Paine National Park and Los Glaciares National Park.

Trek at your own pace along legendary trails like the W Trek and the paths to Laguna de los Tres and Cerro Torre, with all logistics—accommodations, transfers, permits, and meals—handled in advance. You’ll also get the rare opportunity to walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most active and awe-inspiring glaciers in the world.

Trip Highlights:

Torres del Paine W Trek: Hike the W Trek in Torres del Paine (self-guided) with refugio accommodations
Los Glaciaes National Park: Explore El Chaltén’s scenic trails to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre
Perito Moreno Glacier Big Ice Or Mini-Trekking: Walk on the ice of this world-famous glacier with crampons during a guided full-day experience
Unforgettable Patagonian Views: Witness Patagonia’s dramatic granite peaks, turquoise lakes, and vast glacial valleys
Trip Support: Enjoy seamless support with pre-booked permits, transport, accomodations, and local guidance

Destinations: Torres del Paine National Park (Chile), El Chaltén & Perito Moreno Glacier (Argentina)
Duration: 12 Days
Tour Type: Self-Guided Hiking with Guided Mini-Trekking Excursion

‍*This Program can be arranged as guided on request

Duration: 12 Days | Chile & Argentina

Departures: On Demand

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Natales

Upon arrival at the Puerto Natales Airport, you'll be met for a private transfer to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy the evening in this gateway town to Torres del Paine National Park. (If arriving in Punta Arenas, please let us know and we can modify accordingly). ‍

Overnight at Big Sur Hotel or similar

Day 2-6: W Trek – Torres del Paine National Park

Begin your self-guided W Trek adventure through one of the most stunning national parks in the world. Over the course of five days, you'll hike past the towering granite peaks of the Paine Massif, explore the French Valley, walk alongside Glacier Grey, and reach the iconic Base of the Towers viewpoint. Accommodations, meals, and logistics along the trail are pre-arranged, allowing you to focus entirely on the breathtaking landscapes around you.

‍Overnights in campsites along the W Trek route (upgrades to Refugios - on request)

Hiking Overview for W Trek:

Day 2 – Base of the Towers
After breakfast at your hotel in Puerto Natales, your packed lunch will be delivered, and you'll catch a 7 am public bus departing straight to Torres del Paine National Park. 2.5 hr bus transfer from Puerto Natales to the park, then hike ascending through Ascencio Valley to the Base of the Towers.

Hiking distance: 22 km (13.7 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +900 m / –900 m (±2,950 ft)
Time on trail: 8–10 hours
Overnight: Refugio Torre Central or Camping Central

Day 3: Hike from Torre Central to Los Cuernos
Today’s route traces the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld with panoramic views of the Paine Massif and the iconic “Horns.”

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Hiking distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: ±200–300 m (650–985 ft)
Time on trail: 4–5 hours
Overnight: Refugio or Camping Los Cuernos

Day 4: French Valley Hike (to Paine Grande)
Trek into the spectacular French Valley with its dramatic cliffs and hanging glaciers. Continue to Refugio Paine Grande.

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Hiking distance: 17 km (10.6 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: +600–800 m / –600–800 m (1,970–2,625 ft)
Time on trail: 6–8 hours
Overnight: Refugio or Camping Paine Grande

Day 5: Hike to Refugio Grey (Optional Suspension Bridges)
Follow the trail from Paine Grande to the Glacier Grey viewpoint. Option to continue to the hanging bridges for closer glacier views.

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Hiking distance: 11 km (6.8 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: ±300 m (985 ft)
Time on trail: 4–4.5 hours
Optional extension: +4 km (2.5 mi); +3–4 hours
Overnight: Refugio or Camping Grey

Day 6: Return to Paine Grande and Travel to El Chaltén
Hike back to Paine Grande (~4.5 hrs), take the catamaran across Lake Pehoé, then bus to Puerto Natales (~2 hrs). Continue by public bus to El Calafate (5–6 hrs) and private transfer to El Chaltén (3 hrs).

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Hiking distance: 11 km (6.8 mi)
Elevation gain/loss: ±300 m (985 ft)
Overnight: Vertical Lodge or similar
Total driving time: ~10–11 hours (combined transport)

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On the final night of the trek you will be transported back to Puerto Natales - Overnight at Big Sur Hotel or similar

Day 7: Transfer to El Chaltén, Argentina

After completing the W Trek, you'll be transferred from your hotel to the Puerto Natales bus station. From there, take a public bus to El Calafate (approximately 5–6 hours), followed by a transfer to El Chaltén, Argentina's trekking capital. Arrive in time to relax and prepare for your next series of hikes.

‍Overnight: Vertical Lodge or similar

‍Driving time: 5–6 hrs bus + 3 hrs private transfer

Day 8: Laguna de los Tres (Self-Guided Hike)

Today you'll take a shared transfer to the trailhead for the iconic Laguna de los Tres hike. This self-guided trek takes you through scenic valleys and forests before ascending to one of the most famous viewpoints in Patagonia, with panoramic views of Mount Fitz Roy. The entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park is not included.

Hiking distance: 20–22 km (12.4–13.7 mi)
‍Elevation gain: +850–950 m (2,790–3,115 ft)
‍Time on trail: 8–9 hours
‍Overnight: Vertical Lodge or similar
‍Box lunch included

Day 9: Pliegue Tumbado Hike

Enjoy a self guided hike to Pliegue Tumbado, a lesser-visited trail offering sweeping vistas over both Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. The route traverses beautiful terrain and provides one of the best panoramic perspectives in the region. Box lunch included.

Hiking distance: 18 km (11.2 mi)
‍Elevation gain: +900–1,000 m (2,950–3,280 ft)
‍Time on trail: 7–8 hours
‍Overnight: Vertical Lodge or similar
‍Box lunch included

Day 10: Laguna Torre (Self-Guided Hike) + Transfer to El Calafate

Set out for a self-guided hike to Laguna Torre, where you’ll have a stunning view of Cerro Torre rising above the glacial lake. After your hike, you'll take a shared transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate (approximately 3 hours, fixed schedule). Box lunch included.

‍Hiking distance: 18 km (11.2 mi)
‍Elevation gain: +250–300 m (820–985 ft)
‍Time on trail: 5–6 hours
‍Overnight: Tierra Tehuelche or similar
‍Box lunch included

Day 11: Perito Moreno Glacier Experience

A breathtaking adventure in the ice world of Patagonia; experience the iconic glacier up-close by walking on the surface of the ice itself! The adventure begins by navigating along the towering facade, followed by disembarkation on the opposite shore. Walk along the lateral side until ascending onto the ice in a two hours moderate circuit that introduces you to the fascinating glacial landscape with its streams, small lagoons, crevasses and sculptural ice formations of the most incredible shades of blue. Truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Duration: Full Day
Shared service with English speaking guide.
What to bring: Sunglasses / sunblock / gloves / hat / raincoat / hiking boots / small backpack.
Note: excursion allowed only for passengers from 10 years old to 65 years old. No exceptions. Not allowed for pregnant women, overweight people or any type of disability.

National Park Los Glaciares entrance included.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch Box

Due to operational insurance issues, the age limit for doing the ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier is 65 years old. If a passenger exceeds this age then an alternative excursion to the Glacier will be arranged.

Overnight at Tierra Tehuelche Hotel or similar

Optional - Big Ice Trek (+ $100usd per person)

This unforgettable experience begins very early in the morning, at “Bajo de las Sombras” Port, after visiting the Glacier’s catwalks. Once on-board, participants cross the Rico Branch, and after 10 minutes they disembark on the west coast. From this point, the mountain guides lead the group even closer to the glacier to take the crampons and start the approximation crossing.

The path runs along the southern moraine of Perito Moreno glacier, and after an hour participants find a spectacular viewpoint, from where they will have access to the ice.

Once over the glacier and with the crampons already put on, the world takes a new perspective: blue lagoons, deep crevasses, huge sinks, magical caves and the unique feeling of being in the centre of the glacier. Participants will always be accompanied by expert trained guides. During three hours and a half every corner of the most special glacier of the world is explored, while the guides invite to learn more about the ice and its environment.

Over a selected spot of this immense white blanket , a place of unparalleled beauty, participants will have 30 minutes for lunch (picnic is NOT INCLUDED).

Once back on the moraine, and after another hour of walking, the boat back to “civilization” is taken, after having enjoyed one of the most spectacular ice trekking in the world.

Day 12: Departure from El Calafate

Today we’ll take you to the airport to take your flight (shared service). Your Patagonian trip is about to end…or maybe not? If you want you can extend your trip to keep on exploring Patagonia, we’ll be glad to help you design your next adventure.

Driving time: 20–30 minutes

Meals Included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Puerto Natales Accomodation: Overnight at Big Sur Hotel or similar‍

El Chalten: Overnight at Vertical Lodge or similar

El Calafate: Overnight at Tierra Tehuelche Hotel or similar

W Trek (Torres del Paine): Camping - upgrade options to Mountain Refugios in bed

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Additional Trip Info

5D W trek (Self Guided)

Transportation: Regular bus transfer from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park and back

Accommodation: Camping (Refugios upgrade available + $380 per person)

2 nights at Torre Central Sector
1 night at Frances Sector
1 night at Paine Grande Sector
Fully made beds at mountain refuges (except at Frances Mountain Refuge, where a sleeping bag is required)
Campsite includes tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and liner

Meals:

Breakfast, lunch (box lunch), and dinner included
Box lunch on return day to Puerto Natales
Pehoé Lake Catamaran ride
Torres del Paine National Park entrance fees
What to Upgrade? Check out our EcoDome accommodation

6 Day Los Glaciares Portion:

2 nights in El Calafate and 3 nights in El Chalten (3 Star hotels - upgrades on request)

Transfers & meals as mentioned in the itinerary

Tours described in the itinerary

W Trek Portion‍

Guide on W Trek (available at additional cost - on request)
1 night overnight in Puerto Natales between W trek and Los Glaciares tour
International or Domestic Flights.‍
Travel Insurance - We recommend Insuremytrip, or Global Rescue‍
Items of personal nature

6D Los Glaciares Portion

Optional Finish in Punta Arenas
Park Fees
Optional "Big Ice" glacier hike on Glacier Perito Moreno
Tipping is not compulsory but it is greatly appreciated throughout South America, especially in the service industry. If you are satisfied with the services provided by your Destination Host, tour guides and drivers, then we recommend rewarding their hard work by tipping. In general, we suggest a tip of around US$20 - 25 a day for guides and US$ 5 -10 for drivers.
International or Domestic Flights.‍
Travel Insurance - We recommend Insuremytrip, or Global Rescue

info@flashpackerconnect.com

+1 206-892-8877

Chile & Argentina

The Best of Argentina and Chile - Self Guided Hiking Tour

12‑Day Best Hikes of Patagonia : Torres del Paine, El Chaltén & Perito Moreno Glacier

The Best of Argentina and Chile - Self Guided Hiking Tour

Trip Highlights:

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Natales

Day 2-6: W Trek – Torres del Paine National Park

Day 7: Transfer to El Chaltén, Argentina

Day 8: Laguna de los Tres (Self-Guided Hike)

Day 9: Pliegue Tumbado Hike

Day 10: Laguna Torre (Self-Guided Hike) + Transfer to El Calafate

Day 11: Perito Moreno Glacier Experience

Optional - Big Ice Trek (+ $100usd per person)

Day 12: Departure from El Calafate

Accommodation

El Calafate: Overnight at Tierra Tehuelche Hotel or similar

Additional Trip Info

5D W trek (Self Guided)

W Trek Portion‍

6D Los Glaciares Portion

Have Questions?

Interested in building a custom trip? We want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about.

info@flashpackerconnect.com

+1 206-892-8877

Chile & Argentina

12‑Day Best Hikes of Patagonia : Torres del Paine, El Chaltén & Perito Moreno Glacier

The Best of Argentina and Chile - Self Guided Hiking Tour

12‑Day Best Hikes of Patagonia : Torres del Paine, El Chaltén & Perito Moreno Glacier

The Best of Argentina and Chile - Self Guided Hiking Tour

Trip Highlights:

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Natales

Day 2-6: W Trek – Torres del Paine National Park

Day 7: Transfer to El Chaltén, Argentina

Day 8: Laguna de los Tres (Self-Guided Hike)

Day 9: Pliegue Tumbado Hike

Day 10: Laguna Torre (Self-Guided Hike) + Transfer to El Calafate

Day 11: Perito Moreno Glacier Experience

Optional - Big Ice Trek (+ $100usd per person)

Day 12: Departure from El Calafate

Accommodation

El Calafate: Overnight at Tierra Tehuelche Hotel or similar

Additional Trip Info

5D W trek (Self Guided)

W Trek Portion‍

6D Los Glaciares Portion

Have Questions?

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Interested in building a custom trip? We want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about.