Patagonia: Turquoise Lakes & Torres del Paine

Arrive at any time. Bask in the energy of Puerto Natales, the gateway to exploring the stunning Torres del Paine National Park. Get to know the unique charm of this Patagonian town with its corrugated-tin houses and cozy lodging. Later, mingle with your fellow travellers, and get excited for the adventures to come as you talk and laugh together at the hostel. (Selfies…or it didn’t happen).

Prepare for epic views and life-changing scenery during today’s transfer into Torres del Paine NP. Your first exposure to the untamed beauty of the area will be on a trek to the Serrano River Lookout. Prepare to be amazed as you hike to the viewpoint and witness the mountain range spread across the national park with the contrasting greens and greys of the landscape. Arrive at Serrano Campsite in the evening just in time for a group dinner together before the light fades beyond the horizon. Your body may be tired, but your mind will be working in overdrive to take it all in. Sweet dreams!

Enjoy breakfast at camp surrounded by Patagonia’s beauty before heading out to trek to the base of Las Torres to see a closer view of the dramatic three towers, and the practically irresistible turquoise lagoon below. Share a packed lunch in the splendour of the natural landscape (try to stop yourself from making too many reels & just enjoy it). Later, return along the same trail and meet your driver to transfer to Laguna Azul Campsite. Relax amid your surroundings and have dinner together at camp before sleeping in your tents under the vast Patagonian sky. Today checks all of the boxes!

Wake to the sounds of nature in Torres del Paine before a short one hour trek to the Sierra Masle lookout. Search for animals such as guanacos and birds as you walk before catching a gorgeous view of the granite towers. Transfer back to Puerto Natales for a free afternoon to hangout with your newest travel pals and explore the area. Some local bar hopping, anyone?

Ready for the next adventure?! Grab some breakfast at the hotel and hop in a taxi to the bus terminal in Puerto Natales. Travel along roads featuring views of endless plains and towering mountains as the group crosses from Chile to Argentina. Play games with your travel mates, throw on that downloaded Spotify roadtrip playlist, and enjoy the ride. Arrive to the town of El Calafate in the late afternoon and spend time on your own to get settled. Walk around the tiny town, choose to find a spot for some dinner together, and maybe set out on a sunset walk to Lake Nimez in search of some noteworthy views for that Instagram Story you’ll want to post later. It might mainly be a day of travel, but the sights along the way make the journey worth the effort.

It’s time to set those eyes on the best glacier you’ll likely ever see. It’s big, it’s bright, and it’s 70 metres high and over 30km long! Enter Los Glaciares National Park in the morning and visit Perito Moreno, one of the few glaciers in the world that are said to be growing. You’ll have the option to make the visit even more epic with an optional boat tour to get closer to the glacier, but otherwise the group will enjoy a walking tour along the platforms of Perito Moreno. Sit down for a packed lunch with a view and gather for some photos before heading back to El Calafate. Spend an early evening exploring the views around town before opting to grab dinner with the group. Tonight’s challenge will be to find a cozy bar with some local beers and music for dancing. Why not embrace the bizarre?

Lace up those hiking boots folks because today you’re traveling to Argentina’s “National Capital of Trekking” – El Chaltén! Board the bus and wind deeper into the untamed, gorgeous landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park. Find yourself surrounded by mountains that are part of the larger Patagonian Andes. This paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts is waiting for you to enjoy. Take advantage of free time to relax amid the wild beauty, or choose to head out on an optional trekking excursion to Condores Sightseeing Point or Chorrillo del Salto Waterfall. Gather later this evening to swap stories during an optional group dinner in town.

Enjoy some breakfast at the hotel before getting out there into the bliss of the great outdoors. Choose from a variety of trekking options that suit many different activity levels and have those phones at the ready to document the amazing views. Options include the Condores Sightseeing Point and Chorillo del Salto Waterfall (if you didn’t do either yesterday) or the more challenging Laguna de los Tres hike which will take most of the day. And what sounds more perfect than choosing to find a local spot for a nice cold drink after a day of exercise through the most inspiring landscapes at “The Edge of the World”?

As hard as it is to say good-bye to places that change you, the time has come. Depart El Chaltén after breakfast and ride on a public bus back to El Calafate where the tour will end on arrival. You should make it there by 12pm, but we suggest booking onward travel no earlier than 4pm to guarantee enough time to make it to the airport. Should you wish to continue exploring the area we encourage travellers to book postnights and see what else these incredible places have to offer. Travel safe and bring the memories made here home with you forever. Though we recommend writing it all down so you don’t forget!