Itinerary
- Day 1
Frankfurt
You'll depart Frankfurt today, heading toward Chile with hiking boots packed and ready. This is the start of your South American adventure through some truly beautiful landscapes.
- Day 2
Santiago de Chile to San Pedro de Atacama
After you land in Santiago, you'll catch a flight north to Calama where your guide meets you. From there, it's a scenic drive through the desert landscape before you reach San Pedro de Atacama, where you'll spend the night in this small oasis town.
Included Activities
- Transfer from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama
Landmarks San Pedro de Atacama 
- Day 3
San Pedro de Atacama
Starting early from San Pedro, you'll head out to see two high-altitude lagoons backed by volcanic peaks. Later in the afternoon, you'll drive to the Salar salt flat to watch pink flamingos in the lagoons. You're back in San Pedro by evening for another desert night.
Included Activities
- Excursion to Laguna Miscanti and Laguna Meniques
- Visit to Salar de Atacama and flamingo lagoons
Landmarks Laguna Miscanti Laguna Meniques Salar de Atacama - Day 4
San Pedro de Atacama
The day starts before sunrise when you head to El Tatio geyser field at high elevation. You'll see the geothermal steam and activity there, then check out Moon Valley with its salt formations and rock shapes. A short hike brings you to a viewpoint for sunset before heading back.
Included Activities
- Excursion to El Tatio geyser field
- Visit to Moon Valley with sunset hike
Landmarks El Tatio Geyser Field Moon Valley - Day 5
Atacama - Cerro Toco
You'll start your day early and head up Cerro Toco, a 5604-meter peak that offers great views from the summit. The climb is technically straightforward, so you can focus on taking in the landscape around you. Once you're back down, the afternoon is yours to rest and recover from the morning's work at altitude.
Included Activities
- Ascent of Cerro Toco (5604 m)
Landmarks Cerro Toco 
- Day 6
Atacama Desert to Puerto Varas
You'll fly out of the Atacama today, heading via Santiago to the lake region in the south. By late afternoon you reach Puerto Montt, then transfer to your hotel in Puerto Varas where green hills and mountain views replace the desert you've left behind.
Included Activities
- Transfer from Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas
Landmarks Puerto Varas - Day 7
Puerto Varas to Tagua-Tagua
An early start takes you along the Carretera Austral to Lake Tagua-Tagua. You'll cross the lake by ferry with mountain views all around, then hike through thick evergreen forest in the park. The day ends at a mountain hut by a lagoon with ancient alerce trees reflected in the water.
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing on Lake Tagua-Tagua
- Hike through Tagua-Tagua Park evergreen landscape
Landmarks Lake Tagua-Tagua Tagua-Tagua Park 
- Day 8
Tagua-Tagua
You'll hike deeper into the valley today, walking past waterfalls and streams through old-growth forest. The trail leads to a lagoon with Andes views, and then you make your way back to the hut on the same route, spending another night in the mountains.
Included Activities
- Full-day hike through valley to mountain lagoon
Landmarks Andes Mountains - Day 9
Tagua-Tagua to Puerto Varas
After hiking back to Lake Tagua-Tagua, you'll take the ferry crossing again. Then it's a scenic drive north along the Reloncavi Fjord with stops for photos along the way. You'll be back in Puerto Varas by evening for a hotel stay.
Included Activities
- Hike back to Lake Tagua-Tagua
- Ferry crossing on Lake Tagua-Tagua
- Panoramic drive along Reloncavi Fjord
Landmarks Reloncavi Fjord - Day 10
Puerto Varas to Punta Arenas
Today you fly south to Punta Arenas, the entrance to Patagonia. Depending on your flight time, breakfast might not be included. From the airport you'll transfer to your hotel in this remote southern town.
Included Activities
- Transfer to hotel in Punta Arenas
Landmarks Punta Arenas 
- Day 11
Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales
The morning is free for you to walk around Punta Arenas on your own and check out the historic cemetery. If interested, you can book an optional trip to Isla Magdalena to see penguins. Later you'll catch a public bus across the Patagonian steppe to Puerto Natales.
Included Activities
- Public bus transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Magellan penguin colony on Isla Magdalena
- Self-guided exploration of Punta Arenas
Landmarks Isla Magdalena Punta Arenas Cemetery 
- Day 12
Torres del Paine - Torres Peaks Hike
Catch a public bus to Torres del Paine National Park and begin the first stage of the W-Trek hike. You'll climb roughly 900 meters through Ascencio Valley, working your way up to see the three iconic Torres peaks. The turquoise lagoon below the towers creates a striking contrast, and the view alone makes the ascent worthwhile. After spending time at the top, you'll head back down the same route.
Included Activities
- W-Trek hike to the Torres peaks
- Guided hike through Ascencio Valley
Landmarks Torres del Paine National Park Torres peaks - Day 13
Torres del Paine - Lago Nordenskjöld
This second day of the trek takes you past Monte Almirante Nieto as you make your way toward either Refugio Los Cuernos or Refugio Frances. Both are located on the northern shore of Lago Nordenskjöld. Watch the sky during your hike since you might spot condors and Andean eagles soaring overhead. The scenery shifts as you move through different sections of the park.
Included Activities
- W-Trek hike along Lago Nordenskjöld
- Hike past Monte Almirante Nieto
Landmarks Lago Nordenskjöld Monte Almirante Nieto - Day 14
Torres del Paine - French Valley
You'll walk along Lago Nordenskjöld this morning, heading toward Campamento Italiano. From there, you push into the French Valley where a viewpoint partway up offers views of Paine Grande hanging glacier at 3050 meters. Ice regularly breaks off and crashes into the valley below, creating a natural show. Continue past Lago Skottsberg later in the day to reach your camp at Lago Pehoe.
Included Activities
- W-Trek hike through the French Valley
- Hike along Lago Nordenskjöld
- Hike past Lago Skottsberg
Landmarks French Valley Paine Grande Lago Skottsberg Lago Pehoe - Day 15
Torres del Paine National Park
You'll finish the W trek by hiking past Laguna Negra and along the famous Path of the Winds to a viewpoint overlooking Grey Glacier. Keep an eye out for different birds and plants along the way. After returning to your accommodation, you'll take a catamaran across Lago Pehoe back to Puerto Natales.
Included Activities
- Final stage of W trek hike to Grey Glacier viewpoint
- Catamaran crossing on Lago Pehoe
Landmarks Laguna Negra Grey Glacier Lago Pehoe Torres del Paine National Park 
- Day 16
Puerto Natales to El Calafate
From Puerto Natales you'll head to the bus station and cross into Argentina on a public bus. You'll arrive in El Calafate and check into your hotel. The afternoon is yours to do as you like, maybe taking a walk to see the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino.
Included Activities
- Public bus transfer from Puerto Natales to El Calafate with border crossing
Optional Activities
- Self-guided walk to Lago Argentino
Landmarks Lago Argentino El Calafate - Day 17
El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier
Travel to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll watch large sections of ice break away and fall into the turquoise water below with loud crashes. The sheer scale of the glacier and the frequency of calving events make this a memorable stop. Later in the evening, you'll gather with your guide for a farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
- Glacier viewing and ice calving spectacle
Landmarks Perito Moreno Glacier Los Glaciares National Park 
- Day 18
El Calafate to Buenos Aires
You'll fly roughly 2500 kilometers from El Calafate to Buenos Aires, arriving in the afternoon. Once you're settled, the day is open for you to walk around and get a feel for the city on your own terms. If you're interested, there's an option to catch a tango show in the evening that includes a typical Argentinian dinner.
Optional Activities
- Optional tango show and typical Argentinian dinner in the evening
Landmarks Rio de la Plata - Day 19
Buenos Aires - Departure
Join a guided tour of Buenos Aires that runs about 4 hours and includes La Boca, the historic neighborhood that's considered the heart of the city. You'll see the colorful buildings and learn about the area's role in tango culture. After the tour wraps up, you'll begin your journey home, departing the energetic metropolis.
Included Activities
- 4-hour city tour of Buenos Aires
- Visit to La Boca
Landmarks La Boca - Day 20
Return Home
You arrive back at your departure airport today with memories of South America's remarkable landscapes and that sense of freedom that comes from traveling through this incredible region.
