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).

Please note the airport in Puerto Natales is small with limited flight connections. Most flights will be through Punta Arenas in Chile or El Calafate in Argentina, both of which would involve taking a public bus or transfer. Your welcome meeting normally starts at 6pm (please see welcome note on arrival at the hotel). Should you need to rent anything for your upcoming days in the park, please be aware that rental shops normally close by 8 or 9pm, so you would need to be there by that time to guarantee being able to get what you need.

Included Experiences

• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
• Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

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!

Included Experiences

• 14K trek to Serrano View Point: Hike 14km to the Rio Serrano Lookout enjoying the gorgeous scenery as you walk. Keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife as you arrive to the lookout over plains with imposing mountains rising in the distance. Flowing from the drainage of the great Toro Lake, the Serrano River winds its way through the extensive plain and empties into the Última Esperanza sound. Today's hike is an amazing introduction to the landscape.

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!

Included Experiences

• 22K Trek to Base Torres: Today you will hike to the otherworldly "Blue Towers" known as Torres del Paine. These rocky peaks overlook dazzling turquoise lake nestled in a valley of mountains. A truly beautiful reward for completing this challenging and iconic day hike in Patagonia's beloved national park. The trail passes through the scenic Ascencio Valley, roughly following the river. Then it culminates with a steep climb up to Lago Torres to the base of the granite towers.

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?

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Spend a free afternoon back in Puerto Natales. Rest those sore muscles and explore this coastal town at leisure, taking in the views or wandering through the streets.
• Trek from Laguna Azul to Sierra Masle: Starting at the vibrant Laguna Azul embark on a short hike near the lake to Sierra Masle. It will take about an hour and you will reach a massive rock with incredible views awaiting. Walk through open fields before reaching the lookout point, and search for some Patagonia flora and fauna as you go.
• Big Night Out: Enjoy a night out on the town with your travel friends and truly let your hair down in the fun atmosphere of Puerto Natales which has a great craft beer scene.

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.

Included Experiences

• Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Border Crossing (Chile - Argentina): Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
• Free Time: Upon arrival to El Calafate in the early evening the group will enjoy free time to become acquainted with this Argentinian town.

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?

Included Experiences

• Perito Moreno Glacier Visit: Explore Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s few “advancing” glaciers. See the glacier’s magnificent natural beauty firsthand, and enjoy awe-inspiring views (it stretches about 250 sq km/97 sq mi in size and 30km/19 mi in length).
• Free Time: Take advantage of this free evening in El Calafate to go out on the town. Grab your newest travel pals and go have the time of your lives.

Optional Experiences

• Perito Moreno Glacier Boat: Get a closer look at the sheer magnitude of the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier. Head out on the glacial lake for spectacular views of the south wall. Keep your camera at the ready, this won't be an experience you'll soon forget, but you'll want to capture it just in case.

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.

Included Experiences

• Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
• Free Time: The afternoon is yours! Opt to head into the exceptional natural beauty of Los Glaciares National Park. Simply walk amid the impressive landscapes or choose to partake in various trekking activities.

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”?

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Enjoy a full free day to explore Los Glaciares National Park. Choose between a multitude of trekking options for varying abilities. Try out the famed Laguna de Los Tres, or trekking to places like Condores Sightseeing Point, or Chorrillo del Salto Waterfall. There's no time to be bored in a place as beautiful as this! Get those legs moving and breathe the fresh Patagonia air into your lungs.

Optional Experiences

• Laguna de los Tres Hike: The scenery around El Chaltén is spectacular and the best way to enjoy it is by hiking through it. Today's hike is a full-day to Rio Blanco Base Camp and Laguna de los Tres vantage point for an absolutely stunning view, weather permitting, of the complete FitzRoy Massif. Mt Guillaumet, St Exupery, Mermoz, Juarez, and other mountains form the jagged group.

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!

Please do not book onward travel prior to 4pm.

Included Experiences

• Departure Transfer: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.