Argentina & Chile Patagonia to the Sea Hiking & Cruising Tour
Best of Patagonia from Cape Horn to Torres del Paine
Nature really outdoes herself in this corner of the world: golden pampas beneath a boundless sky, forests of gnarled trees, towering fjords and glaciers forgotten by the last ice age. Patagonia's beauty is staggering, and we've crafted the perfect itinerary to show you the very best of both land and sea. On this 11-day exploration, you'll see where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans merge on a cruise through remote fjords aboard the M/V Ventus Australis or M/V Stella Australis, and trek through Torres del Paine while staying at deluxe small hotels that are full of local character and charm. This is the ultimate land-to-sea Patagonia experience and an exclusive Mountain Travel Sobek adventure!
Nature really outdoes herself in this corner of the world: golden pampas beneath a boundless sky, forests of gnarled trees, towering fjords and glaciers forgotten by the last ice age. Patagonia's beauty is staggering, and we've crafted the perfect itinerary to show you the very best of both land and sea. On this 11-day exploration, you'll see where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans merge on a cruise through remote fjords aboard the M/V Ventus Australis or M/V Stella Australis, and trek through Torres del Paine while staying at deluxe small hotels that are full of local character and charm. This is the ultimate land-to-sea Patagonia experience and an exclusive Mountain Travel Sobek adventure!
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, a small but bustling town dramatically located at the base of snowcapped mountains. In the early evening, gather with the group for a briefing on the adventure ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Los Cauquenes Resort and Spa-Ushuaia, Argentina
Transportation: 20-minute private van transfer
Meals: Dinner
Hike Trails in Tierra del Fuego & Set Sail from Ushuaia
Day 2
After breakfast, set out for nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park for a scenic half-day hike. The park is known for its rich plant species and abundant birdlife, including cormorants, grebes, steamer ducks, and kelp geese. You might even spot one of the less-common Andean condors or black-browed albatross. In the late afternoon, transfer to the port to board your boat, the 210-passenger Ventus Australis or Stella Australis. After enjoying a welcome cocktail, begin the cruise portion of your trip as you traverse the Beagle Channel and cross from Argentina into Chilean territorial waters. The lights of Ushuaia disappear as you turn into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands.
Activity: 4 hours/5 miles hiking with 100' elevation gain & loss
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cape Horn & Wulaia Bay
Day 3
Cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Go ashore (conditions permitting) on the windswept island that harbors Cape Horn, a rocky promontory overlooking the Drake Passage and once the only navigation route between the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. Sail back across to the fabled Wulaia Bay, an area renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. Visit a museum in the old radio station, and stroll through an enchanted Magellan forest to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay.
Activity: Cruising with AM and PM short hikes (1 hour/0.75 miles with 160 steps; 1.5 hours/1-3 miles options)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pia Glacier & Porter Glacier
Day 4
Sail to the Avenue of the Glaciers in Alberto de Agostini National Park. Enter a narrow fjord then board a Zodiac for Pia Glacier. Take a short hike for a panoramic view, or a longer, much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine. Later, board Zodiac boats and cruise between high rocky walls until you reach Porter Glacier. Stop to observe its colors, listen to its sounds and if you are lucky, even witness some calving. Stay here for a moment to discuss this incredible ice mass and take some photographs before returning to the ship.
Activity: AM 1-1.5 hours/0.3-0.75 miles easy or challenging hiking; PM Zodiac cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Agostini Sound to Aguila Glacier & Condor Glacier
Day 5
Early in the morning, sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound, taking in the glaciers that descend from the middle of the Darwin Mountain Range. Disembark and go for an easy walk around a lagoon to a prime viewing area right in front of the glacier and take in the stunning views. In the afternoon, approach the Condor Glacier via Zodiac and look for some of the abundant Andean Condors in the area.
Activity: AM 1-1.5 hours/0.3-0.75 miles easy or challenging hiking; PM Zodiac cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Marvel at the Penguins of Magdalena Island & Transfer to Puerto Natales
Day 6
After an overnight cruise, go ashore at Magdalena Island at the break of dawn (weather permitting) and see an immense colony of Magellanic penguins that makes their home there. Hike a path that leads through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged inside a vintage 1902 lighthouse. After a short sail south, disembark late morning at Punta Arenas, Chile. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then travel across the Patagonian plains to the quiet fishing town of Puerto Natales on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound).
Accommodation: Remota Patagonia Lodge
Activity: 1 hour/1.25 miles walking on Magdalena Island
Transportation: 3-3.5 hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Scenic Drive to Torres del Paine National Park
Day 7
After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive to Torres del Paine National Park, glimpsing your first spectacular views of the Paine Massif (weather permitting). En route, stop for a short visit to the Mylodon Cave, where the remains of a giant ground sloth were found in 1896. Arrive in the late afternoon at the southern shore of Lago Grey (Grey Lake), where your hotel for the next two nights is located. Over the next few days, enjoy half-day hikes with views of the ice-clad peaks and granite needles of the Torres del Paine (10,000') and see 3,000 feet of near-vertical granite rising from rolling grasslands and beautiful lakes. National Geographic named Torres del Paine one of the most beautiful places in the world, and you'll enjoy some of the best scenery in the park.
Accommodation: Hotel Lago Grey
Activity: 1 hour/1.25 miles walking during cave visit
Transportation: 3-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Get a Close-up View of the Grey Glacier & Hike along the Pingo River
Day 8
Explore the western side of the park today. Take a boat to get up close to the impressive Grey Glacier with its fantastic blue ice-spires in all kinds of different shapes, then keep an eye out for the rare Andean Deer as you hike along the Pingo River.
Accommodation: Hotel Lago Grey
Activity: 3 hours/5 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain & loss
Combine a scenic drive to the east side of the park with two short but memorable hikes - one to see the Salto Grande waterfall, beautifully located in front of the Horns (Los Cuernos) of Paine; and the other to view cave paintings drawn by the region's original inhabitants, along the way looking out for llama-like guanacos. Late this afternoon, settle in to rooms at the charming Estancia Cerro Guido and observe the ever-changing massif from this exclusive vantage point. Tour the main sectors of the estancia, learning about the traditions and daily life at this authentic working ranch, including the work of the gauchos with their horses, sheepdogs, and shearing activities.
Accommodation: Estancia Cerro Guido
Activity: 5 hours/7 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain & loss
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Last Day in Torres del Paine National Park
Day 10
Your Torres del Paine hiking adventure continues, with a morning hike along the limit of the park. Enjoy panoramic views of the Paine Massif while looking for local fauna: guanacos, rheas, condors, or maybe even a puma. Towards the end of the hike, stop to appreciate some original cave paintings, and weather permitting, catch glimpses of the famous towers. Return to your private van, and transfer to the northern sector for a stroll along the shores of Laguna Azul. This is one of the park's most beautiful hikes, through open grass fields and up a gentle incline for a picture-perfect view over the lagoon, with the iconic three towers rising majestically above the steppe.
Accommodation: Estancia Cerro Guido
Activity: 3 hours/4 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain & loss, plus 1-2 hour lakeshore walk
Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Puerto Natales
Day 11
After breakfast, return to Puerto Natales by private van to meet with your afternoon flight to Santiago and continue to your next destination.
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Andre L.
André is an accomplished mountaineer who has dedicated over 25 years to climbing and exploring the Peruvian and Patagonian Andes ranges. He grew up in central Chile and fell in love with Patagonia at first sight and made it his home for 20 years before recently moving to Chile's Araucania region. In over ten mountain expeditions in Patagonia, he accomplished many first ascents, and has climbed the Paine towers in Chile and Alpamayo in Peru. A very enthusiastic guide, André’s love for nature and respect for the mountains is infectious to all who travel with him.
Rodrigo B.
“Ro” was born in the Last Hope Province of Chile and grew up in Patagonia, where he developed a deep love for the outdoors. He has guided in Patagonia and Canada for more than 15 years, and is an accomplished hiker, kayaker, mountaineer, and photographer—with a keen eye for capturing the natural beauty of Patagonia. He is a certified Mountain guide and kayak instructor and has completed Wilderness Emergency Responder & Medical; (WFR NOLS-EASPA). Ro speaks English, Spanish, and conversational French.
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, a small but bustling town dramatically located at the base of snowcapped mountains. In the early evening, gather with the group for a briefing on the adventure ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
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Cruise across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Go ashore (conditions permitting) on the windswept island that harbors Cape Horn, a rocky promontory overlooking the Drake Passage and once the only navigation route between the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. Sail back across to the fabled Wulaia Bay, an area renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. Visit a museum in the old radio station, and stroll through an enchanted Magellan forest to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay.
Sail to the Avenue of the Glaciers in Alberto de Agostini National Park. Enter a narrow fjord then board a Zodiac for Pia Glacier. Take a short hike for a panoramic view, or a longer, much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine. Later, board Zodiac boats and cruise between high rocky walls until you reach Porter Glacier. Stop to observe its colors, listen to its sounds and if you are lucky, even witness some calving. Stay here for a moment to discuss this incredible ice mass and take some photographs before returning to the ship.
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After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive to Torres del Paine National Park, glimpsing your first spectacular views of the Paine Massif (weather permitting). En route, stop for a short visit to the Mylodon Cave, where the remains of a giant ground sloth were found in 1896. Arrive in the late afternoon at the southern shore of Lago Grey (Grey Lake), where your hotel for the next two nights is located. Over the next few days, enjoy half-day hikes with views of the ice-clad peaks and granite needles of the Torres del Paine (10,000\') and see 3,000 feet of near-vertical granite rising from rolling grasslands and beautiful lakes. National Geographic named Torres del Paine one of the most beautiful places in the world, and you\'ll enjoy some of the best scenery in the park.
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Combine a scenic drive to the east side of the park with two short but memorable hikes - one to see the Salto Grande waterfall, beautifully located in front of the Horns (Los Cuernos) of Paine; and the other to view cave paintings drawn by the region\'s original inhabitants, along the way looking out for llama-like guanacos. Late this afternoon, settle in to rooms at the charming Estancia Cerro Guido and observe the ever-changing massif from this exclusive vantage point. Tour the main sectors of the estancia, learning about the traditions and daily life at this authentic working ranch, including the work of the gauchos with their horses, sheepdogs, and shearing activities.
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Your Torres del Paine hiking adventure continues, with a morning hike along the limit of the park. Enjoy panoramic views of the Paine Massif while looking for local fauna: guanacos, rheas, condors, or maybe even a puma. Towards the end of the hike, stop to appreciate some original cave paintings, and weather permitting, catch glimpses of the famous towers. Return to your private van, and transfer to the northern sector for a stroll along the shores of Laguna Azul. This is one of the park\'s most beautiful hikes, through open grass fields and up a gentle incline for a picture-perfect view over the lagoon, with the iconic three towers rising majestically above the steppe.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. Short hikes on relatively easy terrain, carrying only a daypack. Perfect combination of activity, transport and comfortable hotels. Last half in Torres del Paine is more active than the cruise. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
4 hours/5 miles hiking with 100' elevation gain & loss
Day 3
Cruising with AM and PM short hikes (1 hour/0.75 miles with 160 steps; 1.5 hours/1-3 miles options)
Day 4
AM 1-1.5 hours/0.3-0.75 miles easy or challenging hiking; PM Zodiac cruise
Day 5
AM 1-1.5 hours/0.3-0.75 miles easy or challenging hiking; PM Zodiac cruise
Day 6
1 hour/1.25 miles walking on Magdalena Island
Day 7
1 hour/1.25 miles walking during cave visit
Day 8
3 hours/5 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain & loss
Day 9
5 hours/7 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain & loss
Day 10
3 hours/4 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain & loss, plus 1-2 hour lakeshore walk
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Stay in well-located hotels ranging from comfortable to deluxe, as well as four nights aboard the Ventus Australis or Stella Australis.
The Stella Australis is a 210-passenger expedition vessel, tailor-made for exploring the remote southern tip of South America. All aspects of the ship are designed for the extreme maneuverability needed to navigate narrow fjords and channels where no other cruise ships can venture. Like her sister ship, Ventus Australis, she features gourmet dining with an all-inclusive bar, three lounges, an open top deck, and spacious light-filled cabins.
Hotel Lago Grey is the perfect base for discovering the western side of Torres del Paine National Park, and features a privileged view of Grey Lake. The hotel has 60 spacious rooms, including 36 Superior rooms that have lake, mountain, and glacier views. All rooms are warm and comfortable, with Wi-Fi (in common areas), safe, and a phone.
Los Cauquenes is Ushuaia's only high-end resort & spa located on the Beagle Channel beach, with wide windows and a stunning communal glass room affording spectacular views of this picturesque waterway. It's also conveniently located just a 15-20 minute drive from the town center and airport. The 45 guestrooms feature luxury amenities and memorable views of the channel and the snowy peaks of the Andes. Relax in the spa, dine at the hotel's prestigious gourmet restaurant, and enjoy direct access to a private beach for shore walks at dawn and dusk, taking in the extraordinary variety of birdlife.
The Ventus Australis is a new 210-passenger expedition vessel, tailor-made for exploring the remote southern tip of South America. All aspects of the ship are designed for the extreme maneuverability needed to navigate narrow fjords and channels where no other cruise ships can venture. Like her sister ship, Stella Australis, she features gourmet dining with an all-inclusive bar, three lounges, an open top deck, and spacious light-filled cabins.
A working ranch in a beautiful setting, Estancia Cerro Guido has comfortable rooms in a ranch-style house, featuring tasteful decor and private bathrooms with bathtubs. Daily breakfast is included, and free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. Explore the garden and grounds, relax in front of the fireplace in the library, and enjoy authentic local delicacies at Kaw restaurant.
Remota Patagonia Lodge is located on the Last Hope Sound, just a short walk from the charming town of Puerto Natales in southern Chile. Designed by award-winning architect German del Sol, the innovative structure was inspired by the old Patagonian shearing sheds tilted by the wind and prioritizes spectacular views throughout. The comfortable, modern guest rooms all feature views of the mountains, the sound, and the glaciers and are decorated with local wood accents and the finest Peruvian textiles. The hotel also features a heated pool, sauna, souvenir shop, bar, and an onsite restaurant featuring local seafood, exotic meats, local organic vegetables, and Chilean wines.
Weather
Expect extreme weather conditions that can change from one moment to the other. Be prepared for everything, especially strong winds and sun.
Jan
Mar
Torres Del Paine National Park
High
Low
High
Low
Torres Del Paine National Park
68
55
62
42
Ushuaia
High
Low
High
Low
Ushuaia
57
42
54
40
FAQs
When and where should I arrive, and when and where do I depart from?
The trip starts in Ushuaia, Argentina and ends in Puerto Natales, Chile.
Arrive in Ushuaia before 3:00 PM on Day 1. Our local staff will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.
You can schedule your departing flight from Puerto Natales anytime after 1:00 PM on Day 11. On Day 11, a group transfer is provided from Estancia Cerro Guido in Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales airport (about a 3-hour drive), to coincide with flights departing Puerto Natales 1:00 PM or later.
What are the accommodations like?
For six nights of the trip, we stay in hotels ranging from comfortable to deluxe. All are located close to our hikes and among the stunning scenery of Patagonia. Two of the properties are particular favorites of past travelers - the Estancia Cerro Guido, a working ranch full of local character and charm, with just 13 lovingly restored rooms in a ranch-style house; and Hotel Lago Grey, featuring incredible glacier and mountain views along with dreamy beds, heated bathroom floors, and excellent cuisine.
We also include four nights aboard the M/V Ventus Australis or M/V Stella Australis. These 200-passenger ships are specially designed to navigate the region's winding geography and offer comfortable lounges and cabins, all with panoramic windows to take in the spectacular landscapes. Prices are based on AA category cabins.
Are upgrades possible for the cruise?
Our prices are based on AA category cabins on board the Australis ship. These measure 177 sq.ft. and are on Deck 3. There is the option of two twin beds (41 in wide x 75 in long) or one double bed (63 in wide x 75 in long).
On request, we are happy to check availability for higher categories (AAA, AA Superior, or AAA Superior), which would be at additional cost.
Note there are only four Superior cabins total on the ship - two AA Superior, located midship on Deck 3; and two AAA Superior, located midship on Deck 4. Superior cabins are a bit larger than the rest of the cabins - 220 sq.ft. vs 177 sq.ft., and Superior Cabins all have ONE QUEEN bed (71 inches wide x 79 inches long). There's no possibility to have two beds in the Superior Cabins.
Category AAA has the same cabin size as our group block in Category AA and there is the option of two twin beds (41 in wide x 75 in long) or one double bed (63 in wide x 75 in long). The main difference is Category AAA cabins are on Deck 4, one deck higher than ours in Category AA, so the view/vantage point is a bit better from that much higher up on the ship.
Do I need prior hiking experience?
Not necessarily. This is a moderate-level hiking trip, which means you will enjoy your experience more if you have hiked previously.
For the Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego portions, we have mostly half-day hikes (3-5 hours per day, covering 4 to 7 miles with minimal elevation gain and loss of 100-300 ft, on relatively easy terrain, carrying only a daypack. During the cruise, shore excursions involve short walks (on average 1-2 hours at a time, once or twice per day, with easy and more challenging options), as well as exploration by Zodiac (rigid inflatable boats).
What are the sea conditions usually like during the cruise?
Much of the cruise is in fact in protected waters, passing in narrow channels between islands. With our route, there are two occasions where we are in more exposed waters and the roughest sea conditions might be experienced. Both times happen primarily in the night — the first night when we leave Ushuaia and sail out through open water to Cape Horn; and then the third night when we cruise overnight in open waters outside of the islands from Glaciar Pia to Glacier Aguila. In this region the wind comes from the west, so those parts where there is no land protection to the west are where seas are likely to be roughest.
Will we set foot on Cape Horn?
The captain will do all in his power to let your dream come true, but disembarkation at Cape Horn in particular depends on weather conditions. Historically, Australis has been able to land at Cape Horn about 75% of the time
What happens during the cruise if the weather is poor?
It is generally possible to carry out the cruise as described in this itinerary, but weather does occasionally prevent scheduled landings. The Australis reserves the right to alter, change or omit parts of these routes without prior notice, in order to preserve the well-being and safety of passengers, to protect the environment, or for other extraordinary circumstances. Regardless, there will be truly spectacular scenery at all times, along with a rich educational program presented by the naturalist guides on board.
Are penguins seen throughout the season?
Penguins are normally seen from early October through early April before they migrate to the north.
Are there hair dryers at the hotels and on the cruise?
Yes, you will be provided with a hair dryer.
Will we have internet throughout the trip?
You will have Wi-Fi in the hotels in Torres del Paine, but not on trails or on board the cruise.
What will I have to carry in my daypack?
On a typical day out you will have to carry your own layers, camera, sunblock, glasses, water and a packed lunch.
What is the minimum age for this trip?
The standard minimum age for this trip is 18, but check out our private trip options for families and groups with younger guests.