Trips

Ushuaia

Welcome to the incredible port town of Ushuaia, the southernmost town in the world! There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting. Important note from September 2018 departures: The full W-Walk is now included in this tour. If you wish to remain at our base camp, please inform us at time of booking so that we can arrange your meals and guides. If you arrive early to Ushuaia, there are options such as a visit to the hauntingly beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park, boat trips to see the scenery and wildlife of the Beagle Channel, or heading out horse riding along the coast. Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Ushuaia before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Ushuaia. In Ushuaia we stay in a comfortable Hotel just out of town. There are regular shuttles into town from here. Border information: if you are starting in Ushuaia, you will most likely enter Argentina at Ushuaia Malvinas Argentinas International Airport (IATA code: USH). Optional Activities. These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally. Beagle channel boat trips, ARS 1200 Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park on a day tour from Ushuaia, ARS 1450 Head out to the impressive Martial Glacier near Ushuaia, taking in the beautiful scenery of the Darwin Mountains and the Beagle Channel, USD 110 Delve into Ushuaia's past and learn about its maritime tradition and former prison colony at the Maritime Museum, ARS 400 Take a journey along the Rio Pipo on the 'Train to the End of the World', once built by prisoners at Ushuaia's old penal colony, ARS 850 Learn all about Tierra del Fuego's history and nature at the 'Museum of the End of the World' in Ushuaia ARS 90,

Magellan Strait

Border information: Exit Argentina at San Sebastian, enter Chile at San Sebastian. We start our journey with a full day drive across to the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego, and a ferry crossing onto the mainland. Tonight we will wild camp close to the Magellan Strait. Estimated Drive Time - 8-9 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!). 

Torres del Paine National Park

Today we will drive to the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. This is one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty in the world and the main highlight of the trip for many of our passengers and leaders! We will stop en route in Puerto Natales to stock up on supplies and pick up our local guides and cook who will accompany us during our time in the National Park. Tonight we will camp at Las Torres Campsite, a stunning campsite inside the National Park with incredible views of the eastern side of the main mountain ranges which we will refer to as our 'base campsite'. Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Entrance into the phenomenal Torres del Paine National Park in southern Chile, an area of some of the most outstanding natural beauty, breathtaking mountain vistas, and idyllic trekking opportunities in the world : Included in Kitty About Torres Del Paine National Park: Torres del Paine National Park contains what is undoubtedly some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. Rising up high above the Patagonian steppe are the three impressive granite towers that give the park its name, surrounded by high plateaus and towering mountain peaks, the most famous of which are Los Cuernos and Paine Grande. The park is a magical natural wonderland full of deep lakes, sparkling glaciers and cascading waterfalls, and it is also an important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife including guanacos, pumas, flamingos and condors. The best way to explore the National Park is definitely to get out on foot - the region is criss-crossed by a good network of trails, making it possible for you to see all the main sights either by doing a series of day hikes or embarking on a multi-day walk such as the famous W-walk, stopping off at the park's Refugios or camping along the way. Horse riding and kayaking can also be arranged locally, and boats and catamarans offer trips across Lago Grey and Lago Pehoé in season. 

Torres Del Paine National Park

Up to August 2018 this trip will run as follows: Dragoman offers two options for your time in Torres Del Paine National Park: - Option 1 - Base Package - included on all trips our trips as standard is a guided trek on our first day to the stunning three peaks viewpoint, followed by three free days to enjoy the National Park and take part in optional activities. - Option 2 - Full W-Walk - optional upgrade to embark on the full W-Walk with a local guide. Places at the campsites are limited by the National Park, so it is essential that you pre-book this option with your sales agent before your trip as it is not possible to book on arrival. Today we will all have an included guided trek from our base campsite to the breathtaking viewpoint of the famous three peaks which give the National Park its name. After taking in this incredible view, we will trek back to our base campsite for the night. Approximate walking distance: 20 km, estimated time: 8 hrs. INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  Base package Guided 'base package' to trek part of the famous W-walk - included is the trek to the towers of Torres del Paine with an expert local guide, and accommodation, food and a cook at Las Torres Campsite : Included in Kitty. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  W-walk extension The extension package is to include the entire of the famous W-walk in Torres del Paine - included are two extra nights camping on the trail with facilities, food for the duration of the trek, and the service of an expert English speaking local guide. Please note that this package must be prebooked in advance through your sales agent. Please book as early as possible to ensure availability and avoid disappointment! For further information on the W-walk please refer to the detailed trip notes.  From September 2018 onward the W-Hike will be included in the price of the kitty and this itinerary will run as follows: Embark on the full W -Walk with a local guide. Places at the campsites are limited by the National Park, so we book them in advance of your trip. We will be trekking the W-Walk from West to East, to enjoy the spectacular views. This morning we will wake early and transfer by truck for the morning Catamaran, to cross Lago Pehoe. We will then set up camp at Paine Grande, before continuing on our hike towards Glacier Grey. You can choose to hike to the first look out to enjoy views of the Glacier (approx 4hrs round trip) or to continue to the second look (approx 8hrs round trip)!! Both walks return by the same route.

Torres Del Paine National Park

Base package group: Today is a free day for those that have not booked the optional W-walk extension package. There are many short walks and other fantastic optional activities available near our base campsite, or alternatively it's a great day simply relax and enjoy the spectacular views from the campsite. W-walk extension group: If you have chosen the optional W-walk extension, you will leave our base campsite today to continue your guided trek along the edge of Lago Nordenskjöld to Los Cuernos Campsite where you will camp for the night. Approximate walking distance: 11 km, estimated time: 5 hrs. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  Take in the stunning views of Torres del Paine on a horse riding trip through the National Park : CLP 30000 Head out on a fantastic boat trip on the Grey Lake to get up close to the colossal Grey Glacier : CLP 55000  From September 2018 onward the W-Hike will be included in the price of the kitty and this itinerary will run as follows: Today we depart from our camp at Paine Grande and hike into the stunning French Valley. In the afternoon, we will make our way to Camp Cuernos. The hike is approximately 8 hours.

Torres Del Paine National Park

Base package group: Today is another free day for optional activities for those that have not booked the optional W-walk extension package. W-walk extension group: If you have chosen the optional W-walk extension, you will leave Los Cuernos and trek up the French Valley with your local guide. From here you will continue trekking to Paine Grande Campsite where you will camp for the night. Approximate walking distance: 27 km, estimated duration: 11 hrs.  From September 2018 onward the W-Hike will be included in the price of the kitty and this itinerary will run as follows: Today we have a slightly easier day, we will hik e from Camping Cuernos along the edge of Lago Nodenskjold, around Almirante Nieto and stay just outside Valley Ascencio. We will arrive an Camp Central after approximately 5 hours hiking.

Torres Del Paine National Park

Today is our last full day in this beautiful National Park. Base package group: Today is another free day for those that have not booked the optional W-walk extension package. W-walk extension group: If you have chosen the optional W-walk extension, today will be the last day of the W-walk. You will trek with your local guide along the edge of Lago Grey to an excellent viewpoint over the spectacular Grey Glacier. You will then trek back to Paine Grande and board the catamaran across the Lago Pehoé, where you'll be met by our Dragoman truck and driven back to our base campsite for the night. Approximate walking distance: 22 km, estimated duration: 8 hrs From September 2018 onward the W-Hike will be included in the price of the kitty and this itinerary will run as follows: This is our final day of the W-Walk and the most spectacular. The day begins with a steady climb from our camp site up Rio Asencio. Be prepared for the final hour which is a relatively steep scramble up to the Tarn and Mirrador Las Torres, affording great views of the iconic Towers. We will transfer back to Camping Pehoe, our base camp at the end of the day. Our hike today is approximately 8 hours for the return trip (16km).

El Calafate

Border information: Exit Chile at Cerro Castillo, enter Argentina at Cerro Castillo. Today we leave Torres del Paine behind us and head across the border to the town of El Calafate, the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier. In El Calafate we stay in dorm beds in a lovely hostel. Estimated Drive Time - 8-9 hours. About El Calafate: El Calafate is a small town on the southern shore of Lago Argentino in Patagonia. Originally a sheep station and trading outpost, today the town has developed a bustling atmosphere and an ever-growing tourist trade. Interestingly the town takes its name from the Calafate berry, and locals claim that if you eat one of these and make a wish, you are guaranteed to return to Patagonia. Most people base themselves here to visit the nearby Perito Moreno Glacier, located a short distance away at the southern reaches of the Los Glaciares National Park - the glacier is one of the most famous and spectacular glaciers to be seen anywhere in the world. The Perito Moreno Glacier is approximately 30kms long from where it spills out of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field, and 5kms wide at its terminus, where it has a ice face that is on average 170m high (with about 70m of which is above the surface of the lake). Visitors can view the glacier from an incredible viewpoint only a few hundred metres away from its face, where if you're lucky you'll see some of the ice face carve off into the lake under the pressure of all the ice behind it! It is also possible to take a boat trip to get extremely close, or embark on a challenging ice-climbing expedition on the glacier itself. 

El Calafate

Today we will head out on an included full day guided visit to view the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most spectacular sights in Patagonia.  INCLUDED ACTIVITIES  See the enormous Perito Moreno Glacier from the most breathtaking and photogenic viewpoints on a guided day tour from El Calafate : Included in Kitty OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  Get even closer to the impressive glacier of Perito Moreno with a boat trip in front of its mighty face : ARS 200 Learn all about glaciers at the fantastic modern Glaciarium Museum in El Calafate, and visit its cool ice bar in the basement! : ARS 200  Explore the Perito Moreno glacier on an incredible full day expedition, trekking through the forests and onto the glacier itself using crampons (please note that this is an alternative to the regular tour as there will not be enough time for both - however you will stop at the main viewpoint on your way back to El Calafate at the end of the excursion) : ARS 1200 

El Chalten

Today we have a short drive across the Patagonian steppe to the tiny town of El Chaltén, situated in Los Glaciares National Park and famous for its incredible mountains, glaciers and world-class trekking opportunities. In El Chaltén we stay in dorm beds in a hostel. Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours. About El Chaltén: El Chaltén is small remote Patagonian town nestled under the shadow of the iconic Mt. Fitz Roy. The town itself has an interesting origin - the area was disputed between Argentina and Chile for a number of years, so the Argentinians thought they would settle the argument by hastily building the town of El Chaltén in 1985 to claim the territory! The name of Chaltén comes from the Tehuelche word for 'smoky mountain', so called as the early morning clouds gathering around Fitz Roy look remarkably like volcanic smoke. However, the town has grown immensely in recent years and decades, becoming a major centre for adventure tourism in Argentina. It is a fantastic base from which to explore the northern sections of the incredible Los Glaciares National Park, and is home to many adventure tour operators offering outdoor activities in the area. 

El Chalten

( Day 11 to 12 ) We will have three free days to enjoy the stunning Los Glaciares National Park and the incredible scenery of the nearby Mt. Fitz Roy. There are lots of trekking and walking opportunities here, as well as boat trips, ice climbing on the Viedma Glacier, horse riding, and many other fantastic options.  OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES  Head out horse riding around the phenomenal scenery of El Chaltén : ARS 600 Freely explore and trek around the walking trails of Los Glaciares National Park, taking in the marvellous vistas of the Fitz Roy mountain range : Free Take a boat out onto the stunning Viedma Lake, and get up close to the Viedma Glacier to see its impressive facade (with options to do some ice trekking on the glacier!) : ARS 1870  Enjoy an exhilarating day of ice trekking and climbing on the Cerro Torre Glacier, dramatically located at the base of the impossibly-steep spire of Cerro Torre : USD 74 Visit the majestic Lago del Desierto, a remote and serene lake surrounded by stunning forests and mountains : ARS 500 About Los Glaciares National Park: Los Glaciares National Park is the largest protected area in Argentina, covering a huge area of Argentinian Patagonia along the southern tail of the Andes range. The National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in all of South America. This is classic picture book Patagonia, and wherever you turn you're surrounded by wide open skies, magnificent mountains, incredible glaciers, glistening lakes and thick verdant forest. By far the best way to explore is to get out on foot - there are plenty of well-established trails through the mountains and forests of the National Park that are easy to explore independently with a map, so you can plan many treks around the area from around two hours to an entire challenging day out. As well as the phenomenal needle-like Cerro Torre, the iconic mountain of Fitz Roy looms over our base of El Chaltén, an impossibly-picturesque and steep mountain (which is also the logo for the 'Patagonia' clothing brand!) which can be viewed from many angles on treks in the area. Other activities can include boat trips and ice climbing on the incredible Videma Glacier, a visit to the serene Lago del Desierto, and horse-riding excursions through the incredible landscapes. 

Perito Moreno

Today we will have a full day drive north along the famous Ruta 40 (Route 40). Please note that the road from here all the way to Futaleufú is rough and mostly unpaved meaning that the going is slow. Tonight we will wild camp somewhere near the town of Perito Moreno. Estimated Drive Time - 10-11 hours. About Argentinian Patagonia: Patagonia is the name of the region in the far south of South America, the southernmost stretch of the Andes and the surrounding plains and plateaus. The area is split down the middle by the Andes, with Chilean Patagonia on the west, and Argentinian Patagonia on the east. Renowned for its desolate landscapes, unrelenting winds and magnificent lake, mountain and glacial scenery, the name Patagonia comes from the word "Patagon", used by the explorer Magellan to describe the local people who he believed to be giants. Today historians believe that the Patagons were actually Teheulches, with an average height of about 1.8m as opposed to the average height of a Spaniard at the time of 1.55m! Argentinian Patagonia includes the spectacular national parks of Los Glaciares, Nahuel Huapi and Tierra del Fuego, home to the Perito Moreno Glacier, the Argentinian Lake District and the Fitz Roy range.