Where Ice Meets Sky: The Best of Patagonia with Lydia

-Welcome to the gateway of Patagonia! After touching down, you'll meet your guide and fellow adventurers before heading into Puerto Natales, a colorful, windswept town that feels like the edge of the world.

-Check in at your cozy stay, and take a deep breath – this is where the journey begins.

-Got energy to burn? Opt for a horseback riding tour at a local ranch, where you'll ride alongside gauchos through the wild Patagonian landscape, feeling like a true explorer. (See add-ons for pricing and more information.) Otherwise, take some time to wander the town, snap pics of the legendary Última Esperanza Sound, or just soak up the fresh Patagonian air.

-Tonight, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner – a chance to connect, talk about all things Patagonia, and get the lowdown on what’s ahead. Spoiler alert: it's going to be epic.

-Fuel up at breakfast because today is the day – Torres del Paine is calling.

-Your guide will pick you up for a scenic drive into the national park, where the landscapes are straight out of a Patagonia postcard.

-For the ultimate adventure, you can take on the legendary Base Torres trek – a challenging but totally worth it 18 km (11-mile) hike with a 900-meter ascent. It’s one of the most iconic treks in Patagonia, leading to a mind-blowing viewpoint of the three granite towers that define the park.

-Not up for the full trek? No worries – there are plenty of easier but equally stunning hikes available. Just let your guide know, and we’ll make sure you have an unforgettable day in the park.

-In the late afternoon, we’ll head back to Puerto Natales to rest up.

-After breakfast, it’s time to hit the road and cross into Argentina! The scenic bus ride from Puerto Natales to El Calafate takes about six hours, including a border crossing – so keep your passport handy and enjoy the ever-changing Patagonian landscapes rolling past your window.

-Once in El Calafate, we’ll dive right into the local culture with lunch at a traditional restaurant, where you can try specialties like Patagonian lamb or homemade empanadas.

-Next up: the Glaciarium, an interactive ice museum dedicated to Patagonia’s legendary glaciers. This isn’t your average museum – think 3D models, interactive exhibits, and even an ice bar where drinks are served in frozen glasses!

-Finally, we’ll check into our hotel, where the night is yours to explore the town, grab a drink, or just rest up.

-Rise and shine – today is all about one of Patagonia’s most jaw-dropping wonders: Perito Moreno Glacier. After an early breakfast, we hit the road for Los Glaciares National Park, a stunning drive through mirror-like lakes, dense forests, and snow-capped peaks.

-You’ll have about five hours to wander the scenic balconies, watching and listening as enormous ice chunks break off and crash into the turquoise waters below.

-To get even closer, we’ll board a one-hour boat tour, sailing right up to the towering 70-meter-high ice walls.

-After returning to El Calafate, the evening takes a warm and intimate turn. At 8:00 pm, we’ll be welcomed into the home of Nicolás and María, a local couple passionate about food, art, and music. Nicolás, a former guide and expert grill master, will prepare a traditional Argentine asado (BBQ) – think sizzling cuts of Patagonian beef, paired with plenty of local wine. María, an artist, will teach us how to craft authentic Argentinian empanadas before we all sit down to a feast.

-After breakfast, we say goodbye to El Calafate and set off on a scenic drive to El Chaltén, known as Argentina’s trekking capital.

-Upon arrival, we’ll check into the hotel, where the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Want to dive straight into adventure? Opt for ziplining, rock climbing, horseback riding, rafting, or even a half-day hike to get a head start on the trails (see add-ons for pricing and more information).

-Prefer something more relaxed? Grab lunch at a local estancia (ranch), or simply wander the town’s charming streets, checking out local cafés and gear shops.

-Today, we take on one of Patagonia’s most legendary hikes – the full-day trek to Laguna de los Tres, the ultimate viewpoint of Mount Fitz Roy. After an early breakfast, we hit the trail straight from town, heading northwest into the wild.

-The journey starts gently, weaving through forests and valleys, before reaching Laguna Capri, a stunning alpine lake reflecting Fitz Roy’s towering peaks. From here, we push on, climbing higher until we reach the final challenge – a steep, rocky ascent leading to the jaw-dropping, postcard-perfect view at Laguna de los Tres. The sight of Fitz Roy’s dramatic granite spires rising above the turquoise glacial lagoon is nothing short of surreal.

-After capturing every angle of this bucket-list spot, we’ll begin our descent, taking an alternate route for one last epic viewpoint before returning to El Chaltén before dark. By the time we finish, we’ll have hiked 12.5 miles (20 km) – tired but completely in awe of what we just accomplished.

-The night is yours to rest, refuel, and maybe even celebrate with a drink – because you just conquered one of Patagonia’s most iconic treks.

-After days of epic trekking, today is yours to explore at your own pace. Whether you want to kick back and recharge or lace up your boots for one last adventure, El Chaltén has something for everyone.

-Tonight, we’ll come together one last time for a farewell dinner, celebrating an unforgettable week of hikes, glaciers, and the raw beauty of Patagonia. Expect good food, great company, and endless stories. We did it!

-After one last breakfast with a view, it’s time to check out and say goodbye to El Chaltén. Whether you’re heading to your next destination or back home, Patagonia has a way of sticking with you. Until next time, Patagonia!