Day 1 Saturday: Arrival & Introductions
Arrive at either of our entry points in Puerto Montt, Chile or Esquel, Argentina, the gateway to Patagonia. Connect with our representative and travel to the remote riverside town of Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic mountains. You will find your accommodations at our comfortable inn and town cabins, and unwind from your trip with a hearty welcome dinner at the Futaleufu Adventure Center which will serve as our Patagonia trekkingbase camp.

Day 2 Sunday: Trekking - Futaleufu Valley Introduction
We will trek up the Rio Espolon along white sand beaches, crossing small bridges over turquoise water with fishing and swimming holes at practically every turn. The climb starts with a steep, 900 vertical foott rise to "Piedra de Aguila", a rock outcrop with an incredible view. We will do another trek later in the day and tour the village of Futaleufu. We then return to the Lodge to freshen up for our evening dinner.

Day 3 Monday: Trekking - La Garganta Del Diablo
Today we will hike along the pristine Rio Espolon until we get to a tremendous Class VI explosion of white frothy water. Here an alpine lake, Espolon, funnels down through a small rock gorge, congested with boulders. It plummets to the river below with spectacular force. It is an awesome sight, aptly named the “La Garganta Del Diablo” translated as the Devils Throat. An excellent view will be offered from a steep rock outcropping, giving you a view of the throat that will leave you mesmerized. Trekking in Chile doesn't get better than this!

Day 4 Tuesday: Trekking - To the Las Escales Valley
We trek along the Infierno gorge, a black rock canyon of the Rio Futaleufu. Climbing up to the sky on all sides are white-capped mountains. As we view the agitated turquoise water 500 feet below, it is easy to imagine the tectonic activity that formed this area 70 million years ago. The trail enters into the open Las Escalas Valley, taking you about 200 years back in time with remote ranches connected by footpaths. We cross the Futaleufu River on a swinging foot bridge and trek up through an old growth forest of Coigue trees. Once we are out of the valley we will circle a small lake on our way back to the village of Futaleufu. Trekking in Chile does not get any better than this.

Day 5 Wednesday: Multisport Ala Carte Day
Today you may take your pick of our wide array of multisport activities. Choose from fly fishing, white water rafting, horseback riding, canyoning, or going to the beach for a stream side swim. You can also trek to the Class V Throne Room along the Futaleufu River. To get there you will hike along a wild stretch of the Futaleufu, traversing rolling hills in a steep valley. Feel your adrenalin pumping as we cross a place called "Las Dificultades", several hundred yards up, a trail cut into a rock cliff along the river. We will ford a small stream and arrive at one of the most powerful rapids on the globe, "The Throne Room". Only the best kayakers navigate this tumult of whitewater. While you are there you may see one tempting thier fate.

Day 6 Thursday: Trekking - To Rio Chico & the Huemul Reserve
This Patagonia trekking day takes us upstream to a charming valley that contains the endangered Huemul; a small deer like animal that resembles the fictitious jackelope of the American intermountain west. In order to protect its dwindling numbers, the Republic of Chile has created a National Reserve in this spectacular valley. The Futaleufu National Reserve, managed by CONAF, boasts a surface area of 12,065 hectares (28,956 acres). It was created to protect the Chilean cedar tree species (Austrocedrus chilensis) and the Huemul (Hipocalemus bisulcus). The Huemul is rarer that any species will encounter while trekking in Torres del Paine. The reserve is completely undeveloped except for the signs announcing your entry into the protected area. It is a real rare treat to spot one of these endangered animals. Chile trekking at its best!

Day 7 Friday: Trekking - Argentina: Parque Nacional de Los Alerces
Today we take horses to the border of Argentina, where we will tie our steeds and go trekking Patagonia, Argentina’s spectacular Parque Nacional de los Alerces. Los Alerces is home to the endangered 3,000 year old Alerce trees, similar to the California redwoods. These giants have survived development due to the concerted efforts of conservationists who, back in the 1920’s, worked to create the park and the Argentinean Park Service. Don’t forget to bring your passports on this eye-popping day.

Day 8 Saturday: Travel - Futaleufu to Puerto Natales
Wake up for an early breakfast and drive back to Chaiten, Chile and your flight to Puerto Montt, As you catch a final view of the Río Futaleufu; surrounded by hanging glaciers and snow capped mountains, take a moment to reflect upon all of the amazing sights and experiences of this past week. After all these years we are still stunned that views like these exist. Upon reaching Puerto Montt, catch your transfer to Punta Arenas, where your shuttle will take you to Puerto Natales. (Only breakfast included - Lodging not included)

Day 9 Sunday: Travel & Trekking - Perito Moreno Glacier & El Calafate
Starting at Puerto Natales we drive onwards to the Cerro Castillo border crossing where we meet the regular bus to Calafate in Argentina (287 kms/180 miles). Arriving in El Calafate we transfer to our lodging. Calafate is a little village set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park amidst dramatic scenery. In the afternoon (around 3:00 PM) we take part in a guided excursion to the Perito Moreno glacier, a very active glacier on the southern arm of Lago Argentino. The Perito Moreno Glacier, a 60 meter -high relic of the Ice Age, creates a unique geographic event approximately every three or four years. As it advances, it pushes out across the surface of the lake, cutting the lake into two separate sections. As water pressure builds up on one side over the years, the glacier eventually explodes open with a torrent of water and a fury of calving icebergs. Although this spectacular event no longer occurs as cyclically as it did during the past 50 years, the Moreno Glacier is constantly moving, calving, crackling; an incredible sight and sound at any time. Later we return to Calafate for our overnight stay in the Hotel Libertador, Lar Aike or similar.

Day 10 Monday: Trekking & Travel - Calafate to El Chalten and FitzRoy
Early breakfast and continue with the regular bus from Calafate to Chalten (220 kms/138 miles). We drive on isolated dirt roads across the pampas and along the northern end of Lago Viedma, reaching the settlement of El Chalten, a tiny outpost beside Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and by the foot of the impressive mount FitzRoy. Time permitting, we will do a walk by river Electrico along a side trail with some of the most beautiful Lenga forest of Patagonia. Overnight at our hosteria in Chalten. (Only breakfast included)

Day 11-12 Tues-Weds: Trekking - FitzRoy & Los Glaciares National Park
We will have the next two and one half days to explore the park. We shall undertake two main treks into the nearby mountains. One trek will take us to the FitzRoy Base Camp (about 6-7 hours) and the other trek in the direction of Cerro Torre (6-7 hours), but this will depend on weather conditions at the time. Most of these treks are on well established trails so that shorter options are often available. While trekking in the park, the trails will take us to places such as Laguna Torre, the base camp of Cerro Torre climbs; Laguna Capri and Laguna Madre, Laguna de los Tres and directly to the front of FitzRoy and Piedras Blancas. The scale of the scenery, with it's jagged peaks and glimpses of glaciers suspended between them makes these treks extremely rewarding. No other trekking in Patagonia will rival these days! (Dinner not included)

Day 13 Thursday: Trekking & Travel - FitzRoy to Calafate
You are free this morning to relax at the hotel or trek on your own in the FitzRoy area. Lunch at the hotel. Around 5:00 PM you are transferred to Chalten's bus terminal on time to board the regular bus back to Calafate. Your overnight stay will be in Calafate at Hostal Libertador, Lar Aike or similar. (Only breakfast included)

Day 14 Friday: Travel - Calafate to Puerto Natales
We take the early morning regular bus to Puerto Natales (5 hours). (We may stop to drop passegers off who will continue trekking Torres del Paine with us.) Arrive around 1:00 PM with enough time to visit the town. Your overnight stay will be in Hotel Aquaterra, Francis Drake or similar. (Only breakfast included)

Day 15 Saturday: Departure
Transfer from your hotel in Puerto Natales to the bus station and board the regular bus that will leave you at Punta Arenas' airport on time for your departure flight. (Only breakfast included)

Included in your Patagonia trekking vacation: All lodging, transportation, and meals while in Futaleufu. Five nights lodging in Calafate and Chalten. All local domestic transportation, park fees, one English speaking trekking guide for each 8 person groups, meals indicated on your Chile trekking itinerary.

	Experience Needed: Physically Fit Physical Challenge: Demanding Cultural Experience: Medium Lodging: Hosteria / Lodge / Eco-Camp Comfort Rating: High Days away from home: 17 Days with us: 15 Max Trip Size: 14 Price: $2995.00 USD Region: Northern and Southern Patagonia Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Chaiten, Puerto Montt, Futaleufu, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Los Glaciares

Other Chile Trekking options include: Trekking Patagonia in the Futaleufu Valley Lodge , Trekking Chile's Route of the Cowboys, Torres del Paine Trekking Tours , FitzRoy Trekking Vacations . We also offer two weeklong Futaleufu, Cerro FitzRoy and Torres del Paine combination trips: Trekking in Patagonia: Torres del Paine and Futaleufu Combo , Chile Trekking: Trekking FitzRoy & Futaleufu Combo , Patagonia Trekking: Trekking in Torres del Paine & FitzRoy. For further information see our Trekking in Chile FAQs

Downloadable pdf Brochure: Chile Trekking