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Core itinerary — Santiago to Buenos Aires (13–21 March 2027)
Day 1 — Saturday 13 March · Santiago
Arrive at Santiago International Airport any time. Optional tram or walk up San Cristobal for a skyline overview — a short stroll from the 5* Solace boutique hotel.
Rest after your long-haul flight; the group gathers informally tonight.
Day 2 — Sunday 14 March · Santiago → Puerto Natales
Morning domestic flight (~9:30–14:30) to Puerto Natales. Afternoon briefing with your leader: route maps, packing tips and snack shopping for trek days.
Overnight 3* Francis Drake (breakfast included).
Day 3 — Monday 15 March · Torres del Paine W trek — Grey Glacier
Private transfer to Torres del Paine (~3 h), ferry across Lake Grey (10:00 departure) and optional suspension-bridge viewpoint near the glacier (2–2.5 h round trip).
Trek down beside Grey Lake to Paine Grande, then on to French campsite via Skottberg and Nordenskjöld lakes (~11 km + 9.5 km). Camp Frances — tent, mat, sleeping bag, dinner & breakfast.
Day 4 — Tuesday 16 March · Nordenskjöld → Chileno
Undulating trail around Lake Nordenskjöld to Cuernos, then a steady uphill pass to Chileno campsite (~13 km).
Dinner and rest before the iconic towers day.
Day 5 — Wednesday 17 March · Base Torres → El Calafate
Pre-dawn start for the Base Torres lookout (scramble over the final granite section, ~1.5 h up). Descend via Central campsite; van to the Argentine border and El Calafate (~5 h).
Evening asado dinner at local hosts Nicolas & Maria — empanada workshop, live music, Argentine wine. 3* Michel Angelo.
Day 6 — Thursday 18 March · Perito Moreno → El Chaltén
9:00 pick-up for Perito Moreno walkways (3 km of balconies, ~2 h on site). Optional Glaciarium museum ($25) or mini ice-trekking on the glacier with crampons ($280 pp — limited places).
Private van to El Chaltén along legendary Route 40 (~6–8:30 pm). Hostel Rancho Grande or Fitz Roy with private rooms.
Day 7 — Friday 19 March · Fitz Roy full day → Buenos Aires
6:00 start for the Laguna de los Tres trek — Argentina's most celebrated day hike (~20 km / 12.5 miles, 8.5 h round trip) with sunrise light on Cerro Fitz Roy.
Late lunch in El Chaltén, transfer to El Calafate airport, evening flight to Buenos Aires (arrive ~23:00). 4* Wyndham Dazzler or ARC Recoleta.
Day 8 — Saturday 20 March · Buenos Aires
9:00 city tour: Casa Rosada, Cabildo, La Boca & Caminito, San Telmo market (finish ~13:30). Free afternoon.
20:00 tango dinner show with wine — three-course menu.
Day 9 — Sunday 21 March · Buenos Aires → Mendoza (extension) or fly home
Core tour ends for those heading home. Extension group flies to Mendoza (~11:00–13:00), afternoon horseback sunset ride and ranch BBQ with live music.
Vineyard Olive Inn apartments in Maipú wine country.
Extension A — Mendoza & Iguazu (22–24 March)
Day 10 — Monday 22 March · Mendoza
Choose one: Aconcagua base-camp trek (full day, park fees & long transfer — optional extra ~$80–100 pp, min. 3 guests) or bike winery tour in Maipú (bike rental included; 2–4 tastings, ~5 h).
Day 11 — Tuesday 23 March · Mendoza → Puerto Iguazú
Mid-morning flights (times tbc) to Puerto Iguazú, Argentina. 4* Virgin Lodge.
Day 12 — Wednesday 24 March · Iguazú Argentina
7:30 pick-up for the falls — self-guided walkways and park train to the best viewpoints (until ~13:30). Fly to Buenos Aires for homeward connections or continue to Brazil (extension B below).
Extension B — Brazil (24–27 March)
The Brazil arc continues through Foz do Iguaçu, Rio and Ilha Grande — see our Brazil country guide for wider South America context.
Day 12 — Wednesday 24 March · Iguazú → Foz do Iguaçu
Afternoon border crossing to Brazil. Optional Macuco Safari boat ($70 pp), bird park ($18) or helicopter. Churrasco BBQ buffet dinner. 4* Foz Plaza.
Day 13 — Thursday 25 March · Foz → Rio
Direct flight (~1.5 h), city tour and Sugarloaf cable car at sunset. 4* Mirador Copacabana.
Day 14 — Friday 26 March · Ilha Grande day trip
Full-day boat excursion to white-sand beaches south of Rio (~12–13 h).
Day 15 — Saturday 27 March · Rio — depart
Morning optional Christ the Redeemer & Selarón Steps, beach time at Copacabana/Ipanema, or extra night on request.
Practical notes
- Main luggage stays at Puerto Natales hotel during the W trek; camping gear (tent, mat, sleeping bag) supplied in the park.
- Shorter W-trek alternative available (Grey → Paine Grande ferry + bus + Base Torres day trip from town) — ask in your TD quote.
- Airport transfers Santiago on Day 1 can be arranged locally (~$15–30 pp depending on group size) — not in base package.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the W Trek? Moderately challenging — not technical climbing, but expect 6–9 h days on undulating terrain with a loaded daypack. The French Valley and Base Torres sections involve steady uphill work; Fitz Roy day is the most demanding (~20 km). Hiking poles and prior hill-walking experience help; groups of average fitness have completed the route.
Is the W Trek worth the money? For most travellers, yes — the W trek concentrates Torres del Paine's greatest hits (Grey Glacier, French Valley, Base Torres) into four trekking days that would take weeks to organise independently. On this tour, permits, ferry, camping kit and transfers are handled; you focus on the landscapes.
Can I do the W Trek without camping? A shorter alternative is available: Grey Glacier to Paine Grande, then ferry and bus back to Puerto Natales, with a separate full-day Base Torres hike from town (~19 km). Ask Travel Differently in your quote if you prefer hotels to campsite nights.
What fitness level is required? Medium. Expect 6–9 h trekking days on the W route and a demanding Fitz Roy summit day. Hiking poles help; training with a loaded daypack is recommended.
What is the weather in March? Late Southern Hemisphere summer: longer days, wind in Patagonia, milder in Mendoza/Rio. Layered clothing, waterproof jacket and sun protection are essential. Considering winter instead? See The famous W Trek in Winter as a seasonal alternative.
Is the trip all-inclusive? Core inclusions cover listed hotels/camps, breakfasts, selected dinners, domestic flights noted in the dossier, park access, camping equipment and guided ground transport. International flights, insurance, alcohol outside included meals and optional activities (ice trek, Aconcagua, boat rides) are extra.
Why book through Travel Differently instead of joining direct? You keep one tailor-made dossier, TD coordination on international flights, clear indicative pricing by module, and access to a forming March 2027 group — while South Andes Travel delivers the on-the-ground expertise via their partner profile.
How many people travel in the group? Maximum 12 travellers — small enough for campsite camaraderie, large enough to share van costs on private transfers.
What should I pack? Broken-in hiking boots, daypack (25–35 L), merino layers, rain shell, refillable bottle, headlamp, sun hat, gloves, and a light sleeping bag liner (bags provided). Formal wear only needed for the tango evening.
Do I need travel insurance? Yes — comprehensive medical and evacuation cover is required for multi-day trekking in remote parks.
Ready to join the March 2027 group or tailor a module? Request a tailor-made quote.
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