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Patagonia Gay Hiking Trip (Out Adventures)
Argentina & Chile: Patagonia Gay Hiking
Traverse some of Patagonia’s most famous trails with a group of like-minded gay hikers.
On this all-gay hiking expedition you’ll tackle one of the world’s most famously rugged destinations, Patagonia. So famously rugged, the world’s largest outdoor clothing company is named after it. Your adventure begins on the Argentinian half of Patagonia in both El Calafate and El Chalten. It’s here your Out Adventures group will discover the local wilderness by foot, and witness the region’s most imposing glaciers. You’ll then transfer over the Chilean border into Torres del Paine National Park to discover Patagonia as it once was. The group will bid adieu to your luggage and begin hiking from campsite to campsite along the same trails used by guanacos and prowling pumas. The challenging journey concludes on the shores of Grey Lake where you can either fly home or further explore the country on Out Adventures’ Chile: Hiking, Biking, Wining & Dining gay tour.
It’s worth mentioning, this tour can also be easily paired with Out Adventures’ relaxed Argentina: Buenos Aires to Mendoza gay tour which wraps just before this tour begins.
QUICK FACTS
- Who’s it for? Gay men, friends and family
- Countries visited: Argentina, Chile
- Duration: 9 Nights/10 Days
- Starts in: El Calafate, Argentina
- Ends in: Torres del Paine, Chile
- Group size: Min 6; max 16
- Accommodations: 3+-star hotels, camping, simple lodge
- Physical Rating: 4/5
- Theme: Active
- Activities: Camping,Hiking,Wildlife
HIGHLIGHTS
- Trek one of the world’s most rugged landscapes alongside a group of ambitious gay hikers
- Photograph Perito Moreno Glacier, one of only three Argentinian glaciers that isn’t shrinking
- Snoop around El Chalten and El Calafate, two South American towns famous among outdoor enthusiasts
- Visit Torres Del Paine National Park and hike to its namesake “towers”
- Spot local wildlife like soaring condors and grazing guanacos. Although unlikely to spot, pumas call this area home as well
- Safely challenge yourself on more industrious trails such as the French Valley trail
ITINERARY
Day 1 El Calafate
Hola! Welcome to El Calafate, a small town on the southern shore of Lago Argentino in Patagonia. Your Patagonia gay hiking adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm followed by an official Welcome Dinner at a special local restaurant.
Day 2 El Calafate/El Chalten
Rise and shine. In order to beat the crowds to Perito Moreno Glacier, you group will need to grab an early breakfast and checkout of your hotel by 7am. Perito Moreno Glacier is a major highlight of southern Argentina and is one of only three glaciers in the country that is not receding. Make sure you have your camera handy, as the surrounding mountainscape is also pretty special. After ample photo opps along the visitor boardwalks, you’ll enjoy a short public boat ride to get an even closer look at the 60m/200ft tall and 5km/3.1mi wide sheet of ice. Around 1:30pm you’ll board a private transfer towards the frontier town of El Chalten, enjoying a light boxed lunch en route. El Chalten is a laid-back town famous among hikers, climbers and the general outdoorsy type. It will be your base for the next few days so you’re welcome to unpack. Tonight you’re free to explore on your own or join the group for an optional dinner.
Day 3 El Chalten
Be sure to properly fuel up during breakfast as today marks your first big hike: the Laguna de Los Tres circuit. This 19km/12mi round-trip will guide us to a crystal clear lagoon at the foot of Mount Fitzroy. You’ll be surrounded by snow-capped mountains and striking granite peaks seemingly ripped from the pages of National Geographic. The trail has some steep sections but the terrain itself is fairly easy. Wind and rain may be the main challenges you face today. Back in El Chalten an optional group meal is available but feel free to explore the many local pubs and restaurants on your own.
Ascent: 700m/2,296ft
Descent: 700m/2,296ft
Distance: 19km/12mi
Approximate hiking time: 8–9 hours
Day 4 El Chalten
Today you’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast before tackling two lighter treks: The Condor and Eagle viewpoints respectively. The trail up to the Condor viewpoint is short and steep but the sweeping views over El Chalten and surrounding mountains will be well worth the sweat. If the weather is favorable, you may even see the top of mount Fitz Roy. Back on your private transfer you’ll head to the Eagle viewpoint trail. This short trail will only take approximately half an hour with little altitude gain. At the viewpoint you’ll have a similar view of the mountains and the Viedma Lake, but this time without El Chalten in the foreground. Don’t forget to look skyward in search of flying condor. Once back in the town, you’ll tuck into a traditional Argentine lunch before a free afternoon.
Ascent: minimal
Descent: minimal
Distance: 6km/3.7miles
Approximate hiking time: 2–3 hours
Day 5 Cerro Castillo
Bid adieu to beautiful El Chalten and to Argentina as we cross the border into Chile. En route you’ll have a few photo stops and the chance to appreciate Patagonia’s rugged beauty, and also make a stop for an optional lunch. The journey should take about 6 to 7 hours depending on how busy the border is. After crossing into Chile you’ll stay in the small village of Cerro Castillo. Dinner is included tonight at your small cozy hotel.
IMPORTANT PACKING NOTE: Tomorrow you’ll begin the camping portion of our tour. You must prepare a smaller pack with enough clothing and layers for 3 full days of hiking along with any daily essentials and personal items you require. You will be required to carry this pack from campsite to campsite—there are no porters on this tour. The rest of your luggage will be transferred to Hotel Lago Grey and will not be accessible until Day 8.
Day 6 Torres Del Paine National Park
Another early day awaits with a short 1 hour drive to Torres del Paine. Upon arrival you’ll drop your bags before you stretch out your legs on the beautiful hike towards the park’s namesake granite “towers”. When you arrive at the towers you’ll have some time to soak up the view and the turquoise lagoon before heading to camp for dinner.
Ascent: 740m/2427ft
Descent: 380m/1245ft
Distance: 15.5km/9.6mi
Approximate hiking time: 6.5 hours
Day 7 Torres Del Paine National Park
This morning you’ll rise early to get the most out of your day. You’ll begin with a quick transfer to Pudeto Lake and take a catamaran across to the start of the French Valley trail. This scenic hike is well known for its sweeping views of snow- and glacier-capped mountains. The trek itself will be challenging and long with quite an impressive incline. Once you descend from the hike you’ll arrive at your basic but cozy accommodation, Refugio Paine Grande. At this lodge you’ll be staying in bunk beds with 6 to a room and shared facilities. Unfortunately, there are no single supplements available this evening.
Ascent: 516m/1692ft
Descent: 875m/2874ft
Distance: 22.3km/14mi
Approximate hiking time: 9 hours
Day 8 Torres Del Paine National Park
Good news, after yesterday’s tenacious trek, today will feel like a breeze by comparison. In total you’ll be hiking for only 4-ish hours with very little incline/decline. You’ll begin with a proper breakfast before setting off towards Glacier Grey. At 30m/100ft high and 6km/3.7mi wide it is one of the most spectacular glaciers in South America’s Wild West. Your hike concludes on the shores of Grey Lake where you’ll ferry to our final accommodation, Hotel Lago Grey. You’ll have some time to rest your weary feet, shower and unpack/repack before a rewarding Chilean dinner.
Ascent: 204m/672ft
Descent: 185m/607ft
Distance: 11km/6.8mi
Approximate hiking time: 4 hours
Day 9 Torres Del Paine National Park
A much deserved rest has been built in today. Feel free to take breakfast and lunch at your leisure. Optional activities include simply lounging around the hotel and multiple self-guided or guided hikes. Tonight your Out Adventures group will reminisce over your big Patagonia Gay Hiking adventure during the official Farewell Dinner.
Day 10 Departure
Today is the final day of the tour. After breakfast a group transfer will be provided to the Puerto Natales Airport, or our Puerto Natales hotel. With that in mind, we ask that you contact our team before purchasing your flight out of Puerto Natales.
Interested in further exploring the thinnest country in the world? Out Adventures’ Chile: Hiking, Biking, Wining & Dining gay tour kicks off just as this tour concludes.
DATES AND PRICES
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Group Leaders and gay Out Adventures host from beginning to end of tour
- Arrival transfer to the Out Adventures Joining Point Hotel
- Departure transfer from the Out Adventures Finishing Point Hotel (group transfer)
- Private transportation
- Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 5 box lunches, 6 dinners
- Gratuities for drivers, day/city guides and all included activities
- All land transportation in comfortable, air conditioned vehicles with bottled water available on bus
- All included activities and experiences mentioned in the itinerary
- Tents, sleeping bag and mat while camping.
- A $50 USD Rainbow Railroad donation to help resettle LGBTQ+ refugees. Read more here.
WHAT ISN’T INCLUDED?
- International airfare
- Domestic airfare if you are pairing this tour with Out Adventures’ Argentina: Buenos Aires to Mendoza or Chile: Hiking, Biking, Wining & Dining tours (details will be provided when the official Trip Guarantee is sent to group)
- Entry visa costs
- Travel Insurance is mandatory for all travelers. Click here for more details.
- Gratuities for Host & Group Leader ($100 – $120 USD)
- Meals and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Sleeping bag liner
- All optional activities mentioned/suggested
- Alcoholic beverages at lunch and dinner, unless otherwise indicated
- COVID-19 rapid tests, or any expenses related to a guest contracting COVID-19. Click here for more details.
Please review Out Adventures’ Terms and Conditions before contacting us to book this Patagonia gay hiking trip. Please also review the Important Information that Out Adventures has provided as well.
Pricing, availability and itinerary for this Patagonia gay hiking
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