This 9-day expedition ventures deep into Yendegaia National Park, one of the last untouched frontiers of Tierra del Fuego. Access here is tightly restricted, with the area under environmental protection and Chilean army control—but our team holds one of the few active permits to enter. Over five unforgettable days on the Yendegaia Trail, you’ll cross rivers, bogs, and high passes, camping beneath glaciers and the endless austral sky in a landscape seen by almost no one.
Welcome to Punta Arenas, the gateway to Chilean Patagonia and the capital of the Magallanes Region! We recommend arriving a day or two early to account for possible travel delays and to have time to explore this southern city. On the evening of Day 1, your guides will meet the group for a trip briefing, followed by a shared dinner to get to know your teammates before the expedition begins.
Accommodation is not included on this day in Punta Arenas.
From Punta Arenas, we journey south into the wild landscapes of Tierra del Fuego, eventually reaching Lodge Deseado, our remote wilderness base. Here we pause for a full day to prepare — checking gear, organizing food, and carefully packing for the days ahead. Surrounded by silence and raw nature, the lodge offers one last night of comfort before stepping into the self-sufficient backpacking expedition through Yendegaia. The last night here is about shedding the world you came from and tightening every loose end: we lay out kit on a table, pull apart sleeping systems, test stoves, and pare the pack down until every item earns its place.
Accommodation: Lodge Deseado
Activities available: Glacier Parry navigation, kayaking & hiking from the lodge (possible to arrange at an additional fee)
For five days, we shoulder our packs and venture deep into Yendegaia National Park, one of the least explored corners of Tierra del Fuego. The route takes us across wide valleys, dense southern beech forests, and high mountain passes where the winds shape every step. River crossings are part of the journey, and our camps are set in wild, untouched places with no infrastructure. Moving self-sufficiently means every decision matters: what we carry, how we share tasks, and how we endure the changing conditions as a team. Each night, we’ll gather around stoves to prepare meals, trading stories before resting. By the end of these days, you’ll have experienced the essence of backpacking at the edge of the world—remote, untamed, unforgettable..
Daily hiking: 9.5-17 km (5,9-10.5 mi)
Accommodation: Camping (tents)
After breaking camp in Yendegaia, we trade the trail for water as a speedboat carries us across the Beagle Channel. These waters were once navigated by the Yagan people in their canoes, a reminder of the deep human history that still lingers here. The crossing itself is an adventure, often framed by dramatic skies and winds that sweep the channel. By the evening, we reach Isla Navarino and settle into a wilderness lodge. We’ll enjoy our final evening and dinner together.
Accommodation: Errante Ecolodoge
After so many days of raw adventure at the edge of the world, it’s time to begin the journey back. From Puerto Williams, take the flight north to Punta Arenas, where connections home await. The expedition ends in Puerto Williams Airport, but the memories and the bonds forged on the trail will travel with you long after leaving Tierra del Fuego!
Included in the 7-day Dientes de Navarino Trail:
Included in the 9-day Yendegaia Trail:
Included in the 14-day Patagonia tour:
Not included:
This Patagonia backpacking tour is a challenging expedition. Please note that you will be joining a 7, 9, or 14-day adventure and to fully enjoy it, you should…
In case you are afraid of heights, please contact us before booking the trip.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking tours in Patagonia here!
Training for this Patagonia backpacking tour is highly recommended, especially if you want to enjoy the hike safely and comfortably. These trails, located in two remote areas of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, are known for their very rugged terrain, challenging weather, and remote wilderness. Here’s what you should consider in terms of preparation:
You will be hiking with a full backpack. If you need to store some luggage, you will only be able to do it in Punta Arenas.
The whole trip is fully self-sufficient. You are required to carry your own sleeping bag, share a tent (assigned for two people), utilize a JetBoil, bring cooking equipment, and carry sufficient food (provided by your guides) for the entire traverse. There are no porters and no huts along the way. The pack will be heavy at the start of each section, and part of the challenge is managing weight and packing smart for 4–5 days out in complete wilderness.
After finishing Yendegaia, you will transfer by speedboat across the Beagle Channel to Navarino Island. Here, you’ll have time to repack, resupply, and rest at the lodge before starting the next section.
After booking, you will receive a comprehensive gear list, but consider the list below as a general guide.
Personal gear:
Clothing:
While your guide carries a first-aid kit, each traveler should carry their own necessities based on personal requirements, including any specific pathologies or risks.
Please note that drones are strictly prohibited.
The weather in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego can be unpredictable and very challenging, particularly in the remote areas where you’ll hike. Strong winds and sudden storms with katabatic winds can affect our planned route and schedule. In some cases, this may result in delays or changes to our itinerary.
Safety is your guides’ top priority, and you may need to wait for improved conditions or alter the course to ensure a safe journey for the group. While your guides aim to stick to the planned schedule, it’s important to embrace the adventure and understand that flexibility is a part of exploring this wild and beautiful region
It’s highly recommended that travelers leave up to 48 hours of buffer time before and after the expedition to account for any potential delays due to weather.
Yes, there will likely be river crossings during the expedition. Although not every region we hike through has them, you can expect to encounter glacial-fed rivers on several days of the trip. Some crossings are wide and gentle, while others may be deep, fast-flowing, and extremely cold (0ºC–5ºC), making them more challenging.
Rivers such as the Río Yendegaia, Azopardo, and Río del Viento are fed directly by glaciers and rainfall, so their flow can change quickly depending on weather and temperature. A stream that’s calm in the morning can rise and strengthen by afternoon.
Each crossing is approached slowly and carefully, with guides scouting the safest line, choosing the right technique (single file or team crossing), and sometimes delaying or rerouting if conditions are unsafe. You’ll need to follow guide instructions closely, unclip your hip belt, maintain a low center of gravity, and cooperate with teammates when crossing in pairs or groups.
Practical preparation is key—keep spare socks in dry bags, ensure sleeping gear stays waterproof, and be ready for wet boots and pant legs. These crossings can be demanding, but they’re also an essential part of the experience, teaching patience, teamwork, and respect for the ever-changing Patagonian landscape.
Group sizes and pricing
Patagonia backpacking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
You’ll spend a portion of your Patagonia backpacking adventure in your own tents. The other part of the trip will be at Lodge Deseado & Errante Ecolodge—here, the rooms are twin-share, and a single occupancy room is not available.
Solo travelers are welcome and there will be no additional supplements for them, as they will share a room.
The starting point of your Patagonia backpacking tour is Punta Arenas, Chile. To get there, most people fly to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ), though you’ll need to fly internationally to a bigger airport, and then to Punta Arenas Airport. From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Punta Arenas.
You will meet your guide on Day 1 in Punta Arenas. Accommodation on Day 1 is your responsibility.
Note that arrival flights landing in Punta Arenas after Day 1 of the trip won’t be accepted and the traveler will not be able to join the trip. Return flights from Punta Arenas should not depart before late in the evening of Day 14.
It’s highly recommended that travelers leave up to 48 hours of buffer time before and after the expedition to account for any potential delays due to weather.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.