An adventure in the stunning great wilderness of Patagonia is the perfect way to get back out into the world of travel. It’s a dream that is full of possibilities with more than a million square kilometres to explore, and now is the time to start planning for the next hiking season! This remote region of extraordinary beauty is full of natural wonders, and in a small group setting you can experience it safely and sociably. In this article we select some of the best small group tours in Patagonia for the 2022/23 season.
This article contains links to tours we recommend, which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.
View all G Adventures tours in PatagoniaIn this article:
Why take small group tours in Patagonia?
Many of Patagonia’s greatest natural attractions, like Torres Del Paine and Mount Fitz Roy, are set in remote places that take a lot of effort and organisation to reach. With this in mind, travelling in a small, guided group helps to ensure safety in various ways.
Of course, travelling independently in the region is possible, and can be extremely rewarding. Our guide to backpacking in Patagonia and recommended Patagonia itineraries will help you to do this. But if you are unsure, especially in post-pandemic circumstances, then going guided may be a better option.
These are some of the main benefits of taking a small group tour in Patagonia:
- When trekking in remote places, or participating in adventure activities, help and medical assistance is always immediately available if needed.
- Our recommended small group tour operators have safety measures in place with minimum disruption to the experience.
- Travelling with a knowledgeable local guide will give you a deeper, more meaningful learning experience from their expert insights.
- Accommodation, meals and transport are looked after for you with safety measures in place.
- Small groups create a great dynamic for meeting people, sharing travel experiences and making lasting friendships.
We can vouch from our experience that having logistical arrangements covered in Patagonia is a big deal. Especially when it comes to classic hikes like the W Trek, booking individual campsites and bus transfers can be complex and tedious. Taking an organised small group tour removes the hassle.
Our recommended operator for small group tours in Patagonia
Deciding which small group tour company to use is important, as not all have the same standards in safety, hygiene and quality of guides. After travelling with many operators in South America, we recommend G Adventures for small group tours in Patagonia.
We were impressed by their response to the pandemic when it first unfolded. The team at G worked hard behind the scenes to implement new measures as part of a ‘travel with confidence’ policy, which is still in place. You can read the details here.
G Adventures has decades of experience organising small group tours around the world. They work with carefully selected local guides, and have an ethical approach to supporting local staff and community projects. This was the reason we first chose them for our Inca Trail in Peru, and we weren’t disappointed.
Group sizes on G Adventures tours have been capped at 12 for most tours, and are never more than 16. We find this to be just right for fostering a great team dynamic while not feeling at all crowded.
Travel with your bubble
Some G Adventures small group tours in Patagonia are included in a new ‘Book Your Bubble‘ collection, which give you the chance to book for a private group with discounted prices. For example, if booking for a group of eight, you pay half price for the eighth place, or for a group of twelve, the twelfth place is free of charge.
View all G Adventures tours in PatagoniaSmall group tours in Patagonia: the classic hikes
1. Torres Del Paine W Trek
At a glance:
- Length: 6 days
- Starts and ends: Puerto Natales
- Highlights: the famous three-pronged hike navigating Las Torres, the French Valley and Grey Glacier
- Physical difficulty level: demanding
- Prices: view and book
The W Trek is one of the world’s greatest multi-day hikes. Named due to its three-pronged route, it traverses between the dramatic natural landmarks of Las Torres, the French Valley and Grey Glacier in Torres Del Paine National Park. This guided group tour follows the classic trail with all arrangements taken care of. Find out more and see the full itinerary.
2. Torres Del Paine O Trek
At a glance:
- Length: 11 days
- Starts and ends: Puerto Natales
- Highlights: the extended hiking route encircling a full circuit of Torres Del Paine National Park
- Physical difficulty level: challenging
- Prices: view and book
The full circuit trek in Torres Del Paine, often called the ‘O Trek’, incorporates the W Trek and extends into a full loop around the north of the park. It is a challenging trail suitable for more experience hikers. The rewards for completing it are some of the most breathtaking scenery in the remotest sections of the park. Find out more and see the full itinerary.
Small group tours in Patagonia: multi-stop routes
3. Discover Patagonia
At a glance:
- Length: 14 days
- Starts and ends: Buenos Aires
- Highlights: varied hiking, Andean Lakes crossing, Perito Moreno Glacier, Beagle Channel exploration
- Physical difficulty level: average
- Prices: view and book
This is the most varied of G Adventures’ Patagonia tours. Starting in the north of the region, it explores the lake districts, featuring the stunning boat border crossing from Bariloche to Puerto Varas. Travelling south, the itinerary includes Torres Del Paine, El Calafate and Tierra Del Fuego, and ends with a day in Buenos Aires. Find out more and see the full itinerary.
4. Patagonia Hiking
At a glance:
- Length: 9 days
- Starts and ends: Buenos Aires
- Highlights: Los Glaciares National Park rafting, Cerro Torre hiking and Perito Moreno Glacier
- Physical difficulty level: average
- Prices: view and book
This itinerary focuses on the Argentina side of the region, pivoting around Los Glaciares National Park. From the base of El Chaltén, it incorporates a rafting trip and classic day hikes to see Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, before journeying south to the colossal Perito Moreno Glacier and the mountain town of El Calafate. Find out more and see the full itinerary.
5. Hike Patagonia in Depth
At a glance:
- Length: 14 days
- Starts and ends: Buenos Aires
- Highlights: combination of hikes including the Torres Del Paine W Trek and Laguna de los Tres
- Physical difficulty level: demanding
- Prices: view and book
An extensive outdoors experience, this tour combines everything featured in the Patagonia Hiking package with the addition of the Torres Del Paine W Trek. Thus, in the space of two weeks, it brings together the most celebrated hiking trails and iconic natural landmarks of Patagonia into one itinerary. Find out more and see the full itinerary.
6. End of the Earth
At a glance:
- Length: 14 days
- Starts and ends: Buenos Aires
- Highlights: classic route of El Chaltén, Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres Del Paine and Ushuaia
- Physical difficulty level: demanding
- Prices: view and book
This two-week tour is similar to Hike Patagonia in Depth, but features shorter day hikes in Torres Del Paine National Park rather than the full W Trek. With the extra time this allows, the route culminates with a journey down to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and the gateway to Tierra Del Fuego National Park. Find out more and see the full itinerary.
To find out the optimal times of year to see the region’s wonders while avoiding the crowds, read our guide to the best times to visit Patagonia. If you’re planning a bigger trip, also read our guide to small group tours in South America.
Several of the small group tours in Patagonia we have highlighted include some free time in the region’s towns and cities. Take a look at our ideas on things to do in Ushuaia, El Calafate and Bariloche for ideas on how to spend your time.
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