Dear NextTriber,

I first got to experience the wonder and beauty of Patagonia with my family back in 2009. We visited Torres del Paine, the stunning national park in Chile, and climbed high to get an up-close view of the three massive slabs that give the park its name.

We trekked across a glacier—see photo below—which was at the time one of the few glaciers in the world that was still advancing. Alas, it is now in retreat like almost all the other ice rivers.

We rode horseback across the Patagonian windswept steppes with a gaucho who actually wore a beret (but sadly, no gaucho pants.)

It’s a trip my kids still talk about with reverence—I think because they realize how lucky they were to experience the legendary region at the bottom of the world. I have great memories too—except maybe for our accommodations in Torres del Paine.

The only place that was wasn’t going to break the bank was a hiker hostel. We ended up sharing a bunk room with a couple from Belgium and sharing the bathroom with God know how many other hikers.

I’m thrilled to tell you that we’ve figure out a way to visit Patagonia without any of the roughing it that I had to endure. It’s deluxe all the way. And the other great thing about this trip—you don’t have to be a serious trekker to embrace the best Patagonia has to offer.

This is a new NextTribe journey led by Brenda Lyon, an outdoorswoman from Idaho’s Wood River Valley with a background in food and hospitality. She knows how to make big landscapes feel doable, and how to end a long day with a really good dinner. Over eight days, we’ll explore Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, then cross into Argentina for the glaciers of Los Glaciares National Park.

As I mentioned earlier, a lot of Patagonia trips are built for hardcore trekkers, with long days on the trail and nights in basic refugios. This one is a luxury expedition where you choose your own adventure, at your own pace. You’ll spend four nights at the all-inclusive Explora lodge on Lake Pehoé, where you can customize each day’s adventure with your own adviser. Then it’s on to El Calafate and a remote estancia you can only reach by boat. Next it’s a close encounter with the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Come with us October 26 - November 2, 2027 for 8 days!

Check out the itinerary

Because there’s truly nowhere else like it. The granite towers of the Paine massif, glacier-fed lakes in colors that don’t look real, guanacos grazing on the open pampa, and ice fields so big they make their own weather. It’s the end of the world, in the best possible sense.

We picked late October on purpose. It’s spring in the southern hemisphere, the days are getting long, and the park is waking up, before the peak-summer crowds arrive.

🏔️ Four nights at Explora Torres del Paine. An all-inclusive lodge (which is always one of the best rated hotels on the planet) on Lake Pehoé with the Paine massif right outside the window. Chilean wines, spa access, park fees, and more than 40 guided excursions are all included. Your Explora adviser helps you choose what to do each day.

🐴 A ride across the pampa. A half-day horseback ride along the Serrano River and Lake Toro. Not a rider? Pick another excursion instead.

🥾 A hike to the views. For anyone who wants a full day on the trail, a moderate hike toward Cerro Obelisco and Punta Hermandad, with sweeping views of the massif and the famous Towers. A van brings you back.

🦙 Wildlife and waterfalls. A half-day outing through the eastern park, past Nordenskjöld Lake, the Salto Grande waterfall, and the Los Cisnes and Amarga lagoons. Keep an eye out for guanacos, condors, and flamingos. Then an afternoon at the spa.

⛵ Estancia Cristina. A boat across Lago Argentino to a historic ranch reachable only by water. A 4x4 ride and short hike to a lookout over Upsala Glacier, then lunch at the lodge and a visit to the estancia’s museum.

🧊 Perito Moreno Glacier. We approach by boat, then walk the boardwalks to within a few hundred meters of the ice. Choose to kayak near the glacier, trek on it, or simply watch and listen as chunks calve off into the lake.

We wanted you to see the wildest part of South America without having to be an expedition athlete to do it. At Explora, you choose your own adventure. Go big with a full-day hike, saddle up, or keep it gentle with a scenic drive and a massage. Nobody’s keeping score.

The activity level is adjustable. Many excursions involve little or no hiking, and the tougher ones are optional. You should be comfortable walking a mile or two on uneven ground. There are two longer road days, about two hours from the airport into the park, and five-plus hours for the crossing into Argentina, which includes a stop at the border. (The glacier trek is limited to travelers 65 and under, but the kayak and boardwalks are open to everyone.)

You’ll stay at Explora Torres del Paine in Chile and the Xelena Hotel in El Calafate, Argentina. Late-October Patagonia is crisp, bright, and famously windy, so bring layers. Coming solo? You won’t be alone for a minute. We can match you with a roommate, or you can opt for a single room.

You’ll fly into Puerto Natales by way of Santiago on Tuesday, October 26th. From there, it’s a drive of just over two hours into Torres del Paine, where you’ll check in at Explora, meet your adviser to plan the days ahead, and sit down to our welcome dinner.

Here’s an example of what you might want to do while visiting: Wednesday can include a half-day horseback ride across the Serrano pampa, along the river and Lake Toro, or any of Explora’s other excursions. On Thursday, the hikers among us might head out for a full day toward Cerro Obelisco and Punta Hermandad and the big views of the Towers. On Friday, we are free to explore the park’s eastern side by van, stopping at Nordenskjöld Lake, the roaring Salto Grande waterfall, and the lagoons where the wildlife gathers. The afternoon is yours, and the spa is calling.

Saturday, we say goodbye to Chile and drive across the border into Argentina, arriving in El Calafate on the shores of Lago Argentino with a free afternoon to settle in. Sunday, we take a boat across the lake to Estancia Cristina, ride by 4x4 up to a lookout over Upsala Glacier, and have lunch at the lodge before heading back.

Monday is the big one: Perito Moreno. We get close by boat, then walk the boardwalks near the glacier’s face. Kayak among the ice, trek across it, or just take it all in from the boardwalks. That evening, we gather for a farewell dinner in El Calafate. Tuesday, November 2nd, is breakfast and goodbyes before your flight home via Buenos Aires.

Prices go up on November 20th, so if Patagonia has been on your list for years, now’s the time to finally cross it off. And NextTribe members save $100.

See the whole itinerary

Early Bird Price till November 20.

Book today with a $500 deposit then

Doubles: $9,899

Singles: $11,899

9 payments starting November 26

$1,044/ month (doubles)

$1,267/month (singles)

This trip is now open to the public and a new trip to such a desirable location often fills up quickly.

So if you’re interested, don’t hesitate! Save your spot for $500!

Jeannie Ralston, Co-founder and CEO