Dientes de Navarino Trek

Day 1: Fly to Isla Navarino; Trek to Cerro Bandera; Laguna Salto wild camp

From Punta Arenas you will take a light aircraft to Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The flight provides all the drama of Patagonia: the glaciers and rock faces of the Darwin Range, the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego’s snaking canals and the imposing Beagle Channel.

You won’t have to wait long to get started in Tierra del Fuego; your first trek will begin just a few hours after orientation in Puerto Williams. Today, you’ll cross sloping beech forests to the summit of Cerro Bandera (912m), rewarding yourself with views of the Beagle Channel, Puerto Williams, Valle Ukika, and Cerro Robalo. From there we will continue to our campsite at Laguna Salto, with the peaks of Los Dientes (meaning teeth in Spanish) in sight as we trek.

On reaching our first wilderness camp we will share a warm meal and great company before turning in for the night.

Flight duration: 1hr

Length of hike: 4-5hrs, 12km

Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Laguna Salto wild camp  

Day 2: Trek across three passes; Mt Bettinelli wild camp

Today’s route takes us over several mountain passes on the Dientes de Navarino Circuit, starting with the small rocky pass the Primero Pass (705m), where snow welcomes visitors at the entrance to the high valley. The path then follows streams, loose rock, and lagoons with plenty of time to stop and take in all of the wonderful scenery.

The next pass we come to is the Australia Pass, which marks today’s high point at 776m/805m. There are some truly stunning views from the top. As we continue on to the Los Dientes Pass, we'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the highest peak on Navarino Island, Picacho Diente (1,118m) before descending to our campsite at the base of Mt Bettinelli.

After setting up camp, we'll trek up to Bettinelli’s summit for more excellent views of the Cape Horn archipelago – somewhere spectacular to which few other operators will take you.

Length of hike: 4-5hrs, 9km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Mt Bettinelli wild camp

Day 3: Trek across the Guerrico Pass; Laguna Martillo wild camp

Shrub and native ñirre (Antarctic beech) forests line our route to the Ventarrón Pass (696m), a blustery crossing allowing trekkers to see Isla Navarino’s untouched side: the unexplored wild mountains behind the Dientes de Navarino.

From there it's on to the Guerrico Pass before circling Laguna Hermosa and enjoying the fantastic views of Cerro Clem. This evening we'll stop to camp at Laguna Martillo.

Length of hike: 3-4hrs, 8km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Laguna Martillo wild camp

Day 4: Trek across the Virginia Pass; Laguna Los Guanacos wild camp

Today begins with a walk around Laguna Martillo and some rock-hopping on the shores of Laguna Rocallosa. Following a descent to numerous smaller lagoons, we'll enter a section of steep woods followed by a rocky climb.

This is the route to the Virginia Pass and at 859m it's the highest point in your trek and offers expansive views of the Beagle Channel, Darwin Range, and Laguna Los Guanacos. After crossing the pass, we'll start a steep descent towards Laguna Los Guanacos camp where we spend the night. Today's hiking will be tough, but immensely rewarding.

Length of hike: 3-5hrs, 10.5km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Laguna Los Guanacos wild camp

Day 5: Trek to Puerto Williams; Lakutaia Lodge or Errante EcoLodge

Starting from Laguna Los Guancos we'll descend to its sister lagoon, Laguna Las Guanacas. A river crossing leads us to the entrance to woods at the foot of rocky cliffs and later the trail crosses slopes covered in native Calafate berries (Berberis) where we get more excellent views of the Beagle Channel.

The final section of today's trek takes us through the Omora Ethnobotanical Park, a research and conservation centre dedicated to the region’s native flora. Here, we can take part in a 'miniature forest experience', using magnifying glasses to peer into the tiny world of lichen, liverworts, and moss – a truly enlightening experience.

After arriving in Puerto Williams, you can relax and look around the town. In the evening we'll gather for a farewell dinner and you can enjoy a night of peaceful sleep at Lakutaia Lodge or Errante EcoLodge.

Length of hike: 2-3hrs, 4km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Lakutaia Lodge or Errante EcoLodge

Day 6: Return to Punta Arenas

While you tuck in to a well-deserved breakfast you can congratulate yourself on completing the challenging Dientes de Navarino circuit! After check-out from your lodge, your return flight will take you back to Punta Arenas.

Flight duration: 1hr

Meals: Breakfast