Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive to El Chaltén and Los Glaciares National Park.
Arrive at the airport in El Calafate, Argentina, meet your trip leader and transfer to El Chalten,the village at Los Glaciares National Park, and our base for the next few days. In the early evening, gather for a briefing on the adventures. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Hotel at El Chaltén
Meals: D
Transport: 2 hour and 30 minutes drive in private transfer
Day 2. Laguna de Los Tres.
Early-morning drive through the monumental, wide-open plains that Patagonian is known for, arriving at the rambling town of Puerto Natales, spread across the shore of the Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound). Here we’ll stretch our legs, have lunch, and continue to Torres del Paine National Park, which rises majestically from the plains. We’ll stop for photos, spot a variety of animals, and view antique, picturesque sheep ranch “estancias” along the way.
Accommodation: Hotel at El Chaltén
Meals: B, BL, D
Activity: 9 hours hike – 12 miles/ 19 km; 800ft/ 200m elevation gain
Transport: 1/2 hour in private van
Day 3. Laguna Torre
A classic trek you cannot miss. The trail begins in the valley of the Fitz Roy River and follows the stream to its source. The first viewpoint is located in the gorge of the Fitz Roy, affording dynamite panoramic views of the Cerro Solo, the Adela range, and the Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy peaks. Finally, the trail crosses the De Agostini basecamp and continues to Laguna Torre, situated on a beautiful glacial lake set against the backdrop of Cerro Torre.
Accommodation: Hotel in El Chaltén
Meals: B, BL, D
Activity: 7-8 hours hike – 12 miles/ 19 km; 700ft/ 250 m elevation gain
Day 4. Pliegue Tumbado
From our hotel we’ll walk to Los Glaciares National Park visitor center, and from here hike a 5-mile trail to the summit from where we’ll be able to view the mountain peaks and ranges of Cerro Torre, Cerro Fitz Roy and River Fitz Roy Valley.
Accommodation: Hotel in El Chaltén
Meals: B, BL, D
Activity: 7 hours hike – 9.5 miles/ 15 km; 2,800 ft/ 850m elevation gain
Day 5. Paddle the remote badlands.
On the return drive to El Calafate, we will stop at the historical La Leona Estancia, to visit the steppe in the turquoise waters of La Leona. We will visit a part of the badlands of Patagonia where it is possible to see prehistoric fossil and view the southern ice field and Fitz Roy massif. We will then continue to El Calafate.
Accommodation: Hotel in El Calafate
Meals: B, L, D
Activity: 3 hours paddling/ 14 km
Transport: 4-hour drive
Day 6. Perito Moreno Glacier
From Calafate, we will head to another side of the Los Glaciares National Park: the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, known as one of the few glaciers worldwide that maintains its equilibrium and is therefore very active. The glacier’s 200-foot-high wall continually calves massive blocks of ice into the lake with a thunderous roar — an awesome spectacle of nature’s power at work. Return to El Calafate at the end of the day to enjoy a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in El Calafate
Meals: B, L, D
Activity: 2 to 3 hours -2 miles/ 3 km walking (optional glacier excursion)
Transport: 4-hour drive
Day 14. Depart
Transfer to El Calafate Airport, where we bid farewell to our guide. Catch a flight to Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina or to your next destination.
Meals: B
Transport: ½ hour in private van
INCLUDED
- Local knowledgeable English-speaking guide (1:6 clients)
- Park Entrance
- Private transfer throughout program
- Meals as stated: 6 B(breakfast), 5 L (lunch or box lunch), 6D (dinner)
- 4 nights in Hostel/ Hotel in El Chaltén
- 2 nights in Hostel/ Hotel in El Calafate
- All necessary safety equipment
- Emergency kit: Wilderness First aid kit, VHF/ UHF radio and Satellite phone
NOT INCLUDED
- Beverage
- Tips to local guides & other personnel
- International and national airfare to Santiago de Chile and Punta Arenas/ Puerto Natales and
- from El Calafate
- Personal bio security kit (mask, gloves etc)
- Personal medical and evacuation insurance (obligatory)