Welcome to El Calafate!
Upon arrival at Calafate airport, you'll be greeted by your experienced guide who knows all about this cozy little Patagonian village huddled on the shore of Lake Argentino. Once you arrive to your selected hotel, your guide will assist you at check-in. After some time to freshen up and take a short stroll around town, you will be picked up at 4 pm at your hotel and driven to Safari Experience Tour.
HALF DAY SAFARI EXPERIENCE TOUR
You will be drived to Estancia Huyliche (Huyliche Ranch). After visiting the ranch compounds, you will go into “Estancia 25 de Mayo” Natural Reserve: Here you are going to visit the old Stone house of the first family who settled down in this land and you will receive an interesting introduction about the history of the ranches in Patagonia. You will Continue your tour through the steppe towards “La Seccion” a genuine ranch house situated within the inmensity of Patagonia. At this site, you will be able to observe the native animals, a fantastic moment for photography . The third stop will enable you to approach the “guanacos” herds being assured the center stage when interacting with these native animals.
Four kilometers ahead, you will make the fourth stop at the fossilized oyster’s deposit, dating 23 million years. You will receive a paleontology and geology explanation about the place to understand that the desert where you are standing was once covered by the ocean. As the trip goes upwards, you can observe the notorious difference in flora according to the height. Above 1,000 meters high, a strong change takes place. Towards the Chilean border, there is a stunning panoramic view of the Baguales and Centinela mountains, the summits representing the border between Argentina and Chile. Once back in the canyon (“quebrada”), it is time to taste a country stew, homemade bread and country cheese at “La sección”, a site where the “baqueanos” used to stop by at the times they were herding cattle in this area.
After this Amazing day, you will return to your hotel a bit exhausted, so take your evening to rest and relax.
* Transfer El Calafate airport/ hotel
* Accommodation with breakfast
* Shared tour "Safari Experience" at Estancia 25 de Mayo Natural Reserve
* Domestic or International flights
* Extras at hotel
"The breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier"
Argentina isn't short on natural beauty, but today, you'll get to see one of the most irrefutably beauteous: the Perito Moreno Glacier. You'll have very little inclination to argue with UNESCO's decision to dub this a World Natural Heritage Site way back in 1981. Arriving at the Glaciers' balconies, you'll get to spend 4 or so hours walking along the various pathways to drink in its glory from different angles. Gorgeously framed by dramatic mountains, lakes and forests, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most spectacular scenes going around. It owes its fame to its continuous movement, which produces a cyclical phenomenon of advance and backward motion, causing awe-inspiring periods of ice-toppling. You won't believe your eyes, so make sure you take plenty of photos!
Full day Minitrekking over Perito Moreno Glacier
The excursion begins in the embarking pier located in “Bajo de las Sombras” port, about 6 km before the glacier Balconies- where you embark for a 20 minutes navigation across the Rico Arm, enjoying breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno glacier’s front wall. You disembark on the opposite shore, where specialized bilingual mountain guides welcome you and lead you to a small shelter. The two hours circuit that follows introduces you to the fascinating landscape of the glaciers: streams, small lagoons, gullies and plenty of ice formations of the most incredible blues. The trekking is moderate. The ice surface over which you walk is irregular, but firm and safe. You will receive explanations about flora, fauna and general glaciology of the region and also about the particular phenomenon that happens in the Perito Moreno Glacier and eventually produces its rupture.
* Accommodation with breakfast
* Full day shared tour Minitrekking over Perito Moreno Glacier
* National Park entrance fee
Today you will be transferred on a 3 hour trip by bus to El Chalten.
El Chaltén is a tiny mountain town located 220km north of El Calafate, in the province of Santa Cruz. It's situated along the banks of the Río de las Vueltas (The Laps River)and lies within the boundaries of The Glaciers National Park. El Chalten, is considered to be Argentina’s youngest town and boasts one of the most incredible settings in the world. The impressive mountain peaks of the Andes vie for your attention, together with ancient glaciers, national lakes and lagoons, and thick green forests, it's no wonder the town attracts so many adventure enthusiasts from all over the world.
El Chalten is a world class trekking destination, offering many other outdoor activities like mountain climbing, ice climbing. rafting, fishing and lake cruising.
Have the evening at your leisure and get ready for an amazing trek!!
* Transfer El Calafate / El Chalten
* Accommodation with breakfast
* Extras not mentioned
Today you’ll have the chance of experience an amazing selfguided trek that can be selected from the menu below, you won’t believe your eyes!!!
FULL DAY TREKS MENU
TORRE LAGOON
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 7 hours
Description: You will hike along the Río Fitz Roy valley to reach the Laguna Torre at the end of the valley. The trail enters the valley of the Fitz Roy river and follows up alongside the stream to its source. At only 15 minutes walk you will access the first viewpoint located at the gorge of the Fitz Roy river which offers an impressive panoramic view of the Cerro Solo, Adela range, Cerro Torre and the Mount Fitz Roy. Across the river canyon lies the Margarita waterfall. You will get as close as non-climbers can get to the mystical Cerro Torre. You will also visit the base camp where climbers wait for the good weather to attempt the climb.
Distance to cover: 22 km
Elevation: 250 meters
CHORRILLO DEL SALTO
Duration: Total round trip time walking on the path
Difficulty: Low
This is a short and easy trek that goes deep into a hillside of Ñire and Lenga forest to a beautiful waterfall of more than 20 metres drop.
This pleasant trek is perfect for a first contact with the natural environment of El Chaltén, you walk through a forest area in a footpath with no difficulty. At the end of the trail a lovely waterfall and its stream invite you to take a break for contemplation at the shelter of the native forest.
LOS CONDORES AND LAS AGUILAS
Duration: Total round trip time walking on the path
Difficulty: Low
Here you can enjoy a viewpoint often overflown by condors with spectacular panoramic views of the town and the mountains and another viewpoint where you can admire the Viedma lake and the steppe. As its name indicates, the viewpoint is strategically located for the eventual observation of condors in their frequent flight between the valleys of the De Las Vueltas river and the Fitz Roy river.
PIEDRA DEL FRAILE
Difficulty: Low
Duration: 6 hours
Description: You will be drived to Rio Eléctrico, 12 miles north of El Chaltén. This walk leads through beech forest and riverbeds to Refugio los Troncos, Piedra del Fraile. The place chosen by priest A. D’ Agostini to set camp during his exploration and climbs in the los Troncos, Piedra del Fraile.
Distance to cover: 12 km
Elevation: 135 meters
You will return to your hotel a bit exhausted after your outstanding trek so take your evening to rest and relax.
* Accommodation with breakfast
El Chalten: Endless nature
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the site. We strongly suggest the following selfguided treks:
LAGUNA CAPRI TREK
Difficulty: Low
Duration: 4-5 Hours
Distance to cover: 5 miles
Description:This beautiful trek takes you to a viewpoint overlooking a lagoon of blue waters surrounded by native forest which you can reach in less than two hours. From here you can see a fantastic view of the Fitz Roy massif. This trail is located inside Los Glaciares National park.
PLIEGUE TUMBADO
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 7 hours
Description: You will walk through the little village and pass the Ranger Station where the Visitors Centre that you may visit is located. Pliegue Tumbado is a ridge and a summit that offers views of both Cerro Torre and mount Fitz Roy. It is also a less visited area of the park and it is well worth the effort of the climb.
Distance to cover: 24 km
Elevation: 1000 meters
If you want to experience something different, you shall discover the amazing Lago del Desierto at your own pace,besides seeing the huge lake, and the beautiful forests and mountains that surround it, you will also have the opportunity to do a hiking route through the Huemul Glacier.
If you want to rest, you can take your book, camera and just enjoy the peace and the pleasing landscape. You won't believe your eyes, so make sure you take plenty of photos!
* Accommodation with breakfast
*Extras not mentioned
Come back soon!
After your last sumptuous breakfast, make sure you save some time to buy your last-minute souvenirs and/or photos. At the scheduled time, you'll be picked up from your hotel to be transferred to El Calafate airport to board your flight for your next destination. It's certain you'll carry the warmth of Argentina's people in your soul, not to mention the natural beauties of this wonderful country in your camera! It wouldn't be too much of a surprise if you're back over this way some time soon.
Argentina’s waiting...
* Transfer El Chalten / El Calafate
* Domestic or international flights
* Extras at hotel
