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Patagonia, Argentina and Chile: Sample Tour Itineraries

Key: (B)reakfast, (L)unch, (D)inner

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PATAGONIA HIGHLIGHTS / ARGENTINA

Day 1: Buenos Aires (No meals) Today we begin our travel to Argentina with a stop at the thriving tourist hot spot Buenos Aires. Known as the "Paris of South America," this city's legendary nightlife doesn't even get started until midnight! The tour group will meet at the International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, enjoying the many sights and sounds of Buenos Aires!

We suggest adding our exclusive Four Balconies Visit of Buenos Aires (extra cost). Accommodation.
Day 2: Buenos Aires -Trelew- Punta Tombo (B,Box-L,D) Day two of our Argentina tour includes some exciting sight seeing! Transfer to the domestic airport to fly to Trelew. Our tour will reunite at the airport and start a drive to Punta Tombo Rookery, the most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. We will walk through a trail that cuts deep into the colony, where tourists can closely observe these fascinating birds. Other species such as kelp gulls, skuas, guanay cormorants, giant petrels, dolphin gulls, the Chubut steamer duck, hairy armadillos and Patagonian foxes also inhabit the area and may be seen here. On the way back to Trelew we will visit Gaiman, a typical Welsh settlement, for a cup of tea. Accommodation.
Day 3: Valdes Peninsula (B,Box-L,D) Day three of our Argentina tour commences with a day visit to Valdes Peninsula. On our way we will stop to see the wildlife of the area: guanacos, lesser rheas, Patagonian foxes, hairy armadillos, maras and the most important rookeries. These rookeries protect large colonies of South American sea lions and Southern elephant seals. Magellanic penguins also inhabit this area along with oystercatchers, dolphin gulls, kelp gulls, cormorants, etc. (Optional boat trip to see the Southern Right whale from July to Mid December *). Accommodation.
Day 4: Trelew - Ushuaia (B) Day four of your Argentina tour is a day of leisure leading up to the flight to Ushuaia, Patagonia's southernmost city. We suggest a visit the fully refurbished "Paleontological Museum Egidio Feruglio" or the nearby Paleontological Park. Transfer to the airport to fly to Ushuaia. Transfer to the hotel.

Our tour continues with an afternoon city trek in Ushuaia. The hike starts at El Mirador del Beagle, a side neighborhood located in the highest area of the city. El Mirador is an example of the amazing development of the city in the last years, showcasing the smooth co-existence of city and nature.

Upon our departure and towards the forest, the trail will allow us to enjoy the amazing vistas of the city, which showcase the history of its development through the years: the Presidium, then the Naval base, the Industrial area (when Ushuaia has been a duty free area) and the newly built neighborhoods. From the very beginning of the tour, all these vistas have Patagonia's magnificent Beagle Channel and the islands beyond as a backdrop.
Duration: 2 hour
Accommodation.
Day 5: Harberton Ranch, the history of the pioneers (B,L) We are halfway through our travel to Argentina! But rest assured there is still plenty of adventure ahead. Our next excursion is the perfect interlude for our Patagonia tour. A trip to Tierra del Fuego, with its magnificent natural history and its traditions, is an excellent way to continue our travel through Patagonia.

Our travel begins in Ushuaia, headed east towards Estancia Harberton. This estancia belongs to the descendants of the first British Missionaries to reach the area - Rev. Thomas Bridges- and was managed for many years by Ms. Natalie Goodall, a foremost naturalist in the area.

We visit the estancia and then board a small boat to navigate to Gable Island (the largest in Patagonia's Beagle Channel) where we stop for lunch. After a hike on the island, we resume our navigation to the Penguin rookery at Martillo Island, the domain of the Magellanic Penguin and even a few Gentoo Penguins. The unique location of this island (close to the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean waters merge) allows for an incredible variety of rich sub-aquatic life, making it an amazing spot for bird watching (petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls and albatross). Our tour concludes at Harberton; from there we will head back to Ushuaia.

**For operation reasons or weather conditions the outline of the activities during this day can be changed to enhance the experience of visitors to the area.
Day 6: Tierra del fuego national park (B,L) Our Patagonia travel continues with a full day visit to the Tierra del Fuego. We will travel via a private car-exclusive to our small group. Upon arrival in the park, we start a 7 kilometre trek (3.5 hour walk) to a wonderful scenic point overlooking a plethora of Argentina's natural wonders: Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, as well as rivers Ovando and Lapataia and Bahía Lapataia. Hiking through the beech forest will enable us to spot the Magaellanic woodpecker- largest in South America- Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors. We will then embark on an eighteen-person zodiac boat ride and head towards Isla Redonda for lunch (try the famous pasta) and a short afternoon walk on the island. On the way back to Lapataia Bay, we will be able to watch cormorants and sea lions, albatross and petrels. Upon arrival we will hike an old trail to Laguna Verde, where we will board our vehicle back to Ushuaia.
Day 7: Ushuaia - el calafate (B,L,D) We will spend the morning at leisure in Ushuaia. Take some time to enjoy the city or visit the fascinating End of the World Museum. Transfer to the airport to fly to El Calafate. From there we will transfer to Estancia Alice.

The Estancia, located twenty-two kilometres west of El Calafate, is a very special place. The quaint hosteria of 16 rooms is the ideal setting to enjoy the area. The estancia organizes activities for its guests such as sheep shearing, self-guided natural history tours, hiking trails, and two-hour horse rides (included in the rate). Accommodation.
Day 8: Los Glaciares National Park (B,Box-L,D) On the eighth day of our Argentina sightseeing tour, we travel to Los Glaciares National Park, in the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cape. Known as the "Third Pole", the cape extends over 60,000 sq.km (23,000 sq. miles) and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian Andes. We will board small boats to cross Argentino Lake, where the towering ice walls of the Perito Moreno glacier and its resulting ice blocks abound. We will land on an uninhabited beach and hike on the glacier. (No additional equipment nor previous experience needed). The wildlife of the area includes Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles, ashy headed geese, etc.
Day 9: El Calafate - Buenos Aires (B) Transfer to the airport to fly back to Buenos Aires. We will arrive and transfer to the hotel. We suggest a farewell dinner and Tango Show.
Accommodation.
Day 10: Buenos Aires (B) For the final day of the tour, you are at leisure to enjoy the bustling city of Buenos Aires. Transfer to the international airport to fly back home. Adios Argentina!

Key: (B)reakfast, (L)unch, (D)inner

If this Itinerary interests you, please contact us.

PATAGONIA HIKING ADVENTURE / ARGENTINA

Day 1: Buenos Aires (No meals) First stop on our Argentina tour is the booming city of Buenos Aires. Our tour will meet at the International airport and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day (and night!) exploring the city's never-ending entertainment! We suggest including our exclusive Four Balconies Visit of Buenos Aires (extra cost)
Accommodation.
Day 2: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia (B) On the second day of our Argentina tour, we go to the domestic airport to fly to Patagonia's Ushuaia. Arrive in Ushuaia, the Southernmost city in the world. We will meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

We will take an afternoon city trek in the city of Ushuaia. Patagonia trekkers will delight in the hike of El Mirador del Beagle, a side neighborhood located in the highest area of the city. El Mirador del Beagle is an example of the amazing development of the city in the last years, as well as the smooth transition between the city and nature. Towards the forest, the trail will allow us to enjoy the amazing vistas of the city that showcase its history of development: the Presidium, then the Naval base, the Industrial area (when Ushuaia has been a duty free area) and the newly built neighborhoods. From the very beginning of the tour all these vistas have Patagonia's magnificent Beagle Channel and the islands beyond as a backdrop.
Duration: 2 hour
Accommodation.
Day 3: "Los Filos del Fin del Mundo" - Hiking the summits of the end of the world (B,L) Trekking in the Forest - Ascents two summits - The best views of Tierra del Fuego - Forests, Mountains, Peat Bogs, Glaciers...

We will meet in the morning at the hotel and drive to the starting point of today's hike - the Mirador del Beagle neighborhood. We start our Patagonia trek following an old trail, built by the prisoners of the Presidium at the beginning of the 20th century. We will hike for two hours in an immense forest before arriving at the level where the vegetation ends. We will cross a couple of peat bogs along the way to the edge of this unique sub-Antarctic beech forest. Stop by a small stream, where we enjoy a cup of tea and resume our trip to a lookout point -facing south- to enjoy an outstanding view of the city and the islands beneath the channel. The hike then follows a guanaco trail, which leads to Margot Lagoon, a beautiful area located high in the mountain. This area provides the easiest access to the summit of Cerro del Medio (3000 ft), from where we will be able to observe the amazing view of the Tierra del Fuego geography: The Beagle channel, the city, the peninsula... everything as featured on a map.

We will continue our hike to Patagonia's Cerro Roy (2700 ft), located behind Cerro del Medio. The Cerro stands as a lookout point to observe the Andes in Tierra del Fuegian to the North. After having hiked on the edge of Mt. Roy, we start our descent to the Club Andino's mountain refuge at Martial glacier, where we will enjoy a tea in front of a giant firewood stove. We return to the hotel at about 6 p.m.

Includes: bilingual mountain guide, exclusive vehicle max. 15 participants, box- lunch.
Duration of the Trip: 8 or 9 hrs.
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Tierra del Fuego NP. Trekking and Canoeing (B,L) Today's tour includes a full day visit to Patagonia's Tierra del Fuego National Park. Upon arrival in the park, we start a 7-kilometre trek (3.5 hours) to a wonderful scenic point overlooking some of the area's scenic wonders: Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, as well as the rivers Ovando, Lapataia and Bahía Lapataia. Hiking through this beech forest we will watch for Magellanic woodpecker-largest in South America- Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors. We will lunch in the camping area of Lake Roca, and spend an afternoon paddling in the National Park. After an instructive view of Lago Roca, we will kayak Ovando River. The Ovando flows into the Green Lake, one of the most beautiful views of the Park. Landing in Lapataia we will be able to spot all sorts of local birds. (included in the cost of the excursion).
Day 5: Ushuaia - El Calafate - El Chalten (B,L,D) On day five of our Argentina travel, we will take some leisure time in Ushuaia to enjoy the city or visit local sights such as the fascinating End of the World Museum and the Presidium. We will say goodbye to Ushuaia and transfer to the airport to fly to El Calafate. We will reunite at the airport and transfer in a private car to El Chalten, a small windswept town at the foot of Mt. Fitz Roy.

Upon arrival, transfer to El Pilar Lodge, a beautiful 10-room hosteria fifteen kilometres out of El Chalten. The location, in the middle of an exuberant beech forest, gives access to the most important trails, such as the trail to Mt. Fitz Roy. From the hosteria, we will enjoy magnificent vistas of the huge granite walls of the Mt. Fitz Roy and some other important peaks.

Once settled we suggest taking a short hike (about an hour) to Piedras Blancas Glacier. This trail gets into the interesting beech forest and -if lucky - we may see the amazing Magellanic Woodpecker at work. About twenty minutes into the hike we will be able to see the Marconi Glacier, the gateway to the Continental Ice cap, to your right. This hike is an ideal warm up for some serious Patagonia trekking and the perfect place for a nap in the sun! Or hike Cerro Polo (5 hours), which offers a panoramic view of the Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Continental Ice cap.
Day 6: Mt Fitz Roy (B,Box-L,D) Day six of our Argentina tour includes a day hike to Mt Fitz Roy base camp and Laguna de los Tres. Enjoy a breakfast hike north towards Fitz Roy with spectacular views of the massif ahead. The mountain is venerated by local Tehuelche groups who, believing the mountain to be a volcano, called it "Chalten" (exhaling fumes mountain). Our hike continues to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into this greenish lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Viedma and the endless Patagonia steppe.
Slope: 1100 m.
Approx. hike: 8 hours
Day 7: Trek to Cerro Torre (B,Box-L,D) Enjoy another full day of Patagonian trekking by tackling another classic: Mt. Torre. Mt. Torre is famous for its beauty but also for its difficulty to climb. Countless expeditions attempt every year to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. After a forty-five minutes climb we will find an even area surrounding an old lagoon, where vegetation is starting to grow again. The trail enters a forest with a slight descent leading to a lookout. The lookout displays the stunning Cerro Torre range and the Adelas Mt. The trail ends in the coast of Laguna Torre, which offers a beautiful view of Mt. Torre, flanked by Egger, Standhard, spires and the Adelas range as a backdrop. We will then hike back to El Chalten where a van drives you back to the hosteria.
Slope: 600 m.
Approx. hike: 10 hours
Day 8: El Chalten - El Calafate (B,L,D) After breakfast, continue your Patagonia trekking with free time for a further hike in the area, or drive to town and enjoy a short hike to a scenic point overlooking the famous Mt Torre. In the afternoon we will board a bus to El Calafate (about four hours bus ride). Arrival. Accommodation at Estancia Alice.
Day 9: El Calafate (B,L,D) Spend a day at leisure in El Calafate, exploring the many possibilities the area has to offer (not included in the rate). Estancia Alice organizes self-guided natural history trails and sheep shearing exhibitions with trained dogs for guest enjoyment. Otherwise, enjoy the new Upsala Explorer navigation and reach Estancia Cristina. Other options include an easy, panoramic day horseback ride to Mt Frias, or for trekkers, a full day hike to the surrounding mounts.
Day 10: Los Glaciares National Park (B,Box-L,D) Transfer to Los Glaciares National Park, in the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cape, known as the "Third Pole", which extends over 60,000 sq.km (23,000 sq. miles) and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian Andes. We will board a small boat to cross Argentino Lake, encased by the towering ice walls of the Perito Moreno glacier and its continuously flowing ice blocks. We will land on an uninhabited beach and hike on the glacier. (Neither additional equipment nor previous experience needed). The wildlife of the area includes Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles, ashy-headed geese, etc.
Day 11: El Calafate - Buenos Aires (B) Today we bid farewell to our Patagonia trek and transfer to the airport to fly back to Buenos Aires. We will arrive and transfer to the hotel. This night we suggest a farewell dinner and Tango Show, a Buenos Aires. Accommodation.
Day 12: Buenos Aires (B) Transfer to the International airport. Adios Argentina!

Key: (B)reakfast, (L)unch, (D)inner

If this Itinerary interests you, please contact us.

PATAGONIA HIKING COMBO / CHILE & ARGENTINA

Arrive Punta Arenas Welcome to Chile! Arrival in Punta Arenas at 3:55 Pm. Arrive and transfer to the hotel of your choice (to be announced).
Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales (B) Our tour of Chile begins with a fun and interesting experience. We will drive to Otway Sound, home to a charming colony of Magallenic Penguins. After observing and photographing these intriguing creatures, continue across the Patagonian Steppe to Puerto Natales, along the beautiful Last Hope Sound. Spend the evening trekking Patagonia's waterfront and enjoy dinner at one of the fine restaurants in town. You will stay overnight in a comfortable hotel.
Last Hope Sound - Los Torres Park - Serrano River (B,L,D) After a delicious breakfast, your Chile tour continues with an exciting cruise up the fjord to the impressive Mount Balmaceda. There, disembark and stretch your legs on a short hike to the foot of the Serrano Glacier, exploring the shining glacial lake below it. After lunch, board zodiacs (small boats) and cruise up the Serrano River to explore the expansive Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. On the way, pass the massive Tyndall glacier, arriving at Patagonia's beautiful Torres del Paine National Park. Camp on the banks of the peaceful Serrano River, with spectacular views of the Paine massif across the pampas. While a delicious dinner is prepared for you, stroll along the river or simply enjoy the view from camp, with a glass of Chilean wine in hand.
Grey Glacier - Pehoe Lake (B,L,D) Today will be a glimpse into some of Chile's most unique sights. We begin with a walking tour of Grey Lake Beach. From the beach, enjoy spectacular views of the largest glacier in the park, Grey Glacier, as it dwarfs the other icebergs floating along the lake. For a closer look at this remarkable glacier, take a boat out on the lake, with Paine Grande and the surrounding mountains providing a striking backdrop for our ride. Disembark at the foot of the glacier to explore the opposite shore of the lake. This hike takes you through the valley, with the Grey Glacier, the Patagonian icecap, and numerous snow-capped mountains jutting their way though the skyline. Camp at an organized campsite with full facilities along the shores of beautiful Lake Pehoe.
Valle Frances - Pehoe Lake (B,L,D) Continuing our Patagonia trek, a day long hike takes you through the French Valley along the edges of Lake Nordenskjold. In the French Valley, the natural granite amphitheatre and the peaks that comprise this enclosed valley will amaze you. On the way through the valley, enjoy unique views of lakes Pehoe, Scottsburg, Toro, and Nordenskjold lying beneath us. The destination is the lively Cuernos refuge, set below the majestic Horns of Paine. Spend a comfortable night in bunk bed accommodations with shared facilities.
Los Torres Camp (B,L,D) This morning, hike along the rolling foothills of the Horns of Paine with the tranquil shores of Lake Nordenskjold beside us. If you are feeling especially adventurous, take a swim in Lake Nordenskjold's frigid waters, refreshing yourself for the remainder of the hike. Trek towards Patagonia's Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine), three granite spires that give this park its name. Stay overnight at Los Torres, an organized campsite offering full facilities.
Ascencio Valley - Towers of Paine (B,L,D) Today marks the most difficult Patagonia trek, all the way up to the Torres del Paine, but the view makes it all worth it. Climbing up into the Ascending Valley, we will hike through beautiful old growth beech forests to a rock moraine just under the towers. A steep climb over the moraine leads to one of the most spectacular views in the park. If the weather is good to us, we will enjoy our last trail lunch from this incredible spot, with the lowlands stretching out below us. Return to camp for the last night, where a hearty dinner awaits.
Sea Kayaking - Serrano River (B,L) Rise early and orient yourselves with safe kayaking techniques. Load two person kayaks and begin a downriver ride into some of the world's most untouched wilderness. Along the way, experience near perfect views of distant snow-capped mountains of Chile's Torres Del Paine and the exotic wildlife inhabiting these unexplored shores. This captivating kayaking adventure travels through the twisting beautiful and canyon-filled Serrano river, a site that is almost never visited, making the experience even more spectacular as you relax in the solitude of this natural wonder. Overnight at the charming Hosteria El Pionero. El Pionero offers comfortable accommodations, including an excellent restaurant that serves remarkable local and international cuisine. Enjoy a pisco sour at the fireside bar.
Torres del Paine - El Calafate (B,L) Today you transfer across the Chilean border and into Argentina and continue the drive into El Chalten. Along the way you will stop for a magnificent lunch at the Estancia Tapi Aike. You will have a chance to visit every corner of the estancia with Enrique (owner), and you will discover his passion for his work at this special place. Arrival in EL Chalton, a wind-swept small village, 240 kilometers north of El Calafate and at the foot of the imposing Mt. Fitz Roy (3405 m) and Cerro Torre. Upon arrival, transfer to Hotel La Cantera. Your accomodation will be a double room, a deluxe suite overlooking the lake. The late afternoon is free for you to enjoy the charming town of El Calafate. Make good of your travel to Argentina by enjoying the great shopping, restaurants, leather goods etc.
El Calafate - Hike on Perito Moreno Glacier (B,L) Continue your tour of Argentina with a transfer to Los Glaciares National Park, in the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cape, known as the "Third Pole". The cape extends over 60,000 sq.km (23,000 sq. miles) and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian Andes. We will board a boat to cross Argentino Lake, encased by the towering ice walls of the Perito Moreno glacier and its continually shedding ice blocks. We will land on an uninhabited beach and hike on the glacier. (No additional equipment nor previous experience needed). The wildlife of the area includes Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles, ashy headed geese, etc. In the late afternoon we return to El Calafate. The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy.
El Calafate - El Chalten (B,D) Transfer in a private car to drive to El Chalten. Arrive at El Chalten, a wind-swept small village, 240 kilometers north of El Calafate, located at the foot of the imposing Mt. Fitz Roy (3405 m) and Cerro Torre, a dream for Patagonia trekkers. Upon arrival, transfer to El Pilar Lodge, a beautiful 10-room hosteria, 15 kilometers out of El Chalten. The location, in the middle of an exuberant beech forest, gives access to the most important trails, including the trail to Mt. Fitz Roy. From the hosteria, you will enjoy magnificent vistas of the huge granite walls of the daring Mt Fitz Roy and some other important peaks.

Once you have settled we suggest that to enjoy a short hike (about an hour) to Piedras Blancas Glacier. Following this trail you will enjoy a very interesting beech forest and if you are lucky you may see the amazing Magallenic Woodpecker at work. After about a twenty minutes hike you will be able to sight the Marconi Glacier, the gateway to the Continental Ice cap to your right. This hike is an ideal warm up for some the Patagonia trekking that awaits, and is the perfect place for a nap in the sun!

Or hike Cerro Polo (5 hours), which offers a panoramic view of the Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Continental Ice cap.
Hiking Fitz Roy National Park (B,L,D) Our Argentina travel continues with a full day hike to Mt Fitz Roy base camp and Laguna de los Tres. After breakfast hike north towards Fitz Roy with spectacular views of the massif ahead. Venerated by local Tehuelche groups who believed to be a volcano, they called it "Chalten" (exhaling fumes mountain). Further hike to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into this greenish lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Viedma and the endless Patagonia steppe.
Hike to Cerro Torre (B,L,D) Our Patagonia trek continues with another classic climb: Mt. Torre. Famous for its beauty but also for its difficulty to climb, Mt. Torre is another full day hike. Countless expeditions attempt every year to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. After a forty-five minute climb you will find an even area surrounding an old lagoon where vegetation is starting to grow again. The trail enters a forest with a slight descent leading to a lookout facing the Cerro Torre range and the Adelas Mt. The trail ends in the coast of Laguna Torre, which offers a beautiful view of Mt. Torre, set against Egger, Standhard, the Adelas range and the glacier Torre. Hike back to El Chalten where a van will be waiting for you to drive you back to the hosteria.
El Chalten - El Calafate - Beunos Aires (B) The next leg of our Argentina tour transfers us back to Buenos Aires. A private car will take us to the airport in El Calafate. We will arrive in Buenos Aires, meet at the airport and transfer to the Sofitel Hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to explore the exciting city of Buenos Aires.