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Full Patagonia, travels from one extreme of Patagonia to the other
This Patagonia tour's highlights include hikes on blue ice glaciers
Duration: 21 days
6+ Travelers: $5,910 per person
4-5 Travelers: $6,375 per person
2-3 Travelers: $6,615 per person
This tour travels from one extreme of Argentina Patagonia to the other. You'll experience the idyllic forested surroundings of Northern Patagonia's pristine Lake District to the continent's southern tip of Tierra del Fuego. Traveling through some of the most famous national parks of Argentina Patagonia, Nahuel Huapi, Los Glaciares and Tierra del Fuego, you'll find wildlife galore, including the species everyone on Patagonia tours longs to see, the Magellanic penguin. Here you'll gain a first-hand perspective on the history of man's attempts to tame Patagonia. If three weeks of Patagonia hiking, kayaking and rafting in ancient forests sound like bliss, this is your Patagonia adventure tour.
Private Departures for the Full Patagonia trip can be arranged. Call us if you'd like to learn more.
Itinerary for Best of Argentina Vacation
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Day 1 (Fri): ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES
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When you arrive for the start of your Full Patagonia trip, a Southern Explorations guide will meet you at the Buenos Aires International Airport to take you to your hotel and assist with check-in. You'll have the rest of the day and evening to explore the capital on your own. For a quick introduction to the history and amenities of this sophisticated city aptly called the "Paris of South America," we suggest taking our Four Balconies Tour. The night will be spent at your Buenos Aires hotel.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Visit the site of the world's most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins
Day 2 (Sat): BUENOS AIRES - TRELEW - PUNTA TOMBO
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In the morning, you'll be transferred to the city's domestic airport to fly to Trelew, the first of two former Welsh settlements you'll be visiting today. You'll drive to the Punta Tombo Reserve on the banks of the Rio Chubut, site of the world's most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins. The populations have dwindled but still number over 300,000. The penguins return in early September and stay until the chicks have learned to swim in the spring. This excursion is always a highlight of Patagonia tours because one may walk among these remarkable creatures. Kelp gulls, skuas, guanay cormorants, giant petrels, dolphin gulls, the Chubut steamer duck, hairy armadillos and Patagonian foxes also inhabit the area. On the return to Trelew, you'll stop in time for tea at Gaiman, a quirky Welsh town known for its replicas of famous murals and a park featuring junk sculpture. You'll spend the night at a local hotel. (B,L)
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Day 3 (Sun): VALDES PENINSULA
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The vast array of wildlife makes the Valdes Peninsula one of our most popular day-trips
The vast array of wildlife makes the Valdes Peninsula one of our most popular day-trips. It is an area of important reserves and rookeries, inhabited by guanacos, lesser rheas, Patagonian foxes, hairy armadillos and Patagonian hares. The protected areas of the peninsula support large colonies of South American sea lions and southern elephant seals. Also found in this region are Magellanic penguins, oystercatchers, dolphin gulls, kelp gulls, cormorants and other seabirds. Between July and mid-December, we offer an optional boat excursion on this Argentina tour to observe the endangered southern right whale when it comes north during breeding season. Overnight at your hotel. (B,L)
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Day 4 (Mon): TRELEW - USHUAIA
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While many Patagonia tours focus solely on Patagonia trekking, this trip offers some history as well. Today there will be time for some sightseeing around Trelew before going on to the next destination. Two interesting sights are the large and fully refurbished Egidio Feruglio museum of paleontology, complete with an extensive collection of dinosaur replicas and the nearby paleontology park. Later in the day, you will be driven to the domestic airport for your flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world in Tierra del Fuego. After getting settled at the hotel, you'll be able to view the magnificent Beagle Channel and the get acquainted with the charming town of Ushuaia. You'll have the rest of the day and evening on your own before returning to your comfortable local hotel. (B)
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Day 5 (Tue): BEAGLE CHANNEL - TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK
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Try a hiking excursion in Argentina's southernmost national park, Tierra del Fuego
You'll have two memorable experiences today, a 3½ hour boat cruise through the legendary Beagle Channel and a Patagonia hiking excursion in Argentina's southernmost national park, Tierra del Fuego. From your hotel, you will be taken to the Brisighelli pier, to board a small boat for your trip through the channel. Having left Ushuaia, you enter a landscape of sea, estancias and mountains. You'll encounter Les Eclaireurs lighthouse and Isla de los Lobos (Seal Island) where you'll observe various sea mammals at close range, including the southern sea lion and southern fur seal. As you circumnavigate Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island), you'll observe an abundance of nesting seabirds. Magellanic cormorants, imperial cormorants, giant albatrosses and over twenty other species of birds may be seen. On your return to Ushuaia, you'll have time to visit nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park for some Patagonia trekking. The 3.5 mile route takes you through a beech forest to a viewpoint overlooking some of the area's scenic wonders: Lake Roca, Laguna Verde and Laguna Negra, as well as the rivers Ovando and Lapataia and the Bay of Lapataia, a popular landing spot for birds. The region is home to many species including Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles, Andean condors, and South America's largest woodpecker, the Magellanic. You'll be returned to your Ushuaia hotel in the afternoon for another free evening and a restful night at your lodgings. (B)
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Day 6 (Wed): HARBERTON RANCH - THE HISTORY OF THE PIONEERS
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On today's Patagonia tours, you explore Tierra del Fuego, the region with magnificent views and a fascinating history. Your first destination is Estancia Harberton. Located to the east of Ushuaia, this estancia is owned by the descendants of British missionaries, Rev. Thomas and Mary Bridges. From the estancia, you'll go by boat to Gable Island (the largest in the Beagle Channel) for lunch. You'll hike on the island and then visit the Penguin rookery at Martillo Island, home to Magellanic penguins and a few Gentoo penguins. The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet near here, attracting a rich variety of sub-aquatic life, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching. Here you'll see such species as petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls and albatross. This Southern Patagonia tour goes back to Harberton before returning to Ushuaia for another relaxing evening and overnight at your hotel. (B,L)
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Day 7 (Thu): USHUAIA - EL CALAFATE
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This morning you may wish to spend your last hours in Ushuaia relaxing or visiting the fascinating End of the World Museum before transferring to the airport to fly to El Calafate. Arriving in the late afternoon, you'll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day to explore this charming town on your own. You'll enjoy a restful night before continuing your Argentina tour. (B)
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Day 8 (Fri): LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK
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Your destination today is the highlight of most visitors' Argentina Patagonia tours. You'll enter Los Glaciares National Park, a huge protected area that contains the 23,000 square-mile sub-Antarctic Continental Icecap known as the "Third Pole." This is the birthplace of several major Patagonian Andes glaciers. To reach the colossal terminus of the Perito Moreno Glacier, you'll travel by boat across Lake Argentino to a beach for some extraordinary Patagonia trekking on the vast glacier, observing many bird species and perhaps catching a glimpse of the Andean condor. For this part of your Patagonia tour, no additional equipment or previous experience are necessary. With luck you'll witness the spectacle of glacier-calving when a huge chunk of ice tumbles from Perito Moreno's 150-ft wall. You'll spend one more night in your comfortable El Calafate hotel. (B,L)
Blue Ice Upgrade - $100 Per Person:
This additional Patagonia tour is designed for those interested in a more in-depth exploration of the Perito Moreno glacier. Grab your crampons for an adventure of hiking deep into the glacier accompanied by a local glacier guide. After practicing safety techniques, you'll spend the rest of the day exploring the glacier and its ice caves, with plenty of time for photos. (This ice hike is very demanding and is advisable only for eighteen to forty-five year old participants who are in good physical condition. The hike takes about seven hours on ice and includes uneven terrain.)
Click here to see the Blue Ice Glacier Hike picture gallery
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Day 9 (Sat): EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN
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In the morning, you'll take the three to four hour drive north to the other end of the park, arriving at El Chalten, with glorious vistas of the Fitz Roy mountain range along the way if the weather is clear. After you get settled in your hotel, you may wish to get in some Patagonia hiking on your own. On the hike to the Piedras Blancas Glacier which takes about an hour, you'll pass through a beech forest frequented by Magallenic woodpeckers to view the Marconi Glacier, gateway to the Continental Icecap. You may prefer to take the five-hour Cerro Polo hike where you'll have a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. You'll spend a restful night at your hotel in anticipation of the invigorating Patagonia hiking destinations to come. (B,D)
Patagonia Hiking Details:
Piedras Blancas (optional) - 2.5 miles, Altitude gain: 550 ft
Cerro Polo (optional) - 3.1 miles, Altitude gain: 2,200 ft
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Day 10 (Sun): FULL DAY HIKE FITZ ROY & LAGUNA DE LOS TRES
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The destination of today's Argentina tour is a trek to the Laguna Capri base camp (Fitz Roy base camp). At the beginning of the hike, you'll have spectacular views of Fitz Roy, the mountain the Tehuelche named Chalten (God of Smoke), believing the mists around the magnificent massif were volcanic ash. On reaching Laguna Capri, you see Mt. Fitz Roy reflected in its clear waters. Here you'll stop for lunch (not included in Argentina tour fee), before resuming the hike to the base of the mountain. With majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above, you'll next reach emerald Laguna de los Tres. It is so named because three glaciers drain into the lake. Here you'll enjoy lovely views of Lake Viedma, and the sweeping Patagonian steppe. If you choose to continue down the steep trail to Laguna Sucia, you'll see the spires of Saint Exupery and Poincenot. You will be returned to your hotel for the evening and a good night's sleep. (B,L,D)
Patagonia Hiking Details:
Start to Laguna Capri - 2.6 Miles, Altitude gain: 1200 ft
Laguna Capri to Laguna de los Tres - 2.7 miles, Altitude gain: 1800 ft
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Day 11 (Mon): FULL DAY CERRO TORRE HIKE
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On today's Patagonia tours, you'll hike on Mt. Torre, famous for its beauty and its climbing difficulty. A forty-five minute climb brings you to a level area surrounding an old lagoon. From there the trail descends into a forest where the ranges of Cerro Torre and Adelas may be seen. The trail ends at Laguna Torre, where you'll have stunning views of its mountain and glacier namesake in addition to the Egger and Standhard spires, a memorable sight on your Argentina tour. You spend a last night in your comfortable hotel. (B,L,D)
Patagonia Hiking Details:
Cerro Torre - 11 miles round trip, Altitude gain: 1,000 ft
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Day 12 (Tue): EL CHALTEN - EL CALAFATE - LA TERCERA
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This is a day of international travel, crossing the Argentina Patagonia border into Chile Patagonia. Though a long day of travel, it will prove worth it. One highlight is your stop for a delicious lunch at the Estancia Rupal Pacha. In this pristine setting, you'll tour the estancia with the owner. Finally you'll arrive at the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Entering the park, you'll be in the summer grazing grounds of the endangered guanaco species. Surrounded by majestic mountains, it is a place you'll stop to watch and photograph these fascinating animals. The lovely La Tercera Estancia is your home for the next two nights of the journey. Over cocktails at the pleasant bar, the guide will describe all of the hiking, horseback riding and sightseeing options you'll have during your stay here. (B,L,D)
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Day 13-14 (Wed-Thu) LA TERCERA ESTANCIA
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You may explore magnificent Torres del Paine as much and however you like. Choose your own adventure, a hike to Gray Glacier floating in the middle of an iceberg-dotted lake, or a more challenging trek up to the base of the Towers that give the park its name. You'll spend exhilarating days in the park on full-day hikes, short exploratory walks, or horseback rides through meadows, and then return to the comfort of your lodgings at the estancia. (B,L,D)
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Day 15 (Fri): LA TERCERA - PUNTA ARENAS - PUERTO MONTT - PUERTO VARAS
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Early in the morning, you'll be taken to the Punta Arenas Airport for your flight to Puerto Montt with another thirty-minute drive to nearby Puerto Varas on the shores of Lago Llanquihue, the fourth largest lake in South America. You'll spend the night here at a local hotel. (B)
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Day 16 (Sat): OSORNO VOLCANO - PETROHUE WATERFALLS - PUERTO VARAS
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Begin your tour of Northern Patagonia and the Lakes Region. Today you'll have a full-day excursion to the Osorno Volcano, driving first along the lake shore with breathtaking views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. You'll stop at the Saltos de Petrohue, rapids and waterfalls that were formed long ago by cooling lava. The material forms an impressive sculpture of extruded volcanic rock shaped by thousands of years of flowing water. From the Saltos de Petrohue, you'll drive onto the lower reaches of immense Osorno Volcano (8,530 ft). You'll take a gravel road to an elevation of 4,265 feet where the volcano looms large and the Calbuco, Antillanca and Tronador volcanoes are also in view with the Andes towering in the background. You return to Puerto Varas in the afternoon and have the rest of the day and evening free. Overnight in your comfortable Puerto Varas hotel. (B)
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Day 17 (Sun): LAKES CROSSING - BARILOCHE
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After breakfast, you will be taken by bus to a pier on the Petrohue River. Here you will board a catamaran for the scenic river excursion to the emerald waters of Todos los Santos, the first of the lakes you will navigate today. Along the way, you'll have stunning views of three volcanoes: Osorno; Tronador, famed for the crashing sounds of ice falling from its 11,453-ft summit; and 7,185-ft Puntiagudo. At midday, you'll arrive in the village of Peulla and enjoy a delicious lunch. From there, you'll take a short bus ride to the border with Argentina Patagonia at Puerto Frias and travel through a lush cloud forest to cross Lake Frias amidst scenic wilderness views. After arriving at Puerto Alegre, you will have a short bus ride through an Andean larch forest to the village of Puerto Blest. Here you'll board a catamaran for the day's final lake cruise into scenic Lake Nahuel Huapi. The boat docks at Puerto Panuelo, a port town near Bariloche, Argentina where you'll be spending the night at a local hotel. (B)
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Day 18 (Mon): BARILOCHE
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Today's Patagonia tours are yours to decide. After breakfast, you may opt for a relaxing day of exploring the European-style city of Bariloche on Lake Nahuel Huapi. Those who wish to spend the day more actively engaged may choose one of the following day-trips:
MANSO RIVER RAFTING / CLASS III-IV
Take a thrill-packed Patagonia rafting trip down the Manso River. From your hotel, you'll get a relaxing start over coffee at John's Ranch in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Here you'll don a wetsuit and receive a safety briefing from your guide. Today's scenic Patagonia travel takes you through a lush cloud forest in the direction of the Chile border. When it's over, you'll change into dry clothes and return to the ranch for a delicious traditional Argentine asado (barbeque), arriving back in Bariloche in the late afternoon. (B,L)
BARILOCHE HIKING
Dedicated hikers may wish to make today a Patagonia hiking adventure, set according to the pace you decide. You'll be picked up at your hotel and transferred the short distance to the trailhead to start your invigorating Patagonia hike. The first two or three hours of the trip, you'll pass through alpine forests with views of the pristine lakes and extraordinary mountains for which the region is renowned. You'll enjoy a delectable picnic lunch before completing the last three to four hours of your satisfying Patagonia trek. After returning to your hotel, you'll have time to relax before enjoying another evening in paradise. (B, L)
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Day 19 (Tue): KAYAKING NAHUEL HUAPI LAKE
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Patagonia kayaking on the brilliant blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi is today's excursion. This is an enjoyable trip regardless of your fitness level or paddling experience. For trekking devotees, we can arrange for a half-day trek in Nahuel Huapi National Park Your skilled guides will meet you at the beach to begin paddling. You'll stop for a delicious lakeside picnic in this heavenly area before picking up your paddle again to continue the rest of the afternoon's explorations. Your Patagonia travel concludes at the landmark Llao Llao Resort. You will be returned to your hotel for a final memorable evening in Bariloche. (B, L)
Patagonia Hike & Kayak Option
If your group prefers, we can instead organize a day of laid-back hiking with paddling. After breakfast, drive to Lopez Bay and trek the well-tread path to the Tristeza lookout point, a granite dome offering spectacular views of the Lakes Region. Here will enjoy a scenic lunch before returning to the trailhead. After a safety briefing, we will hop into our kayaks to paddle the shores of Moreno Lake for the remainder of the afternoon. Return to your Bariloche hotel for a final night of your Patagonia travels. (B,L)
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Day 20 (Wed): BARILOCHE - BUENOS AIRES
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You'll be transferred to the Bariloche Airport to fly back to Buenos Aires and be taken to your hotel on arrival in the capital. No trip to Buenos Aires is complete without a tango experience. Southern Explorations offers tango floor show tour extensions for your dining and dancing pleasure before spending a last night in a Buenos Aires hotel. (B)
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Day 21 (Thu): BUENOS AIRES - HOME
There will be time on this last day of Argentina tours to enjoy a few more sights of Buenos Aires before being transferred to the Buenos Aires International Airport to fly home or to your next destination. Should you be able to stay longer, we offer a number of fascinating day-tours in the city and tour extensions elsewhere in South America. (B)
Begin Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
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More information about Traveling in Patagonia
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT ARGENTINA
TOURS AND TRAVEL
CONTACT US
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1.877.784.5400
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OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
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2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Friday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
January
9-29
01/23-02/12
February
06-26
02/20-03/12
March
03/13-04/02
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Professional, English-speaking local guides
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- All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis including continental breakfast)
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- Meals as indicated
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- All transfers in private van
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- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks, archaeological sites and boats
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International round-trip airfare to Buenos Aires
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- Airfare: Buenos Aires / Trelew - Trelew / Ushuaia - Ushuaia / El Calafate - Bariloche / Buenos Aires $1525 (subject to change)
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- Airfare: Punta Arenas/Puerto Montt $275 (subject to change)
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- Lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise noted)
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- Hiking boots and other personal gear
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- Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate
AGE LIMIT
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- We can accept clients between the ages of 12 and 70. Younger hikers need to be hardy and accompanied by a capable and experienced adult. Older hikers are welcome to join us on the completion of a medical suitability questionnaire.
CHILE / ARG ACCOMMODATION
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Full Patagonia:
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17 nights hotels
3 nights estancia
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $Contact Us
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- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount