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& Iguazu Falls Luxury Patagonia Luxury Patagonia & Wineries Patagonia Hiking Panorama Australis Glacier Cruise
& Patagonia Hiking Australis Glacier Cruise
& Patagonia Hiking Plus Patagonian Lakes & Glaciers Full Patagonia

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HIKING TOURS AMAZON ECOTOURS RAINFOREST ECOLODGES MULTISPORT ADVENTURES GALAPAGOS SCUBA DIVING GALAPAGOS SEA KAYAKING GALAPAGOS SAILING CRUISES HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU FAMILY ADVENTURES SELF-GUIDED TOURS LUXURY TOURS RAFTING / KAYAKING TOURS CAMPING ADVENTURES PATAGONIA HIKING

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Patagonian Lakes & Glaciers, don't forget about the snow capped mountains and the famous hospitality

In a region renowned for beauty, the Lake District is considered by many traveling to Argentina to be the most picturesque area in all of Patagonia

Duration: 16 days
6+ Travelers: $4695 per person
4-5 Travelers: $5100 per person
2-3 Travelers: $5370 per person
The Lake District is considered by most travelers to be the most picturesque area in all of vast Patagonia, a region known for its beauty. You'll spend several glorious days here, hiking and kayaking in both Argentina Patagonia and Chile Patagonia surrounded by towering evergreens and pristine lakes before heading south to tour some of Southern Patagonia's most popular attractions. You'll experience Patagonia in all its glory, staying in estancias, taking some of the most famous hikes of Argentina Patagonia. One highlight of this Patagonia adventure vacation is the opportunity to gaze at one the most famous sights in all of South America, the colossal, intensely blue Perito Moreno Glacier.
The Patagonian Lakes & Glaciers tour can also be arranged on a private departure basis. Please contact us so we may explain details and costs.

ABOUT ARGENTINA TRAVELING TO ARGENTINA ARGENTINA WEATHER

WHEN TO VISIT ARGENTINA
= J F M A M J J A S O N D =

PATAGONIA F.A.Q. MAP OF PATAGONIA RECOMMENDED READING

Patagonian Lakes & Glaciers Tour Itinerary

Day 1 (Thu): ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES View Buenos Aires accommodations picture gallery You'll be met by a Southern Explorations representative at the international airport upon arrival. After being transferred to your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day to explore Buenos Aires at your leisure. This thriving capital is filled with interesting markets, a vibrant street life, an eclectic mix of museums and divine cuisine. To get your geographic bearings, you may wish to consider adding our popular Four Balconies Tour of the city, acquainting you with Argentina's rich history. Overnight at your conveniently-located hotel.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Day 2 (Fri): BUENOS AIRES - BARILOCHE View Bariloche accommodations picture gallery After breakfast, you'll be taken to the domestic airport for your flight to Bariloche, Argentina, a scenic resort town on the shores of picturesque Lake Nahuel Huapi. You'll have the rest of the day to relax and explore this pleasant mountain town. Overnight at your comfortable Bariloche lodgings. (B)
Day 3 (Sat): HIKING NEAR BARILOCHE View Bariloche accommodations picture gallery After breakfast, you'll be transferred from your hotel to the trailhead of today's hike. Paced according to your liking, the two to three hour first leg of today's Patagonia hiking takes you into the alpine zone, where you'll stop for a gourmet picnic lunch amidst stunning lakes, glaciated summits, forests and the towering Andes. You'll complete the remaining three to four hours of the hike after lunch and be delivered back to your hotel in time to choose one of the city's fine restaurants for a delectable dinner. Another peaceful night at your accommodations. (B,L)
Day 4 (Sun): NAHUEL HUAPI LAKE - KAYAKING View Bariloche accommodations picture gallery Today's activity is a tranquil day of guided kayaking that may be enjoyed by all, regardless of fitness level. In the morning, you'll be taken from the hotel to a unique launching beach to start your six hours of paddling. You'll enjoy a tasty lakeside picnic in an idyllic setting. The trip ends at the landmark Llao-Llao Hotel where you will be transferred back to your hotel for an evening on your own to enjoy a final delicious dinner. (B,L)
Patagonia Hike & Kayak Option Depending on your group, we can instead arrange for a day of soft trekking with kayaking. After breakfast, we will drive to Lopez Bay to begin the hike to Tristeza lookout point. The granite base offers breathtaking views that we enjoy during our lunch. After returning to the trailhead and receiving a safety briefing, we will paddle the Moreno Lake for the remainder of the afternoon. Returning to your Bariloche hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L)
Day 5 (Mon): BARILOCHE - LAKES CROSSING - PUERTO VARAS View Puerto Varas accommodations picture gallery After breakfast, you’ll enjoy the ultimate Lakes District tour. You'll travel to nearby Puerto Panuelo pier for the serene catamaran ride across Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest. A bus will take you a short distance through an Andean larch forest to reach Puerto Alegre. You'll enjoy superb wilderness views along Lake Frias before arriving at Puerto Frias and the Chile Patagonia border in a lush cloud forest. From there, it's a short bus ride to the village of Peulla for a delicious lunch. Next you'll cruise along the emerald waters of Todos los Santos Lake to the Petrohue River. The memorable trip offers stunning views of three volcanoes: to the south, 11,453-ft Tronador, famous for the sounds of ice falling from its summit; 7,185-ft Puntiagudo to the north and 8,530-ft Osorno between the two lakes. After reaching the pier, you will travel to the quaint town of Puerto Varas where your comfortable hotel is located and spend a relaxing evening on your own. (B)
Day 6 (Tue): OSORNO VOLCANO - PETROHUE - PUERTO VARAS View Puerto Varas accommodations picture gallery

In the morning you'll set out on a full-day excursion to the Osorno Volcano

In the morning you'll set out on a full-day excursion to the Osorno Volcano starting with a drive along the shore of Lago Llanquihue with breathtaking views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. You'll stop at the Saltos de Petrohue (Petrohue rapids), a series of rapids and waterfalls formed long ago by cooling lava from the volcano towering behind them. The extruded volcanic rock is a unique formation, shaped by thousands of years of thundering water flow. Next you'll arrive at the lower reaches of the now immense Osorno Volcano. Here a gravel road leads to a small mountain hut (elevation 4,265 ft), and the volcano looms large with the backdrop of volcanoes Calbuco, Antillanca and Tronador and the Andes. In the afternoon, you'll be returned to your hotel in Puerto Varas. (B)
Patagonia Hiking Details: 6.1 mi; 2000 ft elevation gain; 5-7 hrs
Day 7 (Wed): PUERTO VARAS - PUERTO MONTT - PUNTA ARENAS - PUERTO NATALES View Puerto Natales accommodations picture gallery Today, travel south for the next leg of your Patagonia tour. In the morning you'll be transferred to the Puerto Montt Airport for a flight to Punta Arenas in Chile Patagonia, where a Southern Explorations guide will pick you up to begin your trip across the Patagonian steppe towards Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way you can observe the unusual plant and animal life of the area. The destination for the night is Puerto Natales, located on picturesque Last Hope Sound. There will be time to walk along the waterfront and enjoy dinner in one of the fine restaurants in town. Your overnight accommodations are just a short walk-able distance from Puerto Natales with lovely views of the Sound and the Serrano Glacier in the distance. (B)
Day 8 (Thu): PUERTO NATALES - LA TERCERA View La Tercera Estancia picture gallery After breakfast, you'll travel to Estancia La Tercera, your base for the next three nights. The Estancia's owner will show you around the grounds, sharing his passion for this remarkable place. From there, you'll have your first experience of world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park, entering the summer grazing grounds of the endangered guanaco. You'll have an opportunity to observe and photograph this fascinating species surrounded by majestic mountains. Over evening drinks at the comfortable bar, the guide will discuss your full range of hiking, riding and sightseeing opportunities at the estancia. Enjoy the first of your pleasant overnight stays at La Tercera. (B,L,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
Day 9-10 (Fri-Sat): LA TERCERA ESTANCIA View La Tercera Estancia picture gallery Choose your own adventure in Torres del Paine National Park, from a hike to Gray Glacier that floats in the middle of an iceberg-choked lake, or a more challenging climb to the base of the Towers from which the park derives its name. You may wish instead to take short exploratory walks, horseback ride through fields of wild flowers, or venture out on a full day hike. You'll return each of these two nights from your Patagonia hiking for restful evenings at the tranquil La Tercera. (B,L,D)
Day 11 (Sun): LA TERCERA - EL CALAFATE View El Calafate accommodations picture gallery Enjoy one last breakfast at La Tercera before traveling back over the border to El Calafate, Argentina, for the next leg of your Patagonia tour. Your afternoon is free to enjoy this charming city on your own. Overnight at an El Calafate hotel. (B)
Day 12 (Mon): PERITO MORENO GLACIER - EL CALAFATE View El Calafate accommodations picture gallery Today's Patagonia tour takes you by boat across Lake Argentino among icebergs to reach stunningly blue, massive Perito Moreno Glacier. You'll go ashore and walk along an ancient beech forest that meets the glacier, offering a unique location for photographing this magnificent natural wonder. After an hour's hike, you'll embark on a short glacier hike (equipment provided), and perhaps witness an ice wall calving into the lake. In the afternoon, enjoy a picnic lunch within earshot of melting and popping glacial ice. In the evening, you'll return to your hotel for another comfortable night's rest. (B,L)
Blue Ice Upgrade - $100 Per Person: For those wishing to explore the Perito Moreno Glacier in greater depth, we offer a longer day of ice-hiking with an experienced glacier guide. You'll start by practicing safety techniques and spend the rest of the day exploring deep into the glacier and its ice caves, with plenty of time for photos. (This is a very strenuous ice hike and 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
Day 13 (Tue): EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN View El Chalten accommodations picture gallery In the morning, you'll head to El Chalten at the north end of the park, the gateway town of Fitz Roy. In clear weather, this three to four hour drive will be one of the most beautiful segments of your Patagonia tours, filled with panoramic views of the Fitz Roy mountain range. Upon arrival in Chalten, you'll be transferred to your hotel to get settled before spending the rest of the day hiking on your own to prepare for the Patagonia trekking ahead. You may want to make the hour-long hike to Piedras Blancas Glacier. The hike takes you through a beech forest where you may see the amazing Magellanic woodpecker and view the Marconi Glacier, the gateway to the Continental Icecap. Instead, you may choose a five-hour roundtrip hike to Cerro Polo which offers a panoramic view of Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Continental Icecap. Overnight at your charming hotel. (B) Patagonia Hiking Details: Piedras Blancas (optional) - 2.5 miles, Altitude gain: 550 ft / Cerro Polo (optional) - 3.1 miles, Altitude gain: 2,200 ft
Day 14 (Wed): FULL DAY HIKE FITZ ROY & LAGUNA DE LOS TRES View El Chalten accommodations picture gallery

Today's Patagonia trekking consists of a full-day hike to the Laguna Capri base camp (Fitz Roy base camp)

Today's Patagonia trekking consists of a full-day hike to the Laguna Capri base camp (Fitz Roy base camp). The hike north towards Fitz Roy begins with spectacular views of the massif ahead. The peak was considered sacred by the indigenous Tehuelche who believed the mists enshrouding it were volcanic ash, calling it Chalten (God of Smoke). Reaching Laguna Capri, you'll see the image of Mt. Fitz Roy reflected. After stopping for lunch, you'll resume the hike to the emerald Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into the lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. Here you'll have spectacular views of Lake Viedma, the sweeping Patagonian steppe and the unrivaled Fitz Roy, a highlight of all Patagonia tours. If you choose to continue down the steep trail to the natural balcony above Laguna Sucia, you'll also gaze on the Saint Exupery and Poincenot spires. Return to your hotel for a great night's sleep. (B,L) 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
Day 15 (Thu): FULL DAY CERRO TORRE HIKE View El Chalten accommodations picture gallery Today's full-day hike is a classic Patagonia trekking adventure that takes you up Mt. Torre, famous for its beauty but also for its climbing difficulty. Every year, countless expeditions attempt to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. Your hike begins with a forty-five minute climb to an old lagoon where the trail enters a forest at a slight descent leading to a lookout facing Cerro Torre and the Adelas Range. Reaching the shores of Laguna Torre, today's destination, you'll have a stunning view of Mt. Torre surrounded by the Egger and Standhard spires and the Adelas Range as a backdrop together with the Torre Glacier before returning to the trailhead. (B, L) Patagonia Hiking Details: Cerro Torre - 11 miles round trip, Altitude gain: 1,000 ft
Day 16 (Fri): EL CHALTEN - EL CALAFATE - BUENOS AIRES - HOME Your Patagonia tours end with a morning departure for El Calafate to connect with your flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the international airport for your flight home. If you have extra time, we'd be pleased to arrange any of our tour extensions in the capital or more Patagonia tours. (B)
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
More information about Traveling in Patagonia

ARGENTINA EXTENSIONS

Have more time to spend? Why not customize your trip with some of these trip extensions? Add extensions to the beginning or the end of your trip, or add to both ends.
ARGENTINA DAY EXTENSIONS Estancia Cristina Blue Ice Glacier Hike Upsala Glacier Cruise BUENOS AIRES DAY EXTENSIONS Four Balconies Of Buenos Aires Fine Arts Tour Jewish Heritage Tour Wine Tasting Cooking Workshop Kayaking In Buenos Aires Bicycle Tour - Tigre & San Isidro Tango Shows The Real World Of Tango Tigre & Delta Of The Parana River	ARGENTINA MULTI-DAY EXTENSIONS Crucero Leal (2D) Iguazu Falls Tour (3D) Valdes Peninsula Tour (3D) Fitz Roy Tour (4D) Active Tierra Del Fuego (4D) Classic Tierra Del Fuego (4D) Mendoza Tour (4D) Active Bariloche Tour (5D) Classic Bariloche Tour (5D) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (4D)

CHILE EXTENSIONS

Have more time to spend? Why not customize your trip with some of these trip extensions? Add extensions to the beginning or the end of your trip, or add to both ends.
CHILE TRIP EXTENSIONS Santiago Arrival Package (1D) Santiago City Tour (½D) Sea Kayaking (½D-1D) Last Hope Sound Cruise (2D)	ARGENTINA (via Chile) EXTENSIONS Perito Moreno Glacier (3D) P.Moreno & Los Glaciares N.P. (5D)

ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT ARGENTINA
TOURS AND TRAVEL

About Argentina's National Parks: The National Parks of Argentina: An Overview; The National Parks of Argentina by Region
The national parks of the northwest: Baritu National Park; Calilegua National Park; (Finca) El Rey National Park; Los Cardones National Park; Copo National Park; Campo de Los Alisos National Park
The national parks of the northeast: Rio Pilcomayo National Park; Chaco National Park; Mburucuya National Park; Iguazu National Park; Pre-Delta National Park; El Palmar National Park
The national parks of the central Andes: San Guillermo National Park; Talampaya National Park; El Leoncito National Park; Sierra de la Quijadas National Park; Los Venados de las Pampas National Park; Quebrada del Condorito National Park
The national parks of the pampas: Lihue Calel National Park
The national parks of northern Patagonia: Laguna Blanca National Park; Lanin National Park; Los Arrayanes National Park; Nahuel Huapi National Park; Lago Puelo National Park; Los Alerces National Park
The national parks of Southern Patagonia: Monte Leon National Park; Los Glaciares National Park; Perito Moreno National Park; Tierra del Fuego National Park

Regions of Argentina: Buenos Aires & the Pampas Region; The Northwest Region; The Northeast Region; The Central Andes Region; The Northern Patagonia Region; The Southern Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego Region
About Buenos Aires & Argentina: An Introduction to Sightseeing in Buenos Aires; Sightseeing in Buenos Aires: The Recoleta Cemetery; Sightseeing in Buenos Aires: Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo; Sightseeing in Buenos Aires: El Teatro Colon; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: Downtown Buenos Aires; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: Palermo; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: The Recoleta; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: San Telmo; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: Puerto Madero; The Neighborhoods of Buenos Aires: La Boca; The Suburbs of Buenos Aires; Clothes Shopping in Buenos Aires; Getting Around in Buenos Aires; Mate, the national drink of Argentina
About Tango: Watching tango in Buenos Aires; Learning to tango in Buenos Aires; The Styles of Argentine Tango; Tangomania around the World; It takes two to tango: The Fundamentals; Tango in film; Carlos Gardel, Tango Superstar; The Films of Carlos Gardel

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2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES

Thursday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum

January 08-23
February
5-20
12-27
March
02/26-03/13
12-27

Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.

INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS

Included in tour cost: - Professional, English-speaking local guides; - All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis including continental breakfast); - Meals as indicated; - All transfers in private van; - Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks, archaeological sites and boats; - Southern Explorations pre departure services
Excluded in tour cost: - International round-trip airfare to Buenos aires; - $710 Airfare (Buenos Aires / Bariloche - El Calafate / Buenos Aires), subject to change; - Lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise noted); - Hiking boots and other personal gear; - Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate - Difficult

CHILE / ARG ACCOMMODATION

Patagonian Lakes & Glaciers:: 12 nights hotel
3 nights estancia

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Additional $Contact Us: - 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.