Fitz Roy, A Patagonia trekking extension
This four-day Patagonia trekking extension contains what is considered some of South America's most awe-inspiring hiking. You'll experience the best of Argentine Patagonia's most famous and breathtaking mountain vistas and stay in the comfort of picturesque lodgings. In case you don't make it to the ends of the earth again, this added Argentina hiking adventure will make your once-in-a-lifetime Patagonia tour all the richer.
Most Popular Argentina Trips & Tours
| Trip | Price | Days | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australis Glacier Cruise & Patagonia Hiking | $6,855 | 12 Days | Mt. Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre, Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Los Glaciares National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier |
| Buenos Aires, Iguazu & Rio de Janeiro | $4,095 | 9 Days | Buenos Aires , Iguazu Falls, Rio De Janeiro |
| Classic Patagonia | $3,495 | 7 days | Buenos Aires , Perito Moreno Glacier, Glacier National Park, Mt. Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre |
| Classic Patagonia & Torres del Paine | $6,425 | 10 Days | Los Glaciares National Park, Torres del Paine National Park, Perito Moreno Glacier, Classic Treks to Mt. Torre and to Mt. Fitz Roy |
| Essence of Patagonia | $3,365 | 7 Days | Buenos Aires, Four Balconies Tour, El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, Estancia Cristina, Glacier Cruise |
- Day 1 EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN
Morning transfer from El Calafate to El Chalten, the gateway town of Fitz Roy. If the weather is clear this three to four hour drive is beautiful and filled with vistas of Fitz Roy Mountain Range. Upon arrival in Chalten, transfer to your hotel. After getting settled, you can enjoy an hour's hike to Piedras Blancas Glacier on your own, which is an ideal warm-up for some the Patagonia trekking that awaits. You'll travel through a beech forest where the amazing Magallenic Woodpecker may be at work and view the Marconi Glacier, the gateway to the Continental Ice cap. Alternatively, you may choose to hike Cerro Polo (5 hours) instead, which offers a panoramic view of the Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Continental Ice cap. Overnight at Los Cerros Hotel. (B,D)
- Day 2 CERRO TORRE HIKE
After breakfast, you will start a full day of hiking a Patagonian classic: Mt. Torre, famous for its beauty but also for its climbing difficulty. This is the pinnacle of trekking Patagonia. Every year, countless expeditions attempt to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. After a half hour of hiking, you reach the viewpoint of the Fitz Roy River and Margarita waterfall. Continue for another 30 minutes until you reach the Mirador del Cerro Torre, a lookout facing the Cerro Torre and Adelas ranges. From this point, the trail descends into the valley. The trail ends on the shores of Laguna Torre, offering a stunning view of Mt. Torre surrounded by the Egger and Standhard spires and the Adelas range as a backdrop together with the glacier Torre. You will have time to enjoy the view, eat lunch, and rest before returning on the same trail to the town of El Chalten. (B, L) Patagonia Hiking Details: 11-12 miles / Elevation gain: 1,000-1200 ft / Average time: 7 hours
- Day 3 HIKE FITZ ROY & LAGUNA DE LOS TRES
Today's segment of trekking Patagonia includes a full-day hike to the Laguna Capri base camp (Fitz Roy base camp). The hike towards Fitz Roy features spectacular views of the massif. The peak was sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche groups who believed the mists enshrouding it were volcanic ash, calling it Chalten (God of Smoke). You will begin hiking south from El Pilar, passing Laguna Piedras Blancas on the way to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into this emerald lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. Stop en route for lunch and then resume the hike to Laguna Capri, where the image of Mt. Fitz Roy is reflected. You'll enjoy spectacular views of the sweeping Patagonian steppe and Fitz Roy, highlights of any Patagonia tour. After a full day of hiking, return to your hotel for a good meal and night's sleep. (B, L) Patagonia Hiking Details: 13-14 miles / Elevation gain 2200-2300ft / Average time: 9 hours
- Day 4 EL CHALTEN - EL CALAFATE
Morning transfer to El Calafate to continue on to your next destination. (B)
Weather
When to Visit- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Due to the country's geography and location, Argentina & Patagonia offers a wide variety of climates. The Argentine mainland is mostly temperate, with seasons reversed from those in the northern hemisphere. The northern areas of Salta and around Iguazú are tropical, while southern Patagonia's weather is often cold and windy and always unpredictable.
Winter (from the end of June to the beginning of October) may be cold with some rain in certain areas of Argentina, while the Northwest enjoys sunny days and warm temperatures.
Summer (from December to March) is hot and sometimes humid in Buenos Aires; warm and dry in the Northwest with intermittent summer rains; and cold but sunny and sometimes windy in Patagonia.
BUENOS AIRES | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 69-83 | 3.9 |
| FEB | 67-81 | 4.2 |
| MAR | 67-78 | 4.9 |
| APR | 58-71 | 3.5 |
| MAY | 53-65 | 2.8 |
| JUN | 47-58 | 2.2 |
| JUL | 47-58 | 2.4 |
| AUG | 48-61 | 2.6 |
| SEP | 51-64 | 2.6 |
| OCT | 56-70 | 4.4 |
| NOV | 61-76 | 4.1 |
| DEC | 66-81 | 3.8 |
EL CALAFATE | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 45-65 | 0.5 |
| FEB | 42-65 | 0.3 |
| MAR | 37-61 | 0.5 |
| APR | 32-54 | 1.0 |
| MAY | 28-45 | 1.2 |
| JUN | 27-41 | 0.8 |
| JUL | 29-39 | 1.0 |
| AUG | 33-43 | 0.8 |
| SEP | 44-50 | 0.6 |
| OCT | 37-56 | 0.5 |
| NOV | 41-61 | 0.4 |
| DEC | 44-64 | 0.6 |
*Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
USHUAIA | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 41-57 | 1.5 |
| FEB | 51-56 | 1.8 |
| MAR | 39-54 | 2.1 |
| APR | 36-49 | 2.2 |
| MAY | 32-43 | 2.1 |
| JUN | 29-40 | 1.9 |
| JUL | 28-39 | 1.4 |
| AUG | 30-42 | 1.8 |
| SEP | 32-46 | 1.6 |
| OCT | 36-50 | 1.4 |
| NOV | 38-53 | 1.4 |
| DEC | 40-56 | 1.7 |
*Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
BARILOCHE | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 43-70 | 0.9 |
| FEB | 42-71 | 0.9 |
| MAR | 39-66 | 1.2 |
| APR | 35-58 | 2.1 |
| MAY | 33-50 | 5.3 |
| JUN | 30-44 | 5.5 |
| JUL | 29-43 | 5.1 |
| AUG | 30-46 | 4.6 |
| SEPT | 31-51 | 2.3 |
| OCT | 34-57 | 1.5 |
| NOV | 38-63 | 1.0 |
| DEC | 41-67 | 1.3 |
*Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
MENDOZA | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 64-90 | 1.4 |
| FEB | 62-87 | 1.3 |
| MAR | 57-81 | 1.1 |
| APR | 50-74 | 0.5 |
| MAY | 42-66 | 0.2 |
| JUN | 35-60 | 0.2 |
| JUL | 35-59 | 0.3 |
| AUG | 38-65 | 0.1 |
| SEP | 70-43 | 0.3 |
| OCT | 51-77 | 0.4 |
| NOV | 57-84 | 0.6 |
| DEC | 63-88 | 1.0 |
*Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
SALTA | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 61-81 | 7.0 |
| FEB | 61-79 | 6.4 |
| MAR | 59-77 | 4.6 |
| APR | 54-73 | 1.4 |
| MAY | 46-70 | 0.3 |
| JUN | 39-66 | 0.1 |
| JUL | 37-68 | 0.2 |
| AUG | 39-72 | 0.2 |
| SEP | 45-75 | 0.8 |
| OCT | 52-79 | 1.0 |
| NOV | 57-81 | 2.5 |
| DEC | 61-82 | 5.4 |
*Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
- Pricing
- Per Person$1,675
Single Supplement: $400
A single supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy.
- Included in tour cost
- All airport/hotel transfers
- All hotel accommodations
- All listed activities
- English-speaking certified guides
- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks & archaeological sites
- Meals as indicated
- Southern Explorations pre-departure services
- Excluded from tour cost
- Airport taxes, international and local
- Domestic airfare within South America
- International airfare to and from Central & South America
- Tips and gratuities
- Medical & travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Trip Dates
- Weekly Departures. Contact us for detailsAvailable
- El Chalten
- Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
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Luxury Patagonia’ exceeded our every expectation. The arrangements, the accommodations, the guides, the food as well as every location visited were as close to perfect as one could hope. The care and assistance from Southern Explorations prior to our departure was meticulous and informative. We will never forget this trip – one of the best in our lives. - Rosemary and Geoff Pierson, Massachusetts (Patagonia)
This was a trip of a lifetime. The highlight was the Explora Lodge with unbelievable hikes and horseback riding. Also, the Perito Moreno Glacier was fantastic. I wouldn't change a thing. - Kyle Craig, Colorado (Patagonia)
Everyone at the SE office was helpful and returned calls promptly. We just cannot say enough about how enjoyable our entire trip was. - Kathy & Peter Brackett (Argentina)
My father and I really loved Luis. He is just a super dependable, humble, smart and kind person. We invited him to dinner with us twice at Los Cerros because we enjoyed his company so much. My father and Luis spent most of dinner sharing stories about their passion for the mountains and discussing all the same books they’ve read about climbers who’ve climbed thee highest peaks around the world. I even had lunch with Luis in Buenos Aires while he was home for the holidays. Please make sure that Luis knows how much we appreciated him as a person as well as his skills as a guide. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. We enjoyed all the hotels. The staff at the Sheheun in El Calafate were very attentive and kind. I liked the fact that it was a few blocks out of the main street. We had a lovely view from our room. I cannot say enough about Los Cerros. The hotel was lovely. Everyone on staff was so friendly - the airport transfer driver, the wait staff, the receptionists, and the manager. They treated both my father and I like royalty and yet like family. I really hope to return. I thought the entire staff with whom I had contact at Southern Explorations - Jonathan, Justin, Eric and Marisa - were incredibly competent, communicative and genuinely enthusiastic about what they do. I felt from the very beginning that I could trust you folks. I just had a good feeling about you all. Thanks so much. It was an unforgettable trip with my dad. - Virginia Roberson (Patagonia)
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The Hosteria del Fuego in Ushuaia was our best experience. I have never slept so well while on a trip. All accommodations exceeded my expectations, however. We especially enjoyed the picnic lunch in Ushuaia. Also, the tea in Gaiman was outstanding. We would definitely consider Southern Explorations again if they offered a trip to a desired destination. We have a lot of other places we want to go, though, so wouldn’t know when we might go back to South America. - The Rambow Family, Houston (Patagonia)
- Argentina - Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do I choose an itinerary?A: We offer a variety of pre-planned tours online and we’d love to design a custom trip just for you. Take a look at what we have online, then call an Adventure Travel Coordinator to discuss the trip that best fits your timeframe, budget and interests.Q: Can I make changes or additions to these tours?A: Yes! We are happy to modify any tour to meet your needs and also add pre and post-excursion extensions. If you sign up for a group departure we cannot change the group portion, but we can add extensions before and after.Q: When is the best time to go to Argentina?A: Argentina’s large size and geographic orientation means it covers many climatic zone and different areas are better to visit during different times of the year. In the south, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego are best visited from October through April. In the north, the season is inversed and your best time to travel is from April through November. Buenos Aires and the wine country around Mendoza can be visited year round.Q: What is the weather like in Argentina?A: The weather ranges from temperate summers and cold, snowy winters in the south to rainy summers and dry, warm winters in the north. You will find a detailed weather chart on the Overview page of each trip. You can also call your Adventure Travel Coordinator to discuss the weather trends for your trip.Q: What is a typical day like in Argentina?A: The typical day varies widely from trip to trip, but all tours will have full days with guided exploration. There will be time for rest and relaxation, as well as independent exploration of the cities and towns we visit. Due to the remote nature of Argentina’s most scenic areas, some long travel days will be required.Q: How physically fit do I need to be to enjoy a trip to Argentina?A: As long as you are able to walk a couple of miles at a leisurely pace and comfortably navigate uneven terrain, you will be able to enjoy most of our tours. Some of our more adventurous tours include activities like kayaking, ice climbing and hikes up to 12 miles. Please check the physical ratings on our trip pages or contact your Adventure Travel Coordinator to see if a particular itinerary is a good fit for you.Q: How much time do we need to visit Argentina?A: Because of the vast size of Argentina we recommend at least seven days. If you wish to visit multiple regions within Argentina we recommend 12 days or more.Q: How far in advance should I book?A: As a rule, the further in advance you can plan, the more options you will have. We recommend planning a trip at three to nine months in advance, but if you want to stay at very specific luxury hotels or travel over a holiday then we recommend planning nine months to a year in advance.Q: What are your booking and cancellation policies?A: Click here to see our booking and cancellation policies.Q: Do you use certified guides?A: The guides on all of our tours are experienced, fluent in English and hold a degree in a related field. The guides are experienced in the outdoors and trained in basic first aid. We tend to use the same guides as they are accustomed to the trips we offer and understand the Southern Explorations commitment to quality.Q: What kind of accommodations can I expect?A: We primarily work with 4-star hotels in Argentina and the occasional 3-star property, provided they meet our standards. We also work with several amazing 5-star properties. All of our hotels are clean, comfortable, well-located, offer en suite bathrooms and have been personally vetted by a Southern Explorations staff member.Q: Do tours include airfare?A: We will confirm all airfare within South America and this price is listed separately from our base tour costs. You are responsible for booking international flights to/from Argentina.Q: How many people are on your tours?A: Our Argentina trips are generally limited to 8 travelers, although some areas (all-inclusive lodge stays and cruises) may require that we form larger groups with other travelers.Q: Will I get more information on packing, vaccines, currency, electricity, etc.?A: After booking you will receive a link to our online trip portal, which includes all of the need-to-know information that is specific to your itinerary. This includes packing lists, restaurant recommendations, tipping guides, FAQs, vaccine recommendations and currency information. Your Adventure Travel Coordinator will also be a great resource for any other information you may need.Q: I read about a “Reciprocity Fee” to enter Argentina, do I need to pay that?A:
There is no longer a “Reciprocity Fee” required for travelers carrying US, Canadian or Australian Passports. If you carry a passport from a different country please check with your nearest Argentine consulate for more information.
