6-day Glacier And Hiking Tour In Patagonia

Itinerary

Day 1: El Calafate Airport

Stop At: El Calafate, El Calafate, Province of Santa Cruz, Patagonia
Welcome to El Calafate. Airport transfer. A chauffeur will be waiting to take you to your hotel, La Cantera Boutique hotel where you will stay during the following 5 nights. El Calafate is ideally located to explore this fascinating region. In the heart of Patagonia, next to the Andes, is one of Argentina’s most scenic areas, commonly referred to as Lago Argentino and the Perito Moreno Glacier, declared “Universal Heritage” by the UNESCO. The most renown of all the glaciers is the Perito Moreno Glacier. This is an imposing ice river that descends from the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap down to the lake, at ‘Canal de los Témpanos’ (Icebergs’ Channel). It is the only glacier in the area which is considered to be in equilibrium, that is: not receding. It has always been the most important attraction of the region thanks to its spectacular beauty, but especially because of its unusual behavior. The glacier slowly advances down the mountain slope towards the lake, producing, as it spills down, thunderous noises and ruptures.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnite at La Cantera hotel

Day 2: Full day Perito Moreno Glacier Tour. We travel to Los Glaciares National Park (90 km away).

Stop At: Perito Moreno National Park, Perito Moreno Argentina
An UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 and home to one of the most awe inspiring landscapes in Argentina). Our bilingual guide will provide you with important facts and information about the Glacier. From the nearby walking trails and viewing platform you will have the chance to enjoy stunning views of the glacier and see its surface of 192 km2, its front wall of 5 km long and some of its peaks at 80 metres high. By being so close, you will also be able to hear the majestic sounds and movements of the Glacier and bear witness to its advancements as the deep silence is suddenly interrupted by the tremendous noise of massive shards of ice cracking from the Glacier and collapsing into the Canal de los Tempanos (Icebergs Channel). A one hour boat cruise along face of Glacier in included.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnite at La Cantera hotel

Day 3: Full Day Upsala Glacier Tour

Stop At: Upsala Glacier, El Calafate Argentina
Experience the remote beauty of Patagonia’s Estancia Cristina and Upsala Glacier on a journey of discovery from El Calafate. Sail past icebergs across Lago Argentino and tour the historic Estancia Cristina ranch. In the afternoon, choose between a short and easy trek to a beautiful waterfall or an off-road tour to the beautiful Upsala Glacier. Our Patagonian adventure begins with pickup from your hotel in El Calafate. Relax on the 28-mile (45-kilometer) journey to the port at Punta Bandera, where your three-hour boat cruise departs. Enjoy croissants and hot drinks served on board the comfortable boat as you glide among icebergs, past the stunning scenery of snow-covered peaks. Sail to the western front of the Upsala Glacier, then cruise along Cristina Channel to Estancia Christina. Disembark at the historic estancia, and learn the history of the sheep and cattle ranch on a visit to the museum and old shearing shed. Enjoy a snack break before continuing your tour of the estancia. Take a short guided walk up to Caterina River to visit the estancia’s chapel and other historic buildings. After lunch (own expense), take an off-road trip for fantastic views of the Upsala Glacier, or an easy trek to see the beautiful waterfall of Los Perros. The three-hour off-road trip takes you along a scenic mountain trail, following a route of great geological interest, until quite recently covered by glaciers. Reaching a mountain refuge, take a 20-minute walk over terrain eroded by glaciers to reach the Upsala Glacier. From here you can see amazing views of Lake William, the Patagonian ice field and the Andes mountains. If you choose the walk to the cascading waters of Los Perros waterfall, the two-hour trek takes you through beautiful woodlands for lofty views of Caterina River and the estancia below. In the late afternoon, relax on the boat ride back to the port of Punta Bandera, arriving at around 7:30pm, then be dropped off at your hotel at El Calafate
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnite at La Cantera hotel

Day 4: Perito Moreno Glacier Ice Hiking

Stop At: Perito Moreno National Park, Perito Moreno Argentina
Departing from your El Calafate hotel, you'll head to the Bajo de las Sombras (Under the Shadows) port. After a quick 20-minute sail, you'll reach the opposite shore and the base of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Here, the guides will help you pick out a crampon, special metal spikes worn on your boots for traction. Then, your adventure begins as you hike along the Rico Arm to reach the glacier. With your crampons fastened, head out for the real adventure as you embark on a 1.5 hour walk across the glacier. Your guide will be there to tell you about the famous Perito Moreno Glacier while trekking. At the end of the walk, enjoy lunch (bring your own) before continuing on. Finish up your adventure as you cross the Rico Arm again, which leads you to a footbridge located in front of the glacier for one last glance at the beautiful glacier. Then, make your way back to the road that cuts between the fores of lengas and the pier. Board a bus that will take you to the glacier's viewpoint and footbridges, where you have an hour to enjoy before heading back to your hotel.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Torres Del Paine Full Day Tour

Stop At: Torres Del Paine National Park, Torres del Paine National Park Chile
5.45am pickup. Travel from El Calafate across the Argentinean border to experience the stunning part of Patagonia in Chile. Explore exceptional glacial landscapes, rugged mountains and deep blue lakes on this full day tour of Torres del Paine National Park, which will without a doubt take your breath away! The full day tour to Torres del Paine National Park will take you from El Calafate and across the border to explore Patagonia in Chile. Discover the colorful nature and impressive rocky landscape of the Torres Del Paine National Park. Trek along Patagonian park trails on this Torres del Paine day tour and sightsee the exceptional surrounding mountains, glaciers and lakes within the abundant nature in one of Argentina’s most spectacular national parks. The full day excursion to the Torres del Paine National Park will depart early from El Calafate to arrive at the Argentinean/Chilean border crossing. All your necessary documentation will need to be presented to Customs before continuing on this spectacular Patagonia tour circuit on the Chilean side of Patagonia. The tour will stop in Cerro Castillo, where guests can enjoy a traditional breakfast and change money (remember that the park entrance must be paid in cash). Here passengers will be transferred to smaller buses in order to maximize the experience. A smaller group gives you more interaction with the specialized guide. Once everyone is on board, the guided tour will continue on to Lake Sarmiento where you’ll stop to enjoy stunning views of the crystal clear lake framed by mountainous landscapes. Next, this Torres del Paine tour will take you to Laguna Amarga, where travelers register and pay the entrance to the Torres Del Paine National Park. After completing these formalities, the tour will head to Lake Nordenskjold, an excellent lookout point which offers magnificent views of the mountains, where you can see the imposing “Cuernos del Paine” (“Horns”), with their image duplicated in the reflection in the water. Then the tour continues with a walk to the amazing waterfall, Salta Grande, a place where photography lovers will go crazy with happiness. Hydrate at this point before starting the ascent to the Mirador de los Cuernos del Paine. From here you will be transported back to El Calafate. Arrive back at the hotel around 11pm.
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnite at La Cantera hotel

Day 6: Buenos Aires

Stop At: El Calafate, El Calafate, Province of Santa Cruz, Patagonia
Transfer to Airport to take flight to Buenos Aires
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.