Argentina & Chile: Amazing Patagonia - 13 Days

Welcome to Southern Patagonia! The town of El Calafate is located in the Patagonian steppe, an extreme and deserted place with an amazing landscape. It is on the border of Lago Argentino (Argentina’s biggest lake) and it is considered the capital of the glaciers. It is the gateway to visit the world-renowned Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the only glaciers in the world that is still advancing. Upon arrival at El Calafate, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Type of service: Shared. Included: Transportation mentioned above. Half-Day Safari Experience Our 4x4 vehicles pick you up at your hotel and we begin the ascent to the Huilyche and Calafate hills, where we enjoy unique panoramic views. We will enter the private Natural Reserve "Estancia 25 de Mayo", which borders the town of El Calafate and the Chilean border. We cross the course of the Arroyo Calafate, thus being able to notice the marked difference in flora as we climb up. We know the area of the Villalba family, the first settlers of the ranch. As we share some“mates”, we share the history of the environment around us. As we passed through the property, we reviewed the rural activities that take place on the site. We get off the vehicle to explore and discover archaeological sites whose origin dates back to the ice age. Once immersed in the steppe, we establish visual contact with the different species that inhabit it. While our guides tell you about them and their way of life. On the way back to your hotel, through the ravine, a stop to savor a country stew under the shelter of “La Section”. Type of Service: Shared Duration: 4 hours Included: Transportation mentioned above, bilingual guide (spanish / english) and lunch with beverages, entrance fee to the natural reserve Difficulty: Easy

We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning to take you to Los Glaciares National Park located at 50 miles from El Calafate, home of the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier. Los Glaciares National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 when its almost 200 glaciers were discovered. Half of the park is occupied by the Patagonian ice field, the second largest ice field after Antarctica. Upon arrival to the National Park, your guide will show you the different walkways from where you will be able to walk in front of the colossal ice wall, and, if you are lucky, perhaps see some landslides. When the ice breaks and falls, the world holds its breath: all other sounds stop at the earth's surface. You will start the adventure from the main balcony and then, have some free time to wander freely until the meeting time agreed with your guide. For lunchtime, the National Park offers a service area with a restaurant and a snack bar (lunch is not included). For a different perspective of this impressive glacier, you can take a 1-hour boat ride to sail along the massive glacier wall that rises 240 feet above Argentino lake and in between floating icebergs (not included, but may be added and paid for on the spot, subject to availaility). After exploring the park, you will be taken back to your hotel. Type of service: Shared Duration: 8/9 hours Included: Transportation mentioned above, bilingual guide (English/Spanish) Not included: Entrance fee to the National Park, Lunch Difficulty: Low Nautical Safari tour The departure point is “Bajo de las Sombras” pier, located about 6km away from the Glacier’s walkways. On this tour, you will go on a cruise across Lake Rico, passing in between icebergs that have calved off the front of the Perito Moreno glacier. Reaching the Icebergs Channel, the boat will stop at a safe distance from the glacier to continue to sail down its front, allowing for spectacular views of the ice wall and any breaking and floating icebergs. This excursion lasts approximately one hour and provides a totally different perspective of the Perito Moreno glacier, with almost constant falling walls of ice from its front. That is what makes this option the best complement for the conventional visit to the walkways. Type of service: Shared Duration: 1 hour. Hourly departures from 10 am to 3 pm (Note: timetables may change) Not included: Entrance fee to the National Park Difficulty: Low

Today you will have a free day in the city.