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National Parks of Patagonia Journey
offered by supplier M09950 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 13
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 8
people
Destination(s):
Argentina
Chile
Specialty Categories:
Hiking & Trekking
Season: October - March
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 4650 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 5880 US Dollar (USD)
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Some of this magnificent trip痴 highlights: Forest day hikes around the foothills of Cerro Fitz Roy, horseback riding with gauchos around a historic estancia, and hiking on top of the Perito Moreno Glacier. This exploration of Patagonia痴 most distinguished natural features is designed for hikers who want to enjoy nature, but not leave civilized comfort behind. The mountains of Patagonia are flanked to the west by the Patagonia Icefield, to the east by the arid steppe, and to the south by the jagged fjords of the Magellan Strait. This combination of differing landscapes in such close proximity makes it a giant outdoor playground and a hiker痴 paradise.
The first three days will be a sampler of the best mountain hiking to be had in Patagonia. We値l explore the lower elevations of the Cerro Fitz Roy and Torre massifs, hike through southern beech forests and get a close look at these natural cathedrals. These peaks were first climbed in the 50s and today just a handful of the most talented alpinists in the world are able to reach their summits. On our fourth day, we値l drive around Viedma Lake to the estancia Helsingfors, a traditional ranch, and a great opportunity to witness first-hand the rugged life of the gauchos. We値l enjoy an asado (bbq) and the hospitality of the ranch owners, a family that has operated this estancia since the 60s. The next day we値l take a horseback ride with the gauchos of this estancia to Azul Lagoon, a beautiful alpine lake with a hanging glacier.
Heading south again, our next destination is a United Nations designated World Heritage Site: the Perito Moreno Glacier. This glacier possesses a truly unique feature: it bisects Argentino Lake and periodically touches the land on the other shore, sometimes damming the waters of the lake. We値l take an intimate look at this white giant by crossing the lake on a boat. Then we値l strap on crampons and take a short hike across the ice. We値l learn about the forces that carved this landscape on the last great glaciations 18,000 years ago, and see first-hand the processes that keep this glacier moving.
Our last four days will consist of a visit to the neighboring nation of Chile, and the beautiful Torres del Paine National Park. Closer to the Pacific, and exposed to more rainfall, here we can witness the Magellanic forest in all its splendor. The backdrop for these trees is no less magnificent: the sheer, polished granite walls of the Cuernos (horns) Del Paine and the Torres (towers) that rise 3,000 feet off the ground. There is world-class hiking to be found among these mountains, and we値l pick a couple of the best trails: the Torres viewpoint and the trail to Grey Glacier, the southernmost point of the Patagonia Icefield. On our last day, we値l drive back to El Calafate to catch our flight back to Buenos Aires.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, hotel night in downtown area.
Day 2: Arrive in Calafate International Airport and transfer to El Chalten, a small community created in 1985, and with a population of 200 people. Lodging: El Puma Lodge.
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Day 3: Day hike to the Fitz Roy basecamp and viewpoint. Fitz Roy is the dominant mountain in the area with sheer granite walls that rise more than 6,000 feet. If weather permits, we will continue to Los Tres Lagoon, the closest viewpoint before the mountain itself. Lodging: El Puma Lodge.
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Day 4: Hike to Laguna Torre and De Agostini base camp, from where climbers attempt the needle-like Cerro Torre, one of the most difficult mountains in the world. We'll get excellent views of its massif and the glacier that ends in the lagoon. Lodging: El Puma Lodge.
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Day 5: Hike to Pliegue Tumbado, one of the best viewpoints in the whole park. An option for bad-weather days is a shorter hike to Lago Del Desierto, a beautiful glacier lake that was the center of a limits dispute in the mid 90s between Argentina and Chile. Lodging: El Puma Lodge
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Day 6: Transfer to Estancia Helsingfors, located on the southern shore of Lago Viedma, and 200 km from El Chalten. Afternoon choice between a Zodiac navigation of the lake, a horseback ride, or a visit to a neighboring working estancia. Lodging: Estancia Helsignfors.
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Day 7: Hike or horseback ride to Laguna Azul, a lagoon with incredibly deep blue water and a hanging glacier. Lodging: Estancia Helsignfors.
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Day 8: Transfer to El Calafate. This city is the hub for the area and boasts 7,000 inhabitants. It's on the southern shores of Argentino Lake, the largest lake in Argentina. We'll enjoy a rest day with no activities planned for the afternoon. Lodging: Kau Yatun Lodge.
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Day 9: A short drive will take us to the Glacier Perito Moreno, a United Nations designated World Heritage Site. We'll embark on a short lake excursion and once we're on the opposite shore of the lake we'll strap crampons on to hike on the glacier and explore this amazing world of crevasses and deep blue ice. Lodging: Kau Yatun Lodge.
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Day 10: Transfer across the Chilean border to Torres del Paine National Park, 200 miles from El Calafate. On our way to the park, and in the park, we'll be able to contemplate herds of guanacos and lesser rhea, some of the incredible inhabitants of Patagonia. We'll be staying at Las Torres Hostal, the exclusive lodge inside the park. Lodging: Las Torres Lodge.
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Day 11: Dayhike to the Torres viewpoint, approximately four hours from the lodge. We'll visit the climbers' base camp and the Chilean Hut. This hike provides excellent opportunities for landscape and fauna photography. Lodging: Las Torres Lodge.
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Day 12: There are several short hikes we can complete this day, to the Cuernos viewpoint, Pehoe and Nordenskjold Lakes, Salto Grande waterfalls and Grey Lake. It's common to encounter flocks of flamingos and black neck swans. Lodging: Las Torres Lodge.
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Day 13: Transfer to El Calafate to catch our flight to Buenos Aires.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Chile
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
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