DATES 2009:
January 09-25, 2009 (departure confirmed)
March 06-22 ,2009 (spaces left)
March 20 - April 05, 2009 (spaces left)
PRICE:US $4500 per person
Our trip starts in El Calafate, the central city for all trekkers, adventurers and mountaineers, and the gate to Argentina's Glacier National Park. El Calafate is the end of one of the world's longest ice fields, the Perito Merino glacier stretches 19 miles into the Andes, and is 230ft high when it reaches the coast. The roar of massive ice blocks collapsing into the water can be heard miles away.
The mix between country inns and camping is perfect. It allows us to experience the amazing beauty of this wild country, but also gives us the luxury and necessary time to rest and to soak up the breathtaking surroundings.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Meeting at Buenos Aires airport and transfer to town, briefing and welcome dinner. If there is time in the afternoon, a guided visit of Buenos Aires will be organized in the afternoon.
Day 2: El Calafate airport - El Calafate. National flight to El Calafate, briefing with our local guides, welcome dinner.
Day 3: Bus to El Chaltén - Laguna Capri. After breakfast we take our bus for the 220 km long drive to El Chaltén, a small and picturesque village at the foot of Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre massif. Hike to Laguna Capri camp.
Day 4: Cerro Fitz Roy, Laguna de los Tres. Hike along the Fitz Roy trail up to Rio Blanco, the climber's base camp to the east side of the mountain. Close up views of Fitz Roy massif spires and glaciers. About 5-6 hours
Day 5: Cerro Torre. Hike around Laguna Capri to get to the Lagoons Madre and Hija Valley and down to Fitz Roy river valley, where we meet the Cerro Torre trail, which we follow to Cerro Torre Full Camp. Walking time 3 to 4 hrs
Day 6: Lagoon & Glacier Torre - El Chalten. Visit of Laguna Torre, then walk back to Chaltén along Fitz Roy river valley. Walking time 4 to 5 hrs
Day 7: El Chalten - El Calafate. Morning hike of 5 hours before taking the bus in the afternoon to our next destination of El Calafate. Roughly a 4-hour bus journey
Day 8: El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier. Visit of the Moreno glacier. This ice field flows down from the Patagonian ice field, At 22.000 square kilometres it is the third largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M sq km) and Greenland (1 M sq km).
Day 9: El Calafate - Torres del Paine National Park. Drive 6 hours to reach the Torres del Paine National Park and our campsite. The drive is one of the most stunning of the trip as an abundance of wildlife and towering peaks will make this an incredible experience. Stopping several times along the way for short hikes will allow us to get closer to the wildlife and also to stretch our legs.
Day 10: Paine Towers - Ascensio River Valley. A short 1-hour drive allows us to get to the start of our 8-hour hike, which will take us deep inside the Paine Massif. Back to our camp for the night.
Day 11: Lake Pehoe crossing - French Valley. A short, early morning drives takes us to start of our journey on board the catamaran which crosses Pehoe Lake twice per day. Once across the lake, we can begin our walk along the French Valley Trail, which skirts Paine Grande on its southern slopes. Camping for one night
Day 12: Lake & Glacier Grey viewpoints. This is one of the most impressive hikes of the journey as we skirt the edge of Grey Lake and Glacier. We make our way back the same way before taking the boat back across the lake and to our base camp. Roughly 8 hours of walking
Day 13: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales - Río Grande. Drive to Tierra Del Fuego and back into Argentina. Using a ferry to cross the Straights of Magellan will be an unforgettable experience. Once in our camp, a typical meal or Patagonian style lamb, and good wine not to mention the hot showers will reward us after a long day in the vehicles. No hiking
Day 14: Río Grande - Tierra Mayor valley. The first half of the day will be spent on a local ranch learning how the Gauchos deal with cattle and sheep using highly trained dogs. We will also get a window into the world of these rugged adventurers who have braved the winds and revolution over the last centuries to forge an existence on these barren steppes.
Day 15: Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego National Park - Beagle Channel boat trip. Drive to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. We will drop off our luggage and continue to Tierra Del Fuego National Park and hike all morning admiring the glaciers crashing into the sea.
Day 16: Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport. Our last morning together before taking the afternoon flight back to Buenos Aires. The morning can be spent visiting the town of Ushuaia, its museums and interesting architecture. Farewell dinner in Buenos Aires.
Day 17: Buenos Aires - Departure day. Transfer to Buenos Aires International Airport, departure.
Accommodation: Country Inns (double rooms, ensuite bathroom) and some nights of camping (individual tents). All guests will be met at Buenos Aires airport.
Trip Leaders:
* Our guiding team consists of an Alpine Interface guide and a local guide. All our guides are internationally certified, and have an in-depth knowledge of Patagonia.
* All of our guides are professionals, and are skilled at transmitting their tremendous knowledge of the region/country to you.
* All our guides speak fluently English and at least another foreign language. Wherever you go with us, your guide will be able to communicate at ease, enabling him/her to take care of any problem/special wishes that might occur.
Trip Difficulty: Level 3 (From 1=easy to 5=very strenuous)
Moderate to difficult walking on some well-marked trails, but also some cross-country hiking. Scree slopes, some boulder-hopping, some ridge walking with minimum exposure. 6-7 hours max. of daily walking, consecutively for 6-11 days. 1200m (3600ft) maximum elevation gain per day. Day-pack.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation and most dinners throughout the trip, full board whilst hiking
- Trekking guide fees
- Local guide fees
- National Park entrance fees
- All local transfers
- Full camping equipment (tent, mat, sleeping bag, kitchen, etc)
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Chile
Hiking & Trekking
Multi-activity
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