Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: (Sunday). Natales - Cerro Castillo - Calafate - El Chalten - Fitzroy. We will start early in the morning from Torres del Paine and drive onwards to the Cerro Castillo border crossing. (Clients not doing Torres del Paine with us start Sunday morning from Puerto Natales.) There, we will meet the regular bus to Calafate (287 km/180 miles), a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park amid dramatic scenery and natural beauty. Once in Calafate, we will have lunch with time afterwards to explore the main street and the town’s center. From Calafate, we will take the regular bus and continue on about 4 hours to Chalten (220 km/138 miles). We drive on isolated dirt roads across the pampas and along the northern end of Lago Viedma to reach the settlement of El Chalten, a tiny outpost beside Parque Nacional Los Glaciares at the foot of the impressive Mount Fitzroy. We will arrive in late evening to Chalten and overnight at Hostería in Chalten. Includes (B).
Days 2-3: Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. We will have the next three days to explore the park. We shall undertake two main walks into the nearby mountains. One may take us to the Fitzroy Base Camp (about 6-7 hours) and the other in the direction of Cerro Torre (6-7 hours), but this will depend on weather conditions at the time. Most of these hikes are on well-established trails so that shorter options are often available. While hiking in the park, the trails will take us to places as Laguna Torre, the base camp of Cerro Torre climbs, Laguna Capri and Laguna Madre, Laguna de los Tres- directly in front of Fitzroy, and Piedras Blancas. The scale of the scenery- with its jagged peaks and glimpses of glaciers suspended between them- makes these walks extremely rewarding. Includes (B, L-).
Day 4: Fitzroy - Calafate. We will start the day with a walk that follows the banks of the Rio Eléctrico with some of the most beautiful Beech forests in Patagonia. Afterwards, we are transferred to Chalten Bus Station on time to board the regular bus back to Calafate. Overnight in Calafate at Hostal Libertador, Lar Aike or similar. Includes (B).
Day 5: Calafate – Perito Moreno. Today we will have the Perito Moreno Glacier excursion, a 60m-high relic of the Ice Age, creates a unique geographic event approximately every three or four years. As it advances, it pushes out across the surface of the lake, cutting the lake into two separate sections. As water pressure builds up on one side over the years, the glacier eventually explodes open with a torrent of water and a fury of calving icebergs. Although this spectacular event no longer occurs as cyclically as it did during the past 50 years, the Moreno Glacier is constantly moving, calving, and crackling an incredible sight and sound at any time. We will start our excursion early in the morning (around 8 AM) to have the area to ourselves, with no rush and plenty of time for bird watching and photography. After our scenic drive through the National Park accompanied by an expert guide, we will arrive at the Moreno Glacier.
However, unlike the regular tours, we will not go straight to the regular panoramic points. Instead, we start by marveling at the glacier's much less-traveled north face in all its splendor- watching and hearing giant chunks of ice plummet into the waters of Lake Argentino. Our guide will answer all questions about the area, as we walk in front of Moreno Glacier on a nature walk. We will then continue on to the footbridges area where we break so you have time to enjoy at your leisure. At the end of the tour, we have the option of boarding a boat that goes in front of the Iceberg Channel (Not included – option can be arranged). After the thrilling encounter with the Moreno Glacier, we head back to Calafate and arrive around early evening. Includes (B, L-).
Day 6: Calafate - Puerto Natales. Early morning- we take the regular bus to Puerto Natales (5 hours). Arrive around 1PM with enough time to visit the town. Overnight in hotel Aquaterra, Francis Drake or similar. Includes (B).
Day 7: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas. Transfer from your hotel in Puerto Natales to the bus station and board the regular bus that will leave you at Punta Arenas' airport on time for your departure flight. Includes (B).
Notes:
* Departures:
The trip starts every Sunday morning from Puerto Natales or from Torres del Paine for clients finishing a 5 or 7 day trip with us (Pat 025 or Pat 026).
* Group Size and Guiding Staff:
8-12 clients most typical group size plus our staff. Maximum is 20 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1/8.
* Accommodation
Standard option Hotels:
- Calafate: Pioneros or similar.
- Chalten: Fitzroy inn or similar
- Puerto Natales: Francis Drake or similar.
Superior Option Hotels:
- Calafate: Michelangelo or similar.
- Chalten: Hostal el Puma or similar.
- Puerto Natales: Aquaterra or similar.
* Weather:
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, the strong marine influence makes the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 80 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summers average temperature is 11ºC/ 52ºF (24ºC max, 2ºC min).
* Physical Demands:
This trip, rated moderate, is recommended for people in good physical condition in the habit of walking long distances and camping outdoors. All passengers over 65 years old are requested to send ahead a medical examination that states that they are able to safely accomplish moderate hiking.
* What you need to bring:
Day backpack (10lt), mountain backpack or duffel bag (70 liters), waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka and pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear.
* About the Itinerary:
The numbers in brackets (distance-km, time-hrs) are approximated and refer to the trekking portions exclusively. In general the itinerary submitted and the estimated of time is reasonable for well-fit passengers, considering also good weather conditions and occasional stops for sightseeing and pictures.
* Itinerary Modifications:
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modified, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
* Additional Information and References:
Once you book the trip we will send you a pre-trip Information booklet with useful and detailed information about your trip with us. Not sure about us? We will be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers.
* Other services:
We can also book and purchase for you at the best rates available the following side services: Domestic flights, Hotel accommodation in Santiago (3 to 5 star), Airport and Hotel pick ups in Santiago, side trips in Santiago and longer extension trips (rafting, riding, hiking, etc) in other areas throughout Chile.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 3 nights Hosteria or Hotel at El Chaltén, B and B W/private bathroom.
- 2n Hotel in Calafate B&B w/private bathroom.
- Domestic bus: P.Natales/Calafate/ P.Arenas and Calafate/Chaltén/Calafate;.
- 2 full days trek In Chalten with box lunch; 1 Half day trek AM on day 4 to Rio Electrico.
- Full day Perito Moreno Private Excursión.
- Park Fees.
- Piedra del Fraile Entrance Fee.
- 1 bilingual trekking guides each 8 persons at Chalten.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, L-=boxLunch, D=dinner.
Price Excludes:
- Air fares.
- Insurance.
- Optional tipping to guides and staff.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Optional Mini trek on Perito Moreno Excursion USD 10 pp as Supplement. This Mini trekking need to be arranged in advance. It is a regular excursion.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Hiking & Trekking
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