Begin your trip in El Calafate for two nights at a wonderful hacienda - part B&B, part working ranch. A wonderfully varied and easy paced tour of Patagonia. Next, travel to Chile, where you will stay at the foot of Los Cuernos in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Enjoy a stay at the exclusive EcoCamp within the park. End your journey with the five day Patagonia cruise, where daily zodiac trips ashore allow exploration of the remote landscape, its animals and flora. On board enjoy informative slide shows, a knowledgeable, attentive crew and delicious food.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Buenos Aires. Overnight in Buenos Aires
Day 2: Fly Ushuaia and Australis Ship (B,D)
This morning you fly south to the colorful port town of Ushuaia at the end of the world to begin your Argentina travels.
You'll transfer directly to the Mare or Via Australis - a luxury passenger ship built specifically for cruising through the fjords of the Straits of Magellan. Make yourself at home on this spacious and comfortable ship. Late this afternoon we cast off to begin our exploration of the waterways of Patagonia.
Day 3-4: Australis Cruise in Patagonia (B,L,D)
We spend the next few days cruising the labyrinth of inlets, islands, fjords and channels of Patagonia. Twice-daily zodiac trips ashore allow you to experience the stunning beauty of this region and to learn about its flora and fauna. Onboard there are daily informative slide shows on the region, and the boat also has a well-stocked library with reference materials on the land, people, flora and fauna of Tierra del Fuego. Your crew will take excellent care of you with delicious meals and attend to all your creature comforts onboard. From the decks of our ship you will be able to see a wide variety of wildlife and, weather permitting, stunning views of glaciers and the Darwin Mountain range. Enjoy the roaring symphonies as huge chunks of ice break off into the water on this journey that traces the routes of some of the world's most famous explorers.
Day 5: Punta Arenas (B)
Early this morning, we land at Magdalena Island, the home of an enormous "rookery" of penguins and walk to the lighthouse. We arrive in Punta Arenas around 11:30 am. Transfer to your hotel and overnight in Punta Arenas. The afternoon is free to explore this seaside town. Alternatively, we can arrange for an afternoon excursion to the Seno Otway penguin colony.
Day 6: Torres del Paine (B,L,D)
This morning you transfer to Torres del Paine National Park with other travelers who are also going to the EcoCamp. Enjoy the stunning scenery all the way into Torres del Paine National Park, and on the way, stop at an enormous cave that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth, the Milodón. This is a 6- hour drive by mini-bus.
You arrive to the EcoCamp, a deluxe tent camp of large igloo-shaped tents built to minimize environmental impact while providing a comfortable setting. You'll find no noisy diesel generators or destructive septic systems. Instead, EcoCamp provides candlelight, feather comforters, composting toilets, and plenty of quiet to enjoy your spectacular surroundings.
Day 7: Grey Glacier (B,L,D)
This morning, set off with your guide to travel across the park to Grey Glacier. Along the way, stop to visit the Salto Grande waterfall and take a quick hike (one hour roundtrip) to the Mirador Nordenskjold for stunning views of Los Cuernos and the French Valley. In the afternoon, board the ferry and set off across the Lago Grey. Passing amongst icebergs of fantastic colors and shapes we approach the looming walls of Grey Glacier - this huge glacier represents the end of the Southern ice field. From the decks of the boat we can appreciate the vastness of the glacier. Occasionally there are times when such large chunks have fallen from the Glacier that it is impossible to navigate the ferry too close. In these instances we use a zodiac instead to approach the massive walls of the Glacier. Take an afternoon drive back to EcoCamp and enjoy dinner.
Day 8: Torres del Paine Excursions (B,L,D)
Spend the morning doing short, guided walks to observe the local wildlife, including guanaco, foxes, ñandús (Patagonian Rhea), condors and diverse bird life. The trails around Lake Sarmiento feature a constant broad view over the Paine massif with frequent spotting of Puma tracks. If you prefer to do an excursion on your own and apart from the guided group, you can choose what activities you want to do in the park independently. Hike or ride a horse to Las Torres or another part of the "W" walking circuit to Los Cuernos or pamper yourself in the nearby spa at the Hosteria Las Torres.
Days 9: El Calafate (B,D)
After breakfast, you transfer out of the park (an hour transfer by private van) to the Chile-Argentina border where you will embark on a comfortable bus to El Calafate, the gateway to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and the famous Moreno Glacier. This drive takes approximately 4 hours by comfortable bus.
You'll stay at the picturesque El Galpon del Glaciar (formerly known as the "Estancia Alice"). The lodge is warm and welcoming with delicious homemade food, located just 15 minutes from downtown El Calafate. The homestead covers an area of Patagonian Steppe - a unique ecosystem of rivers, lakes and lagoons. While at the homestead visit the nature reserve and enjoy its many trails - over 40 species of migrating birds pass through here so keep turning your eyes skyward! The homestead is also a working ranch and you'll have the opportunity to tour the shearing sheds and watch the working sheepdogs in action. For those who want to explore by horseback this is also an option.
Day 10: Perito Moreno Glacier (B,L,D)
Today we drive into Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and go to the stunning lookout of Perito Moreno Glacier. This huge advancing glacier is more than 3 miles wide at its front and over 20 stories high. We take a boat across Lago Argentino, passing the massive front wall of blue ice all the while watching for icebergs. After landing on a small beach we start hiking through the beech forest to the icepack of the glacier and have the opportunity to walk on the glacier. We eat our lunch sitting on the lateral moraine of the glacier, giving you the opportunity to absorb the magnificence of the glacier's anatomy and the treat of listening to its thunderous concerto of groaning and cracking ice dropping into the lake below. As we hike out this afternoon there are numerous photographic opportunities. See if you can spot the Andean Condor or Buff-necked Ibis!
Day 11: Return to Buenos Aires (B)
Early this morning, we transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Buenos Aires and connecting flights homeward to conclude your Patagonia tour. With a few more days, you can add extensions in Buenos Aires or to Iguazu Falls to continue your Argentina travels!
Accommodations: 2 nights comfortable hotel, 3 nights onboard the 126 passenger M/V Mare or Via Australis, 2 nights mountain lodges, 3 nights safari camp
Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
Transportation: Mare or Via Australis, zodiacs, motor vessels, and local flights
Is it for Me? A relaxing, yet active Patagonia tour of massive glaciers, jagged mountains, glacier lakes, and wonderful wildlife. Hiking each day is moderate and travelers should be fit. A wonderful Patagonia tour for any age.
Weekly departures starting in Buenos Aires on Tuesdays or Fridays
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Single Supplement: US$340
Single Supplement does not apply to Days 6-8 when staying at EcoCamp.
Note: Flights Buenos Aires - Ushuaia and El Calafate - Buenos Aires are not included. Total flight cost estimated at US$585 (flight cost subject to change).
Personal Budgeting: Personal Budgeting: Allow US$150 for meals not included, US$130 Chilean visa reciprocity fee, US$7 domestic airport taxes, US$18 international departure tax, US$47 for entrance fees in national parks
Pre & Post Tour Accommodations: Buenos Aires: Share US$75, Single $150
Arrival/Departure Transfers: 1 person US $50 each, 2 or more people US $25/person
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Glacier Tours
National Parks
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