Argentina's Patagonia Walk 7D6N (Epic Lakes, Peaks & Glaciers), Fully Guided

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 2 km (1 mile), Elevation gain: 30 m (100 ft)
Level 1, Approx. 2 km (1 mile), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)
Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)

To begin the trip, meet your tour leaders at 10 am, at Esplendor El Calafate in El Calafate. Please, ensure you arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and come along with your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day’s hike.

¡Bienvenidos a Patagonia! Following our meeting, we shuttle to the World Heritage site of Los Glaciares National Park, covering 7174 square kilometres (2,770 square miles) of ice-laden landscape. It houses hundreds of glaciers sponsored by one of the world’s largest icecaps; this stunning collection of frozen leviathans is set in the vast lakes Argentino and Viedma, and the snaking Santa Cruz River. We begin the day’s adventure by encountering the wonders of Patagonia; passing by enchanting lakes, keep an eye out for horses and birds that reside in the area. Behold charming panoramas of Cerro Mitre as we follow the river by melted snow. After eating lunch, we head to Perito Moreno Glacier, a captivating ice mass about 19 miles long with 200-foot-high blue-head walls. Get a good look at this spectacular glacier as you explore Perito Moreno’s famed balconies, a chain of wooden walkways providing great views of one of the world’s greatest wonders.

We board the shuttle and return to Esplendor El Calafate, your home for the next two nights. This chic hotel is seated on a small hill, providing vistas of the city, Lake Argentino, and Andes Mountains. Unwind with a dip in the indoor pool or simply soak in the tranquility from its cozy lounges. Get to know the group better at a welcome reception followed by dinner in town, where we will savour various mouth-watering Patagonian cuisine

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 14 km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 305 m (1000 ft)

Prepare yourself for an exciting adventure as we go on a full-day trip to Estancia Cristina, a private, historical, and remote estancia (ranch) within the Los Glaciers National Park, and only reachable by boat. It was established by an English immigrant family and was their home for almost a century. The estancia exposes you to some of the region’s most charming landscapes and unique hiking trails.

After enjoying an early breakfast, get a daypack big enough to fit in everything you will need for the day’s hike including multiple layers of clothes for weather from all four seasons, water, and your pack lunch. Then, we shuttle to Punta Bandera and go on an exciting scenic cruise across Lake Argentino. The mountains here block most of the moisture rising off the Pacific to create an utterly beautiful dry savannah on the park’s east side. Ensure you have your camera set as we soak in the resplendence of the magnificent channels and mountain peaks, as well as a close encounter with Upsala Glacier. You may see condors soaring above as we make our way through this frozen maze of ice and water. We alight the boat at the shores of Estancia Cristina’s property.

We shuttle to another heart-stopping lookout site over the huge Upsala Glacier and Guillermo Lake before heading over the rough landscape on our way to Fossil Canyon. The area is aptly named as it is characterized by ammonite and marine fossils believed to be millions of years old; see imprints of squid and jellyfish, and several colours of rocks. Following that, head down a calm section weaving through charming lagoons filled with coots and black-neck swans. We return by boat to Punta Bandera, and journey back to El Calafate.

Enjoy tonight’s dinner at your leisure at the hotel. Relish signature dishes and vintage cocktails accompanied by unmatched views of Lake Argentino.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

We begin today’s adventure by shuttling to Estancia Estela where we take a stroll through sand dunes and savour a picnic lunch of regional flare. From our lunch spot, take in awe-inspiring views of Lake Viedma, an 80-km-long (50-mile-long) glacier-fed lake, or maybe catch a glimpse of 3350-metre (11,000-foot) Cerro Fitz (cerro means “mount”) in the distance. The option of getting a feel of South American cowboy life is something you may want to try; there is an optional ride in the Patagonian savannah. (Note: horseback riding is at own expense).

Enjoy a delightful lunch before a shuttle to El Chaltén, a small mountain town located within Los Glaciares national park. As long as the weather is favourable, our hike to Mirador de los Cóndores and Mirador Águila provides us with sweeping views across the Torre and Fitz Roy summits.

You’ll stay at the world’s first geodesic dome hotel at an award winning eco camp in Torres del Paine National Park. Immerse into nature in an undiluted form with vistas of Fitz Roy. Attend a yerba maté tasting ceremony before indulging in dinner. Yerba maté is a tangy drink served hot and out of a hollowed-out gourd and has strong notes of green tea, coffee, tobacco and oak. This amazing drink is Argentina’s national beverage. We enjoy a fresh, regional cuisine for dinner tonight at Eco Domes’ dining home.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 4, Approx. 13 km (8 miles), Elevation gain: 335 m (1100 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 14 km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 396 m (1300 ft)

This morning, we go on a short ride to Los Huemules exclusive nature reserve, named for the endangered huemul deer. The reserve’s 56 square kilometres (22 square miles) provides shelter for a variety of flora, fauna and wildlife including condors, foxes and pumas. Climbing along a trail through lenga forest, follow the Diablo River to Laguna del Diablo where we’ll take a break to have lunch, facing Cagliero Glacier.

Reenergized, head back down, passing Laguna Verde and Laguna Azul with stunning views of Fitz Roy’s northwest face. We take time off this afternoon to relax, soak in the gorgeous panoramas of Fitz Roy and the surrounding peaks, maybe kicking back at the domes with a book. We met at Eco Domes this evening for a memorable dinner.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 366 m (1200 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 21 km (13 miles), Elevation gain: 853 m (2800 ft)

You can hike from the Eco Domes to our next accommodation if you choose to follow the full-day route. Begin with a nutritious breakfast, before going for a walk through groves of lenga trees for breathtaking views of the Piedras Blancas Glacier and its lagoon, soaking in clear views of the northeastern face of the Fitz Roy mountain range (if the weather is favorable.) If you’re open to covering a few more miles, continue onward with our local mountaineering guide and take on the difficult rugged switchbacks to Laguna de los Tres.

Reaching the summit, catch your breath as you admire the De los Tres Glacier, watching it plunge into Lake Viedma, with Cerro Fitz Roy peaking just beyond. Make your way down the switchbacks and back to El Chaltén, passing by Laguna Capri and through some scenic marshland along the way. Arriving at Laguna Capri, choose a good spot to enjoy your lunch.

Following that, we head to Destino Sur Hotel de Montaña & Spa, our home for the next two nights. This quaint hotel has a background characterized by mountain and valley vistas in the town of El Chaltén. Settle in and relax your muscles in the hot tub, or go for a spa treatment (spa at own expense). This evening, enjoy dinner at your own leisure, can choose to enjoy steak, Italian, Spanish or local cuisines

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 3, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 183 m (600 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 19 km (12 miles), Elevation gain: 396 m (1300 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 23 km (14 miles), Elevation gain: 549 m (1800 ft)

We savour a delightful breakfast and head out on a winding trail along young glacial moraines and over the FitzRoy River. We get to behold striking vistas of Cerro Torre surrounded by towering granite spires of Torre Egger and Cerro Standhardt. Keep going till you get to Lago Torre where you behold a stream of dramatically spilled glaciers down ice-carved valleys and colossal blue icebergs floating atop glacial melt.

If you want to explore a longer path, choose to hike the Mirador Maestri trail along a rugged moraine for unmatched views over Cerro Torre. Please note that for your safety, this route will be unavailable if it's too windy. In the evening, we gather for an unforgettable farewell dinner, and toast to our Patagonian adventure.

We begin the day with an early shuttle. Our adventure in Argentina’s Patagonia officially ends at El Calafate Airport between 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. or at Esplendor Calafate in downtown El Calafate between noon and 12:30 pm. In case you are staying somewhere else, you can take a taxi from Esplendor El Calafate to your next stop.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.