Argentine Patagonia’s Los Glaciares National Park & Fitz Roy Trek 6D5N, Fully Guided

On the first day of the trip, we embark on an early morning drive to Cerro Castillo on the Argentinian border. We scale through custom checks and proceed to Calafate town, one of the towns that will host us within the days of the trip. This small town sits at the tip of the Los Glaciares National Park, our expedition base, and bewitches every visitor with its astounding landscapes and striking beautiful scenes. We enjoy these views while picking up other travellers on the trip in Calafate if there are any.

A local guide will meet us in Calafate and give a small orientation on the trip while we enjoy lunch. Afterwards, we proceed on a semi-private transfer to El Chalten, a small mountain settlement renowned as the national trekking capital of Argentina beside the Los Glaciares National Park. The iconic Mount Fitz Roy is visible from this outlying town as it forms an imposing backdrop. We drive further, through secluded muddy paths, the pampas vegetation akin to South America, and along the northern end of Viedma Lake to arrive at our hotel.

The Hosteria Senderos will host us for the next three nights in its cosy and comforting rooms, with lovely views of Fitz Roy Mountain and Torre Hill. Rooms flaunt a rustic yet elegant appeal, furnished with parquet floors, private bathrooms with showers and all other comfortable amenities. While here, enjoy the a la carte menu at the restaurant, which includes special dietary options, and savour quality cocktails at the wine bar that leaves a dazzling aftertaste.

Once settled in your room, enjoy a blissful night's rest, and prepare for the adventure at sunrise.

Note: The following excursions around El Chaltén might vary in order

Approx. 22km (14miles), 7 hours walking, moderate grade, Maximum Altitude 650m (2133ft)

This morning, wake up to the charming aura of a mountain village and behold a crown of mist above the mountains from your hotel room. Indulge the delicious breakfast that will be served and gear up for the day's trek. We will hike the entire day along the Cerro Torre Trail down to Laguna Torre, where beauty and magic intertwine in a mountain lake overlooked by the monumental Mountain Torre.

After breakfast, we follow the trail, passing through a beech forest to the Fitz Roy River and valley. From here, we proceed to Base Camp de Agostini, a campsite by the river, before completing a short hike that brings us to the beautiful Lake Torre, flanked by the imposing elegance of the Cerro Torre on its western end and the Adela Mountain range. Here, every sight is beautiful and holds silent tales of nature's wondrous history. Icebergs can be seen floating on the lake in regal grace, tossed by the wind towards the shores where they rest easily.

We explore the area surrounding the glacier lake, stopping at various points to absorb scenic views and cap the first half of the hike with a picnic. Afterward, we take the same trail to El Chalten, where you are free to explore the small tourist town and enjoy a delectable dinner of Argentine specialties at your chosen restaurant. Retreat to the hotel, Hosteria Senderos, for a pleasant night's rest, with the next day's adventure in mind.

Approx. 25km (16 miles), 9 hours walking, moderate grade, Maximum Altitude 1175m (3854ft)

Breathe in the fresh air in your surroundings, devour a hearty breakfast, and today, we'll trek to Laguna Los Tres. We head towards the Laguna Capri with Mount Fitz Roy in view. We take the northern corner of Lake Capri to emerge in the Fitz Roy Trail leading to the Blanco River. Through this path, we'll bypass another mountain base camp known as Poincenot and embark on the final trail, which is a bit steep but leads us to Laguna Los Tres, a beautiful jewel in the Los Glaciares National Park.

On arrival, we understand why this location is like a “bride” in the national park as stunning views of the turquoise-blue lake and backdrop of the Fitz Roy Massifs, including its needles, make a postcard-perfect scene.

Here, we enjoy another picnic as the glaciers look on. Then drink gorgeous views of the scenery and enjoy leisurely or idle time in one of nature's finest offers in South America. When everyone is ready, we hike back to Lake Capri and follow the trails leading back to El Chalten.

Tonight, enjoy the ambiance and warm hospitality at the Hosteria Senderos because it's the last time we'll be here on the trip.

Approx. 24km (15 miles), 8 hours walking, moderate grade, Maximum Altitude 1490m (4888ft)

Today, the expedition rises to its climax as breakfast opens the day for a sensational trek. We hike for about an hour through a slope and advance into the woods, where lenga beeches and ñire trees dominate the scene. As we trek, a large open space known as Pampa de las Carretas unveils before us, serving mind-blowing, vantage point views of Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the Huemul glacier.

We exit the open space, veering into the path once more, and this time, we meet a leafy forest where we shall encounter some indigenous bird species peacefully tweeting. We delve deeper into the forest to emerge in an exposed, dry land and mountainous landscape. The path here leads to our destination, the Pliegue Tumbado Viewpoint. As we tread it, marine fossils, such as belemnites and ammonites, dating back millions of years, will be our spectacular findings.

On arriving at the majestic viewpoint in El Calafate, the entire Fitz Roy River Canyon, Cerro Torre, the Glacier, the Madre and Hija lagoons, Mount Fitz Roy, and the Condor Lagoon, all come in full, grand view. Savour these rare views, and a slight angling of your eyes will reveal a part of Lake Viedma, the Tunnel River Valley, and Paso del Viento, the entryway of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. Afterwards, we return to El Chalten, pack our luggage, and take a semi-private trip back to El Calafate through the same route flanked by the Pampa's vegetation that initially welcomed us.

Back in El Calafate, venture into the town to explore and have a mouth-watering dinner on your own before checking into our hotel for the last two nights of the trip. You would find that El Calafate city is not just the gateway to the Los Glaciares National Park and the Patagonian wild but a bustling outdoor city and home to the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Hosteria Sierra Nevada is our lodge for the final two nights. The 3-star is set in its private landscaped gardens and natural endowments, views of the ambiance are perks of a stay here. You can choose to relax at the lounge with a refreshing drink in hand.

Approx. 3km (1.8miles), 2 hours walking, easy grade, Maximum Altitude 75m (246ft)

This morning, arise, and shine in the ambiance of your new hotel room and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Today is the last day of the tour in terms of activities and we’ve saved the best for last, the most exhilarating adventure of the trip - ice trekking.

Following an early breakfast, we board a minibus to go to Perito Moreno Glacier and drive for a couple of hours to arrive at Los Glaciares National Park. We proceed to the Bajo de Las Sombra Bay region to board a boat that will take us on a cruise for approximately 20 minutes across Lake Rico down to the glacier's southern frame.

On arrival, our guide enlightens us briefly about the glacier, its history, formation, and other relevant information on its geology. Then, we do a short walk to the glacier's edge to gear up with the provided crampons that will fit into our shoes for the ice trek. The ice trekking adventure on Perito Moreno Glacier begins after the gearing session, complemented by views of the glacier and its stunning environment. We end the trek at a small ice bar where whiskey is served with ice freshly cut from the glacier. In essence, you walk on the ice, enjoy its views and taste it via whiskey; the experience couldn't be better.

We enjoy lunch from our boxes and proceed to the footbridges bearing multiple viewpoints of the dramatic glacier's northern walls, towering up the sky with prominent cracks. Feel free to roam about and enjoy the views. Finally, we board the bus again and drive back to Calafate to rest in our hotel after what has been a day full of thrills and glee.

Alternatively, you can choose to do the "Big Ice" glacier hike on Glacier Perito Moreno (additional costs apply - age limit 18 to 50 years old).

Today, our trip sadly comes to an end, and we say farewell to Patagonia, Argentina. Breakfast starts this emotional day, followed by a scenic transfer to Calafate airport for your onward journey. Alternatively, end the trip in Punta Arena at an additional cost.

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