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Argentina

Best of Patagonia / Hiking the Patagonia Classics / More Patagonia Treks / Discovery Tours
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ESTANCIAS & ANDES IN PATAGONIA
The Best Way to discover the unknown treasures of Patagonia

Special features:* Least seen views - discover new wonders* Accommodation in genuine estancias. * Experience the vastness of the legendary Patagonia * Mingle with local inhabitants.

DAY 01: COMODORO RIVADAVIA - PERITO MORENO @ Estancia TELKEN. Arrival in Comodoro Rivadavia, the gateway city to the Andes in Patagonia. Meeting at the airport and start the drive crossing the Patagonian bushy steppe to the little village of Perito Moreno, visiting the Petrified Wood at Sarmiento on the way. Lunch and afternoon arrival at Estancia Telken. This day we will experience the dramatic windswept Patagonian Bushy Steppe, which inspired many international travelers.
Arrival in Perito Moreno. Accommodation at Estancia TELKEN.
Distance: 460km (180 km of gravel road, rest paved) Driving time: 9 Hs (Includes stops for lunch and pit stops).
Meals: L - D.

DAY 02: CAVES OF THE PAINTED HANDS. Transfer through the seemingly endless Patagonian plains and eroded badlands to the spectacular valley of the Pinturas ("Paintings") River, frequented by lesser rheas, guanacos, armadillos, pumas, eagles and impressive condors. The drive will have a climatic end when you reach several caves with countless painted hands (in various lovely colors) of incredible aesthetic value and still puzzling archaeologists who have not been able to explain their meaning. The oldest date back to 9000 years.
The visit includes a soft hike (about an hour) to reach the paintings.
Distance 50 km. Driving time: full day
Meals: B - L- D.

DAY 03: PERITO MORENO - LAGO CARDIEL
Drive Southwest through the Patagonian Steppe. Scarce rainfall and strong winds dictate that vegetable forms be limited to severe bushes and grasses, which despite their apparent monotony hide such, interesting surprises as the calafate. These berries were used by the Indians to obtain pigments to paint their bodies and are visible even today in numerous ancient caves paintings such as the Painted Hands.
Other plant life includes: the neneo and quilimbay, whose flowers are eaten by many different animals; the colapiche, which reputedly has medicinal value; and the corion, the most common variety of grass, a favorite food of the guanacos.
Arrival in the estancia LAS TUNAS. Accommodation.

In the afternoon -time permitting, - we will hike in an unforgettable site: a fascinating peninsula in the milky turquoise-colored Cardiel Lake, meters away from the main house.
Distance: 350 km. Driving time: 6 hs
Meals: B - L- D.

DAY 04: ESTANCIA LAS TUNAS @ LAGO CARDIEL
Full day at the estancia, which is -maybe-, the best kept secret in Patagonia.
Within the boundaries of the 42000 ha estancia, there are lots of interesting sites to visit:
*The close-by estancia "La Carlina", dedicated to sheep breeding.
* Many internal lagoons, which congregate black-necked swans, the immaculately white coscoroba swan (both of these graceful species are exclusive to Southern South America). Flocks of reddish flamingos, various types of ducks (the colorful Southern widgeon outstanding with its shiny green head) and several species of grebes.
* "Pared de los Cesares", an eagles´ nesting gorge and a place to sight condors circling high above
* Archeological sites: paintings and remains of "Tehuelche" settlements
* Marine & forest fossils.
* Soft hikes: Cerro Puntudo or the Petrified Forest within the estancia
Distance 60 Km.

DAY 05: LAGO CARDIEL - EL CHALTEN.
Transfer from Lago Cardiel to Fitz Roy area. Arrival at EL CHALTEN, a windswept town at the foot of the impressive Mt. Fitz Roy.
Upon arrival, transfer to EL PILAR Lodge, a beautiful 8-room hosteria, 15 km out of El Chalten. The location, in the middle of an exuberant beech forest, gives access to the most important trails such as to Mt. Fitz Roy. From the hosteria, you will enjoy magnificent vistas of the huge granite walls of the daring Mt Fitz Roy and other peaks, as well.
Distance: 270 km. Driving time : 5 Hs.
Meals: B - L- D.

DAY 06: EL CHALTEN - MT. FITZ ROY
Full day hike to Mt Fitz Roy base camp and Laguna de los Tres. After breakfast hike north towards Fitz Roy with spectacular views of the massif ahead. Sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche groups and believed to be a volcano, they called it "Chalten" (exhaling fumes mountain). Further hike to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into this greenish lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. Enjoy breathtaking views to SE Lake Viedma and the endless Patagonia steppe.
Slope: 1100 m.
Approx. hike: 8 hours
Meals: B - L- D.

DAY 07: EL CHALTEN - EL CALAFATE
Southbound drive to El Calafate, a small village by the Argentino Lake and gateway to one of the most amazing areas in Patagonia. The Continental Ice Cap and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Follow to ESTANCIA ALICE. All you can eat BBQ dinner and folkoric singing and dancing each night.
Distance: 220 Km Driving time: 4.3 hs.
Meals: B - D.

DAY 08: PERITO MORENO GLACIER. Whole day exploration of the Perito Moreno Glacier which is permanently advancing along its 3-mile wide front which is a wall 200 feet high over Argentino Lake. Without doubt the most beautiful of the glaciers. Visitors invariably observe great blocks of ice breaking loose from its wall and falling thunderously into the lake, making big waves and later surfacing to from icebergs. We will cross the lake in zodiac boats at a safe distance from the glacier's wall and land next to its edge. The highlight will be to walk for hours on the glacier itself, after having received instructions and crampons. We will explore ice caves, deep-blue crevices, needle -like ice peaks, streams, ponds and waterfalls on and under the surface of the glacier. A truly fantastic experience!
Distance: 70 km Driving time: Full day excursion
Note: This is the last day the passengers will have the bilingual driver with them
Meals: B- D.

DAY 09: ESTANCIA ALICE.
Day at leisure at ESTANCIA ALICE.
The estancia - located 22 km out of El Calafate - offers many activities such as:
* Trained dogs herding cattle and sheep shearing exhibitions
* Self-guided natural history trails to Laguna de los Pajaros.
* Hiking Trails
* Horse rides from 2 hours, half day and full day.
Meals: B - D.

DAY 10: EL CALAFATE - Transfer from the estancia to the airport in El Calafate or bus terminal

rate per person based on double accommodation (2 people) U$S 1615
rate per person based on double accommodation (4 people) U$S 1295
rate per person based on double accommodation (6 people) U$S 1165
Single supplement U$S 380

The rates are based on a minimum of 2 people travelling together
Estimated domestic airfare (subject to change without prior notice) U$S 290.

RATES include:
* Round trip transfers in every destination
* Transfers and tours in exclusive vehicles assisted with an English, German and Italian Speaking guide except for the hike or trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier, where the Italian guide is not guaranteed, this tour is to be shared with other participants.
* Assistance of an expert guides along the drive in the route 40.
* Meals as stated on the itinerary (without beverages)
* Accommodation in estancias, simple, cosy and with local colour, all of them with private facilities and breakfast.
* Entrance fees to parks and reserves.

Rates do not include:
* Airline / bus tickets, apt taxes.
* Gratuities, optional tips for guides and crew.
* Extras and personal expenses.
* Meals (except the ones mentioned in the itinerary) and beverages.

Season: October to Easter Holidays
Level of difficulty: Easy
Minimum / Maximum: 2 / 12 pax
Departures: Daily

Notes:
a) ESTANCIAS: The places selected had been chosen for their true Patagonian spirit and style and offer different approaches to the area. TELKEN is a British owned small property with very local color whereas LAS TUNAS is a very important and genuine producing ranch with a very argentine ambiance mixed with some European traditions. We recommend them because the owners are personally involved in the estancia and in meeting the guests and sharing their daily experiences with them.

b) MEALS: As a general note, we have included meals in those places where there are no other possibilities to get it or where choices are restricted to one or two places. This will make the tour run smoothly. Now, in those places where there are plenty of options we leave the meals open to be paid for by passengers.