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Argentina

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Calafate and LOS GLACIARES NP

One of the most beautiful landscapes in the Western Hemisphere is found in the Patagonian Andes. For this reason a chain of Argentine and Chilean National Parks protects this natural beauty. Numerous lakes fed by glacial run-off reflect the majesty of the snow-capped peaks. The mountainsides are covered by primeval forests of subantarctic beech trees many of which change color spectacularly in autumn.

Surrounded by this magnificent vegetation are the immense glaciers, most likely the highlight of any trip to this region. Between the 48 and 51 South parallels, the Andes Range is covered by a large extension of permafrost known as the Patagonian continental icecap, which stretches for 560 miles from north to south. So large it is, that it is also called "the third pole" after its huge concentration of ice. It is the origin of 47 major glaciers, such as the famous Perito Moreno glacier. But it is also known all over the world for its dramatic steppe at the foot of the imposing Fitz Roy and Torre Mountains, a "mecca" for climbers from all over the world. These areas allow for hiking, trekking, horseriding, overlanding and overnight in remote and isolated estancias by turquoise lakes.

Discovery Tours

Helsingfors

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - arrive Calafate, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - full day tour in which the road leads to the most famous glacier in South America, Perito Moreno. The first views of Moreno glacier are breathtaking vistas down a narrow arm of Lago Argentino with the imposing Andean Mountains as a backdrop. As spectacular as it is, it pales compared to a close approach where the constant sounds of this "living" glacier shake the air. Gigantic blocks of ice, frequently break away and crash into the lake, sending spray hundreds of feet into the air and sound like distant artillery fire. The startling contrast of color, sound, motion and size creates a continuously changing mosaic of indescribable beauty.

Day 3 - early morning transfer to Puerto Bandera, to board a comfortable and modern catamaran for a cruise on Lago Argentino to reach Upsala Glacier, the largest on the continental ice cap. You will stop at Bahia Onelli to enjoy a short walk through the forest until Laguna Onelli, place from where you will obtain beautiful panoramic views of Onelli, Agassiz, Spegazzini and Bolados glaciers. Full day.

Day 4- transfer to airport.

2008 Price per person in US$: $269 for 1 person, $226 for 2 people

Price includes roundtrip airport transfers to hotels in city, tours mentioned, park fees

Does not include cost of hotel. We can arrange hotels from 3* up, or estancias

You can substitute or add these tours

Mini-trekking on the glacier - Transfer to Los Glaciares NP, in the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cape, known as the "Third Pole", which extends over 60,000 sq.km (23,000 sq. miles) and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian Andes. We will board zodiac boats to cross Argentino Lake in front of towering ice walls of the Perito Moreno glacier and will navigate around the ice blocks, which are constantly calving from it. We will land on an uninhabited beach and hike on the glacier. (Neither additional equipment nor previous experience needed). The wildlife of the area includes Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles, ashy-headed geese, etc. It is a moderate hike and the ice surface where you will walk is irregular, but firm and safe. At the end of the hike, you will go back to the shelter walking through the exuberant Magellan forest. Arrival and embark to cross the lake. Once you arrive at the pier, you will travel for 6 km to reach the catwalks, in front of the Perito Moreno glacier, from where you will have different and amazing views of it.
add $90 per person to prices above.

Big Ice - This incredible experience starts at the small pier "Bajo las Sombras", where you board a small boat - the Tehuelche - to cross the Rico Arm of Lake Argentino. After a 10 minutes navigation you meet the guides on the opposite bank of the lake and you start hiking in the beech forest till you get to the lateral moraine of the Perito Moreno glacier. You put on our grampons, get a brief instruction on ice climbing and hiking and off. Once on the glacier, the world changes dramatically, deep blue lagoons, profound crevasses, huge cesspools, amazing ice caves and that special feeling of being right in the heart of the ice mass. You will explore this "unique world" hiking for about 3 hours led by expert mountain guides. You will stop for lunch (not included) - an opportunity to rest and enjoy the most of this experience, being the first and few in the area. You then hike back (about an hour) to the small pier to board our boat and navigate back to the coast with our souls fulfilled of this amazing experience unique in the world. This tour has a demanding schedule, due to the uneven terrain. Therefore it is only advisable for participants between 18 and 45 years old with a good physical condition, taking into account that the trail demands a 7 hour walk on ice and loose pebbles.
add $137 per person to prices above.

HD Mount Frias Horseback ride W/ lunch - Meetings at the starting point to begin a great full day ride to Mt. Frias. Following a valley to Mt. Frías, at 1100 m. up a canyon, through a Nothofagus forest, we reach the ridge with spectacular views to Lakes Roca and Argentino. If the weather is fine we will be able to see as far as the Torres del Paine in Chile. Return to the ranch, for a cup of tea and cakes and having experienced the typical patagonian steppe, with the possibility of wildlife watching (guanacos, pumas, and condors).
Includes full equipment, lunch and assistance of qualified bilingual guides. 4x4 drive to Mount Frias also available for same price.
US$56

PETRIFIED FORESTS at La Leona - A few kilometers from El Calafate and for all those interested in the ancient world when dinosaurs roamed over the landscape, the visit of BOSQUE PETRIFICADO LA LEONA cannot be missed. Magnificent petrified tree trunks and large dinosaur fossils hidden for millenniums, were uncovered by wind and water erosion and are nowadays at the bottom of a very beautiful valley of incredible characteristics.

Departure at 8:30 am from El Calafate following the route 40 and driving North about other 67 kilometers.
Traveling mostly through the open steppe with magnificent views of the valley of lake Argentino, panoramic background of the Southern Andes we cross the mighty Santa Cruz river, and coast along the valley of La Leona river with chances to appreciate mount Fitz Roy. We then reach La Leona Hotel (historical landmark) and stay there for 15 minutes for a coffe, continue West for other 10 kilometers through the southern shore of lake Viedma until we get to Los Hornos hill (St Teresita ranch). Near its top starts a large depression formed by water erosion where most of the fossils can be found. This point is where our walk begins : we go down through steep inclines of loose, dry, claylike soil and explore a seemingly endless system of gorges and ravines with petrified wood that "sprouts" from the soil. Tree trunks from 0.50 to 1.20 diameters, heaps of fossilized broken bones and occasionally whole vertebrae and leg bones of large reptiles (still under the process of identification) are part of the landscape as well. Due to its location in a steppe zone, the weather in BOSQUE LA LEONA is warm and dry along the valley.
US$92