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Best of Patagonia
/ Hiking the Patagonia Classics / More
Patagonia Treks / More
Patagonia / Firecrowns & Penguins
Buenos Aires / Calafate
/ Iguazu Falls / Bariloche
/ Ushuaia / Salta
/ Mendoza / Ibera
/ Valdes Peninsula
/ Hidden Argentina
Antarctic Cruises /
Expedition
Cruises / Best of Northwest /
Bike Tours /
Wine Tours / Uruguay
Escapes / Tango,
Candombe & Samba
Our Discovery trips features the best of Patagonia combined with the comfort and relaxation of the hosterias and hotels of the area. They are designed for people who love to see spectacular sceneries in an active way, hiking moderate distances to get back in the evening to a cozy lodge.
We use minibuses to transfer from one location to another, and we hike and go in boat trips to reach the best viewpoints. During daylight we perform outdoors activities and in the afternoon we come back to a comfortable and cozy lodge where you can relax and enjoy the evening and night in order to start the next day full of energy again.
We use small and comfortable Hosterias (Inns),
such as USHUAIA: Hostería Los Lagos, Estancia
Las Hijas, PUERTO NATALES: Hostal Francis Drake, CALAFATE:
Hostería Hainen, CHALTEN: Pudu Lodge
Our Discovery trips are suitable for all kind of passengers. No special requirements, except the desire of hiking in 2 of the most beautiful National Parks of South America. Only advice is for children under 12 or people suffering any health problem. In that case, please ask for advice from our office.
The group always travel escorted by a local professional tour leader from our staff. While hiking, professional certified mountain guides will lead the walks. Most of the hikes are around 6 hours, on very easy trails, no risky steps. We plan the walks considering also that some people might want to walk less time. During our activities, we get to the best viewpoints and panoramic views in each location.
Mountains, spires, glaciers, lakes, forest, steppe, flowers, birds Patagonia is these and much more!
Patagonia Explorer starts in the End of the World, in the mythical Ushuaia, on the shores of the Beagle Channel. We travel the Island of Tierra del Fuego in an unconventional, deeper way. We visit pioneer Estancia Harbeton, from where we set out to see Magellanic Penguins; and we visit Estancia Las Hijas, a real working sheep ranch.
The crossing of the Magellan Strait put us back in the Continent and allows us to travel the southern section of Andean Patagonia. From the picturesque fishermen village of Puerto Natales; to Torres del Paine National Park with its perfect combination of granite spires, mountains, glaciers, forest and lakes; to the tourist village of El Calafate on the shores of Lake Argentino, where the Moreno Glacier permanently calves its blue ice on the water.
If you want a little taste of Adventure, the Patagonia Explorer Pro version is available. In this alternative, we go from Natales to Paine across the Last Hope Sound in a ship and up river Serrano in a Zodiac; we lodge this night inside the National Park in our Full Camp at Camping Pehoe. Next day we rejoin the standard program.
Beside, you can add to this program a few days in Chalten. This Chalten Module allow us to reach the northern section of Argentinas Los Glaciares National Park, visiting the area of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre and lodging in the picturesque alpine village of El Chalten.
The spirit of this program is to visit Southern Patagonia more intimately, more deeply, in a different motion of most of the tourist group coming to the area.
Day 1 Ushuaia Airport - Tierra del Fuego
National Park
Welcome at Ushuaia airport. Trabsfer to town and check in at our hotel.
In the afternoon we visit Tierra del Fuego National Park. The Park protects
an incredible area in which the mountains and the Andean forest come down
to the sea.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: None
Day 2 Estancia Harberton - Penguin rockery Martillo Island - Estancia
Las Hijas
Alter breakfast, we leave Ushuaia in our Minibús to Estancia Harberton.
Thnis was the first ranch to be established in the Island, 90 km northeast
of town. We visit its Acatushun Museum, a unique exhibition of marine
mammals and birds. This is known as one of the world most complete collections
of species of the southern part of the continent.
Once in the estancia, we take a boat trip to sail along the Beagle Channel
to reach the Penguin rockery, where we walk among these interesting birds.
While walking along the rockery trails, our guide will introduce us to
the very reach flora and fauna of the area.
Back in the Estancia, we continue our trip up North; we reach Lake Fagnano
and by late afternoon we arrive to estancia Las Hijas, 60 km away from
Rio Grande. We visit the facilities and we will have a demonstration of
classic ranch activities, such as herding with dogs and shearing.
In the evening, a lamb barbecued in classic Patagonian style will be our
dinner.
Lodging in Dormis *
* Dormis are a simple though picturesque sleeping construction built by
the Estancia within their facilities. Very similar to a train cabin, it
provides a little bit of privacy each 2 people which sleep in boat - type
beds. Beds have mattresses, clothing and pillows. The construction is
a few meters away from toilettes.
Meals we provide: Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3 Estancia Las Hijas - Puerto Natales
Alter breakfast, we continue our exploration up north. A long drive take
us across the northern part of Tierra del Fuego, yellow grasslands famous
for its ranches and trout fly fishing. After crossing the border into
Chile, we cross the Magellan Strait with our minibus on board a Ferry.
The 20 minnutes trip will give us an idea of what those brave sailors
did in the early 1500's. We'll stop on route to take our box lunch and
driving aside the Magellan Strait we'll reach Puerto Natales by 7 pm.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast and box lunch.
Day 4 Puerto Natales
Today is on your own.
As a best option we advise to buy the Boat trip excursion into the Last
Hope Fjord, to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. This optional excursion
starts at 8 am in the local peer; it sails far inside the Fjord, visiting
the remote Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, which is south west of Paine
and protects the southern section of the Chilean Ice Field. During the
boat trip you will see the mountains that are around the fjord and its
glaciers; also a great variety of Patagonian birds. Once in the end of
the fjord, a short walk let you get in close contact with the place. We
visit the Estancia Perales and we get back to Puerto Natales by 5:30 pm.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.
Those passengers taking the Patagonia Explorer Pro version do not sail
back to Puerto Natales; instead, they continue up River Serrano in Zodiacs
to reach Torres del Paine National Park. Please see option: "Patagonia
Explorer Pro"
Day 5 Torres del Paine National Park - El Calafate
In the morning we drive along a mountain road to the south side of Torres
del Paine National Park; this area has been declared World Heritage by
the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO).
Once in the Park, the road that runs thru it offers spectacular views
on the Paine Massif: Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto, Paine Towers
and a number of granite spires. We will make stops at different viewpoints
for short walks and pictures. The alpine flowers of the area, as well
as the animals that live in the Park (hundreds of guanacos; pumas, foxes,
huemules - a local endangered deer - a number of birds including the majestic
Andean Condor, Magellanic woodpecker, Shielded eagle and many more) are
also a big attraction.
In the afternoon we take the road again, exiting the Park by its east
side, and we drive across the Patagonian steppe into Argentina and to
El Calafate, where we arrive around 9 pm.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast and box lunch.
Day 6 Perito Moreno Glacier
We dedicate this day to one of the World's Natural Wonder: the Moreno
glacier. This ice field- type glacier flows down from the Patagonian Icefield,
a big sheet of ice that with its 22.000 square kilometres is the third
largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M sq km) and Greenland
(1 M sq km). Because unusual favourable local conditions, this glacier
is the only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process.
The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be only meters
away from your eyes. The roar of the chunks of ice falling inside the
glacier or from the glacier into the lake, the frequent collapse of the
front seracs into the turquoise water, makes out of this day a very special
and unique experience. We make a 1 hour boat trip to get close up views
of the glacier. By the end of the day we get back to El Calafate.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.
Day 7 - El Calafate airport
After breakfast we transfer to Calafate airport where our services end.
Meals we provide: Breakfast
2010-2011 Prices per person in US$:$1188 in double, $1416 in single with English-speaking guide. High season supplement = $65
2010-2011 dates: Nov. 1,15,29, Dec. 13,27, Jan. 10,24, Feb. 7,21
Minimun of 2 passengers
Difficulty: Low difficulty
Trip starts at: Ushuaia airport
Trip ends at: El Calafate airport
LODGING 5 nights in Hostería, 1 night in Dorms *
Included:
Bilingual Tour Leader (Spanish - English).
Boat trip to Penguin rockery in Estancia Harberton.
Perito Moreno glacier excursion with boat trip.
Transfer Ushuaia airport - Ushuaia - Río Grande - Puerto Natales
- Torres del Paine National Park - El Calafate - El Calafate airport.
Transfers combine private and regular services.
6 breakfasts, 2 box lunch, and 1 dinner.
5 nights lodging in Hosteria with private bathroom
1 night lodging in Dormis at Estancia Las Hijas with shared bathrooms
Not included:
Entrance fees to National Parks.
Medical and life insurance.
Tips.
Drinks and beverages (all foods are without alcoholic or non alcoholic
drinks).
Flights or airport taxes.
Optional excursions.
Services not shown or detailed in the program.
List of suggested personal equipment:
Backpack, 40 liters or so
Trekking shoes or boots
Thermal underwear
Trekking pants
Fleece
Parka and overpants
Gaiters
Gloves
Thermal socks
The necessary spare cloth
Wool hat
Sun hat
Sun glasses
Sun screen (UV is very strong during the southern spring, from september
thru december)
Personal items
Lamp
Trekking poles (recommended, if you are use to them)
Personal medication
Personal documents to cross the border between Argentina and Chile.
Weather in Patagonia is unpredictable. Not very cold, but it is usually
windy. To dress in layers is the best advice.
Day 1 El Calafate El Chalten
In the morning we drive our way across the Patagonian steppe and around
Lakes Argentino and Viedma to El Chalten, a small and picturesque mountain
village at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. Driving distance 220 km. Free time
in the afternoon to know the town or to walk on the surroundings to the
different viewpoints of the mountains.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: None
Day 2 El Chalten Fitz Roy trail
This world class trail offers some of the most dramatic mountain sights
in South America. Fitz Roy trail gradually climbs across shrubland and
southern beech forest and lead us to Laguna Capri, then to Fitz Roy basecamp
and finally to Laguna de los Tres. From where you can see Fitz Roy, all
the spires of the massif including Poincenot, Saint Exupery, Mermoz, Guillaumet
and Rafael, as well as the glaciers and the glacier fed lagoons at the
mountain foot. Walking time is 1 h and a half to Laguna Capri, 3 hs to
FR basecamp and 4 hs to Laguna de los Tres.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast and box lunch.
Day 3 El Chalten Viedma lake boat trip
Alter breakfast, we drive to Bahia Tunel Port. There we get into our ship
to sail across the lake to visit Viedma Glacier. This huge glacier which
comes down from the Icefield shows us his deep blue colors in the front.
Big chunks of ice keep on falling into the lake. Later well be able
to get off the ship and take a small trek on ice over the glacier.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast and box lunch.
Day 4 El Chalten - El Calafate
Transfer from Chalten to Calafate and end of our services.
Meals we provide: Breakfast
2010-2011 price per person: US$504
double, US$636 single. High season supplement of $26 for departures Nov
1-Jan 31
Included:
Incoming tourist services at El Chalten.
3 nights lodging in Hostería double or single room.
Trekking guide for the hike.
Lake Viedma excursion.
Transfer in regular bus from El Calafate to El Chalten and back.
3 breakfasts and 2 box lunchs.
Not inluded:
Entrance fees to National Parks.
Medical and life insurance.
Tips.
Drinks and beverages (all foods are without alcoholic or non alcoholic
drinks).
Flights or airport taxes.
Services not shown or detailed in the program.
Season: October thru April
Beginning day: Sunday
Minimum of pax 2 passengers
2010-2011 Departures: Oct.
17,31, Nov. 14,28, Dec. 12,26, Jan. 9,23, Feb. 6,20, March 6
Trip starts at: El Calafate airport
Trip ends at: El Calafate airport
Group departures with a minimum of 2 pax
Day 1 El Calafate airport El Calafate
We welcome you at El Calafate airport and transfer to town, where we check
in at our lodge. In the evening we meet our tour leader, details of the
program and to share our first dinner with our fellow travellers.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Dinner
Day 2 El Chaltén Cerro Torre trail
Alter breakfast, we take our bus towards the picturesque village of El
Chaltén, at the foot of Fitz Roy. We drive km across the steppe
and around lakes Argentino and Viedma. Upon arrival, we go hiking in the
Cerro Torre trail, reaching the first viewpoint of the valley, from where
the Cerro Torre group and valley is entirely visible. For those willing
to walk further, our guide leads you to Laguna Torre, something like 9
km away from town. The trail goes in a glacier origin valley. The lagoon
features the Torre glacier calving in the far side, and the Cerro Torre
group & spires rising in the background. 3 hs round trip to the first
viewpoint. 6 hs round trip to the lagoon.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner
Day 3 Fitz Roy trail Laguna Capri
Fitz Roy trail climbs gently in the slopes of Cerro Rosado and along the
Chorrillo del Salto valley, a beautiful mountain stream with
rapids and waterfalls. Our destination is Laguna Capri, a beautiful lagoon
in the forest with full views on the Fitz Roy spires and glaciers. For
keen hikers, the option is to continue to Rio Blanco (basecamp for climbers)
and to Laguna de los Tres, end of trail and one of the highlights of the
National Park. The sight of the spires and glaciers from here are breathtaking.
2 hs from town to Laguna Capri, 1 more hour to Rio Blanco and 1 hour of
steep climb to Laguna de los Tres. We hike back to Chaltén along
the same trail.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner
Day 4 Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
This 1500 mts hill, immediately south of Cerro Torre valley, offers some
of the best views over the different group of mountains, glaciers and
lakes that features the area. From the lower terraces to the summit, you
can get spectacular views of Fitz Roy, Torre and the spectacular glacier
valley in between both. From the summit the bonus is the sight of Paso
del Viento and some of the mountains that stick out from the Patagonian
Icefield. According to the group capacity, we choose the lower terraces
or try the summit, a long but gentle climb in scree. The lower part of
the mountain is covered by shrubland and forest.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner
Day 5 From El Chaltén to El Calafate
Morning at leisure or to go in some optional excursion, as the boat trip
& glacier walk in lake and glacier Viedma or the visit to Lago del
Desierto.
In late afternoon we take our bus to El Calafate, 220 km away, a 4 hs
trip.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Day 6 El Calafate Perito Moreno glacier
We dedicate this day to one of the Worlds Natural Wonder: the Moreno
glacier. This ice field- type glacier flows down from the Patagonian Icefield,
and big sheet of ice that with its 22.000 square kilometres is the third
largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M sq km) and Greenland
(1 M sq km). Because unusual favourable local conditions, this glacier
is the only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process.
The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be only meters
away from your eyes. A beautiful, short trail, will lead us from the shores
of the lake to the upper viewpoints. The roar of the chunks of ice falling
inside the glacier or from the glacier into the lake, the frequent collapse
of the front seracs into the turquoise water, makes out of this day a
very special and unique experience. We will drive 80 km (1 and a half
hour) to get and come back from the glacier across the steppe, watching
a wide variety of birds.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Day 7 El Calafate airport
After breakfast we take our transfer to El Calafate airport where our
services end.
Meals we provide: breakfast.
2010-2011Price: English Speaking Guide - US$1561
per person double, US$1993 single
Spanish Speaking Guide - US$1511 per person double, US$1943 single High
season supplement = $79
Season: October thru April
Beginning day: Every day
Departure: Individual
Minimun of pax: No minimun
Difficulty: Low difficulty
Trip starts at: El Calafate airport
Trip ends at: El Calafate airport
Well get to enjoy the National Park Los Glaciers
(in Argentina) going thru the Lake Argentino. Later, our trip ends with
a visit to the Glacier Perito Moreno
Day 1 El Calafate airport El Calafate
We welcome you at El Calafate airport and transfer to town, where we check
in at our lodge. Well have the rest of the day to enjoy the town.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: none
Day2 El Chalten Day Off
After breakfast we take our bus for the 220 km long drive to El Chaltén,
a small and picturesque village at the foot of Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre
massif.
Since this is a free day, you ca choose between a trek to the view point
of the Torre Mount or the one of the Fitz Roy mountain or just chill in
the nearby of the town.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.
Day 3 El Chalten Viedma lake navigation
Alter breakfast, we leave in bus to the Bahia tunel Port where the slip
that will take us to the Viedma Glacier departs. The amazing glacier has
a one front superior to the Moreno Glacier will show us its colours. Later
well be able to descent the ship and take a small trek over it.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.
Day 4 El Chalten El Calafate
The morning will be free to enjoy different activities or just to rest.
Among the different activities, we can visit the Balcones Del Cerro Pliegue
Tumbado with its wonderful and panoramic views of the National Park. Another
option is to visit the Estancia Madsen (one of the first inhabitants of
the area) in the nearby of the town.
In the afternoon well be transferred in our bus to el Calafate,
where well be taken later to our accommodation.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.
Day 5 El Calafate - Perito Moreno glacier
We dedicate this day to one of the Worlds Natural Wonder: the Moreno
glacier. This ice field- type glacier flows down from the Patagonian Ice
field, and big sheet of ice that with its 22.000 square kilometres is
the third largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M sq
km) and Greenland (1 M sq km). Because unusual favourable local conditions,
this glacier is the only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture
process. The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be
only meters away from your eyes. A beautiful, short trail, will lead us
from the shores of the lake to the upper viewpoints. The roar of the chunks
of ice falling inside the glacier or from the glacier into the lake, the
frequent collapse of the front seracs into the turquoise water, makes
out of this day a very special and unique experience. We will drive 80
km (1 and a half hour) to get and come back from the glacier across the
steppe, watching a wide variety of birds.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Day 6 Optional: Navigation in the Argentine lake
This day is free, with the possibility to choose between the optional
proposals that the city of the Calafate offers. It stands out among them,
the navigation of the Argentinean Lake. It starts in the banderas harbour,
from where the ship will take us to the most impressive glaciers of the
National Park: The Upsala and the Spegazzini. Its also possible
to have lunch in the Onelli Bay alter visiting it.
In the afternoon we go to the Upsala glacier (which is the biggest one
in the National Park).the town also has other options such us rides in
4 x 4 and more.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Day 7 El Calafate airport
After breakfast we take our transfer to El Calafate airport where our
services end.
Meals we provide: breakfast.
2010-2011 Price: English Speaking Guide - US$762
per person double, US$1021 single
Spanish Speaking Guide - US$712 per person double, US$971
single. High season supplement = $37