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Patagonia Discovery Tours

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 - 7 days - 6 nights

“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 Argentina’s 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

2011-2012 Prices per person in US$:$1139 in double, $1357 in single with English-speaking guide. High season supplement = $65

Dates:12-dec-11- 18-dec-11 , 26-dec-11- 01-jan-12 , 09-jan-12- 15-jan-12 , 23-jan, 12- 29-jan-12 , 06-feb-12- 12-feb-12 , 20-feb-12- 26-feb-12

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.

El Chalten Extension

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 we’ll 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

2011-2012 price per person: US$483 double, US$610 single. High season supplement of $26 for departures Nov 11-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

Discovery Glaciers - 6 nights / 7days

Departures: 11-dec-11- 17-dec-11 , 25-dec-11- 31-dec-11 , 08-jan-12- 14-jan-12 , 22-jan-12- 28-jan-12 , 05-feb-12- 11-feb-12, 19-feb-12- 25-feb-12 , 04-mar-12 -10-mar-12
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 World’s 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.

2011-2012Price: English Speaking Guide - US$1571 per person double, US$2006 single. High season supplement = $81

Los Glaciares National Park - 7 days - 6 nights

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

We’ll 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. We’ll 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 we’ll 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 we’ll be transferred in our bus to el Calafate, where we’ll 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 World’s 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. It’s 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.

2011-2012 Price: English Speaking Guide - US$767 per person double, US$1027 single. High season supplement = $37