Active Patagonia - 7 days in Argentina
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Day 1 Ushuaia. D
Arrival and reception at the airport. Transfer to the Alto Andino hotel. In the afternoon we move to the starting point of the trekking to Esmeralda lagoon: an ideal activity for those who enjoy walking and open air. We leave from Ushuaia to Tierra Mayor Valley in order to begin the walking to the Lagoon with water that amaze because of its color. After one hour and a half walking, we arrive at the lagoon where we rest for a while to then return and explore the valley, before enjoying a dinner. At the end, return to the city. Distance: 9 km (5 miles). Slope: 163 metres Day 2 Ushuaia. B L This will be a full day to visit this incredible National Park, one of the nicest in Argentina. Upon arrival in the park, we start a 7 km trek (3.5 hour walk) on a safe but uneven terrain with some slopes on the way, to a wonderful scenic point overlooking Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, Rivers Ovando and Lapataia and Lapataia bay. Hiking through this beech forest we will be able to look for the Magellanic woodpecker, largest in South America, Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors. We have lunch by the lake (Lago Roca) and in the afternoon we paddle in the National Park. After an instructive view in Lago Roca, kayak Ovando River, which flows, into the Green Lake, one of the most beautiful views of the Park. During this easy- downstream ride, we will enjoy the crystal-clear, quite waters of Ovando River. We will run into Laguna Verde, one of the most wonderful spots in this part of the Park. As we go on, we will be amazed by the beauty of the scenery. Approaching Lapataia Bay, we may encounter sea birds flying over, looking curiously at us: sea petrels, albatross, and steamer ducks, among others. Lapataia Bay is our final destination. After we disembark, we just relax and enjoy the early, southern sunset behind the mountains. We drive back to Ushuaia and hotel. Day 3 Ushuaia. B L Starting early in the morning from Ushuaia, we drive along the J route, part of which is lined with the famous wind-tortured "Flag Trees", until we reach the Lashifashaj River to prepare inflatable canoes. Setting off from the riverbank, a paddle downstream will wind gently through the forested landscape, home to a huge variety of bird species, toward the Beagle Channel. On arrival, the enormity of the sky and vastness of the open sea is striking, before passing a nearby island inhabited by Rock Cormorants and Seals, continuing up to Estancia Harberton. We leave by motorboat and visit the penguins at Isla Martillo, spending time to observe their antics in, and out of the water, before travelling to Gable Island. A freshly cooked lunch and a welcome glass of fine Patagonian wine await us before we explore the island, walking along the original tracks left by the Yamanas. This is a magical place, where one can experience the silence and isolation of our wild surroundings, comfortable in the knowledge that a motorboat is waiting to take us back to Puerto Harberton when needed! A vehicle will then take us back to the hotel. Day 4 Ushuaia / El Calafate. B Day at leisure until the scheduled time of the transfer. Arrival at El Calafate and transfer to the Rochester Hotel. Day 5 El Calafate. B We leave to Los Glaciares National Park, declared a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. We will board 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. Day 6 El Calafate. B L A shared transfer leaves El Calafate to begin the journey to Puerto Bandera, where, on arrival, we will set sail on a panoramic catamaran which gently navigates along the lake, carefully guiding us through the breathtaking scenes of icebergs towering overhead. Our voyage continues, as we find ourselves cruising down the Cristina Channel, our destination gradually coming into sight. Estancia Cristina is located in the most incredible setting, surrounded by snow-capped mountains imposing themselves defiantly on the landscape, and striking blue icebergs, glowing as they float effortlessly on the lake. Day 7 El Calafate. B Morning at leisure and transfer to the airport to board the scheduled flight. |
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• transfers in with English-speaking guide, out with driver only • Accommodation: 6 nights El Calafate (3) - Ushuaia (3) •Tours: Ushuaia: Trekking to Esmeralda Lagoon - Tierra del Fuego National Park with trekking and canoes - Penguins, Gable Island with canoes El Calafate: Minitrekking on Perito Moreno Glacier - Fossil Canyon Trek at Estancia Cristina • Meals: 6 breakfasts - 3 lunches (box lunch) - 1 dinner • Needed tickets to the National Parks SEASON: MID-OCTOBER TO MARCH Operational notes: Day 1: It is required arriving before midday. Esmeralda Lagoon operates from Mondays to Fridays. Day 2: National Park with trekking and canoes does not operate on Saturdays. Day 3: Gable Island with canoes operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. To keep in mind: The difficulty of the activities is medium, except for the day 6 that has more restrictions and difficulty. Minitrekking. Limitations: this excursion, due to the degree of effort and difficulty it presents, is only suitable for people between 10 and 65 years old. And under 18 years of age, unaccompanied, even if they are above the required minimum age.People who are overweight must NOT participate; for this purpose, persons who exceed the following criterion will be considered to be overweight: weights in kg greater than twice the height in cm minus 100 (e. g. for a height of 1.70 m): 170 minus 100 = 70 x 2 = 140); pregnant; people with any degree or type of physical or mental disability affecting their attention, gait and/or coordination; people suffering from central or peripheral cardiovascular disease, heart or vascular capacities are impaired, or using stents, pacemakers or other prostheses (for example): Medicated with anticoagulants, grade III varicose veins - which are thick and multiple -, cardiac arrhythmias; people suffering from diseases causing respiratory disabilities (COPD, asthma, emphysema) |
