Patagonia Discovery Treks
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Expedition Highlights
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Start & End in El CalafateDay 1 – El Calafate
Arrive in El Calafate and make your way to the group hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore the town, or walk down to Lake Argentino to watch the waterbirds. There will be also be an evening briefing, to meet your trek guide and learn about your upcoming adventure. Day 2 – El Chaltén & Los Glaciares National Park An early departure takes us to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, where you can witness the thunderous crash of frequent ice calving. Afterwards, we drive across the Patagonian steppes to the village of El Chaltén, which will serve as our home base in Los Glaciares National Park. Days 3 to 4 – Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre Over the next two days we enjoy day walks to the base camps of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. These picturesque walks will take us along dramatic rock spires, pristine valleys and shimmering lakes & glaciers sitting in the foothills of jagged peaks. We’ll return to our accommodation each night with time to sample the local cuisine and village atmosphere. Day 5 – Puerto Natales We leave El Chaltén this morning and cross the border into Chile, driving across pampas towards Puerto Natales. Set on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza, this city is the gateway to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. The afternoon is yours to explore this delightful town, and in the evening you may like to sample to local speciality of King Crab in one of the seafood restaurants. Day 6 – Serrano River & Balmaceda Glacier This morning we leave Puerto Natales and journey further into Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way, we board a boat and travel down a fjord, stopping at the Balmaceda Glacier en-route. We then change to Zodiacs and continue along the Serrano River before we arrive in the heart of Torres del Paine. Days 7 to 8 – Torres del Paine National Park Over the next two days we plan to take in some of the highlights of the National Park, such Salto Grande Falls, Mirador Cuernos Lookout, Nordenskjöld Lake, Armaga Lagoon, Pehoe Lake and Condor Viewpoint. There will also be plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching, possibly spotting herds of guanacos, foxes, condors, falcons and maybe even the elusive Patagonian puma. On the first day we will travel by bus to move from one trail to another in order to maximise our time. We will attempt to tackle the longer and more challenging Ascencio Valley trail on the second day, which takes us to the base of the famous Torres del Paine peaks. Day 9 to 10 – El Calafate We depart Torres del Paine today and cross the border back to Argentina towards El Calafate. The drive will take us through some spectacular Patagonian scenery, where rolling hills are dotted with stunted beech trees. We plan to arrive in El Calafate in the afternoon where the rest of the day is yours for some last-minute shopping or to indulge in some “dulce de leche” dessert! Your trek ends the next day after breakfast, where you will continue on with your own arrangements. Dates and Rates: 2020 - Nov. 28, Nov. 30, Dec. 17 - US$4980 per person, double occupancy 2021 - Feb. 2 - US$4980 per person, double occupancy Group size 4-14 Save 10% off on these treks if you book by 30 April 2019, or until sold out (Includes (both trek versions)
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Start Punta Arenas & End in El Calafate or Vice VersaDay 1 – Punta Arenas, Chile
On arrival into Punta Arenas, please make your own way to the group hotel (details will be provided in your final documents). This township, founded in 1500’s is the gateway to the Straits of Magellan, was originally established as a prison colony and later the biggest commercial and supplying center of all vessels travelling between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the town. You will have a briefing in the afternoon to meet your guide and learn about your upcoming adventure. Day 2 – Puerto Natales, Chile This morning after breakfast, we drive across the pampas to Puerto Natales. Set on the shores of Seno Última Esperanza, this city is the gateway to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. The afternoon is at leisure and this evening you may like to sample King Crab in one of the seafood restaurants. Day 3 – Balmaceda Glacier & Serrano River This morning we leave Puerto Natales and journey towards Torres Del Paine National Park and its fabulous scenery. We board a boat and travel down the fjord, pausing at the Balmaceda Glacier en-route. We then change onto Zodiacs and continue along the Serrano River before reaching Torres del Paine. Days 4 to 5 – Torres Del Paine National Park Over the next few days we plan to view the highlights of the park on foot. The first day is on a bus, with stops for short treks. The second day in Torres Del Paine is a long and difficult trek, where you will be rewarded with spectacular views. Day 6 – El Chaltén & Los Glaciares National Park Today we leave Torres Del Paine and Chile as we cross the border into Argentina, driving across the pampas to El Chaltén. The village of El Chaltén is in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park and it is from here that we make our day trips. Days 7 to 8 – Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre Over the next two days we enjoy day walks to the base camp of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Mount Fitz Roy is found at the northern end of the park and is part of a range of bizarre peaks including the needle like rock pinnacle of Cerro Torre. For a climber it looks to be one of the most unclimbed peaks in the world – in fact it was only scaled for the first time in 1974. To the south runs a great chain of massive glaciers that basically follow the line of the Chile/Argentina border. The dramatic rock spires beckon and our days here will be a highlight of the trip. The beautiful valleys hold crystal clear streams and are home to a multitude of bird life. During the short summer the beech trees and the flowers bloom profusely and we are here at the best time to enjoy it. Day 9 – El Calafate & Perito Moreno Glacier This morning we depart El Chaltén for the drive across the Patagonia and the arid Argentine pampas to El Calafate, (approx. 4 hours). The township, was founded in 1927, is best known as the ‘national capital of the glaciers’ and is the gateway to the Patagonia Los Glaciares National Park including the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. After a short stop in El Calafate, we will continue our journey entering the southern area of the National Park to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Back in El Calafate we will enjoy a farewell dinner! Day 10 – El Calafate, Argentina Today, your trek will end in El Calafate, where you can continue your adventure at your own arrangements. Dates and Rates: 2021 - Jan. 12 - US$4980 per person, double occupancy Reverse Itinerary (start in El Calafate & end in Punta Arenas 2020 - Dec. 10 & 26 - US$4980 per person, double occupancy 2021 - Feb. 11 - US$4980 per person, double occupancy Group size 4-14 Save 10% off on these treks if you book by 30 April 2019, or until sold out Sample Hotels Used:
Calafate - La Cantera Suites El Chalten - El Puma Punta Arenas - Cabo de Hornos Puerto Natales - Weskar Torres del Paine - Las, Torres, Cabanas del Paine |