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Patagonia Ice Trail |
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Visiting the Southern Patagonia Andes is to see the Earth as it was 10,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age. The region features a vast high plateau covered by steppe vegetation that lays down from the Atlantic Ocean to the foot of the Andes Range. Rising steeply above the steppe, the Andes show sharp shaped un-eroded mountains due to the very recent receding of glaciers. They are still covered by the most extensive area of glaciers outside the world's polar regions. Huge glaciers spill off into enormous lakes. From the 350 glaciers sliding down from the Ice Field, the Perito Moreno Glacier is probably the most famous. As for mountains, names such as Mt Fitz Roy, Torre and Paine, known by climbers all over the world, offer the most spectacular, magic and beautiful mountain views of the world, with their outstanding granite walls. What a great Patagonia Argentina tour! |
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DAY 01: BUENOS AIRES. Arrival in Buenos Aires. Meet and greet at the International airport and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon private city tour. This exclusive tour serves as the perfect introduction to four of the city's most distinctive districts, offering a fascinating insight into its history, contrasts and culture. We will experience the highlights of Buenos Aires, including political centers, artist meccas and barrios rich in European architecture. We'll become acquainted with the foundation site of the capital at Plaza de Mayo, undisputedly Buenos Aires' political heart. Next, delve into one of the oldest districts, Parque Lezama and La Boca in the south, where artists' ateliers and brightly colored houses jostle for space; before moving on to Plaza San Martin and Retiro. Here, notice the transformation of Buenos Aires' architecture from the rambling style of the south of the city to the European-influenced residential quarters of the 19th century. Finally, we´'ll come face to face with the sophisticated neighbourhood of Recoleta, whose buildings and avenues were inspired by the French; it is also home to the world famous Recoleta Cemetery and Evita Peron's Mausoleum, and we will get to make a stop here on this tour. DAY 02: BUENOS AIRES - USHUAIA. Transfer to the domestic airport to fly to Ushuaia. Arrival in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Meals: B. DAY 03: Harberton Ranch and Martillo Island Morning pick up for full day visit Harberton Ranch, with a navigation to observe The penguin colony at Martillo Island. This excursion is the perfect introduction to Tierra del Fuego, its history, its magnificent natural history and traditions. We start from Ushuaia driving east towards Estancia Harberton. This estancia belongs to the descendants of the first British Missionaries to reach the area - Rev. Thomas Bridges- and was managed for many years by Ms Natalie Goodall, a foremost naturalist in the area. We visit the estancia and then board a small boat to navigate to Gable Island (the largest in the Beagle Channel) where we stop for lunch. Our base will be a cabin that dates from the beginning of the 19th century, a picturesque shelter adapted to receive visitors preserving its original charm. After lunch we follow a 2,30 hs hike (between 3- 7 km hike depending upon the passengers physical condition) in the island to try to reach the opposite coast on the Beagle Channel to see the Gables, a rock formation by the coast and then resume our navigation to the Penguin rookery at MARTILLO ISLAND, the domain of the Magellan Penguin and some few Gentoo Penguins. The unique location of this island (close to the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean waters merge) allows for an incredible variety of rich subaquatic life, making it an amazing spot for birdwatching (petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls and albatross). Once in a while some king penguins have been seen there too. Return to Harberton and back to Ushuaia. IMPORTANT NOTE: For those who wish, you can do some canoeing before going to Harberton Ranch. You would just spend less time a tthe ranch than the others. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch DAY 04: TIERRA DEL FUEGO NP. TREKKING AND CANOEING Full day visit to the Tierra del Fuego NP. Upon arrival in the park, we start a 7 km trek (3.5 hours) to a wonderful scenic point overlooking Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, Rivers Ovando and Lapataia and Bahía Lapataia. 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. Lunch in the camping area of Lake Roca. Afternoon paddling 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, quiet 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 are at the end of the southernmost reaches of the Panamerican Road, at the end of the world. We drive then back to Ushuaia and the hotel. Meals: B- L DAY 05: USHUAIA - EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN. Morning at leisure in Ushuaia to enjoy the city or visit the very interesting End of the World Museum or the Presidium. Transfer to the airport to fly to El Calafate. Reception and transfer to the bus station to board the bus to El Chaltén (4 hours), a small windswept town at the foot of Mt. Fitz Roy. Upon arrival, accommodation. Meals: B. Balance of the day at leisure to get acquainted with the area. DAY 06: Mt FITZ ROY.
Full day hike to Mt Fitz Roy base camp and Laguna de los Tres. After breakfast hike north towards Fitz Roy with spectacular views of the massif ahead. Sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche groups and believed to be a volcano, they called it "Chaltén" (exhaling fumes mountain). Further hike to Laguna de los Tres, at the base of Mt. Fitz Roy. Three glaciers drain into this greenish lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitz Roy towering above. Enjoy breathtaking views to SE Lake Viedma and the endless Patagonia steppe. Slope: 1100 m. Approx. hike: 8 hours Meals: B- Box-lunch. DAY 07: LAGUNA TORRE. Full day hiking another Patagonian classic: Mt Torre, famous for its beauty but also for its level of difficulty. Countless expeditions attempt every year to reach the summit, but only a few succeed. After a 45 minute climb we will find an even area surrounding an old lagoon where vegetation is starting to grow again. The trail takes 3 hours approx and goes by old glacial moraines where lenga and ñires have found their place. The Fitz Roy River will be parallel to our trail and it will let us be amazed at the imposing mounts Fitz Roy and Torre and their pinnacles and hanging glaciers. The trails enters a forest with a slight descent leading to a lookout facing the Cerro Torre range and the Adelas Mt. and ends in the coast of Laguna Torre, which offers a beautiful view of Mt Torre surrounded by Egger, Standhard spires and the Adelas range as a backdrop together with Glacier Torre. Lunch will be at the Laguna Torre and after enjoying the Maestri lookout we will return to El Chalten. Slope: 600 m. Approx. hike: 5 hours Meals: B- Box-lunch. |
Optional
Big ICE EXPEDITION - www.hieloyaventura.com Supplement U$S 176 per person (see details below) This incredible experience starts at the small pier "Bajo las Sombras" at 0900 AM, (previous transfer from El Calafate) where we board a small boat - the Tehuelche - to cross the Rico Arm of Lake Argentino. After 10-minute navigation we meet the guides on the opposite bank of the lake and we start hiking in the beech forest till we get to the lateral moraine of the Perito Moreno glacier. We put on our crampons, get a brief instruction on ice climbing and hiking and off we go! After an hour's walk we reach the point where we leave terra firma and start our walk on the ice. 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. We will explore this "unique world" hiking for about 3 hours led by expert mountain guides. We 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. We then hike back to the small pier to board our boat and navigate back to the coast with our souls fulfilled. Return to El Calafate. Note: 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. Due to park regulations and insurance policy pax over 45 years old will not be accepted on the tour. What to pack: sunglasses, cap, wind proof parka or jacket, sun block, gloves, trekking boots, comfortable and warm clothes, bottle water, and box-lunch. The rates include: * Accommodation in the mentioned hotels with private facilities and breakfast. * Round trip transfers between airport and hotels in every destination * Shared services (small groups of 10/12 pax; trekking on Glacier with average groups of 20). * Assistance of expert mountain guides in Ushuaia, El Chalten and the Minitrekking * Trekking gear if necessary * Meals as stated on the itinerary (without beverages) * Entrance fees to parks and reserves The rates do not include: * Airline tickers, airport departure taxes * International departure tax U$S 18.- to be paid in US dollars, pesos or a combination of both * Tips for luggage handling and optional gratuities for guides and crew * Extras and personal expenses * Optional tours. NOTES 1.- BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: For domestic flights is 15kg to check in and 5kg as carry on per person. Any luggage heavier than these limits is charged an additional cost which varies between U$S 1.5 to U$S 3. - Per extra kilo. In our past experience the airlines not always charged these overweight, however they retain the right to do so. 
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DAY 08: EL CHALTEN- EL CALAFATE. After breakfast, free time for a further hike in the area or town or enjoy a short hike to a scenic point overlooking the famous Mt Torre. Afternoon board a bus to El Calafate (about four hours bus ride). Arrival. Accommodation at Hotel in El Calafate.
Meals: B.
DAY 09: PERITO MORENO GLACIER at LOS GLACIARES NP
Transfer to Los Glaciares NP in the Sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cape, which extends over 60000 sq km (23000 sq miles) and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian Andes. We will board small 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, where the mountain guides will lead us to a small shelter. After checking last details, abilities and a short safety briefing the groups are divided into smaller groups of 20, and head to the lateral moraine of the glacier, where the guides will done us crampons and our exploration will begin.
The two hour circuit that follows will introduce us to the fascinating landscape of the glaciers: streams, small lagoons, gullies, crevasses and plenty of ice formations of the most incredible and different kind of blue. Together with the hike the guides will introduce us to this amazing area: flora & fauna which includes such species as: Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles, ashy headed geese, etc. After having enjoyed this amazing experience, we will have lunch (pack lunch provided by the hotel) in a small beach by the Glacier to then navigate back to the board walks to observe the amazing Perito Moreno Glacier from the board walks.
** For those HARD CORE TREKKERS we suggest that they consider joining the BIG ICE EXPEDITION which gets into the heart of the glacier.
Recommended gear for the day: Sport shoes or trekking boots, with warm woolen or cotton socks. (Rubber and après ski boots, as well as high heels are not advisable). Comfortable sports wear, long trousers, warm sweater or pile, water or wind proof jacket, sunglasses, sun block and gloves.
Meals: B & Box-lunch
The trekking is MODERATE. The ice surface is irregular but firm and safe. Land transportation from El Calafate is on a shared basis, it does NOT include guide and includes one hour visit to the glacier's boardwalks.
Entrance fees: These are NOT included in the rate, so participants are to pay upon arrival to the entrance of the National Park. The ticket costs $ 45. - (pesos 45.-) and it is to be paid locally in PESOS (US Dollars or any other currency are not accepted).
The tour is not recommended for: Passengers over 60 years old or children under 12 will not be allowed; Pregnant women, People with vertigo, overweight or some kind of difficulty to walk on their own or who need assistance.
DAY 10: EL CALAFATE - BUENOS AIRES.
Morning at leisure to explore El Calafate or do optional activities. Transfer to the airport to fly back to Buenos Aires.
Meals: B.
DAY 09: PERITO MORENO GLACIER at LOS GLACIARES NP
Transfer to Los Glaciares NP in the Sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cape, which extends over 60000 sq km (23000 sq miles) and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian Andes. We will board small 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, where the mountain guides will lead us to a small shelter. After checking last details, abilities and a short safety briefing the groups are divided into smaller groups of 20, and head to the lateral moraine of the glacier, where the guides will done us crampons and our exploration will begin.
The two hour circuit that follows will introduce us to the fascinating landscape of the glaciers: streams, small lagoons, gullies, crevasses and plenty of ice formations of the most incredible and different kind of blue. Together with the hike the guides will introduce us to this amazing area: flora & fauna which includes such species as: Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles, ashy headed geese, etc. After having enjoyed this amazing experience, we will have lunch (pack lunch provided by the hotel) in a small beach by the Glacier to then navigate back to the board walks to observe the amazing Perito Moreno Glacier from the board walks.
** For those HARD CORE TREKKERS we suggest that they consider joining the BIG ICE EXPEDITION which gets into the heart of the glacier.
Recommended gear for the day: Sport shoes or trekking boots, with warm woolen or cotton socks. (Rubber and après ski boots, as well as high heels are not advisable). Comfortable sports wear, long trousers, warm sweater or pile, water or wind proof jacket, sunglasses, sun block and gloves.
Meals: B & Box-lunch
The trekking is MODERATE. The ice surface is irregular but firm and safe. Land transportation from El Calafate is on a shared basis, it does NOT include guide and includes one hour visit to the glacier's boardwalks.
Entrance fees: These are NOT included in the rate, so participants are to pay upon arrival to the entrance of the National Park. The ticket costs $ 45. - (pesos 45.-) and it is to be paid locally in PESOS (US Dollars or any other currency are not accepted).
The tour is not recommended for: Passengers over 60 years old or children under 12 will not be allowed; Pregnant women, People with vertigo, overweight or some kind of difficulty to walk on their own or who need assistance.
DAY 10: EL CALAFATE - BUENOS AIRES.
Morning at leisure to explore El Calafate or do optional activities. Transfer to the airport to fly back to Buenos Aires.
