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Patagonia is a privileged destination, one of those ever rarer sites of astounding natural beauty, still largely
undiscovered and untouched. Patagonia was always described by early explorers as “a barren land without fresh water, without trees - only brackish ponds and dwarf plants”. Hidden in the heart of this so-called “inhospitable region” exist some of the most beautiful and amazing highlights in the world: from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean; from the desert to the most dense southern beech forests, the endless Andes mountain range, the Continental Ice shelf and its glaciers, 3,400 meter granite pinnacles offer visitors the most unforgettable adventure at the end of the world.
During this unique overland journey, you explore Patagonia
on both Chilean and Argentinean sides, in private transport, interrupted by easy hiking
excursions. You visit the Petrified Forest, the Perito Moreno Glacier, Lago Argentino, the southern Andes, Torres
del Paine National Park in Chile, and finish your journey in Tierra del Fuego where you touch the tip of the continent.
The Itinerary
Day 01: Buenos Aires
Reception & Transfer from International Airport to hotel in downtown Buenos Aires. At 07.00 PM briefing at hotel in Buenos Aires with tour leader. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 02: Comodoro Rivadavia - Petrified Forest - Perito Moreno
Transfer to domestic airport and flight to Comodoro Rivadavia airport. Drive to the fascinating Petrified Forests of Colonia Sarmiento. After visiting and learning about the 70 million year old fossilized trees, depart to the famous 40 National Road to cross one of the most unpopulated areas in the world where mostly herds of guanacos and ñandus roam free. Arrive in the “far west” town of Perito Moreno. Stay in hotel overnight. (297 kilometers, 6 hours) BLD.
Day 03: Cueva de las Manos - Lago Posadas
The day begins driving southwards along the former Indian trail (today the 40 National Road), across the wide pampas to the Rio Pinturas’ deep, steep river canyon where spectacular 9000 year old rock paintings, “Cuevas de las Manos” (Hand's Caves), can be found. After visiting the site, drive towards the Andes arriving at Lago Posadas village in the shores of the homonymous lake. Here, see impressionable views of the snow-covered San Lorenzo mount (3,706 meters), the highest in southern Patagonia. Overnight in hosteria. (290 kilometers, 7 hours). BLD
Day 04: Posadas and Pueyrredon Lakes
Full day trekking and exploring the colorful and isolated Posadas & Pueyrredon lakes area. Watch birds and observe plants and fauna under dramatic views of the Patagonian Andes shaped by the strongest glaciations which left spectacular deep scratch marks over their rocks. BLD
Day 05: Oro River Valley and Furioso River Gorges.
Another day for leisure and exploring the unspoiled areas of the beautiful and dream-like Furioso River Gorge and Oro River Valley. BLD
Day 06: Cardiel and Viedma Lakes - El Chalten
Early departure for the 40 National Road. Stop for lunch in a typical estancia and drive along Cardiel and Viedma Lakes. Arrive at Los Glaciers National Park. Arrive at the picturesque Andean village of Chalten. Stay in lodge overnight. (520 kilometers, 11 hours). BLD
Day 07: Glaciares National Park (Fitz Roy Mount)
Full day trekking to Laguna de Los Tres crossing dense forests, observing hanging glaciers and finally facing the impressive and magnificent Fitz Roy mount (3.375 meters.). Overnight stay in lodge. BLD
Day 08: Glaciares National Park (Cerro Torre)
Another full day trekking to Laguna Torre facing the vertical granite walls of sharp Cerro Torre: one of the most difficult Pinnacles to climb in the world due to its weather conditions and technical characteristics. BLD
Day 09: El Calafate
Departure to Calafate (230 kilometers, 4 hours). Check into hotel before lunch and have the afternoon free to explore Nimes Lagoon and do some shopping in town. B
Day 10: Glaciares National Park (Perito Moreno Glacier)
Full day excursion to the spectacular Perito Moreno glacier declared in 1978 World Nature Heritage by the UNESCO. Spend the afternoon enjoying the sights and sounds of the ice cracking and falling in the presence of this ice colossus 3 kilometers wide, 35 kilometers long and 60 meters high. Stay in hotel overnight. B
Day 11: El Calafate - Torres del Paine National Park
Drive south to Paine National Park and cross the border to Chile. Here, the landscapes start to change gradually; greener fields and mountains appear. The UNESCO World Biosphere Heritage declared this national park a monument and here, visitors can see native fauna such as guanacos, and local animals such as condors and pumas. Here is the beginning of the Ice Shelf and the ever-present Paine Massif that lends to the “end of the world” atmosphere. Overnight lodging in hostel. BLD
Day 12: Torres del Paine National Park (Paine Towers)
Full day trekking to the legendary Paine Towers going along Ascencio River Valley and reaching one of the most magnificent views in Patagonia, the three granite towers and Torres Lagoon. BLD
Day 13: Torres del Paine National Park
Begin the day visiting the rest of the highlights in Paine Nat. Park including a short hike in Grey Lake, Paine Horns & Salto Grande. Drive to a typical Patagonian estancia in Argentina near the border. Stay overnight in the estancia and discover delicious samples of the local gastronomy. BLD
Day 14: El Calafate - Ushuaia
Time to explore the hidden Estancia in the morning. Transfer to Calafate or Rio Gallegos Airport for a flight to Ushuaia. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for visiting the southernmost city in the world and the touring the museums there. B
Day 15: Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego National Park
Today passengers can choose between a new ice trek in the Fuenguian Andes with the view of the Beagle Channel or the a full day trekking in the Tierra del Fuego National Park: the only national park in Argentina with a seaside and a unique combination of flora and fauna mixing a sub-Antarctic forest with sea ecosystems. Walk along the Lapataia Bay obtaining good sights of the Beagle Channel and Darwin Range in Chile ending with zodiac navigation along the channel. BL
Day 16: Ushuaia - Buenos Aires
This morning is free for an optional boat excursion to the mythical Beagle Channel. Afternoon transfer to the airport and flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival and transfer to hotel. B
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Day 17: Buenos Aires
After breakfast, check out at 11.00 AM. End of services. See optional extensions to Iguazu falls or other destinations. B
General Information
Click on the map of Patagonia on the right to enlarge in a new window.
On the top of this page you find the map with our itinerary
Weather is unpredictable in Patagonia. One day can be warm and sunny whereas the following days can be
pretty miserable. An open attitude towards outdoor activities is required.
You are required to carry no more than a light daypack.
Rated: Easy/Moderate. The program includes several easy hikes along well-defined trails (except hike on day 12).
As Patagonia is not in a high altitude (400-450 meters above sea level), all the treks reach maximum 1200-1300 meters only. As they are full day treks, it is not necessary to carry heavy equipment in the back pack, only water-bottle, sun cream, rain jacket, trousers and the pack lunch, so a small rucksack is advisable.
Food & Accommodation:
Every breakfast is included in the program. There is a local payment of U$D 200 to be paid to Tour Leader on arrival and covers diverse operational expenses. All meals are included at hosterias in the mountain or isolated places. In cities, traveler has more freedom to choose if no meal is included. Traveler should allow approximately U$D 18 - per meal not included in the itinerary. Box lunches are included during every trek. Accommodation is in tourist class hotels and clean and comfortable hostels, mainly double and rarely triple or quadruple room basis. Single room supplement available every case except at estancia on day 13.
Fixed Departure dates
2006: 12th Nov; 25th** Nov; 10th Dec; 23rd** Dec.
2007: 7th Jan; 04th Feb; 25th Feb. and 24th Nov**; 9th Dec and 22nd Dec**.
2008: 6th Jan; 3rd Feb and 16th Feb**.
| Tour Tariff | ||||
| Per person | SGL Supp. | |||
| USD | $ 1947 | $ 478 | ||
| EUR | € 1616 | € 396 | ||
| GBP | £ 1090 | £267 | ||
| Domestic Flights: USD 465 / GBP 260 / EUR 385 | ||||
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