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Visiting the Southern Patagonian Andes is like discovering Earth as it was
10,000 years ago, over the end of the last Ice Age. It is
one of those ever rarer sites of astounding natural beauty, still largely
undiscovered and untouched.
The region features a vast high plateau covered by desolated never ending steppe that lays down from the
Atlantic Ocean to the foot of the Andes. Rising steeply above
the steppe, the Andes features craggy mountains still covered by
the most extensive area of glaciers outside the polar regions.
These huge glaciers, such as the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier
spill off into enormous blue and emeralds lakes. From the high summits,
you enjoy one of the most spectacular, magic and beautiful vistas of the world.
You are guided by naturalist and professional mountain guides, offering you
a great opportunity to comfortably enjoy and understand nature at its best.
Hotels used are superior 3* - 4* hotels, estancias and nature lodges chosen for their customized service and for their constant search for ways to improve their services.
The Itinerary
Day 01:
Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel. Optional walking tour into the historic centre (the four balconies of Buenos Aires).
Day 02:
Transfer to Domestic Airport and flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world
Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, navigation on the stormy waters of the Beagle Channel
where the Andes plunge into the sea to reappear in the Antarctic
Peninsula. The channel overlooks the islands that extend all the
way to Cape Horn. It was first discovered by Fitz Roy Expedition
in 1830, visited by Darwin in 1833 and first settled by Anglican
missionaries in 1860. Overnight in hotel (B).
Day 03:
Drive to the Mirador del Beagle and start of our hike following an old trail built by the prisoners of
the Presidium at the beginning of the XXth century. We hike in an immense forest during two hours, crossing
a couple of peat bogs on the way to the edge of this unique subantarctic beech forest. We stop by a small
stream to have lunch and resume our hike along a guanaco trail (guanacos are llamas' wild cousins) leading
to Margot Lagoon, a beautiful area high in the mountain. An easy ascend led us to the summit of Cerro del
Medio (3000 ft / 1000 mts), offering outstanding vistas over Tierra del Fuego, the Beagle Channel,
Ushuaia as if it was featured in a map.
We then climb Roy Mount (2700 ft / 900 mts), located behind Cerro del Medio. This mountain stands as a lookout
point to observe the Andes towards the North. We walk on the edge of Roy Mount, and start our descent
to the Club Andino's Mountain Refuge at Martial Glacier, where we enjoy a tea in front of a giant
firewood stove. Return to Ushuaia at the end of the afternoon.(B L)
Day 04:
Full day excursion into Tierra del Fuego National Park. Guided by a naturalist guide,
we start with a one and a half mile walk to a wonderful scenic point overlooking lago Roca,
laguna Verde (green Lake), laguna Negra (black Lake), Ovando River and Lapataia Bay.
The beech forests of the park are home of the famous Magaellanic woodpecker,
the largest of its kind in South America, Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors.
Then, we embark on an 18 people zodiac and head towards Isla Redonda for lunch.
We spend the afternoon walking gently around the island. On the way back
to Lapataia Bay, we observe cormorants, sea lions, albatross and petrels.
Upon arrival we hike along an old trail to Laguna Verde.
Optionnal kayaking along the Ovando River which flows into the Green Lake, one
of the most beautiful of the Park. Drive back to Ushuaia. Overnight in hotel (B L).
Day 05:
Morning at leisure in Ushuaia to enjoy the city or visit the very
interesting End of the World Museum.
Transfer to the airport and fly to El Calafate in Southern Patagonia on the edge
of the Glaciared National Park, a Unesco protected area.
Reception at the airport and transfer in private car to El Chalten, a small windswept town
on the footsteps of the inmense vertical granite walls of the daring Mount Fitz Roy.
We are lodged in El Pilar Lodge, a outstanding 8 room hosteria,
15 km out of El Chalten and set in the middle of an exuberant
beech forest offering magnificent vistas over the Fitz Roy Massif.
Time permitting, we may hike (1 hour) to Piedras Blancas Glacier discovering a very interesting
beech forest. If you are lucky, you may see the amazing Magellanic Woodpecker at work.
On the way, you meet Marconi Glacier, one of the gateways to the
Continental Ice Cap which stretches for 560 miles from North to South.
(B D)
Day 06:
After breakfast we hike north towards Fitz Roy Mount, enjoying spectacular
views of the massif ahead and the endless Patagonia steppe. Sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche
Natives who called it "Chalten" (meaning "exhaling fumes mountain"), it
was believed for long to be a volcano. The hike finishes at Laguna
de los Tres, a greenish lagoon in which calves three glaciers
dramatically overlooked by the 6000 ft high vertical walls
of the Fitz Roy. Return to the Lodge. (B L D)
Day 07:
Today, we continue our hike to another Patagonian classic: Cerro Torre, famous for
its beauty and for its difficulty to climb. Countless expeditions
attempt every year to reach the summit, but only a few succeed.
The trail enters a forest with a slight descent leading to a
lookout facing the Cerro Torre range and the Adelas Mount.
The trail finally ends on the shore of Laguna Torre, facing the Cerro Torre
and its glacier. Hike back to El Chalten where a van is waiting to
drive us back to the Lodge.(B L D)
Day 08:
After breakfast, enjoy some free time for a further hike in the area.
In the afternoon, we board a bus back to El Calafate.
Accommodation in a picturesque Patagonian Estancia (Estancia Alice). (B D)
Day 09:
Day at leisure. There are many possibilities to enjoy this day
(not included in the rate) such as horseback ride to Frias Mount, hike to
the surrounding mounts or sail to the Upsalla Glacier and visit the remote
Estancia Cristina. Overnight in Estancia Alice (B D)
Day 10:
Excursion to the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cape,
known as the "Third Pole", which extends over 60,000 sq.km (23,000 sq.
miles) and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian
Andes. We board a zodiac to cross Argentino Lake to
the 200ft high towering ice walls of the Perito Moreno Glacier. We sail around
the icebergs which are constantly calving from the glacier. We land
on a 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. Drive back to El Calafate
and overnight in Estancia Alice (B L D)
Day 11:
After a free leisurly morning, we transfer you to the airport for the flight back
to Buenos Aires. Welcome at the airport and transfer to your Hotel (B).
Day 12:
Transfer to International Airport for your flight to Europe,
or continuation of your holidays in Argentina (B).
General Information
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 day pack.
Vegetarian meals upon request.
Rated: Moderate. On days 6 and 7 hiking time is 8 hours but the paths are really easy to follow and the
altitude gradient is low (the altittude maximum reach is (4000 ft / 1300 mts). This journey is
accessible to any normally fit person.
In order to benefit of flight availability during the high season (December to March) we do recommend
that you book at least 4 months in advance.
Fixed Departure dates
2006: NOV 16 and 26 - DEC 10 and 24
2007: JAN 14 and 28; FEB 11 and 25; MAR 11 and 25
| Tour Tariff | ||||
| Per person | SGL Supp. | |||
| USD | $ 1804 | $ 732 | ||
| EUR | € 1497 | € 608 | ||
| GBP | £ 1010 | £410 | ||
| Domestic Flights: USD 484 / GBP 271 / EUR 402 | ||||
Included: Accommodation in double rooms with private facilities in 3/4 * hotels and first
class Estancias, meals as specified, all transfers and transport in private car and in public bus,
shared excursions, experienced bilingual naturalist/mountain guides, entrance fees to National Parks
Not included: Other meals, drinks, domestic flights, bus tickets to El Chalten (around $ 30),
optional excursions, tips
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