| HIGHLIGHTS: Buenos Aires - El Chalten - Laguna de los Tres - Laguna Torre - El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier - Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego
From the vibrant Argentine capital of Buenos Aires we fly south to the rugged beauty of Patagonia. With El Chalten as our base, we venture into the glaciated expanse of Parque Nacional Los Glacieres. Two full day hikes take us to Laguna de los Tres and the base camp at Rio Blanco, where we are rewarded with breathtaking views of the towering granite spires of Cerro Torre and the dramatic Fitz Roy Massif.
We then head to the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier and marvel at its sheer size and majesty. Crossing the border into Chilean Patagonia, we spend two nights trekking in Torres de Paine National Park, taking in the spectacular wilderness of this scenically stunning haven for trekkers. Our journey ends in Ushuaia, in the stunning Tierra del Fuego region.
Day 1 Buenos Aires. Your trip starts today in Buenos Aires. No activities are planned during the day, so you may arrive at any time. Please refer to your for the joining hotel name and address. Please note that there are two airports in Buenos Aires. The international airport is called Ezeiza and the domestic airport is called Aeroparque Jorge Newberry. There is a pre - departure meeting with your tour guide at 6:30pm this evening. Please check the notice board in the foyer of our joining hotel for any further details of this meeting and for any messages from your local tour guide. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the briefing.
Day 2 Buenos Aires. You will love Buenos Aires Home to nearly 13 million people, it is the world's tenth largest city. Vibrant and stylish, it boasts grand avenues, impressive colonial buildings, bustling streets, old - worldly caFes and a multitude of restaurants. A walking tour introduces us to the main attractions in the centre of town, but you also have time to make some great discoveries of your own. La Boca is an interesting neighbourhood, famous for brightly painted houses in a pedestrian walkway known as Caminito. Recoleta has an amazing cemetery that includes the tomb of Evita (Eva Peron). You might want to try the tango or perhaps enjoy the thrill of an Argentinean football match (season runs from March to December). Whatever you choose to do, you are in for a great time.
Day 3 Buenos Aires - El Chalten. This morning we fly south to the picturesque town of El Calafate, set on the southern shores of turquoise Lake Argentina. On arrival we transfer by regular bus to El Chalten. Our journey north into the mountains takes us around four hours and the magnificent scenery out the window is only a taste of what is yet to come Established at the base of the Fitz Roy mountain range and within Los Glaciares National Park, the small and remote town El Chalten is undoubtedly the 'trekking capital' of Argentina and our base for the next 2 day of trekking.
Day 4 - 5 Laguna de los Tres - Laguna Torre - El Calafate. Rising early we head out into the mountains on a full day trek to the Rio Blanco base camp, Laguna de los Tres. The views are stunning The sheer granite spires of the Fitz Roy Massif (3441m) tower above the surrounding glaciers and blue - green waters of Laguna de los Tres. We return to El Chalten to rest up for another spectacular day of trekking on Day 5. After breakfast on this day, we venture through the forested foot hills to Base Camp de Agostini (Laguna Torre), where we are greeted by the prettiest of mountain lakes and the majestic Cerro Torre. The soaring spires of Cerro Torre and Monte Fitz Roy compose a spectacular panorama; these two days are sure to be a highlight of our Patagonian adventure Returning to El Chalten late in the afternoon we board the regular bus for El Calafate, where we spend the night.
Day 6 Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion - El Calafate. Today we set out by bus over Peninsula Magallanes, an area of wide barren plains, to witness the awesome spectacle of the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. The dominating 60 metre high face of this virtual sea of ice thunders as it twists and cracks, intermittently sending giant shards plummeting into the waters below. We have plenty of time to marvel at this staggering force of nature and soak up the scenery before returning to El Calafate for the night. Please pay attention to the signs around the site warning about the dangers of 'flying ice'.
Day 7 - 8 Torres del Paine. This morning we leave Argentina by bus and cross the Chilean border into Torres del Paine, one of South America's finest national parks. We have two nights in the national park and a full day on Day 8 to trek to Torres Base Camp (Laguna Las Torres) and explore the stunning surroundings. Here, the spectacular Towers of Paine (Torres del Paine) rise over 2000 vertical metres above a natural wonderland of glacial ice fields and dense forests.
Day 9 Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales. This morning we join an excursion to visit different areas of the national park. By bus and on foot we explore the myriad of sprawling glaciers, turquoise lakes and rivers rushing through dense green forest. The park is also abundant with wildlife and there are excellent chances to spot guanacos, rheas, Andean condors, Chilean flamingos and many other species of birds and mammals. In the afternoon we transfer by bus to the picturesque town of Puerto Natales, on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), where we spend the night.
Day 10 - 11 Punta Arenas - Ushuaia. Heading into the far south of Chile we take the bus to Punta Arenas, wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Straits of Magellan. This afternoon you have free time to explore and highly recommended is a short walk to the lookout at Cerro Mirador. From the top, there are great views over the city and straits. You may also like to roam through the compact historic centre of town or perhaps visit the Salesiano Museum, which contains an impressive collection of indigenous artefacts. The historic local cemetery is also a must see. On Day 11 we have a long bus ride through spectacular scenery to the world's most southerly city, Ushuaia, located on the Argentinean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego.
Day 12 Tierra del Fuego. Venturing out of Ushuaia, we enter the absolutely spectacular Tierra del Fuego National Park. This place is just incredible It is a seaside national park covering a vast area (63,000 square kiLometres); however, only a small area is open to visitors and much of the park is actually off - limits. This morning we have time to do some short hikes and take in the stunning vistas this park has to offer; shimmering blue lakes, towering snow - capped peaks and glaciers pouring down into the sea. In the afternoon we journey by boat down the Beagle Channel, visiting Seal's Island and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. The Beagle Channel is home to many varieties of mammals and seabirds, including petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls, penguins, beavers, fur seals and graceful soaring albatrosses.
Day 13 - 14 Ushuaia. Today is a free day to relax or explore this southerly port and the surrounding area. There are many optional activities available - you might like to join a full day trekking and kayaking to Gable and Penguin Islands. There is also an off - road four - wheel - drive excursion to Lake Fagnano on offer, or you may prefer to visit the viewpoint of the impressive Martial Glacier. On the morning of Day 14, our Patagonian adventure comes to end after breakfast.
Explore the scenic beauty of this area's diverse and vibrant landscapes 14 day tour departing Buenos Aires.5 nights multi-share accommodation. 8 nights accommodation in hotels. 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches.An experienced Argentinean tour leader and there will be the services of local guides at some sites. National Park fees for Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine.Local flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate
Ask about our great airfaresConditions Valid for sale until 31 December 2012.Price is per person twin share with some multi share.Airfares other than local flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate are not included.Additional conditions may apply, please enquire for further details.Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes. Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.These prices are a guide to the best price and are subject to change without notice.Prices are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases, please enquire for further details. |
