Active Patagonia: El Calafate and El Chaltén

Day 1: Arrival in El Calafate. Transfer from the local airport to the Hotel in Calafate.

Night in Hotel Kapenke

Day2: Visit to “Los Glaciares” National Park to do the Minitrekking (Walking on the Glacier)

The tour begins at the port labeled «Under the Shadow».There we embark to cross the Lake Rico, reaching the opposite shore after 20 minutes of navigation with view to the south wall of the Perito Moreno glacier. After landing we access the shelter where the guides give details of the trip. And so we begin a walk along the lake about 20 minutes to the glacier. At the edge of the ice the guides fit crampons to the participants, who receive instructions on the basics of glacier hiking. The tour on the glacier, is done in just under 2 hours and there you will see a variety of formations typical of glaciers such as: cracks, seracs, drains, small ponds, deep blues and you will also have the unique sensation of visiting one of the most stunning natural beauties of the world. The hike is moderate. The ice surface on which you walk is irregular, but firm and safe. The guides provide information on the flora, fauna and general glaciology region as well as the unique characteristics of the glacier Perito Moreno. At the end of the walk, we return to the shelter through the lush Andean forest.

Night in Hotel Kapenke

Day 3: Check out. Full day excursion to Chalten with navigation to see the Viedma Glacier. Arrival in Chalten. Transfer from the bus terminal to Hosteria El Pilar in Chalten.

Night in Hosteria El Pilar

Day 4: Full day Excursion Mount Fitz Roy.

This is the main walking area, the most classic and one of the prettiest in the area, it leads us to the foot of the mythical Mount Fitz Roy. Just before arriving, we stop at a scenic spot overlooking the Fitz Roy. Then we start an 1.30 hour walk through the valley of White River, and through forests of beech and ñires you get to a first viewpoint overlooking the Piedras Blancas Glacier, as part of the views that still awaits us all the way. Then we start a 30 ‘walk to reach the camp Poicenot and 15’ to get to Rio Blanco. Here, those with more energy, can access up to Laguna de los Tres, the closest viewpoint, with an unrivaled view of the lagoon and its namesake glacier with the massive Fitz Roy emerging from the ice with more than 2000 m height. We turn a little to peek into the Mirador de la Laguna Sucia, to be impressed by its color and also to contemplate the Viedma Lake. We begin the return to the path Chalten where we pass the Mirador Laguna Capri. Approximately around 17 / 18 hours we will be back in Chaltén.

Night in Hosteria El Pilar

Day 5: Full Day Excursion Laguna Capri.

This trek is shorter than the previous one. It starts from the path at the end of the village, which begins with a steep slope, continued by a 1h30 ‘ walk. From there you will have the first and spectacular view of the Mount Fitz Roy, flanked by the needles Poicenot, Saint Exupéry, Mermoz and Guillaumet. After 15 minutes, you get to the first base of the mountain camp Capri Mountain, and meters from there you will find the homonymous lake, overlooking the mountains, the forests and the impressive Fitz Roy.

Night in Hosteria El Pilar

Day 6: Check out. Transfer Hosteria El Pilar / Bus Terminal. Bus ride back to Calafate.

Free afternoon.

Night in Hotel Kapenke in Calafate

Day 7: Full day visit to the “Los Glaciares” National Park.

Departure from the morning to travel the 80 kms distance separating El Calafate from the Perito Moreno glacier, unique in the world because of its constant progress. During the trip you will see beautiful places in the Andean foothills, along the south bank of the Lake Argentino. After crossing the river Centinela and Mitre, we enter the National Park Los Glaciares. Bordering the Lake Rico we begin to spot the icebergs floating on the water until we can finally appreciate the full extent of this natural wonder that has been declared by the United Nations as World Heritage. We stay in the park and explore it through the many walkways that offer panoramic views of the glacier at different heights.

After that we head to to the boat excursion called Rivers of Ice express. We embark in the port of Punta Bandera and the guides explain the safety measures. Once on board we sail across the north arm of the Argentino Lake to reach the Upsala channel, where we will find a spectacular Iceberg Barrier. From there we will have a panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier. Then we navigate the Spegazzini Channel, where we will observe the Seco Glacier to reach the front of Spegazzini Glacier, the highest in the National Park. Return to Calafate.

Night in Hotel Kapenke in Calafate

Day 8: Check out. Transfer Hotel Kapenke / Airport.

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