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Patagonia - January 2011

By : Esperance Schaefer
Trip Begins December 30, 2010
Trip Ends January 5, 2011

From Buenos Aires to Patagonia, what an amazing adventure and wonderful trip.
See my photos : Patagonia - January 2011

Want to go? Patagonia Glacier Explorer

I went to: Argentina, Buenos Aires, El Chalten, Las Piedras, El Calafate, El Galpon del Glaciar, Patagonia, Perito Moreno Glacier, Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre
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December 30, 2010
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Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Today began our trip with Adventure Life - with a cultural city tour, which brought us to the famed neighborhood of Boca (the home of Diego Maradona's Boca Juniors) and the Recoleta cemetery, amongst other highlights!

Although it was our first day with Adventure Life, we'd had several days already in Buenos Aires for a wedding celebration the night before at the Alvear Palace Hotel in Recoleta.

We dined at Don Julio's in Palermo Soho - a delicious parilla - and followed it up with caipirinhas and reggae music at Congo, also in Palermo Soho.

December 31, 2010
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Buenos Aires & Chalten

Las Piedras, El Chalten

An early morning flight brought us the 3000k from BA to Calafate, where we were met by a driver who drove us the additional 3.5 hours to Chalten.

En route, we stopped at Hotel La Leona for much needed coffee and empanadas!

We settled in to Chalten in the afternoon, and had an early dinner (New Year's eve, no less) at Patagonicus, a local cervezeria, before retiring well before the new year.

January 1, 2011
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Cerro Torre!

Las Piedras, El Chalten

We began the New Year, and our hiking adventures, with the 5-6 hour hike to the Lago Cerro Torre. We were blessed with beautiful sunny skies and empty trails. At the lake, we tested the water with our toes, and - not surprisingly given the icebergs floating in the lake - found that it was not a friendly temperature for bathing.

January 2, 2011
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Mount Fitz Roy and Lago de Los Tres

Las Piedras, El Chalten

For our second day of hiking, we were given the options of two different hikes, but clearly Mt Fitz Roy and the Lago de Los Tres was the superior experience. It was a 26k, 3000ft elevation hike - the first 3/4 of which are relatively easy, and then it culminates in a well maintained but steep trail traversing up the mountainside to bring you to the moraine surrounding the Lago de Los Tres. From there, you can climb up a bit further to see the impossible colors of the Lago Sucia, and watch avalanches pour down Mt. Fitz Roy.

A well-deserved Patagonicus beer and snack of pizza ended the hike. For dinner, we visited Como Vaca, and had a delicious sirloin steak - highly recommended.

January 3, 2011
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Chalten & Calafate

El Galpon del Glaciar, El Calafate

In the morning, we transferred from Chalten back to Calafate. A ride from Chalten deposited us at the Calafate bus terminal where we were picked up for the ride (18km) to El Galpon del Glaciar.

El Galpon was fabulous! It is a small sheep farm in the steppes outside of Calafate. The rooms are cozy and delightful, and have gorgeous views of the Lago Argentina.

Part of the package includes a tour of the sheep farm and a horse back ride around the estancia.

January 4, 2011
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Perito Moreno Glacier

El Galpon del Glaciar, El Calafate

Although heavily visited by tourists, the Perito Moreno Glacier lives up to expectations. The glacier itself is stunning with hues of white and blue, juxtaposed against the grey snowcapped mountains that surround it.

Of course, the highlight was strapping on crampons for a hike (~1.5 hours) on the glacier to see the ice formations up close. Truly Amazing. The hike itself concludes with a toast of scotch near the base of the glacier.

January 5, 2011
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Leaving Calafate!

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Our final morning in Calafate and with Adventure Life concluded with a horseback ride around the Estancia. What a beautiful time and trip we had in Patagonia.

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