Argentina Glacier Adventure *8 Day*

From Buenos Aires we head south, lace our boots, and take to the mountains to begin our Argentina trekking adventure. During our Patagonia travels, we'll spend 4 full days exploring the inspiring mountains of the glaciated Fitz Roy Range, ending at a wonderful backcountry lodge. Next it's off to the famous Los Glaciares National Park for a boat and hiking trip to the thundering Perito Moreno Glacier.

Day 1 Arrive Buenos Aires  

Overnight

Day 2 Fly El Calafate, onward to Chalten (B)  

A morning flight takes you to the lively town of El Calafate to begin our Argentina travels. Upon arrival, you'll begin the four hour drive across the rugged landscape toward Chalten. Along the way, a Patagonia guide will introduce you to the region's history, ecology and magnificent geography. This evening, meet your trekking guide for a briefing of the next day's trek.

Day 3 Patagonia Trekking (B,L)  

Your four day trekking adventure begins today after a transfer to Hosteria El Pilar where you begin your hike along the Rio Electrico. Arrival at the Piedra del Fraile offers you stunning views of the Marconi pass, the best access to the Patagonian continental iceshelf, a flat ice desert of almost 9000 square kilometers. You continue to Lago Electrico and the glaciated Pollone River valley. After returning to the charming Hosteria del Pilar, enjoy a hot shower before indulging in a delicious Patagonian dinner. 8 hours hiking covering 13 miles (22 km).

Day 4 Patagonia Trekking (B,L,D)

Today you'll continue your journey, trekking through subantarctic forest and passing the small glacier lake named Piedras Blancas that is situated below and filled by waters from a glacier that bears the same name. Your route crosses the Rio Blanco before you begin the toughest part of your trek - a fifty minute climb that zigzags up a 45º slope. Your efforts are more than rewarded when you arrive at the eerily still glacial Laguna de Los Tres with one of Patagonia's best panoramic vistas (and quite possibly in the world)! Enjoy lunch and feast on the views of the colossus of granite, ice, and sky. As you near your campsite on Lake Capri, Mount Fitz Roy looms ahead in the distance. 7 hours of hiking covering 11 miles (18 km)

Day 5 Patagonia Trekking (B,L,D)

After breakfast near Lake Capri, we start our trek to Camp Torre and pass two lagoons appropriately named Madre and Hija (Mother and Daughter). We'll be passing through a living natural history lesson on glaciation and learn about the history that created this stunning landscape. We'll keep our eyes out for Andean condors, Magellenic woodpeckers and other Patagonian wildlife along our way. This segment lasts six hours to get to the camp. There is an optional extra hike from Lago Torre to Mirador Maestri for an extra two hour hike to the old base camp for climbers who explored the Torre Massif in the early 1970's. 7 hours of hiking covering 9 miles (14 km) if completing the full hike.

Day 6 Torre Glacier- El Calafate (B,L)  

After an early breakfast, we prepare for the most active day of our trip, and we make our approach towards the Torre Glacier after crossing the Fitz Roy River by rope harness. We then put on crampons, and after some instruction, we begin to trek across the Torre Glacier (this is designed for people who have never tried ice hiking with crampons). We'll have our lunch with us so we can enjoy the ethereal experience of picnicking on the glacier, with the 10,259 feet granite pinnacle of Cerro Torre towering above us and the jagged Adela mountain chain rising beyond. After our glacial adventure, we'll hike through dense southern beech forests as we descend toward the valley of the De las Vueltas River and El Chalten, being rewarded with the most stunning views on either side of these great mountain ranges before returning by bus to El Calafate. 9 hours hiking (2 hours on the glacier) covering 15 miles (24 km).

Day 7 Perito Moreno Glacier (B,L)  

Today you drive into Parque Nacional Los Glaciares for views of the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier. This huge advancing glacier is more than 3 miles wide at its front and over 20 stories high - a highlight of your Patagonia travels! You'll take a boat across Lago Argentino and pass the massive front wall of blue ice, all the while watching for icebergs. After landing on a small beach you'll start hiking through the beech forest to the icepack of the glacier and have the opportunity to walk on the glacier with crampons. You'll eat your lunch sitting on the lateral moraine of the glacier, where you can absorb the magnificence of the glacier's anatomy and listen to its thunderous concerto of groaning and cracking ice dropping into the lake below. Overnight in El Calafate.

Day 8 Buenos Aires/ Return Home (B)

Catch your flight to Buenos Aires and connecting flights homeward, or with more time, cross into Chile to visit Torres del Paine or head north to Iguazú Falls to continue your Argentina travel adventures.
  

US$2135

J F M A M J J A S O N D
8 days starting and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mon-Mon.
Buenos Aires
Tour Code: AGA8
Single Supplement:  US$405


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Travel Highlights 4D Fitz Roy Trek
Perito Moreno Glacier
Chalten
El Calafate

Accommodations:  3 nights comfortable hotels, 2 nights mountain lodge, 2 nights camping

Food Includes:  All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.

Transportation:  local flights, buses, boat, your own feet!

Notes:  Flights Buenos Aires-El Calafate-Buenos Aires not included. Please add US$540/person (flight cost subject to change).

Group & Staff:  Min 2, Max 12; Patagonian guide and crew throughout.

Personal Budgeting:  Allow US$85 for meals not included, US$18 International airport departure tax, US$7 local airport taxes, US$60 for optional excursions, $17 Entrance Fee to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares

Pre & Post Tour Accommodations:  Share US$75, Single US$150

Is it for Me?  An active Argentina tour itinerary of massive glaciers, jagged mountains, glacier lakes, and wonderful wildlife. Hiking each day is moderate to challenging depending on the day, and travelers should be fit.

Arrival / Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each
2 or more people US$25 /person
Start Dates 2008 : Oct 13, Nov 10, Nov 21, Nov 24, Dec 8, Dec 22, Dec 29 2009 : Jan 12, Jan 26, Feb 9, Feb 23, Mar 23

Prices are based on a 3% cash discount