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Perito Moreno Glacier

Fitz Roy & Glaciers Trekking

Example 8 Day Tour
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From Buenos Aires head south, lace your boots, and take to the mountains to begin your Patagonia trekking adventure. Fly to El Calafate, a charming Patagonian city, then on to the small mountain town of El Chalten, where you'll spend 4 full days exploring the inspiring mountains of the glaciated Fitz Roy Range, ending at a wonderful back country lodge. Next it's off to the famous Los Glaciares National Park for a boat and hiking trip to the thundering Perito Moreno Glacier.
Tres Amigos on Perito Moreno GlaciarFitz RoyMagnificent glacierRoad 40. GuanacosOur hidden waterfallTrekking up the Perito Moreno GlacierCouple on a trek to view FitzroyOnly the most incredible sight in the worldEl ChaltenSnack time -- out of the wind!Fitz Roy -- view during Day 2Part of World\'s 3rd Largest Ice FieldWarhol Patagonia. Los Glaciares NP ArgentinaNearing our lunch spot on Monday.Ruta 40, towards ChaltenPart of the sceneryGlacier fashion at its finest.  At our hosteria in Chalten before trekking around Torres del PaineCanyon at the Pinturas RiverHappy hikers in front of Mount Fitz RoyPedro and Lisa on the glacierGroup photo during the Fitzroy TrekA magnificent view of the Perito Moreno GlacierPerito Moreno Glacier
Highlights
  • Trek and camp in the majestic Patagonian landscape with views of Mount Fitz Roy
  • Camp along some of the most beautiful lakeshores in El Chalten
  • Explore Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in South America
  • Customize trip with option to whitewater raft or trek on a glacier
Activities
Activity Level: Challenging
Requires high-intensity physical efforts that push the limits of one's fitness. May include tours with multiple days in a row of strenuous physical activity or single requiring more than 7 hours of activity. Recommended for travelers maintaining a demanding fitness level.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive El Calafate | Private Transfer to El Chalten

A morning flight takes you to the lively town of El Calafate to begin your Argentina travels. Upon arrival, you'll begin the four hour drive across the rugged landscape toward Chalten. Along the way, enjoy the magnificent geography of the region as you drive through the mountains, passing stunning lakes and winding rivers. This evening, settle in to your comfortable room in your hotel in Chalten.

Day 2: Patagonia Trekking | Laguna de los Tres

This three-day trekking adventure begins today as you hike through an ancient, subantarctic beech forest to the Piedras Blancas Glacier. Your route runs parallel with the Rio Blanco until 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, and possibly the world's, best panoramic vistas! Enjoy lunch and take in the view of Mount Fitz Roy, which hovers above you amidst the clouds. Continue on to your campsite at Poincenot.

Distance: 9 miles (14 km) 
Hiking time: 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult
Highest point: 3871ft (1180m)
Approximate Elevation gain: 2395ft (730m)

Day 3: Patagonia Trekking | Laguna Torres

After breakfast, you will start the trek to Camp Torre and pass two lagoons appropriately named Madre and Hija (Mother and Daughter). You'll be passing through a living natural history lesson on glaciation and learn about the history that created this stunning landscape. Keep your eyes out for Andean condors, Magellenic woodpeckers and other Patagonian wildlife along the way. This segment lasts four 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.

Distance: 7 miles (10 km) 
Hiking time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Highest point: 2460ft (750m)
Approximate Elevation gain: -328ft (-100m)

Day 4: Return to El Chalten

After an early breakfast, today's hike takes you through dense southern beech forest to descend toward the valley of the De las Vueltas River, being rewarded with the most stunning views on either side of great mountain ranges before returning to El Chalten. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the scenery from this quaint mountain village.

Distance: 3 miles (5 km) hiking
Hiking time: 5.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Highest point: 1968ft (600m)
Approximate Elevation gain: -656ft (-200m)

Day 5: Choose Your El Chalten Adventure

Today, travelers have a choice between three amazing adventures!  Here are the options:

1.  Lago del Desierto & Vespignani Glacier Excursion (Box lunch included)
This unforgettable experience combines navigation and trekking with a visit to the northern area of Los Glaciares National Park and the provincial reserve of Lago del Desierto.  Depart by bus from El Chalten towards Punta Sur dock at Lago del Desierto. From there, sail for about 50 minutes spotting glaciers along the way and disembarking for a while in Punta Norte. Arrive to the Vespignani Glacier area where an expert guide will lead you to the trailheads of three different hikes and give you more information. All of the hikes are self-guided and require different levels of difficulty and effort. You will be given time to enjoy your preferred trekking activity. After hiking, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and a snack will be awaiting you before boating back on the Lago del Desierto towards Punta Sur. From the dock, your bus will to take you back for another evening in El Chalten.

2.  El Chalten Rafting Excursion
The experience begins with a warm welcome and informative presentation about the area - Glacier National Park. Travelers will be provided with the required technical equipment: thermal suit, dry suit, helmet, life jacket and neoprene boots. Once you are equipped, you will be taken to the entrance area of the Rio de las Vueltas, a scenic Class III river. Your guide will give a technique & safety talk before your exciting time on the water! The first area will be 2.5 miles calm and meandering waters with Fitz Roy behind, giving you time to practice techniques and paddling. Then, your raft will enter the canyon with a series of fun and exciting rapids for the next 5 miles! Finish the excursion with a short area of calm waters to take in your surroundings. A vehicle will meet you to take you back to El Chalten.

Difficulty Level:  Moderate
Minimum age: 12 years old, travelers between 12-18 must be accompanied by an adult
Duration: 4 hours (duration of rafting: 2 hours)

3.  Full Day Creston Glacier Hike (Box lunch included)
Cerro Crestón is located in the Lago Del Desierto area, about 37 km along Route 23 north of El Chaltén. With tall Lenga forests, glaciers and the imposing Cerro Crestón, this valley provides some of the most captivating trekking options. The day before the activity starts, a brief meeting will be held with the guide to confirm all details and check your necessary equipment for the morning's adventure. In the morning, a private transfer will pick you up at the hotel in El Chaltén and bring you to the meeting point for a 9:30 meet up with your guide. Start the trek by hiking for about 40 minutes to the mountain's refugio, where a hot drink will be waiting for you. After about 20 minutes of a wonderful walk through a large lenga forest the surroundings will open up to an impressive view of the glacier and the Crestón peak. From here, continue gaining elevation out of the forest and into a boulder field landscape eroded by the glacier. This is the most demanding part of the trek. After walking 2 hours through this type of terrain, you will reach the foot of the glacier. Here, take a moment to put on your necessary equipment to walk on the glacier. Getting to the glacier depends on the weather, and travelers physical condition. After enjoying lunch up at the glacier, return to the refugio and then back to El Chalten to rest up after a big day.  

Difficulty Level: Medium- High (Requires pervious trekking experience
Duration: 9 hours total, (6 hrs trekking plus transfer time)
Gear: Warm & waterproof clothing, gloves, hat, sunglasses, and appropriate waterproof, high top trekking boots required
Elevation gain: 900 meters
Total distance: 16km
*This excursion requires a supplemental fee. Please contact us for details.

Day 6: Trekking Free Day | Return to El Calafate

Today will be free to explore and hike on your own!  By now, you will be comfortable and familiar enough with the area to head out for an independent adventure. A map will be provided to travelers to help navigate trails without a guide.  May we suggest Loma del Pliegue Tumbado?  This hike offers great vantage points of the area you have hiked over the past days with Lake Capri, Torre Glacier, and Mount Fitz Roy as well as of Mount Huemul and Lago Viedma to the south. 

Return to El Chalten area and transfer back to El Calafate in the evening.

Pliegue Tumbado information:
Distance: 13 miles (21 km) 
Hiking time: 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Highest point: 3937ft (1200m)
Approximate Elevation gain: -2624ft (-800m)

Day 7: Perito Moreno Glacier

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 (This Glacier trek has a minimum age of 10 and a maximum age of 65. Alternate excursions are available for those under 10 or over 65 years of age). 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.

Contact us if you are interested in the Big Ice Adventure, a more active excursion that spends more time on the ice. Click here for more details. 

Day 8: Buenos Aires | Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
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.

Accommodations

Patagonia Trekking Campsites

El Chalten - Hotels

El Calafate - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$3,181

Notes

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Rates valid except holidays--special rates may apply, contact us for details.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 2 Dinners, 2 Box Lunches
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • 1 Day Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Parque Nacional Los Glaciares Entrance fee
  • Gear Rental: Crampons & Helmets
  • Gear Rental - Camping gear including sleeping bags.
  • Gear Rental: Sleeping Bags, Mats, & Tents 
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Internal Flights: Buenos Aires - El Calafate - Buenos Aires

Map

When to Go

Jan
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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

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