Best of Patagonia
Patagonia is an extremely vast and diverse region, with scenery ranging from dramatic mountain formations and smoky volcanoes to flat barren pampa and expansive ice fields. This comprehensive trip will take us actively over the best known and most attractive natural areas of the Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia: a visit to Peninsula de Valdes and its Magellanic penguin colony and Southern Right whales, Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego - surrounded by vast areas of largely undisturbed and equally spectacular country side -, the world’s known Perito Moreno glacier and finally the dramatic mountain formations of the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, crowned with glaciers, lakes, fjords, ancient forests and incredibly varied wildlife.
Chile is a country of startling contrasts and extreme beauty, with attractions ranging from the towering volcanic peaks of the Andes to the ancient forests of the Lake District. There are a multitude of very good parks here, and plenty of opportunities for fine adventure travel. Chile is justly famous as the location of Torres del Paine, considered by many to be the finest nature travel destinations in all of South America.
To complement any trekking trip on the Chilean side of Patagonia there is “Los Glaciares National Park” in Argentina. Los Glaciares is one of the most scenically impressive national parks in South America. This vast reserve protects around 2300 square miles of the Patagonian Andes, including over 40 major glaciers. The northern section of the park is dominated by the incredible, world-famous form of the Fitzroy Massif, with its sheer, 6000-foot rise from the glaciers at its base.
Patagonia is home of a world heritage site Torres del Paine. This national Park has unlimited beauty and adventure to offer, with glaciers, lakes, mountains, wild flowers and birds, trekking and horseback riding to choose from.
Outdoor recreation at its best, our trips in Patagonia offer accommodation in camping or refugio or top class hotel. Suitable for group, individual or family vacations. There is a choice of soft or hard adventure among the peaks and lakes of Patagonia within the world heritage site of Torres del Paine, expeditions to glaciers and opportunities to visit remoter parts such as Tierra del Fuego.
Trekking or horseback riding, gentle or tough itineraries, with expert Patagonian guides, good food and tours plus accommodation tailored to your needs.
The flora and fauna of this area are exceptional, with wild flowers and colors to amaze and plentiful large and small birds for birdwatchers to enjoy. Nature or walking tours, or kayaking the rivers - Patagonia has it all.
The trails in between the Torres del Paine famous craggy mountains are among the world’s classic trekking routes. Breathtaking views together with glaciers, rivers, lakes, forests and abundant wildlife provides the trip with constantly changing scenarios and experiences. During summer (Nov-Mar) there are 18 hours of daylight which gives the explorers plenty of time for the walking journey.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Reception at the airport of Buenos Aires and transfer to the Hotel. In the afternoon enjoy a city tour. Overnight Hotel Hide Park or similar (3 stars).
Day 2 In the morning we reach the airport in Buenos Aires to catch the flight to Trelew. Reception in Trelew. On the road towards Puerto Madryn excursion with English speaking guide to Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve to observe thousands of Magellanic penguins while they breed, bath and play. The tour includes a visit to Punta Tombo penguin rockery and Gaiman where you will be able to have the typical Welsh tea. (not incl.) Overnight in Hotel Bahia Nueva or similar.
Day 3 Full day excursion with english speaking guide to Peninsula de Valdes to observe elephant seals and sea-lion colonies. The tour consists of a 400 km drive that includes a visit to Puerto Piramides, Punta Delgada & Caleta Valdes. After a one-hour drive, arrival at Puerto Piramides. (Optional: Whale-watching boat trip (May to November, to see sea-lions, cormorants and possibly dark dolphins ( December to March)). Once the boarding is over, you set out for the South of the peninsula going through Salinas Grande y Chica. Arrival at Punta Delgada around midday with free time for lunch. You will have the opportunity to go down the cliffs and walk near the sea-elephants. We continue to Punta Cantor to see the external coast of the peninsula and to get to Caleta Valdes (Valdes Inlet) to interpret geological formations. Later return to the Ameghino Isthmus. On the way you have good chances of coming across wild land-fauna such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, maras (Patagonian hare), armadillos or skunks. Finally, return to the city of Puerto Madryn at sunset. Overnight in Bahia Nueva Hotel or similar.
Day 4 Morning at leisure in Puerto Madryn, Transfer to Trelew airport on time to catch the flight to Ushuaia. Arrive in Ushuaia, reception at the Airport and transfer to the hotel. Free time in the evening to walk around in the city. Overnight in Hotel Cap Polonio or similar.
Day 5 In the morning half-day excursion around Tierra del Fuego National Park (located 11 km from the city. We will be able to appreciate lakes, lagoons and rivers within its limits, and their exit towards Beagle Channel, characteristic that makes the difference with the other national parks of our country. Departing from the Maipu Avenue towards the southwest by the national route nr. 3, we drive out of the city passing by the slope of the Susana Mount, witness of the work of the prisoners of the old prison where now the Southern Fuegian Railway is located. WE continue through the valley to the deviation that takes us to the Ensenada Bay where we will be able to contemplate the Redonda and Estorbo Islands and on the other coast of the Channel of Beagle, the snow-white Mountains of the Sampaio Chain (Chile). Back again on the national route with the fuegian forest and its flora close to the road we go to the Roca Lake to do a long walk by the lake coast and by the Lapataia River, originated in the lake. From this point we can see the Condor Hill natural border with Chile.
We continue towards the other end of the Park to Lapataia Bay. On the way we can observe the Green Lagoon and the Black Lagoon, large growing peat bog. Finally we pass by the beaver dams, whose footpath will lead to Lapataia Bay. In the afternoon navigation to “Isla de Lobos”. The tour starts at the touristic pier “Don Eduardo Arturo Brisighelli”, throughout the coast of Ushuaia, with view of the most important buildings as Maritim Museum (old prison), Museum of the End of the World, industrial area, installed from 1980, etc. From this point, the landscape is a combination of sea and mountains, and the mounts Olivia, Five Brothers, the Fique and Tunel “estancias”, and the Encajonado River can be seen. The catamaran sails to the middle of the Beagle Channel, towards the southwest, arriving at the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, at the archipelago of the same name. In one of these islands it is possible to observe pieces of the ship Monte Cervantes which was shipwrecked in 1930. Towards the Seal’s Island, we can observe the games of these peculiar sea mammals. In complete silence the catamaran sails around the island for 20 min. to observe its permanent habitat. Then the catamaran sails towards Birds Island to see the Magellanic Cormorants, the Imperial Cormorants Imperial, the Giant Albatrosses, Petreles Fullman, Petreles, Squas and 20 different species of sea birds. Later, sailing through Paso Chico, the way back to Ushuaia we will have a view of the beautiful frame that gives the Le Martial Mount and its glacier. Overnight in Hotel Cap Polonio or similar.
Day 6 Departing from Ushuaia and again on the National route nr. 3 (Pan-American) towards the north of the island we reach the Fuegian Andes through valleys covered by peat bogs. We cross the Carbajal, the Huskies, Tierra Mayor and Las Cotorras valleys, where during the winter cross-country ski is practiced. The next point of the tour will be the Garibaldi Pass (450 mt over sea level) which we use to cross the Mountain range of the Andes, with the beautiful view of the Lakes Escondido and Fagnano. From here we start the way down to the other side of the Andes and will stop at Petrel “hosteria” besides the Escondido Lake. Later we continue to the sawmills area, specifically to the Martinez sawmill (out of operation this days), at the coast of Fagnano Lake. After visiting the lake we go back to Las Cotorras valley to taste a typical fueguian lamb barbecue. Overnight Hotel Cappolonio or similar.
Day 7 Transfer to the airport on time to catch the flight to El Calafate. Reception at El Calafate airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hotel Michelangelo or similar.
Day 8 In the afternoon (around 3PM) we take part in a guided excursion to the Perito Moreno glacier, a very active glacier on the south arm of Lago Argentino. The Perito Moreno Glacier, a 60m-high relic of the Ice Age, creates a unique geographic event approximately every three or four years. As it advances, it pushes out across the surface of the lake, cutting the lake into two separate sections. As water pressure builds up on one side over the years, the glacier eventually explodes open with a torrent of water and a fury of calving icebergs. Although this spectacular event no longer occurs as cyclically as it did during the past 50 years, the Moreno Glacier is constantly moving, calving, crackling an incredible sight and sound at any time. Softer option: Walk (1hrs) on the lake shore with an excellent view of the northern face of the glacier Active option full day : Sail across the lake towards the glacier walls and go for an ice trek. (Not included please consider a supplement) Later we return to El Calafate. Overnight Hotel Michelangelo or similar.
Day 9 In the morning we board the regular bus to the Chilean border. From here we drive towards the famous Torres del Paine National Park (280 km/ 175 miles). We continue northwards until the trail descends to the foot of the Andes providing the first view of the Cuernos del Paine: twisted pillars of grey granite, dusted with snow and rising dramatically from the pastures into a sky full of billowing clouds. Dinner and overnight at Ecocamp Torres.
Day 10 Drive across the park with sight to the impressive Paine Grande and Los Cuernos. Reach Lago Grey and walk gently over its windy beach where icebergs frequently stop. Reach lake Pehoe, visit Salto Grande and walk Hike (11/2hrs rt) to Mirador Nordenskjold. Return to EcoCamp for overnight.
Day 11 Spend the day doing short walks (2hrs) to observe the local wildlife. Observation would eventually include Huanaco herds, Foxes, nandus (Patagonean Rhea), Condors and diverse bird life. The trails around Lago Sarmiento feature a constant broad view over the Paine massif with frequent spotting of Puma tracks. The Puma (Chilean cougar) hides ashore of Lake Sarmiento where shelters are normally carved in the calcium-carbonate soil that surrounds the lake. Once back at the EcoCamp, enjoy a typical farewell dinner.
Day 12 Early transfer or public bus out to Punta Arenas (345 km/ 216 miles / 5hrs). Overnight at Jose Nogueira or similar.
Day 13 Transfer to Punta Arenas airport on time to catch your flight connections back to Argentina or to continue with any of our trip extensions within Chile.
Included:
- All accommodation
- All Guides
- All Park Fees
- All Land Transport
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B = breakfast, L = lunch, L- = boxLunch, D = dinner
Not Included:
- Pre or post accommodation in Buenos Aires or Punta Arenas
- Argentinean domestic flights
- Passport &Visa Costs
- Vaccination Costs
- Personal Spending Money
- Meals where not listed
- Drinks
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Airport departure taxes (domestic & International)
Optional Activities:
Antarctica Cruises
All accommodations at the EcoCamp are in a sharing basis only. There is not single accommodation availability unless a “forced” single accommodation is needed due to different gender single travelers not willing to share. If at the moment of arrival at the Ecocamp someone shows up with a reasonable claim for single accommodation and the Camp manager finds availability then an exception will be made.
Spending Money:
From previous experience it is recommended to budget $20 to $35 US dollars per day. This may vary depending on your personal spending habits. Taken into account are expenditures such as postcards, souvenirs, drinks laundry etc. You may spend more you may spend less!
Luggage & Equipment:
A detailed list of what is recommended will be sent upon receipt of your deposit. It advisable that no irreplaceable valuables are taken on your trip.
Weather:
Chile’s geographical variety can make a visit rewarding in any season. Santiago and Middle Chile are best in the verdant spring (September through November) or during the fall harvest (late February into April), while popular natural attractions like Parque Nacional del Paine in Magallanes and the lakes region are best in summer (December through March).
Conversely, Chilean ski resorts draw many foreigners during the northern summer (June through August). Easter Island is cooler, slightly cheaper and much less crowded outside the summer months. The same is true of the Juan Fernandez archipelago, which can be inaccessible if winter rains erode the dirt airstrip; March is an ideal time for a visit.
Outpost magazine promotion number – OPP040608
Bookings must be made between April 1st to June 30th 2008.
If you would like to purchase this trip please Quote Outposts Adventure Trip Specials when booking with the agent and they will reduce the land package price by 15%.
