Argentina – Patagonia & Mt. Fitzroy Guided Hiking Tour

Upon arrival in El Calafate, you are met by our driver at the airport and transferred to your accommodation in El Calafate. To enjoy this free afternoon, we recommend you visit the Glaciarium – an Interpretation Centre all about glaciers, Patagonia and its pioneers – a great introduction to the next few days adventure. This evening, we will admire the surroundings of El Calafate – the gigantic Lago Argentino, which is the 3rd largest lake in South America. We learn about the times gone by and the first people that survived the strong winds on their backs and suffered the harsh winters. Our hot dinner tonight is at a secret location: in one of the caves where some of the first indigenous populations would have originally lived!

Optional services:
Glaciarium admittance is not included. There is also a small cafe inside where you may like to buy a hot drink.
-General admission: $480($AR)
-Children 6 to 12 years old: $200($AR)
-Seniors and Students: $350($AR)

Meals: dinner
Highlights: explore El Calafate, Glaciarium, cave dinner
Overnight: Sierra Nevada Hotel or Kosten Aike – El Calafate

After a hearty breakfast, we start the drive towards Perito Moreno glacier. There are great photo stops en route! We arrive at Bajo de Las Sombras port. The journey continues by boat for around 20 minutes, crossing the part of the lake known as Brazo Rico. Once on the other side, we receive an introductory talk on the day’s activities. The ice trek starts with a walk towards the Perito Moreno Glacier along a picturesque beach not far from the glacier ́s face. Upon reaching the ice we put on crampons, under the supervision of experienced mountain guides. Instructions are given on how to walk on a glacier and we set off on the ice-hiking adventure. We spend approximately one and a half hours on the glacier, which is plenty of time to take photographs and marvel at the fascinating and infinite shapes of the centuries-old ice. The mountain guide gives us interesting snippets of information about the glacier, the southern region of Patagonia and local flora and fauna, etc. We can ask as many questions as we like! At the end of the ice trek we take a boat back across the lake and have time at the extensive scenic walkways located in front of the glacier. The view is across the top of the infinite glacier that descends from the Southern Continental Ice Field – the 3rd largest pure water source in the world!

Note: Glacier trekking age restrictions apply for persons under age 10 or over 65, but great alternative activities are available! Please mention/inquire at time of booking.

Meals: breakfast & lunch
Highlights: Perito Moreno trek & walkways
Overnight: El Calafate

We depart along the mythical Route 40, that travels almost the length of Argentina, often compared to the Route 66 in the USA. During this journey we travel around the edge of the gigantic Lake Argentino and its wide valley, with views of the infinite hues of ochre across the immense Patagonian Steppe, with the Andes Mountains and the imposing Mount Fitz Roy as a backdrop. We make a short stop for coffee/snack at Hotel La Leona (a historical site). From here, we continue to the paleontological site. The next part of the tour takes us on foot into the enormous and deep depression in the ground, where 70 million year old petrified tree trunks can be found and from where we begin our adventure among the fossils. We make a stop for lunch at the halfway point of the walk. During the entire walk it is possible to see a large number of petrified tree trunks lying on the surface, some with diameters of up to 1.20 m, bearing witness to times gone by when the climate was very different and supported abundant large-scale flora. We can see a few dinosaur bones, including the location where the largest dinosaur vertebra in the world was found! Our evening ends in El Chaltén, with a visit to the first microbrewery in El Chaltén. Prior to trying its delights, we visit the brewery and learn how a Czech beer recipe ended up in El Chaltén! Luckily this brewery serves delicious meals too.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance/Elevation: 3 hrs; Distance: 4 km / 2.5 mi; Elevation +50 m / -50 m
Highlights: famous Route 40 scenic drive, petrified forest hike, brewery tour
Overnight: El Chaltén

This is the most spectacular and unforgettable camping trek in the region! A trek that takes us through lovely forests until we arrive at the mystical Mt. Fitz Roy and the famous Mt. Cerro Torre. Along the way we see the lagoons of various colours, imposing glaciers and campgrounds of some international famous climbers. We start the day with a 30 minute transfer to El Pilar, where the trail begins. We start our walk on a forest path that ascends gently and first arrives at Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint. After more gentle climbing, a challenging section of one hour of steep uphill to get to Laguna de los Tres begins. The effort is made worthwhile by the breathtaking views we get at the top of Mt Fitz Roy, its satellite mountains and the valley we have just been walking along. We then start the descent and head towards our private, permanent camp at Poincenot, our home for the night and from where we can continue to admire Fitz Roy massif! We enjoy a piping hot meal in our cozy dining yurt and a warm sleeping bag to snuggle into!

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance/Elevation: 6-7 hrs; Distance: 12 km / 7.5 mi; Elevation +800 m / -400 m
Highlights: Mt. Fitz Roy & Mt. Cerro Torre hiking, glaciers, camping
Overnight: Poincenot Campground

Rise early to capture sunrise shots of Fitz Roy in its beautiful hues of red (weather permitting!) After breakfast, we head off again, trekking past some beautiful lagoons, Madre and Hija, before dropping down into Torre valley. At the end of the valley we find Laguna Torre, its glacier and the famous Mt Cerro Torre – one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb. Sometimes icebergs that have broken off the Torre glacier are bobbing in the lagoon, which is quite a sight to see! The beautiful Fitz Roy River starts from this lagoon and there is a Tyrolean traverse across the river that is used by climbers to access the mountains they plan to climb. After lunch at the lagoon, we head back towards Chaltén, along the beautiful Fitz Roy River valley and crossing over a couple of old moraines. If we are lucky we may spot a Magellanic woodpecker, the nearly extinct deer – Huemul, and the first buds of the spring season.

Our last dinner is in a very special, historical restaurant in El Chaltén – Andreas Madsen’s House & Museum. Let´s enjoy our final night together in Patagonia, in the house of a pioneer in this region, learning about his adventures and sharing our great memories, with a delicious food!

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance/Elevation: 7-8 hrs; Distance: 20 km/ 12 mi; Elevation -400 m
Highlights: Mt. Fitz Roy River valley hiking, special dinner
Overnight: El Chaltén

Your transfer to the El Calafate airport will be 5 hours prior to your flight. If you are traveling elsewhere we’ll coordinate the best time accordingly. Trip extensions are abundant in this area, offering continued hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and more! Ask us about how to best extend your dream Patagonian vacation!

Meals: breakfast