Day 1: The Patagonian Adventure Starts!
Calafate, Argentina
Today we arrive in El Calafate, a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park amid dramatic scenery and natural beauty. We have the whole day free to explore the town and enjoy its attractive restaurants, tango bars, and artisan handicraft markets. We stay overnight in town.
- Overnight Kosten Aike 4* Hotel, El Calafate
Day 2: Glacier Perito Moreno
Los Glaciares NP, Argentina
We wake up and prepare for the 60m high Perito Moreno glacier! Unlike the regular tours going straight to the panoramic viewpoint, we’ll first marvel at the splendor of the glacier’s less visited north face. We watch and hear giant chunks of ice plummet into the waters of Argentino Lake and our guide will answer questions about the glacier. We then continue on to the footbridges and take a break to soak up the surroundings. After the thrilling encounter with the glacier, we drive back to Calafate and stay in the same hotel.
Optional Excursions: If you’d like to up the action when visiting Perito Moreno, you can sail across the Lake towards the glacier walls and do a short ice trekking; technical experience isn’t required. Please consult prices & facts for rates for these optional activities.
- Overnight Kosten Aike 4* Hotel, El Calafate
Day 3: Argentino Lake & Estancia Cristina
Los Glaciares NP, Argentina
After breakfast, we are driven to Puerto Bandera on the southern shore of Argentino lake in time to board the catamaran that takes us sailing through Lago Argentino. Great views of the stunning 9km wide Upsala Glacier await.
Embarkment and departure from Puerto de Punta Bandera (APN) at 08:15 AM in a modern and comfortable catamaran. We then sail through icebergs and stunning landscapes with views of the Western face of the Upsala Glacier, then through Canal Cristina, until we reach the landing point at Estancia Cristina an early 20th century 30,000-hectare sheep breeding farm where the Gaucho (Patagonian cowboy) way of living still exists in all its splendor. Arrival at Estancia Cristina is around 11:30 AM. Then, we have a guided visit to the Museo Costumbrista of the Estancia. Ascent on 4x4, driving through 9.5 km of mountain roads. We arrive at the Continental Ice Field Refugio, where we will enjoy a 30-minute hike on glacial erosion terrain with a privileged view of the Eastern face of the Upsala Glacier, Guillermo Lake, Hielo Patagónico Sur and Cordillera de Los Andes. We then proceed to return to the Estancia and depart at 17.30 PM. At dusk, we head back to El Calafate for our final evening.
- Overnight Kosten Aike 4* Hotel, El Calafate
Day 4: Adios!
Calafate, Argentina
Today is the end of our memorable trip, Adios Patagonia! Hopefully, we‘ll meet again. After having breakfast a transfer will take us to the airport and we’re free to continue traveling on our own or take another extension with Cascada.
