 |
ITINERARY
Days 1 & 2 BUENOS AIRES -EL CALAFATE: As most of you will be arriving from NZ, your flight from AUCKLAND will arrive in the afternoon, so we stay a night in Buenos Aires where youʼll be given a briefing that night and a chance for you to meet your traveling companions and ask questions. The information will be awaiting you at the reception regarding that nights briefing. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a locally famous steak restaurant. Enjoy a short walking tour of the city center before we fly down to El Calafate to begin our Patagonian journey on day 2. B, D
Day 3 PUERTO NATALES - A bus trip over the border on to the quaint town of Puerto Natales on Seno de Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), weʼll get a briefing on the days ahead in Torres del Paine National Park. Donʼt forget dinner to sample that fresh seafood and salmon Chile is so famous for and take a stroll along Last Hope Sound to spot the elegant black necked swans. B
Days 4 to 8 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK- We travel into the park, and on reaching the unique Ecocamp domes, relax, have a cocktail and get ready for our first hike tomorrow to French Valley. One of spectacular views as you walk around the base of the Horns of Paine and up the valley watching ice falling from hanging glaciers on the surrounding mountains! Stay at Refugio Paine Grande. The following day we hike to the Grey Glacier and Refugio Grey. Passing icebergs of brilliant blue and stop at a very unique lunch spot to watch these bergs floating by. In the afternoon we board the Grey II for a different perspective of the glacier. Itʼs a 2 1⁄2 hr trip back to the end of Grey Lake where we get picked up by our van and taken to the other side of the park, staying back in the Ecocamp. The next dayʼs trek is to the namesake of the park, the Torres of Paine. Now itʼs really time to be at one with your boots. Itʼs about a 7hr round trip stopping for a picnic lunch along the way before the last scramble up the boulder field to a view of the towers you will never forget. Relax and unwind at Ecocamp for a well deserved rest and our last night in Chile. In the morning we'll be transferred to Argentina. (4B, 4L, 4D)
Day 9 CALAFATE - Located on the shore of Lago Argentino we embark on a breathtaking visit to the Moreno Glacier. A deep blue relic of the ice age and one of the few advancing glaciers in the world. Once you have torn yourself away from watching the ice plunging into the lake below, we jump on a bus out to the remote village of Chalten (population 900!) The Glacier visit and bus trip to El Chalten does make for a long traveling day so be prepared with some snacks and a good book for the journey! 2B
Days 10 to 12 CHALTEN - These next three days are spent hiking among the lakes and moraines of the Fitzroy range at the northern end of Glacier National Park. These granite pinnacles are famous the world over to climbers and hikers. We have time for two day hikes and, plus if you wish and optional excursion to Laguna del Desierto or horse riding. The hikes are to the base of Mount Fitzroy, Lago de Los Tres, Cerro Torre, and if the weather co-operates and we have plenty of energy then a vast 360ʼ view of the mountains can be had from Pliegue Tumbado. Itʼs a spectacular trek and the view of these jagged pinnacles is well worth it. 4B
Days 13 to 15 USHUAIA & TIERRA DEL FUEGO - After boarding the early morning bus to Calafate airport, we take a short flight to Tierra Del Fuego and the worldʼs southern most city, Ushuaia, overlooking the Beagle Channel. The next morning we head out to the National Park for a scenic coastal walk of 8km or about 4hrs. Our last day in the worldʼs southern most city takes us onto the Beagle Channel to explore itʼs unique flora and fauna. You may see penguins, southern fur seals and there is always the chance to spot Albatross gliding by. Our afternoon flight takes us back to Buenos Aires, and what better way to celebrate the end of a magical tour than with a Tango Show! 3B, D
Day 16 DEPARTURE DAY BUENOS AIRES - Free day to Buenos Aires for that last bit of shopping. As most of you will be departing on the 2.30am Aerolineas Argentinas flight, your rooms are booked for you until the next day so you have use of them through out the day. B
WANT TO STAY LONGER? You may like to join our Wine & Food Lovers Tour or head off on a two to three day Iguassu Falls extension (please enquire upon booking). HASTA LUEGO AMIGOS!
IS THIS HIKING TOUR FOR YOU?
This active tour takes in the best that Buenos Aires, and Patagonia has to offer. An itinerary designed for the traveler who has a short time to do and see as much as possible. The trekking can sometimes be a little challenging due to the unpredictability of the weather, especially the strong winds, so you need to be in reasonably good shape. However altitude is not a factor here, but the walks are 15 to 22km in length.
All the walks are day hikes of 5 to 8hrs (about 14 to 21km) return to base camp, except for the Pehoe to Refugio Grey hike of 13km one way, and Tierra Del Fuego coastal hike of 8.5km one way. So generally how much you want to achieve on any given day is up to you. There are rest days in between hiking days and weather may also force an extra rest day in now and then.
Accommodation is simple but comfortable with private facilities. The 1 multi share night in the Torres Del Paine National Paine Grande Refugio and 3 nights in twin share Eco domes, with shared bathrooms, hot water showers, a bar and restaurant. An upgrade to Ecodome suite with private bathrooms may be available, please enquire upon booking.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE?
- Tango show with dinner, wine and non alcoholic drinks
- One day guided tour to Moreno Glacier
- Day hikes in Glacier National Park
- 5 day guided excursion to Torres Del Paine National Park with bilingual guides
- Guided Beagle Channel Cruise to view penguins and other wildlife
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners
- Domestic flights in Chile and Argentina.
- All land transport during the itinerary
- The entry fees for all included excursions
- All hotel accommodations* (on a twin share basis, one multi share night in the park lodge).
* Additional accommodations can be arranged at the clients’ request
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
Your international flight to/from South America, transfers to/from your international flights, domestic and international airport departure taxes, pre & post tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals (except those listed ) , drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips, and other items of a personal nature.
PAYING LOCALLY
Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. Paying locally allows us to keep the overall cost of our tours competitive and pass the savings on to you. These funds are put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic so this is a way to help us serve you, whilst saving you money. This is especially true of Argentina since the devaluation of the peso. Payment is to be made to your leader upon arrival in cash.
All prices are approximates and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made.
|
