Highlights of Patagonia
8 Days Starting in Buenos Aires and ending in Puerto Natales
Visiting: Buenos Aires, El Chalten , El Chalten, El Calafate , Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GGCB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
14-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Cover some of the most stunning glacial scenery in the world – from the jagged, snow-capped peaks of Mount Fitz Roy and Torres del Pain to the gigantic and still-advancing icescape that is Perito Moreno Glacier. On this Patagonian adventure, start with a tour of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, then head to frontier town El Chalten to tackle the likes of Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre. Continue to El Calafate, where the marvels of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are just a hop, skip and jump away. Then, explore the famed Torres del Paine National Park in Chile – keeping your eyes out for grazing guanacos and the famed Los Cuernos. If you’re short on time, but keen to explore Patagonia to its fullest – this trip is for you.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Accommodation: Hotel
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm today, where you’ll get to know your group and local leader. The adventure begins straight after the meeting with an orientation walk that visits Avenida de Mayo, Cafe Tortoni, Florida Street, Plaza de Mayo (Casa Rosada, Cabildo, Catedral de Buenos Aires) and Plaza Dorrego (San Telmo). Continue to Palermo for a fun tango class – in a private space, a professional tango couple will explain the dance’s origin and history, then give a sultry demonstration. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to join an hour-long beginner’s class to learn some of the basics. Following the tango class, you may want to head to one of the many parrillas (steak houses) in the area for dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: El Chalten
Location: El Chalten
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast today, fly south from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, then travel by van to the frontier town of El Chalten, north of Glacier National Park. Hikers and climbers from all around the world congregate here to reach the glaciers and mountains of the park. Take it easy and drink in the views today, in preparation for your hike tomorrow. The afternoon is yours to relax, sightsee or get to know your fellow explorers.
Day 3: El Chalten
Location: El Chalten
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Rise and shine nice and early for your first day of trekking. After breakfast at your hotel, begin with perhaps the most famous of all Patagonia’s trails – the Laguna de los Tres. Ascend from El Calten through incredible landscapes, heading through woodlands framed by granite cliffs and over clear streams towards the three frosted peaks of Mt Fitz Roy. Along the way, you’ll see numerous glaciers, but the primary reward on this trek comes at the end of a steep climb – the Glacier de los Tres and the blue lagoon at the base of Mt Fitz Roy. Take in the gorgeous views, snap a couple of shots and take a moment to appreciate the view. This evening is yours to relax and recharge.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: El Chalten
Location: El Chalten
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning’s schedule is as clear as the mountain air, so you can decide whether to recuperate or tackle another trail. If you can’t wait to explore further, perhaps head out on the Laguna Torre trail. Aside from the first two kilometres, there’s very little ascent on this trail, which leads to a beautiful glacier lake at the base of Cerro Torre. Hiking there and back will take around 7 hours, depending on how many stops you make, so make sure to head out nice and early and get back to your hotel in time. This afternoon, travel to El Calafate, where you’ll spend the night.
Optional Activities:
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Day 5: El Calafate
Location: El Calafate
Accommodation: Hotel
Today, visit the immense Perito Moreno Glacier. This electric-blue beauty is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world and at 3 km wide and 35 km long, it’s a spectacular sight. Watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below, creating a thunderous symphony. The glacier is the third largest reserve of fresh water in the world, after the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. You’ll also have the option to add a mini hike onto your visit, which explores part of the Moreno glacier on foot – this hike is not available without a guide, so make sure you book ahead. Once you’re finished soaking up the wonder of this natural formation, return to your El Calafate.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Torres Del Paine National Park
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Accommodation: Camping with basic facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning after breakfast, you’ll travel to the jewel of Patagonia – Torres del Paine National Park. Known for its soaring mountainous peaks, bright blue icebergs and glaciers and untouched grasslands (home to many wild guanacos, birdlife and the Patagonian fox), this park is a nature-lovers paradise. When you arrive, the day is yours to explore. You might want to find a good spot to watch the sunset, gracing your visit to this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with some of the best natural entertainment.
Day 7: Torres Del Paine Trekking Day
Location: Torres del Paine Trekking Day
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today, head out on a full-day trek in Torres del Paine National Park. The Base Las Torres trek can be a bit of a challenge – but with high reward. Today, you’ll witness some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth, including rolling hills backdropped by snow-capped peaks and diverse flora and fauna among expansive rivers and lakes in different shades of blue and green. After hours of exploring this incredible park, you’ll arrive at the base of Torres del Pain (or The Blue Towers) – the three distinctively jagged peaks that are synonymous with Chilean Patagonia. At their base, a turquoise lake sits still, completing the scene. In the afternoon, travel to Puerto Natales and perhaps round your group to celebrate your last night of Patagonian adventure however you like.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Puerto Natales
Location: Puerto Natales
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today after breakfast, your trip comes to an end. If you’d to extend your stay in South America, just speak to your booking agent.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotels (6 nights) Camping (1 night) -
Buenos Aires - Orientation Walk
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Buenos Aires - Tango class
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El Chalten - Laguna de los Tres guided hike
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El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier day trip
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El Calafate - Los Glaciares National Park
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Torres del Paine - Base las Torres guided hike
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Meals
6 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 1 dinners
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
Included Activities
- Buenos Aires - Orientation Walk
- Buenos Aires - Tango class
- El Chalten - Day hike to Laguna de los Tres
- El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier visit
Transport
- Public bus , taxi , plane
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
- 2. Please note that optional Perito Moreno Trek on Day 5 is strictly limited to 65 year old and under by our local supplier. Those above 65 year old will be able to walk along the platforms and balconies surrounding the glacier instead.
- 3. This trip starts with a Welcome Meeting at 2pm of day 1.
- 4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 5. Bookings within 45 days from departure may incur in late booking airline fees. If applicable, this will be informed at the time of booking.
- 6. This trip includes a domestic flight. Argentina is particularly strict on excess baggage and usually enforces a maximum allowance of 15Kg for check in luggage.
- 7. We highly recommend you take US Dollars with you to Argentina and change it locally. While ATMs are widely available, there is a daily limit for withdrawals and the exchange rate does fluctuate.
- 8. The optional mini trek on Perito Moreno glacier is possible on this itinerary. Please see the itinerary above for full details of this activity. Places are limited and we recommend you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity. Full passport details are required to hold space.
Mode of Transport
- Public bus , taxi , plane
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
You can’t have incredible glaciers and frozen lakes in warm weather, so be prepared for the cold. It’s best to wear layers at all times of the year in case conditions change during the day. From November to March temperatures can fluctuate between 5˚C to 20˚C with strong winds.
The fitter you are, the more you'll get out of this trip. While only two hikes are scheduled, it is a full-day endeavour that can be quite challenging. There will also be opportunities to partake in other hikes which require a moderate to high level of fitness.
We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Chile may differ from standards at home. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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