Patagonia adventure
Let’s try this again…
New Dates April 1-7, 2022
Chaniel Nelson
Hi! I’m Chaniel, I’m a native Minnesotan, avid traveler, and dog mom. I’ve always been drawn to the less crowded places and have a passion for hiking and the outdoors. I believe that travel adds value to life, creating lifelong relationships, memories, new perspectives, and educates through unique experiential learning. To date I’ve been to over 30 countries and have worked directly with local companies that practice sustainable tourism and provide authentic experiences. I encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone, expose themselves to new places, cultural experiences, and live a life full of adventure. Follow along upcoming trips on Instagram at @chanielnelson 😄
ITINERARY
- DAY 1 - DESTINATION: BUENOS AIRES
Welcome to Buenos Aires, the ultimate cosmopolitan city. With Latin passion, European elegance and a distinctive style, it may well steal your heart. Attend a group meeting at 2 pm. The adventure begins straight after the meeting with a two-hour 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 to participate in a 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’ll start your Buenos Aires wine tour in the trendy area of Palermo Hollywood. There, you’ll not only meet your fellow wine fans on the tour, but also get an introduction to the culture of Argentine wine. You’ll taste your first glass of the country’s famous Malbec at an art gallery, where you’ll also learn what makes Argentine art — and this wine — so unique.
Then, your wine tour takes you to a wine cellar for your own personal tasting bar. A local wine expert will lead the tasting session and teach you everything you wanted to know about Argentine wine, from its culture and origins, to how it’s cultivated, processed, and bottled. As you take in your wine lesson, you will also have the opportunity to taste many of the different wines that Argentina has to offer, because you can’t be an expert without putting those taste buds to work! You’ll also learn how to drink Argentina’s famous Malbec like the locals do — because #localsknow, after all.
After the wine tasting session, your Buenos Aires tour moves onto one of Palermo’s best local bars, where you can taste a real fernet. Hopefully you’ll discover why this bitter digestif is so widely consumed by local Argentineans.
Then, your tour leader will take to a local restaurant for dinner. Transfers back to the hotel are not included however taxis are easy to find and inexpensive.
Group Arrival Transfer – Included
Included Activities:
- Buenos Aires – Orientation Walk
- Buenos Aires – Tango class
- Malbec Trail of Palermo (wine tasting) – private service
- Dinner in local restaurant
Accommodation: Cyan Recoleta Hotel (Standard room) or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
- DAY 2 - DESTINATION: EL CHALTEN
Fly south from Buenos Aires to El Calafate (approximately 3 hours) flight is not included, then travel by van to the frontier town of El Chalten, north of Glacier National Park (approximately 3.5 hours). Hikers and climbers from all around the world congregate here in order to reach the glaciers and mountains. Take it easy and drink in the views today in preparation for your trek tomorrow.
Later on, enjoy a picnic in El Chalten at the El Aguila lookout, take in the stunning views that have hikers and climbers from all around the world congregating here to take advantage of the laid back and outdoorsy atmosphere. From the village you can see the splendour of Glacier National Park’s north side.
Then, you will go with your tour leader to enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
Included Activities
- Picnic at the El Aguila lookout
- Dinner in local restaurant
Accommodation: Hosteria Los Ñires (Standard room) or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- DAY 3 - DESTINATION: EL CHALTEN/TREKKING DAY
Rise and shine for the first day on trekking. Begin with perhaps the most famous of all Patagonia’s trails — Laguna de los Tres. Ascend from El Calten on an approximately 9-hour trek through incredible landscapes. Walk through woodlands sprouted framed by granite cliff, over crystal-clear streams and towards the three frosted peaks of Mt Fitz Roy. Along the way you’ll see numerous glaciers, but the primary reward on his trek come at the end of a steep climb: glacier de los Tres and the blue lagoon that lies before it at the base of Mt Fitz Roy.
Box lunch included today.
Special Information:
This trek is considered moderate. While the terrain itself is not difficult, wind and rain can be challenging depending on the weather.
Included Activities
- El Chalten – Day hike to Laguna de los Tres
Optional Activities:
- Beer celebration and empanadas at La Cerveceria brewery
- Massage at Spa Yaten
Accommodation: Hosteria Los Ñires (Standard room) or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Box Lunch
- DAY 4 - DESTINATION: EL CHALTEN
Today 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, then 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.
Tonight, dinner is included in local restaurant.
Optional Activities:
- El Chalten – Day hike to Laguna Torre – USD264
Accommodation: Hosteria Los Ñires (Standard room) or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- DAY 5 - DESTINATION: EL CHALTEN/EL CALAFATE
Take a private transfer from El Chalten to El Calafate. Use the opportunity to relax and unwind after your two days of adventures on foot. The drive should be around 4 hours, depending on weather and traffic.
Dinner included in local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hosteria Patagonia (Standard room) or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- DAY 6 - DESTINATION: EL CALAFATE
Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. This is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world and at 3 km (1.8 miles) wide and 35km (21 miles) long is a spectacular sight. Watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below. Take the steps of a lifetime as you embark on a guided walking tour. When it’s all over, return to El Calafate for the night.
Included Activities:
- El Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier visit
- El Calafate – Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park
Optional Activities:
- Moreno glacier cruise (45 mins) – ARS1200
- Perito Moreno – Mini-trek on the glacier including short cruise to glacier base (65 yrs old is the maximum age permitted) – ARS8000
Accommodation: Hosteria Patagonia (Standard room) or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
- DAY 7 - DESTINATION: BUENOS AIRES – DEPART
Today fly back to Buenos Aires (flight is not included). Your tour ends at arrival to Buenos Aires airport, where you will take your international flight.
Group Departure Transfer:
- Included (transfer from El Calafate hotel to airport)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Inclusions:
Start / Finish Location
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Accommodations
Hotel 6 nights
Included Meals
6 Breakfasts
1 box Lunch
4 Dinners
Airport Transfers
Arrival and Departure Transfers are included on a group basis
Transportation
Private vehicle
Domestic flights from/to Buenos Aires are NOT included
Leader/Guide
English-Speaking tour leader throughout
Included Activities and Entrance/Admission Fees
Per Day-to-Day itinerary
Where applicable with included activities
Optional add-ons:
International flights and departure taxes, if applicable
Any visas required
Services not mentioned in the itinerary
Early check-in nor late check out at hotels, unless specified below
Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Drinks with included lunches and dinners
Tips for leaders, guide and driver
Expenditure of personal nature
Personal Insurance
Optional activities