Patagonian Explorer

El Chalten

El Chalten is located in the heart of the Southern Patagonian Andes on the base of the famous and stunning Fitz Roy Mountains. This is an adventure lover's paradise with close proximity to the Los Glacieres National Park in the north. The region offers everything from short walks to reach beautiful lookout points to expedition style trekking and even mountaineering. Other activities include camping, climbing, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching or visiting the legendary estancias in Santa Cruz.

Today, you will be picked up at your hotel in 4:00PM and transferred to the airport in good time to board your domestic flight to 4:00PM. Upon arrival in 4:00PM, you will be greeted at the airport by your driver and transferred to your hotel in El Chalten. (This service is on a private basis.)

Peruvian Cooking Lesson

Today, join us for an authentic culinary experience in a typical colonial house from the XIX century, just four blocks from the main square in the historic city center of Cusco. After a visit to San Pedro Market, you will be introduced to the expert Peruvian chef who will be leading your course, and given an educational presentation of the raw foods native to Peru - quinoa, coca, tarwi, and the many variations of potatoes, corn, and peppers.

Begin your class in our fully equipped kitchen by making the national drink: a Pisco Sour. Enjoy a refreshing Chicha Morada as you continue on to traditional Peruvian appetizers and mains - perhaps a Mashua Puree with Chinese-Peruvian style sauteed mushrooms, or a Trout Tiradito and some Quinoa Tamales or Mushroom Quinotto. Finally, cook a typical Peruvian dessert, and sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you have just prepared! (This service is on a private basis.)

Guided Fitz Roy Trek

Today, you will embark on a guided tour of the most sought after trek and viewpoint, with spectacular sights of the Fitz Roy massif. This is a private trek, however your transfers to and from your hotel, will be based on a shared service. This natural viewpoint is undoubtedly the most famous of all walks situated close to the imposing walls of Mount Fitz Roy and its surrounding granite peaks. A medium on the difficulty scale, this trek takes about 5 hours in each direction and will be at an elevation of 700 meters from El Chalten. The best time of year for this excursion is normally from October to May.

The headtrail begins at the end of Avenida San Martín, where El Chaltén town ends and your guide will be leaving the car. The slope is quite steep during the first hour, until you reach Del Salto stream valley, towards Mount Fitz Roy. You will notice that the Antarctic Beech trees become more and more visible along the path, and approximately an hour and a half further down the way, you will reach a well marked natural viewpoint. There, you will find a sign that interprets the whole landscape that lies before your eyes. Great photo opportunity!

The trail continues up along the Del Salto stream, until reaching the drainage of the Lagunas Madre e Hija. Four hours away from the starting point, you will arrive to Poincenot base camp (big free campsite) and after crossing the Río Blanco, you will arrive to Río Blanco base camp (only for climbers). From there, the path continues in ascent approximately 400 meters, until you reach Laguna de los Tres. Congratulations, you made it! The trail finishes at the old moraine ridge with an extraordinary view of the lagoon and De los Tres Glacier. This is the closest view to the granite wall of Mount. Fitz Roy and the peaks around that you can get. Heading down the moraine, you can take a trail that surrounds the lagoon until its outfall, where it is possible to admire the emerald waters of the Laguna Sucia and its hanging glaciers.

Note: Although the access to this viewpoint is possible during the months listed above, the access to this trek can vary depending on the accumulation of snow, especially in its last stretch. We always recommend to check the condition of the trail at the Visitors' Center of Los Glaciares National Park located just before the entrance to El Chalten. (This service is on a private basis.)

Full Day Cerro Torre Trek

Mount Torre, often known as Cerro Torre, is famous for its pristine beauty and notorious for the difficulty of its climb. Countless expeditions attempt to master its summit every year, with Cerro Torre widely considered to be one of the most challenging mountains in the world. With vertical walls, dramatic changes in weather and winds of more than 100 kilometers per hour, this is not a place for the faint hearted or inexperienced, if looking to reach the top!

YOu will lunch on top of the moutnain

Not to worry though, as your moderate hike adventure today, will be far less strenuous! The trail begins with a gradual and gorgeous ascent towards El Mirador. This scenic lookout point will be the perfect chance to catch your first unhindered glimpse of Mount Torre. From El Mirador, you will hike the short distance down to the Fitz Roy river valley along flat land, trekking among shrubs and other native flora, adapted to this pristine environment. The trail will lead you into an enchanting woodland and eventually, you will reach the last great glacial area surrounding the lake. Finishing up on the banks of Laguna Torre, you will be welcomed with a reward of the breathtaking view of Mount Torre and the Torre glacier. No photograph could ever do justice to this truly memorable sight, so take your time to admire it to the fullest!

Daily Summary

• Tour: Mini Trekking Perito Moreno Glacier
• Accommodation: Inkaterra La Casona
• Meals: B, L

LATAM Airlines Group (LA) Flight 530

SANTIAGO (SCL)

LIMA (LIM)

NA

NA

DEPARTS

ARRIVES

11:55 AM

06:15 PM

Aerolineas Argentinas (AR) Flight 1863

EL CALAFATE (FTE)

BUENOS AIRES (AEP)

NA

NA

DEPARTS

ARRIVES

11:55 AM

12:15 PM

Mini Trekking Perito Moreno Glacier

Embark on a full day mini trekking expedition to the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier today! First, you will be transferred to the Los Glaciares National Park in the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cape, known as the "Third Pole". This extends over 23,000 sq. miles and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian Andes, leaving it's mark both near and far. You will board a boat here, to cross Argentino Lake in front of towering ice walls of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Glide along the waters and navigate around the ice blocks, which are constantly calving from it.

The boat will dock at an uninhabited beach, where guides will welcome you and lead you to a small shelter. After checking the last details, you will be broken up into groups of 20, to follow your guide along the lake’s shore and towards the edge of the glacier. You will receive crampons (a metal plate with spikes to put on your boots) for this journey and your guide will explain how to use them in assisting you to walk along the ice. Please be assured that neither additional equipment nor previous experience is needed for this trek. The two hour route that follows you from here, introduces you to the fascinating landscape of the glaciers. Take it all in, as you pass by the streams, small lagoons, gullies, crevasses and plenty of ice formations of the most incredible blues.

This trekking excursion is only moderate. The ice surface over which you will walk is irregular, but firm and safe. A one hour visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier catwalks are included in your tour as well, before returning to the shelter where the boat dropped you off. From there, you will transfer to the pier and continue onward back to your hotel.

Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to your accommodations.

El Calafate

The small town of El Calafate is located on the southern border of Lake Argentino, in Patagonia, Argentina. This quiet little town is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, home to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier and the Cerro Torre. The Perito Moreno Glacier is the largest advancing glacier in the world. With its ideal location in Patagonia, there are many great outdoor activities to enjoy, from hiking and trekking to exploring the fast ice fields.

Culinary Tour

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