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This itinerary focuses on the wonders of the Argentine Patagonia. From the beautiful little town of El Chalten, visit the famous Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy mountains. Awe at the majestic rocks as they surge toward the sky. From El Chalten, venture to El Calafate to do some glacier trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier.
On this trip you will be participating in a socially responsible tourism initiative in the Barranco District of Buenos Aires. Sustainable tourism allows us to give back to the communities we visit and one of the main focuses for this trip is promoting growth for at risk youth in the city as well as being aware of our environmental impacts in the Patagonia region. In El Chalten, you will embark on a sustainability initiative to learn indepth impacts of climate change and how they effect our wild lands.
Welcome to Argentina! Upon arrival at the airport in Buenos Aires, you will be greeted by your English speaking guide in the arrivals area, who will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred directly to your hotel, for a smooth and easy start to your adventure. Get settled into your room, freshen up and enjoy your first evening in this colorful and lively city! (This service is on a private basis.)
The cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and its largest city. Known as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is steeped in culture unique to this beautiful country. Enjoy tango dancers in the streets of La Boca or head to the charming neighborhoods of Recoleta and Palermo to enjoy delicious empanadas. Buenos Aires is a great base from which to explore the surrounding areas as well. Río de la Plata is a short distance away and is a great place to go to relax on its shores.
Welcome to Argentina! Upon arrival at the airport in Buenos Aires, you will be greeted by your English speaking guide in the arrivals area, who will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred directly to your hotel, for a smooth and easy start to your adventure. Get settled into your room, freshen up and enjoy your first evening in this colorful and lively city! (This service is on a private basis.)
NOTE: Check in is after 2PM. All meals included.
Enjoy Tango lessons in Barranco followed by dinner and Malbec wine.
Enjoy this free time at your leisure.
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.)
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.
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!
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!
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.)
Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to your accommodations.
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.
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.
Sadly, your journey must come to an end today. However, you will be leaving with unforgettable memories and the experience of a lifetime! After checking out of your hotel, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the airport in good time to board your international departure flight home.
We hope you had an incredible trip and we wish you safe and pleasant travels onward! (This service is on a private basis.)
Nuss Buenos Aires Soho is located at one of the most emblematic corners of Palermo Soho, across from Plaza Serrano. Once a classic Spanish-style convent, it has been fully refurbished to become the most innovative premium hospitality option in Buenos Aires. The 22 rooms are located on three floors around a central patio (the old convent clusters). In one of the city's most interesting neighborhoods, surrounded by design and clothing stores, crafts shops, art galleries, and bars and restaurants, Nuss Hotel offers the perfect base in the city.
Within the epic Los Glaciares National Park, a the door of the magnificent El Chaltén, Hosteria Senderos awaits you! The 21 rooms and other spaces have been designed to offer guests warmth, privacy and peace of mind during your stay. Designed in the traditional Patagonian style, with inspiration drawn from the old farms of the past - yet all the modern comforts - Senderos offers a warm and personalized refuge in this most stunning of regions.
Built around a protected courtyard, Eolo is upscale through and through, yet casual and comfortable. Expansive cream-colored rooms have huge windows and a mixture of new and antique furnishings. Bathrooms feature refurbished mirrors, vanities, and deep tubs with windows looking out to the vast open landscape. No matter which way you look, there are sublime expanses outside with no trace of civilization in sight. Only 15 miles from El Calafate, and en route to the Perito Moreno Glacier, the property's location is convenient to town, the airport, and the main tourist attractions. Simply put, it's the perfect base from which to explore. The excellent restaurant on property is open to the public with reservations. Most people come here as an all-inclusive package that includes the traditional local glacier tours, as well as trekking, bird-watching and horseback riding. Of course, you may just want to lounge by the indoor heated pool as well.
-Accommodations as mentioned
-All meals as mentioned in the itinerary
-All tours/activities as indicated
-Professional English-speaking local guide during tours
-All transport as mentioned
-Entrance fees for all sights visited
-Full support before, during & after your trip
-International & domestic flights
-Travel insurance (ask us for a quote)
-Taxes and fees
-Local eco-fee charge up to $50 ARP Argentine Pesos (approx. $3 USD) per person to be paid at any Iguazu hotel
-Local eco-fee charge up to $180 ARP Argentine Pesos (approx. $10 USD) per person to be paid at any Bariloche hotel
-Entrance visas when applicable
-Optional tours or activities
-Early check-in/Late check-out
-Tips and gratuities to guides, drivers
-Expenses of a purely personal nature
-Other services not mentioned
On arrival, you will be met by our lead guide, Raul. He will be your main point of contact for your trip and will ensure everything goes smoothly for your adventure in Argentina. Raul and his team of guides, chef's and operations professionals are eager to showcase their beautiful country and provide you with the highest quality in service.
The perfect trip exists. The perfect lodge, the perfect tour guide, the perfect sunrise hike and the perfect cultural experience are all out there, and we would like to help you find them.
We love logistics and our planning process is second to none. Based on firsthand experience, our travel specialists will design you a customized itinerary ensuring your trip will be memorable and authentic.
Global Basecamps offers the best customer service the specialty tourism industry has to offer. We’re by your side from beginning to end, making sure everything goes perfectly.
Our trips directly benefit the local communities you visit. We work exclusively with like-minded partners who help ensure tourism has no negative impacts on the environment, culture and economy of your destination.
You can reach out to your travel designer or one of our offices in the US, the UK, or Beijing with questions.
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Your travel designer is always your first port of call if you have questions and they’ll check in with you regularly too.
In case you need to get in touch outside of normal office hours, or in case of emergencies on trip, please contact your travel designer (contact information can be found in their email signature).
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Once you’re ready to confirm your trip, we’ll ask you for USD$500 ber booking (if you're traveling internationally) or 1,000RMB per person (if you're traveling from within China) as a deposit so that we can start securing you the best guides and hotel rooms. This will go towards your trip costs and will be taken off your final balance amount. This deposit is refundable for any reason until 30 days prior to your departure.*
*If there are any non-refundable bookings we need to make on your behalf, we’ll tell you upfront. Please note that other deposit terms might apply to group journeys and expert-led tours.
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We highly recommend you purchase adequate travel insurance as soon as possible in order to mitigate the effects of any unforeseen circumstances.
This quotation is listed in U.S. dollars and Chinese renminbi based on the exchange on the day of quoting. In the event of a 2.5% or higher change in exchange rate, ABC Travel reserves the right to adjust this quotation in a fair and reasonable manner. Prices and availability are not guaranteed until booking.
In response to COVID-19, we've updated our health and safety procedures. We will continue to monitor the situation and update these policies accordingly.
Additional training: Our team practices social distancing outside of work hours and every staff member has received additional training on identifying risk factors and symptoms linked to COVID-19.
China's green health code: Prior to every journey, we will ensure that any ABC Travel team members you'll meet along the way hold a green health code from the Chinese government. In addition to this, we will hold a briefing with each guide and ensure they have been fever-free for 4 weeks prior to the travel date.
Face masks and hand sanitizer: All of our staff and representatives will wear a face mask for the duration of your journey. Your guide will carry hand sanitizer that is at least 65% alcohol proof and will regularly wash their hands using soap and water.
Operational requirements: In order to operate, hotels and restaurants in China are required to meet government requirements for COVID-19 health and safety. We’ll inform you of the specific regulations for each hotel you’ll be staying in. Beyond the government requirements, we will also personally audit hotels and restaurants to ensure our standards are met and that we, and you, know exactly what to expect.
The true face and heroes of ABC Travel, our guides have been rigorously selected for their combination of local knowledge and likable personalities.
Guide working hours are 8 hours maximum per day unless otherwise indicated in the itinerary. If the guide hours are extended, at your request, overtime charges will be billed to you at the end of your trip.
In general, ABC Travel guides will be busy arranging and confirming afternoon activities during meals, so a separate table will be provided for them to eat. They will always be there to assist and help you with any problems during the meal, pick out local specialties, and show you their favorite dishes.
While tips are widely accepted, we would like to stress that this is at your own personal discretion. While everyone is recommended to tip based on services rendered, our clients often ask that we provide some basic guidelines.
ABC Travel guide:
1 person: $20-$30/day • Group of 2: $15-25 per person/day • Group of 3-5: $15 per person/day • Group of 6-10: $10 per person/day
ABC Travel driver:
The driver may sometimes receive a tip of 50% of what the guide receives. In places where roads are rough and dangerous, the driver may sometimes receive an equal amount of tipping as the ABC Travel guide.
Nearly all foreign visitors to Mainland China will require a visa. ABC Travel will provide an invitation letter for your visa application but we are not able to obtain a visa on your behalf. It is your responsibility to obtain a valid visa and any other required documentation for your journey. We recommend applying for a tourist visa approximately 60 days prior to your scheduled departure date.
Your ABC Travel trip designer will send you detailed information regarding visas upon booking. If you would like more advice on Chinese visas at this stage, please consult China Visa Solution (www.chinavisaforyou.com), our preferred agent for U.S. residents. If you’re traveling from outside of the USA, VisaCentral (www.visacentral.com) is our preferred agent choice.
We highly recommend visiting your physician at least 6 weeks before your departure date, to ensure it’s possible for you to participate in all the activities of your journey. It is also important to ensure you have the correct vaccinations for your trip. As some vaccines may need to be taken over the course of weeks or months, it is best to visit a physician as early as possible. For detailed information, visit the Centers for Disease Control’s China page at:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china
If any travelers on your journey have special requirements, please notify us prior to booking so that we can ensure your trip is compatible.
Health and safety requirements for different sites and regions of China vary. We will let you know in advance what the restrictions are in your destination and monitor the situation closely in the lead up to your trip. It is your responsibility to have the documents and health codes required for travel.
