Patagonia Hiking Adventure

Day 1: Buenos Aires
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. We suggest our exclusive 'Four Balconies of Buenos Aires' (not included in trip cost). Evening on own.

Day 2: Buenos Aires - Ushuaia
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and transfer to hotel. Tierra del Fuego contains all the different ecosystems, which typify Patagonia on a single island: South Atlantic coast, bushy steppe, Andes surrounded by glaciers, snow, lakes and forests. Afternoon navigation on the stormy waters of the Beagle Channel. Weather permitting, you may disembark and hike on the islands. (B)

Day 3: Tierra del Fuego National Park
Full day visit to the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Hiking through this beech forest you will be able to look for the Magaellanic woodpecker, largest in South America, Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors. Embark on zodiac boat for Isla Redonda for lunch and afternoon short walk on the island. (B,L)

Day 4: Yamaning in Gable Island
You will ride along the J route, which offers interesting views of the famous "Flag Trees" until you reach Bahia Brown. You will put on your wetsuit and row (1 hour) in very safe duckies (Canadian canoes) to the island where you will be able to hike and observe old natives settlements and a variety of birds such as gulls, steamer ducks, petrels, cormorants, albatross and Magellanic Penguins. After a 3-hour hike you return to the refuge, stop for tea and then row back (45 minutes) to the continent. (B,L, tea)

Day 5: Ushuaia - El Calafate - El Chalten
Morning at leisure to enjoy the town or museum housed in the old jail. Afternoon flight to El Calafate and 4 hour private drive to Hosteria El Pilar, 15 km north of El Chalten, set in the beech foothills of the Fitzroy range. The 8 room lodge generated its own electricity and gives easy access to the trails in the Los Glacieres National Park. (B,D)

Day 6: Trek to the base of Fitzroy
Eight hour hike to Laguna do los Tres with impressive views of Fitzroy's east face. Hosteria El Pilar. (B,D)

Day 7: Trek to Cerro Torre
Full day hike to the famous Mt. Torre. This peak lures many climbing expeditions but only a few succeed in reaching the summit. Hosteria El Pilar. (B,D)

Day 8: El Chalten - El Calafate
Morning at leisure to do another hike or go into town. Afternoon bus ride (5 hours) to El Calafate and check in at the Estancia Alice, El Galpon. A typical Patagonia estancia, there is a sheep shearing and sheep herding demonstration with several of the estancia's working dogs. There is a walking trail with information about the flora and fauna of the Patagonian steppe and typical lamb asado (BBQ) served on the dinner menu. (B)

Day 9: El Calafate
Day free for options: Horseback riding, full day hike to the surrounding mountains, relax on the estancia or enjoy the new Upsala Glacier Explorer Navigation, the largest glacier in the area. (B)

Day 10: Perito Moreno Glacier
Enter the Los Glaciares National Park and cross in front of the towering walls of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Don crampons and hike on the glacier. (B,L)

Day 11: El Calafate - Buenos Aires
Fly back to Buenos Aires and the day is at leisure. A farewell dinner and tango show can be arranged. (B)

Day 12: Int'l Departure
Check-out and transfer to the airport for return flight to the US. (B)