Perito Moreno, Lago Posadas, Lago Viedma, El Chalten, El Calafate
8 days / 7 nights
From $2,426 per person, double occupancy for 2009

DAY 01: Comodoro Rivadavia-Perito Moreno
Flight from Buenos Aires to Comodoro Rivadavia. Airport reception and transfer by private van to Perito Moreno, visiting the impressive Petrified Forests in Sarmiento along the way. The 90-minute hike follows a forest trail with amazing vistas of a seemingly lunar landscape. Lunch at the cozy Chacra El Labrador farm with a visit to its cherry plantations. The trip continues across the Patagonian steppe to Perito Moreno. Dinner and overnight at the Estancia Telken. (L,D)

Day 2: Perito Moreno-Lago Posadas
Full day visit to the famous “Cave of the Painted Hands”. Drive to the Pinturas (Paintings) River Valley. So called because of the abundance of magnificent cave paintings, in particular the series of caves known as "Painted Hands", one of the most impressive expressions of rupestrian art dating from more than 9000 years ago. The trip continues to Bajo Caracoles and then to Lakes Posadas and Pueyrredon, at 200 m below sea level, one of the lowest depressions of glacier origin in Patagonia. Dinner and overnight accommodation at Hosteria Lago del Furioso. Enjoy gorgeous views of the Furioso River Canyon from an amazing location on an isthmus dividing the two lakes (B,L,D)

Day 3: Lagos del Furioso-Mt. San Lorenzo and the Oro River Gorge.
Full day visit to a region with imposing landscapes – the Oro River Valley and Furioso River Canyon (a fabulous geological site). Enjoy views of Mt. San Lorenzo from a lookout point at Mirador del Nevado. Highest of the Southern Patagonian Andes, Mt. San Lorenzo, first climbed by Rev. Padre Maria de Agostini in 1943, is famous among the climbers all over the world. (B,L,D).

Day 4: Lago Posadas-Lago San Martin
Full day drive southbound across the legendary Patagonian steppe to Lago San Martin, stopping as desired to spot the fauna of the area: lesser rheas, hares, mara (Patagonian hare), foxes, piches and guanacos. Lunch at La Siberia, located between route 40 and Lake Cardiel, where the specialty is oven-roasted Patagonian lamb. Arrival at Lake San Martin, one of the best kept secrets in Patagonia, and one of the least visited and most spectacular places in the area. Overnight at Estancia La Maipu, a true working Patagonian estancia, known for its connection with the first inhabitants of the area and its production of Corriedale Sheep wool. Horseback riding and hiking can be arranged during your stay. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Estancia La Maipu
Day hike to Vega de la Medialuna, Laguna Talca and a condor nesting site. This area is a transitional zone between Patagonian steppe and Andean forest. Amazing vistas of the estancia, Lake San Martin and the Peninsula Avellaneda. The trail cuts into the southern beech forest with species of Nothofagus and fungus such as the Llao Llao. Excellent opportunities to observe local fauna such as woodpecker, Magellanic goose, flamingo, eagle and condor. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Lago San Martin-Lago Viedma-El Chalten
Return to Route 40 and continue westward towards El Chalten, a small windswept town at the foot of the impressive Mt. Fitzroy. First visited by mountaineers from around the world, today it is gaining popularity as a base for trekking and exploring the Fitzroy area. Overnight at Hosteria El Pilar or Casa de Piedra. Dinner on own. (B,L)

Day 7: El Chalten
Full day hike to Mt Fitzroy base camp for impressive views of Mt. Fitzroy, sacred and venerated by local Tehuelche groups. You can also venture up to Laguna de los Tres, a 45-min. slightly demanding hike that will reward you with magnificent views. Three glaciers drain into a vast lagoon with majestic Mt. Fitzroy towering above. To the south are breathtaking views of Lake Viedma and the endless Patagonia steppe, (B,L) *Optional excursion to Lago del Desierto or Lago Viedma and the Viedma Glacier (boat ticket not included)

Day 8: El Chalten-El Calafate
Morning drive to El Calafate along the Patagonian steppe. Arrival by noon and transfer to the airport. Flight to Buenos Aires. El Calafate is a charming small village with good facilities and the gateway to the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier and Los Glaciares National Park. Located in the Southwestern area of Santa Cruz Province, this park, created in 1937, stretches over 240,000 acres. (B)

*Trip extensions can be arranged to Estancia Alice or Los Notros Lodge.