ACTIVE PATAGONIA
Patagonia travel!
This trip brings you closest to the most beautiful flora and fauna of Patagonia! After starting in the vibrant Buenos Aires, you travel to the UNESCO world heritage site that is the island of Valdes. Here, you come face to face with sea lions, penguins, elephant seals and you can even spot killer whales and whales. It’s also possible to kayak and snorkel. Afterwards, you travel to the imposing Perito Moreno glacier and admire the overwhelming nature including lakes, pampas and the spectacular Andes mountain range in El Chaltén and the Torres del Paine National Park. Pass through the spectacular landscape on one or multiple trails or via a tour.
Lastly, you’ll travel to the most southern tip of the world; Ushuaia. Hike to World’s End or extend your trip with a beautiful cruise to Antarctica. We can make the journey as active and/or comfortable as you want, share your wishes with us.
Day 1 - Buenos Aires
Welcome in vibrant Buenos Aires. The city of the Tango, Maradona and Evita Peron. BA is often called the Paris of South America. More than 10 million inhabitants live in 40 different neighbourhoods, called ‘barrios’. From the 16th century onwards, a stream of immigrants from Italy, France and Spain came to BA. You can still experience the atmosphere of these countries in the different neighbourhoods. The Argentinian culture is best experienced in San Telmo. Here you’ll see people dancing the tango in the streets and can browse through a host of wonderful antique shops.
Day 2 - Buenos Aires
Colourful Buenos Aires has something for everyone! You can explore the city in different ways. A great tour through the neighbourhoods can be enjoyed by bike. But there’s also plenty to see by foot. The free walking tours are very popular and are led by locals. If you like creativity, the street art tour is definitely worth it or a fan of antiques, then don’t skip the San Telmo neighbourhood! The neighbourhood of La Boca, boasts brightly coloured houses and the area of Palermo is highly recommended with its trendy vibe and wealth of luxurious boutiques and restaurants.
Day 3 - Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is a picturesque location at the ‘Golfo Nuevo’ with a wonderful beach, promenade and many restaurants. Additionally, it’s the gateway to Peninsula Valdés. Peninsula Valdés is a spectacular nature reserve (it’s on the UNESCO world heritage list) and offers an amazing variety of wildlife. There’s a good chance (depending on the season) to see penguins, whales, sea lions and killer whales! Additionally, the nature reserve is also the home of the guanacos (small llamas) and the choiques (related to the ostrich).
Day 4 - Peninsula Valdes
You also have the option to go on a Whale Watching trip today, in the period of June to December. In this period, you can spot hundreds of whales.
Day 5 - Peninsula Valdes
Today, there’s the possibility to go sea kayaking in the ‘New Gulf’, you make several stops to observe the flora and fauna up close! The expedition requires limited physical exertion. You can’t get any closer to nature!
There’s also the option to snorkel with sea lions. You’ll receive the right equipment and sail to the Punta Loma reserve within 30 minutes, the favourite place of sea lions. If you’re an experienced scuba diver (with certification) you can also scuba dive with the sea lions. Everyone can experience the special interaction with the animals by snorkelling!
Day 6 - El Calefate
Today, you fly to the town of El Calefate. The town is beautifully situated at the altiplano, just beside the azure blue ‘Lago Argentino’. The town is the starting point for a visit to the ‘Glaciares National Park’. In the north of the park, you experience the most beautiful hikes. This is also a paradise for mountain climbers. In the south, you view the icy glaciers, take ice hikes and can embark on a boat ride across lakes full of icebergs. El Calafate itself, is a small and quiet village where you can see a lot on foot. The lively main street of Avenida del Libertador General San Martin is full of bars, restaurants and stores.
Day 7 - Perito Moreno
Today, you’ll visit the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier! This is the greatest highlight of ‘Glaciares National Park’. This immense rock of ice is 4km in width and 60m in height. Because the ice has been compressed under huge pressure over the years, Perito Moreno gained its trademark bright blue colour. You can go on a spectacular boat ride past the glacier and witness how chunks of ice crumble off. This is nothing to be worried about, however, because of the constant supply of snow, the Perito Moreno grows every year.
For those who want to, there’s the option for a spectacular hike across a glacier today. With suitable equipment, consisting of crampons, it’s possible to hike 1,5 hours to the starting point of the glacier. Then the real deal starts: during the tough trek of three and a half hours, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views on the ice plateau. Experienced guides will supervise your safety and you can eat lunch on the ice. Important to know: this excursion is for fit people between 18 and 50 years of age.
Day 8 - El Chalten
Today, you’ll drive from El Calefate to El Chaltén by bus.
El Chaltén is in the Los Glaciares National Park. The landscape consists of glaciers, hidden lagoons, estancias, the splendid Viedma Lake and the magnetic draw of the Fitz Roy mountain. The peak of this majestic mountain is almost always covered by cloud which the Tehuelche natives thought was smoke, giving the town the name of Chaltén, meaning ‘volcano’. El Chaltén has been proclaimed the National Hiking Capital for hikers and climbers. Most hikes start in the village and you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy them. The granite towers of the Torre and Fitz Roy mountains form a spectacular panorama together with the Viedma, Upsala and Moyano glaciers, that end in the Viedma Lake.
You have the next 2 days to walk or hike through the splendid landscape around El Chaltén.
Day 9/10 - El Chalten
You have the next 2 days to walk or hike through the splendid landscape around El Chaltén.
Day 11 - El Calefate
Today you will drive by bus from El Chalten to El Calefate. A beautiful ride! You will spend the night in El Calefate.
Day 12
Transfer to airport El Calefate.
The end of an unforgettable trip through Patagonia!
Included:
* All accommodations with breakfast
* Mentioned meals
* Transport like mentioned in the program
* Excursions like mentioned in the program, unless stated otherwise
Not included:
* International and domestic flights
* Not mentioned meals
* Entry fees national parks, unless mentioned differently
* Optional and not mentioned services and excursions
