Patagonia - Hiking And Luxury Estates

After breakfast, we will head to the domestic airport for our flight to El Cafayate, where our driver will be waiting to take you to El Chaltén. Here we will stay in eco domes which offer the perfect base to explore the area.

Today we will hike to the Fitz Roy Base Camp. We will be dropped off at the trailhead and shortly enter a lenga and ñire forest, bordering the Rio Blanco. Our first stop along the trail will be a Mirador with excellent views of the Piedras Blancas Glacier. We will then continue to Poincennot camp, a central hub for trekkers in the area. We will then cross the suspension bridge, to get to the Base Camp. From here, there is an optional hike to the Mirador de Laguna de Los Tres, on the Rio Blanco. From this viewpoint, you can see a spectacular view of the Fitz Roy Massif, the lagoon and its glaciers. Close by, we can also have an excellent view of the Sucia Lagoon.

Today’s hike is to the Lago Torre.

From the village, we will climb along a trail following the course of the Fitz Roy River. Shortly we will be able to see the Fitz Roy River Canyon and admire beautiful waterfalls such as the Margarita Waterfall. From here, we can also appreciate the view of the Cerro Torre. We will then descend through a beautiful valley to the Base Camp De Agostini, where the mountaineers' elite start their summit of the Torre. We will reach the stunning Laguna Torre, with a magnificent view of Cerro Torre, where we can appreciate impressive glaciers spilling into the lagoon. Then we start our return by the same trail to the town where the vehicle will take us to back to the Domes.

After breakfast, we will begin our hike to the Lago del Desierto and on to the Huemel glacier. From here we can appreciate spectacular views of the Fitz Roy massif. We will then continue along the ridge to the Huemul lagoon fed by the glacier of the same name.

Bright and early, we will go to the Pier to embark on The Cristina Estate catamaran. On arrival at the estate, we will begin a hike to the RIOS DE LOS PERROS WATERFALL. You can hike with a guide or follow the carefully marked trail if you prefer to go alone. After walking through idyllic forestland, we will reach the first viewpoint over Lake Argentino to Lake Pearson. From here we will continue our ascent to arrive at the stunning Río de Los Perros waterfall.  You may choose to hike or bike this trail to the river.

Today we will hike to the Cañadon de Los Fosiles

Todays hike is a little more challenging and combines 4WD vehicles to the Upsala Viewpoint, as we descend through the canyon. We will head west in our 4WD vehicles, ascending and heading west along the Feruglio mountain range, along the Northern section of Lake Argentino. During the ride, we can see a number of landmarks: we will see the base of the Continental Ice Institute; the “lengas cemetery”; and we will also cross through the “Bosque de Loros” (Parrots’ forest), stopping at a viewpoint with a magnificent view over the Laguna Anita, Mount Norte and the valley surrounding the estate. We will leave the 4 x 4 behind and start trekking to where the Upsala Glacier, used to cover. Now, due to glacial erosion, it has left a black and red coloured, polished rock. We will make our first stop at the Upsala Refuge, the base camp for the expeditions venturing on the ice zone. Finally, we will arrive at the Upsala Glacier Viewpoint, the most famous panoramic point of The Cristina Estate and Los Glaciares National Park, with impressive rugged glaciers all around us! We will then trek to the Cañadón de Los Fósiles, an area that is home to a large concentration of marine fossils. Millions of years ago, the Pacific Ocean covered this region, but these geological treasures have been exposed due to the ice age. The trail follows a constantly descending slope until we reach the way out of via a gorge which opens into the Valley.

Today’s trek is to the Mount Carnero, along a rocky terrain that has a spectacular view of the lake all along the way. It is a gradual ascent from which we will be able to appreciate the Cristina channel and the entire valley below us. Passing through amazing forests and by impressive waterfalls, we will arrive at the Mount Carnero. From here we can marvel at the magnificent view of the Southern Andean mountain range and of the glaciers belonging to Southern Patagonian Ice Field. We will then head back to the estate for dinner and a well-earned rest!

After breakfast, we will return to El Calafate by boat taking in the stunning beauty of this immense lake.

Today we will trek out onto the glacier! We will head past the Icebergs Channel, and cross the Brazo Rico. We will dock on the shore and get ready for the ice trek and hike to the base of the glacier where it meets the mountain. You will be fitted out with crampons and will enjoy the unique experience of trekking on the ice of the Glacier. We will be able to see a different view of the glacier and look into the glacier's deep blue cracks. We will say “cheers” with scotch on the glacial rocks, to celebrate today's unique experience and achievement!

After breakfast, we will head back to Calafate Airport. For our onward flight to Buenos Aires, where our driver will be waiting to take us to the hotel. We will have an afternoon tour of the city, starting in Colón Theatre, the symbolic Obelisk will be our first sight as we head on to The Plaza de Mayo, the city's historical, political and foundation. We will then visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the House of Government, the Cabildo, and the Municipality. As we head south, we will pass through the bohemian neighbourhood of San Telmo, famous for its tango and its cobbled streets. Further South we will head to La Boca, and the Boca Juniors Stadium, home of the Boca Juniors football club. Afterwards, we will visit ¨Caminito¨ tourist centre, before heading to the old port, where you can appreciate how the city has changed over the years. Afterwards, we will head to Puerto Madero, the most luxurious neighbourhood of Buenos Aires.

Today we will take you to the airport for your flight back home or onto your next destination!