Trekking Patagonia: from North to South

Day 1 : City Tour Buenos Aires

Meet your driver at Ezeiza International Airport – transfer to Buenos Aires in a private vehicle.

Transfer with an English-speaking guide.

Visit Buenos Aires (half day, walking tour).

Today, discover the political and historical centre of the capital. Start with the 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest in the world, dominated by the Obelisk, a symbol of Buenos Aires. You will pass the Colon Theatre, one of the jewels of the Argentine architecture, before arriving on the Capital main square, Plaza de Mayo.

Your visit then takes you to San Telmo: this historical neighbourhood is a dynamic mix of tourists and locals: picturesque alleyways, old typical cafés, antique shops… This lively barrio is animated day and night – a famous flea market takes place every sunday around Dorrego square.

End your visit with the picturesque neighborhood of La Boca, with its small alley of El Caminito : painters, tango dancers and singers meet between the ancient colourful wooden houses.

Return to your hotel after the visit.

Excursion carried out with an English-speaking guide.

Night at the Two Hotel in a standard room.

Day 2 : Buenos Aires - Bariloche

Transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires Domestic Airport in a private vehicle.

Domestic flight Buenos Aires*- Bariloche.

*National o international airport depending on time schedule and availability.

Transfer from the Bariloche airport to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Transfer with an English-speaking guide.

Cooking workshop : experiment with the local cuisine accompanied by a local chef !

According to the typical regional meal you are going to cook, you will look together for the best ingredients. Meanwhile, discover the local culture, different uses of each food product and enjoy your host’s stories about gastronomy.

Tie your apron and get ready to prepare your meal with the chef, and enjoy the tasting !

Night at the Hosteria Costas Del Nahuel in a lake view room.

Day 3 : Frey Refuge (1743 m)

During this 5 days trek through the Andean Cordillera, you will pass different valleys, summits, river and altitude lakes. We start our hike on a path bordering the Gutierrez Lake before walking up along a river in the forest. The sight of the first granite peaks means the Frey mountain Refuge is near. After arriving at the refuge, relax on the shores of the Laguna Toncek, at an altitude of 1743 m.

Night in the Refuge.

4 to 5 hours hike, 12 kilometers, +1000 m elevation.

Day 4 : Jakob Refuge (1936 m)

Leave the Frey Refuge to walk along the Laguna Toncek and climb up to Laguna Schmoll. You walk along the Catedral Ridge. This mountained was named the Cathedral after the shape of its rocky peaks resembling the gothic cathedrals architecture. Enjoy the stunning view with the snowy Tronador to the West and the summits of Lopez and Capilla to the North East. The trek continues through the wild Rucaco Valley, then up to Brecha Negra Mountain at 2010masl. Hike down the mountain to reach the Jakob Refuge (also named San Martin), where you will spend the night.

4 – 5 hours hike, 8.5km distance. Elevation: +200 / -400m

Day 5 : Italia Refuge (1577 m)

Early in the morning, leave the Jacob refuge to go to the Laguna de los Tempanos. After climbing 150m you switch course to reach Pico Refugio. Hike up the 400m through a rocky terrain that requires some rock climbing techniques. This is the hardest part of the whole trek.

Once you reach the summit, the trail continues from Inocentes Mountain all the way to Navidad Mountain. Following the Navidad River, you will reach the Goye River and continue North West to get to the Italia Refuge at Laguna Negra.

Dinner and night at the refuge.

9-10 hours hike, 8.5km distance, elevation: +1000m/-1000m.

Day 6 : Lopez Refuge (1620masl)

In the morning, walk around the Laguna Negra through the north shore heading to the pass that separates Negro Mountain from Bailey Willis Mountain – walk on until the summit of Bailey Willis – take a short break to admire the view. Hike down the valley without losing too much altitude, and climb the Southwest face of the Lopez Mountain to reach the Pico Turista pass (2050masl). From here you descend to Lopez Refuge (1718masl).

Night at the Refuge .

6-7 hours hike, 8km distance, altitude +500m/-300m

Day 7 : Bariloche

Last trekking day – hike down the steep slope alongside the Lopez river. The desertic landscape progressively turns into a nice forest – you reach the road to Bariloche

Return to Bariloche in the afternoon.

2h1/2 hike, 3,5km distance, elevation – 1200m

Night at the Hosteria Costas Del Nahuel in a lake view room.

Day 8 : Bariloche - El Calafate

Transfer in a private vehicle from your hotel to Bariloche Airport.

Domestic flight Bariloche – Calafate.

Transfer from El Calafate Airport to your hotel in a private vehicle.

An English speaking guide will acompany you during your transfer.

Free day in El Calafate.

Enjoy your free time to try one of the following activities:

– Visit the “Laguna Nimez” Natural Reserve to enjoy the wilderness and observe the flamingos and the 80 other species of birds living there. This is an easy, 20-minute walk from the city center – duration of the visit: 2 hours.

– Visit the Interpretive Center which covers various themes such as paleontology, geology, anthropology and history.

– Rent an electric bike to explore the city.

– Have a drink downtown at the ice bar.

Night at Marcopolo Suites El Calafate in standard room.

Day 9 : Perito Moreno Glacier - Ice trek

Glacier Hike – 2 hours – Low Intensity

This excursion will allow you to fully experience this exceptional natural environment.

We pick you up at your hotel and start a 75km ride to Los Glaciares National Park.

From the harbour located at Bahia Bajo de la Sombra, embark on a 20 minute navigation to cross Brazo Rico and dock at the foot of the refuge.

Start a small walk amidst exuberant vegetation. Pause on a beach near the glacier, where the guides will give a few explanations about glaciology. Continue the walk to reach the foot of the glacier where you don the crampons before starting the trek.

2 hour trek on the ice accompanied by mountain guides.

Return to El Calafate in the afternoon.

Note: This tour, due to the physical requirement and the difficulty of the terrain, is only open to those who have a good physical condition to walk on the ice and stone, and is limited to people aged between 10 and 65.

We recommend you bring sunglasses, sunscreen, waterproof clothing, gloves, trekking boots, and a backpack of 40 litres.

Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park included.

Lunch box gourmet included.

Night at Marcopolo Suites El Calafate in standard room.

Day 10 : El Calafate - Dickson, Cubo and Grande Glaciers

Departure from your hotel in regular service, to Los Pioneros port, located in Los Glaciares Park.

You sail for 1 hour then continue with a small trekking of 2 km to Lago Frías. Cross the lake aboard zodiacs and start the 2nd trekking of 4.5 km. You walk through a forest of centennial lengas, then an old glacial valley to finally reach the Frías Superior Lake. From here you can admire the Dickson, Cubo and Grande glaciers.

After lunch, return to El Calafate.

Note 1: Aprox 6 hours trek (14 km)

Note 2: Moderate difficulty

Note 3: Groups of 12 people maximum

Video Excursion Glaciar Sur Aventura

Night at Marcopolo Suites El Calafate in standard room.

Day 11 : El Calafate - El Chalten - Trekking Laguna Torre

Transfer in pool service from the hotel in El Calafate to the hotel in El Chalten.

Departures at 7:30 am and 7:30 pm.

210 km. 3 hours.

Hiking – 6 hours – Elevation +536m / -132m- Moderate Intensity

Trek by yourself up to Laguna Torre.

Maps are available at the entrance of the Park and trails are well marked.

You are off to a beautiful walk to reach the nearest viewpoint on the range of the legendary Cerro Torre. It lasts about three hours on a trail without great difficulty, passing through the viewpoint of Torre.

Before reaching the lake, walk by the De Agostini camp and after a ten minutes walk through the last glacial moraines, access one of the most famous sights of the park: the spectacular Cerro Torre, Egger and Standhardt, the snowy range of the Adelas…

Night at the Patagonia Travellers Hostel in standard room.

Day 12 : El Chalten - Trekking Laguna de los Tres

Transfer from the hotel in El Chalten to Hosteria El Pilar, starting point of treks, in pool service. Departs at 8h.

Hiking – 6 hours – Elevation +926m / -948m- Moderate Intensity

Trek up to the Laguna de los Tres.

You are walking by yourself (maps are available at the entrance of the Park and trails are well marked).

The walk starts along a beautiful trail in the forest, on the West slope of the Polo mount, to get to a slight ascent to the Poincenot basecamp. Amazing views throughout the hike over the Blanco River valley, the Piedras Blancas glacier and its lagoon…

The climb to the Laguna de los Tres starts at Poincenot and is hard, but the reward is well worth it: you are as close as one can get to the mountains.

Lunch in front of the Fitz Roy by the spectacular Sucia lagoon.

You return through the beautiful Capri lagoon.

Night at the Patagonia Travellers Hostel in standard room.

Day 13 : Trekking Pliegue Tumbado

Trek by yourself up to the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado.

Maps are available at the entrance of the Park and trails are well marked.

This simple ascent to a beautiful edge formed by rocks slates is one of the most panoramic tours of the park; although we are not so close to the Fitz Roy and Torre, the spectacular views of Mount Solo, Lake Viedma and the whole massif of Fitz Roy and Torre from the south, are well worth the hike. Many marine fossils can be found on the rocks.

After this full day trek, go back to town with the memory of one of Patagonia’s best views.

Note 1: 7-8 hours hiking, 21km, elevation + 1133 m / – 1133m until the mirador.

Note 2: Prepare water and windproof clothing, as this hike can be windy and often snowy.

Night at the Patagonia Travellers Hostel in standard room.

Day 14 : El Chalten - El Calafate - Ushuaia

Transportation by bus to El Calafate. Trip length around 3h.

Domestic Flight Calafate – Ushuaia.

Welcoming at Ushuaia airport and private transfer to your hotel in Ushuaia.

Transfer with a English-speaking guide.

Night at the Campanilla hotel in standard room.

Day 15 : National Tierra del Fuego Park - Canal de Beagle

Half day excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park on a pool service. Located at only 11 km from Ushuaia, and next to the border with Chile, its 63.000 hectares protect lakes, lagoons and rivers and exit towards Beagle Channel.

We will drive out of the city passing by the slope of the Susana Mount, site of the Southern Fuegian Railway – a short stop is made for those interested in riding the train who have booked the excursion.

We then reach the Pipo River Valley, taking us to Ensenada Bay, where you can observe the Redonda and Estorbo Islands and the Beagle Channel across, bordered by the snow-white Mountains of the Sampaio Chain (Chile). We reach the Roca Lake and Lapataia River.

We drive on to the other end of the Park until Lapataia Bay to discover the the Green Lagoon and Black Lagoon, large growing peat bog. We pass by the beaver dams before returning to Ushuaia for lunch time.

Approximately 4 hours Excursion.

Entrance fees to Tierra del Fuego National Park included.

Departure from the hotel in a shared transfer to the Ushuaia Port, where you will embark on a 2h30 navigation on the Beagle Channel for a great introduction to the Fuegian geography and fauna.

Observe the Pajaros Island, famous shelter of Royal and Imperial Cormorants, Albatross and more than 20 seabirds.

The boat then nears Lobos Island, where you can witness two species of Sea Lions. On your trip back, you see Ushuaia below by the striking beauty of Martial Mountain Range.

Note: Approximately 2h30min navigation.

Night at the Campanilla hotel in standard room.

Day 16 : Glaciar Vinciguerra

Trek to the Vinciguerra Glacier

Departure in small groups with your English-Spanish speaking mountain guide to the Andorra valley (8km from Ushuaia).

You start the hike through the typical peatlands of Tierra del Fuego, before arriving at the Laguna Los Tempanos which will surprise you with its milky blue color and its great beauty.

Continue the hike until the Vinciguerra glacier which feeds the lagoon, where you can enter one of the glacial caves of the glacier.

Moderate level – 7/8 hours – 16km – +850m

Small group of maximum 6 people.

Night at the Campanilla hotel in standard room.

Day 17 : Ushuaia - Buenos Aires

2 hours before your flight, check out and transfer to Ushuaia Airport.

Domestic flight Ushuaia – Buenos Aires*.

*National o international airport depending on time schedule and availability.

Transfer from Buenos Aires domestic airport to your hotel in a private vehicle.

Night at the Two Hotel in a standard room.

Day 18 : Buenos Aires

Transfer from Buenos Aires domestic airport to Ezeiza International Airport in a private vehicle.