Adventures in Patagonia

Welcome to Argentina! Upon arrival at the international airport, you will be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel in the heart of Buenos Aires. At 6:00 pm we'll meet in the hotel lobby for introductions before going to one of the city’s most important highlights: a dinner and spectacular Tango show! Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango and we’ll see how a good dancer transmits the feeling of the music to their partner. Overnight Hotel Recoleta Grand or similar in Buenos Aires (D)

Today we’ll drive to the domestic airport for our 2.5 hour flight to El Calafate (cost of airfare is not included but we will coordinate buying the tickets for AGC participants). From there we drive across the Patagonian steppe to the mountain town of El Chalten, often called Argentina's Trekking Capital (driving time: 3 hours). Route 40 is famous for its expansive vistas and gorgeous scenery; on a clear day, we can see the Fitz Roy mountain range during our drive. We arrive in time to settle in and explore this charming mountain town. Tonight’s dinner is free for you to choose from any of the quaint and delicious nearby restaurants. Overnight Poincenot Hotel or similar in El Chalten (B, L)

Our first hike is to the lookout of Laguna de Los Tres - a turquoise lake named for the three glaciers that drain into it. The trail begins in a dense forest of lenga (southern beech) trees that protect us from the Continental Ice Field winds. We trek towards Fitz Roy massif, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, with breathtaking views of its iconic spires and peaks. Our trail then continues through forest and open areas to Rio Blanco, the base camp where climbers prepare to climb the 11,290-foot Fitz Roy summit. From here it is a steep but worthwhile 1,300 ft climb to Laguna de los Tres, a striking azure blue lake at the foot of the massif. From the lake we have close-up views of the vertical rock walls of Fitz Roy's east face, the impressive spire called Poincenot Needle, and the dramatic blue of Piedras Blancas glacier. Retracing our steps, we return to the town of El Chalten for a well deserved dinner and night's rest. Hiking: 12 miles, 3,100 feet elevation gain, 9-10 hours. Overnight Poincenot Hotel or similar in El Chalten (B, L)

We walk where the Andean condors fly today, hiking out on the only trail that ascends to a view point near El Chalten instead of dipping into a valley. We will hike toward Laguna Toro, crossing small streams and hiking through several distinct ecosystems. We will see arid hillsides scoured by the wind but still dotted with tiny wildflowers, reminders of how persistent and resilient nature’s smallest organisms are. Once on alpine terrain we may see remnants of marine fossils such as ammonites and belemnites up to 100 million years old! Gaining elevation steadily near the destination, be aware that it can snow here, even in the summertime. Our viewpoint at “Loma del Pliegue Tumbado” grants us an impressive and unconventional view of the Torre and Fitz Roy massifs. (Hiking: 13 miles, 2,400+ feet elevation gain, 7-8 hours) Overnight Poincenot Hotel or similar in El Chalten (B, L)

One of the classic treks of El Chalten is to the Cerro Torre Lagoon, wedged between the Adela mountain range, Torre and Grande glaciers, and the famous Cerro Torre. In comparison to our first two days, our hike today is easier with gentler hills. The path ascends as we stroll along the Fitz Roy river until it arrives at a viewpoint of the river canyon and the Margarita waterfall. We see a lot of evidence of the area’s glacial past as we cross terminal moraines and hike in an ancient glacial valley to a magnificent viewpoint of the area. With a little luck and clear skies, we will have a picnic lunch with a fantastic view! Time permitting, we will continue to Laguna Torre, where we can see a wide range of birds, including the Magellanic woodpecker. (There are numerous references to Magellan in this area with flora and fauna due to the first European to visit the area was Juan Ladrillero, a Spanish explorer who was looking for the Strait of Magellan's western passage in 1557.) At Laguna Torre it is common to see huge icebergs, ice which has fallen off the Torre glacier face. Here we can visit the Agostini campground that once served as a basecamp for climbers from all over the world. In the late afternoon we drive back to El Calafate.

Hiking: 12 miles, 1900 ft elevation gain, 7 hours. Overnight Kau Yatun Hotel or similar in El Chalten (B, L)

After a hearty breakfast we'll head to Glaciers National Park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and is home to 200 glaciers. Approximately half of this park is occupied by the Patagonian Ice Field, the largest ice field after Antarctica! Today we experience the Perito Moreno glacier, one of the world's few glaciers that is not receding. The stunning mass of tiny blue ice peaks at the terminus is even more awesome because of constant cracking sounds when pieces of ice break and crash into the water below. Most glaciers calve, or release ice, in deep water, but here the calving rates are higher than on other Patagonian glaciers. Lago Argentino, the lake where Perito Moreno ends, is shallower than the bodies of water at the ends of most glaciers so the icebergs don't melt as quickly, perhaps one reason why the glacier is still advancing. Hopefully we will get to see some calving in action! Weather permitting, we'll have our lunch overlooking the glacier along an expansive boardwalk and viewpoints, then take an hour-long boat ride on the lake for another close-up perspective. We return to El Calafate in the afternoon. Dinner is on your own again tonight, with choices from a number of great restaurants. Overnight Kau Yatun or similar. (B, L)

After an early breakfast, we pack up and leave for a scenic drive of about 6 hours through the spectacular landscape of the Patagonia steppes into Chile and Torres del Paine National Park (no visa required for US and Canadian Citizens). We'll see unique wildlife such as herds of guanacos (llama relatives) and lesser rheas (related to emus and ostrich). We'll also see the mountains that make the park famous: Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto and the Towers. After we settle into our lodging at the base of the Towers magnificent rock spires, we'll take a walk to get familiar with the landscape. Overnight at Refugio Torres Central in Torres del Paine National Park. (B, L, D)

We start our Base Torres trek or by following the Ascencio River into the Ascencio Valley. We ascend for one hour before getting our first magnificent glimpses of unbelievable beech forests, glaciers and waterfalls. The path levels out for the next few miles before leading us up a large moraine to a lookout point, perfectly positioned for breathtaking photos. (During the trekking portion you will carry a large daypack full of your necessities and your extra luggage will be shuttled around to meet you after the W-trek.) We’ll return on the same path back to where our hearty dinner awaits us. Hiking: 8-10 hours. Overnight: Refugio Central (B, L, D)

We start our lodge-to-lodge trek today on the famous W Circuit, so named for the shape of the trails. With an early morning start and clear skies, we’ll see a magnificent dawn full of orange-pink hues. From the refugio we hike to Inge Lagoon, possibly seeing Andean condors and eagles on the way. Descriptions fall short of the incredible beauty of this trek and the views that need to be experienced in person! The trail follows around the base of Almirante Nieto Mountain, and crosses the Bader River to arrive at Refugio Los Cuernos for the night. Hiking: 7 miles, 6 hours (B, L, D)

Today’s journey begins with a 2 hour walk following an undulating path leading to the French River where we’ll have our first glimpses of the hanging glacier. Then we will ascend for one hour through a surreal Japanese garden landscape, crossing beech forests, to reach the French Valley viewpoint. The French Valley is considered by many to be the most beautiful part of the trek. It offers a dramatic view of sheer cliffs and unique rock formations. We will picnic in the naturally-formed amphitheater encircled by the park's most impressive formations: the Hoja (Blade), Mascara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark's Fin) and Fortaleza (Fortress), plus views of Paine Grande, the highest mountain in Torres del Paine at 2,884m (9,462ft). After coming back down the valley, we continue hiking across the steppe to our mountain lodge at Refugio Paine Grande. We retrace our steps to the entrance of the valley before continuing on to the southwest side of Paine Grande, the highest peak in the park. Here we cross through native Chilean forests of fire bush and evergreen beech to the shore of Lake Pehoe. Overnight: Paine Grande Refugio. Hike 8-9 hours (B, L, D)

We are at the last leg of the W, hiking today on rolling ups and downs above Lake Grey. The day begins with a winding narrow path to Laguna Negra, where we first see the South Patagonia Ice Field with its many unclimbed mountains. During our hike we’ll cross through forests and rivers, be on the lookout for spectacle and flying steamer ducks. After we settle into our lodge, we will kayak on Lake Grey past magnificent floating icebergs and the Grey Glacier, weather permitting. This excursion is part of your trip fee and all necessary equipment, including a life jacket, is provided. No kayaking experience is necessary and your local guide will teach you all you need to know. Some restrictions do apply to kayaking (Maximum age limit 65 and under, maximum weight limit is 220 pounds). Hiking 7 - 8 miles. Hiking: 4 hours. Kayaking: 2 hours. Overnight Refugio Grey (B, L, D)

Last hike today is a retracing of our path from yesterday to a boat launch near Refugio Paine Grande where we will catch a 40 minute boat ride across Lake Pehoe. On the shores of Lake Pehoe we may see grazing wild guanaco. From there we will drive 2 hours to Puerto Natales where we will get cleaned up and have our final celebration dinner. If you’re extending your stay in Puerto Natales, there are many interesting places to visit nearby, including the “Cueva del Milodon,” or Mylodon Cave, National Monument. Mylodons were giant ground sloths that weighed about 2,205 pounds and were about 10 feet long from snout to tail tip. Overnight Martin Gusinde Hotel or similar (B, L, D)

What an incredible trip! We leave early after breakfast for a 3 hour drive southeast to the Punta Arenas airport in the morning, another charming city, this time on the banks of the Straights of Magellan. Plan your flight for after 2 pm (If traveling straight home, you can connect through Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina). (B) If you’re feeling adventurous, take the 12-hour bus/boat trip crossing over the Magellan Straits to Ushuaia - the southernmost city in the world.