Penguins, Patagonia, Trekking, Buenos Aires

After breakfast we have the option of doing a short walk along the Lake shores, enjoying our final views of the beautiful scenery. Around midday we are picked up and driven towards Puerto Montt. We go through Perez Rosales NP, along the shores of Lake Llanquihue, past Puerto Varas and to Puerto Montt airport. Adios Lake District! (B)

After breakfast you will depart on your full day hiking excursion. You will have the opportunity to select from two different outings, each accompanied by a professional local guide.

• Option One: Laguna Azul (Hiking or Biking)
Hiking to Laguna Azul
Activity: Nature walk
On our way to Laguna Azul we will have the chance to enjoy some marvelous views of the famous Torres, as well as passing through the Pampa Guanaco, where we will be lucky enough not only to spot many elegant guanacos, but also to hop out of the van and walk amongst them. After soaking up these beautiful surroundings, we will continue our drive to Laguna Azul, where a picnic lunch will have been prepared for us. We will enjoy our picnic lunch looking out over the lake, with a view of the three granite towers in the distance. After lunch, we will walk south to Macho Cañon, where we can observe the typical fauna of the Torres del Paine National Park, including more guanaco herds. From here we will jump into our van again to head back to Ecocamp in time for cocktail hour.

Biking to Laguna Azul
Activity: Biking
After breakfast we drive to Estancia Laguna Amarga and we hop on our mountain bikes & pedal away towards Laguna Azul campsite approximately 20 km to the northeast. We cycle past an array of fauna on the Patagonian plains including guanacos and ostrich-like ñandús (plus maybe the occasional puma print!), heading up north past the cascading Paine waterfall where we can stop for a break to admire the view. We continue our journey heading past a small canyon in the middle of the Patagonian flora and fauna before looping up towards Laguna Azul. Upon arrival at Laguna Azul we enjoy our picnic lunch. Once we’ve feasted and enjoyed some rest there’s time to explore the surroundings and climb to the nearby sightseeing point with a panoramic view of the lagoon and the Torres in the distance. The cycle ride back to Ecocamp is optional – anyone who is happily tired after the journey is welcome to travel back in the support van. Back at EcoCamp the cyclists reunite with their hiking counterparts to enjoy the evening aperitif.

• Option Two: Tower Base Trek
Activity: Demanding Hiking
After a hearty breakfast we set off from Ecocamp towards Hostería Las Torres and join the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the world’s most famous views overlooking the Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2,900 m/ 9,400 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Ecocamp Suite Domes (upscale domes with private en-suites)

After breakfast you will depart on your full day hiking excursion. You will have the opportunity to select from two different tours of Torres del Paines, each accompanied by a professional local guide.

• Option One: Western Lakes Walk and Glacier Grey Navigation
Activity: Nature walks and boat trip
We start off driving across the Park, admiring the view of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, and Los Cuernos with its black, granite horn-like spires. We stop at various viewpoints on the way to enjoy observing and photographing herds of guanacos, Andean condors and interesting flora.

We drive down past Pehoe Lake and enjoy a short scenic walk along the tip of its southern shore, with views of the vast Toro lake. From here we drive up to Grey Lake and wander along the beach on the shores of the glacial water. Here we enjoy a tasty box-lunch by the lake before embarking on a boat ride across the icy waters to the towering blue walls of Glacier Grey. After this incredible sight of the glacier up close, we drive back to EcoCamp. (*During Shoulder Season (September, October, April and May) the boat trip to Glacier Grey may be cancelled as the boat requires a minimum of 8 passengers to sail, which might not be reached in some cases. If this is the case we will plan an alternative excursion in the Park.)

• Option Two: Western Lakes Walk and hike to Cerro Ferrier
Activity: Hiking
We will begin the day driving across the park, admiring the view of Paine Grande’s snowy peaks and the black, granite, horn-like spires of Los Cuernos. As we walk along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we will see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe. We continue by van south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey. Here, we begin our hike to Cerro Ferrier, a fairly steep route taking us through a fairytale-like Magellanic forest where we might spot the Huemul, the endangered South Andean deer. We will go uphill for about an hour and a half to reach a breathtaking lookout offering us a unique perspective on the Paine Massif, Grey Glacier and some of the most famous lakes of the National Park. We will then walk back to Grey Beach to meet our fellow travelers returning from the boat ride. Together, we all head to Ecocamp to enjoy a relaxed evening.

N.B. An alternative nature walk to Pingo (6km/4mi) may be offered depending on the weather conditions and the guests’ physical condition

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Ecocamp Suite Domes (upscale domes with private en-suites)

We depart the lodge early in the morning and are driven near the border with Argentina where we will board the shared bus that takes us to Calafate (shared bus service). The bus will stop at both the Chilean and Argentinian immigration control centers (a fairly easy process to cross borders). The whole journey from Ecocamp to El Calafate takes about 5-6 hours, depending on border crossing traffic.

El Calafate is located in the Patagonian steppe, dry and dramatic. It is on the border of Lago Argentino (Argentina’s biggest lake), considered capital of the glaciers. It is the gate to visit the famous known Perito Moreno Glacier. On arrival in Calafate you will be met at the bus station and taken to your hotel. The hotel is conveniently located near the main part of the quaint and happening town of Calafate. From here you can take the rest of the afternoon off to walk around, shop and try some typical alfajores and other Argentinian goodies. If you have time we recommend stopping into the visitor center or make the 1km hike out to Laguna Nimez for a beautiful Patagonian sunset.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hotel Kau Yatun (or similar)

In the morning you will be picked up for the excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciers National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 and home to one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in Argentina, Perito Moreno Glacier is a site to behold. On arrival you will enjoy some stunning views of the glacier and have time to walk through the trails and various viewing platforms.
After a picnic lunch, you will continue north to El Chalten. During this 3 hour you will be able to enjoy the desert of Southern Patagonia on the famous Route 40. You will pass through La Leona river, that connects Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma. By the river you will see La Leona Road House where once Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid after robbing a bank where hidden for almost a month.
On arrival in El Chalten you will be taken to your hotel. You will have the rest of the evening free we encourage you to walk around town to try one of the many great restaurants or the local brewery.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Hosteria Senderos (or similar)

El Chalten is considered the Argentinean capital of trekking and is located at the foot of the Fitz Roy Mountain, surrounded by glaciers, lakes, rivers and forest; it is still a hidden gem of our south. The charming little village, that is also the start point for most paths, is a paradise for walkers and trekkers alike.

Today a local expert guide will accompany the group on a hike of choice, depending on group interest and weather conditions. However, the trails are very well marked and anyone is free to hike on their own if they prefer.

El Chalten offers a range of options for all kind of difficulty of trekking. From the door of your hotel, you can go for a short 3 K walk, with views of the Rio de las Vueltas, lenga forest and the chance to see all kind of birds (great woodpecker spotting opportunity).
If you are looking for great mountain views, in one hour and a half you can be at the Cerro Torre view point.
For trekking fans, continue all the way to Torre base or go for the 8 hours trekking for the most impressive view of Fitz Roy and the whole massif by Laguna de los tres path (highly recommended!!). This is a trek that becomes difficult in the last bit but totally worth the effort.

If you decide to opt for a self-guided hike, we will provide you with complete trekking information of the park.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hosteria Senderos (or similar)

If you have the energy, take am early morning short hike or a walk to the waterfalls (or to the lookout)! Get as much in while you can, as this will be the day you say farewell to beautiful Patagonia. At the appropriate time we will return to El Calafate for our flight to Buenos Aires.
Flight not included: Approximate price US$80 – $110 per person.Capital of Argentina and described as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires proudly embraces this title, as well as shows off plenty of its own culture! Explore the traditional European architecture, the cobbled streets lined with rustic outdoor cafes, the local antique and artisanal markets that offer plenty of bargain shopping, and an array of good restaurants to chose from for a good dinner out. Buenos Aires is also home to some excellent local designers and you will certainly find the perfect leather jacket, long leather boots and handbags for all occasions. Though above all, Buenos Aires is known as the home of the tango, and we will enjoy a tango show on our final night!
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel.Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Centrally located hotel in Buenos Aires

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to enjoy a city tour. Over the course of a half day you will have the chance to visit the historical and political centre of the city; San Telmo with its cobblestone streets, La Boca where Buenos Aires turns colorful and tango is ever present, and the chic and aristocratic Recoleta, where the big palaces remind us that Buenos Aires was once the Paris of the South.

You will have the rest of the day to explore this great city on your own. If you need any recommendations as to what to do please let us know. Buenos Aires has great shopping, wonderful museums, and endless quaint neighborhoods worth exploring. Taxis are still quite affordable for a city such as this, and a great way to get around. If you are feeling more adventurous you can try the super cheap metro.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Centrally located hotel in Buenos Aires

Enjoy a full free day in this fantastic city. Please let us know if you would like suggestions for things to do.

In the evening you will be picked up from your hotel (shared service) to be driven to one of Buenos Aires’ most emblematic cultural highlight’s; a dinner and Tango Show offering a spectacular demonstration of the finest local dancing accompanied by delicious Argentine cuisine and all the malbec wine you would like to drink!

At the end of the evening you will be driven back to your hotel.

Total duration (dinner + show); 4 hours (approximately)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner (drinks included also)
Accommodation: Centrally located hotel in Buenos Aires

At the appropriate time you will have a private transfer to the international airport for your flight back home.
Have a great trip!Please note: The transfer provided to the airport is on a group basis, if your flight leaves at a different time you will have to arrange a separate transferPlease ask about our recommended extensions to Iguazu Falls or the Mendoza Wine region!Meals included: Breakfast