Patagonia, Argentina

After breakfast you will depart on a unique and delightful experience, a mini trekking tour through an area with the highest penguin concentration in Argentina – normally only visited by researchers and park rangers. Access is permitted only to small groups, and a San Lorenzo Park Ranger will be present throughout the trek. The visit will include”The Hive”, an area with very high penguin concentration, and the Penguin Gully, a transit area for penguins on their way to their different burrowing sectors.

One of the most beautiful places along this circuit is the cliff area, where penguins burrow.  On the way back to the starting point we will walk along the highest part of the beach.

Accommodation: Puerto Madryn, La Posada de Madryn or similar

Arrive at Calafate, meet and transfer by private vehicle with an english speaking guide to the hotel.  Afternoon tour to the Glaciarium, a modern center devoted to the Patagonian Icefield and its glaciers, one of the few glaciological interpretative centers in the world. Entrance fee to the Glacio Bar is included. The Glacio bar is located underground at the Glaciarium and features ice walls. Everything is made of ice; the glasses, the bar, tables, and couches are fully made up of the glacier!

Accommodation: Calafate, Kosten Aike or similar

Enjoy a full day tour to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, the only growing glacier on earth and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Perito Moreno Glacier in at the southwestern end of Argentino Lake 80 km from El Calafate. This glacier is named Perito Moreno after to a great Argentinean explorer from the last century and is one of the few glaciers in the world that is actively moving. It has become one of the most spectacular natural shows in South America.

The tour includes a boat excursion on the “Nautic Safari” departing from Bajo de las Sombras Pier and sailing along the glacier’s southern wall at a distance of approximately 500 m with the possibility of watching the ice slide from the 60-70 meter high glacial wall.

You will disembark on the opposite shore for a mini-trek reach Moreno River Waterfall.  This optional trek is of interest because of the contact with glacial ice, its peaks and interior lakes the unique blue color of the glacier, and the amazing views of the glacier walls and the lake.  Because this trek requires the use of crampons and ice axes to allow us to walk on the glacier there is a medium physical requirement and it is considered to be unsuitable for people who are overweight, handicapped, or pregnant. People from 10 to 60 years old are allowed on the mini-trek and size 36 shoe is the smallest available and therefore a minimum requirement.

Accommodation: Calafate, Kosten Aike or similar

After breakfast, we will enjoy a full day tour to Estancia Cristina.  In the morning we will go towards Cristina Farm, located at the base of the blue waters of Argentino Lake. The experience starts at Puerto de la Cruz in Punta Bandera. We will sail the northern end of the lake to the snout of the outrageous Upsala Glacier. Then we will sail along Cristina Channel until we reach the Cristina Farm port where the adventure continues in one of the most fascinating and legendary valleys in Patagonia.

Included:

• Boarding a modern and comfortable boat at port Punta Bandera
• Sailing among icebergs and stunning scenery overlooking the western front of the Upsala glacier and then through Cristina Canal to the point of disembarking at the Estancia.
• Arrival Estancia Cristina and stay at the Estancia for 6 hours.
• Guided visit to the Costumbrista museum (old shearing shed).
• Ascent in all-terrain vehicles, traveling 9.5 km through mountainous roads.
• Arrival to the Continental ice shelter.
• 30 minute walk.
• Visit the front of Upsala Glacier, Lake Guillermo, Southern Patagonian Ice, and the Andes.
• Return to El Calafate via the farmhouse of the Estancia and Puerto Banderas.

Accommodation: Calafate, Kosten Aike or similar

After breakfast, we will depart for El Calafate Airport in time to board our flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires we will transfer to our hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day free.

Accommodation: Buenos Aires, Loi Suites Recoleta or similar

After breakfast you will visit the San Telmo Market for an opportunity to do some last-day shopping.  With a typically Italian facade and large interior spaces, the Mercado de San Telmo opened in 1897 to cater to the needs of the new wave of immigrants arriving from Europe. The stalls have since been updated but the internal structure of the market remains the same, with metal columns and beams, so stepping inside is still like stepping back in time. The building was declared a national historic monument in the year 2000 and there are stalls selling food, antiques, crafts, records, and toys, making for an eclectic mix.

In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner and tango show at Gala Tango.  Its architecture, French style decoration, and the exclusive refined details makes Gala Tango the most glamorous places in Buenos Aires.

Accommodation: Buenos Aires, Loi Suites Recoleta or similar

After breakfast, transfer by private vehicle and English guide to Ezeiza International Airport for your flight back home.