Lago Argentino Department Trip Overview
Now that Argentina is open to all international visitors and that quarantine is no longer mandatory for fully vaccinated travelers, are you gonna miss out on this incredible tour?
Discover Patagonia while staying in a few Patagonian towns and their outskirts. Experience the true Patagonian Life while staying at exclusive ranch houses inside Los Glaciares National Park and take in some jaw-dropping views! Enjoy some free time and choose your next activity of the day! this itinerary will make your stay in Patagonia the highlight of your trip as you will go on some off the beaten path excursions to first-hand explore one of the most beautiful places in South America!
Additional Info
Duration: 8 days
Starts: Lago Argentino Department, Argentina
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Lago Argentino Department Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Lago Argentino Department, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Now that Argentina is open to all international visitors and that quarantine is no longer mandatory for fully vaccinated travelers, are you gonna miss out on this incredible tour?
Discover Patagonia while staying in a few Patagonian towns and their outskirts. Experience the true Patagonian Life while staying at exclusive ranch houses inside Los Glaciares National Park and take in some jaw-dropping views! Enjoy some free time and choose your next activity of the day! this itinerary will make your stay in Patagonia the highlight of your trip as you will go on some off the beaten path excursions to first-hand explore one of the most beautiful places in South America!
Itinerary
Day 1: El Calafate
Pass By: El Calafate Airport, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Upon arrival at El Calafate Airport, you’ll have a private transfer to your hotel.
Stop At: El Calafate, El Calafate, Province of Santa Cruz, Patagonia
After check-in, you have the rest of the day free to explore local shops and restaurants around town, or venture outside El Calafate to surrounding areas like Laguna Nimez, where you’ll see a beautiful sunset (the front desk personnel at your hotel can give you information on transportation, hiking and more).
Duration: 1 day
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a superior category hotel in El Calafate
Day 2: El Calafate – Full-Day Perito Moreno Glacier with Boat Tour Included
Stop At: Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Glaciares National Park Argentina
After an early breakfast, head out for a full-day shared excursion to Los Glaciares National Park, where you’ll see Perito Moreno Glacier.
-Admission ticket not included-
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Stop At: Pasarelas Perito Moreno, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, El Calafate 9405 Argentina
Admire beautiful views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a boat cruise, which allows you to see the glacier up-close. Then take a walk on nearby walkways that will lead you to viewing platforms which showcase the 19-mile-long (30 km) Perito Moreno Glacier from different angles. Stop for lunch at the park before continuing your exploration (lunch is not included). After your visit to the national park, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in El Calafate, where you’ll have free time to eat dinner and relax.
**OPTIONAL: If you would prefer to upgrade your tour to include the Mini-Trekking or Big Ice excursions, both of which allow you to hike the glacier, please write it down in the special requirements box (while booking) and we’ll quote it for you.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a superior category hotel in El Calafate
Day 3: El Calafate – Full-day at a local Ranch House
Stop At: Estancia Nibepo Aike, Santa Cruz, Argentina
After breakfast, you will have a shared transfer from your hotel to Nibepo Aike Estancia. This Patagonian ranch house is located inside Los Glaciares National Park and has 10 rooms to accommodate up to 22 guests, so exclusiveness and warmth are guaranteed at this place.
Upon arrival, you will be able to choose from the activities offered by Nibepo Aike Hostería such as hiking, horseback riding, biking, taking a guided visit to the hull facilities, a shearing demonstration and farm work, among others (note: the activities offered may vary depending on climatic conditions and the farm schedule). Furthermore, visitors will be able to enjoy the homemade cuisine: vegetables from the garden, and the famous lamb grilled on a traditional Patagonian cross stake.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Nibepo Aike
Day 4: From Nibepo Aike to Hosteria Helsingfors
Stop At: Hosteria Helsingfors, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
After breakfast, you will have a private transfer to Hosteria Helsingfors, a lodge tucked on the edge of Lake Viedma in Los Glaciares National Park. This lodge, offers a variety of outdoor activities to further explore this rural and remote corner of wild Patagonia. After about a 4-hour drive, you will arrive at your lodge, where you will be able to have lunch. The rest of the day will be free to enjoy as you wish. Today, you may choose from the activities offered by Hostería Helsingfors (already included in this tour package). Here, the main activities to explore Patagonia include a variety of hiking/walking and horseback riding tours.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hosteria Helsingfors
Day 5: Free Day at Hosteria Helsingfors
Stop At: Hosteria Helsingfors, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Today, you have a free day to go on one of the included tours offered by the Hosteria. Taking into account the weather conditions, your guide will suggest the best option for you!
Duration: 1 day
Pass By: Laguna Azul, Santa Cruz, Argentina
One option for today may be the Trekking or Horseback riding tour to Blue Lagoon. On this tour you will start by walking through a grass trail that goes into the valley of Alfredo River and up Huemul Hill. After about forty minutes, you will reach a panoramic lookout point where you will be able to admire Cerro Fitz Roy coming out from Viedma Lake. As you continue walking, the valley becomes increasingly narrower, surrounded by Cordon Huemul and peaks that reach 2700 meters. As the trail enters into the forest it is common to see guanacos and condors curiously observing visitors. At the end of the valley you will come across a beautiful waterfall. As the journey continues, you will reach a blue lagoon in a deep bright blue, that contrasts with the darkness of the mountains and the whiteness of a hanging glacier. (Difficulty: moderate – Overall distance: 16 km).
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hosteria Helsingfors
Day 6: From Helsingfors to El Chalten
Pass By: Hosteria Helsingfors, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
After breakfast, you will have a private transfer to El Chalten. After a 4-hour scenic drive you will reach your destination.
Stop At: El Chalten, El Chalten, Province of Santa Cruz, Patagonia
After check-in at your hotel, you will have the rest of the day free to get familiar with this small Patagonian town or go for a short hike from your hotel. We recommend taking either a short hike to Chorillo del Salto (a small cascade located just 3km away from the town) or to the Eagles’ lookout point, which features a 2km trail from town.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a superior category hotel in El Chalten
Day 7: Free day in El Chalten for Self-Guided hike
Stop At: El Chalten, El Chalten, Province of Santa Cruz, Patagonia
After breakfast, head out to one of the many nearby trails for an optional self-guided hike. You can get all the necessary hiking information at your hotel or at the Tourist Information Center located right next to the bus station. There are full-day hiking options to Cerro Torre and Mt Fitz Roy, located on the border of Argentina and Chile, as well as shorter, 2- to 3-hour hiking trails near the mountain. Don’t forget to pack lunch if you decide to take one of the full-day hikes! Also, if you don’t feel like hiking, you can take an optional boat tour down Lago del desierto (Desert Lake) to discover more of El Chalten natural beauty.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a superior category hotel in El Chalten
Day 8: Departing El Chalten
Pass By: El Chalten, El Chalten, Province of Santa Cruz, Patagonia
Enjoy an early breakfast and spend your last few hours in El Chalten at your leisure.
Pass By: El Calafate Airport, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
At the appropriate time, you will have a private transfer to El Calafate airport.
NOTES: Our itinerary is pretty flexible so if you need to add any extra nights or extra tours just make sure to let us know in advance using the special requirements box while booking and we will quote it for you.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
