Calafate Español

OPTION Nº 1

PERITO MORENO GLACIER - Regular tour ( 6 hours )

Located 80km away from El Calafate, “The Perito Moreno Glacier” is the National Park’s host, where visiting its catwalks is actually a unique experience.

From the beginning, the trip holds pleasant surprises. On the village outskirts, it is possible to see the Argentino Lake on the right and its shallowest part, Redonda Bay (Rounded Bay), populated by a large variety of birds like black-necked swans, flamingos, steamer ducks, coots and Magellan gooses surrounded by yellow fields, due to the “coirones”, typical grass of Patagonian steppe.

The first 40km on the trip runs through the Patagonian steppe until getting to the National Park access gate. Over the next 26km, it is possible to appreciate the timberline formed by “high deciduous beech” trees, white oak trees, “low deciduous beech” trees and some cinnamon trees. Flowers of several colours can be appreciated too, being the “fire bush” the one that stands out the most due to its deep red colour. All of them are typical Andean-Patagonian forest species.

Facing the glacier every aspect is majestic.

The catwalks are divided in 3 circuits: Central Balconies: 600mts (1.968 feet, including 1st balcony, 2nd balcony and Northern balcony); Lower Balcony: 1.100mts (3.609 feet, including Lower balcony) and Coast’s Balcony: 1.117mst (3.665 feet, from parking area up to the Northern Balcony), all of them alternating with resting and panoramic balconies. The route of the visit will be closely related to weather conditions and participants’ willingness and physical conditions; the available time to walk through and visit the catwalks is 1 to 3 hours.

There is an elevator available for disabled persons that leads to the First balcony, point where the Accessible Pathway begins, extending to 565mts (1.854 feet).

The visit makes it possible to have different viewpoints of the glacier and enough time for lunch (not included) and for an optional navigation on to approach to the glacier’s southern front.

Services must be accompanied by a licensed National Park’s guide.

Includes:

• Hotel pick up about 9:00 am and drop off about 16:30 pm

• Professional tour guide, fluent in English and Spanish

• Regular tour of Perito Moreno National Park major attractions

Excludes

• National Park entrance fee

• Lunch

• Gratuities

OPTION Nº 2

SUPER GLACIERS ( 10 hours )

Combination of excursions Gourmet Glaciers and Perito Moreno Glacier on the same day.

Transfer from the hotel appreciating the panoramic view of the Argentinian Lake until you reach Puerto La Soledad.

We embark on the María Turquesa catamaran to start the navigation on the Argentino Lake until we reach the Upsala Arm where we will glimpse the vastness of the Upsala Glacier and its icebergs. We continue along the Spegazzini Arm to reach the front of the homonymous Glacier, the highest in the National Park. A few minutes more we disembark at the "Puesto de las Vacas" for a short walk in the Patagonian forest with the guide.At the end of the trekking, we return to the ship and we navigate the North Arm and the Canal de los Tempanos to reach the north wall of the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. In the Puerto Argentino,we start the walk on the balconys,located in front of the Glacier ,for 02 hours approximately.

Around 6.00 pm we will return back to the hotel in Calafate.

Includes:

• Hotel pick up about 7:00 am and drop off about 19:30 pm

• Professional tour guide, fluent in English and Spanish

• Navigation

• Lunch

Excludes

• National Park entrance fee

• Gratuities

OPTION Nº 3

NAVIGATION GOURMET GLACIERS ( 9 hours )

Lago Argentino – on a northwest course to Punta Avellaneda and Boca del Diablo. Spegazzini Glacier, landing at Las Vacas Station, in the Spegazzini Canal Bay. Here our guides coordinate a trek with a view of the old Settlers’ Station identifying flora and fauna.

Visit the Upsala Canal and navigate to Herminita Peninsula – limit of the navigation zone allowed by National Parks – panoramic view of the Glacier.

We take the lunch during navigation and in the afternoon we navigate to Canal de los Tempanos to visit PERITO MORENO GLACIER.

At final we return to La Soledad private port.

Main deck with capacity for 180 people + space specially designed for children.

4 exterior decks and 1 PREMIUM DECK on the upper level with a maximum capacity for 16 people.

Lunch Gourmet Menu Tasting for the PREMIUM DECK or Gourmet Lunch Box for the classic deck.

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages Infusions.

Bilingual English Spanish guide and air-conditioned environments.

Includes:

• Hotel pick up about 7:00 am and drop off about 18:30 pm

• Professional tour guide, fluent in English and Spanish

• Lunch Gourmet tasting

Excludes

• National Park entrance fee

• Gratuities

OPTION Nº 4

MINITREKKING ON THE GLACIER ( 10 hours )

One of the most interesting activities to experience at the glacier is the tour that begins at Bajo de las Sombras pier, located aproximately 4 miles away from the glacier. You will cross the Rico Branch on a boat (Nautical safari), and navigate about 20 minutes in front of the glacier.

The landing is on the opposite shore and after a short walk you will arrive to the shelter, where you will receive a complete explanation about glaciation and the activity of the ice trek. After this you will start a walk through the exhuberant Magellanic forest.

This Minitrekking is particularly attractive because of the close contact you will experience with the glacier. You will be able to see the glacier's summit. There are also caves that allow you to reach the very base of the glacier, as well as small internal deep blue lagoons. The views of the glacier's wall, and the lake, are magnificent.

You will be able to walk on top of the glacier with our expert guides for over 1.5 hours.

The way back is a walk through the forest again, ending at the shelter. You will have one hour for lunch. After the Minitrekking, you'll get abord your ship and back to Bajo de las Sombras' port and to the glacier's footbridges.

Includes:

• Hotel pick up and drop off

• Professional tour guide, fluent in English and Spanish

• Trekking on the Glacier

• Crampons

Excludes

• National Park entrance fee

• Lunch

• Gratuities

OPTION Nº 5

BIG ICE ( 10 hours )

The expedition to the heart of Perito Moreno Glacier is an experience not-to-be-missed. It begins at Bajo de las Sombras pier, located aproximately 4 miles away from the glacier. You will cross the Rico Branch on a boat (Nautical safari), and navigate about 20 minutes in front of the glacier.

The landing is on the opposite shore and after a short walk you will arrive to the shelter, where you will receive a complete explanation about glaciation and the activity of the ice trek. After this you will start a walk through the exhuberant Magellanic forest.

The mountain guides will take you as close as possible to the glacier. After checking the gear, we get ready to pick up the crampons and walk following the lateral moraine towards the center of the galcier.There is a breathtaking view of the plateau of ice.

During the walk, you will be introduced to a number of features within the ice, huge moulins, big drains, magic caves and above all the special feeling of exploring the middle of the ice.

Back on the moraine we start our descent to catch the boat around 15 hs. We are glad to offer one of the most spectacular ice hikes in the world.

As we are back at the port we are driven to the footbridges. From this point we will clearly see ice blocks of differents sizes continually detaching from the glacier and falling into the water, causing a tremendous sound and amazing waves, which makes this view and unforgettable sight.

Important note: this walk is aimed at fit people between 18 and 50 years of age. There are 7 hours of walking through diverse terrains, including 3.30hs on the ice.

Don't forget to bring: Sunglasses. Sunscreen. Waterproof coat Glooves. Trekk boots. Backpack of 40lts. Lunch box. Enough water.

Includes:

• Hotel pick up about 7:00 am and drop off about 19:00 pm

• Professional tour guide, fluent in English and Spanish

Excludes

• National Park entrance fee

• Lunch

• Gratuities

OPTION Nº 6

CHALTEN ( 9 hours )

The excursion begins at 7 hs from El Calafate. We take the mythic Route 40, that goes along the Argentino Lake up to La Leona river. We will pass by the canyon with the same name “Cañadón La Leona” and after 1.15 h ride we will arrive to the ancient route hotel "La Leona", almost a museum of the Route 40, where you can have coffee and cakes.

Our trip continues along the Lake Viedma, from where we will have magical views of glaciers, hidden lakes and the overpowering presence of the Mount Fitz Roy. We will make a photo stops at the viewpoint of the Viedma Glacier and Lake and after a 3 h ride we will arrive to this andean village called “The Capital of the Trekking”.

you willl start a self guided trek to one of the miradors of the Mount Fitz Roy and Mount Torre (Laguna Capri, Laguna de los Tres, Madre e Hija). You don´t need to be an expert to use the clearly-marked tracks. We will provide you of a map and a packed box to carry in your backpack. Around 17 hs travelers should return to Chalten to meet the group.

Technical difficulty: Moderate

Includes:

• Hotel pick up about 7:00 am and drop off about 19:00 pm

• Professional tour guide, fluent in English and Spanish

Excludes

• National Park entrance fee

• Lunch

• Gratuities