Join the Ultimate Patagonia Adventure!  If you love hikes and outdoors this trip is just for you!  Enjoy most incredible views as you hike in the Fitz Roy area of Argentinian Patagonia, walk on the surface of giant Perito Moreno glacier, marvel the beauty of the legendary Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) - a home to Magellanic penguin colony on a Beagle Channel.  Opt for a 2 -days extension to watch the dramatic Iguazu Falls, the largest in South America and the 3rd largest on Earth!

Highlights

💃🏼 Buenos Aires, Start adventure from the city of Tango, try the best cultural and gastronomy experiences in a company of knowledgeable local guide

🏔 El Chalten: Take 2 epic day-hikes on the foothills of Mt. Fitz Roy 

🧊 El Calafate:. Experience the wonders of Los Glaciares National Park,  Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world's largest. Walk on it's surface of iceberg in crampons is doable for everyone. Taste a shot of whiskey with a glacier ice as a reward! :-)

🔥 Ushuaia: Reach the end of the Earth. Explore Tierra del Fuego national park on foot and kayaks.

🐧 Walk with Penguins on Martillo island on the legenday Beagle Channel  

💦 Iguazu Falls 2-days extension (optional, at additional cost):  take a boat to the base of the dramatic waterfalls and explore the nearby jungle 

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✈️  Trip start/end: Buenos Aires, Argentina

😫 Level of difficulty:  Intermediate, no special climbing skills required

🏔 Participant's  Physical fitness:  Good. Previous hiking experience is preferred

🏡  Comfort Lodging:  Hotel in historic neighborhood of Buenos Aires, chalet-style lodges in Patagonia (twin sharing rooms w/private bathroom)

🚙  Included transportation: private van, boats, canoe & zodiac boat rides

🍭  Kids:  14`+ (assisted by parent, previous hiking experience is must)

Level of difficulty:  Intermediate to Upper Intermediate.  Be prepared for 2 days of relatively strenuous hikes in the Fitz Roy (El Chalten) region, which are undoubtedly the highlights of this trip: 8-9 hours hiking daily on a steep uphill/downhill rocky and sometimes muddy terrain. 

Trails are well marked . Distance of each hike is 12mi on average with altitude gain approx. 2000-3000 feet (pls see more detailed info in the itinerary below). Good physical fitness is required. 

If you have any health issues, previous injuries, pre-existing health conditions or you are in a process of recovering after a surgery, please notify Organizer before departure.  Pregnant women are NOT allowed for hiking activities in El Chalten and not allowed for Perito Moreno Mini-trek (according to the rules of local provider company). Age limit for Perito Moreno Mini-Trek is up to 65 y.o.

Altitudes:  The good thing that both Argentinian treks are at the LOW ELEVATION, there is not risk of altitude sickness.  Altitudes range between 600 to 4000 feet. Altitude gain on the day treks hikes is 2000 feet average, which is doable for the healthy and relatively fit person.

Hiking season:  March is the end of Summer - beginning of Fall in Patagonia, a time of the year when the landscape start having golden-reddish and yellowish shades. This is an ideal time for hiking and photography opportunities.

Weather in Patagonia (El Chalten, El Calafate, Tierra del Fuego Ushuaia) in March:

It is characterized by an unstable trans-Andean climate, with very strong winds.  March being the end of the summer season, is still the warm time of the year, with average day  temperatures of 12-23°C (54-75°F), with a low of 1°C (33°F).  Rain and strong wind is very possible any time all year round. Always come prepared for the 4 seasons. As Patagonia climate is very unstable, rain and shine can happen in the same day.

Weather in Buenos Aires and Iguasu Falls in March:  Warm. The average daily temperatures are around 80-85F (26-30C). The probability of rain is still high. March to May is the best season to visit the Iguasu Falls.

PATAGONIA (El Chalten, El Calafate, Tierra del Fuego)

Outfit and gear for hiking:

- Lightweight insulated down-jacket (evenings and mornings can be chilly)

- Windproof/Waterproof jacket for hiking (preferably gore-tex to keep you dry in case of downpours). 

- Hiking pants that are breathable and light are a must, as these will dry out quickly after rain and will keep you from getting too warm when hiking long distances. 

- Rain-poncho - suggested, if your hiking jacket doesn’t provide enough water-resistance

- Fleece jacket or hoody

- A change of quick-dry T-shirts, including long-sleeved (not cotton, as it does not dry as quickly, or keep you as warm during active days)

- Woolen or fleece beanie

- Sun hat

- Gloves (preferably water-resistant ) 

- High-ankle hiking socks (merino wool hiking socks will keep your feet extra comfortable and warm)

- High-ankle trekking boots. Good sturdy waterproof boots that have been well worn before the trip (to avoid blisters). If you have brand new boots, try them on hiking trails BEFORE the trip.

- Comfortable tennis shoes (a change after hiking, as you feet will need some rest)

Other gear & accessories:

- Backpack for daily hikes and excursions, (~28-35L), make sure it has enough space for all your daily kit: water, extra warm layer, sunscreen, a snack, sunblock, personal first-aid kit etc… 

- Backpack protection water-resistant cover (dry bag the size of your backpack)

- Sunglasses

- Sun block (UV50) + Lip balm 

- Water bottle/hydration system or camelback (min 1.5L) 

- Personal first aid Kit (Tylenol or ibuprofen, Imodium, band aids, eye drops, cough&sinus relief, any other personal medicines you can’t do without)

- Trekking poles - very suggested for your knees protection (we have 2 days of relatively steep hiking in El Chalten). Trekking poles are allowed into the checked baggage and not allowed in carry-on. You may rent trekking poles in El Chalten for additional cost in the local gear rental shop (subject to availability, sorry  we can't make an advance order for rent). 

Provided gear:

- Crampons for ice walk will be provided at no additional cost before the Glacier Mini-trek.

WHAT TO PACK FOR IGUASU FALLS:

- Comfortable Shoes: There are several trails, to it´s good to bring comfortable shoes, and if possible closed-toe athletic or tennis shoes, or some type of hiking shoes.

- Sunblock, Sunhat, Sunglasses

- Insect Repellant: it's important in subtropical jungle area, and there are mosquitoes and insects in the area. 

- Clothing: Wear a bathing suit and/or light clothing that you won’t mind getting wet. Some people bring a rain-poncho. A good idea would be to wear long sleeve and long pants as an additional protection against sunburn and mosquito bites.

- A lightweight quick-dry towel (optional), and some clothes for possible changes. The place is very wet

- A waterproof bag, so you can prevent your camera, lens, passport, and any other document, or item from getting wet on a boat tour. Be prepared to get soaked no matter what :)

- For photographers: if you are bringing professional photo-camera, bring wide angle Lens and telephoto Lens. Very useful for expansive landscape photos, especially for a waterfall as wide as Iguazu Falls. And, if you’re a wildlife lover, you’ll want telephoto lens to take photos of wild animals (there are parrots, toucans, and many other birds, coaties, monkeys etc)

The Argentinian border had reopened to fully vaccinated travelers with negative PCR test result.  A self-isolation is no longer required. All restrictions has been lifted however masks are still required on public transit.

More official info and updates: 

Entry requirements to Argentina:

1- Vaccination certificate at time of travel (having your 2nd vaccine done at least 14 days before arrival).

2- A proof of negative PCR test taken within 72hrs before departure or antigen test taken within 48hrs before departure, with no symptoms of Covid-19 on the day of entry.

3- Travel Insurance with COVID-19 medical coverage

4- All travelers must obtain the Certificate of Circulation, to travel to and from Ezeiza airport In Buenos Aires.  First thing, the Affidavit must be completed at:  https://ddjj.migraciones.gob.ar/app/home.php within 48hrs prior to the trip, and to present at check-in, the voucher you received in your mail at the end of the declaration.

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Note: a negative antigen result is required to enter United States for ALL travelers on the way back home.  Rapid Testing is available at the airport laboratories. The cost of the testing is not included in the cost of the Trip.

In if the Trip departure is canceled by Organizer, the amount paid by Participant will be fully refundable;

If the trip is cancelled by Participant due to any personal reason, the following penalties will be applied: 

- Cancellation 90 o more days before departure - fully refundable

- Cancellation 89 to 45 calendar days before departure - up to 50% of the trip cost, including registration deposit 

- Cancellation 44 to 0 calendar days before departure – non refundable

Travel insurance with COVID-19 medical coverage is mandatory to enter Argentina

We recommend World Nomads as your insurance provider for active travels, although you can choose any other insurance company according to your own preferences. 

It's helpful to think about insurance covering you against 3 different types of event:

- A minor accident, incident or delay that disrupts your holiday and incurs an unexpected cost (e.g. flight delay, broken ankle, lost luggage).

- A major accident or event that requires emergency attention, evacuation and/or repatriation 

- Cancellation of your holiday by yourself, most likely in advance, as a result of poor health or the requirement to support a family member.

We would recommend a medium sized not bulky suitcase for your travels.

Luggage allowance at Aerolineas Argentinas:

- Hand luggage 5kg - dimensions must not exceed 55 x 35 x 25cm (21.5 x 13.5 x 9in)

- Checked luggage: 15kg - dimensions must be less than 158cm (62in) for combined height + length + width. Excess luggage weight between 16 and 23kg is allowed with an extra fee.

MONEY & CURRENCY

The official currency of Argentina is the Argentine Peso, however, it's common to use US dollars when traveling in the country.

Pre-travel currency options

- Take some budget in US dollars with you in cash (for small pocket expenses, souvenirs, paying for your meals at the restaurants at group dinners, for tipping etc). 

- Bring notes in a mixture of 20,10, 5, 1s bills. Change can be hard to come by in Patagonia, so be sure to break your large notes whenever you can (sometimes smaller shops may not be able to sell you anything if you are trying to pay with a high note denomination). 

- Take two credit or debit cards with you (in case one doesn’t work) to withdraw local currency from ATMs and/or for payments: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.

(!) Please be aware that you may be charged fees every time you use an ATM or pay with a credit card. Merchants often impose a 2-4% surcharge for paying with a card, which means paying in cash is often cheaper.

On arrival:

- There are ATMs in Buenos Aires international airport and in town as well

- At "Casa de Cambio" (street currency exchange kiosks) you can exchange some of your USD notes into local currency. The exchange rate in "Casa de Cambio" at the airport tends to be quite low. You need an ID to exchange US dollars. Sometimes you can exchange USD at hotel..

While traveling:

- All major towns Argentinian Patagonia have ATMs, but please note that El Calafate and El Chalten are notoriously problematic (there is only one in El Chalten and its always empty), so try to plan ahead and withdraw enough cash in Buenos Aires 

- Most restaurants in towns accept Visa/MasterCard/Amex, however, please be aware that cards are not usually accepted in more remote parts of Argentina, please stock up on some local currency before venturing into more remote areas

- Even if you intend to pay by card and/or withdraw local currency from an ATM, please ensure that you carry some US dollars cash as your backup currency as well

Budgeting (Meals):

As a rough guide, you should budget $45-60 USD per person per day for your lunch and dinner.

TIPPING:

It is at your discretion whether or not you choose to tip, however, if you do decide to tip, we generally suggest as a rule of thumb:

Meals at restaurants: 10% of your bill. Local Guides $3-5 USD per person per day for groups - this will be paid at the end of your tour/excursion to your guide.

ELECTRICITY & OUTLETS:

The Argentinian plug outlet usually has three flat prongs or 2 parallel round prongs. Please bring an adaptor. The voltage is 220V.

WIFI & CELLPHONE RECEPTION

Cellphone reception will be available in towns,  limited or non-existent whilst out on treks . 

Wifi will be available in hotels and in some public places in towns.