Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Karina Safari

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18 reviews

Feb 27 - Mar 9, 2020

Group size: 12 - 14

Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure

Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Karina Safari

Email address verified
Facebook verified

18 reviews

$3795

Deposit: $1000

Feb 27 - Mar 9, 2020

Group size: 12 - 14

Join Ultimate Patagonia Adventure in Argentina and Chile! If you love hikes and outdoors this trip is just for you! Enjoy most incredible views on Earth as you hike in the Fitz Roy area of Argentina, hike the epic "W trek" in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, ice-climb the giant Perito Moreno glacier, marvel the icebergs of Lago Grey, take a cruise across the Magellan Strait , a home to the largest penguin colony in Southern Chile!

Highlights

Argentinian Patagonia: Hike Los Glaciares National Park: base of Monte Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and Laguna de los Tres
Perito Moreno Glacier. Experience the walk on the surface of iceberg in crampons. Taste a shot of whiskey with a glacier ice as a reward! :-)
Chilean Patagonia: see fantastic landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park
"W TREK express" . 4D/3N Multi-day hike, considered as one of the world epic trails
Penguins colony at the Isla Magdalena, cruise on the legendary Strait of Magellan

Hiking season: February & March is the end of Summer - beginning of Fall in Patagonia, a time of the year when the landscape becomes golden-reddish and vegetation takes unique and beautiful yellow hues. A time when rest is delightful…. Ideal for hiking and photography lovers.

Weather: 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 12-15°C (54-60°F), with a low of 1°C (33°F) and a high of 23.5°C (75°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.

Level of difficulty: Moderate to High. Be prepared to 8-9 hours hiking daily on a steep uphill/downhill rocky and sometimes muddy terrain, but well marked trails. Daily distance 10-14 mi with altitude gain approx. 2000 feet (pls see more detailed info in the itinerary below).

Good physical fitness is required for this trip.

Altitudes: The good thing that both Argentinian and Chilean treks are at the LOW ELEVATION, NO 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.

Accommodation/ Meals on the treks:

- Argentinian Patagonia (El Chalten aka Fitz Roy region): Alpine style chalet (hosteria) , stay in dbl sharing rooms with private facilities. Meals: breakfast, packed lunch.

- Chilean Patagonia (W trek, Torres del Paine NP): Basic shelters (refugios). Stay 3 nights in mixed dorms 4-6 ppl sharing. Made up bunk beds, shared facilities, hot showers. Meals provided: full board

Guided services
Experienced team leader on the entire trip, and local guides in select locations
All transportation
Airport transfers and private transport btw destinations. Regular transport to/from W trek
All lodging
Hotel in Buenos Aires. Charming alpine-style chalets in El Chalten, El Calafate, Puerto Natales. Nice and clean mountain shelters on W trek.
Admissions
Torres del Paine NP, Los Glaciares NP
Activities and day-hikes
3 full day guided hikes in Argentina, Perito Moreno walk on the ice, Penguin colony day-cruise
Meals
Breakfasts in hotels, full board on W trek, packed lunches on the trail
W trek
3 nights full board accommodation in refuges: mixed dorms 4-6 people sharing, made up/bunk beds, shared facilities, hot shower. Regular transport to/from Natales, regular catamaran
Flights
International (~$1000 round trip) and 2 domestic flights (~$250 total)
Meals
Dinners in towns
Travel insurance
~$90 per person for the whole trip
Tips

Tango show & dinner in Buenos Aires14 left

$180

Day 1
Day 1
Arrival : Argentina, Buenos Aires
Welcome to Argentina, the home of Tango, Evita Peron and Diego Maradona!

Evening arrival in Buenos Aires. Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel,.
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Day 2
Day 2
Buenos Aires
Free time to explore the city of Buenos Aires with a local on a 6h private tour

In the evening opt for the best in town tango show & dinner or have some free time

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Day 3
Day 3
Fly to El Calafate. Drive to Chalten
Take a flight to El Calafate in the morning. On arrival, drive the scenic route 40 to the alpine village El Chalten (3h, private van) - this is Argentina's premier hiking destination within Los Glaciares National Park. Marvel at the Andean mountains along the way. Stay at the alpine style hosteria (chalet).
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Day 4
Day 4
El Chalten: Hike to Laguna de los Tres
Enjoy a full-day guided hike to Laguna de los Tres and a clear view of the Fitz Roy peaks! Laguna de Los Tres is a picturesque lake that draws hikers and lovers of sublime natural landscapes from across the world. Return to Chalten, overnight in hosteria. Distance: 8-miles (12.5km), Time: 8h (return), Difficulty: Medium Elevation gain: 2,300 ft. (700m)
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Day 5
Day 5
El Chalten: hike Lago Torre
Continue to explore more trekking routes around El Chalten area. Laguna Torre trail to spot the dramatic Cerro Torre, hike to Laguna Capri or head up to the Condor Mirador to enjoy great views of the town. Drive to El Calafate (3h), overnight in hotel.
Duration: 8-9 hours (return), Difficulty: moderate Elevation gain: 700m
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Day 6
Day 6
El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier, "walk on the ice"
Today we meet with giant Perito Moreno Glacier.! A fun adventure awaits, a 2 hours guided walk on the ice in crampons. See fascinating landscape of the glaciers: streams, small lagoons, gullies, cravasses and plenty of ice formations of the most incredible blues. The trekking is moderate. Back to El Calafate, free time to explore the souvenir shops and restaurants of this tiny town.
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Day 7
Day 7
Chile, drive to Puerto Natales
Drive to to the border to Chile and discover a natural playground of glittering lakes, icy waterfalls and lush valleys, framed by the spindly peaks of the Cordillera del Paine mountains. Heading to Puerto Natales (3.5h drive). Free evening in town. Preparation for W trek, Team briefing with trekking company. Overnight in hotel.

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Day 8
Day 8
W trek: Base Torres
Departure from Puerto Natales at 07:30 a.m. by a regular bus service to Torres del Paine National Park (2h drive). Shuttle to the Welcome Center Estancia Cerro Paine. Check-in and leave the luggage at Refugio Torre Central.

Hiking to Base Torres with a light backpack , return to refuge, dinner and overnight

Distance: 18 Km, Duration: 7-9h, Difficulty: High, demanding (The hike involves a 45- to 60-minute boulder scramble to the Miradór Las Torres), Elevation gain: 800m

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Day 9
Day 9
W trek : French Valley
Breakfast at refugio Torre Central, box lunch will be provided..

Take a shuttle bus, then catamaran navigation along Pehoe Lake to the western side of the park. Around noon arrive to Refugio Paine Grande for checking-in and leaving the luggage to start hiking to French Valley . Return to refuge, dinner and overnight.

Distance: 20 km/ 12 miles, Time: 7-8 hrs.Difficulty: Medium, Elevation gain: 600m
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Day 1

Arrival : Argentina, Buenos Aires

Welcome to Argentina, the home of Tango, Evita Peron and Diego Maradona!

Evening arrival in Buenos Aires. Meet at the airport and transfer to hotel,.

Denis Guz

Karina Safari

18 reviews

Professional adventure travel organizer and team leader since 2006. Originally from Moscow, Russia. Lived and worked as a tour guide and destination expert in South American countries (Ecuador and Colombia) in 2009-2012. Moved to the U.S. in 2012. Resident of San Francisco bay area. Founder of Safarika Adventure Club, CA since 2013 (CST # 2112795-40). Join our tribe of active travelers! Experience epic bucket list destinations and world best trails you have only dreamed of in our unbeatable team adventures to South America and beyond

It was an awesome trip!! Karina created the best agenda that allowed us to experience different places/things. The local crew/guide was professional and took care everything for us, and the food is better than expected. Karina stayed connected with us before and throughout the whole trip and responded quickly to our questions/concerns. Highly recommended!

By CARISSA CHEUNG for Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mt (Memorial day) on Jun 25, 2019

This was a fantastic trip, with top-notch organization, carefully selected itineraries and a very professional local crew. The food was delicious and we enjoyed comfy accommodations as well. Karina is on every detail, so everything ran smoothly. Highly recommended!

By Carla Risso for Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mt (Memorial day) on Jun 03, 2019

We spent an excellent and adventurous two weeks with Karina in Patagonia this end of "summer". Karina created the perfect itinerary that allowed us to experience so many unique places there. It was a good mix of hiking and more relaxed days. We were hiking up and down the sides of mountains, walking on glacier (even had whiskey in the Ice Bar), had tour to visit penguin’s colony on Isla Magdalena, city tour, Tango Show and tango lesson. The trip was very robust in terms of activity level, and I would classify it (hiking part) as moderate/strenuous due to the long days of hiking. Five stars for Karina’s planning and organizational skills. I would definitely recommend this trip to my friends, and I look forward to new adventures with Karina.

By Olga Barzman for Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure on Mar 29, 2019

We had a good team, very excited lookouts. Karina took care of everything from hotel and flights reservations and check ins to places for dinner and lunch boxes during hiking. I had very good time and enjoyed every minute my travel with Karina. Highly recommend. Thank you so much Karina for the great and wonderful adventure.