Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure (Thanksgiving 2019) in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Karina Safari

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16 reviews

Nov 22 - Dec 4, 2019

Group size: 10 - 14

Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure (Thanksgiving 2019)

Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Karina Safari

Email address verified
Facebook verified

16 reviews

$3855

Deposit: $1200

Nov 22 - Dec 4, 2019

Group size: 10 - 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

Time of the year: 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 is very possible any time all year round. Always come prepared for the 4 seasons. As Patagonia climate is very unstable, all of them can happen in the same day.

Level of difficulty: Be prepared to the hikes of moderate to high level of difficulty, approx. 8-9 h roundtrip/ 11 -20 km daily. This trip is good both for beginners and advanced hikers, You have to be in a relatively good shape.

Altitudes: Both the popular Fitz Roy Range in Argentina and Torres del Paine in Chile are excellent options for low elevation day treks. Altitudes range between 120 to 1200m. Altitude gain on the hikes is approx. 700m, which is doable for the healthy person.

Accommodation/ Meals on the treks:

In Argentinian Patagonia - day hikes with return to chalet for overnight (dbl rooms with private facilities). Breakfast in chalet will be provided.

In Chilean Patagonia (W trek) - 3 nights stay in basic clean refuges. Mixed dorms for 4-6 people sharing (made up bunk beds), with shared facilities, hot showers. Full board will be provided (breakfast, lunch box, dinner).

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
Charming hotels and alpine-style chalets (except for W trek : refuges)
Admissions
Torres del Paine NP, Los Glaciares NP
Activities and day-hikes
3 full day guided hikes, Perito Moreno glacier mini-trek, Isla Magdalena boat cruise
Meals
Breakfasts in hotels, full board on W trek
W trek
3 nights full board accommodation in refuges: mixed dorms 4-8 people sharing, made up/bunk beds, shared facilities, hot shower. Regular transport to/from Natales, regular catamaran
Flights
International and 2 domestic flights
Meals
Lunches , Dinners in towns
Optional tours
City tour in Buenos Aires
Travel insurance

Buenos Aires walking tour

$95

Domestic flights (TBC at booking)

$244

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 on your own, or opt for a 6h private tour with an english-speaking local.
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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). Enjoy some free time in town or head out on a short hike.
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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. Back to El Calafate, 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,.

Karina Safari

16 reviews

Experienced adventure travel organizer since 2006 with 4 years of living and working as a tour guide in Ecuador and Colombia. My destinations: South America and beyond, I live my passion... I create distinctive handcrafted trips to the most exciting and unique destinations on Earth. This trips are about a priceless life-changing experience (sometimes its challenging), an inspiration, a recharge of the vital energy for new beginnings and traveling in a team of like-minded travel buddies. Join my tribe and let's make it epic!

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.

By Slavander NYC for Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure on Mar 28, 2019

Thank you for a fantastic experience!

By Andrei Puhach for Patagonia: Epic hiking adventure on Mar 22, 2019

Karina organized a really great agenda for the whole trip and leveraged a top notch travel agency in Cusco for the bulk of the trip. The quality of that team really made the difference imho - the guides were excellent, the organization was highly professional . When my son got sick for 3 days, Karina and Alpaca Expeditions were 100% available to help adjust the plan as needed to deal with the situation. Having someone like Karina organize the trip made a big difference: she knows the right people to work with in Peru.