Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares

(4 days / 3 nights)

Los Glaciares is a World Heritage Site situated in Santa Cruz, Argentina. At the southern tip of South America, the Andes are almost entirely covered by an ice sheet known as the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This has generated 48 glaciers, most of which move and discharge into the Chilean fjörds to the west. The movement of others is eastward, where they terminate in massive lakes in Argentina. One of these lakes is called Argentino and into it flows one of the most famous glaciers in Patagonia, the Perito Moreno. It is by far the most imposing glacier of the whole park, and is a natural feature of stunning beauty.

 

We were very happy with your arrangements before and if Damien were still available we would be delighted to travel with him again.

 

- J Broadbent, UK
Patagonia trip Jan 2007

El Calafate
Walichu Caves

After our arrival to El Calafate, we will visit the Walichu caves. We will appreciate here ancient Indian paintings and the interesting array of species of flora and fauna that can be found near the shore of Argentino Lake, the largest in Argentina. Here we can taste the berries of Calafate bushes (Berberis microphylla) after which the town was named.

Next »

Perito Moreno Glacier
Sierra Baguales

Today we will enjoy of the breathtaking view of the most famous glacier in Patagonia, the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier. You will be captured by cracking noises that never end. This cathedral of ice is surrounded by Magellanic mixed Nothofagus forest with the Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) and Coihue (N. betuloides) growing so close to the ice that sometimes they seem to touch each other. Astonishing is to find the Canelo (Drymis winteri) and other species from tropical origin like the orchids facing the glacial ice. During the afternoon we will explore the highland of Sierra Baguales. When we go up the mountain (3,000 ft) outstanding landscape features appear in front of us, and if we explore the scarce vegetation of the high Andean desert we will find tiny beautiful flowers full of colour. Between the most common ones are Oxalis, Calandrinia, Oreopolus, Leucheria, etc. The cushion plants are adapted to the extreme weather conditions of the high mountains and you will see how many different families adopt this growth form, like Bolax, (Apiaceae) Verbena (Verbenacea) Adesmia (Fabaceae), Colobanthus (Caryophyllaceae).
Hostería Kau Yatún, El Calafate (4*).

« Previous | Next »

Boat trip to
Spegazzini, Upsala and Onelli glaciers

The highlight today will be a comprehensive exploration by boat of the various glaciers that discharge its massive icebergs in the Argentino Lake. Upsala is the largest glacier in the park and huge icebergs calve in the water. Spegazzini glacier has the tallest wall with 400 ft above water level. At Onelli Bay you will enjoy a relaxed walk through Magellanic mixed forests. We should see soaring Condors in the area.
Hostería Kau Yatún, El Calafate (4*).

« Previous | Next »

Trip ends
El Calafate

Our trip ends with a transfer to El Calafate airport or bus trip to Puerto Natales, in Chile.

« Previous

Extensions

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares NP can be combined with the following optional extension:

. Torres del Paine Photo Safari or TDP Explorer (4 days/3 nights); adventure and natural history trips to Patagonia's premier mountain and wildlife destination.
. Cruise to the Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego (4 days/3 nights from US$ 1,150 / £ 595 per person); journey to the fjords, glaciers and history of the southern tip of South America.

Dates & Prices

Meet/Depart:El Calafate, Argentina.
Group Size:Maximum of 6 participants / Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants.

RATES:
US$ TBA / £ TBA per person in double occupancy.
The above price is per person in US$/£, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement (US$ TBA / £ TBA) will be added if single accommodations are requested or forced.

The trip price includes:
All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, boat trip to Upsala and Spegazzini Glacier plus park entrance fees.

The trip price excludes:
Tipping, travel insurance, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.



TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the FANTASTICO SUR registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of US$ 700 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 300 / £ 155 is refundable. If cancellation is made between 120 and 90 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fewer than 90 days before departure date, no refund is available. This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.