Argentina

Patagonia / Calafate

What can we do in Calafate ?

• Perito Moreno Glacier

  

  Duration: Full day.
  Leaving Calafate we must cover 50 miles to reach the National Park (declared by UNESCO as Humanity Patrimony). Once inside the park we will be able to observe the arboreal vegetation of the Patagonia Andean forest, which is mainly from the “notofagus” family. Further on, we will have access to the footbridges of the glacier, with fantastic panoramic viewpoints. In this area there exists a big quantity of glaciers, and the most famous is the Perito Moreno: it has a frontage of 3.12 miles and is 60 metres high above the level of the Argentine Lake, and a total surface that exceeds the one from several big cities of the world. It is one of the few glaciers that is still in full advance. During any season of the year the visitor can enjoy its constant collapses of ice towers that break into multiple ice floes. In variable periods of time, one unique phenomenon that calls experts and tourists around the world is performed: the breakage of the natural dry dock that the glacier produces while advancing over the river. This phenomenon is a spectacle of wonderful and incomparable characteristics.

  The park also offers alternative and optional tours, such as tours to the lakes or mini-trekking along the Perito Moreno glacier.

• Ice Rivers Express navigation

  

  Duration: Full day.
  Full day sailing along the northern arm of Argentino Lake. The tour goes through the Spegazzini and the Upsala glaciers, entering the bays that they form and also includes sailing in the cord of icebergs located about 20 km from the Upsala glacier.

  In case of recruiting the tour transportation from your hotel, we will pick you up around 7:30 Am and will undertake the journey of 50 Km to Punta Bandera, where the boat departs at 9 o’clock. In case of having your own vehicle, you must get to the port of Punta Bandera at 8:30 Am.

  The first part of the excursion is in the northern arm of Lake Argentino across the Boca del Diablo, the narrowest part of the lake, then you will go to the Upsala channel and the Spegazzini channel where you are able to see, at the end of each channel, the respective glaciers. The navigation runs between spectacular icebergs of immense size and varied forms. From the boat you will see, among others, the Upsala, the Spegazzini and the Perito Moreno glaciers, the largest and highest respectively among all glaciers in the park.

  Keep in mind that boats have very good heating and you only need to go out on deck in case you want to take pictures.

• El Chalten

  

  It is a beautiful area located to the north of the National Park “Los Glaciares”, 137 miles away from Calafate. It is necessary to cross 60 miles of a cobbled path, so visiting The Chalten from Calafate takes about 4 -5 hours. The visit is highly recommended between October and April. This small mountain town is one of the most recent settlements of the country since it has been founded on October 12th, 1985. This place is very famous among the fans of the adventure tourism, mountaineers and explorers. The mountain range of the Fitz Roy Hill (Chalten), Torre Hill, Poincenot and Aguja Egger offers the visitors auto guided paths, as well as the possibility of finding trekking and mountain guides, specialized on stones and ice, since from here one can access to the so called “Continental Ices”, in some expeditions for experts.

• Estancia Cristina Discovery

  

  Duration: Full day.
  It is certainly an ideal combination of adventure, glaciers and history. The 4×4 ride uphill runs through a mountain trail among forests and rivers, until reaching the viewpoint of the Upsala glacier, with views to the South Patagonic Ice Field. The immensity of the landscape is very moving.

  This day, you will be picked up around 7.30am to be transferred to Punta Bandera port and make this fantastic tour to Estancia Cristina. Boarding and departure at port Punta Bandera 08.15 hours in a modern and comfortable boat. We will be sailing among icebergs and stunning scenery overlooking the western front of the Upsala glacier and then through Cristina Canal to the point of disembark at the Estancia. We will be arriving at Estancia Cristina 11:30 hs. We will be participating in a guided visit to the Costumbrista museum (old shearing shed) and will make the ascent in all-terrain vehicles, travelling 9.5 km through mountainous roads. Once arrived to the Continental ice shelter, we will make a 30 minute walk. We will appreciate the oriental front of Upsala Glacier. Lake Guillermo, Southern Patagonian Ice and Andes. Return to the farm house of the Estancia and board at 17:30 hs. Arrival to Puerto Banderas at 19: hs approximately.

  Optional lunch is offered at the Quincho.

• Walichu Caves

  

  Duration: Half-day.
  They are located just 5 miles away from the Calafate.

  This singular geological formation, beside the Argentine lake has caves with restored cave paintings of an incomparable quality and which are about 3000 years old.

Patagonia / Ushuaia

What can we do in Ushuaia ?

• National Park of Tierra del Fuego

  

  Duration: Half day.
  Inside this national park, next to the city of Ushuaia (just 6,87 miles away), we will be able to watch lakes, small lakes and rivers. Here guanacos, red foxes, beavers and condors live together among forests of cherry trees, lenga trees and Antarctic Beeches (in Spanish ñires). It is the only national park of the country that has a marine coast. During the tour we go deep into the rugged topography and along the crossing mountain roads towards the “Lapataia” River, where we have an excellent view of the Green Small Lake and the Lapataia Bay. Over there we will have a clear idea of the original inhabitants (Onas or Yamanes), since the place keeps several archaeological zones. During the tour, we will visit the Train Station of the Southern Fuegian Railway – Station of the end of the World – and we will make a stop (optionally) to take the train that covers the National Park along forests and peat bogs. The narrow gauged convoy will guide us through the old alignment that the prison train had, which was used for the work of the prisoners.

• Sailing along the Beagle Channel: Los Lobos Island

  

  Duration: Half day
  The tour starts at the tourist port of Ushuaia. From this site, the landscape is a combination of sea and mountains and the mounts of Olivia and Five Brothers as well as the Ranchs Fique and Túnel can be admired.

  From there, the tour continues to the centre of the Beagle Channel, reaching the Lighthouse Les Eclaireurs, in the homonym archipelago. This lighthouse sometimes is mistaken with the one of “the end of the world”, which is located at the States Island and shows the sailors the access to the Ushuaia bay.

  Heading to the Wolves Island, it is possible to sail in complete silence around the island and observe this beautiful colony of sea lions – the Southamerican sea lions and the Southamerican fur seals– in its permanent habitat.

  The catamaran continues the trip towards the Birds Island, where one can match the majesty of the Imperial and Magallanes Cormorants, albatross, petrel birds, Squas birds and 20 different species of seabirds. Later on, sailing through Paso Chico, we will make the return trip to Ushuaia, with a view of the beautiful frame that Martial Mount and the homonym glacier give to the city.

• Hidden and Fagnano Lakes

  

  Duration: Full day
  We leave Ushuaia to the north, to reach the Fuegian Andes, through valleys covered by peat bogs. At the Garibaldi Pass (450 metres above the sea level), we will cross the Andean Mountain Range, with the incomparable view of the Hidden Lake and Fagnano Lake. This great spit of sweet water, 62.5 miles long, is able to be sailed in spite of its strong winds and it is also good for fishing. From there, we will start going down and after visiting the Petrel lodging house over the coast of the Hided Lake, we will continue until reaching the zone of the sawmills, particularly the Martínez one, currently deactivated and located over the coast of the Fagnano lake. From that point, we will start the return trip to the city, making a stop to taste the typical and famous barbecue made of Fuegian lamb.

• City Tour with visit to the Museum of the End of the World

  

  Duration: Half day
  Visit to the most southern city of the World: this picturesque area is built by the Beagle Channel. The tour starts with a walk along its streets and beautiful riverside that skirts the Beagle channel. This bay offers a spectacular view of the mountains and undoubtedly constitutes an unforgettable panorama.

  Then we continue with a brief covering of the most important neighborhoods, such as the one called La Misión, where the first white men that inhabited the island lived, as well as the neighborhoods of Brown and Solier, where the first immigrants that reached this zone at the beginning of the twentieth century settled down.

  The city has interesting museums, like the Prison Museum that after being closed in 1947, worked as the Naval Base of the Army, until it became a museum. A visit to the Museum of the End of the World is also worth it, which has a room with poultry with samples of all the species of the island and where some tools belonging to Indians and explorers and missioners are exhibited.

  The visit can also include the magnificent view that offers the climb by cable chair to the Martial Glacier, with the possibility of observing the whole city of Ushuaia.

Patagonia / Bariloche

What can we do in Bariloche ?

• Small Circuit

  

  Duration: Half day
  The tour starts in the city of San Carlos de Bariloche along the Ezequiel Bustillo Avenue, a winding and asphalted road that skirts the Nahuel Huapi Lake; we enjoy different landscapes to end up reaching the foot of the Campanario hill. There is a cable chair that transfers the visitor to the peak (1050 metres). It is an ideal balcony to appreciate one of the most beautiful and fascinating views of the region. The Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno lakes, the Shamrock small lake, the San Pedro and Llao Llao peninsula, Victoria Island, the hills and the city of Bariloche can be viewed. Continuing with our trip, still moved by so much beauty, and after passing the San Pedro peninsula, we reach the Llao Llao one. Over there you can find the recently renewed big international hotel of the same name and the San Eduardo chapel, some architectural gems of the region and above the Nahuel Huapi Lake it is also found Puerto Pañuelo, starting point of many tours to lakes. Later on we reach the panoramic point, a natural balcony that allows us to please ourselves with a spectacular view of the Moreno Lake and the Llao Llao Peninsula. Then we cross the bridge over the before mentioned Moreno lake in its narrowness, skirt the Shamrock small lake to finally find again– 1,25 miles ahead – the Ezequiel Bustillo avenue, at the 18th kilometer, point we use to come back to the city and close the circuit.

• Big Circuit

  

  Duration: Full day.
  We leave from Bariloche to the north heading Villa Traful. This peaceful mountain village is located inside the Nahuel Huapi National Park, by the lake of same name. It is known as a paradise for the salmon fishermen. We surrounded the Traful river until we reach a natural balcony, called Piedra del Viento (Wind stone), from where we will have an outstanding view of the Traful lake. We keep on skirting the lake to head Puerto Arrayanes. From there, we will continue the trip along an ascending wooded road up to El Portezuelo (940 metres a.s.l) where we connect with the Seven Lakes route to the south and we skirt incomparable lakes: Correntoso, Bailey, Willis and Espejo are ones of their names. Lastly, we take National route 231 to head Villa La Angostura. From this place an attractive optional sailing to Bosque de Arrayanes (Arrayanes Forest) can be made. By continuing our route we will find again the Nahuel Huapi Lake and later on, Bariloche city.

• Puerto Blest and Cascada los Cantaros (Pitchers’ Cascade) – Lago Frias (Frias small lake)

  

  Duration: Full day
  At the Pañuelo de Bariloche Port we get on the catamaran that sails until reaching Blest Port, to the west of the Nahuel Huapi Lake. One of the attractive points of this sailing is made of the Sentinel Island (Isla Centinela), where the remains of the Perito Pascasio Moreno rest. When reaching Blest, one can choose between visiting the area or continuing with an optional tour along the Frias Lake. In this tour, after covering 1.87 miles by bus and sailing during 20 minutes along the lake, which is characterized by a deep green colour, we enjoy a magnificent view of the imposing Tronador Hill and we reach the Argentinean Customs. When returning to Blest Port, we get on boat again to head Los Cantaros Port, where we will go up a staircase until reaching the homonym lake. Along this beautiful walk different falls of this beautiful cascade can be viewed. Once the covering is over we get on board again to go back to Pañuelo Port.

• Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest

  

  Duration: Full day.
  From Pañuelo Port, in the Llao Llao peninsula, we get on boat to sail 6.87 miles. In about 30 minutes we arrive at Anchorena Port, inside Victoria Island. From there beautiful paths can be covered. Then, on board again, we head to the northeast towards Quetrihué Port, where we can visit the worldly known Arrayanes Forest, unique in its type, which houses ancient specimens. This forest has been declared an intangible area and natural monument. The tour ends up in Pañuelo Port or in Bariloche.

• Andean Crossing

  

  In this route the spectacular crossing of the Andean Cordillera, from Bariloche to the Chilean city of Puerto Montt Port and Puerto Varas outstand. We leave from Bariloche, Puerto Pañuelo and we get on board of El Cóndor Catamaran to sail one tour along the Blest Branch of the Nahuel Huapí Lake, visiting Los Cántaros cascade. With time to have lunch (optional) in the cosy restaurant of the Blest Lodging House, enjoying in addition an incomparable view of the lake. After having lunch we get on a bus to head Puerto Alegre, skirting the Frias river during 1.87 miles. We get on board the Dalca motorship to sail the lake during 15 minutes, having a first view of the Tronador Hill. We reach Puerto Frias, where we pass Migration controls and Argentinean Customs. Once the procedure is done, we continue (by bus) appreciating the exuberant vegetation and the snowy peaks of the Andes Mountain Range, crossing the border through the Mountain Pass Vicente Pérez Rosales, to cover 18.12 miles until reaching Peulla (here there is a beautiful lodging house that allows the visitor to spend the night and continue the trip the following day). We do the procedures at the Chilean Customs to enter the country and we reach Petrohué, where we disembark and continue by bus to reach the last stop and observe the Petrohué falls. Skirting the Llanquihue Lake we arrive at the city of Puerto Varas and lastly Puerto Montt.

• San Martín de Los Andes – Corridor of the seven lakes

  

  Duration: Full day.
  We leave Bariloche to the north and after covering 13.12 miles we take a winding road that skirts the Nahuel Huapi Lake, full of natural beauties. After passing by Puerto Manzano, we arrive at Villa La Angostura, a place of incredible beauty. Later we reach the road of the Seven Lakes, along which the following lakes can be appreciated: Correntoso, Espejo, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, Machonico and Meliquina; to finally reach the city of San Martin de los Andes, beside the Lacar Lake. The return trip can be made through Paso Cordoba or by National Route number 40, passing through Junín de los Andes – La Rinconada.

Patagonia / Puerto Madryn

What can we do in Puerto Madryn ?

• Punta Tombo

  

  Duration: Full day.
  75 miles to the south of the city of Trelew you can find one of the most diverse colonies of marine poultry in the world, which houses the biggest continental concentration of Magallanes penguins. The Natural and protected area Punta Tombo has a population of more than 400.000 adult samples, with whom we will live in their natural habitat. Couples of that specie gather there from middle September to end of March. This natural reserve also protects other species such as the kelp gulls, oystercatchers, imperial and rocker cormorants. Besides, some maras, rheas, guanacos, and foxes can be watched.

• Beach of Doradillo

  

  Duration: Half-day.
  9.37 miles away from the city, located over the edge of the New Gulf you can find this beach 15.6 miles long, which main attraction is the coastal sighting of the southern right whale, since these giant mammals gather over there every year – between June and October – to reproduce and suckle their young. El Doradillo is a peaceful environment, isolated and with minimum men action, offering the visitor an ideal place to enjoy a preserved, wild and naturally beautiful place. These giant cetaceans can be watched at just few meters from the beach. The area has important cliffs, which are natural viewpoints from where the coastal landscape can be easily observed.

• Inferior Valley of the Chubut River

  

  Duration: Full day.
  It is a place that offers the visitor several different tourist attractions, among them the Paleontology Museum Egidio Feruglio, located in the city of Trelew, which is one of the most important museums of Southamerica and allows us to appreciate the characteristics of the dinosaurs that inhabited our soil more than 65 million years ago. Continuing the route 9.37 miles to the west, we reach Gaiman, old Welsh colony that keeps its traditions, like tea, cakes and the chapels that resemble the ones belonging to their European ancestors. The typical service of the tea houses of the place is worldly famous. It is worth to mention the visit that princess Lady Di made to this place. The mouth of the Chubut River is in the Rawson Port, in Playa Union (Union Beach). It is a destination to visit, enjoy the beach, watch overo dolphins and cover the dock, finishing thus a marvelous and unique route.

• Península de Valdés

  

  Duration: Full day.
  To make this fantastic tour, which undoubtedly will be an unrepeatable experience, we leave early in the morning to reach Puerto Pirámide. Over there we stop to watch the whales on board of a catamaran (whales go there every year to fulfill their reproductive cycle, and thus they can be seen between June and December). The same way, during summer season, some sea lions can be observed. Then we continue the tour to the south of the Peninsula, to reach Punta Delgada at noon and we have lunch there in the complex of the lighthouse. Later on we go down through the cliffs to have the unique experience of walking among the majestic elephant seals. Then we travel towards Punta Cantor to watch the external coast of the peninsula and we reach the first part of Caleta Valdés, a narrow spit of land that separates the open sea from a marine lagoon and in which coasts some penguins, sea lions and elephant seals gather along with guanacos, maras and rheas. Return trip to Puerto Madryn.