The Best of Los Glaciares

Day 1: Arrive at El Calafate Airport; Afternoon in El Calafate

You’ll arrive at El Calafate Airport and take a private transfer into town. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore this quiet lakeside location, impactfully set in the Patagonian steppe with a charming frontier feel to it. The star of the show is inevitably the immense azure Lake Argentino which captivates any traveler to this area. You might like to take a walk along the lakeside coastal path, from where a variety of birdlife can be spotted, or enjoy the self-guided trails of the Laguna Nimez Reserve.

The town's impressive glacier museum is a must-see sight for anyone to this part of the world, especially in anticipation for tomorrow’s excursion.

Accommodation: Kosten Aike Hotel, or similar, El Calafate

Day 2: Perito Moreno Glacier excursion

You can't visit this part of the world without visiting the captivating Perito Moreno Glacier and we will take you there on an unforgettable, unique day-trip. Driving west out of town, you will then board a comfortable expedition boat which will take you into the different branches of the immense Lake Argentino, arriving in the afternoon at the north face of the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier.

You will spend some time watching its spectacular display of calving ice and the formation of deep blue icebergs from the water and afterwards explore the walkways and viewpoints from land, right in front of both faces of the glacier.

Alternatively, you may wish to take the full-day ice hike on the glacier, at an extra cost. Please enquire with Swoop's Customer Experience team at the time of reserving your trip.

In the afternoon you’ll take a private transfer to El Chaltén.

Length of excursion: 9hrs

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Senderos Aparts, or similar, El Chaltén

Day 3: Laguna de Los Tres hike

This trek begins with a transfer to the trailhead at El Pilar, located 17km to the north of El Chaltén. The journey itself is enjoyable for the lovely views of the valley, the Río de Las Vueltas, as well as the impressive Cordon de Los Condores. After about 20mins you'll start to see Mount Fitz Roy from a different angle.

You'll then set out on the hike, navigating through a dense forest of lengas that provide protection from the winds coming off the Continental Icefield. From the start, you'll be able to see various glaciers; Marconi, Electrico, Cagliero and in the distance, towards Lago del Desierto, Glacier Vespignani. The trail is easy as it's quite flat and the climbs are gentle.

After arriving at the first viewpoint, Glacier Piedras Blancas, walk on into a clearing where you can admire the peaks of 'S', Saint Exupery, Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Mermoz and Guillaumet, in all their splendour. From here, continue on for a few more minutes until you arrive at Poincenot campground, located in the beautiful lenga forest inhabited by countless varieties of birds which will accompany you with their song until the Río Blanco campground is reached. This is the base camp for the most adventurous climbers who will attempt to conquer these granite masses.

After the campground, you'll climb for about an hour (400m) until you arrive at Laguna de Los Tres. On arriving at the highest point on the path, majestic views of Fitz Roy, and the Glacier de Los Tres will reward you. There will be time to soak up the view before circling Laguna de Los Tres and heading to the viewpoint of the Laguna Sucia and its glacier. Again, the stunning views are unforgettable.

After resting for a picnic lunch, you'll start the descent and walk back to El Chaltén. En route, you will pass varied landscapes, crystal clear streams and Laguna Capri – a favourite spot for photographers. After visiting this lagoon, drop down into the valley where El Chaltén is located.

Transfer duration: 30mins

Length of hike: 8-9hrs, 20km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Accommodation: Senderos Aparts, or similar, El Chaltén

Day 4: Laguna Torre hike

From El Chaltén, head off on the Laguna Torre footpath and after a short climb you'll enter a small ñire wood. From here, the path starts to gain height and straighten up alongside the River Fitz Roy until it arrives at a viewpoint of the river canyon and the Margarita waterfall. The panorama presents the valley of the River Fitz Roy and its meandering course with the backdrop of the unique Mt Solo, the Adela range and the impressive Mt Torre.

After about an hour of walking, you'll arrive at the Mount Torre viewpoint. Make the most of the magnificent views of Mount Torre, the Adela range and glaciers while having a short break.

You'll then walk onwards for around 2hrs through grand lenga forests, crossing old glacial moraines and wet plains formed by the previous courses of the river until you arrive at Laguna Torre. On this section there is always the possibility of spotting a wide range of birds, including the Magellanic woodpecker. At Laguna Torre, it is usual to see huge icebergs that have calved from the face of Glacier Torre.

Laguna Torre is also the source of the River Fitz Roy. This river may be crossed by using the Tyrolean rope; used by the climbers to access Glacier Torre and to get to the base of the mountain they aim to climb. Walk to the Agostini camp, where climbers from all over the world stay – it's a lovely route with a chance to see the abundance of wildflowers endemic to Patagonia, if visiting in the spring.

After a rest and lunch at Laguna Torre, you'll commence the trek back to El Chaltén for another evening at Senderos Aparts.

Length of hike: 7–8hrs, 18km roundtrip

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Accommodation: Senderos Aparts, or similar, El Chaltén

Day 5: Lago del Desierto and Huemul Glacier viewpoint

Today you’ll enjoy a fantastic excursion to both Lago del Desierto and the Huemul Glacier viewpoint.

We start with a private transfer to Lago del Desierto, located next to the Chilean border. On arrival here your guide will brief you about the kayaks and equipment after which you’ll spend some time paddling on the lake. There will be a short break at Bahía Tranquila where your guides will provide tea/coffee and a sweet treat.

After lunch you’ll undertake a short, guided trek, to the Huemul Glacier viewpoint for stunning views of the glacier and surrounding landscape.

The day finishes with a private transfer back to El Chaltén.

Transfer duration: 1hr 30mins

Kayaking duration: About 2hrs

Hiking duration: About 2hrs

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch

Accommodation: Senderos Aparts, or similar, El Chaltén

Day 6: Loma del Pliegue Tumbado hike

This lesser-visited trail provides fantastic, elevated vistas overlooking the National Park with a panorama of peaks, and is the best place to see both Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. This full-day hike is moderately testing, as it constantly gains in height to reach the view-point on Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. The goal of today will be to gain a wonderful perspective of where you have hiked over the last few days. After lunch, you return back along the same path to El Chaltén.

Length of hike: 8-9hrs, 18km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Senderos Aparts, or similar, El Chaltén

Day 7: Transfer to El Calafate Airport

This morning you’ll take a private transfer to El Calafate Airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast