The Best of Los Glaciares

Day 1: Arrival and Perito Moreno Glacier

Transfer duration: 2 hours

You will be picked up at the airport and driven directly to Perito Moreno Glacier. This is about a 2-hour journey with a few stops for photos; learning all about the glacier and local region on the way. At the glacier, you will have time to explore the walkways that present amazing aerial views of the top and the face of the glacier, with a soundtrack of the roaring calving of the ice.

You'll spend a couple of hours at the glacier before heading back to El Calafate, where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Accommodation: Kau Yatun Hotel or similar, El Calafate

Day 2: Aguas Arriba Lodge, El Chaltén

Transfer duration: 4 hours

You will leave El Calafate in the morning and travel 225km (2.5 hours) of paved road to El Chaltén and then along the gravel road towards Lago del Desierto for another 37km (1.5 hours) – as with yesterday, there will be photo stops and picturesque viewpoints en route.

Your transfer will drop you at the lake crossing, where a boat will be ready to take you on the last short leg of the journey. Upon arrival at the lodge, you'll be welcomed by the owners and local guide, eager to discuss what you would like to do during your stay. You'll get familiar with the surroundings straight away with a guided trek in the afternoon, the course of which you can choose.

A hearty dinner will be served at the lodge in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (drinks not included and must be paid in cash)

Accommodation: Aguas Arriba Lodge, El Chaltén

Day 3: Aguas Arriba Lodge, El Chaltén

A free day to do as you please at the lodge. You'll have a free choice of guided treks in the stunning surroundings of the lodge; explore the heart of the Patagonian Andes heading out on the trails of varying lengths or visit the surrounding lakes and rivers on flyfishing trips accompanied by the local guides. Or maybe you'd prefer to take the day at a slow pace, curling up next to the log fire with a good book and views of Mount FitzRoy in the distance. There is no rush and decisions can be made day by day depending on the weather and how you feel. Everything here is beautiful – indoors and outdoors!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (drinks not included and must be paid in cash)

Accommodation: Aguas Arriba Lodge, El Chaltén

Day 4: Punta Sur and then Laguna de los Tres trek

Trek: 22km, over 8–9 hours

Say goodbye to the lodge and begin your fourth day with a boat tide to Punta Sur. Here, you will meet with your local guide who will be accompanying you on a trek to Laguna de los Tres, one of the highlights of Los Glaciares. You start this lovely walk in a forest on a path that ascends gently and first arrives at Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint. You'll have a brief stop here to enjoy the view of the hanging glacier. 

After a little more gentle climbing, the challenging section of one hour of steep uphill, to get to Laguna de los Tres, begins. The effort is more than worthwhile for the breathtaking views you'll experience at the top of Mount FitzRoy. Weather permitting you'll have lunch at the lagoon, if not you'll eat somewhere more protected. 

You will then start the descent and head towards Laguna Capri, another particularly stunning spot in the national park. You'll finish the trek back at Hostería El Pilar, where you will take a transfer to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Senderos Hostería

Day 5: Departure

Your private transfer will collect you from your hotel in the morning and take you to El Calafate airport, ready for departure or onward travel.

Meals: Breakfast