The Best of Los Glaciares

Day 1: Arrival El Calafate; Trip to Perito Moreno Glacier; El Calafate

You'll be picked up from El Calafate Airport and driven directly to the Perito Moreno Glacier. This is a 2hr journey along which we'll stop several times for photos and learn all about the glacier and local region on the way.

At the glacier, we'll have time to explore the suspended 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.

After a couple of hours at the glacier we'll head back to El Calafate, where you'll be dropped off at your hotel.

Transfer duration: 2hrs

Accommodation: Madre Tierra or similar, El Calafate

Day 2: Transfer to El Chaltén and on to Aguas Arriba Lodge

We'll leave El Calafate in the morning and travel along 225km of paved road for 2.5hrs to El Chaltén. From here we'll take a gravel road for 37km to Lago del Desierto for 1.5hrs. As with yesterday, there will be photo stops and picturesque viewpoints en route.

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

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

Transfer duration: 4hrs

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Aguas Arriba Lodge

Days 3 & 4: Aguas Arriba Lodge

For these two days at Aguas Arribas Lodge you are free do as you please. You'll have a choice of guided treks in the stunning surroundings of the lodge; exploring the heart of the Patagonian Andes on trails of varying lengths, or visiting the surrounding lakes and rivers on fly-fishing trips, accompanied by 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 Mt Fitz Roy 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, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Aguas Arriba Lodge

Day 5: Transfer to El Calafate; Optional add-on

Say goodbye to the lodge and begin your final day with a boat ride to Punta Sur. From here your private transfer will collect you and take you back to El Calafate airport or bus station for departure or onward travel. 

Meals: Breakfast

Optional add-on: Trek to Laguna de Los Tres – On Day 5 instead of transferring to El Calafate you can meet with your local guide who will accompany you on a trek to Laguna de Los Tres, one of the highlights of Los Glaciares. You start this lovely walk on a forest path that ascends gently to arrive at the Glacier Piedras Blancas viewpoint. You'll have a short stop here to enjoy the view of the hanging glacier. 

After a little more gentle climbing, there's a challenging, steep 1hr ascent to get to Laguna de Los Tres. The effort is more than worthwhile just for the breathtaking views of Mt Fizt Roy you'll experience at the top. Weather permitting, you'll have a picnic lunch at the lagoon; if not you'll eat somewhere more sheltered. 

Once you've soaked up the views you'll then start the descent towards Laguna Capri, another particularly stunning spot in the national park. You'll finish the trek back in El Chaltén.

Cost of add-on trek: USD $195 per person

Length of hike: 8-9hrs, 22km

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch