Los Glaciares Explorers

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

You'll be picked up at the bus station in El Calafate in the morning and taken to your accommodation in town, where you can drop off your luggage and settle in.

You'll then spend a rather special first afternoon visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier. It's just over an hour's drive to the glacier from El Calafate and you'll stop a few times en route to take photos of the landscape. On arrival you'll have time to walk along the walkways in front of the glacier, on the peninsula, to appreciate the sheer size of this emblematic glacier of Patagonia. The noise of the ice calving and the waves it causes are definitely not to be missed.

You'll enjoy a picnic lunch in a memorable location near the glacier. Late in the afternoon, the shuttle will drop you back off at your hotel in El Calafate.

Meals: Box lunch

Accommodation: Madre Tierra Boutique Hotel, El Calafate

Day 2: Transfer to El Chaltén; Senderos Hostería

In the morning you'll take a transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén. You'll have the afternoon at your leisure to explore the surroundings of this famous climbing town, prepare for the days of trekking ahead (there are shops to get any essentials), visit the local breweries, and pick somewhere for dinner.

Return to Senderos Hostería for a good sleep before the trekking begins.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Senderos Hostería or similar, El Chaltén

Day 3: Trek to Laguna Torre – Cerro Torre; Senderos Hostería

From El Chaltén, you'll 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 Cerro Solo, the Adela range and the impressive Cerro Torre.

After about an hour of walking, you'll arrive at the Cerro Torre viewpoint. Make the most of the magnificent views of Cerro 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. If you're lucky you may spot a Magellanic woodpecker and the nearly-extinct deer known as the Huemul, as you trek through landscapes filled with masses of beautiful wild flowers.

Return to Senderos Hostería for a well-earned rest.

Length of trek: 6-7hrs, 20km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Senderos Hostería or similar, El Chaltén

Day 4: Trek to Laguna de Los Tres – Mt Fitz Roy; Hostería El Pilar

This trek begins with a transfer to the trailhead at Hostería 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 trek, 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. En route, you will pass varied landscapes, crystal clear streams and Laguna Capri – a favourite spot for photographers. After visiting this lagoon, you'll walk back to Hostería El Pilar, where you'll spend the night.

Transfer duration: 30mins

Length of hike: 8-9hrs, 22km

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hostería El Pilar

Day 5: Trek in the Reserva Los Huemules; Refugio Puesto Cagliero

Today is a full day of hiking the trails of the Reserva Los Huemules, offering spectacular views of the north face of Mt Fitz Roy and its neighbouring needles, Glaciers Marconi and Cagliero, as well as the vivid Lake Diablo, with dazzling hues of blue and green. The reserve is committed to the conservation of both cultural heritage and wildlife; whilst soaking up the scenery look out for the torrent duck, the Magellanic woodpecker, condor, Huemul, red fox and puma.

After the day out on the trails, you'll stay at the nearby Refugio Puesto Cagliero, an authentic mountain lodge with six shared bedrooms and views overlooking Laguna Diablo and Glacier Cagliero.

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Refugio Puesto Cagliero

Day 6: Ice trekking on Glacier Cagliero; Senderos Hostería

A different type of challenge is in store today as you go ice trekking on Glacier Cagliero, in the Los Huemules Reserve. The hike involves a Via Ferrata (protected climbing route) approach.

You'll journey along the border of Lake Diablo and venture through the thick lenga forest, before putting on your harness to climb rocks. You'll then need to don your crampons to tackle the ice as you walk on the glacier. With very few people making it to this point and visitor caps in place, you'll experience the humbling sensation of truly being out in the wilderness.

In the afternoon, you'll take a transfer back to Senderos Hostería in El Chaltén where you will stay the night.

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Senderos Hostería or similar, El Chaltén

Day 7: Free day; Senderos Hostería

Today you are free to either hike the Loma del Pleguie Tumbado self-guided, or try out a range of other activities, perhaps horse riding or kayaking, or the local spa!

You'll spend the final night of your trip at the Senderos Hostería in El Chaltén.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Senderos Hostería or similar, El Chaltén

Day 8: Transfer to El Calafate Airport

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel and then take a transfer to El Calafate Airport, ready for your onward travel.

Meals: Breakfast