Highlights of Los Glaciares
Trip type
Private
Trip length
5 Days
From
$1,320
Location
Los Glaciares
Highlights of Los Glaciares - 5 - $1,320
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
Day 1: Transfer from El Calafate Airport to El Calafate
Day 2: Trip to Perito Moreno Glacier; El Chaltén
Day 3: Trek to Laguna de Los Tres; El Chaltén
Day 4: Trek to Laguna Torre; El Chaltén
Day 5: Transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate Airport
Start from El Calafate and end at El Calafate
Landmarks visited on Highlights of Los Glaciares
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from El Calafate Airport to El Calafate
After a transfer from El Calafate Airport to El Calafate, you'll be free to explore the town for the afternoon. The bustling centre is host to various restaurants, bars and shops, and a warm friendliness imbues the atmosphere.
Hostal Schilling is a friendly B&B with simple rooms, located two blocks from the main avenue.
Transfer duration: 25mins
Accommodation: Hostal Schilling or similar, El Calafate
Day 2: Trip to Perito Moreno Glacier; El Chaltén
You simply can't visit this part of the world without visiting the captivating Perito Moreno Glacier. The day will begin with a 1hr journey to Puerto Bandera that follows a beautiful route around the edge of Lake Argentino. There will be time for photo stops along the way and you may even spot condors and eagles.
From Puerto Bandera a boat will take you along Canal de Los Tempanos toward the northern face of the glacier. However, before you reach the glacier the lake branches off and you will enter Seno Mayo, following it to Bahia Toro where black sand meets glacial blue waters. You will hop out here and take a short walk through beautiful coihue rainforest, typical of the Patagonian Andean region.
Finally, you'll arrive at an impressive waterfall and fascinating rock formations. Your guide will tell you all about the fauna and flora, glacial formations and history of Perito Moreno.
Once back on the boat, you'll make a second stop for another forest walk before embarking once more for an hour's boat ride right up to the northern face of Perito Moreno. Here you can watch its spectacular display of calving ice and the formation of deep blue icebergs.
After disembarking at the bottom of the visitor walkways opposite the glacier, you'll have the opportunity to explore the walkways which offer brilliant views of the glacier from a different perspective.
Return to El Calafate to collect your luggage before taking a private transfer in the evening to El Chaltén.
You can add on the following excursions at an additional cost (please enquire for the latest rates). These excursions take a full day and are alternative options to the boat trip detailed above:
Ice hike on the glacier – Learn more of the behaviour of the glacier and its natural environment; you will be mesmerised by countless blue lagoons, deep cracks, and huge sinkholes. There are two ice hiking options which give you different amounts of time on the ice: the shorter 'Minitrekking' (1hr 40mins on the ice; age limit 10-65 years) and the 'Big Ice' which is aimed at more adventurous visitors (3hrs 30mins on the ice, age limit 18-50).
Kayak – See a different perspective of the glacier by paddling through the icy waters to get a closer look at the northern face (1.5hrs paddling time; minimum age of 14 years)
Transfer duration: 1hr to Puerto Bandera; 1.5hrs back to El Calafate; 3.5hrs to El Chaltén
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch
Accommodation: Patagonia Hostel or similar, El Chaltén
Day 3: Trek to Laguna de Los Tres; El Chaltén
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 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 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: Patagonia Hostel or similar, El Chaltén
Day 4: Trek to Laguna Torre; El Chaltén
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 Patagonia Hostel.
Length of hike: 7–8hrs, 18km roundtrip
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch
Accommodation: Patagonia Hostel or similar, El Chaltén
Day 5: Transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate Airport
After a final breakfast at the hostel, take your shared transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate Airport, ready for your onward flight.
Transfer duration: 3hrs
Meals: Breakfast
What our customers think of Highlights of Los Glaciares
Highlights of Los Glaciares trips scored 4.5/5 from 60 reviews
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Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Basic hotel
2 people: USD $1,320 per person
1 person: USD $1,990 per person
-
Mid-range hotel
2 people: USD $1,415 per person
1 person: USD $2,180 per person
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High-end hotel
2 people: USD $1,595 per person
1 person: USD $2,540 per person
-Please get in touch for information on departures.
Additional Notes
Accommodation options – See our guide to hotels in El Chaltén.
Optional activities – Ice-hiking on Perito Moreno Glacier costs USD $220 per person for the 'Minitrekking' option and USD $560 per person for the 'Big Ice' option. Kayaking at the glacier costs USD $210 per person. All activities must be booked in advance.
El Chaltén hikes – These hikes will be small group guided excursions.
Includes
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches
- Accommodation: 1 night in hotel in El Calafate; 3 nights in hotel in El Chaltén
- Boat trip to Perito Moreno
- Two guided group day hikes
- Private transfer from El Calafate–El Chaltén
- All excursions included in itinerary
- Transfer from/to El Calafate Airport/bus station
- All private transport included in itinerary
- English and Spanish speaking guide
- National park entrance fee
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Any extra/optional excursions
- Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
- Bus terminal tax (around USD $2 in El Chaltén and USD $2 in El Calafate)
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities/tips
- International and domestic/in-country flights
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
