Chile/Argentina | Patagonia

Day 1: El Calafate / Chaltén

Reception at El Calafate Airport in Argentina where you will be picked up by an Austin-Lehman representative • Transfer to El Chaltén (2 to 2 ½ hours) traveling past Viedma Lake and Fitz Roy Massif • Stop en route for lunch at Estancia La Leona, a well-known crossroads in the middle of the Patagonian steppes, used as a meeting point by the first Patagonian travelers • Check into El Chaltén’s Hosteria Lunajuim, our home for the next three nights and base for some of the best trekking/hiking trails in Patagonia (L, D)

Day 2: Lago Torre

Today we hike to Lago Torre (6 hours) where you will enjoy superb views of the Southern Face of Cerro Torre, its Lake and Hanging Glaciers, the Egger and Standhard Spires • Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own while you reflect on the day’s adventures (B, L)

Day 3: Laguna Capri

Experience a full day’s hike to Laguna Capri (6-8 hours), soaking up eye-popping panoramas of Fitz Roy’s mountain range and the sky-high peaks of Mount Saint Exupery and Poincenot • Once again, take a well-earned night on your own to eat dinner and relax after a long day (B, L)

Day 4: El Calafate / Nibepo Aike

Morning transfer to the quaint town of El Calafate (1 ½ hours) • Lunch on your own at a local café • This afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive (1¼ hours) to Estancia Nibepo Aike, a true Patagonian cattle ranch and your home for two nights, located in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park • Saddle up for the chance to explore some of the Andes most jaw-dropping scenery in true “rancher” fashion, by horseback • Evening barbecue at the Estancia (B, D)

Day 5: Argentino Lake / Perito Moreno Glacier

Morning drive along the southern leg of Lago Argentino, where we’ll set sail by catamaran across the lake to begin our ice trek over the Perito Moreno Glacier (*Note: guests over 65 may opt for other activities, including a Navigation Safari – please inquire for details) • Enjoy a box lunch atop the glacier, gaping at its surreal peaks and neon blue crevasses • Return by catamaran, snapping photos of the glacier’s front wall and fallen icebergs • This afternoon, walk the extensive footbridges of the Canal de los Tempanos (Iceberg’s Channel) • Dinner at the main house of the Estancia (B, L, D)

Day 6: Chile / Torres del Paine National Park

Early morning shuttle through the vast solitude of the Patagonian steppes to the Chilean Border • After lunch, continue on, soaking up the incredible mountain scenery of Torres del Paine National Park • Arrive mid-afternoon at Patagonia Camp; relax in your luxury yurt or take an easy hike – be sure to bring your camera, the lake and mountain views from Camp are magnificent! (B, L, D)

Day 7: Base Torres

Morning shuttle to the base of the famous Paine Towers in Torres del Paine National Park for an all-day hike • This challenging trek ascends first to the Valle Asencia and then through a native Nothofagus forest • The final portion of the trail takes us up a steep moraine and culminates at the base of the Towers, where you are awarded with jaw-dropping panoramas – well worth the effort! • *Note that if you are concerned about the rigor of this hike, our guides are happy to provide you with shorter/less challenging alternatives (B, L, D)

Day 8: Playa Grey / Mirador Condor

This morning’s excursion leads us to two of Torres del Paine’s main attractions, Lago Grey beach and Grey Glacier • Begin by crossing a hanging bridge over the Pingo River before hiking into the shadows of the Patagonian forest • At Lago Grey beach, stare in awe at the electric blue icebergs that have broken off of Grey Glacier, a spectacular 6-km wall of ice in the distance • This afternoon (weather permitting), transfer to Lago Pehoe for the start of your ascent to the famous Mirador Condor • Along the way, your guides will point out the varying types of flora in the Park and – if you’re lucky – you may catch a glimpse of an elegant Andean Condor in flight • When you reach the lookout point at the top of Mirador Condor, take in the majesty of the Park, where verdant forests stand in stark contrast to the vibrant turquoise of Lago Pehoe below • *Note that our afternoon hike is dependent on weather conditions, and that guests will have the option of embarking one or both excursions, depending on their level of fitness (B, L, D)

Day 9: El Calafate

Morning transfer from Patagonia Camp across the Andes to El Calafate • Check in at the elegant Hotel Esplendor with superb views of both the imposing Lake Argentino and Mount Calafate • Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in town before a Farewell Dinner at the hotel with good company (B, L, D)

Day 10: El Calafate / Buenos Aires

After breakfast, transfer to El Calafate’s airport for flights home via Buenos Aires (B)