Patagonia Wilderness

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Argentina!

Please arrive make sure you arrive on day 1 by 3.00pm, in time for the first group meeting. Please have lunch prior to the meeting as we'll head out on our first activity straight afterwards. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. If you are intending to hire a sleeping bag for our nights in the Torres del Paine National Park please let your leader know at this meeting.

In the afternoon your tour leader will take you for an approximately 2 hour orientation walk around some of Buenos Aires' main attractions. In the evening you have the option of going out for a group dinner.

Buenos Aires must be the ultimate cosmopolitan city. With Latin passion, European elegance and a distinctive style, this is a city that will steal your heart. The Portenos (the local residents) are justifiably proud of their city which is comprised of distinct 'barrios' (neighbourhoods), each with their own style. Visit San Telmo for its weekend antiques market and artists' displays. La Boca was settled by waves of immigrants that built brightly painted buildings. It is also home to the world-class football team Boca Juniors and murals of famous footballers cover the district's walls. Recoleta is the place to browse museums with Buenos Aires' well-to-do.

When you have finished exploring, settle down at one of the many streetside cafes and prepare yourself for a night of tango at one of the many milongas.

If you arrive to Buenos Aires before day 1, there are plenty of galleries, museums and historic buildings to keep you entertained. On the east side of the Plaza de Mayo you will find the Casa Rosada, the pink presidential palace where Eva Peron appeared on the balcony in front of adoring fans in the 1940s. There is also a Museo Evita, dedicated to the life (and gowns) of this famed figure. MALBA is an incredible art gallery showcasing a private collection, including works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and great temporary exhibits.

As we leave Buenos Aires early on day 2, please try to exchange USD 150 to Argentinian an pesos and USD 150 to Chilean pesos before day 1 of the trip (Sunday). This should be enough to cover your personal expenses for the following 5 days in Argentina and 3 days in Chile.

Included Activities

    * Leader-led walking tour

Optional Activities

    * Tango show, Buenos Aires - ARS100.00

    * City bike tour, Buenos Aires - ARS90.00

    * Gran Cafe Tortoni Show, Buenos Aires - ARS15.00

    * Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires - USD5.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

Today we fly (approx. 3 hrs) south from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, our gateway to the Glacier National Park. The rest of the day is free.

On day 3 we visit Perito Moreno Glaciar. This is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world and at 3km (1.8 miles) wide and 35km (21 miles) long is a spectacular sight. Watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below.

We return to El Calafate for the night. Please be aware that there are no ATM's available in Perito Moreno Glaciar and El Chalten, Your group leader will give you an indication of the amount needed in each destination.

Included Activities

    * Perito Moreno Glacier

Optional Activities

    * Moreno glacier cruise (45 mins), El Calafate - ARS50.00

    * Trekking on Moreno glacier, El Calafate - USD80.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)

Travel 220 km (approx 3.5 hours) to the frontier town of El Chalten, north of Parque National Los Glaciers. Hikers and climbers from all around the world congregate here and the atmosphere is laid back and very outdoors-oriented.

The next two days we'll take on two of the many day treks available in the area. Hikes in Glacier National Park are moderate to difficult. You can expect to hike for six to nine hour treks on clearly marked and well maintained treks with a few challenging sections.

The hikes we trek may change depending on weather conditions.

Day 6 is a long day as we travel back to El Calafate at the end of a hiking day.

Included Activities

    * Day hikes

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nts)

Be ready for another long travel day. Early in the morning we jump on a local bus to Puerto Natales (approx. 5.5 hours) where we change to another local bus (approx. 2 hours) to Torres del Paine, before taking one final 30 minute bus ride to our campsite. Depending on how busy the border crossing is, you may or may not have time to have lunch in Puerto Natales. Please make sure you have enough water and snacks in case we have to rush through from one bus to the other.

This campsite will be home for the next three nights and we will use it as a base while we take on day hikes around the park. While we hike, all your belongings will be left at the campsite, inside your tent. We can not be made responsible for anything that may go missing from your tent, however the campsite dedicates one person to look after the site and our belongings and we have never had anything missing from our tents so far.

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners will be provided while camping. Dinners are simple (pastas, rice, chicken) and are served in a common dinning area. Lunches consist of sandwiches, fruit and sometimes a chocolate bar. Soft and alcoholic drinks are not provided and there is limited selection for you to buy from at the Camping's general store. If you particularly like certain snacks (almonds, nuts, raisins) or a drink (a bottle of wine, spirit) please make sure you bring it from Buenos Aires or Calafate.

Bathroom facilities are available in the campsite with communal showers and bathroom separated by sex.

You and a fellow traveller will share a tent for the next 3 nights and will be required to set it up (under Tour Leader's guidance) upon arrival, dismantle and clean it on last day. Sleeping bags are not provided on this trip so please bring your own. Alternatively you can hire it locally for approximately US$30 for the 3 nights. Make sure you tell your leader on day 1 of the trip if you intend to hire it locally for him/her to make the necessary arrangements. A foam camping mattress is provided on this trip but, feel free to bring along your own, should you prefer a more comfortable one (thermarest/inflatable).

Sitting at the end of the earth is the awe inspiring Chilean Patagonia. Few people have the opportunity to see this area and those who do find it difficult to forget. Once a sheep estancia, the park was established in 1959. This is magnificent trekking country where nandues, condors and pink flamingos abound. Upon arriving in the park you will most likely be greeted by a herd of guanacos, relatives of alpacas. These strange animals provide great photo opportunities but don't get too close; they're likely to spit at you. There's also some of the world's best trout and salmon fishing.

The real star of the show, however, is the magnificent landscape. With sparkling lakes, gushing waterfalls, glaciers and striking mountains, much of our time trekking is spent slack-jawed in awe of our surrounds.

The treks are moderate to difficult along clearly marked trails and we will usually hike between 5-8 hours per day. Weather in Patagonia is an important factor to consider - be prepared for cold, wet and sometimes times windy weather.

During our time hiking, on clear days, there will be breathtaking views of the Towers of Paine, the park's most famous sight. The Towers can make a sudden appearance on the windswept plains.

Included Activities

    * 3 nights camping/2 days hiking excursion

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (3 nts)

On day 10 we're on the move again as we travel by local bus bus to Puerto Varas, before continuing to Punta Arenas.

Set among windswept plains and looking across the Straits of Magellan to Porvenir and Tierra del Fuego, Punta Arenas feels close to the end of the world. In reality it's not that far away. This is Chile's southernmost city and it has plenty of interesting history. Over the years it has attracted explorers, ranchers and even fortune-seekers, as it was was once an important stop along the Californian gold rush route. In recent years it has become a base for the Chilean Navy and with oil and gas discovered offshore and the growth in adventure tourism, the city is going from strength to strength.

Tonight don't miss the chance to sample seafood, some of the finest in the country.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

Did we mention we have some travel days on this trip? On day 11 we hit the road for one last (but not least) journey. A whopping 12-hour bus ride takes us back to Argentina and to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. Needless to say you will need to arm yourself with your favourite book, your music player, drinks and snacks.

This is the gateway to Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, Argentina's only coastal park. We cruise the Beagle Channel (named after Charles Darwin's expedition ship) and observe marine wildlife along the park's small islands and inlets. We have some time to visit Ushuaia's museums before returning to Buenos Aires.

On day 12 you will take an included boat morning trip on the Beagle Channel.

The afternoon of day 12 and day 13 are free for you to explore Ushuaia.

In Ushuaia you will stay in B&Bs (Bed and Breakfast). This kind of accommodation offers a unique local charm and interaction that are difficult to experience in a regular hotel. However, due to their limited capacity, your group may be split into 2 or more different properties.

Included Activities

    * Beagle Channel cruise

Optional Activities

    * Martial Glacier hike, Ushuaia - ARS25.00

    * Penguin tour, Ushuaia - ARS285.00

Accommodation

Bed and breakfast (3 nts)

On day 14 you return to Buenos Aires for a final night out. Please note that while we intend to return to Buenos Aires in the early hours of the afternoon, airline schedules in Argentina are known for changing without much notice, meaning that we can potentially arrive in Buenos Aires as late as 11pm on day 14.

We return to our centrally located hotel in Buenos Aires for our final night.

As there are no activities planned, you are free to depart at any time on day 15.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)