Patagonia Lakes & Glaciers

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the domestic airport for your flight to Bariloche, Argentina, a scenic resort town on the shores of picturesque Lake Nahuel Huapi. You’ll have the rest of the day to relax and explore this pleasant mountain town. Overnight at your comfortable Bariloche lodgings. (B)

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred from your hotel to the trailhead of today’s hike. Paced according to your liking, the two to three hour first leg of today’s Patagonia hiking takes you into the alpine zone, where you’ll stop for a gourmet picnic lunch amidst stunning lakes, glaciated summits, forests and the towering Andes. You’ll complete the remaining three to four hours of the hike after lunch and be delivered back to your hotel in time to choose one of the city’s fine restaurants for a delectable dinner. Another peaceful night at your accommodations. (B,L)

Today’s activity is a tranquil day of guided kayaking that may be enjoyed by all, regardless of fitness level. In the morning, you’ll be taken from the hotel to a unique launching beach to start your six hours of paddling. You’ll enjoy a tasty lakeside picnic in an idyllic setting. The trip ends at the landmark Llao Llao Hotel where you will be transferred back to your hotel for an evening on your own to enjoy a final delicious dinner. (B,L)

Patagonia Hike & Kayak Option Depending on your group, we can instead arrange for a day of soft trekking with kayaking. After breakfast, we will drive to Lopez Bay to begin the hike to Tristeza lookout point. The granite base offers breathtaking views that we enjoy during our lunch. After returning to the trailhead and receiving a safety briefing, we will paddle the Moreno Lake for the remainder of the afternoon. Returning to your Bariloche hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L)

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy the ultimate Lakes District tour. You’ll travel to nearby Puerto Panuelo pier for the serene catamaran ride across Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest. A bus will take you a short distance through an Andean larch forest to reach Puerto Alegre. You’ll enjoy superb wilderness views along Lake Frias before arriving at Puerto Frias and the Chile Patagonia border in a lush cloud forest. From there, it’s a short bus ride to the village of Peulla for a delicious lunch. Next you’ll cruise along the emerald waters of Todos los Santos Lake to the Petrohue River. The memorable trip offers stunning views of three volcanoes: to the south, 11,453-ft Tronador, famous for the sounds of ice falling from its summit; 7,185-ft Puntiagudo to the north and 8,530-ft Osorno between the two lakes. After reaching the pier, you will travel to the quaint town of Puerto Varas where your comfortable hotel is located and spend a relaxing evening on your own. (B,L)

The most iconic sights of the Lakes District are easily the majestic Osorno Volcano and the gorgeous Petrohue Falls. The snow-capped image of Osorno adorns most photos of the area, as it stands looking over Todos los Santos and Llanquihue Lake. The falls are gentle and serene and bring an elegant beauty to this already spectacular landscape.

Departing from Puerto Varas, you’ll travel in vehicle to the beginning of the El Solitario trail. You will trek at the base of the Osorno Volcano, taking in amazing views of the surrounding scenery. The trek will lead you through an ancient forest, over volcanic rock, and between renewed native forests. You will be surrounded by beautiful views of three volcanoes: Osorno, Calbuco, and Puntiagudo. Ending the trek, you’ll head to the Petrohue Falls, where turquoise waters flow mightily over the rocks, a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Finally, you’ll make a stop at Lake Todos los Santos, where the Andes provide a magnificent backdrop for a peaceful rest and gorgeous photos. You return to your Puerto Varas hotel in the afternoon and have the evening on your own before a restful night at your lodgings. (B,L)

Today, travel south for the next leg of your Patagonia tour. In the morning you’ll be transferred to the Puerto Montt Airport for a flight to Punta Arenas in Chile Patagonia, where a Southern Explorations guide will pick you up to begin your trip across the Patagonian steppe towards Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way you can observe the unusual plant and animal life of the area. Upon arrival at the Las Torres lodge you will have the evening to get settled in your room and learn more about the myriad of activities available to explore this breathtaking area of Southern Patagonia. (B, L, D)

Spend these next two days touring Torres del Paine National Park and nearby areas of interest. Select from a number of Patagonia adventures, each lead by a knowledgeable bilingual guide. Hike up to the base of the giant Towers of Paine, horseback ride through the Enchanted and Ascencio Valleys, trek around the brilliant blue Lake Nordenskjold, visit the archeological sites, or enjoy any number of other activities for any activity level and interest. After full days exploring the area, return each evening to your comfortable accommodations. (B, L, D)

Enjoy one last breakfast at Las Torres before traveling over the border to El Calafate, Argentina, for the next leg of your Patagonia tour. Your afternoon is free to enjoy this charming city on your own. Overnight at an El Calafate hotel. (B)

PERITO MORENO GLACIER TOUR

Option 1: PERITO MORENO GLACIER TOUR SIGHTSEEING AND GLACIER CRUISE – minimum 2 travelers

This private tour allows you to spend the day gazing at the most famous glacier in South America from several angles. You’ll glimpse your first breathtaking views of the glacier down a narrow arm of Lago Argentino with the majestic backdrop of the Andes. As spectacular as this is, the view pales compared to the experiences you’ll have later today. From El Calafate, it is about a two-hour drive on a paved road to reach the Perito Moreno Glacier. Here you will spend time on the catwalks, taking in the mesmerizing views of the constantly calving glacier. The area’s wildlife includes Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles and ashy headed geese. An hour-long afternoon tour starts at Bajo de las Sombra where you’ll board a vessel to cross Lake Rico, passing icebergs. On reaching Iceberg Channel, the boat will stop at a safe distance to allow passengers time to photograph the Perito Moreno Glacier’s wall and watch for falling chunks of ice. You will be returned to El Calafate in the afternoon. (B,L)

*Shared boat tour

Option 2: PERITO MORENO GLACIER ICE HIKE – $290 Upgrade Per Person

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your El Calafate hotel. An hour long bus ride takes you to the Bajo de las Sombras port on the shore of Lake Argentino. From there, you will board a comfortable boat for a 20 minute navigation across the lake. The cruise offers incredible views of the Perito Moreno glacier with its massive front wall of blue ice and surrounding field of icebergs. Following a beach landing, you’ll stop at a small shelter where the trekkers will be divided into groups of less than twenty. A short walk along an ancient beech forest takes you to the edge of the glacier, a prime location for photographing this spectacular natural wonder. You will be fitted with crampons and receive a safety briefing from your guides before beginning an unforgettable two hour trek on the glacier, with time for photos and a lunch break. This moderate trek will take you past small streams, lagoons, crevasses, and other ice formations as you explore the fascinating landscape of the Perito Moreno glacier. After completing the trek, you will embark on the boat for the return trip across the lake. A short bus ride brings you to an elaborate boardwalk system located across the lake from the glacier. From here you will be able to view and photograph the glacier from many angles, and possibly witness icebergs calving thunderously into the lake. In the late afternoon, you will return to your hotel for another comfortable night’s rest.** (B,L)

*Shared boat tour

**The upper age limit for the regular Perito Moreno excursion is 65, regardless of fitness level with no exceptions.