Couple your EcoCamp stay with a visit to two of Argentine Patagonia’s most stunning sights: the epic Perito Moreno and Upsala glaciers! Massive fields of blue and white ice carve through the surrounding mountains, offering unparalleled views and unforgettable memories!
Today we arrive in El Calafate, a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park amid dramatic scenery and natural beauty. We have the whole day free to explore the town and enjoy its attractive restaurants, tango bars, and artisan handicraft markets. We stay overnight in town.
Overnight Kosten Aike 4* Hotel or similar, El Calafate.
No meals included.
Starting with a hotel pick-up, you'll enjoy a scenic drive to “Bajo de las Sombras” port, 7 km from the Perito Moreno glacier (one hour and a half from El Calafate). Board our catamaran to explore Lake Rico, marveling at the glacier's ice walls and witnessing the ice crashing into the water. Our one-hour cruise offers unparalleled views, pausing 400 meters from the glacier.
This available year-round excursion promises a magical journey into the heart of ice, perfect for families and adventurers. Opt for additional thrills like sailing towards the glacier or a short ice trekking experience—no technical skills required. Please consult price facts for rates for these optional activities.
Overnight Kosten Aike 4* Hotel or similar, El Calafate.
Meals: Breakfast and box lunch.
Following breakfast, we depart for Puerto Bandera to embark on our catamaran journey across Lago Argentino. Great views of the stunning Upsala Glacier await.
Our voyage begins at Puerto de Punta Bandera (APN) at 08:15 AM, cruising past icebergs and the Upsala Glacier's Western face, then navigating Canal Cristina to reach Estancia Cristina by 11:30 AM. This early 20th-century sheep farm preserves the Gaucho lifestyle. We'll tour the Museo Costumbrista, ascend mountain roads via 4x4 to the Continental Ice Field Refugio for a hike with views of the Upsala Glacier, Guillermo Lake, and the Andes.
Departing the Estancia at 17:30 PM, we conclude our day returning to El Calafate.
Overnight Kosten Aike 4* Hotel or similar, El Calafate.
Meals: Breakfast and box lunch.
Today is the end of our memorable trip, Adios Patagonia! Hopefully, we‘ll meet again. After having breakfast a transfer will take us to the airport and we’re free to continue traveling on our own or take another extension with Cascada.
Meals: Breakfast.
Kosten Aike Hotel offers an unbeatable location in El Calafate, only 2 blocks from the city center and just a few minutes away from the Airport.
Included in the accommodation:
Regular departures are available every day from October to April 15th.
The trip starts either in Torres del Paine/Puerto Natales at 8 am or Calafate at 2 pm. The trip finishes on day 4 at Calafate Airport at 10 am. For those taking the extension to finish in Punta Arenas, the trip finishes on day 5 at Punta Arenas Airport at 10 am. For domestic flights, you have to be at the airport 1 hour before your flight leaves.
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, the strong marine influence makes the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer, fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to March), you should come prepared to find cold strong winds (up to 80 km/hr) and rainfalls. In summer average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºC max, 2ºC min).
This trip does not demand physical activity other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over a rather flat terrain, considering many stops as necessary to fit with the rhythm of the group.
Day backpack (10lt), hiking shoes, a waterproof parka, sandals, pants, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.
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Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia