You set the pace and choose the adventures on your custom-tailored vacation in El Calafate and Puerto Natales. Gaze upon wild guanacos as they stroll across the plains. Granite summits that resemble towers create a unique skyline. Ice fields spread across the landscape, glinting with white and blue hues underneath the drifting sunlight. Whether relaxing on the shores of a glacial lake or trekking to the base of a magnificent mountaintop, the possibilities are endless, and the scenery is filled...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Argentina’s Capital of Glaciers
El Calafate is enchanting. Hardwood doorframes adorn stone buildings on the main street of Avenida Libertador. The shores of Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, brush against the southern edge of town. Chocolate shops offer a sweet aroma to the air. Locals have a friendly and jovial demeanor. The main avenue resembles an alpine village in the Swiss Alps. Open pastures stretch across the landscape on the outskirts of town. Your private transfer waits for your arrival at Comandante Armando Tola International Airport. You easily settle into your comfortable hotel located near the heart of El Calafate.
The chocolate displays in the windows are enticing. The scent of pine sweeps down the streets. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the town and its surroundings. The Glaciarium is a distinctive museum that enlightens visitors to the surprisingly fascinating world of glaciers. Documentaries in English and Spanish show continental ice expeditions. The Glaciobar is a unique restaurant decorated with walls of ice. To enter the restaurant, you must first don a heavy fuzzy coat. You can see your breath when you enter the facility. Cushions spread across benches carved from ice. Bartenders serve cocktails in glasses that can also serve to chill the drinks. The atmosphere is unforgettable and a wonderful allusion to Argentina’s famous Patagonian glaciers.
What's Included:
Day 2
The Wonders of Glaciers
Day 3
Beyond the Glacier’s Reach
Day 4
Alpine Villages and Mountaintops
Day 5
Choosing Your Adventure
Day 6
Discovering Choices
Day 7
Underneath the Granite Towers
Day 8
Leisure of Puerto Natales
Day 9
Exhilarating Adventures
Trip Highlights
- Traverse the incredible hiking trails of Torres del Paine National Park to witness soaring peaks and hidden lagoons
- Delight in a cruise on Lago Argentino to view the tremendous ice wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Witness wild guanacos, cousins to the llama, in their natural habitat strolling across the mountainous landscape
- Discover the opulent and boisterous waters of Salto Grande Waterfall
- Venture to the shores of Laguna Nimez where you find wild flamingos lingering in the water
- Experience the unique and unforgettable landscape of Patagonia with time to explore the parks and trails at your preferred pace
Detailed Description
The glaciers of Patagonia are enthralling. The mountain peaks of the Andes are iconic. Turquoise lakes reflect rugged foothills. Stoic channels have provided sustenance for local fishers, from ancient tribes to contemporary villages. Your 9-day vacation in El Calafate and Puerto Natales encompasses the charms of alpine towns and the majesty of the natural landscape of Argentina and Chile. Your luxury Patagonia vacation begins with your arrival in El Calafate, which is considered the gateway town to Los Glaciares National Park. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, free to stroll down the main street to see the alpine architecture or venture to one of the fabulous museums.
The next day, you make your way to the Los Glaciares National Park. Stroll along the walkways providing spectacular views of Perito Moreno Glacier and delight in a cruise on Lago Argentino to see the edge of the ice sheet up close. The following day is at your leisure in El Calafate. You can relax in town or walk along the self-guided trail encircling Laguna Nimez. The following day takes you to the charming alpine town of El Chalten located near the borders of numerous national parks. Next, you can choose your adventure by picking one of the many trails that wind near Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres.
Continue to discover the sensational trails or whitewater rafting near El Chalten before returning to El Calafate. Your guide meets you at your hotel and escorts you on a 4x4 excursion across Patagonia, leading you into the Chile and showcasing the natural splendor Torres del Paine National Park en route to Puerto Natales, Chile. The next day is at your leisure to enjoy the variety of activities that takes place in the antique fishing town. On your final day, you return to El Calafate where your transfer takes you Comandante Armando Tola International Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$3,700 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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