Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we will move to Estancia Rincón Chico, located 165 km from Pto. Madryn and 70 km from Puerto Pirámides, on the coast of Península Valdés. Inside the estancia, we will have the chance to see and listen to the life of wild animals and the stunted flora, which shyly hides its flowers and colours. Thousands of Elephant Seals chose these shores to breed and give birth to their young. Throughout the year they fulfill their life cycles along the 15 km of beaches. On the way to the trails you can film, photograph and observe our varied bird life in its natural environment.
DAY 3 - PENINSULA VALDÉS
Breakfast at the Estancia. The estancia offers two other types of activities, which are self-guided trails and bicycle tours. The self-guided trails are in the hull area. Its route will allow us to discover, observe and photograph flora and fauna. We will have a printed guide to guide us in the observations. The bicycle rides will allow us to vibrate with the terrain, compete uselessly with an elusive lizard, be surprised by the whistle of the tinamou, cut the wind, sway along the choiques race and see the haughtiness of the guanacos, are some of the experiences that will enrich your life, when cycling the paths of Rincón Chico. Lunch and dinner included.
DAY 4 - PENINSULA VALDÉS- GAIMÁN
We will have breakfast and visit Puerto Pirámides, where we will embark to watch the rich fauna found there (elephant seals, penguins, dolphins, whales).
Note: The Southern Right Whale can be observed between the months of April and December.
Then we will move to the city of Rawson where we will have lunch in one of the traditional restaurants of the city. After lunch we will head to Gaiman, the most important colony in Patagonia that still preserves intact the traditions of the first pioneers. There we will enjoy the traditional Welsh tea and then we will stay at the Hosteria Los Mimbres for the night.
DAY 5 - GAIMÁN - COMODORO RIVADAVIA
We will have breakfast at the inn and early in the morning we will move to the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, about 450 km away. There we will find one of the most important cities in Patagonia that lives at the demanding pace of the oil industry. On the way we will visit Camarones Bay, where we will find one of the largest penguin colony. Accommodation in Hotel Lucania. Breakfast included.
DAY 6 - COMODORO RIVADAVIA - LOS TOLDOS
We will have an early breakfast at the hotel, and we will leave for the Petrified Forest, which is located near the town of Sarmiento. The area is located on what was once the seabed, creating a lunar landscape with a great diversity of colors, generating a spectacular setting for the valuable attraction it contains. In the same Reserve you can visit the interpretation center that includes paleontological and archaeological remains of the region. The impression that causes to observe these giants yesterday organic, today inorganic, generates an indescribable emotion and therefore it does not escape to the impact so special that produces to see a site with treasures of archaeology or paleontology, that speak to us demanding its care, demonstrating that the conscience of the man must prevail on the ignorance.
We`ll have a nice barbecue in the national park, and then we`ll leave for Estancia Los Toldos where we`ll spend the night. Dinner included in the stay.
DAY 7 - CAVE OF HANDS
We will have breakfast in the estancia and then we will start the excursion to the Cueva de las Manos (8 hours of duration aprox) a 9000 years old cave art site. Among guanacos and ñandúes, the surprise is the irruption of the deep ravine of the Pinturas River, which hides in its eaves and caves the most spectacular manifestation of the regional cave art. Box-lunch included. We`ll share a delicious dinner at the ranch.
DAY 8 - LOS TOLDOS - EL CHALTÉN
After breakfast, we will leave for El Chaltén, the national trekking capital. This place combines the magic of glaciers, hidden lagoons, estancias, Lake Viedma, and the magnetic presence of Fitz Roy Hill and Torre Hill. We`ll stay in a nice little inn in town.
DAY 9 - TORRE HILL
Breakfast. Morning off. In the afternoon, we will leave for an excursion to the Torre Glacier. We will camp at the base where we will have dinner with the group and meet the local guides who will accompany us the next morning.
Breakfast and start of the trekking. The activity on the Torre Glacier is basically a glacier walk. In this case, the trekking on the ice takes about 4 hours and has as its destination one of the most spectacular views of Patagonia: the southern wall of Cerro Torre, the Egger and Standhard Towers, the Aguja Bifida, the Sitting Man Pass and an unusual panoramic view of the Fitz Roy massif from the west. Also, you`ll have a chance to practice some ice climbing. Box lunch included. Once the trekking is over, we will return to the Chanten Inn for the night.
DAY 11 - CHALTÉN - EL CALAFATE
Breakfast and transfer to El Calafate, the gateway to the majestic world of glaciers. We will stay in a nice 3* hostel and have the rest of the day free to walk or rest.
DAY 12 - UPSALA GLACIER
Breakfast and transfer to Puerto Banderas. From there we will start one of the most complete lake excursions, with views of important glaciers such as the Speghazzini, Onelli and the magnificent Upsala. Return to El Calafate in the afternoon. Night at the inn.
DAY 13 - PERITO MORENO GLACIER
In the morning, after breakfast, we will go to the Perito Moreno Glacier (located inside Los Glaciares National Park) where we will do a walk on it, called minitrekking. Its enigmatic beauty has made it a world-renowned attraction for break-up moments that are an incredible natural spectacle. Night at the inn.
Farewell dinner included.
DAY 14 - EL CALAFATE
After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport in El Calafate, to take the flight back to Buenos Aires.
END OF TRIP
NOTE: Those who wish, may contract the extension to Torres del Paine /Ushuaia.