Patagonia Explorer: Hike Bariloche, El Chaltén + El Calafate

Overview

FROM $3,935 10 DAYS ARGENTINA

Venture to Patagonia for a rich and rigorous discovery of both Northern and Southern Patagonia. Kayak in the Lakes District, hike to mountain summits, and trek glaciers, finding adventure at every turn.

BUENOS AIRES  1 NIGHT

Argentina’s capital city, where treasured history and new styles intersect and thrive.

Bariloche • 3 nIGHTS

Bariloche’s stunning mountains and lakes make it a picturesque destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

EL Chaltén • 3 NIGHTS

A hiker’s paradise, El Chaltén’s trails and mountains reward adventurers with unparalleled vistas.

El calafatE • 2 NIGHTS

Wonder at the awe-inspiring blues of El Calafate’s Perito Moreno glacier.

 

Jordan Harvey Knowmad Adventures

Talk to your Argentina

Trip Expert

612-315-2894

WHY TRAVEL WITH KNOWMAD

  • Travel + Leisure’s A-List and Condé Nast Traveler’s Experience Makers
  • award winning, regional Trip Specialists
  • Truly customized, private trips
  • Knowledgeable and fun local guides
  • Authentic, innovative, and sustainable itineraries
  • 98% traveler satisfaction rate

Itinerary

KEY B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Buenos Aires Travel

DAY 1 • Buenos Aires

Bienvenidos a Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital city and cultural heart of Argentina! On arrival, your local guide will welcome you to Argentina and take you to your boutique hotel in the Palermo neighborhood, where gourmet restaurants mix with laid-back cafés, and fashionable nightclubs mingle with historic theaters and museums. Take the afternoon to relax or begin exploring the unique architecture, beautiful plazas, and colorful culture of this famed city.

  • No Meals – Casa Sur Palermo

Bariloche Luxury Accomodations

DAY 2 •  Buenos Aires – Bariloche

Fly to Bariloche, the core of Argentina’s idyllic Lakes District. Located in the beautiful woodlands and surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and clear lakes, Bariloche offers spectacular hiking and outdoor adventures year-round. Discover the alpine-style architecture, and sample the treats that gave Bariloche its reputation as the Chocolate Capital of Argentina. In the evening, relax at your boutique lodge overlooking the blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi.

  • B – Aldeberran

Bariloche Kayaking Lake Mascardi Experience

DAY 3 •  Bariloche

Kayak and hike around breathtaking Lake Mascardi on a privately guided day in the secluded region of Nahuel Huapi National Park. Choose your pace as you paddle along the southern coast before savoring a gourmet picnic lunch, taking in the brilliance of the lake’s water and natural beauty. Relax along the shore or reinvigorate with a hike through the green forest to Laguna los Moscos, hidden in the surrounding hills.

  • B, L – Aldeberran

Bariloche Argentina Travel

DAY 4 •  Bariloche

Hike Mount Bella Vista, a lesser-travelled, moderate-to-strenuous climb to get an aerial panorama of Bariloche. Cross through native forests of coihue and lenga trees as you revel in vistas of Lake Moreno, Lake Nahuel Huapi, and the mountains that surround the town. Upon reaching the summit, you are rewarded with spectacular 360° views of the region’s beautiful stillness.

  • B, box L – Aldeberran

El Calafate to El Chalten Patagonia Travel

DAY 5 •  Bariloche – El Chaltén

After flying south to El Calafate, your private vehicle transfers you on an approximately 4-hour trip to the small mountain village of El Chaltén. Enjoy the classic Patagonian landscapes, untouched wilderness, and rolling grasslands on this scenic drive before arriving at your accommodations. Meet your destination host in the evening for a briefing on the wide selection of Patagonia hiking options available to discover during your time in El Chaltén.

  • B – Hosteria Senderos

Fitz Roy Hike Argentina Trips

DAY 6 •  El Chaltén

Ascend to Laguna de los Tres for a thrilling view of Mount Fitz Roy. Accompanied by your experienced private guide, this full-day trek takes you through native lenga tree forests and across sparsely-vegetated valleys. Wonder at the jagged peaks of Fitz Roy and the Piedras Blancas glacier as you trek onward, until you arrive at the old moraine ridge, and take in the vibrant blue of the lagoon.

Camping enthusiasts may wish to combine hikes and spend the night at a campground along the trail.

  • B, box L – Hosteria Senderos

DAY 7 •  El Chaltén

Wind your way through beech forest and shrub prairie as you independently navigate the hiking trail to Laguna Torre. On this day of moderate hiking, you’ll be privy to gorgeous views of the mountains that surround you. Upon arrival at the lake, the mountains make a stunning backdrop as you admire the glacier and watch the icebergs being pushed by the wind along the coast of the lagoon.

You could also choose to do this hike accompanied by an experienced hiking guide.

  • B, box L – Hosteria Senderos

Argentina Wanderlust

DAY 8 •  El Chaltén – El Calafate

Reward yourself with a morning at leisure or a short hike before departing for your approximately 4-hour drive to El Calafate. Gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, El Calafate, is situated on the shores of Lake Argentino. Walk along the water’s edge to admire the kaleidoscope of blues with a background of mountain peaks. Discover the town independently, perhaps visiting the Glaciarium to learn about the history and science behind glaciers before stopping for a drink in the on-site Glaciobar, made completely of ice.

  • B – Xelena

El Calafate Argentina Trips

DAY 9 •  El Calafate

Strap on some crampons and try your hand at ice trekking on your full-day visit to the Perito Moreno glacier. Admire the glacier’s vibrant colors as you ferry across the Rico Arm. Disembarking onto the glacier, mountain guides will lead you on a small-group circuit hike to explore the landscape of streams, lagoons, gullies, and giant ice formations. After the approximately 1-to-2-hour hike, arrive at the various scenic overlooks around the sprawling glacier to witness the ice calving into the water below.

A more challenging ice hike at Perito Moreno with significant uphill climbing and an extended time on the glacier is also an option for this day.

  • B, box L – Xelena

DAY 10 •  El Calafate – Onward

Spend the morning at your leisure in El Calafate. Perhaps search the trails of the Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve for over 70 species of birds including flamingos, or visit the local artisanal markets to do a little shopping. In the afternoon, bid farewell to Argentine Patagonia as you continue on your journey or return home.

  • B

AIR TRAVEL

Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. You may arrange your airfare independently, or we are happy to offer assistance in helping you book it. Regional flights for this trip would include: Buenos Aires to Bariloche, Bariloche to El Calafate, and El Calafate to Buenos Aires.

Knowmad has vast knowledge of and operations within Argentina. This is a private trip, and during the planning stages, your Trip Specialist will collaborate with you in modifying excursions, accommodations, and the flow of the itinerary to perfectly suit your travel style and interests. The following are some ways to customize your trip:

Duration Have a longer or shorter amount of time to travel? We’ll guide you on the best days to pull or ways to extend your adventure, possibly with travel to another region.

Activity Level Like what you’re seeing but would prefer it to be less active? Or perhaps you’re interested in some more challenging hiking, rafting, biking, etc. Our knowledge of the terrain and range of options will result in a trip custom-crafted for your activity preferences.

Accommodation Upgrades or Alternatives From backcountry camping in tents to luxury, boutique hotels, Knowmad handpicks accommodations based on our travelers’ desires. Talk with us about the nuances of the variety of properties featured in our trips to find the best fit for you.

Visit Another Region Maybe wine country or an Andean pueblo has caught your eye, but it’s not in this itinerary. Knowmad Trip Specialists are experts at coordinating inter-regional travel, considering sequencing and the best duration to spend in each destination depending on your interests and travel style.

Patagonia Explorer Custom Trip

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN

Planning a trip to South America might seem a little overwhelming at first. Knowmad offers door-to-door trip planning: first, we listen, and then we help you navigate the seasonal differences and itinerary options, resulting in a holistic, seamless, and custom-crafted experience, all at a guaranteed best value.

The simplest way to get started is to give us a call at 612-315-2894or to fill out this short form so we can learn more about your travel preferences.

Let the Journey Begin - Knowmad Adventures

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    “Customized travel to areas off the beaten path.”

    – Condé Nast Traveler
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    “Thanks again for everything. We really were blown away by the trip, everyday better than the next and I’m not one of those guys to just say that.”

    – Daniel, Marietta, GA
  • Press Knowmad Adventures

    REVIEWS

    ico-star ico-star ico-star ico-star ico-star

    “Expertly-curated insider tours to South America”

    - Travel + Leisure
  • REVIEWS

    ico-star ico-star ico-star ico-star ico-star

    “The trip well exceeded my expectations in every way. I tell everyone who asks my opinion to be sure to put Ecuador on their travel list–and, of course, to contact Knowmad for seamless arrangements. Thanks again for all of your attention to detail. We had the best time.”

    – Mary, West Salem, WI
  • REVIEWS

    ico-star ico-star ico-star ico-star ico-star

    “Quite simply the best trip we’ve ever taken. Destinations astounded, logistics and planning flawless, and your intimate knowledge and relationships made for a trip that was personal every inch of the way.”

    - Deanna and Rachel, Santa Barbara, CA