Overview
Some of the most spectacular mountains on our planet are found in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, home to the sky-piercing peaks of the Fitz Roy massif. We’ve created an adventure that reveals the very best of this grand-scale paradise, where rivers of ice pour down from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. With two options most days, our hikes lead to azure lakes for stunning vistas of the spires of Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and the park’s magnificent glaciers, and we’ll visit the massive ice wall of Perito Moreno, one of Argentina’s natural wonders. Back at our renowned estancias, including Helsingfors and Cristina, with their exclusive locations, we’ll celebrate each hiking day with home-cooked Patagonian fare and fine Argentine wines.
This trip kept bringing amazing scenery. It was hard to know what could follow the fantastic views of Fitzroy, but the next days were amazing, finishing with the icebergs on Lago Argentino and the ice field above Estancia Cristina. And wonderful hikes throughout!
— Jean M., Auburndale, MA
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-4
Buenos Aires / Los Glaciares National Park
From Buenos Aires, we fly to El Calafate and cross the pampas to reach Los Glaciares National Park, a sublime landscape dominated by the glaciers of the largest temperate ice sheet in the Southern Hemisphere. From our welcoming inn, Hostería El Pilar, we’ll hike right from the front door to beautiful Laguna de Los Tres for panoramic views of the jagged pinnacles of Fitz Roy (11,073'), and to Laguna Torre for vistas of the slender spire of Cerro Torre (10,280'). Our inn has phenomenal Fitz Roy views right from the dining room and a cozy fireplace to relax around after a day’s hike.
Days 5-7
Estancia Helsingfors / Perito Moreno
Our sublime accommodation here is family-run Estancia Helsingfors, a historic retreat with a stunningly remote location. In this region, we are far from the classic trails and can immerse ourselves in the wild, isolated expanse of Patagonia. We’ll have the trail all to ourselves as we climb up to Lago Azul, a pristine glacial lake that truly earns its name. Near El Calafate, we take in views of the huge icewall of the Perito Moreno Glacier from a boardwalk trail with the immense ice field stretching into the distance. It’s a thrill to watch the giant ice blocks plunging into Lago Argentino.
Days 8-11
Estancia Cristina / El Calafate
We cross Lago Argentino by catamaran, navigating around drifting icebergs as we journey to Estancia Cristina, accessible only by boat. Estancia Cristina has exclusive access to the Upsala Glacier, South America’s longest. From this remote inn, we hike up Cerro Carnero for glorious views of snow peaks and hanging glaciers, and through a canyon where marine fossils are embedded in the rock walls. At night, we enjoy fine meals and warm hospitality in this estancia at the end of the world. Return to El Calafate on Day 10 and depart on Day 11 via Buenos Aires, or join our extensions to Iguazú Falls or Paine National Park.
Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
Highlights
Highlights
Details
8 hiking days on moderate to strenuous trails (some steep sections), 2-7 hours a day, altitudes below 4,000 feet. Patagonia can experience extreme weather changes.
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