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 each day, our hikes lead us 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 wilderness locations, we’ll celebrate each hiking day with home-cooked Patagonian fare and fine Argentine wines.
This was a totally amazing trip! The locations we stayed at, the hikes, accommodations, scenery, food, our leader, Carlos, the whole itinerary...everything was first rate and an unbelievable experience.
— Nancy C., Paris, Ontario
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. From our welcoming inn, Hostería El Pilar, we’ll have phenomenal Fitz Roy views right from the dining room. Our hikes start from the door of the lodge and bring us to 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').
Buenos Aires / Los Glaciares National Park - Days 1-4
CasaSur Bellini Hotel
Day 1 (1 night), Buenos Aires, ArgentinaSet in the heart of Palermo, Buenos Aires’ upscale neighborhood of art galleries, shops, bars, and restaurants, the CasaSur Bellini features spacious, studio-like guestrooms with a stylish, modern decor, spa and fitness center, and a large swimming pool. At breakfast, try a medialunas con dulce de leche—a special Argentine pastry treat.
Hostería El Pilar
Days 2 to 4 (3 nights), El Chaltén, ArgentinaWith the perfect location on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park, El Pilar is a picturesque 10-room country inn with incomparable access to the trailheads of the park’s most sought-after hikes—and we usually have this special place all to ourselves! Guest rooms are simple and cozy, and there are phenomenal Fitz Roy views right from the dining room. It’s a great place to relax after our hikes, welcomed in with a roaring fire and a glass of hearty wine. Our hosts, Guillermo and Cristina, offer warm hospitality and delicious home-cooked meals.
Days 5-7
Estancia Helsingfors / Perito Moreno
Our sublime accommodation here is family-run Estancia Helsingfors, a historic retreat with a stunningly remote location. Once a sheep ranch, it was built in a spectacular location by Finnish pioneer Alfred Ramstrom at the turn of the century. It’s an incredible setting for hikes, and 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 Southern Patagonian Ice Field stretching into the distance. It’s a thrill to watch the giant ice blocks plunging into Lago Argentino.
Estancia Helsingfors / Perito Moreno - Days 5-7
Estancia Helsingfors
Days 5 to 6 (2 nights), Lago Viedma, ArgentinaThis historic end-of-the-road estancia, with just nine guest rooms, stands in magnificent isolation on the shores of Lago Viedma. Our group always has this serene lodge—and the nearby hiking trails—to ourselves, which gives Helsingfors an exquisitely exclusive feel. The scenery is breathtaking, the bar is well stocked, and meals are first class (local lamb roasted over an open fire is a specialty).
Kosten Aike
Day 7 (1 night),Day 11 (1 night), El Calafate, Argentina
Centrally located in El Calafate, Kosten Aike sits just two blocks from the main street’s many shops and restaurants. The alpine-style décor is cozy, with wood paneling and decorative motifs from the ancient Tehuelche culture of Patagonia’s indigenous people. Guest rooms are spacious and well appointed and the on-site spa, sauna, and lovely bar offer relaxation after an afternoon exploring the town.
Days 8-12
Estancia Cristina / El Calafate
Estancia Cristina, accessible only by boat, has exclusive access to the Upsala Glacier, South America’s longest. From this famously remote inn, we hike up Cerro Carnero for glorious views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and through a fascinating 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 11 and depart on Day 12 via Buenos Aires, or join our extensions to Iguazú Falls or Paine National Park.
Estancia Cristina / El Calafate - Days 8-12
Estancia Cristina
Days 8 to 10 (3 nights), Lago Argentino, ArgentinaFounded in 1914 as a sheep ranch and surrounded by the wild mountain and glacier scenery of Los Glaciares National Park, Estancia Cristina is accessible only by a boat ride across vast Lago Argentino. This charming place is the last estancia before one reaches the great icefields of the hielo continental. Its utterly remote setting truly makes you feel at the ends of the earth, but the comfortable accommodations make you feel right at home. Each of the 20 rooms (spread out in five casitas across the grounds) offer spectacular views of the mountains.
Kosten Aike
Day 11 (1 night), El Calafate, ArgentinaCentrally located in El Calafate, Kosten Aike sits just two blocks from the main street’s many shops and restaurants. The alpine-style décor is cozy, with wood paneling and decorative motifs from the ancient Tehuelche culture of Patagonia’s indigenous people. Guest rooms are spacious and well appointed and the on-site spa, sauna, and lovely bar offer relaxation after an afternoon exploring the town.
Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
Highlights
Highlights
Details
9 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.
