Southern Patagonia: Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Punta Arenas, Torres del Paine, Glacier Perito Moreno & Fitz Roy

This is the ideal excursion to get to know the southernmost park in the world in the best possible way.

Throughout the excursion we are closely in touch with nature and the tranquility that it conveys. In our departures we stroll along the principal and most important trails in the National Park. Anybody willing to join us can do it, regardless of the age, since the paths we trek through are of low difficulty.

In half a day we would´ve walked enough to have a special and unique impression of the fuegian ecosystem. Our well trained guides will pass on to you all of their experience and passion for this surroundings giving away a once in a lifetime experience. Lapataia Bay, Roca Lake and Ensenada Bay will be the southern spots we will introduce you to during this unforgettable excursion.

Optional: those who like enjoying the nature in a more relaxed way, have the option of getting a 7 km (1 hour) ride on board of the End of the World Train. The southernmost (and former prisoner’s train) rail-way in the world, recreates its historic journey.

We will have lunch in the Park (box lunch Gourmet).

After this visit, we will start our boat tour on the Beagle Channel, visiting the light house, sea lion island, bird island and hiking on Bridges Island.

Navigation tour: DESCRIPTION

We leave the local port with a small group of passengers in the direction of Alice Island to see the colony of sea lions; we continue to the Birds Island, inhabited by the king and imperial cormorants. Nearby, we enjoy the view of the Rock Cormorants on the cliffs.

Then, we navigate towards the Sea Lions Island to see them as well as fur seals. Finally, we visit the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, which was built in 1919. It is the real symbol of the city.

Going back, we disembark on Bridges Island for a short trekking. During the walk, we discover flora and fauna. On this island we can see archeological rests of the Yamanas, the aborigines, who lived here many years ago.

Along the trip we share a snack, which includes tea, warm chocolate, coffee, biscuits and, of course, the typical Argentinian Mate.

At the end of the excursion, transfer back to the lodge.

After breakfast: visit to Escondido and Fagnano Lakes, 4×4 circuits, trekking through the forest, lunch at shelter, and a canoe trip on Escondido Lake.

TOUR DESCRIPTION

Embarking on this adventure means to have a one of a kind experience in Tierra del Fuego. Early in the morning, once you`ve hopped in our Land Rover Defender, we`ll steer towards the north part of the isl-and, as we drive along National Road N3. We will pass by a number of renowned ski centers, amongst whiches Cerro Castor is the most famous.

Once on the other side of the Andean Range, the off road adventure begins. We will cross the muddiest areas until we reach the coast of the breathtaking Fagnano Lake. Having refreshed our energy we will carry on with the adventure as we trek into an exclusive area of the forest. The trekking will lead us right to the coast of Escondido Lake where, in our shelter, we will taste a gourmet barbecue seasoned with the pleasant company of a red wine.

After lunch, the water will relax our senses as we paddle across Escondido Lake in a canoe, before heading back towards Ushuaia city with our expert guides.

Transfer back to the Lodge.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the port at an upon-agreed time.

Check in between 10:00 and 16:00. Board the Ushuaia-Punta Arenas Cruise at 17:30. After a welcoming cocktail reception hosted by the Captain and his crew, the cruise will depart for one of the remotest parts of the planet. Our voyage will take us through the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel to explore one of the most breathtaking wilderness regions in the world: Southern Patagonia, which includes the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.

We will be sailing through Murray Channel and Nassau Bay to reach Cape Horn National Park, where, weather permitting, we shall go ashore. The legendary Cape Horn was discovered in 1616 and is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory. For many years it was an important navigation route between the Pacific and the Atlantic, and is referred to as the ‘End of the Earth’. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005.

In the afternoon, we will go ashore at historic Wulaia Bay, originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yamana aboriginal settlements. Charles Darwin landed there in 1833 during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We will take an enc-hanted walk through the Magellan Forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic vegetation, to reach a panoramic viewpoint.

We navigate along the Northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to reach Pia Fjord, where we disembark. We will then take a short hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular Pia Glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea.

In the afternoon, we will enter Garibaldi Fjord where we will disembark for a hike through the forest up to a glacial waterfall to enjoy the spectacular views.

For those who choose to stay onboard, our Captain will point the bow towards the beautiful blue Garibaldi Glacier so that they can enjoy the panoramic view from the upper decks.

In the morning, we will be sailing through Cockburn Channel to anchor in Chico Sound. Traveling in well-equipped Zodiac boats, we will explore Alakaluf Fjord and enjoy the view of Piloto and Nena Glaciers from the sea. You will find yourself being drawn to the intense blue color of Piloto Glacier, which is due to its compression and age. We will learn about the formation of glaciers and their influence on the unexpected topography of the Fuegian-Patagonian channels.

In the afternoon, we will enter the spectacular De Agostini Sound, right in the heart of the Darwin Mountain Range – the perfect viewing point to appreciate glaciers that make their way down to the sea from the upper ice field. Later that afternoon, we will travel aboard Zodiacs to the Águila Glacier where we will embark upon an easy walk to its base. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of Patagonia’s cold rainforest and to see how the power of nature has molded the spectacular landscape.

We will navigate to Punta Arenas, passing by Magdalena Island.

Arrival at Punta Arenas around 11.00 AM, and transfer to the hotel in Torres del Paine (around 4 hours distance), where we will be able to experience and discover the zone in many different ways.

You will be able to choose from a wide range of activities, including trekking, horseback riding, scenery excursions, sailing, bird watching, etc. The following itinerary is one of the suggested travel ideas.

The excursions for this itinerary have the perfect balance between an excursion by van and shorter easy walks. Ideal for those who enjoy photography and bird watching.

This is a scenic trip which concentrates on the west side of the Torres del Paine National Park. It is the best option to see a large part of the park in just one day, with stops at various places for taking great photographs. The road ends at Lake Grey, where we embark on the Grey II, sailing towards the Grey glacier. We will see glaciers, ice floes and feathery nothofagus woods. If we are lucky, we could see a huemul, native deer in danger of extinction. The return journey to the hotel is on the road to the south of Lago del Toro.
Full day Excursion with 30 minutes of easy walk and 3 hours of sailing.

LAGUNA AZUL (Half Day excursion with 30 minutes of easy walk):

From the hotel we head north to the Laguna Azul area and enjoy spectacular views of the-North, Central and South towers, weather
permitting. Enjoy a short walk along the northshore of the lake and in springtime and summer see many birds in the lenga woods.We drive on to see the Paine Waterfall and Laguna Amarga, with beautiful views of the local areas.

SALTO GRANDE (Half Day excursion with 20 minutes of easy walk):

This journey offers a visit to some of the most classic areas of Torres Del Paine National Park. The Sarmiento viewpoint for magnificent views of the Parks largest lake, then on to Laguna Amarga who’s water is four times more salty than the sea. Continue to Nordenskjöld Lookout which is directly opposite the Paine Massif and finish with a short 10 minute walk to the Salto Grande. Return to the hotel by the same route.

Breakfast at the hotel. At an agreed-upon time, transfer to El Calafate.

After breakfast, we will go on our excursion to the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier.

We will walk along the tracks and will make stops to take photographs. From the view points we will clearly see ice blocks of different sizes continually detaching from the glacier and falling into the water, causing a tremendous sound and amazing waves, which makes this view an unforgettable sight.

Transfer back to the lodge.

After breakfast, we will start our excursion to this majestic area of the Andean Patagonia.

Tour Description

The Upsala Glacier is one of the largest in Los Glaciares National Park. To sail through the
Argentino Lake among icebergs and mountains and then visit Estancia Cristina is an interesting combination of nature, adventure, history, and pleasure. This full day program offers alternatives for those who prefer a quite day of touring and history as well as for those who look forward to activities with adventure, like trekk-ing and going on a four wheel drive. The excursions that are surrounded by the Andes mountains, glaciers and Argentino Lake leads us to get in touch with a natural, unique, remote environment, with culture and lifestyle of the pioneers and the interesting relationship of them with famous explorers of the past century.

The program includes:

Duration of 4 wheel drive: 3 hours

• Drop: 550 m.o.s.l.
• Level of demand low
• Boarding and departure at port Punta Bandera (NPC), 08.15 hrs, in our modern and comfortable boat.
• Sailing among icebergs and stunning scenery overlooking the western front of the Upsala glacier and then through Cristina Canal to the point of disembarkment at the Estancia.
• Arrival at Estancia Cristina 11:30 hs.
• Stay at the Estancia for 6 hours
• Lunch at the Estancia with a 3-course menu
• Guided visit to the Costumbrista museum (old shearing shed)
• Ascent in all-terrain vehicles, travelling 9.5 km through mountainous roads
• Arrival to the Continental ice shelter
• 30 minute walk
• Visit the oriental front of Upsala Glacier. Lake Guillermo, Southern Patagonian Ice and Andes.
• Return to the farm house of the Estancia and board at 17:30 hrs. Arrival to Puerto Banderas at 19:00 hrs approximately.

NOTE: If the maximum number of passengers is exceeded, visitors will be divided in turns
by the tour coordinator of the Estancia.

Transfer back to the lodge.

After breakfast, we will head to El Chalten (3 hours distance), located at the foot of the mythical Mount Fitz Roy, still one of the most beautiful sights and a must for travelers that visit southern Patagonia.

To arrive to El Chalten we travel about 220 km from El Calafate, we take the mythic route 40 and then the route 23 enjoying wonderful impressions of the Patagonian steppe, along the Rio La Leona surrounded by the Lakes Argentino and Viedma, Viedma Glacier, and always keeping in the view the mountain range, we arrive at this magnificent tourist village where you will enjoy a fascinating experience.

El Chalten is an ideal place to practice trekking, especially as we approach Fitz Roy (Chalten), Cerro Torre, the glaciers Torre and the lagoons Capri, Torre and De los Tres among many other, incredibly beautiful places.

.

Breakfast at the hotel, and free day to enjoy the área.

Breakfast at the hotel, free day to enjoy the área, and in the evening transfer back to El Calafate.

Breakfast at the hotel, and transfer to the airport in El Calafate at an agreed-upon time.

If trekking is of your interest, we recommend our Patagonia Hiking Tours.

If you are interested in Patagonia, we invite you to check out our other Patagonia Tours.

We invite you to see our Argentina Tours, where you can experience the true Argentine culture.