Penguins and Glaciers

After breakfast, we will head into the direction of Península Mitre, where we are able to feel the immensity and remoteness of this place, and to walk among the Penguins.

TOUR DESCRIPTION

We navigate the Beagle Channel (starting from Ushuaia in the morning) towards the east, with final destination Estancia Harberton.

On the way, we will pass by Birds Island (with its Imperial Cormoranes), Lobos Island (sea lions of different species), and Les Eclaireurs lighthouse.

We will continue our navigation further east, until reach Estancia Harberton. Afterwards, we will make a short navigation on board another tour boat (similar to a zodiac), and after 15 minutes we will reach Isla Martillo, where we will walk for about 1 hour among Magellan and Papúas penguins – with the assistance of an experience guide.

The experience with the penguins is amazing, they stay at the island only during summer (southern hemisphere) time, sharing their habitat with other birds (such as skuas, petreles, cormorans, vultures and south american seagulls).

Then, back at the Estancia, we will have time for lunch and for a visit to the museum.

We will return to Ushuaia overland, with a stop over on the way to see the emblematic “flag trees”.

NOTE:FOR MORE PENGUINS!

If you’d like to see more penguins and ocean Wild Life, don´t miss out Península Valdés (Argentina) or Punta Arenas (Chile).

Península Valdés is on the Atlantic Coast, half way between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia (you could make a 2-3 days stop over before heading down south to Ushuaia). Together with it´s neighbours Punta Tombo (largest penguin rookery in South America) and Puerto Madryn, this area is home to many incredible animals, such as the Southern Right Whales (Península Valdés is one of the best places in the world to see them), sea elephants, orcas, dolphins, rheas, maras, foxes, birds, étc.. Take a look at the fauna calendar and explore your options.

On the other hand, from Punta Arenas (southern Chile), you can visit Magdalena Island (a huge colony of magellan penguins), or the Parque Marino costero with a lot of different wild life. It´s also one of the gates for the navigations on the Chilean Fiords. You could visit Punta Arenas after Ushuaia, joining both destinations by the fantastic Australis Cruise Ship.

After breakfast, pick up from the lodge. We will start our day with a visit & trek in the National Park.

National Park experience: DESCRIPTION

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.

Afterwards, transfer to the airport, in order to board the flight to El Calafate (the schedule needs to be with a departure after 4 pm).

Arrival at the airport in El Calafate and transfer to the lodge. Free time and in the evening, we will enjoy an exquisite regional dinner.

Note: if you’d like to see more experiences in Ushuaia, including Cruises, you can check our “Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, and Cape Horn” section.

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

Tour Description

One of the most interesting activities to experience at the glacier is the tour that begins at Bajo de las Sombras pier, located aproximately 4 miles away from the glacier. You will cross the Rico Branch on a boat (Nautical safari), and navigate about 20 minutes in front of the glacier.

The landing is on the opposite shore and after a short walk, you will arrive to the shelter where you will re-ceive a complete explanation about glaciation and the activity of the ice trek. After this you will start a walk through the exhuberant Magellanic forest.

This Minitrekking is particularly attractive because of the close contact you will experience with the glacier. You will be able to see the glacier’s summit. There are also caves that allow you to reach the very base of the glacier, as well as small internal deep blue lagoons. The views of the glacier’s wall and the lake are magnifi-cent.

You will be able to walk on top of the glacier with our expert guides for over 2 hours.

The way back is a walk through the forest again, ending at the shelter. You will have one hour for lunch. After the Minitrekking, you will get abord your ship and return to Bajo de las Sombras’ port and to the glaci-er’s footbridges.

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.

Today, we will go on a full day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park.

Among other places, we will visit the lookout points of Lago Sarmiento, Laguna Amarga, Cascada Paine (Salto Grande), Lago Nordenskjöld, Mirador Pehoé (above the hostería), and Cascada Paine zone (again) where you can do an easy autoguided trek of about 1:30 hs return.

The pick up is usually around 07:00 hs, and we are back in Calafate around 20.00 hs – 21.00 hs. We will be around 5 hs inside the area of the National Park (approx from 11.30 hs to 16.00– 16.30 hs).

We will go in a 4×4 big comfortable truck, with a shorter driving time than other alternatives, as it takes (in part) the old route number 40.

After breakfast, we will head to El Chalten, 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 plac-es.

Our menu of activities will allow all kinds of passengers to enjoy this fascinating place, regardless of their previous experience or age. The treks may be done independently using the autoguided paths or with our guides.

Overnight in El Chaltén, and return to Calafate on the next day.

Today, we will navigate across the northern side of Lake Argentino, until reach the Upsala Channel, where we will see a spectacular ice-barrier. From there we will have a panoramic view of the Glacier Upsala.

We will also navigate on the Spegazzini Chanel, where we will be able to see the Glacier Seco, and then
the Glacier Spegazzini, which is the highest in the National Park (it’s impressive).

The pick up time is around 07-07.30, then transfer to Bandera Port, and beginning of our navigation at approximately 0830 am. We will be back at the Port in the afternoon (around 2.30 pm). Transfer to
the hotel and arrival around 3.30 pm.

Transfer to the airport in order to catch your flight (this is compatible with flights after 6 pm).