Description
Day 1:
El Calafate: Reception and transfer to hotel. Accommodation. Free time to explore the El Calafate Town, the shores of Nimes Lagoon.
Day 2:
Full Day Excursion to Los Glaciares National Park and the Balconies of Perito Moreno Glacier: This is one of Patagonia’s most extraordinary excursions. Some moments etch themselves into memory, and seeing the grandeur of the Perito Moreno Glacier is undoubtedly one of those life-defining experiences.
The departure from the hotel is due at 8 am. You will start the way bordering Bahía Redonda of the Argentino lake, from where you’ll observe the Solitaria Island. After a short while you’ll be touring around the steppe, in which you will get to visit several interesting locations such as: Comisión or De Los Elefantes hill, the Centinela river, Frías hill; some Patagonian estancias, ‘Alice’, among the famous ones.
Once you crossed the Mitre river, you will enter the Glaciers National Park. Thence a 35 km passage begins, it goes through the coasts of Rico branch of the Argentino Lake found in the middle of abundant vegetation. You will find this passage in the middle of the forest amazing. There are many immense tree specimens such as ñires, lengas, notros and sour cherry trees. The famous Curva de los Suspiros, along the road, will show you the first panoramic view of the Perito Moreno Glacier, thus making it a must stop (in order to take photographs). A short while after, you will reach the viewpoint of the glacier and there will be a new chance of getting amazing shots of the landscape with your camera.
Towards the end of the tour, you will come across the footbridges which are very close to the ice wall. There will be enough time for you to enjoy the spectacle of the glacier, and you will also get to witness the famous ice detachment phenomena, hear the hollow sounds of ice falling and thus becoming smaller floating glaciers.
The approximate time you will spend in the footbridges is two hours.
Note:
Even though the visit to the footbridges is unrestricted, it is important to point out that a big part of the bridges have steps, so people with reduced mobility can tour through the balconies and the parts with ramps, but not the whole structure of the footbridges.
The departure may vary from 8 am in summer, to 10 am in winter and depending on climate conditions. The return is due approximately at 5 pm. Lunch is not included. Near the footbridges area there is a small bar where you can buy a light snack, and there is also a restaurant offering more complete menus. You could also ask us for the inclusion of a boxed lunch at a small charge.
It allows you to observe, from a completely different perspective, the stunning walls of the glacier and the permanent detachments of blocks of ice, which later become icebergs and float by, very close to the boat, tingeing the reflexes of the channels and lakes with that peculiar blue color they have had since immemorial times.
The craft, which offers room for up to 70 people, takes a prudential position, close enough to the wall as to be able to cover its whole extension.
Duration: 1 hour.
Day 3:
In the morning departure to port to embark on the outstanding full day Gourmet Glaciers Experience: This fabulous excursion consists of a full day aboard the María Turquesa Cruise. Two pleasures are combined: to sail between glaciers and to enjoy excellent cuisine in the same navigation with incredible views.
The departure starts early in the morning from your hotel where we pick you up to take you to Punta Bandera where at 09:00 hs. you embark on the Private Port La Soledad. This tour of the majestic Lake Argentino allows you to "live" unique landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park, from another perspective, almost in contact with the glaciers. Crossing the Escuadra Bay and the Wall of Condoreras, the first two glaciers found on the slopes and mountain tops appear and this feature is called "hanging": Seco Glacier and Heim Glacier. Then, we continue through the Argentino lake heading south so as to take the Canal Spegazzini to reach the glacier of the same name. The navigation allows a striking approach to this glacier that has front walls between 80 and 135 meters above the level of the lake. We later continue to Puesto de Las Vacas - an extremely calm bay in the Spegazzini Canal, where the Captain silences the engines to allow passengers to share an interesting walk coordinated by our team of guides.
Later, the ship will stop in front of the barrier of icebergs that prevents the entrance to the Upsala Channel, and if the weather conditions allow, we admire the Upsala and Bertacchi glaciers in the distance. Lunch time with unforgettable panoramas (Gourmet lunchbox with non-alcoholic beverages included). Then we navigate through Los Témpanos Channel towards the north wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier where the boat also stops to watch and listen to the constant detachments of huge blocks of ice.
Return to Port is set to 6PM, from where we take you back to your hotel.
NOTE: When booking you can request access to the Premium sector of the María Turquesa Cruise (capacity only 20 passengers max.), which includes full lunch with alcoholic beverages plus cafeteria services without cost during the entire navigation. Ask us for this option.
Day 4:
Breakfast and transfer to the airport to fly to Bariloche. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Lodging.
Day 5:
After breakfast, departure to San Martín de los Andes by Seven Lakes: This is a full-day excursion that covers the national parks Nahuel Huapí and Lanín.
You will leave Bariloche early in the morning, on a tour bus that will go skirting Lake Nahuel Huapí, first in the eastbound direction, up to the source ofthe Limay river, and later bordering the north margin, until reaching Villa La Angostura. You will make a short stop in this typical mountain town.
This first part of the excursion is made along a winding road, sometimes close to the lake shore and sometimes through the woods. You can get excellent views of Lake Nahuel Huapí and Bariloche city, situated at the opposite shore.
From Villa La Angostura you will begin the road of the seven lakes proper. You will visit Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Escondido, Machonico, and Lácar lakes. On one of the extremes of the latter, the city of San Martín de Los Andes is located.
You will enjoy a gorgeous landscape during the trip that will give you the impression of being inside a postcard all the time. Make sure to keep your camera at hand for you to get these beautiful images.
You will have time for lunch in San Martín de los Andes where you may opt for one of the many restaurants or just a walk along the lake shore and a simple lunch in a park.
You will return by a different route, through Paso Córdoba, skirting Lake Melinquina. You will observe the forestation is not as lush as before, but the landscape is equally breathtaking. You will border and cross the rivers Filo Hua Hum and Caleufú. This route ends at Confluencia place, where the rivers Limay and Traful join, and where there is a group of curious rock formations that have been called Valle Encantado (Enchanted Valley).
The arrival in Bariloche is scheduled for 8 pm.
Note:
This excursion is suitable for all ages.
No special equipment is needed.
The total distance covered is 400 km.
Lunch is not included.
Day 6:
After breakfast today we will navigate Lake Nahuel Huapi in the beautiful Excursion Victoria Island and Bosque de Arrayanes: The excursion begins in Puerto Pañuelo, located 25 km from the center of the city, in Llao-Llao, getting there with the transportation service of the tour. After 30 minutes of sailing you get to Puerto Anchorena, located in the central and narrowest area of Victoria Island and service center of it. There are different options of free or guided hikes on marked trails, among which are: Sendero Ex Vivero Nacional, Sendero de Interpretacion “Antonio Pargade”, Puerto Gross and old town, cave paintings and Playa del Toro, Cerro Bella Vista Balcony , among others. Every corner of the island, with its beautiful scenerys, rich history and striking natural environment make this trip an experience to fully enjoy. The tour continues sailing to Quetrihué Peninsula, where the other great attraction of the ride is located, the Los Arrayanes National Park. There, walking a decking path, magnificent specimens of the species can be seen, which form a dense forest with unique features: wide stem, with showy cinnamon-coloured bark with white spots and heights exceeding 15 meters, giving this place a magical appearance.
Note:
This excursion implies no difficulty; therefore, people of all ages can enjoy it. You can hike the Bosque de Arrayanes at your own pace.
The ascent to the hill and hiking Victoria Island are optional. There is a bar and a service center where you can rest.
The times of departure and return vary according to the season of the year, as they adjust to the length of the day light. However, the usualtime is from 9am to 6 pm for the full-day excursion, and from 12.30 pm to 7.30 pm for the half-day option.
Day 7:
After breakfast it is time to say farewell to Bariloche taking the charming Small circuit: This is a half-day excursion that allows an exquisite panoramic view of the region of the lakes and the Andes around Bariloche. The total distance covered is 65 km, mostly skirting Lake Nahuel Huapí.
You depart from Bariloche in a westbound direction, along the Costanera avenue. In this winding ride you will have a sequence of views, starting with Huemul Island, then Campanario Hill, Llao Llao Peninsula and the spectacular hotel that bears the same name, the beautiful San Eduardo Chapel, and other equally breathtaking spots.
At Campanario Hill there is an optional lift chair ride to the summit. The panoramic view is one of the most impressive ones of the region.
After passing bythe Llao Llao Peninsula, you will cross a bridge that joins the lakes Nahuel Huapí and Moreno. You will skirt the latter one for some time, up to the bridge that connects it with El Trébol lagoon.
Finally, you go around this lagoon and start your return to Bariloche.
Note:
This excursion lasts about three hours, and is available both in the morning and the afternoon.
No special equipment is needed, just any device to store images of this incredible beauty.
Afterwards, transfer to the Bariloche airport. End of our services.
