9 Days  •  8 Nights

Patagonia Adventure: Glaciers & Fitz Roy

El Calafate (3N) - El Chalten (2N) - Ushuaia (3N)

Tour Includes

Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing
Transfers
Local Guide
Activities
Overview

About the Trip

Patagonia is one of the last great wildernesses on earth, a land of colossal glaciers, jagged peaks, windswept steppe and turquoise lakes, and this nine-day adventure takes you into its wild heart. You witness the immense Perito Moreno Glacier calving into its lake, trek beneath the iconic granite spires of Mount Fitz Roy from the mountain village of El Chalten, and journey to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, at the tip of Tierra del Fuego. Along the way you hike glacier valleys, cruise past icebergs, watch for condors and guanacos, and stand at the very edge of the inhabited world. With comfortable lodges and expert guides, it is a bucket-list journey for lovers of wild landscapes and the great outdoors.
Highlights

Trip Highlights

  • The immense Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Trekking beneath the spires of Mount Fitz Roy
  • The mountain village of El Chalten
  • Ushuaia, the southernmost city on earth
  • Tierra del Fuego National Park
  • Condors, guanacos and Patagonian wildlife
Itinerary

Day by Day

A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.

Day 1

Welcome to Patagonia. You are met at El Calafate airport and transferred to your hotel, the gateway to the glaciers. Settle in and enjoy a welcome dinner of Patagonian lamb.

Your Journey This Day
El Calafate Airport
Arrival · Private
El Calafate
Meals Included
Breakfast|Dinner
Day 2

A full-day excursion to the immense Perito Moreno Glacier, walking the balconies as huge chunks of ice calve thunderously into the turquoise lake, with an optional boat cruise or mini-trek on the ice.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 3

A day to explore more of the region, an optional 'Todo Glaciares' boat cruise among towering icebergs and the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, or a visit to a Patagonian estancia.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 4

You travel north across the Patagonian steppe to El Chalten, the mountain village at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina's trekking capital, with your first views of the dramatic peaks.

Your Journey This Day
El Calafate
Road · Scenic drive
El Chalten
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 5

A full day trekking beneath the iconic granite spires of Mount Fitz Roy, hiking to the Laguna de los Tres or Laguna Capri for jaw-dropping views, through forests and glacial valleys.

Meals Included
Breakfast|Lunch
Day 6

A final morning in El Chalten before returning to El Calafate to fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, on the Beagle Channel at the tip of Tierra del Fuego.

Your Journey This Day
El Calafate
Flight · Domestic
Ushuaia
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 7

A day exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park, hiking coastal and forest trails at the end of the world, with an optional ride on the historic End of the World Train.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 8

A cruise on the Beagle Channel, passing islands of sea lions, cormorants and penguins (in season) to the iconic Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, the 'lighthouse at the end of the world'.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 9

After breakfast you are transferred to Ushuaia airport for your onward flight, having journeyed to the very end of the world.

Your Journey This Day
Ushuaia
Departure · Private
Ushuaia Airport
Meals Included
Breakfast
Route Map

Where You Will Travel

Package

What's inside the package?

Inclusions

  • 8 nights accommodation
  • Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a trekking picnic lunch
  • Airport and internal transfers
  • Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
  • Domestic flights as specified
  • National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
  • a Perito Moreno Glacier excursion, guided Fitz Roy trekking, a Tierra del Fuego tour and domestic flights

Exclusions

  • International airfare
  • Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
  • Drinks unless specifically stated
  • Optional excursions and experiences
  • Personal expenses and gratuities
  • Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Best Time to Travel

Know when to go.

Place
Argentine Patagonia
Conditions
Mild summer
Daily max temperature
19°C
Monthly rainfall
20mm
Weather data is based on monthly averages. Popularity rating
Good to Know
  • Visa & entry: Many nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
  • Currency: The currency is the Argentine Peso, whose value fluctuates; US Dollars in cash can be useful and cards are widely accepted in cities. We brief you on the current money situation, as exchange rules and rates change frequently
  • Vast distances: Argentina is the world's eighth-largest country, so itineraries rely on domestic flights between regions such as Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Patagonia and the northwest; these are arranged and included where specified
  • Seasons reversed: Argentina is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to February) is warm, ideal for Patagonia and the Lake District, while winter (June to August) suits the northwest, the wine country and city breaks
  • Patagonia weather: Patagonia is famously windy and changeable even in summer, so pack warm, waterproof layers, a hat and sturdy footwear; the best season for trekking and glaciers is roughly October to April
  • Altitude: The northwest around Salta and the high Andes reach significant altitude, so allow time to acclimatise, stay hydrated and take it easy on arrival at height
  • Getting around & tipping: Cities are walkable with taxis and rideshares; tipping around ten percent is customary in restaurants and appreciated by guides and drivers. Spanish is the language, though English is common in tourism
  • Health & power: No vaccinations are required for most travellers, though we recommend checking current advice for the subtropical north; drink bottled water outside cities. Power is 220V with type C and I plugs, so bring an adapter
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How fit do I need to be for the trekking?

A good level of fitness helps for the Fitz Roy hikes, which can be full-day walks over uneven terrain, but there are shorter and gentler options too, and the glacier and Tierra del Fuego days suit most active travellers. We tailor the trekking to you.

When is the best time for Patagonia?

The Patagonian summer, roughly October to April, is best for trekking and glaciers, with the longest days and mildest weather in December to February. Even in summer it is windy and changeable, so warm, waterproof layers are essential.

What meals are included?

Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner, a wine-country lunch or an asado barbecue. Argentina's food, especially its beef and wine, is a highlight, so most other meals are left free with our recommendations.

Are domestic flights included?

Yes — the domestic flights between regions specified in your itinerary, such as Buenos Aires to Iguazu or Patagonia, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.

Do I need a visa for Argentina?

Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.

When is the best time to visit Argentina?

It depends on the regions, summer (December to February) is best for Patagonia and the Lake District, while the northwest, wine country and Buenos Aires are lovely in spring and autumn. We advise on the best timing for your route.

How much travelling is involved?

Argentina is vast, so itineraries use domestic flights for the long hops between Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Patagonia and the northwest, with touring by comfortable vehicle within each region. Everything is arranged and built in.

Can the itinerary be customised?

Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of city, wine, falls and Patagonia, add regions like the northwest or the Lake District, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.