Patagonian Footsteps

Leaving Puerto Madryn to visit Valdés Peninsula with its sea lions, elephant seals, penguins, dolphins and whales, we begin our tour of Eastern Patagonia. Indigenous birds, guanacos, and Darwin's rheas will accompany us as we go. On our way to Comodoro Rivadavia, the city which lives at the fast pace of the oil industry, we will be able to appreciate fossils and archeological remains.

We pass through the towns of Caleta Olivia, Pico Truncado and Las Heras as we make for ‘La Cueva de Los Manos' (The Cave of Hands), an archeological site of spectacular cave paintings more than 9000years old. In the midst of the guanaco and rhea you are taken by surprise at the depth of the Río Pinturas canyon, which conceals this most amazing local example of cave art on its walls and in its caves.

The Perito Moreno National Park will then treat us to its beautiful Lenga (deciduous beech) forests and two different lake systems, whose waters end up in different oceans, and in which you can find glaciers, waterfalls and fossil remains. Our stay in El Chaltén, the national trekking capital, is marked by hidden lakes, ranches, glaciers and the imposing presence of the mountains Fitzroy and Torre.

At the city of El Calafate we will sail from Puerto Banderas, on Lago Argentino, to observe the Speggazzini, Onelli, and Upsala glaciers, and relish the unique experience of trekking on the majestic Perito Moreno glacier.

From here it is possible to join up with one of our optional extension tours: ‘Tierras del Fuego Tour' or ‘Torres del Paine National Park'

Puerto Madryn-Peninsula Valdez-Comodoro Rivadavia-Bajo Caracoles-Hands Cave-El Chalten-Cerro Torre-El Calafate-Torre del Paine

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 01: Puerto Madryn

Arrival time, you will be transferred to the campsite. Briefing and presentation of the trip. Setting up of camp and welcome dinner.

Day 2: Península Valdés

Breakfast. Free day. Optional activity: tour of Peninsula Valdés, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998. and excursion to watch the rich variety of marine fauna to be found here (elephant seals, penguins, dolphins, whales). Return to campsite and dinner.

Day 3: Península Valdés - Comodoro Rivadavia

After breakfast we move on to the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, 450 km away. Box Lunch. Setting up of camp and dinner.

Day 4: From Comodoro Rivadavia to Bajo Caracoles

After breakfast we leave for Santa Cruz province, where we find an unusual landscape: Patagonian desert sprinkled with oil extraction pumps working in continuous circular motion. We pass through the towns of Caleta Olivia, Pico Truncado and Las Heras, and finally reach the Ranch Cueva de las Manos, close to Bajo Caracoles, where we stay the night. Lunch and dinner included.

Day 5: Cueva de las Manos

Breakfast at the ranch. Optional activity: excursion to Cueva de las Manos. Here we can marvel at the 9000 year old cave paintings. Amongst the guanaco and ñandu you are taken by surprise at the depth of the Río Pinturas canyon, which conceals on its walls and in its caves the most amazing local example of cave art. You are free for dinner at the ranch.

Day 6: From Estancia Cueva de las Manos to El Chaltén
After breakfast we leave for El Chaltén, the National Trekking Capital. At this spot we experience a magical combination of spectacular glaciers, hidden lakes, ranches, Lago Viedma and the imposing presence of Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. We will camp. Lunch and dinner included.

Day 7 & Cerro Torre

Breakfast. Optional activity: excursion to Torre Glacier, led by mountain guides who will instruct us in the use of crampons, indispensable for this activity. We will spend another night in our camp.Dinner at campsite.

Day 8: Cerro Fitz Roy

Breakfast. Optional excursion: Cerro Fitz Roy (known as Chaltén by the indigenous people) where you will be able to appreciate one of the best views of this impressive mountain peak from the Poincenot base camp. Packed lunch. In the afternoon transfer to El Calafate. Lodging at hostel. You are free for dinner.

Day 9: To Upsala Glacier

Breakfast and optional activity: set off for Puerto Banderas, from where you will begin one of the most complete lake excursions, and enjoy great views of large glaciers like Speghazzini, Onelli and the magnificent Upsala. In the afternoon we return to our lodgings in Calafate. Free for dinner.

Day 10: Perito Moreno Glacier

Breakfast. In the morning we will sail on Lago Argentino towards the Perito Moreno Glacier, in order to relish the experience of walking on the ice. Packed lunch and dinner included.

Day 11 & From El Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park
We leave El Calafate after breakfast and head for Cancha Carrera, where we cross the border, and carry on till we get to Torres del Paine National Park. We go in by Guardería Sarmiento, the Lago Nordenskjöld Panoramic Viewpoint and Cuernos del Paine, arriving finally at Lago Pehoé. We will camp for the night. Lunch and dinner included.

Day 12: Lake Nordenskjold

After breakfast we go to El Salto Grande of Rio Paine, and from there we take a 45 minute walk which takes us to the Lago Nordenskjöld Viewpoint. From here there is a great view of Los Cuernos del Paine and Valle del Francés. We then return to the camp. Lunch and dinner included.

Day 13: Cerro Ferrier View Point & Lake Grey and El Calafate

After breakfast we make our way to Lago Grey and from there go on a 45 minute walk along the coast, where we find ice floes piled up which have broken off the glacier. We go up to the Cerro Ferrier Viewpoint from where we get an excellent panoramic view.
After lunch we return to El Calafate. Transfer out.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Hotel (06 nights), Camping (02 nights)