- Our excursion consists of a 5 hour navigation through the North Arm of Lake Argentino, visiting the most important glaciers in the area. During the tour you can see the Upsala, Spegazzini, Seco Heim and Pineta Glaciers, as well as large icebergs that come off the front of the Upsala glacier.
The boat departs from the Port of Punta Bandera, 50 km from El Calafate. The boarding time is at 08:30 hs, the departure is at 9 and the return to the port is at approximately 14 hs.
Captains Club Service (with VIP Supplement)
Preferred Location
Host
Bilingual guide (Spanish / English)
Open bar
4-course menu (breakfast, aperitif, main and toast)
Departures all year round. Check the days of operation, depending on the season.
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DAZZLER PUERTO MADRYN
Located in the downtown Puerto Madryn. It has 95 rooms, breakfast room and bar. Guests can enjoy the spa, gym, sauna, Scottish showers, massage rooms and a beautiful solarium overlooking the gulf. Queen or twin size beds, LCD 32″ with Cable TV, Reading armchair, Office desk and chair, Minibar, Telephone in the room, Electronic safe, Magnetic card door-lock, Soundproof windows, Air conditioning and heating, Bathroom with hairdryer, City view, Dental and shaving kits (additional fee). General services: Check in 03:00 PM / Check out 10:00 AM. Cribs (upon request). Fitness Center. Room Service. Dry sauna. Solarium. Whirlpool bath. Spa. Central heating and air conditioning. Light and airy breakfast room. Elevator with signs in Braille. Wake-up service. Concierge Service. Bell Boy. Business Center. Baggage Storage. Free Wi FiB. uffet Breakfast. Additional cost services: Laundry and dry cleaning with express service. In-room massage and beauty treatments (surcharge, previous reservation required). Restaurant & Bar. Car Rental (previous reservation required). Bar. Courier – Faxes/Photocopies. In / Out transfers. 24-hour parking ( Subject to Availability)
Full day a Arraial do Cabo.( Duración 10hs)
With its 35 kilometres of pristine beaches and abundant sea life, they make this place a paradise for those visitors who, in addition to the beach, are looking for activities such as snorkeling and diving. Considered “Paradise of the Atlantic”, as the locals call it, it gathers some of the most beautiful landscapes of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Dunes, beaches, lagoons and a paradisiacal coast with the atmosphere of a city of the interior guarantee to the visitor a compulsory walk taking advantage of its proximity with Rio. The visit includes a boat trip for the beaches of Arraial, emphasizing in the Beach of the Forno and The Playa do Foguete. Return to Rio late afternoon.
FULL DAY PAINE C/ BOX LUNCH (DÍA ENTERO)
Departures: from October till March
Crossing the Patagonian Steppe from North to South, we arrive at the border pass of Cancha Carrera (2,2 hours travel), from where we start visiting the beautiful South of Chile until we get into Torres del Paine National Park (“Azules” according to the Tehuelche language, which refers to its predominant colour)
From the moment you get to the Park, we offer trekkings and rides in our vechicles. Among the possible centres of attraction and lookouts than can be visited, we can find:
- Sarmiento de Gamboa Lake (lookout)
- Laguna Azul – Panoramic view from Las Torres – trekking to Sierra Masle: optional 1 hour and a half.
- Paine River waterfalls (descent to the river 30 minutes)
- Almirante Nieto Hill / Cuernos del Paine – lookout from the top
- Portería Laguna Amarga – optional trekking along the fauna trail to Sarmiento Porter´s lodge, 1 and a half hours
- Nordenskjold Lake – Lookout
- Salto Grande – Lookout
- Cuernos del Paine Nordenskjold Lake lookout (2 hours´trekking)
- Pehoe Lake – optional trekking to Laguna Cóndor (pond) – lookout from the top to the whole Paine Chaine)
- National Park Information/ Interpretation Centre – explanation of the geological phenomenon – fauna – flora – glaciation
At midday we offer you a picnic in the mountain as well as a snack including tea or coffee. We return to Calafate 5 pm – arrival 8.40 pm approx.
Important: take into account that this is not a pleasure activity but an adventure excursion with the purpose of getting to know the mountainous region of Torres del Paine National Park and its surrounding areas. We will travel 700 km in al -rubbly roads, mostly. It takes 3 and a half hours one way 3 and a half hours back- Customs takes additional time. The estimated time touring inside the Park is 6 hours.
Full Day a Petropolis. ( Duración: 8hs )
Only one hour from Rio de Janeiro in the mountainous region is Petropolis, rich in tourist attractions. A simple walk through the streets of the city means transporting in time and reliving historical moments. The mild climate of the region, its tree-lined streets full of edicides of the imperial era, its privileged location, surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and small rivers, scenery that guarantees the visitor a pleasant visit. The tour includes the Summer Palace of Don Pedro 11, now transformed into the Imperial Museum which was the emperor’s favorite residence, where he spent the best moments of his life. Its construction in neoclassical style was initiated in 1845 by determination of the monarch. The lobby floor, in carrara marble and black marble of Belgium, were placed in 1854. The details are highlighted in jacaranda, cedar and pink wood from the various provinces of the empire. The mortal remains of the imperial family are found in the Cathedral built in Gothic style. The visit includes the Crystal Palace, built in France and assembled in Brazil, a venue for the great celebrations promoted by Princess Isabel.
FULL DAY CHALTEN (DÍA ENTERO)
Available from October till April – Please check departure days
The excursion begins at 7.30 hs from El Calafate. We take the mythic Route 40, that goes along the Argentino Lake up to La Leona river. We will pass by the canyon with the same name “Cañadón La Leona” and after 1.15 h ride we will arrive to the ancient route hotel “La Leona”, almost a museum of the Route 40, where you can have coffee and cakes.
Our trip continues along the Lake Viedma, from where we will have magical views of glaciers, hidden lakes and the overpowering presence of the Mount Fitz Roy. We will make some photo stops at the viewpoint of the Viedma Glacier and Lake and after a 3 h ride we will arrive to this andean village called “The Capital of the Trekking”. As soon as we arrive at El Chalten we make another stop at the National Park Interpretation Centre.
Once at Chalten, the activities will continue according to the option booked:
OPTION 1 – FREE TREKKING: Live your own adventure. Well marked trails that lead to the most beautiful viewpoints of the Mt Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre (Laguna Capri, Mirador Torre and also Laguna de los Tres) Packed lunch included. Technical dificulty: moderate. Walking time: 3 to 6 hours.
OPTION 2 – CHALTEN ADVENTURE: After visiting the interpretation centre we will continue upto Río Blanco (Hostería El Pilar) from where we will begin the one-way guided trek, passing by Piedras Blancas Glacier, Camp. Base Poincenot. At 15 hs we will arrive at where we will have our lunch at the Domes of the camp with views to the Mount Fitz Roy. At 16 hs we will continue our way down to Chalten where we will arrive at 17:30 hs. Technical difficulty: Moderate/exigent.
OPTION 3 – LAGO DEL DESIERTO: you can combine a one-hour trek with a 4×4 trip across “Cañadon del Rio de las Vueltas”, located 37 km up to the North. From this place, we will visit “Salto (little fall) del Chorillo”, “Saltos del Rio de las Vueltas” and “Lago del Desierto”. Trekking to the “Lake and Glacier Huemul”. Technical dificulty: moderate. Box lunch included.
Los tulipanes
We have double, triple, quadruple & quintuple apartments with private bathroom & breakfast included. All apartments (except Suite apt) have: kitchenette – microwave oven – minibar – safety box (a deposit will be requested on check-in and given back on check-out, when returning the key), private bathrooms (with bathtub) – TV – Ventilator – Heating – Telephone – Wi-fi. We also offer: 24h00 assistance, Maid service, Laundry (with supplement), Computer with internet, Swimming Pool (during summer), Quincho (with supplement), open air parking lot (subject to arrivals). Location: 14 blocks from downtown and 3 blocks from the shore.
A Day in Rio ( Full Day Tour )
The Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf
From anywhere in the city, visitors can see the most beautiful postcard of Rio de Janeiro: The Christ Redeemer on the Corcovado Mountain. This statue, located at 710 meters above sea level, was inaugurated in 1931 and since then is one of the most visited tourist spots in the city. The ride begins in the neighborhood of Cosme Velho where you will take the famous Corcovado Train or Vans of Tourism which tour the Forest of Tijuca with wonderful panoramic views of the largest urban forest in the world. A truly enchanting walk that combines urbanism and its exuberant nature. From the feet of the Christ the visitor will discover the best panoramic views of the city of Rio, including Guanabara Bay, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema in others and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Once the visit to the Christ is finished, the Corcovado will be lowered in the Train or in the Vans until the same place of embarkation.
Continue to the Sugar Loaf with City Tour. This tour starts with a tour of the city center of Rio de Janeiro, with a highlight for the Sambodromo, where the parades of the samba schools take place during the most famous carnival in the world, the Metropolitan Cathedral in the shape of a pyramid With an internal diameter of 96 meters and a height of 80 meters, and the traditional Cinelandia with the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the Assembly building. After touring the center, the tour continues through the neighborhood of Flamengo in the direction of Urca, where the other symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro is located: El Pan de Azucar, which in Guarani means “high mountain, Tip and isolated “. It was at the foot of this hill that the city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by Estadio de Sá in 1565.
The visit to the Sugar Loaf was made in two stages by a cable car, the famous “Bondinho”, suspended by steel cables. The first stage connects the Playa Vermelha to the Morro de Urca located at 215 meters high and from where you can see Guanabara Bay and its islands, Flamengo Beach, Morro del Corcovado and the bridge that connects Rio to Niteroi. From the Morro de Urca begins the second part of the ascent to the Sugar Loaf at 395 meters high where you can see a unique view of Copacabana Beach and Santa Cruz Fortress and some beaches of Niteroi. After staying on the balconies of the Sugar Loaf you will proceed to the descent using the same cable. At the foot of the hill will be waiting for your transport to take you back to the hotel. End of the walk.
The tour may or may not include lunch
SAFARI EXPERIENCE
Departures: November till April
Plunge yourself into the life of Patagonian ranch houses. Feel part of the landscape and its history for a few hours. Enjoy clean air enticing all your senses. Either by interpretation of traces or sighting you will discover the delicate balance of the steppe ecosystem changing as altitude gets higher.
Excellent chances of guanaco, condor and fox watching, among other examples of the indigenous fauna. The glaciers area has a lot to show and discover. 80 million years of history covered in a safari in a four wheel drive vehicle. The color of the earth shows the evolution of life and the changes of the land. Marine fossils are the witness of the landscape that used to be under water. Earth is telling its own story.
Native people from 10,000 years ago, the first settlers, pioneers, ranchers and the current flora and fauna are part of the tour in the “Estancia 25 de Mayo” Natural Reserve. Unique geological and paleontological areas have been discovered here. One of the most important crab fossils deposits in the world are found in this natural reserve, as well as an oyster reef and formations containing remains of mammal fossils approximately 15 million years old.
A safari for multiple purposes. A learning experience that will give a new meaning to your trip around Patagonia.
Visiting the origin to understand the present: more than exploring, discovering.
Program – Duration: 5 hours.
- “Estancia 25 de Mayo” Natural Reserve entrance fee.
- Panoramic stop to interpret the flora.
- Indigenous fauna watching.
- Exploration to discover marine fossils.
- Lunch or dinner in “La Sección” and return to El Calafate.
Validity: November 1 to April 30.
Shared tours guaranteed. No minimum of passengers required.
Maximum amount of passengers: 18 in a shared tour.
Transportation is made in a Land Rover (6 people per vehicle.)
NATIVO EXPERIENCE – LAGOS Y CAVERNAS
Departures: Mayo till end of October
The Lake Argentino is the third biggest lake in South America. Surrounded by mountains and nourished by giant glaciers, this lake astonishes locals and foreigners for its immensity and special color. It was precisely its light blue color, the mountains covered in white and a light-blue sky that inspired Francisco P. Moreno to name it “Argentino.”
Other expeditionaries had arrived before, and many others didn’t make it when they tried to go up the Santa Cruz river. That was the case of Darwin and Fitz Roy, who abandoned the odyssey due to the endless length of the landscape and the fearful watch of the natives.
Nativo Experience- Lakes & Caves is a half day excursion in a four wheel drive vehicle along the shore of the Lake Argentino. This is an ideal excursion for your first or last day. It has an anthropological approach, doing a tour that will take you through time and show you the passage of men in these lands, rediscovering stories of the first expeditions and of those who dared to venture into the unknown.
Among cliffs and with a great view to the Andes, the excursion is mainly focused on the first contact of the expeditionaries with the natives, and then enters the Tehuelche world. On the shore of the lake you may see the caves where this cultures left their mark on the rocks thousands of years ago, which now allow us to interpret them.
The excursion ends in another cave with either lunch or dinner, which will transport us to that time.
PROGRAM. DURATION: 3 HOURS
DAILY TOURS 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Pick-up from the hotels starts at 11 a.m. and at 6 p.m.
First stop: On the shore of the Lake Argentino. Interpretation of the flora and the landscape.
Glaciology and geology explanation.
Second stop: Punta Bonita Cliffs: Panoramic views of the lake and the Andes.
Third stop: Archaeological area. Cave art.
Lunch or dinner in the cave. Return to El Calafate.
MENU
Starter Home-made soup.
Main course Lamb stew with vegetables.
Optional for vegetarians: Wok of rice and vegetables.
Dessert Chocolate mousse with almond praline.
Wine, water and terma Patagonic beverage (bitter herbal beverage.)
PRIVATE SERVICES
Private vehicle:
Payment rate is equivalent to 6 seats.
(Sharing lunch or dinner with the regular group.)
Completely private: Payment rate is equivalent to 18 seats.
Included services:
Pick-up from the hotels in El Calafate. Lunch or dinner.
Entrance to the archaeologist area.
English or Spanish speaking guide driver.
PERIOD OF VALIDITY:
May 1 to October 31.
Shared tours guaranteed. No minimum of passengers required.
Maximum amount of passengers: 18 in a shared tour.
Transportation is made in a Land Rover (6 people per vehicle.)
All rates are subject to change. In case of changing, the confirmed reservations will be respected.
The complete tour is 20 kilometers.
Walking distance between the vehicle and the caves is 200 meters and the level of difficulty is low.
Recommendations: Please consider that both lunch and dinner are served in a cave. Although the cave has been prepared for tourism and protected from rain, it may be cold. We recommend that you bring warm clothes, gloves and a hat.
