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.

4X4 BALCONES DE CALAFATE (MEDIO DÍA)

Route: 15 Km. Duration 03 hours. We leave from the hotels in El Calafate to complete a route of approximately 35 kilometers on the line of hills behind the village. The footprint leads us through landscapes of steppe, reaching heights up to 1050 meters above sea level, where we marvel at the variety in tall vegetation. Our first stop is in a natural lookout where passengers enjoy a panoramic view of El Calafate and the central body of Lake Argentino. The tour will offer views of the Andes Mountains and the glacier accumulation zone, towards the Boca del Diablo (narrowest part of the lake, towards the Upsala arm) and if it is clear we will see the Fitz Roy and Torre mountains in El Chaltén and we can contemplate the flight of the Condors. Continuing our ascent we arrive until the Labyrinth of Stones. This is a formation of the Cretaceous period dating back to 85 million years old, once river bed where today we can find fossil remains that refer us to that past. From there we start the descent down the north slope of the hill and we arrive at the Stone of the Hats, curious concretions of iron that only are in 4 places around the world. We return to El Calafate descending without losing sight of the imposing Lake Argentino.

WINTER OPERATION (JULY AND AUGUST):
DEPARTURES: Every day except Tuesdays

DESCRIPTIVE: The excursion allows clients to ascend Cerro Huyliche where they can enjoy wonderful views of El Calafate and El Lago Argentino. Once there in La Confiteria, customers will be able to hire some of the winter activities (snowmobile, tubing, rackets, etc.)

OPTIONS:
OPTION FULL DAY:
Departure from Calafate 10 AM (pick up by hotels 15 minutes before) and return 5.30 PM. Time to enjoy the snow in the Activity Center: 5 hours. Includes snack and lunch.

HALF DAY OPTION:
Exit 1: Departure from Calafate 10 AM (pick up for hotels 15 minutes before) and return 1.30 PM. Time to enjoy the snow at the Activities Center: 1 hour. Snack included

Departure 2: Departure from El Calafate 2 PM (pick up by the hotels 15 minutes before) and return 5.30 PM. Time to enjoy the snow at the Activities Center: 1 hour. Snack included

UPSALA KAYAK EXPERIENCE

Available from November till April – Please check departure days

The Upsala Glacier is one of the most important in the National Park and the second largest in Argentina. With a surface of approximately 850 km2 and the high of its front of 60meters over the level of the lake. Its main front was previously visited by sailing the Upsala channel and had been unseen for several years because of huge lumps of icebergs impeding it. This glacier is famous worldwide due to the amount of ice bergs that break away and float as large ice rafts in the Argentine Lake gathering together side by side.

The Upsala Kayak Experience program is done totally in the Upsala cannel of the Argentine lake and allows sailing in double touring kayaks with the possibility to view giant icebergs, always following safety protocols. With professional guides and small groups of passengers, a two hour guided excursion, with slow paddling and adapted to the levels of each group and weather conditions. You will also be able to see flora and fauna of the area (condors, eagles, wild cows, and lenga and ñire trees) as well as passing closely to many cliffs and mountains.

CERRO FRÍAS (MEDIO DÍA)

Open almost all year long – check available activities according to season

The “Estancia Alice” (ranch) is located 25 kms West of El Calafate, and close to a vast nature reserve in the mountains, near to the National Park Los Glaciares. Our trips are a great opportunity to discover the region. This area is considered a unique part of Patagonia. The dense glacial colour of the Argentino Lake offers stunning vistas of the circling mountains. Majestic landscapes await you on the Cerro Frias trip.

The Frias Mount, 1095 mt high, is located in the middle of a valley, offering unique views of the Argentino Lake and Andes Mountains. The hills of the National Park Los Glaciares with panoramic views is breathtaking. Also potencial wildlife viewing.

All our trips depart from your hotel in El Calafate. After a short trip by the same route to Perito Moreno Glacier, you’ll arrive to the gate of the Estancia Alice. Fantastic scenery surrounds as you climb up Cerro Frias.

In the Estancia we offer 4 guided activities (4×4 -Trekking – Zip Line – Horseback riding) at the same time, by differents trails, allowing to the groups to do differents activities and join them to eat together, at the end of each activity.

Departing in the morning gives you the possibility of enjoying a typical barbecue accompanied by vegetables grilled in oven baked goods. On the other hand people who take the afternoon excursion will find inside the quincho of the Alice estancia a place where they can relax and enjoy the snack bar service (not included) before coming back to El Calafate.

Restrictions: This excursion is suitable only for 6 to 60 year-old people. It is not recommendable for overweighed persons. Pregnant women, people with heart illnesses, coordination and motricity problems or other kind of medical issues will not be allowed to take this excursion.

BIG ICE (DÍA ENTERO)

Journey to the center of the Glacier

Departures: from October till April

The excursion begins in the embarking pier located in “Bajo de las Sombras” port, about 6 km before the glacier Balconies- where you embark for a 10 minutes navigation across the Rico Arm, enjoying breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno glacier’s front walls.

After checking the gear, we get ready, pick up the crampons and walk following the lateral moraine, for an hour and a half, until we reach the access to the glacier. After fitting harnesses and crampons on our footwear we start the ice trekking.

There is a breathtaking view of the immense plateau of ice.

During the walk you will be introduced to a number of features within the ice., huge moulins, crevasses, caves, and above all the special feeling of exploring the middle of the ice.

Expert bilingual mountain guides will always lead you, looking after your safety and teaching you the “ways of the ice”.

You will hike for about 3 hours and a half, and spend some time having lunch somewhere on the ice.

Back on the moraine we start our descent back to the port, to take the boat and navigate for 20 minutes, very close to the southern wall.

We are glad to be able to offer one of the most spectacular Ice-hikes in the world.

Important notes: This walk is aimed at fit people between 18 and 50 years of age. There are 7 hours of walking through diverse terrains.

What to bring:
Sunglasses, sun screen, gloves, hat, raincoat jacket, hiking boots, backpack (40lts), food and water bottle.

OBS.: Not included: National Park entrance fee, lunch, clothes and personal stuff.

ESTANCIA 25 DE MAYO

Open: October till April

Estancia 25 de Mayo has 17,000 hectares of countryside, and its old hull is located just steps from the center of El Calafate, an ideal place where you can rest and enjoy the scenery at the foot of Cerro Calafate, breathing the purest Patagonian air. A proposal to discover the rural side of the destination, in one of its great pioneer stays.
OPTIONS

MORNING PROGRAMME WITH LUNCH:

• Reception: welcome with mate, fried cakes and coffee.
• Herding sheep with dogs and shearing demonstration.
• Visit to the Old Shed of Esquila.
• Hiking trail “Arroyo Calafate”. Interpretation of flora.
• Hot wine in Mirador del Arroyo with tasting of lamb confit.
• Tour of the organic garden and first buildings of the estancia. Local weavers show us the process of spinning and knitting.
• Projection of video of recognition to the pioneer families.
• Lunch at “El Quincho” Restaurant:
Entry: Picking of aubergines and creole empanadas.
Main: Lamb stew.
Dessert of the house.
PICK UP: 9:30 AM
DROP OFF: 14 HS

AFTERNOON PROGRAMME WITH DINNER SHOW:

• Reception: welcome with mate, fried cakes and coffee.
• Herding sheep with dogs and shearing demonstration.
• Visit to the Ancient Shed of Esquila + Hiking by footpath
“Arroyo Calafate” with interpretation of flora. Hot wine in Mirador del Arroyo with tasting of lamb confit.
• Tour of the organic garden and first buildings of the estancia. Local weavers show us the process of spinning and knitting.
• Projection of video of recognition to the pioneer families.
• Folkloric show of local artists (tour of the typical dances of the country).
• Dinner at “El Quincho” Restaurant:
Entry: Picking of aubergines and Creole empanadas.
Main: Grilled lamb to the grill, red meat mix and vegetable garden salads.
Dessert of the house.

PICK UP: 17:30 HS
DROP OFF: 23 HS

AFTERNOON PROGRAMME WITHOUT DINNER:

• Reception: welcome with mate, fried cakes and coffee.
• Herding sheep with dogs and shearing demonstration.
• Visit to the Old Shed of Esquila.
• Hiking trail “Arroyo Calafate”. Interpretation of flora
• Hot wine in Mirador del Arroyo with tasting of lamb confit.
• Tour of the organic garden and first buildings of the estancia. Local weavers show us the process of spinning and knitting.

PICK UP: 17:30 HS
DROP OFF: 21 HS

DINNER & SHOW:

• Arrival at the “El Quincho” Restaurant of the 25 de Mayo Estate.
• Projection of video of recognition to the pioneer families.
• Folkloric show of local artists (tour of the typical dances of the country).
• Dinner at “El Quincho” Restaurant:
Entry: Picking of aubergines and creole empanadas.
Main: Grilled lamb to the grill, red meat mix and
Salads from the garden.
Dessert of the house.

EL CHALTEN ADVENTURE – VIEDMA LIGHT

A perfect opportunity to visit El Chaltén in one day and enjoy the unique, exclusive, natural scenery in the Northern area of Los Glaciares National Park. You will depart from El Calafate very early in the morning and sail across Lake Viedma, visiting the front wall of the glacier, or else go trekking on the Viedma glacier.

From October till March –  Available days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tour duration: 13 hours (approximately)
Duration of the cruise: 2 hours 30’.
Degree of difficulty: low.
Age restriction: none.

An opportunity to visit El Chaltén during the day and the Viedma glacier, also to look at a unique, exclusive natural scenery in the Northern area of Los Glaciares National Park.

Itinerary:
– 07.00 Pick-up at the hotel in El Calafate.
– 08.00 Departure to El Chaltén.
– 12.00 Lunch at Refugio Laguna Cóndor.
– 13:45 Departure from the Laguna Cóndor shelter to Bahía Túnel harbor.
– 14:45 Embarkation and cruise across Lake Viedma.
– 17:45 Departure from Bahía Túnel towards El Calafate
– 20:00 Arrival at El Calafate

This excursion includes:
– A guide from Los Glaciares National Park, during the cruise.
– A guide from El Calafate to El Chaltén
– Regular transfers from / to the hotel in El Calafate.
– Transfer from / to Bahía Túnel harbor.
– A snack will be served during the cruise.
– Lunch: A typical Argentine three-course menu.
Entrée: squash soup | Main dish: steak with rustic potatoes | Dessert: custard | Beverage: glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage.
In case you have any food restriction, please inform the guides.

This excursion does not include:
– Personal equipment (Warm clothing, gloves, sunglasses, etc.)

BOSQUES PETRIFICADOS

Departing East from El Calafate, we turn left at “highway” 40 and drive North. We travel mostly trough open steppe with magnificent views of the lake Argentino, cross mighty Santa Cruz river, coast along the valley of La Leona river and panoramic sight of the mount Fitz Roy. We reach La Leona hotel (historical landmark) and stay for 15 minutes.

Continue west for other 10 km along the southern shoreof lake Viedma until we get to Los Hornos hill. Near the top stars a large depression formed by water erosion where most of the fossils can be found.Here our walk starts trough a loose, dry and claylike soil almost saturated with petrified wood that “sprouts” from the soil. Wind and water erosion takes place at a very fastrate, so every season we encounter new surprises.

We get to see tree trunks in diameters that range from 0.50 to 1,20 meters, heaps of fossilized

After 3 hours of walking about (including the time for lunch) we return to El Calafate the same way with stopover of 15 minutes at Hotel La Leona.

Duration: full day

UNA VISITA DIFERENTE AL GLACIAR PERITO MORENO

We offer you a different look over Los Glaciares National Park. A different tour, with two options:
PIONEERS (September-May):
This is a tour aimed at people who want to enjoy the natural environment without the necessity of a relevant physical effort.

It starts at 9.30 Am in the city of “El Calafate”, where we travel 50 km by the route through the farms (estancias) up to the Roca Lake at the southern end of the national park. We leave back the arid steppe landscape to enter on the zone of the forest transition. At the end of the road we find the pioneer Nibepo Aike estancia/ farm belonging to the Jansma family. There after a hike through the head of the estancia/ farm, we attend to the lectures and demonstrations of shearing and equestrian, once finalized them, we enter to the comfortable barbecue area of the estancia/ farm in order to taste a typical Patagonian lunch which includes: a salad bar and vegetables along with the delicious lamb and others Argentinean cut meats to end up with a delicious sweet caramel (dulce de leche) crepes, all harmonized by fine Argentine wines and other beverages.

Right after a pleasant lunch, we head up to our port to embark and start navigating to Playa de las Monedas (Coins beach) through the Brazo Rico, from there, we disembark and after a peaceful 20 minute walk into the forest of lengas trees, we get out to a lookout spot where you can appreciate the south side of the Moreno Glacier.

We go back to the boat in order to continue sailing off the south side. Before leaving the boat, around 3.30 pm, the crew team “go fishing” an iceberg and we offer a whiskey with a glacier ice.

We disembark at the Bajo de las Sombras and by bus, the passengers are directed to the Glacier´s walkways by arriving at 4.00 pm, where they will remain there until 6.30 pm and right after, they will return to El Calafate by the traditional route. It is important to emphasize that the arrival on the walkways, by that time, 90% of visitors who left in the morning from Calafate have already returned to the city.

All lunch services with non alcoholic drinks and wine as well as the souvenir on the boat are included in the total costs of the tour. The Passengers are followed from the departure El Calafate by a bilingual tour guide (English / Spanish, eventually, Portuguese and Italian)
ADVENTURE (October-April):
This tour is aimed to all travellers who enjoy walking in remote places. For those who have made this trekking tour, they feel as being the firsts ones to reach the places they visit.

It starts in Calafate at 08.00 Am, we travel 50 km up to Roca lake, where we embark on a rigid cabin boat with a maximum capacity of 17 passengers. After sailing for about 45 minutes, we arrive at the south end of the Brazo Sur, place where it starts the first stage of the walk in order to reach to the Frias Lake, site where we embark on rubber boats up to 7 pax and sail out to the west end of the lake, where right after, we disembark and take place a second hike towards the Frias Glacier / Dickson SW end of the national park. From there, in the middle of an incredible landscape,where it is included a lunch box and then begin the return.

It arrives at the hotel around 7:00 pm.
We walk approximately 14 km in total for a round trip in 6 hour time.

The National Park entrance is free. Passengers are always followed from Calafate by a trekking bilingual tour guide (English / Spanish, possibly Italian) and the crew team.
Schedules & included gastronomy:
PIONEERS: Pickup 9 AM. Drop off around 18:30 hs. Lunch is served in Estancia Nibepo Aike (empanadas, roasted lamb & beef, variety of salads, desserts, drinks & wine).
ADVENTURE: Pick-up 8 AM. Drop off around 19 hs. Lunch consists in a box lunch (sandwich, cereal bar, nuts, candies, water & fruit).
Restrictions:
PIONEERS: available for all ages
ADVENTURE: available for people over 12 years old and up to 65 in good physical condition and with hiking experience in mountain. A medical form will be requested to be filled in to book the tour.
Departures:
PIONEERS: September till May (max 14 persons)
ADVENTURE: October till April (max 11 persons)