Patagonian Ice in Luxury Experience

Today you will fly from Santiago to Puerto Natales. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight. Although your guide will confirm the exact pick up time, please be ready at 08:30am.

Upon arrival in Puerto Natales please look for the Explora logo. You will be transferred to Explora in Torres del Paine National Park where your guide will welcome you and assist you in planning the rest of your stay.

Tip of the Day: Today will be a long day with a big drop in temperature as you fly South, make sure to keep hydrated and be prepared for the cold weather of Southern Patagonia.

There is a vast array of activities which offer the chance to discover the different landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park: from mountains, to glaciers and pampas wether is by foot or on a horseback.

Here are some of our favourite long hikes in Torres del Paine:

French Valley

You will cross the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé on board of the Explora catamaran

and head towards the Paine Grande hotel, where you will begin your hike. You will enter the French Valley surrounded by dense forest and native bushes. From within the valley, you will be able to observe the Glacier del Francés and the amphitheater of granite peaks that frame the area.

Glacier Gey

You begin this exploration by crossing the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoé on board the explora catamaran towards the Paine Grande hotel and walk towards the Grey Refuge along the border of the massif. Halfway up the ascent, you will be able to observe the Grey Glacier and the extraordinary extension of the Southern Ice Fields from above. Later you go down a steep path to the Lake Grey beach, from where a boat will take you closer to the towering walls of the glacier, navigating through the icebergs that float throughout the lake. This exploration is particularly interesting for geology and glaciology enthusiasts.

Base of the Towers

You leave the hotel heading towards the Cerro Paine ranch from where you will ascend towards the Ascencio River Valley and the Chilean Refugio Valley. Once there you begin a steep ascent towards a panoramic point at the base of the Paine Towers. Once at the top, you will be able to grasp the magnitude of the granite towers after which the park is named.

There is also a great choice of horseback rides but, as you have riding experience we suggest to talk to your guide who will be able to point out the best option.

Tip for horse lovers: Don’t miss a visit to ‘El Establo’, explora private stables and home breed and trained horses!

Today you leave Torres del Paine and Chile behind. After a good breakfast your transfer will take you from Explora to Cerro Castillo where you will clear Chilean customs. After dealing with the border crossing admin you will continue to the town of El Calafate (box lunch included) where you will be staying at the Kosten Aike Hotel.

Along the way you can observe Patagonia’s many contrasts, passing from the craggy mountainous landscape of Torres del Paine to the emblematic plains of the Patagonian prairie.

Tip of the Day: If you enjoy a good BBQ do not miss “La Tablita”(Address: Coronel Rosales 26) for dinner with an amazing selection of argentine meat and other dishes.

Early in the morning, after breakfast you will be transferred with your hand luggage to Puerto Punta Bandera where you will board a cruise boat to sail the magnificent Lago Argentino, enjoying the amazing views of the Spegazzini and Viedma Glaciers. Drifting ice blocks, sculpted by the sun and the wind add a magical touch to the navigation.

Upon disembarkation, you will start the hiking to Cañadon de los Fosiles, a tour through a landscape that until recently was covered by glaciers and has a great geological interest. Throughout the excursion you will enjoy views of Lake Guillermo and the stunning oriental front of Upsala Glacier. You will then descend through the Cañadon de los Fosiles area where you can find fossils, remains of the last marine ingression.

Tips for your stay: There are several activities for the rest of your stay ranging from horseback riding to 4×4 rides, as well as plenty hiking options. We suggest you discuss your interest with your guide, who will be able to advise on the best available programs.

Today you can enjoy a full day of activities at Estancia Cristina. At 5:30pm you will board the boat to take you back to Puerto Punta Bandera where you will be welcomed and transferred to the Kosten Aike Hotel in El Calafate (approximate time of arrival 7:30pm).

This morning you will be picked up to start the excursion to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier and its marvellous surroundings. Perito Moreno is one of the few glaciers in the world that remains stable. It calves into Lake Argentino and sometimes the terminus creates a natural damn and part of the lake becomes landlocked. The water level rises until it suddenly breaks the ice damn and bursts. Every so often it is possible to see huge lumps of ice break off and fall into the lake to float away as icebergs.

After enjoying a nice lunch you start your way to the lovely town of El Chalten (approx. 3.5 hours). Passing El Chalten, you will continue to Lago del Desierto where a boat will be waiting to take you on a 15 minute sail along the East coast of the lake to Aguas Arriba Lodge where you will spend the next 3 days.

Tip of the Day: The Panoramic drive from El Calafate to El Chalten on the famous Road 40 will give you plenty of photo opportunities.

Several options of treks with different durations may be considered. Every evening before dinner you will get together with your host to plan the following day activities, which can combine either treks or boat trips. The idea is to explore trails of incredible beauty, with the advantage of being far from all but close to the Lodge.

Fly Fishing: A dream place for the fly fisherman who wants to be left on an isolated shore ready for the challenging trout. The owner of the lodge himself will be happy to accompany you on a day out fishing on the lake (equipment and permits can be rented/obtained at the Lodge).

Today you have a very early start so we recommend you have everything ready and packed the night before. You will be picked up and transferred to El Calafate airport in time to take your flight to Posadas (connecting in Buenos Aires).

Upon arrival in Posadas look for the Ice Tracks sign. You will be welcomed and transferred to Puerto Valle Lodge where you will spend the next 3 days surrounded by a magnificent environment.

Puerto Valle Lodge is surrounded by a unique geography in northern Corrientes Province, and offers exclusive access to the rich biodiversity of the Iberá Marshlands and the Parana Forest.

The area surrounding the lodge features lakes, marshlands, wetlands and floating soil formations, against the backdrop of the native forests and the Paraná River. The Estancia engages in a series of productive activities following sustainability criteria, and guests have a diverse menu of activities to choose from.

The Iberá Natural Reserve –Iberá being the Guaraní term for ‘shining waters’?is a dream place and the habitat of caiman, capybara and marshland deer, among other numerous native species that visitors will get a chance to see up close. In the evening, after enjoying tasty regional food at the lodge restaurant, guests can sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of this marvellous place.

Some of our favourite activities:

The Wetlands: Only ten kilometers from the hotel, leaving behind fields, plantations and marshlands, one gets to the wharf, the starting point to engage in a true adventure along a waterway leading to Laguna Valle. Caimans, capybaras, pampa deer, marshland deer and neotropical otters (lobitos de río) are some of the species that can be observed at a close distance along the way.

The River: Departing from the pier, it is possible to navigate the Paraná River on an engine boat, and tour the waterways that reach into the Paranaense forest, home to more than fifty tree species, resulting in an ecosystem that is ideal for watching birds and howler monkeys.

While the boat proceeds on the calm waters in search of the animals, the guide will treat guests to a tasting of local goodies.

The Estancia: Estancia Puerto Valle was established in 1868, when Italian sailor Bernadino Valle bought the land from the provincial government to develop his cattle-raising and merchandise transportation business. Today, the estate of the old Estancia engages in sustainable production, more precisely, forestry and cattle-raising activities, and hosts a caiman farm called Yacaré Porá.

You can visit the grounds of the Estancia by foot or on a horse, enjoying the different trails they offer to their clients.

Enjoy the last day at the lodge with a morning activity. After lunch you will be transferred to Posadas airport in time for your flight to Buenos Aires.