Southern Patagonia: El Calafate, El Chalten & Ushuaia

Welcome to the land of glaciers: El Calafate, located in Santa Cruz province, in south Patagonia. 

Upon arrival we transfer from El Calafate airport to our accommodation. The rest of the day is al leisure to visit the city or to do any optional excursion that this increible place has to offer us. 

Lodging in El Calafate - Double or Single Base 

Meals: None 

Optional Excursion Recommended: Nativo Experience "Lakes and Caverns" with Dinner 

It is an excursion in 4×4 along the coast of Lake Argentino. Ideal for the day of arrival or departure, it has an anthropological approach, making a tour at the time about the passing of man in these lands, rediscovering the stories of the first expeditions and daring that ventured into the unknown.

Between the cliffs and overlooking the Andes Mountains, the excursion focuses on the first contacts of those expeditionaries with the natives, and then enter the Tehuelche world. On the banks of the lake are the caves where thousands of years ago that culture left its marks on the rock and that today induce us to its interpretation. Finally, the excursion culminates in another cave where lunch or dinner is included that will transport us to those remote years. 

Today we start our way to El Chalten. 

The tour lasts three hours, through which Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma Glacier are the main protagonists. From the beginning of our trip we will see the Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, the flora, the fauna, the hydrography and the orography of a unique place in the world. At the Parador La Leona you have 15 minutes to visit the museum, the cafeteria, and the facilities of the property where the Expert Francisco Moreno was attacked by a cougar that almost took his life.

Once we arrive at El Chalten the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to visit the town. 

Lodging in El Chalten - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Excursion Recommended: "Sunset Experience at Capri Lagoon" 

We begin our afternoon hike from El Chaltén and head towards Laguna Capri, a beautiful spot located about 4 km from town with a 400-meter elevation gain. The walk takes us through lush forests and scenic viewpoints until we reach the lagoon.

Once there, we'll settle on one of its peaceful beaches to enjoy the magic of the sunset, with stunning views of Mount Fitz Roy bathed in golden light as the day comes to a close.

To make the experience even more special, we’ll share a typical Argentine picnic-style snack: freshly brewed coffee or tea, traditional facturas, sweet alfajores, and of course, for those curious to try it, a round of mate. We can even bring along a small table to set everything up comfortably and enjoy the moment.

On the way back, we’ll pass by the Fitz Roy viewpoint, completing a total of 10 km by the time we return to the village in the early evening—just in time to relax and relive the memories of a magical Patagonian sunset.

Then we go back to our accommodation in El Chalten. 

After breakfast the rest of the day is at leisure to visit El Chalten on our own or to do any of the optional treks. 

Lodging in El Chalten - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Excursion Recommended: "Trek Mount Fitz Roy - Laguna de los Tres" 

We’ll kick off the day from El Chaltén, traveling 12 km to the charming area of Pilar, where our main trek begins. Along the way, we'll share fascinating facts about the region and make short stops at scenic viewpoints to soak in the landscape.

Once we reach the Río Eléctrico entrance, the adventure really begins. Together with your mountain guide, we’ll set off on a 17 km hike along the beautiful Río Blanco. After about an hour of walking through magical forests of lenga and ñire trees, we’ll arrive at the spectacular Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint — get ready for jaw-dropping glacier views!

From there, the trail continues toward the Poincenot area, the base camp of the iconic Fitz Roy. If you’re up for it, there’s the option to climb around 300 meters (about 90 minutes round trip) to reach the stunning Laguna de los Tres — the postcard-perfect spot right in front of Fitz Roy’s majestic wall.

On the way down, we’ll stop to enjoy lunch and recharge. The descent continues past the serene Capri Lagoon and the scenic Madsen Viewpoint, arriving back in El Chaltén around 5:00 p.m., hearts full and cameras packed with unforgettable memories.

NOTE: You can choose to do this trek on your own, or if you’d like to be accompanied by one of our expert mountain guides, just let us know! Our guides are passionate about Patagonia and will enrich your experience with their deep knowledge of the area.

After breakfast, we take our bus back to El Calafate.

Once we arrive, the rest of the day is free to explore the city at your own pace or to join one of the optional excursions available in the area.

In the evening, we’ll share a delicious home-cooked dinner in a cozy, friendly setting.

Each dish is lovingly prepared with fresh local ingredients — the kind of comfort food that warms your heart. The menu is paired with specially selected wines from Patagonian and Argentine wineries, designed to complement the flavors of each course in perfect harmony.

There are four fixed menus to choose from: two traditional ones inspired by regional cuisine and crafted with native ingredients, and two vegetarian/vegan options — full of creativity and flavor, using organic produce from local farms.

A real taste of Patagonia to close the day on a high note. After dinner, we’ll return to our accommodation to rest.

Lodging in El Calafate - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

We dedicate this day to one of the World’s Natural Wonders: the Moreno glacier. This ice field- type glacier flows down from the Patagonian Icefield, a big sheet of ice that with its 22.000 square kilometers is the third largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M sq km) and Greenland (1 M sq km). Because unusual favorable local conditions, this glacier is the only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process.

The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be only meters away from your eyes. The roar of the chunks of ice falling inside the glacier or from the glacier into the lake, the frequent collapse of the front seracs into the turquoise water, makes out of this day a very special and unique experience.

Then we wil go up to “Bajo de las Sombras” from where, you will board the catamaran boat to navigate the Lago Rico where your will be able to appreciate the amazing ice wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier and its icebergs. Then we go back to our accommodation in El Calafate.

Lodging in El Calafate - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast, the rest of the day is at leisure to visit El Calafate on our own or to do any of the optional tours that this city has to offer us. 

Lodging in El Calafate - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast 

Optional Excursion Recommended: Full Day Ranch Nibepo Aike with Lunch  

Opportunity to spend the day at the ranch which allows to know the history of the estancia, admire the gaucho skills and demonstration of shearing. Before lunch, a walk or horseback ride to the narrows where the Roca Lake drains into the Argentino Lake, culminating the program with the renowned lamb roast.

Reception with hot drinks and fried cakes/homemade puddings, walk around the old historic quarter, milking and herding sheep, shearing demonstration and rein testing.

Lunch: Roast Lamb with salads, dessert and a drink.

Transfers from / to El Calafate 

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At the scheduled time, we transfer to El Calafate Airport to catch our flight to our next destination: Ushuaia.

Upon arrival, a transfer will take us from Ushuaia Airport to our hotel located in the city center.

The rest of the day is free to explore downtown Ushuaia or to join an optional excursion in the surrounding area.

Lodging in Ushuaia - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast 

Domestic flight from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia (USH) is not included.

Optional Excursion Recommended: Martial Sunset Experience by Night with Dinner at Dome 

An ideal alternative to share with family and/or friends, a different way to end an unforgettable day in Ushuaia. A journey through the Fuegian forest, on trails made by lumberjacks a century ago, with beautiful views of Ushuaia Bay and the mountains. A short hike (4 kilometers) with a unique setting that ends at our Mountain Dome with a regional dish by the fireside. A different way to end the day at the End of the World, which always deserves a good toast!

After breakfast we walk to the turistic pier to start the excursion. We will star toward Alicia Island, where we will find a colony of South American sea lions. Then we sail to Bird Island to watch king shags and imperial shags living close to their nests, and from spring through fall we can even find their breeds. Again, we head east towards another small island that, depending on the season, we can view South American fur seals. Very close to this island is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, an authentic symbol of Ushuaia, built in 1919. From there we have a view of the island where rock shags live.

On our way back to Ushuaia, we disembark at Bridges Island to walk along a path for the interpretation of wildlife, while listening to the history of the native inhabitants, the Yamanas. On this island, we can find the largest Yamana's "concheros" (shelly deposits) of the region.

As this is the largest island, we reach the highest panoramic point from which we can enjoy amazing views of the Beagle Channel with the town of Ushuaia in the distance. During the trip, we offer coffee with liquor, different types of tea, a delicious hot chocolate with biscuits and cookies and, of course, the typical Argentine beverage, the mate.

Lodging in Ushuaia - Double or Single Base

Meals: Breakfast

Leaving the city of Ushuaia, heading southwest, we will travel the national route No. 3, towards Tierra del Fuego National Park. After crossing the Pipo River bridge, next to the Ushuaia Golf Club, we will arrive at the station of the Austral Fueguino Railway, the End of the World Train. where we will get on board one of the most magical trains. 

Along the road surrounded by Lenga forests and peat bogs, we will arrive at Lake Acigami (formerly Lake Roca), a lake of glacial origin, framed by mountains and forests, where it is possible to spot specimens of native birds. The last section of the tour takes us to Bahía Lapataia, after crossing the cormorant archipelago, peat bogs and a visit to a beaver dam.

In Bahía Lapataia, in addition to the marine coast, rich in mollusks and mussels, we will find vestiges of the ancient aboriginal people that inhabited the region. There we will have time to walk the walkway from which we can take pictures and enjoy the feeling of being at the end of the world. Then we will return to our accommodation in Uhsuaia. 

Lodging in Ushuaia - Double or Single Base 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Morning at your own to visit the town. At the indicated time we transfer to Ushuaia airport to take our flight back to Buenos Aires. 

Meals: Breakfast