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A traditional tour of the highlights of Patagonia; including the Valdés Peninsular in the North to Tierra del Fuego in the extreme South. This tour combines overland travel with soft adventure including moderate hiking.
Season: September to March
Level of difficulty: Easy (explanation)
Group size: Between 2 and 16 passengers
The "Best of Patagonia" is the ideal trip for those passengers who are looking for:
10 Days / 9 Nights
Day 1: Buenos Aires
Arrival in Buenos Aires. Meeting at the International airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Elevage.
Optional tour of Buenos Aires, with a local guide from the University. He uses four parks and plazas of Buenos Aires (Plaza de Mayo, Parque Lezama and La Boca, Plaza San Martin and Recoleta) to introduce visitors to Argentina, its history, its contrasts, its contradictions and the characteristic psychology of the "porteños", the inhabitants of Buenos Aires.
Day 2: Buenos Aires - Trelew - Punta Tombo
Transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Trelew. Arrival and reception at the airport. Start a drive to Punta Tombo Rookery, the most important breeding colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. We will walk through a trail that cuts deep into the colony, to observe these fascinating birds at close range. Other species, such as kelp gulls, skuas, guanay cormorants, giant petrels, dolphin gulls, the Chubut steamer duck, hairy armadillos and Patagonian foxes also inhabit the area and may be seen here. On the way back to Trelew we will visit Gaiman, a typical Welsh settlement, for a cup of tea. Overnight at the Posada Los Mimbres (B,L,D).
In the numerous gulfs, bays, inlets and peninsulas along the vast Argentine shoreline of the South Atlantic we find large colonies of marine wildlife. Owing to the various ocean currents which mix along this coast and thanks to the relatively low traffic and fishing activity, the sea is still rich in plankton, algae, fish and shellfish which in turn serve as food supplies for large bird and marine mammal populations.
Day 3: Valdes Peninsula
Full day visit of the Valdes Peninsula. On our way we will stop to see the local wildlife: guanacos, lesser rheas, Patagonian foxes, hairy armadillos and maras. The most important rookeries, protecting large colonies of South American sea lions Southern elephant seals and Magellanic penguins, also inhabits this area along with oystercatchers, dolphin gulls, kelp gulls, cormorants, etc. Optional boat trip to see the Southern Right whale from July to Mid December*. One hour navigation starting from Puerto Piramides.
Overnight at the Posada Los Mimbres (B,L,D)
Day 4: Trelew - Ushuaia
Day at leisure prior to your flight to Ushuaia. We suggest a visit to the fully refurbished "Paleontological Museum Egidio Feruglio" or the nearby Paleontological Park.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Tierra del Fuego contains all the different ecosystems, which are typical of Patagonia, on a single island: South Atlantic coast, bushy steppe, Andes surrounded by glaciers, snow, lakes and forests. As if it weren't enough the island also has its unique sub-Antarctic rainforest. Unexpectedly, lush beech forests are covered with a magic carpet of green mosses and lichens waving in the wind, in these seemingly enchanted forests.
Afternoon city trek of Ushuaia (2½ hours). The hike starts at El Mirador del Beagle area (a side neighbourhood located on the highest point of the city, an example of the amazing development in recent years and of the smooth transition between the city and nature). From here we start a hike following an old logging path, to reach the interesting Southern Beech Forest and arrive at a lookout point, where we stop for a snack prior to returning to town.
Upon our departure towards the forest, the trail will allow us to enjoy amazing views of the city, which paint the history of its development through the years: the Presidium, then the Naval base, the Industrial area (when Ushuaia was a duty free area) and the newly built neighbourhoods. The views of the Beagle Channel and the islands beyond as a backdrop are magnificent.
Overnight at the Hosteria Los Fuegos (B).
Day 5: Harberton Ranch – The History of the Pioneers
This excursion is the perfect introduction to Tierra del Fuego, its history, its magnificent natural history and traditions.
We depart Ushuaia, driving East towards Harberton`s small airstrip. From here we will board on our zodiac boat to cross the Beagle channel to Gable Island. Gable Island is the largest on the Beagle Channel. It is wild, isolated and uninhabited. Its only constructions are an old sheep-shearing storehouse and some traces of the Yamana natives.
In a comfortable refuge we enjoy a warm and healthy breakfast to get ready for a 2 hour relaxing, but also demanding, hike crossing the island to the South, to reach the Beagle Channel. On the island, we will be see old native settlements, many of birds, such as gulls, steamer ducks, petrels, cormorants, albatross and Magellan Penguins, among others.
After lunch we resume our navigation to the Penguin rookery at Martillo Island, the domain of the Magellan Penguin and some Gentoo Penguins. The unique location of this island (close to the point where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean waters merge) allows for an incredible variety of rich under water life, making it an amazing spot for bird watching (petrels, skuas, cormorants, sea gulls and albatross). Return to Harberton. This estancia belongs to the descendants of the first British Missionaries to reach the area - Rev. Thomas Bridges - and was managed for many years by Ms Natalie Goodall, a foremost naturalist in the area. After a short visit we return to Ushuaia.
Important note: Penguins arrive at the rookery beginning of November
* For operational reasons or weather conditions the outline of the activities during this day may be changed to enhance the experience of visitors to the area.
Overnight at the Hosteria Los Fuegos (B,L)
Day 6: Tierra Del Fuego National Park
Full day visit by private car, exclusive to our small group. Upon arrival in the park, we start a 7 km soft trek (3.5 hours) to a wonderful scenic point overlooking Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, the Ovando and Lapataia Rivers and Bahía Lapataia. Hiking through the beech forest we will look for the Magellan woodpecker, Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors. Embark an 18-people zodiac boat and head towards Isla Redonda for lunch (pasta specialties). Afternoon short walk on the island. On the way back to Lapataia Bay, we will watch cormorants, sea lions, albatross and petrels. Upon arrival we will hike an old trail to Laguna Verde, where we board our vehicle back to Ushuaia.
Overnight at the Hosteria Los Fuegos. (B, L)
Day 7: Ushuaia - El Calafate
Morning at leisure in Ushuaia to enjoy the city or visit the very interesting End of the World Museum.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. Reception and transfer to Estancia Alica. Overnight (B,D).
The estancia - located 22 km West of El Calafate- is a very special place. The hosteria of 16 rooms only is the ideal setting to enjoy the area. The estancia organizes activities for its guests (included in the rate) such as:
Between the 48° and 51° South parallels, the Andes Range is covered by a large extension of permafrost known as the Patagonian continental icecap, which stretches for 560 miles from North to South. So large it is, that it is also called ‘the third pole’, for its huge concentration of ice. It is where 47 major glaciers originate, including the famous Perito Moreno glacier.
Day 8: Los Glaciares National Park
Transfer to Los Glaciares National Park, in the sub-Antarctic Continental Ice-cap, known as the "Third Pole", which extends over 60,000 sq.km (23,000 sq. miles) and gives birth to several major glaciers along the Patagonian Andes. We will board zodiac boats to cross the Argentino Lake, 
in front of the towering ice walls of the Perito Moreno glacier and will navigate around the ice blocks, which are constantly calving from it. We will land on an uninhabited beach and hike on the glacier. (No additional equipment nor previous experience required). The wildlife of the area includes Andean condors, buff-necked ibis, black-chested buzzard eagles, ashy headed geese, etc.
Overnight at the Estancia Alice (B,L,D).
Day 9: El Calafate - Buenos Aires
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the Hotel Elevage (B).
Optional farewell dinner and Tango Show. Born in the outskirts of Buenos Aires at the turn of the century, Tango quickly grew to be the best known Argentine product worldwide. Enjoy a glamorous tango show in one of the most prestigious houses in Buenos Aires of historical value as well.
Day 10: Buenos Aires
Day at leisure to enjoy the bustling city. Transfer to the international airport for your flight back home. (B)
Departures 2009
Sep 27; Oct 11* & 18; Nov 1 & 15 & 29; Dec 21**, 28**
Departures 2010
Jan 10 & 17 & 31; Feb 14 & 28*; Mar 2***,14, 28;
* Bird watching Special with Diego Gallegos
** Special Christmas & New Year supplement £198 applies.
*** Patagonia for Foodies – Gastronomic experience special.
Rate per person in double room: £1,818. For more information, or to make a reservation, please enquire.
Prices include:
Prices do not include:
Optional tours
Four Balconies Tour of Buenos Aires: £54 per person private.
Whale-watching Navigation: £17 per person shared, from July to Mid December only. Private cruises available on request.
Private tour of Perito Moreno Glacier: £110 per person.
Half-day Cerro Frias Tour (4WD or horseback): £32 per person shared.
Farewell Dinner & Tango Show: £40 per person shared. Includes: dinner, show and return transfers.
Notes
Suggested extensions
Packing list