Lake District & Glaciers National Park

Patagonia's Lake District is a scenic wonderland of deep blue lakes, Andean wildflowers, and the craggy peaks of the Andes, while the lands to the south offer even more scenic surprises-sprawling glaciers and a complement of lakes and mountains of unimaginable beauty.

Your active days include kayaking on sparkling waters, walking on glaciers feeding into luminous lakes, and hiking and riding horses (in true Gaucho style!) on vast golden steppes with foxes, guanacos, and soaring condors as your only companions. At the end of each day, you'll unwind in remote, beautifully restored, historic estancias or small intimate hotels that reflect Patagonia's engaging charm and ambiance.

We'll spend three days exploring Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi on foot and kayak. At the foothills of the Andes, the park is famous for its luminous lakes and rich wildlife, including chucaos and huemuls. Next, it’s off to the vast Patagonian steppe and the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier, the world's third-largest reserve of fresh water and the only glacier in the region maintaining its ice mass. Our final destination is the Estancia Helsingfors, on the remote southwestern shore of Lago Viedma. When not admiring the hosteria’s jaw-dropping views (the sheer north face of Cerro Fitzroy, for one) we’ll explore the Viedma Glacier with its ice caves and floating icebergs, and enter the Patagonian Andean forest for a hike along steep trails to remote Lago Azul.

Activities

Moderate hiking and lake kayaking (no previous experience required), optional horseback riding

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover Patagonia's beautiful Lake District-"The Mediterranean of Patagonia!"
• Stay in two of Patagonia's most beautiful and historic estancias - Alta Vista and Helsingfors
  
• Explore the impressive Perito Moreno and Viedma glaciers up close, including a walk on the Perito Moreno glacier itself!

2010/2011 PRICES
$ 5,195(6-12 members)
$ 5,395(4-5 members)
$650 internal airfare
$1,750 single supplement

Duration: 11 days Start Location: Buenos Aires End Location: Buenos Aires Best time to go: January - March, November - December

Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina

  Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Afternoon tour of this cosmopolitan city.

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  Day 2 : Nahuel Huapi National Park

  Fly to San Carlos de Bariloche in Patagonia's Lake District. Transfer to the hotel in a natural mountain setting overlooking a lake on the San Pedro Peninsula. Afternoon nature hike through the surrounding woodlands.

• Day 3 : Day Hike

  Hike along a mountain ridge on Cerro Catedral and kayak the waters of Lago Nahuel Huapi, one of Nahuel Huapi National Park's deep blue glacier lakes.

• Day 4 : Kayaking on Lago Nahuel Huapi

  Fly to Calafate, then drive to Alta Vista, a charming estancia located near the renowned Perito Moreno Glacier.

• Day 5 : Estancia Alta Vista

  Short cruise past the three-mile-long face of the glacier, then take an easy hike on the glacier (crampons provided-no experience needed). Afterward, you'll go to a viewpoint for fabulous vistas of the glacier face and a chance to watch huge chunks of ice calve into the lake.

• Day 6 : Perito Moreno Glacier Mini-Trekking

  Horseback ride to nearby Estancia Anita to learn a bit about sheep farming in Patagonia. If you're not up for horseback riding, you can hike, bike, or ride there. Return to Alta Vista, then transfer to Estancia Helsingfors, located on the shores of Lago Viedma with breathtaking views of the Andes, including the sheer north face of Cerro Fitzroy.

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  Day 7 : Visit Estancia Anita – Estancia Helsingfors

  Zodiac ride on Lago Viedma to the Viedma Glacier to explore ice caves and hike on its recently exposed moraine (weather permitting).

• Day 8 : Viedma Glacier

  Hike or ride horses to remote Lago Azul, remarkable for the intensity of its deep blue hue.

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  Day 9 : Lago Azul Hike

  Drive back to Calafate and fly to Buenos Aires.

• Days 10 - 11 : Fly to Buenos Aires / Fly Home

  Depart Buenos Aires.

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  Loi Suites Recoleta

  This five star hotel is located in the most elegant area of the city, at walking distance from museums, art galleries, shopping areas, historical architecture and beautiful parks.

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  Estancia Helsingfors

  Surrounded by a majestic natural landscape and protected by lush woods which give way to a panoramic view of the lake, Mount Fitz Roy and the Andes Mountains, this lodge has 8 rooms with private bathrooms.  A refined cellar with Argentine and Chilean wines accompanies the delights of a sophisticated regional cuisine.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File