Southern Patagonia – Discovering the Glaciers Patagonia Is a Nature Lover’S Paradise and a World-Class Destination for Those Who Enjoy Outdoor Recreation
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Southern Patagonia – Discovering the Glaciers Patagonia is a nature lover’s paradise and a world-class destination for those who enjoy outdoor recreation. El Calafate is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, home of spectacular glaciers pieced by granite towers. Delight your eyes with this stunning scenery and breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno & Upsala glaciers. Trip Highlights: • Learn and understand glaciology while sipping a chilled drink at an ice bar • Enjoy the majestic Fitz Roy Range, a hiker’s dream and explore the Los Glaciares National Park • Witness the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier from a different viewpoint • Take a boat ride to the Upsala Glacier and be amazed by its cold beauty • Hike through a canyon of fossils to a Patagonian Estancia • Perito Moreno and Glaciarium Photos • Fossils Canyon Trekking at Estancia Cristina Photos El Calafate - Argentina El Calafate is in the province (county) of Santa Cruz, in the region of the Patagonia Argentina, 2750 km from Buenos Aires. It is located at 50 ° 20' South latitude and 72 ° 27' West longitude. Its latitude is equivalent to the city of London in the northern hemisphere. It has a population of 22,000 inhabitants. It is the nearest town to visit the Los Glaciares National Park, 80 kilometers away. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and its most popular attraction is the Perito Moreno glacier, known for the dramatic icefalls into Lago Argentino. 12 Oct 2017 Arrive in El Calafate and transfer Airport - Hotel (22 kms) Service with English Speaking Guide Reception and assistance by guide with identification sign from meeting point in airport. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. 12 Oct 2017 Accommodation to be informed In: 12 Oct 2017 Out: 15 Oct 2017 - (3 Nights) 12 Oct 2017 Excursion to the Glaciarium Ice Museum Private Service with English Speaking Guide - Entrance Fee Included - Half Day (3.5 hrs. 12 Kms.) Arriving from El Calafate we see a building appearing on the horizon. Its architecture represents the front of the glacier, which is the predominant view of the steppe. Lands that glaciers covered thousands of years ago, and where you can still see traces. Enter the museum through a dark corridor guided by the pleasant sound of water dripping down from the melting ice. The ice panels begin to speak of the formation of the glaciers, the story of explorers and scientists. Pictures of great Argentinean photographers such as Florian Von der Flecht, Daniel Wagner, and Andrés Bonetti catch our eye. First, the beginning of the universe, then the glacial periods. Further down is a large model of the ice field, the origin of the glacial period that we see during our visit to the area. Interactive screens allow us to view, for example, the recession of the Upsala glacier. An important tribute to the great Francisco Pascasio Moreno makes it seem as though he is here inspiring us with his enthusiasm for the Argentinean landscapes. Also, part of the visit is a unique connection with the Perito Moreno Glacier, which forms a natural dam that then collapses with a great break. The tour ends in a tunnel with an interesting system of simultaneous projections that awakens your senses. Now we are on red alert for we are faced with the fact that global warming is accelerating and threatening the planet. This is all part of the legacy that you will take along from your visit to the Glaciarium. 12 Oct 2017 Bird watching Nimez Lagoon Regular Service with English / Spanish Speaking Guide – 1hs A visit to the Lagoon Nimez, a few meters from the coast of Lake Argentino and looking at the bay, see the of abundant local birdlife. There, living in harmony with the scenery, live a great quantity of pink flamencos, black-necked swans, cauquenes, maiceros ducks, South American coots and diving ducks, all swimming in these peaceful waters. 12 Oct 2017 Welcome Dinner Set Menu - Drinks Not Included 13 Oct 2017 South Glacier Pioneer Regular Service with English / Spanish Speaking Guide - Full Day Minimum 4 passengers The old Estancias Route links Patagonian culture -indigenous villages, steppe and pioneers. Along the way, we see estancias and rock art. We visit Estancia Nibepo Aike where we enjoy superb views and lunch. In the afternoon, we navigate the South and Rico arms of Lage Argentino for about an hour, with views of the “Adriana” and “Moreno” mountain ranges. Disembark at “Las Monedas” beach, for a pleasant walk in the woods. At the end of the walk, from the Glacier Sur overlook, the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier comes into view as well as during the navigation and along the walk board where we spend close to 2 hours. After the excursions that goes through estancias, Roca Lake, part of the Argentino Lake, and the Perito Moreno Glacier we take the Lake road back to El Calafate; nature, history and the culture of the area. Optional Excursion: Big Ice Trekking to Perito Moreno Glacier - (ages 18-50) Regular Service with English Speaking Guide - Full Day (11 hrs. 160 Kms.) Depart from the hotel at 7:00am toward Puerto Bajo las Sombras. Upon arrival at the port, board the boat for crossing the Rico Arm of Lago Argentino and disembark 25 minutes later on the west coast of the lake. Take a short hike over the southern moraine of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Here we collect our crampons and are led even closer to the glacier by mountain guides. In a little more than an hour hike, we arrive at an overlook where you can scale the ice. Once on the glacier wearing crampons, the world takes on a new perspective. We can observe the surrounding blue lakes, the deep crevices, the enormous peaks and the magical caves and have the unique experience of being in the center of a glacier. Always accompanied by expert guides, we explore the hidden corners of this special glacier and become better acquainted with the ice and its environment. We enjoy a picnic on a white blanket in this place of unequaled natural beauty. Once on the moraine, we hike an hour back to the boat, then navigate around the south wall of the glacier which offers a different point of view of these impressive walls. At the end of the tour, we return to Calafate. This tour is only for fit people between the ages of 18 and 50 that are in acceptable physical shape due to the demanding strenuous conditions and the visitor must complete a medical form. In addition, they must wear sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable and protective clothing, cap for the sun, raincoat, gloves, hiking boots, backpack of approximately 40 liters, canteen, food and enjoy hiking. Restrictions: Given this tour is physically demanding and on difficult terrain, is only suitable for people between 18 and 50 years of age and who have a good physical condition, considering a total walk of around 7 hours between ice and forest. Cannot participate: overweight people with the following criteria: weight in kg doubles the height in cm minus 100 cm (eg. for a height of 1.70 m: 170 minus 100 = 70 x 2 = 140kg); pregnant women; people with any degree or type of physical or mental disability that affects their attention, march and / or coordination; people suffering central or peripheral cardiovascular diseases, their heart or vessel capabilities are diminished, or use stents, pacemakers or other prostheses; (eg. anticoagulant medicated varices grade III – which are thick and multiple -, cardiac arrhythmias); people who suffer respiratory disability diseases (COPD, asthma, emphysema, etc.). 13 Oct 2017 Dinner Set Menu - Drinks Not Included 14 Oct 2017 Fossils Canyon Tour - Estancia Cristina Private Transfer with English Speaking Guide Regular Service with English Speaking Guide - Full Day We travel 9.5 km by 4x4 wheel drive on a mountain trail, enjoying a place that until recently was covered by glaciers. We arrive at the continental ice refuge and walk about 20 minutes to reach Upsala viewpoint with views of Lake William and the stunning front of the Upsala glacier, Southern ice field, Murallon and Don Bosco hills. From here, we start our trek to Cañadón de los Fósiles, an area with a great concentration of fossils, remains of the last marine ingression that have been uncovered by the action of the glacier. This trek descends until reaching the valley of Estancia Cristina. Upon arrival at the Estancia, we depart again to return to El Calafate. Difficulty level: Hiking: ~4-5 hours; Physical fitness required, must be able to walk normally on irregular terrain 14 Oct 2017 Box Lunch and Dinner (Drinks Not Included ) 15 Oct 2017 Transfer Hotel - Airport (22 kms.) Service with English speaking Guide Transfer from the hotel to the airport. The guide will leave you at the check-in counter. Trip rating: (2) Easy Active (i.e., Beginner level, physical activity; ~2-4 hours activity/day) with more challenging options such as the walk on the Perito Moreno glacier Group Size: 4-12 (6 hosted delegates maximum) Trip price: • Hosted delegates: courtesy (max 6 passengers) • Non-hosted delegates and traveling companions special cost net per person $750.00. (max 6 passengers). Price include: Price does not include: • Accommodation (twin share/double • Early check in / late check out – unless occupancy) with taxes specifically detailed in the itinerary (*). • Flight tickets BUE-FTE-BUE, economy class. • Airport taxes • Breakfast at hotel included daily (if early • Beverages in quoted meals breakfast is required due to flight schedule it • Extras at hotel like laundry, telephone calls, may be served at an extra cost). etc. • Other meals included only when detailed in • Tips the itinerary (Set Menu for the whole group: starter, main course, dessert).