Amazing Patagonia

Day 1: Arrive in Comodoro Rivadavia - Sarmiento - Los Antiguos (477 km)
Early arrival at Comodoro Rivadavia airport. Reception and departure to Los Antiguos. Short visit to Chenque Hill, to reach a panoramic view of the city, founded in 1901, whose main activity is the petroleum exploitation. Continue to Colonia Sarmiento, founded by Welsh people and considered the southernmost artificially irrigated area in the country, located in a valley surrounded by mountains and in a watershed partially ocuppied by Musters and Colhue Huapi lakes.
You will stop at Jose Ormachea Petrified Wood, product of a natural phenomenon produced 60 million years ago due to a volcanic eruption that covered these conifer woods (mainly) in ashes, turning, in time, the wood into rock. Lunch at leisure in Sarmiento city. Drive along the Patagonian steppe to Los Antiguos village, located in the southern margin of Buenos Aires Lake. Its microclimate allows it to be one of the most important areas devoted to fine fruit production, such as cherries, strawberries and raspberries. Dinner.

Day 2: Los Antiguos - Perito Moreno - Lagos Posadas (311 km)
Breakfast. Departure towards Bajo Caracoles, to continue to Pinturas River Gorge, formed by huge rocks. The upper course of the Pinturas river, runs between these upright rock walls; following a path almost 90 meters over the sea level. We will enter the ´Cueva de las Manos Pintadas´ (Painted Hands Cave), 24 meters long, 15 meters wide and 10 meters high. These rupestrine paintings date back to 9,300 years ago, and have been declared World Heritage site by UNESCO. The paintings are important due to the great variety of motives, in red, ocher, yellow, green, white and black, and realistic drawings together with schematic representations of human figures in movement. Box lunch. After lunch we will continue to Posadas and Pueyrredón lakes to stay at La Posada del Posadas, on the southern margin of Pueyrredón lake (185 m - 606 feet above sea level). Dinner at the estancia.

Day 3: Lagos Posadas - Mount San Lorenzo
Breakfast. Full excursion. Early departure from the estancia to Oro River, all along the northern margin. We will start the trekking along the Oro River gorge walking along the valley covered with lenga and ñire trees. During the trek we will be able to admire the incredible view of Mount San Lorenzo, the highest in Patagonia (3,706 m - 12,158 ft above sea level) and the glaciers. (Those who do not want to or feel theycannot do the excursion by foot can do it on horseback optional). Return to the estancia. Box lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Lagos Posadas - El Chaltén - Fitz Roy (564 km)
Breakfast. Departure along the dusty gravel roads of the Patagonian steppe. Stop at Estancia La Angostura for a little rest and lunch in Estancia La Siberia while on route. Afterwards, we will continue to El Chaltén, name given to the highest mountain by the local natives, which means ‘the mountain that smokes’), located in the northern end of Los Glaciares National Park. The mountain called El Chaltén’ was later on named Mt. Fitz Roy by the white men that explored the area at the beginning of the XIX century. A place to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes dominated by Mt. Fitz Roy and Mt. Torre, among others such as the Poincenot and Egger peaks and the Viedma Lake. The town has developed almost exclusively as a base camp site for worldwide climbers, attracted by the challenging ascensions of Mt. Torre and Mt. Fitz Roy with impressive granite vertical walls, which give ice and rock climbing lovers, a highly difficult level and a unique opportunity to show their skills. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5: El Chaltén - Fitz Roy
Breakfast. Trek to Laguna de los Tres. This is a spectacular hike to the base of the mythical Mt. Fitz Roy. Start at El Pilar inn up to Blanco River, which we will border up to a woody area. Climb slowly, enjoying the different views of the Fitz Roy chain. Approximately one hour and a half away from the estancia, we will discover a fabulous panoramic view of the Piedras Blancas Glacier and Mt. Fitz Roy, with the impressive Pilar Cassarotto, named after the Italian climber who first climbed it. After another hour and a half trekking along the Blanco River you will arrive at Poincenot camp, located in the middle of a lenga and ñire wood. Next, we will go on for another hour up to Laguna de Los Tres where we will have a wonderful panoramic view of Viedma Lake, the Fitz Roy chain and the endless Patagonian steppe. While going southwards we will find a balcony more than 150 meters high, from where we will be able to appreciate Laguna Sucia (Dirty Lagoon), named this way because of the icebergs floating in the lagoon (those who don’t feel in shape or don’t want to take this excursion by foot will have the option of ascending to Laguna de Los Tres on horseback from the inn - optional).

Day 6: El Chaltén - El Calafate (217 km)
Breakfast. Half day trekking to Chorrillo del Salto. Leave the inn by car or minivan for a 5 km (3 miles) drive before starting your trek through lenga and ñire trees wood. After one hour and a half you will reach this beautiful spot where Chorrillo del Salto cascade, a natural 15 meter high (49 feet) waterfall, can be appreciated. Then return to El Chalten. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, departure to El Calafate by regular bus line, the largest city in the area located by the side of the Argentino Lake. Arrival and accommodation at hotel. Dinner.

Day 7: El Calafate - Upsala Glacier
Breakfast. Departure from the hotel to Puerto Banderas to board the catamaran that will pierce the Northern Arm of the Argentino Lake among icebergs until reaching the western front of the Upsala Glacier. after an interesting navigation among icebergs. After a 2-hour navigation along Cristina Arm, the boat will arrive at Estancia Cristina. The second part of the excursion is done by 4WD vehicles that run across rivers and woods and an immense variety of landscapes, to reach Upsala Glacier, the entrance gate to the Southern Patagonic Ice Field. The way upwards finishes some 600 metres before Upsala Refuge. Follow a short 10-minute upward trail along a rocky path up to the Upsala Glacier lookout, from where you will have an amazing view of the main glacier and its tributary glaciers: Bertacchi, Murallón and Cono (the adventure lovers will have the chance to do the same trail on horseback upon request when making the reservation since there is limited availability.) Also enjoy a great Patagonic lamb barbecue, visit the Main House to get in touch with the history of the intrepid pioneers that settled in this uninhabited land. Return to the hotel. Dinner.

Day 8: Fly out from El Calafate
Breakfast. Departure from the hotel at 9.00 am to Perito Moreno Glacier (195 sq mts - 2,100 feet), located inside Los Glaciares National Park. It´s an impressive ice river with a 4 km (2,5 miles) front and 60 metres high, that descends from the continental ice, provoking loosenings and exploitions as it advances. It was declared Mankind´s Heritage Site due to its spectacular beauty and strange behavior. Walk along the paths for an outstanding view of this imposing glacier. It will be possible to take a nautical safari to enjoy a different sight of the glacier´s southern or northern walls (Optional – 1 hour navigation). In the afternoon, return to El Calafate and transfer to the airport (departure after 19.00 hs is required).