Named for the berry that, once eaten, guarantees your return to Patagonia, El Calafate hooks you with another irresistible attraction: Glaciar Perito Moreno, 80km away in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. The glacier is a magnificent must-see. At the same time, it’s a fun place to be with a range of traveler services. The town’s strategic location between El Chalten and Torres del Paine (Chile) makes it an inevitable stop for those in transit.
El Calafate is the gateway to the National Glacier Park, officially declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1981 because of its spectacular Patagonian ice formations.
2 nights in Xelena Hotel
2 lunches included.
Full day navigation “All Glaciers”
This navigation is one of the most important tours that can be taken from El Calafate and it is worth spending a day to get to these National Park sites that are accessible only by boat. Excursion to National Park Los Glaciares - Glacier Perito Moreno with Nautical Safari Navigation.
Buenos Aires – El Calafate
Buenos Aires: Transfer to the AEP domestic airport in El Calafate.
Lunch on your own.
Calafate:
Transfer in airport – Xelena hotel.
Free time at leisure.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at Xelena Hotel.
DAY 2 – Wednesday April 18 (B, L)
Full day navigation “All Glaciers” (regular transfers to pier) + box lunch
This navigation is one of the most important tours that can be taken from El Calafate and it is worth spending a day to get to these National Park sites that are accessible only by boat. The tour goes through the Spegazzini, the Upsala and the Perito Moreno glaciers, entering the bays that they form.
The first part of the excursion is in the northern arm of Lake Argentino across the Boca del Diablo, the narrowest part of the lake, then you will go to the Upsala channel and the Spegazzini channel where you are able to see, at the end of each channel, the respective glaciers. The navigation runs between spectacular icebergs of immense size and varied forms. After strolling through the north arm, you will go to the south arm of the lake where is the glacier Perito Moreno. From the boat you will see, among others, the Upsala, the Spegazzini and the Perito Moreno glaciers, the largest and highest respectively among all glaciers in the park. This is one of the most important sailing excursions of area of El Calafate and the National Park as you visit the most spectacular glaciers in the area.Dinner on your own.
Overnight at Xelena Hotel.
Excursion to National Park Los Glaciares - Glacier Perito Moreno with Nautical Safari Navigation with (with box lunch).
This park has been declared as Mankind Heritage by UNESCO. Those glaciers that named it (about 47) show us a 10 thousand-year-old world: cold and wild. The most famous one is Perito Moreno Glacier in the southwestern end of Argentino Lake at 80 km away from El Calafate. This glacier is so-called due to a great Argentinian explorer from last century and is one of the few glaciers that is still moving in the world. That is why it has become one of the most spectacular natural shows in South America. From time to time its 60-m-high snout releases some ice walls as huge as buildings that fall into Rico Bend or Canal de los Témpanos (Ice floes Channel) and then they continue sailing along the channel to the main area of the lake. However, that is not all. The glacier, while moving forward, comes closer to the Magallanes Peninsula, in the opposite lake bank as well as footbridge and viewpoint area. This cycle takes from 4 to 6 years and it eventually separates the lake into two areas. Rico Bend is dammed up and it increases about 35 m over its average level. Its water slowly pierces its way through the glacier snout until it makes it fall down. This show is breathtaking. Water becomes into terrific waves so the whole process restarts again.
Nautical Safari (one hour): We depart from Bajo de las Sombras Pier at 75 km away from El Calafate. We sail opposite the glacier southern wall at about 500 m away with the possibility of watching the ice slides in the 60-70-m-high glacial wall. Then we return to the pier.
Transfer out to de airport.
Arrival in Buenos Aires to AEP Jorge Newbery domestic airport. Transfer to EZE international airport for your flight back home.
ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
END OF OUR SERVICES
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ACCOMMODATIONS:
XELENA HOTEL Standard Room or similar
http://www.hotelxelena.com/_stage/eng/index_in.php
The rate includes the following services:
Transfer from the Recoleta Grand hotel in Buenos Aires to the domestic airport.
Transfer at your arrival and departure airport/hotel in El Calafate.
Transfer from the AEP Jorge Newbery domestic airport in Buenos Aires to EZE international airport.
Transfer in & out + Perito Moreno Excursion: Private services – English speaking guide
Navigation: shared services – English/Spanish speaking guide
National Park Entrance fees included.
Box lunches.
Not included
Tips and personal expenses are not included (suggested $3 US Dollars per person per movement).
Air tickets and air taxes not included.
We can provide domestic air tickets. The rates will be available from September 2017. Terms and conditions of the airlines will apply.
All our tours and transfers are provided on the best air conditioned vehicles available at each destination and include the assistance of local English-speaking guides.