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Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.
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Itinerary
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Day 1
El Calafate El Calafate is a little village in Patagonia, Argentina. It is situated in the southern border of Lake Argentino, in the southwest part of the Santa Cruz Province, about 320 km Northwest from Río Gallegos. The city is an important tourist destination as the hub to visit different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park, including the Perito Moreno Glacier (one of the most visited in the world) and the Cerro Chaltén and Cerro Torre. Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle. Includes private airport transfer to/from hotel and airport with private vehicle and driver. Enjoy a wonderful afternoon and evening on a shared tour as you discover this magical place. After being picked up at your hotel, you will get to enjoy an afternoon tea with delicious homemade jams, cookies, scones and bread and a hot tea or coffee. Then the adventure starts as you hike along trekking paths that lead to the lagoon "Laguna de los Pájaros" and the lake "Lago Argentino". Pass by the ancient Indian camping ground where archeologists from the University of La Plata have been excavating and studying the culture of Indians who once dominated the whole area. It is hard to imagine this trip without watching Kelpie dogs guiding the flock from their pastures to the shearing shed. See how sheep are shorn and how wool is balled up with a demonstration provided by the farm hands before enjoying a delicious Patagonian style lamb barbecue, fresh salads, homemade desserts and hot coffee at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view over the Lago Argentino and the Cordillera de los Andes before being brought back to your hotel. The Xelena Deluxe Suites are seated near the lakes of El Calafate, a small village in Patagonia in close proximity to the Perito Moreno Glacier. The hotel offers 71 beautifully decorated rooms promising rich spaciousness. The views are breathtaking, as you can take in the grandeur of the lake from their bedroom. Dine at the hotel restaurant or bar, or in one of the local restaurants in town. The regular shuttle bus or a short stroll into town will allow you to get to know the simplicity of El Calafate. The main attraction in this area is the Perito Moreno glacier, one of the world's third largest reserves of fresh water. Make use of the hotel's fitness room and relaxation facilities if you are so inclined. Overnight at Xelena Deluxe Suites Hotel . |
 El Calafate |
 Patagonian style lamb barbecue |
 Xelena Deluxe Suites, El Calafate |
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Day 2
El Calafate Enjoy a full day shared excursion to see the impressive site of the Perito Moreno Glacier. After a morning departure from your hotel, you'll travel 80 km from El Calafate city, on a gravel road towering over Lake Argentino. In a blaze of colors, the impressive glacier will make a huge impact on your senses. There will be several stops to take photos in strategic places. Upon arrival at the site, your Guide will explain the general features of the Glacier and give specific details on the Glacier Perito Moreno's flora and fauna, and its particular formation. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the site taking in the views from the Glacier balconies, walking along pathways and admiring it from different viewpoints before the return journey to El Calafate. At days end you will be brought back to your hotel in El Calafate. Please speak to your Kensington Tours Sales Advisor if you are interested in doing some ice trekking on this day excursion. Overnight at Xelena Deluxe Suites Hotel . |
 Perito Moreno Glacier |
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Day 3
El Chaltén Located 200km north of El Calafate, El Chaltén is a small mountain village in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. It is located in the riverside of Río de las Vueltas, within the Los Glaciares National Park at the base of Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy mountains, both popular for climbing. For this reason this village is well-visited by trekkers and climbers. Enjoy a shared transfer between El Calafate and El Chalten. The duration of the journey is approximately 4 hours. Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel. The Hotel Los Cerros is located in El Chaltén at the foot of one of the most imposing mountains of Patagonia. Its large windows allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the valleys, lakes and mountains that surround this young Patagonian town founded in 1985. The warmth of the personalised attention of the staff and the regional food of international level pleasantly surprises even the most exacting travelers. The hotel offers lodging, services and cuisine of international level. Lingering all day long in the hotel is really tempting but the rustic nature that surrounds it calls you to enjoy scores of activities in the land of the legendary Cerro Fitz Roy and the imposing Viedma glacier. The outings to the Lago del Desierto, to the base of the Fitz Roy, to the lake and to the glacier of the Cerro Torre are real musts to have a full picture of this region, where much still remains greatly undiscovered. Overnight at Los Cerros del Chalten. |
 El Chaltén |
 Hostería Los Cerros |
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Day 4
El Chaltén Enjoy a full day private hike in the company of a licensed Trekking Guide as you make your way to Laguna Toro. Along the way you will go through huge valleys, across glaciers and climb up on a high rocky pass, following the footsteps of the first German explorers Kolliker and Witte (German Scientific Society of Buenos Aires) who, in 1916, named this pass Windy Pass, and crossed it for the first time as they explored this unknown ice-covered area. The effort of the climb will be rewarded by the most impressive views of this vastness of ice (weather permitting). From the saddle of the pass, most of Viedma Glacier and the Mariano Moreno range in the core on the ice plateau appear. Enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the granite massif of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre from the Pliegue Tumbado ridge. Relax with the peace of mind knowing that there is radio communication with the local office in El Chaltén. Porters will transport general and personal equipment, leaving you free to hike with just a light day pack. Full equipment for dining such as a mess tent with tables and stools, cooking equipment and utensils are all provided as well as all technical equipment necessary to cross Tunnel River (harnesses, carabiners, and ropes). Enjoy the outdoor experience as you camp in the Lake Toro Base camp. Each sleeping tent is for two people and there is a mess tent with tables and stools where meals are taken. Overnight at Camping: Lake Toro Base camp. |
 Laguna Toro |
 Lama carrying equipments |
 Trekking |
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Day 5
El Chaltén Today will be an early start to make the most of the day. After contouring Lake Toro and crossing a river (on foot or by a tyrolean rope), the climb towards Del Viento Pass, one of the main passes into the ice-cap commences. During this 2700 ft (900-meter) ascent, there is a one hour crossing on Ice, over Tunnel Glacier. The trek continues above Moraines and Scree slopes while splendid views can be seen all along the trek. At the top of the pass a fabulous panoramic lookout awaits. Todays trek is an out and back route, though the scenery will seem different as you retrace your steps back to Lake Toro Base Camp. Overnight at Camping: Lake Toro Base camp. |
 Tunnel Glacier |
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Day 6
El Chaltén Enjoy a full day hike to El Chaltén. Today's hike includes a total descent of 1,300 metres. From Laguna Toro to Pliegue Tumbado there is a descent of 500 metres, and from Pliegue Tumbado to Chalten there is a drop in descent of 800m. Upon arrival at El Chalten, your cozy lodge awaits. The Hotel Los Cerros is located in El Chaltén at the foot of one of the most imposing mountains of Patagonia. Its large windows allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the valleys, lakes and mountains that surround this young Patagonian town founded in 1985. The warmth of the personalised attention of the staff and the regional food of international level pleasantly surprises even the most exacting travelers. The hotel offers lodging, services and cuisine of international level. Lingering all day long in the hotel is really tempting but the rustic nature that surrounds it calls you to enjoy scores of activities in the land of the legendary Cerro Fitz Roy and the imposing Viedma glacier. The outings to the Lago del Desierto, to the base of the Fitz Roy, to the lake and to the glacier of the Cerro Torre are real musts to have a full picture of this region, where much still remains greatly undiscovered. Overnight at Los Cerros del Chalten. |
 Trekking in El Chaten |
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Day 7
El Calafate Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Enjoy a shared transfer between El Chalten and El Calafate. The duration of the journey is approximately 4 hours. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary. Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard). |
 Kensington Cares |
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Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure – Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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