Description
Day 1:
Reception at El Calafate airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. Free time (an add-on activity may be added if arrival time permits).
Day 2:
Perito Moreno Glacier: Some moments etch themselves into memory—not through words, but through silence. Among Patagonia’s most awe-inspiring excursions, the encounter with the Perito Moreno Glacier remains unequaled: towering, alive, and in constant motion, a monumental wall of ice that cracks, roars, collapses, and slowly rebuilds itself.
The full-day excursion begins in the morning, departing from El Calafate and tracing the shoreline of Bahía Redonda, the rounded bay of Lake Argentino. The journey reveals the solitary silhouette of Isla Solitaria floating in the water’s expanse. From there, the route enters the windswept Patagonian steppe, a vast landscape of ochres and silvers. Along the way, landmarks appear: Cerro Comisión (also known as Elephant Hill), the Centinela River, Cerro Frías, and traditional ranches like the well-known Estancia Alice. After crossing the Mitre River, the road enters Los Glaciares National Park.
The scenery shifts dramatically. The dry steppe gives way to lush forests of southern beech trees. In just a few miles, the environment transforms into a green, humid corridor of lengas, ñires, evergreen beech, and the brilliant red blooms of the notro.
One of the most iconic moments of the journey occurs at the Curva de los Suspiros—the “Sighs Curve”—named for the audible gasp that often escapes as the glacier appears for the first time in the distance.
Farther along, the road reaches the main viewpoint, where the entire 3-mile-wide face of the glacier comes into view. But the most intimate encounter happens at the walkways—a network of platforms and paths that bring visitors just a few hundred feet from the ice wall itself. Rising more than 200 feet above the lake’s surface, the glacier looms in silence, marked by deep blue crevices, translucent shadows, and jagged towers of frozen time. Every so often, a thunderous crack splits the air. A chunk of ice breaks free and crashes into the lake, sending ripples across the stillness.
The average time spent at the walkways is about two hours, allowing for unhurried exploration. Inside the national park, a visitor area offers food and refreshments, with privileged views of the glacier and surrounding peaks.
The experience reveals the glacier from a completely new perspective, highlighting its towering ice walls and the frequent calving of massive ice blocks, which break off with a thunderous noise and drift as deep-blue icebergs, passing just meters from the boat and coloring the water with their ancient hue.
The vessel, with a capacity of approximately 70 passengers, maintains a safe yet close distance as it navigates the entire southern front of the glacier.
Boarding takes place at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, located 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) from the main Perito Moreno Glacier viewpoint.
Day 3:
Torres del Paine National Park: This is a full-day excursion that may include gentle walks along some of the park's easiest trails, offering an accessible way to experience the stunning landscapes of Torres del Paine.
The journey begins early in the morning, departing from El Calafate and heading south along the route to the Cancha Carrera – Cerro Castillo border crossing. This first stretch involves two hours of travel across the vast Patagonian plateau, where the arid steppe and endless horizons set the tone for the day.
Upon crossing into Chile, the route continues through a landscape of lakes, forests, and rolling hills, leading to the main entrance of Torres del Paine National Park. The word "Paine" means blue in the Tehuelche language — a fitting name for a place where shades of blue color the lakes, forests, and even the stones. Arrival at the park entrance is scheduled for approximately 10:30 a.m.
Inside the park, the itinerary includes several panoramic viewpoints and iconic sites, such as:
- Sarmiento de Gamboa Lake viewpoint
- Blue Lagoon, offering a scenic view of the Towers
- Paine River Falls, with the option to descend to the river (approx. 30 minutes)
- Superior viewpoint of Almirante Nieto Hill and the Cuernos del Paine
- Amarga Lagoon
- Nordenskjöld Lagoon viewpoint
- Salto Grande viewpoint
- Cuernos del Paine from Nordenskjöld Lagoon
- Pehoé Lake
- The National Park Interpretation Centre, which explains the geological formation of the massif, as well as the area's flora, fauna, and glacial processes
- Toro Lake viewpoint
If time allows, a brief walk is offered in one of these locations to further immerse visitors in the park's natural beauty.
The return journey to El Calafate begins around 7:00 p.m., ensuring arrival at the hotels in time for dinner. The distance between El Calafate and Torres del Paine is 130 miles (210 kilometers), with the drive taking approximately three hours each way. Additional time should be considered for customs procedures at the border.
Due to the excursion's long duration and gravel road sections, it is not recommended for small children, pregnant women, individuals with neck or back issues, heart conditions, reduced mobility, or those prone to dizziness.
Day 4:
Free morning to recover from the long excursion to Torres del Paine. In the afternoon, Nativo Experience: This half-day excursion invites travelers to explore the shores of Lake Argentino aboard 4x4 vehicles, blending adventure, history, and natural beauty. The experience offers an anthropological and cultural perspective on the human presence in these remote lands, retracing the journeys of early expeditions into the unknown via the Santa Cruz River and Lake Argentino.
The tour focuses on the first encounters between European explorers and the Tehuelche people, the region’s original inhabitants. The route crosses dramatic cliffs and offers expansive views over Lake Argentino and the majestic Andes Mountain Range.
After hotel pick-up, the first stop takes place along the lakeshore, where guides interpret native flora and fauna and introduce the geology and glaciology of the area.
The second stop reaches high cliff points overlooking the lake, revealing spectacular panoramic views.
The final stop visits an archaeological site where visitors can admire ancient rock art—prehistoric cave paintings left by the Tehuelche people thousands of years ago. These ancestral markings remain visible in the stone and speak to a time long past. Inside the cave itself, guests enjoy lunch or dinner in a completely natural setting, evoking the spirit of the early explorers.
Following the meal, the tour returns to El Calafate.
Day 5:
At scheduled time, transfer from the hotel to the airport.
End of our services.
