Patagonian Secrets
Day 01El Calafate |
Welcome at the airport and private transfer with bilingual local guide to the car rental company. Pick-up of the car. Our guide gives a briefing of the area and hands in detailed road descriptions and maps. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at El Calafate. |
Day 02Perito Moreno Glacier |
We recommend visiting the Glacier Perito Moreno. This is another big highlight of the South. It lies 80km from the village. On the drive you will experience the change of landscape from the dry Patagonian steppe into the humid climate between the mountains. Some people say that the Perito Moreno is the most beautiful glacier on earth. Have a look and experience it by yourself. It is certainly an unforgettable spectacle. Overnight at El Calafate. |
Day 03Ruta 40 |
You leave El Calafate and drive north on the unpaved “Ruta 40” to El Chaltén. It is your first experience exploring the Patagonian steppe. Have a break at the only remote place on the way, the estancia La Leona. A petrified forest is close to this place and maybe you wish to have a look at it. Then continue your last 90km. Soon you will see the majestic Fitz Roy Mountain. Overnight at El Chaltén. |
Day 04El Chaltén |
Day at leisure for trekking. Chaltén is a small village that has always attracted mountaineers from all over the world. Today the National Park has many well-marked paths and tracks and it is easy to find the way around. For the first day we recommend a trekking tour to the foot of Cerro Torre. It is an easy walk through woods. At the end you will come to a beautiful lagoon with unbelievable views of the mountain peak. Overnight at El Chaltén. |
Day 05El Chaltén |
Another day at leisure to explore this wonderful walkers’ paradise. Today we suggest a tour to the Laguna de los Tres. It lasts a whole day and the last part of the track is very steep, but the view of Mount Fity Roy and the blue lagoons is absolutely worth it! You will love it. However, there are options for the ones who don’t like to walk so much. Drive to the Laguna del Desierto and enjoy an easy walk to a close look out point. The view is amazing. Overnight at El Chaltén. |
Day 06Ruta 40 |
A long day drive through the vast Patagonian steppe along the legendary Ruta 40. The road is unpaved and the distances enormous. You may see some local fauna, like the guanacos or ñandúes. Late in the afternoon, you reach an estancia where you will stay for the night. It is a working farm and their main activity is sheep breeding. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of the place and explore the surroundings. |
Day 07Ruta 40 |
Continue your trip on the unpaved Ruta 40. The immensity of land is just unbelievable. Sometimes you will drive past an isolated estancia or see a gaucho on his horse. The road goes mainly through the rough Patagonian steppe. The Andes are only sometimes seen at the far west. By the evening you reach the Lake Posadas. Overnight at a small posada (inn). |
Day 08Ruta 40 |
Day at leisure to explore this beautiful piece of land. There is a huge contrast between the dry brownish mountains and the turquoise coloured lakes. In the distance you see the snow caped Chilean Andes peaks. Overnight at the hosteria (lodge). |
Day 09Ruta 40 |
Drive to the Cueva de las Manos, a cave with ancient Indian rock paintings. The beautiful surroundings invite for a walk. Then continue north on “Ruta 40” to the village of Los Antiguos. Here, at the shore of the Lake Buenos Aires in the Chilean border you enjoy another beautiful evening. Overnight at Los Antiguos. |
Day 10Road to Atlantic Ocean |
Drive on a good paved road to the Atlantic Ocean. On the way you can visit the stone forest reserve at Sarmiento. You can spend about two hours walking around and see the different formations. Then continue to Comodoro Rivadavia. This is the most important industrial town for oil production in Argentina, as well as an important harbour for the fishing industry. Overnight at Comodoro Rivadavia. |
Day 11Punta Tombo |
Drive along the main highway north. You may visit the famous penguin reserve of Punta Tombo. It is considered the biggest penguin colony in the South American continent. The observation of these unique animals is very pleasant. In the evening, you continue to Puerto Madryn. This lovely little town on the ocean has a superb beach and in summer it is a popular holiday destination for the Patagonian people. Overnight at Puerto Madryn. |
Day 12Peninsula Valdés |
You drive to the unique animal reserve of Peninsula Valdés. At Puerto Pirámides you will have the possibility to go for an optional boat voyage. Between June and December, whale watching tours are organized. Between January and March, sea lions can be seen. Continuation to Punta Delgada, where huge sea elephant seals can be observed at the beach. Overnight at the small Hotel Faro Punta Delgada. |
Day 13Caleta Valdés |
Morning at leisure at the hosteria (lodge). In the afternoon we suggest driving along the east coast to Caleta Valdés. It is an inlet formed by the sea and a place where marine wildlife can often be observed. Then continue through the central road back to Puerto Madryn. Overnight at Puerto Madryn. |
Day 14Trelew |
Drive to Trelew airport. Drop-off your car and continue your individual programme. |