Patagonia with the Reckless Optimists

TrovaTrip will provide 3 arrival transfers from Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE) to the hotel between 8 am and 5 pm. Exact transfer time within this window will be determined closer to the trip departure based on provided traveler flight information. Travelers arriving outside of the requested flight guidelines will need to make their own transfer arrangements to meet the group at the hotel.

8:00 P.M.: Let's raise a glass together to an exciting trip ahead during your welcome dinner! Tonight's gathering will take place at La Zaina restaurant, just a brief 10-minute transfer from the hotel. The evening promises a delightful 3-course set menu, offering a taste of the most authentic Patagonian flavors. Please note that a bottle of water and a glass of wine are included. Adittional beverages can be purchased at the venue.

Overnight in El Calafate.

7:00 A.M.: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Altos de Calafate Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks.

9:00 A.M.: In the morning, following breakfast, you'll be picked up for a scenic one-hour transfer to Los Glaciares National Park. Upon arrival at the park entrance, you'll be registered and then continue with a 30-minute transfer to Bajo las Sombras port. Here, a catamaran will provide you with an awe-inspiring first look at the glacier. Embark on the comfortable catamaran for an exhilarating one-hour navigation surrounded by towering icebergs. Enjoy the spectacle of the Perito Moreno Glacier's impressive ice walls and its thunderous collapses into Lago Rico. After the navigation, a 20-minute transfer will take you to the walkways circuit. The walkways consist of a 2.5-mile system of paths and viewing platforms strategically positioned to offer unparalleled views of the Perito Moreno Glacier. You'll have ample free time to explore the walkways, take countless photos, and soak in the mesmerizing sights. Lunch is not included, but a restaurant near the parking area offers food, beverages, and restroom facilities. Once you've explored the various viewpoints of the glacier, you'll return to Bajo Las Sombras port to start the Ice trek adventure.

For the safety and well-being of participants, the following individuals cannot partake in this tour: pregnant women, individuals with any physical or mental disability, those over 65 years old, individuals with a history of cardiac issues, people with obesity concerns, and those with respiratory disabilities. After admiring the glacier from both the boat and the walkways, get ready for the most exciting part of the day: hiking across the glacial terrain. This adventure starts at Bajo Las Sombras port, where a 30-minute catamaran ride will transport you to the lake's opposite shore. Once you step off the boat, you'll enjoy a scenic stroll along the lake's coast for about 40 minutes. Along the way, guides will share insights into glaciology, ensuring you don't miss any mesmerizing ice calvings. Once at the glacier's edge, surrounded by breathtaking blue ice, you'll be fitted with provided crampons and helmets to begin the ice trek. This moderate circuit introduces you to a fascinating glacial landscape that feels otherworldly. Get ready for an hour-long ice trek where you'll marvel at incredible shades of blue, small lagoons, crevasses, and sculptural ice formations. Following the ice trek, return on foot to the port, re-embark on the catamaran, and navigate back to the starting coast. A vehicle will be waiting to return to the hotel. Bringing your own gloves is advisable for the ice trekking. Kindly be aware that the ice trekking experience is a shared tour. The timing and order of activities may be subject to changes on-site by the local supplier. Please note that passport information will be necessary to confirm the booking of this activity.

Overnight in El Calafate.

7:00 A.M.: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Altos de Calafate Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks.

8:00AM.: After enjoying breakfast, you'll embark on a private transfer to the charming mountain village of El Chalten. The journey is incredibly scenic, traversing the expansive Patagonian steppe and offering picturesque vistas of the Argentino and Viedma lakes. If weather permits, you'll have the opportunity for a wonderful view of the Fitz Roy mountain range along the route. Please be aware that we've planned a halfway stop at La Leona for restroom breaks and shopping. You'll reach your hotel around noon, with some free time for lunch at your leisure.

4:30 PM.: After completing your lunch, your local guide will meet you at the hotel to embark on a brief 15-minute walk to reach the trailhead. El Chaltén, being a small mountain town, boasts easily walkable distances. The Mirador de Cóndores y Águilas awaits—a breathtaking viewpoint offering panoramic vistas of the Patagonian wilderness. This gentle hike features soft slopes, revealing stunning views of rugged mountain ranges, including the iconic Fitz Roy peak, vast valleys, glacial lakes, and winding rivers. With luck, visitors might witness the majestic Andean condors soaring above the high mountains. The return hike follows the same path back to the hotel, leaving the rest of the afternoon free for leisurely exploration of the town. Carrying a small backpack with water and snacks is advisable, and trekking poles can be helpful. Please note that hiking activities are subject to weather conditions. Additionally, due to the secluded nature of the hike, restroom facilities won't be available along the trail. Duration: 3 hours | Difficulty: Easy | Length: 4 miles | Elevation change: 820ft

Overnight in El Chaltén.

7:00 A.M.: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Los Cerros Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks.

8:00AM.: Start your day with a hearty breakfast to fuel up for a full day of trekking through the stunning landscapes of Patagonia. A short 30-minute transfer will transport you to the trailhead of the rewarding hike to Laguna los Tres—a glacial lake with mesmerizing turquoise waters nestled beneath the towering Fitz Roy. This challenging yet immensely gratifying hike traverses diverse terrain, beginning with gentle slopes that gradually steepen. You'll journey through dense forests, rocky paths, and eventually, an exposed section offering panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. The final ascent to the lake is steep but rewarding, revealing a breathtaking view of the iconic Fitz Roy mountain, glaciers, and the vibrant turquoise waters of the lake. At midday, your experienced trekking guide will seek out a spot protected from the wind to have a packed lunch. Your return hike to the hotel is scheduled for the late afternoon. Carrying a small backpack with water, the lunch and snacks is recommended, and trekking poles can be helpful. Please be mindful that hiking activities are subject to weather conditions. Additionally, due to the secluded nature of the hike, restroom facilities won't be available along the trail. Distance: 16 miles | Duration: 8-9 hours | Difficulty: Moderate-difficult | Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft

A packed lunch is provided and will be enjoyed during the hike. The lunch box includes a sandwich (chicken, tuna, vegetarian, or antipasto), an empanada (meat or vegetarian pie), a piece of fruit, dried fruit, a pastry, and some candy. Please be aware that water is not included, so we recommend filling your bottle at the hotel. You can also refill from streams during the trek. Your guide will provide the packed lunch in the morning at the hotel, and you'll need to carry it during the hike.

Overnight in El Chaltén.

7:00 A.M.: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Los Cerros Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks.

9:30 AM: Following breakfast, you'll embark on a captivating 1.5-hour scenic transfer to the northern area of the national park, arriving at Lago del Desierto. Upon reaching the shoreline, a shared small catamaran awaits to take you through the rugged landscapes of Patagonia. This immersive tour engages all the senses, offering an unforgettable experience amidst nature. Encounter nature's wonders, capture stunning photographs, explore historic sites, observe wildlife, sail across a pristine lake, and trek through one of the region's most enchanting forests. At midday, savor a 'Picada Argentina,' a delightful assortment of various cheeses, meats, olives, and bread paired with some of Argentina's finest wine. Your return to the hotel in the afternoon marks the culmination of a memorable day filled with navigation and exploration.

8:00 pm - Dinner at your hotel is included.

Overnight in El Chaltén.

7:00 A.M.: Breakfast is included at the hotel. Los Cerros Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks.

It´s time to get back to El Calafate. Please be aware that we've planned a halfway stop at La Leona for restroom breaks and shopping. You'll reach your hotel in the afternoon, with free time to freshen up and realax.

Overnight in El Calafate.

7:00 A.M. - Breakfast is included at the hotel. Kosten Aike Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks.

7:30 AM In the morning, after breakfast, you'll be picked up for a scenic one-hour transfer to Punta Bandera port, situated on the shores of Argentino Lake. A comfortable catamaran awaits, offering an awe-inspiring voyage through the northern arm of the turquoise-blue Argentino Lake, journeying toward the Upsala Canal. Traverse alongside towering icebergs and relish breathtaking views of the Upsala Glacier. Following this, the navigation continues through the Spegazzini Canal, leading to the Spegazzini Glacier, the highest in Los Glaciares National Park. Witness the majestic calving as large chunks of ice dramatically break away from the colossal icebergs and tumble into the lake. We'll make a stop at the base of Spegazzini, right in front of the glacier, allowing you to enjoy leisurely walks amidst stunning views. You'll walk to a modern shelter where a premium lunch awaits. The three-course menu starts with a traditional cold-cut board and appetizers, followed by a delicious lamb stew as the main course, concluding with caramel spread mousse accompanied by forest fruits for dessert. Both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are included with the meal. After lunch, embark the catamaran and the navigation returns to the initial port, where transportation awaits to take you back to the hotel. Please note that the catamaran tour is shared with other tourists and features amenities such as restrooms, spacious open areas for admiring landscapes, and indoor comfortable seating with tables. It's advisable to dress warmly for this tour, including a rain jacket, boots, fleece, beanie, and gloves.

8:00 P.M.: Later in the afternoon, a quick 10-minute transfer will take you to Shackleton restaurant for your final dinner with fellow travelers. Enjoy a delightful 3-course set menu featuring traditional Patagonian cuisine. Please note that a bottle of water and a glass of wine are included. Additional beverages can be purchased at the venue.

Overnight in El Calafate.

7:00 A.M. - Breakfast is included at the hotel. Kosten Aike Hotel provides a buffet-style breakfast with a diverse selection, including scrambled eggs, cold cuts, local pastries, yogurt, cereals, bread, jams, orange juice, and hot drinks.

Trova Trip will provide two departure transfers from the hotel to Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE) between 8 am and 11 am. Exact transfer time within this window will be determined closer to the trip departure based on provided traveler flight information. Travelers departing outside of the requested flight guidelines will need to make their own transfer arrangaments to the airport.