Patagonia x Willem Explores

Let's raise a glass together to an exciting trip ahead during your welcome dinner! Tonight's gathering will take place at a local restaurant, just a brief 5-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. Additional beverages can be purchased at the venue.

Overnight in El Calafate.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Cauquenes de Nimez 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. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

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.

After completing your lunch, your local trekking 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.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Pudu Lodge 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. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

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.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Pudu Lodge 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. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

Overnight in El Chaltén.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Pudu Lodge 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. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

After breakfast, your trekking guide will pick you up, and you'll begin the walk from the hotel to the trailhead, which takes approximately 15 minutes and crosses through the town. The path begins with a gradual ascent through Patagonian forests and open meadows, gradually becoming steeper as it progresses. As you gain elevation, the scenery begins to unfold, revealing stunning vistas of the Fitz Roy mountain range, Cerro Torre, and the surrounding peaks. The trail rewards you with awe-inspiring views of glaciers, valleys, and the expansive Patagonian wilderness. Reaching the summit of Lomo del Pliegue Tumbado offers a breathtaking 360-degree view, providing an excellent vantage point for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The trek's difficulty lies in its length and steep sections, making it challenging but immensely rewarding. At midday, your 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. Duration: 9 hours | Difficulty: Moderate-difficult | Length: 14 miles | Elevation Change: 3,610 feet

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.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Pudu Lodge 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. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

After enjoying breakfast, you'll check out from the hotel and embark on a scenic 40-minute transfer to Estancia Huemules, nestled within a private natural reserve spanning around 6,000 hectares of protected wilderness. This exclusive hike offers a unique and serene chance to explore an area where few visitors have access. Within this pristine reserve, various hiking trails cater to different preferences. Your guide will choose a suitable path based on your group's condition after several days of hiking in Patagonia. One standout trail is a gentle trek to the Green and Blue Lagoons, commencing from Los Huemules Private Ranch. This trail meanders parallel to the Diablo River, crossing suspension bridges and offering stunning vistas. Around midday, your guide will select a sheltered spot for a packed lunch, before retracing the path through a scenic forest. Returning to Los Huemules Private Ranch, bathroom facilities will be available for a quick refresh before the transfer back to El Calafate. You'll arrive at your hotel by 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. Duration: 3 hours | Difficulty: Easy-Moderate | Length: 6 miles | Elevation Change: 530 feet

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.

After completing the soft hike at Huemules Reserve, a transfer will take you 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 late in the afternoon, with free time for dinner at your leisure.

Overnight in El Calafate.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Cauquenes de Nimez 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. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.

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 the hotel by transfer, arriving in the afternoon.

For those joining this unforgettable optional activity, the tour starts the same as the main group, with a morning pick-up and a 1.5-hour transfer to Bajo las Sombras port. Upon arrival, you'll board a comfortable catamaran to admire the majestic floating icebergs and the imposing ice walls of the Perito Moreno Glacier. The catamaran navigation leads to the opposite shore, where disembarking, you'll stroll along the lake coast for approximately 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 for a 20-minute transfer to join the main group at the walkways circuit. There, alongside fellow travelers, you'll explore the walkways, enjoy lunch at the restaurant at your leisure, and capture countless photos. The return transfer to the hotel is scheduled for the entire group in the afternoon. Bringing your own gloves is advisable for the ice trekking. 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. 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.

Later in the afternoon, a quick 10-minute transfer will take you to a local 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. Keep in mind that the menu is subject to change based on the confirmed restaurant.

Overnight in El Calafate.

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Cauquenes de Nimez 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. The specific offerings may vary depending on your confirmed hotel.