The Magic Of PatagoniaWalking in the awe-inspiring Patagonia, an area of uninterrupted lakes, dormant volcanoes and vast tracts of wilderness. _w=730_h=400_pjpg.jpg)
Moderate
Tour code: 46300 Last Modified: 18th January 2021 _w=622_h=622_pjpg.jpg)
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Holiday HighlightsSee what's planned
Trip InformationWhere the craggy peaks of the Patagonian Andes are too steep to hold snow, bare rocks pierce the sky. The famous Torres del Paine are perhaps the most well-known and iconic example of this. Snowy mountains are common but here things are different. Weather is extreme, colours are rich and vibrant, and views are simply too beautiful to put into words. We begin our Patagonian journey in Buenos Aires where we take a guided tour exploring all the sights and sounds of the city, including an unmissable tango night. Next up is El Chalten where rewarding walking awaits, with magnificent views of Fitzroy and the surrounding peaks. One of our walks ends on the shores of Lago Torre, where we are rewarded with immense views of Cerro Torre and of the Grande Glacier. Water is everywhere in Patagonia. Glacial streams plummet from the mountains into rivers and lakes. A boat trip from El Calafate takes us past immense icebergs, floating gently by as we cruise alongside a vertical wall of ice. Perhaps we’ll be lucky and hear the thunderous cracking as a chunk of ice the size of a car, calves off and crashes into the water. The feeling is eerie but quite magnificent. In Torres del Paine National Park the walking is superb, some of the finest in the world. This treeless world offers expansive views and you may notice a guanaco has strolled into view or an Andean condor crossing the sun. These are not experiences to be had elsewhere. We’ll explore valleys and hills always with the Andean peaks as a backdrop. Light and shadow change constantly as southern winds drive clouds across the sun; this is nature at its wildest and most pure. We leave Torres del Paine and drive south to Punta Arenas; we therefore leave the mountains in favour of a town that is surrounded by flat barren plains and open water. We’ll have time to explore before our flight to Santiago where we have a guided morning tour of Santiago to discover the city highlights. Literary buffs might be attracted to sites associated with Pablo Neruda, Chile's Nobel prize winning poet. What's included?
What's not included?
Holiday GradeThis is a Grade 5 holiday. It combines walking in the Patagonian Andes with a little sightseeing in Buenos Aires and Santiago, two iconic capital cities. There are plenty of opportunities for walking through beautiful scenery. The walking in all of our Patagonian centres is not particularly high altitude. The highest point we reach on the holiday will likely be 1200m at Pliego Tumbado walking from El Chalten. Paths are generally good underfoot. However they are sometimes stony and steep for short sections so walking poles can be useful. Our bottom line is happy travellers, and to that end we trust our tour leaders to use the itinerary below as a basis for providing you with a great holiday. We expect our leaders to make adjustments to the itinerary if the weather, group ability or other local conditions make that necessary. There are normally more options available to our leaders than those listed below and one or more of these options may well be chosen. All distances, heights & timings are approximate. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel. Proposed ItineraryDay 1Proposed ItineraryDay 1In flightMeals In-FlightDepart London Heathrow for the overnight flight to Buenos Aires via Madrid. Day 2Day 2Buenos AiresMeals DinnerAccommodation Hotel NH Buenos Aires FloridaMorning arrival in Buenos Aires. Transfer to our hotel (45 minutes) in the city where we spend two nights. We enjoy a guided afternoon sightseeing in Buenos Aires checking out the highlights. These include a visit downtown to Plaza de Mayo where we find the Catedral Metropolitana, Cabildo and the Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada). We also drive down Avenida de Mayo which houses Plaza de Congreso and Palacio de Congreso (Parliament). The different districts we visit highlight the sheer diversity of Buenos Aires. Therefore, we pass through so many to platform what an eclectic city it truly is. Keep your camera ready. La Boca is the artist quarter and very colourful destination. The Caminito, a short pedestrian walk, is a good crafts shopping area. The nearby buildings are painted in a variety of bright colours and some of the artist's display work. Recoleta is one of the more expensive areas in the north-west part of the city. The cemetery, the most famous attraction here is home to the grave of Eva Peron. San Telmo is typical for flea markets and generally a buzzing hive of activity. Sunday is particularly wonderful to find antiques. Around the stalls are street cafes and buskers including street musicians, mimes and Tango dancers. Puerto Madero is the old port area has been extensively renovated and with many new buildings constructed. This area has become a tourist destination with several old ships. Day 3Day 3Buenos AiresMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Hotel NH Buenos Aires FloridaToday we take things at a more leisurely pace and explore with the Ramblers Walking Holidays tour leader. We spend the day discovering Buenos Aires and perhaps visit some of the country outside of the city. There is so much to see and the leader will make up a plan based on the season and exciting things happening around the city. In the evening we will enjoy a tango show, a classic Buenos Aires tradition, over our dinner . Buenos Aires is famous as the birthplace of the tango and attending a live show is an unforgettable experience. So settle in, take to your seats for a meal and a spectacular tango performance. You could not get more quintessential Argentina than this! Day 4Day 4El ChaltenMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Hotel PoincenotWe fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, and then travel by road (c. 3hrs) to El Chalten for four nights. El Chalten is named for Cerro Fitzroy’s Tehuelche name, meaning ‘peak of fire’ or ‘smoking mountain’ a literal description of the cloud-enshrouded summit. This colourful village overlooks the beautiful northern sector of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Founded in 1985, El Chalten is still a frontier town. Day 5Day 5El ChaltenMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Hotel Poincenot
Mount Fitzroy Base Camp. A linear walk rising through woodland onto open moorland with great views of Fitzroy and the surrounding peaks. This walk explores the area at the foot of Mount Fitzroy, initially following the Rio Blanco and passing through southern beech woodland with excellent views of the Piedras Blancas glacier. The walk reaches Poincenot camp - previously the base camp for climbs up Mount Fitzroy - occupying a low col above the Rio Blanco. Day 6Day 6El ChaltenMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Hotel Poincenot
Cerro Torre. The walk follows the Fitzroy valley as far as Lago Torre, crossing several moraines. After an initial ascent to a viewpoint and a short descent the path is relatively flat. The walk ends on the shores of Lago Torre, where there are great views of Cerro Torre (weather permitting) and of the Grande Glacier. There may be icebergs in the lake. Day 7Day 7El ChaltenMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Hotel Poincenot
Pliegue Tumbado. This is an out and back walk. To reach the peak itself is at the very top of the grade involving an ascent over scree but weather permitting everybody can enjoy stunning views of the Fitzroy range and Lake Viedma. As we have a local guide and group leader some flexibility can be offered. Day 8Day 8El CalafateMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Patagonia Queen Hotel BoutiqueAfter checking out of the hotel, there is time for a short walk but will involve some travel time. In the early afternoon, we return and continue back to El Calafate town where we stay two nights. Day 9Day 9El CalafateMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Patagonia Queen Hotel BoutiqueWe have a day trip by boat out to see the Perito Moreno Glacier and will hopefully see it calving into the lake. This would justify the holiday on its own. The Perito Moreno glacier drops into the Canal de los Tempanos, a narrow arm of Lago Argentina (claimed to be the third-largest lake in South America and upon which El Calafate also sits). Behind the glacier, one of the few in the world that is not retreating, is the third largest ice field in the world - the largest being Antarctica and the second being the northern Arctic, so it is extremely impressive! Chunks of ice are continually falling from the 60-metre-high glacier wall into the lake below with a large rumble. The drive is about one and a half hours with photo stops, followed by a one-hour boat trip along the southeast face of the glacier. The coach will then take the group to the upper parking area near the glacier lookout. There is a network of 3 km boardwalks including a descent close to the face, where we have free time. Day 10Day 10Puerto NatalesMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Hotel HD Natales
The drive from Calafate to Puerto Natales takes about 4 hrs. It is 2 hrs to Cancha Carrera, the Argentine border, across Patagonian steppe then another 15min to Cerro Castillo, the Chilean border. Border crossing shouldn’t be too time-consuming but be prepared for a wait if there is a queue. From the border it is another 2 hrs to our hotel. If we arrive in time there should be time to walk locally from the hotel which is just to the north of Puerto Natales. Day 11Day 11Torres del PaineMeals Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation Hotel Las Torres
The Torres Base Walk This is one of the finest and most recognisable walks of the trip and although strenuous, it is well worth the effort. This is your opportunity to see the three towers of the Torres del Paine and the Glacial Lake at close quarters. There are some short sections with exposed scree slopes with steep drops to the river below. Day 12Day 12Torres del PaineMeals Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation Hotel Las Torres
French Valley. This provides a superb walk right in the heart of the mountains. It is a long day involving a return trip on a catamaran. Great views of the Cuernos del Paine, the Frances glacier and over the lakes to the south of the massif. Day 13Day 13Puerto NatalesMeals Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation Hotel HD Natales
Lago Grey offers is a lovely hike although it can get windy. It goes over a low, wooded moraine before heading out over a flat, pebble spit to a rocky island in the middle of the lake. The short, circular, rocky path has great views of the lake and the famous large glacier. Usually, there are icebergs piled up on the shore. At times of high ice melt (March) the lake can rise and cover the spit so that this walk is not always possible, but this is rare. After the walk we drive back to Puerto Natales for another night. Day 14Day 14SantiagoMeals Breakfast & LunchAccommodation Panamericana Hotel ProvidenciaWe travel south to Punta Arenas on the shores of the Magellan Straits. Here we have lunch included and (depending on flight times) a chance to look around this distinctive town. We are out of the mountains here, the town is surrounded by flat barren plains and open water. Later we fly 3000km north to Santiago, as we arrive late dinner is not included in Santiago so you might like to purchase supplies to tide you over. Day 15Day 15In flightMeals BreakfastAfter checking out of the hotel, we enjoy a guided tour of Chile's capital city with our local guide. Attractions included are the funicular at Cerro san Cristobal and a visit to Plaza de Armas with free time to visit the cathedral for photographs. We are hoping to visit the central market which is a great place for lunch. From here we return to the airport for our overnight flight back to London with a bag full of memories from this iconic adventure. Day 16Day 16TravelMeals In-FlightArrive back in the UK. Walks & Excursions
Patagonia is wide open big sky country, there are few trees so wherever you look you will see broad open vistas of the stunning landscape. On this holiday we do not plan to scale peaks but instead, enjoy walking a distance back from the mountain peaks so you will be best able to enjoy the views. You will not be disappointed. The walking is generally very good on recognised paths although it can always be a little boggy underfoot. The vegetation tends to be ground-hugging with stunted bushes, shrubs and flowers. Because of the open terrain, you will doubtless see all kinds of wildlife which should greatly add to the experience. Please note at El Calafate, El Chalten and in Paine, as well as the RWH leader, all our walks will be accompanied by knowledgeable local guides who add enormously to the experience. They know the area, the wildlife, the culture and the history. You should make every effort to ask questions as they are only too pleased to share the knowledge with you. Having two guides for each walk also allows us to offer some flexibility on occasions. Local Transport CostsAll local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary. Optional ExcursionsA range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions. Spending MoneyHoliday BudgetingWhen budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day. Holiday CurrencyChilean Peso and Argentinian Peso. It is advisable to take US Dollars and not Sterling with you, if possible prior to leaving UK obtain Argentinian and Chilean Pesos. US dollars can be exchanged in Buenos Aires the local guide will arrange for a money changer to come to the hotel. US Dollars can be exchanged at the border crossing with Chile (albeit at a very poor exchange rate) just ask the leader. You can also use ATMs but you will be charged for transactions and this rate can vary depending on which local bank you use. The equivalent of about 100 -150 US Dollars in both currencies should be adequate for purchasing snacks, lunches and some drinks for evening meals. TippingAlthough entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff & to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday. Tour Leaders & Local GuidesTour LeadersYour tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible. Leader's Evening BriefingEach evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know. Local GuidesTo enhance your experience, as well as your tour leader, each holiday will be accompanied by a well qualified and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide. Your Travel DetailsWe will travel from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires and return Santiago de Chile to London Heathrow with British Airways. Travel within South America is by road and air. We fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate on Aerolineas Argentinas. Our flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago is on LATAM. The hold baggage allowance for both flights is 23kg. Please note these limits can change at any time. If you are joining the holiday in Argentina and leaving in Chile, we assume that you will meet and leave the party at the hotel. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure. Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details. Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance. If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel. Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details. Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you. Luggage Allowance & Travel DocumentsFor all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure. Personal Details CheckTo ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible. Passports and VisasGeneral Passport AdviceIt is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country. Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Passport Information for ChileNo visas are required for Chile but passports must be valid for the duration of your stay. In Chile your passport is often required when checking in and when changing money, so carry it with you on these occasions. Please note no meat, vegetables, fruit or nuts are allowed to be brought in Chile. Any attempt to do so may result in confiscation and a fine being levied AccommodationWhere are we going to stay?Hotel NH Buenos Aires FloridaCalle San Martin 839 C1004AAQ Buenos Aires Argentina +54 11 4321-9850 Located in Retiro, Hotel NH Buenos Aires Florida is steps away from Naval Center and Galerias Pacifico. Plaza San Martin and Florida Street are also within 10 minutes. San Martin Station is 7 minutes by foot and Florida Station is 8 minutes. Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has a fitness centre and a bar/lounge. Wi-Fi in public areas is free. Hotel PoincenotAvenida San Martin 668 Z9301ABA El Chalten Argentina +54 2962 49-3252 Hotel Poincenot is positioned conveniently close to the starting point of the trails that lead into the mountains. It is within walking distance of the amenities of El Chalten itself, which has become known as the “Trekking Capital of Argentina”. Spacious rooms come with en-suite bathrooms, a safe, telephone and television and many have views onto the beautiful mountains. Free Wi-Fi is present but can be patchy. The hotel has a Bar and Coffee House that is open 24 hours a day, a lounge and a common area where you can relax and a restaurant where you can enjoy a continental breakfast and dinners. Patagonia Queen Hotel BoutiqueAv Padre Agostini 49 9405 El Calafate Argentina +54 2902 49-6701 Patagonia Queen is a boutique hotel offering comfortable accommodation in El Calafate, only 100 yards from downtown and nearby Lago Argentino Lake. Rooms feature cable TV and a private spa bath. They also have a minibar, heating and a safety deposit box. Facilities include a gym and a games room that comprises a pool table, board games and table tennis. Services of massage and laundry are available. For relaxation, guests can visit Patagonia Queen´s cocktail-wine bar. Hotel HD NatalesKilometro 5 Puerto Bories, 6160000 Puerto Natales, CHILE +56 61 241 1101 Set in an attractive garden, Hotel HD Natales is a couple of miles from the centre of town. Rooms access in Puerto Natales. The spacious and bright rooms feature offer free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms and heating. A buffet breakfast is included. Hotel Las TorresBarrio San Pantaleon numero 23, 39193, Arnuero +34 942 657 129 Set in Torres del Paine National Park, Hotel Las Torres offers great views of the mountains. Cosy, warmly decorated rooms offer flat-screen TVs and minibars. Amenities include an elegant restaurant, an airy, glass-enclosed bar with views of the grounds, spa and sauna. There's also an organic garden. Breakfast is buffet style. Panamericana Hotel ProvidenciaFrancisco Noguera 146, Providencia 7500006 Santiago Santiago Metropolitan +56 2 2863 2300 With a swimming pool, Panamericana Hotel in Providencia offers modern rooms that are tastefully furnished and spacious. They include an LCD TV with cable, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi access. Panamericana offers room service until 11 pm each night. Alternatively, La Terraza Restaurant serves authentic Chilean dishes. MealsBreakfast and dinners are included on this tour. Breakfast will be taken in hotels, whereas dinners will be served in a combination of hotels and local restaurants. Four lunches are included; 3 boxed and 1 in a local restaurant. Hotel ChangesThe hotel(s) listed within this document are examples of standard only. Whilst we strive to deliver the hotel(s) listed within this Holiday Information Sheet, there will be times throughout the year when they change. If this occurs, we will advise you as such. From time to time hotels will change near to departure and you will not be advised until after arriving into the destination. We always aim to provide a replacement of similar standard and location, although we cannot guarantee similar facilities such as pool or bar. Footwear & Kit ListFootwearLightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. General Kit ListOutdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared. If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference. Country Specific KitWildlife and scenery viewing experiences are always improved with binoculars. For seeing a bird in the treetops or picking out some detail on the horizon they are invaluable. If you have a pair, please bring them with you on your holiday. On some holidays it will be appropriate to have them with you all the time. Sometimes you might prefer to avoid carrying the extra weight. Your tour leader will always be happy to advise which days it will be particularly useful to take them. Travel Documents ChecklistDocuments and Information to take with you:
Electricity in ChileElectricity in Chile is supplied at 220 Volts. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ Electricity in ArgentinaElectricity in Argentina is supplied at 220 Volts. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/ Water To GoAn alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles. We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays. Maps, Guidebooks & Other InformationMaps, Guidebooks & MoreSome book suggestions are:
The “Bradt” guide to Argentina provides very well-researched and interesting background reading for this holiday. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays have negotiated a 25% discount on all Bradt guides for you as a thank you for your custom – so please go to the Bradt Guide website www.bradtguides.com and enter the code RWH25 when ordering to claim your discount. Further information can be found on the following websites: Argentina Tourist Information www.turismo.gov.ar / Chile National Tourist Board: www.sernatur.cl The Map ShopMaps and guidebooks relating to the areas you will be walking in may be bought before your holiday from The Map Shop at www.themapshop.co.uk WeatherVisit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Useful InformationFind out moreArgentina
Visas and Passports No visa required for a stay of up to 90 days
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Admire the iconic peaks of Torres del Paine National Park.
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