Argentine Glaciers and Patagonia|S2

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Perito Moreno Glacier

After checking out of our Buenos Aires hotel, we'll take a two-hour morning flight to El Calafate in the Argentine Patagonia, the country’s glacier capital and the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. The picturesque town is named after the elusive local Calafate berry, and legend has it that eating even one will guarantee your return to Patagonia. Upon arrival, we'll transfer to our hotel and after some time to rest, we'll set out for the Los Glaciares National Park to see its most spectacular sight: the Perito Moreno Glacier. We'll explore the network of boardwalks criss-crossing the park and overlooking the Perito Moreno Glacier from multiple view points, as we listen to the loud thuds of glaciers melting and hitting the water. Afterwards, we'll transfer to Puerto Bandera and board the Glacial Explorer boat to take us up-close to Perito Moreno's imposing northern wall. Finally, we'll visit Glaciarium, an interactive museum devoted entirely to teaching visitors about glaciers. We'll end the visit at Glacier Bar, made entirely out of ice, where we can enjoy a pre-dinner drink. After returning to the hotel, we'll share our first impressions of the Argentine Patagonia over dinner.

Meals: D

Accommodations: Hotel Esplendor by Wyndham, El Calafate

Day 2: Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers

Today, we’ll set out for an icy adventure in a uniquely Patagonian landscape, as we sail away to Upsala Glacier, South America's largest and Spegazzini Glacier, its highest. After a short drive to Puerto Bandera, we'll board a comfortable catamaran and start our navigation, first across Boca del Diablo (Devil's Mouth), the narrowest point on Lake Argentino, then through the Spegazzini Canal leading towards the impressive glaciers. We'll learn about the area's natural history from our knowledgeable guide and snap photos as the vessel weaves among floating icebergs and the gigantic mountains of ice which ease through valleys towards the lake. We’ll come face-to-face with the grandeur of the ancient glaciers, hear the massive sheets of ice crack, as they seem to be a living thing, electric beneath the Arctic rainbow. We'll admire the iconic, massive pinnacles of Upsala, and observe the glaciers' unique shapes sculpted by water, wind, and pressure over the centuries. We'll marvel at the spectacular formations of Spegazzini and Seco glaciers, as the picturesque cruise through the milky blue waters of Lago Argentino continues past the ice floes and glacier fields. We’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon, and celebrate our glacial adventures over farewell dinner.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodations: Hotel Esplendor by Wyndham, El Calafate

Day 3: Lago Argentino - Transfer to Buenos Aires - Departures

This morning, we'll drive to the shores of Lago Argentino and its fabled Laguna Nimez, where we'll be able to observe the rich bird life, including pink flamingos. Afterwards, we'll continue to the airport for our flight back to Buenos Aires. On arrival at the Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE), we'll board our flights back home, taking with us beautiful memories from this adventure filled trip.

Meals: B

This tour ends on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 5:00PM, at the Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Buenos Aires Airport (EZE). Please schedule your return flight no earlier than at 8:00PM on November 17. Most flights to North America depart late in the evening.

COST:$980 per person / double occupancy

$320 optional single supplement

Includes all fees and taxes