'Discover Patagonia' starts at the 'End of the World', in the legendary town of Ushuaia on the shores of the Beagle Channel. We explore the Island of Tierra del Fuego in an ideosyncratic, deeper way. We visit the pioneer Estancia Harbeton, venture out to see Magellan Penguins, and visit Estancia Las Hijas, a real working sheep ranch.

Crossing the Magellan Strait puts us back on the Continent and allows us to travel to the southern section of Andean Patagonia. From the picturesque fishing village of Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park with its perfect combination of granite spires, mountains, glaciers, forest and lakes. From here we return to Argentina and visit El Calafate on the shores of Lake Argentino, where Moreno Glacier continuously calves its blue ice into the water.

If you want a little taste of adventure, the 'Patagonia Explorer Pro' version is available. In this alternative, we go from Natales to Paine via Ultima Esperanza Sound in a ship and then switch to a zodiac to travel up river Serrano; we lspend this night inside the National Park at Pehoe in our Full Camp. On the next day we rejoin the standard program.

Beside, you can add to this program a few days in Chalten. This 'Chalten Extension' allow us to reach the northern section of Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, visiting the area of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre and lodging in the picturesque alpine village of El Chalten.

The spirit of this program is to visit Southern Patagonia more intimately, to gain a more personal insight of the area than could be had by a conventional tour.

• Departs every Monday, October - April
• Starts in: Ushuaia
• Ends in: El Calafate
• Minimum number of participants: 2
• Difficulty: easy
• Accommodations:
  5 nights in Hostería
  1 night in Dormis *

Day 1: Ushuaia Airport - Tierra del Fuego National Park

Welcome at Ushuaia airport. Transfer to town and check in at our hotel. In the afternoon we visit Tierra del Fuego National Park. The Park protects an outstanding area where the mountains and the Andean forest come right down to the sea.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals: None

Day 2: Estancia Harberton – Penguin rockery Martillo Island – Estancia Las Hijas

After breakfast, we leave Ushuaia in our Minibus to Estancia Harberton. Thnis was the first ranch to be established on the Island, 90 km northeast of town. We visit its Acatushun Museum, a unique exhibition of marine mammals and birds. This ranks as one of the world's most complete collections of species of the southern part of the continent. Once at the estancia, we take a boat trip to sail along the Beagle Channel to a Penguin rockery, where we can observe these interesting birds. While walking along the rocky trails, our guide will introduce us to the very rich flora and fauna of the area. Back at the Estancia, we continue our trip up North; we reach Lake Fagnano and by late afternoon we arrive at estancia Las Hijas, 60 km from Rio Grande. We visit the facilities and we will have a demonstration of classic ranch activities, such as herding with dogs and shearing. In the evening, a lamb barbecued in classic Patagonian style will be our dinner.
Lodging in Dormis *
* 'Dormis' are a simple, picturesque sleeping arrangements built by the Estancia within their facilities. Very similar to a train cabin, it provides a little bit of privacy each 2 people who sleep in bunk - type beds. Beds have mattresses, sheets and pillows. The construction is a few meters away from toilettes.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 3: Estancia Las Hijas – Puerto Natales

After breakfast we continue our exploration up north. A long drive takes us across the yellow grasslands of the northern part of Tierra del Fuego, famous for its ranches and trout fly fishing. After crossing the border into Chile, we cross the Magellan Strait with our minibus on board a Ferry. The 20 minnutes trip will give us an idea of what those brave sailors did in the early 1500's. We will stop en route to take our box lunch. The drive continues along the Magellan Strait until we reach Puerto Natales by 7 pm.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast and box lunch.

Day 4: Puerto Natales

Today you have the whole day to explore on your own. We recommend the boat excursion to Ultima Esperanza Fjord, Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. This optional excursion starts at 8 am at the local peer. It sails far into the Fjord, visiting the remote Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, which is south west of Paine and protects the southern section of the Chilean Ice Field. Passing through stunning scenery of mountains rsurrounding the fjord and its glaciers you will also be able to observe a great variety of Patagonian birds. Once at the end of the fjord, a short walk allows you to explore the area a bit. We visit the Estancia Perales and we get back to Puerto Natales by 5:30 pm. Other optional excursions in the area include sea-kayaking and horseback riding.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals: Breakfast.

Note: Those passengers taking the Patagonia Explorer Pro version do not sail back to Puerto Natales; instead, they continue up River Serrano in Zodiacs to reach Torres del Paine National Park. Please see option: 'Patagonia Explorer Pro'

Day 5: Torres del Paine National Park – El Calafate

In the morning we drive along a mountain road to the south side of Torres del Paine National Park. This area has been declared a World Heritage by UNESCO. Once in the Park, we will have spectacular views of the Paine Massif: Paine Grande, the Horns, Admiral Nieto, Paine Towers and a number of granite spires. We will make stops at different viewpoints for short walks and pictures. The alpine flowers of the area, as well as the animals that live in the Park (hundreds of guanacos; pumas, fox, huemules – an endangered endemic species of deer – a number of birds including the majestic Andean Condor, Magellanic woodpecker, Shielded eagle and many more) are also a big attraction. In the afternoon we take the road again, exiting the Park by its east side, and we drive across the Patagonian steppe into Argentina and to El Calafate, where we arrive around 9 pm.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals we provide: Breakfast and box lunch.

Day 6: Perito Moreno Glacier

We dedicate this day to one of the World's Natural Wonder: the Moreno glacier. This ice field- type glacier flows down from the Patagonian Icefield, a big sheet of ice that with its 22.000 square kilometres is the third largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M sq km) and Greenland (1 M sq km). Because unusual favourable local conditions, this glacier is the only one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process. The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be only meters away from your eyes. The roar of the chunks of ice falling inside the glacier or from the glacier into the lake, the frequent collapse of the front seracs into the turquoise water, makes out of this day a very special and unique experience. We make a 1 hour boat trip to get close up views of the glacier. By the end of the day we get back to El Calafate. Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single room with private bathroom.
Meals: Breakfast.

Day 7: El Calafate airport

After breakfast we transfer to Calafate airport where our services end.
Meals: Breakfast

Rates per Person in 2012

in double occupancy:
with Inn /private facilities: US$1258

in single (Inn): US$1515

Explore Patagonia 'pro':

in double occupancy:
with Inn /private facilities: US$1910

in single (Inn): US$2165

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.