Upon arrival at El Calafate Airport, a private transfer brings you north through wide Patagonian valleys to your accommodation in El Chaltén.

That afternoon, enjoy a guided visit to the Madsen House & Museum—built in the early 1900s by Danish pioneer Andreas Madsen. Step back in time as your guide shares tales of life on a remote ranch: from harsh winters to frontier determination. The house remains almost untouched, with original tools, furniture and photographs offering a glimpse into the settler spirit.

You’ll enjoy light local fare—pickled vegetables, cold cuts, artisanal soup, and regional wine. As a toast to the journey ahead, try a sip of Legui, Argentina’s traditional herbal liqueur.

Return to your hotel in El Chaltén for a free evening to explore and dine at your own pace.

Meals: Light lunch

Accommodation: Cumbres Nevadas (standard) / Chaltén Suites (superior), or similar

Today is yours to shape with a choice of three privately guided hikes, each of low difficulty and rich in scenery:

• Laguna Capri (5 miles / 8 km, 4–6 hrs): Wander through lenga and ñire forests along the Río de las Vueltas Valley. Arrive at the peaceful shores of Laguna Capri for postcard-perfect views of Mt Fitz Roy, then retrace your steps back to town.
  
  
• Cerro Torre Viewpoint (4.5 miles / 7 km, 4 hrs): A gentle ascent leads to lush forest and a dramatic lookout over Cerro Torre’s jagged granite spire. Weather permitting, enjoy sweeping views of one of Patagonia’s most iconic peaks.
  
  
• Los Cóndores & Águilas Viewpoints (4.5 miles / 7 km, 2–3 hrs): Take in panoramic views of the Fitz Roy and Torre massifs, the winding Río de las Vueltas, and Lake Viedma. Named after the majestic birds of prey that soar above, this route offers incredible photo opportunities.

Your guide will tailor the hike to your preferences and local conditions. Times may vary slightly and will be confirmed the evening before.

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Cumbres Nevadas / Chaltén Suites, or similar

Head north of El Chaltén on a scenic 90-minute drive through forested valleys and along glacial rivers. Arrive at Lago del Desierto, a remote gem surrounded by Andean peaks. Board a shared boat and cruise along the lake’s mirror-like surface, with steep wooded slopes rising on both sides. If skies are clear, Mt Fitz Roy appears to the south—framed perfectly against the sky. Disembark for a typical picada argentina lunch: cured meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables, and other local delicacies. Then begin a short but steep private hike to the Huemul Glacier viewpoint. This secluded spot is often visited by rare birds like the Magellanic woodpecker—and possibly even the elusive huemul deer. Alternative shorter walks are available—your guide will adjust based on your preferences.

Transfer: 35 km each way (90 min)

Hike: 3 miles / 5 km, approx. 2 hrs

Boat trip: 45 min

Meals: Breakfast, Argentine tapas/picnic lunch

Accommodation: Cumbres Nevadas / Chaltén Suites, or similar

Depart El Chaltén and travel south by private transfer on a spectacular 3-hour drive. From forests and glaciers to the wind-swept steppe, the route leads to El Calafate, nestled beside the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino. After checking in, enjoy a free afternoon. Explore artisan shops, wander through town, or visit the Laguna Nimes bird sanctuary nearby. In the early evening, join the Nativo Experience—a cultural and natural journey along Lake Argentino’s shores by 4x4. Stop at stunning viewpoints and visit ancient Hualichu cave paintings, while learning about the region’s first nomadic peoples. As night falls, dine on a traditional Patagonian meal served inside a cave—an atmospheric and unforgettable setting to end the day.

Excursion duration: 3 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Sierra Nevada (standard) / Mirador del Lago (superior), or similar

Today’s adventure brings you face-to-face with one of the planet’s most extraordinary natural wonders: the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an icon of Patagonia. Two distinct experiences are available—both equally unforgettable.

Option 1: Estancia Nibepo Aike + Glacier by Boat & Walkways:
Begin with a shared transfer from your hotel toward the historic Nibepo Aike ranch, located deep within rugged Patagonian terrain. Here, you’ll step into the world of traditional gaucho life. Watch skilled sheep shearers at work and learn about the customs of rural Argentina. Then, enjoy a classic Patagonian lamb lunch accompanied by local wine and a sweet dessert.

After your meal, embark on a scenic boat ride across Brazo Rico, the southern arm of Lake Argentino. Land at a hidden beach and begin a gentle hike of about 1–2 km through southern beech forest, ending at a secluded viewpoint of the Perito Moreno Glacier—accessible only on this excursion. Few others witness this angle of the glacier.

Back on the boat, sail near the towering southern face of the glacier, perhaps with a glass of whisky in hand, chilled by glacier ice. Watch as massive chunks of ice break away with thunderous force and plunge into the turquoise waters. Upon docking, explore the boardwalks surrounding the glacier during the quieter afternoon hours, enjoying unique panoramic perspectives of this moving wall of ice.

Later in the day, return to El Calafate by shared transfer, carrying unforgettable images of the ice in motion.

Option 2: Full Glaciers Navigation aboard María Turquesa:
Alternatively, take a private transfer to Punta Bandera port for an 8:30 a.m. embarkation on the elegant María Turquesa cruise vessel. Sail northwest across Lago Argentino, passing Punta Avellaneda and the dramatic Boca del Diablo—the narrowest part of the lake—before entering the breathtaking Spegazzini Channel. Here, witness the Spegazzini Glacier, soaring up to 135 meters (400 feet) above the waterline.

Continue to Puesto de las Vacas, a peaceful bay where you’ll disembark for a guided nature walk amid lush surroundings and the remnants of a former pioneer settlement. 

Back aboard, enjoy a gourmet box lunch as the boat sails into the Upsala Channel, offering panoramic views of the Upsala Glacier from the Herminita Peninsula. As you cruise through icy waters, marvel at the scale and silence of this glacial kingdom.

The final leg takes you into the Tempanos Channel, delivering you to the north face of Perito Moreno Glacier. From here, disembark and spend two full hours walking the boardwalks, observing the dynamic ice face and—if nature allows—witnessing calving events up close, all in the relative tranquility of the afternoon.

The María Turquesa returns to Punta Bandera around 6:30 p.m., where your private transfer awaits to return you to El Calafate by 7:30–8:00 p.m. A long yet extraordinary day comes to an end—one etched in ice, light, and sound.

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch

Accommodation: Sierra Nevada (standard) / Mirador del Lago (superior), or similar

Additional Notes:

(*) Perito Moreno trip (Day 5): Option 1 is included in the trip price. Option 2 incurs a small extra fee.

After a final breakfast and some quiet moments to reflect, a private transfer will take you to El Calafate Airport, departing approximately 2.5 hours before your flight.

As you leave behind the open skies, ancient glaciers, and wind-swept plains, you carry with you more than photographs—you take the quiet wonder of Patagonia, the stories of its pioneers, the stillness of its forests, and the powerful memory of ice cracking into water. This is a place that stays with you long after you’ve gone.

Meals: Breakfast