THE HEART OF PATAGONIA


11 days, 5 day hikes in the heart of Patagonia's most striking mountain scenery.

With the opening of the airport in El Calafate in December 2000, it is now possible to spend just a week in Patagonia and still incorporate the best of the mountains, lakes and glaciers that the region has to offer. On arrival in Buenos Aires, we transfer directly to the domestic terminal for the flight to El Calafate, the final leg of which affords us great views of the peaks that we'll be hiking amongst for the next week. From Calafate we'll drive several hours to reach El Chalten, the small town which sits at the very foot of Monte FitzRoy.

Our three full days of hiking here include the classic hikes to the lookout points in front of both FitzRoy and its neighbor, Cerro Torre, as well as the less known hike to Pliegue Tumbado, from where both peaks are visible. There are very few places in the world where you have such close access to such wild and dramatic mountain scenery.

We then drive back to Calafate, where we'll focus more on the massive glaciers which emanate from the nearby Patagonian Ice Cap, and the turquoise lakes into which they calve. A boat ride across Lago Argentino brings us the very edge of the Upsala Glacier, set beneath the towering Cerro Norte. Capping off this rich and compact adventure are a visit to Perito Moreno Glacier and a non-technical ascent of Cerro Buenos Aires, from atop which we've got a view that may be the best of the journey.
Grade: Moderate


DEPARTURES

2008 -- First and third Thursday of each month, November through April.
2009 -- First and third Thursday of each month, November through April.

Land Cost:
$2,900 (3-10 members)
Single Supplement: $300

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