Patagonia adventure holiday
| country: | Argentina, Patagonia, Chile |
| location: | Patagonia |
| trip type: | Strenuous trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 20 Dec 2009: 2 Jan, 20 Jan, 2 Feb, 20 Feb, 8 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Oct, 24 Oct, 17 Nov, 7 Dec 2010: 7 Jan, 9 Feb, 28 Feb, 21 Mar, 11 Apr |
| price: | From £1870 (14 days) plus cost of regional flights from £435, price excludes international flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
the amazing things you'll be doing
The southern region of Argentina and Chile offers travellers some of the most spectacular scenery on the South American continent. The Patagonian Andes consist of towering granite peaks, pristine lakes and massive glaciers whose advances interrupt the haunting silence of an unspolit and untamed land.
The town of El Chalten lies at the base of the Fitzroy Massif and is our base for some great day hikes to Fitzroy base camp, Laguna de los Tres and magnificent Cerro Torre towering above the surrounding peaks. The sight and sound of the Moreno Glacier as it makes its slow and torturous advance from the mountains to the sea across a five-kilometre front will leave you with an unforgettable impression.
Across the border in Chile we have some great day treks through the Paine National Park with its magnificent wildlife and the incredible "Towers of Paine" that thrust skyward over 3000 metres above the Patagonian steppe. Finally, at the tip of the continent, is the world's southernmost city - Ushuaia, on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Here we explore the Beagle Channel by boat, with the rare opportunity of viewing the many species of sub-Antarctic birds, seals and sea lions that inhabit this most remote of regions. Our final stop is the great metropolis of Buenos Aires, over 3,300 kilometres to the north.
The town of El Chalten lies at the base of the Fitzroy Massif and is our base for some great day hikes to Fitzroy base camp, Laguna de los Tres and magnificent Cerro Torre towering above the surrounding peaks. The sight and sound of the Moreno Glacier as it makes its slow and torturous advance from the mountains to the sea across a five-kilometre front will leave you with an unforgettable impression.
Across the border in Chile we have some great day treks through the Paine National Park with its magnificent wildlife and the incredible "Towers of Paine" that thrust skyward over 3000 metres above the Patagonian steppe. Finally, at the tip of the continent, is the world's southernmost city - Ushuaia, on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Here we explore the Beagle Channel by boat, with the rare opportunity of viewing the many species of sub-Antarctic birds, seals and sea lions that inhabit this most remote of regions. Our final stop is the great metropolis of Buenos Aires, over 3,300 kilometres to the north.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1-2: | Buenos Aires |
| Day 3: | Fly to El Calafate. Drive to El Chalten. |
| Day 4: | Trek to Laguna de los Tres. |
| Day 5: | Trek to Mount Pliegue Tumbado |
| Day 6: | Trek to Cerro Torre Base Camp. Bus to El Calafate. |
| Day 7: | Perito Moreno Glacier |
| Day 8: | Paine National Park. |
| Day 9-10: | Park trekking including Towers of Paine. |
| Day 11: | El Calafate. |
| Day 12: | Fly to Ushuaia. |
| Day 13: | National Park walk and Beagle Channel boat excursion. |
| Day 14: | Fly to Buenos Aires. Trip ends. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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See Patagonia through the eyes of a local, as our Argentine tour leader gives you a first-hand insight into the exotic and colourful tapestry that makes up his or her homeland. Trekking and exploring around some of the most pristine and spectacular scenery on the South American continent, located in the southern region of Argentina and Chile, impart to travellers an awareness of these valuable natural gems and the importance of the area being preserved and protected, so that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations.
Operating treks in remote areas of the world brings with it a responsibility to minimise the impact on the environment and every effort is made on this trip to ensure nothing is left behind. All tins, bottles and plastics are carried back and disposed of thoughtfully. Not only can participants enjoy the magnificent scenery of the stunning Andes, they can also rest assured the trip is operated to the highest environmental standards. To support tour programs in this part of South America this operator is training our tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This not only assists in the conduct of a tour but also provides leaders with important life skills. By only employing tour leaders born and bred in the regions they visit, they are supporting local economies. They prefer to give their patronage to small owner-managed hotels rather than those from international chains, as they feel these places offer quality and character and also directly benefit local people. Through offering employment and steady revenue, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |