Tour Summary

  • Tour Interest: Natural History
  • Tour Type: Overland
  • Tour Dates: Runs on request
  • Tour Duration: 9 Days – 8 Nights
  • Starts/Ends: Starts and ends in El Calafate
  • Best time to go: October to April
  • Prices: Based on group size

Tour Features

Our expert tour leaders will take you for a fantastic travel adventure, exploring the mountains, steppes and forests of mighty Patagonia. We will discover Patagonia’s unparalleled wildlife, including many of its more than 60 bird species almost restricted or endemic to the region, with some striking ones like Andean Condor, Magellanic Woodpecker and Lesser Rhea among others. Mammals in this part of the world are quite remarkable too. They are totally adapted to Patagonia’s extreme living conditions, thriving well in this vast wilderness. Huge herds of Guanaco dwell the steppes and Andean regions of Patagonia, and where there’s prey, there’s predator, and Patagonia is no exception to this rule. Guanaco is the main source of food to one of America’s most iconic felines: Puma. During our staying at Torres del Paine we will explore the area in the company of a skilled puma tracker who, having first-hand knowledge of the local Puma population, will help securing good sightings of the Lord of the Andes. But Guanaco and Puma are not the only two mammals possibly found in southwestern Patagonia. Greater Hairy Armadillo, Patagonian Grey and Culpeo foxes and Humboldt’s Hog-nosed Skunk live here too, and they are all possible sightings along the way.

Andean Patagonia is also unique for its fantastic scenery, including spectacular glaciers like the Moreno, and deep turquoise-green lakes, which we’ll have the chance to see at Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine national parks.

Wildflowers in Patagonia stage a multi-coloured show during southern hemisphere spring and summer months, painting the barren steppes and Andean slopes in bright yellow, red, white and purple, adding a touch of life and colour to the otherwise dull, dry yellow-green backdrop. The southern beech forests show off their striking fall colours in autumn. Two species of beech trees are deciduous, turning to bright red and yellow, while one remains evergreen – yet another floral extravaganza worth experiencing in this remote wilderness.

This tour is perfect for nature travellers wanting to explore the most iconic places of southwestern Patagonia, exploring both sides of the Andes –the Argentine and the Chilean one– traveling in comfort and staying at quality lodges, enjoying the local cuisine and learning about the history and traditions of the places visited.

Tour Highlights

Los Glaciares National Park, Mount Fitz Roy, Torres del Paine National Park, Lakes and Glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, The Andean Beech Forest, The Patagonian Steppe and High Plateau, wild flowers, and incredible wildlife including Magellanic Woodpecker, Andean Condor, Puma, Guanaco and many others.

  • Day 1 – Afternoon meeting with your Trogon Tours’ guide at El Calafate airport. Early evening birding Laguna Nímez. O/N El Calafate.
  • Days 2 and 3 – Two full days exploring Los Glaciares National Park, including Moreno Glacier. O/N El Calafate.
  • Day 4 – Drive to El Chaltén, birding and watching wildlife en-route. O/N El Chaltén.
  • Day 5 – Full day exploring and watching flora and fauna at Mount Fitz Roy and Lake Viedma area. O/N El Chaltén.
  • Day 6 – Drive to Torres del Paine National Park. O/N Torres del Paine.
  • Days 7 and 8 – Two full days watching flora and fauna including puma and condor. O/N Torres del Paine.
  • Day 9 – Drive to El Calafate. Transfer to the local airport. Tour Conclusion.

Great tour for combining with:

What’s Included?

Private transportation for all transfers and excursions. Accommodations on a twin/double basis. Single supplements on request. Full time Trogon Tours’ leader to accompany the group from day 1 on arrival in El Calafate airport to day 9 on departure from that same airport. Local guides where required by law. Puma tracker in Torres del Paine. All breakfasts, lunches, box-lunches and dinners, from dinner on day 1 to Breakfast on day 9 of the tour. No drinks included. One motor catamaran tour on a shared basis in Los Glaciares National Park for close-up views of the glaciers and spectacular rock formations. Admission fees to all national parks and nature reserves.

What’s Not Included?

International and domestic airfares and airport taxes. Tips to guides, drivers, hotel & restaurants personnel, etc. Drinks with your meals. Personal travel and medical insurance. Anything not specified under “What is included?”

When to go

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    Contact a specialist

    The specialist who designs your trip will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip. Your dedicated specialist will take the time to understand your preferences and build them into an itinerary to match, working to your budget. He or she will keep perfecting it until you’re completely happy and ready to book.

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