DAY 7 – Ushuaia – El Calafate
Breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time, transfer to the Ushuaia airport to board for El Calafate. Arrival, assistance and reception by our staff at El Calafate airport and transfer to the selected hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 8 – El Calafate
Breakfast at the hotel. South Pioneers Glacier (includes entrance to the National Park): The tour begins in Calafate at 9:00 a.m., 50 kms are traveled along the route of estancias to Lake Roca at the southern end of the National Park. We leave behind the arid landscape of the steppe to enter the transitional forest area. At the end of the road we find the pioneering Nibepo Aike ranch belonging to the Jansma family. There, after a walk through the old town, we attended talks and demonstrations of shearing and equestrian, after which we entered the comfortable barbecue area of the estancia to taste a typical Patagonian lunch (includes a table of salads and vegetables that accompany the exquisite lamb and other Argentine meats to finish with a succulent dulce de leche crepes, all this accompanied by excellent Argentine wines and other drinks).
After a relaxed lunch, we go to our port to embark and begin the navigation to Playa de las Monedas in Brazo Rico, there we disembark and after a quiet walk of 20 minutes within the lenga forest we come out to a viewpoint from where the south face of the Moreno Glacier can be seen.
You board again to continue sailing off the south face. Before saying goodbye to the boat, the crew "fishes" for an iceberg and offers a whiskey with ice from the glacier. At approximately 3:30 p.m. they disembark at the Bajo de las Sombras and by vehicle the passengers go to the glacier walkways to arrive at them at 4 p.m., where they will remain until 6:30 p.m. and then return to Calafate by the traditional route. It is important to note that upon arrival at the walkways, 90% of the visitors who left Calafate in the morning will have already returned to the city.
After the visit return to the hotel and accommodation.
DAY 9 – El Calafate
Breakfast at the hotel. Starting from El Calafate early in the morning at 7:00 a.m. along Provincial Route 11 - bordering Lake Argentino - at 54 kilometers (approx. 30 minutes) you arrive at Punta Bandera.
Once at the port, we will board a modern catamaran. The Todo Glaciares navigation begins by crossing the Boca del Diablo, to access the North Arm of Lake Argentino. After navigating this arm we will arrive at the Upsala Channel, where we will sail among the icebergs that detach from the front of the Upsala Glacier.
Then we will enter the Spegazzini Canal, where the landscape changes significantly – on its banks the dense vegetation stands out. Minutes later, we will have the first view of the Dry Glacier. We will continue sailing to the front of the Spegazzini Glacier, the highest glacier in the National Park! where we will also contemplate the Heim Sur and Peineta Glaciers.
We will prepare to disembark at the Spegazzini Base and begin the visit to the area by walking through the "Forest Trail" to the Spegazzini Refuge. This 300m accessible trail has unparalleled views of the Bay of Glaciers, and along its route you can enjoy theme stations and viewpoints.
The main hall of the Spegazzini Refuge faces the lakefront, and its large window gives us an unparalleled panoramic view of the Glacier. If you want to get to know the forest in depth, you can take the "Mountain Trail" – a medium-difficulty trek through a wooded path, with natural viewpoints to the Glacier that ends at the landing point.
After 2 hours. at the Refuge we will embark again, beginning the return to the port of Punta Bandera; at sunset the passengers say goodbye to one of the most beautiful excursions in Argentina. Returning to El Calafate around 5:00 p.m.
Captain's Vip Sector: Includes breakfast: Coffee, tea, orange juice, oatmeal and raisin cookies, and cheese cookies; trio of sweet and savory mini muffins. Appetizer: tasting of smoked and creole foods (cheeses and cold cuts) accompanied by eggplant pâté with marinated sun-dried tomatoes on toasted bread bruschetta. Main course: Lamb casserole or lentil stew (vegetarian). Dessert: Dulce de leche mousse with red fruits, crumble or cookies. Open bar: cold drinks with and without alcohol and cafeteria throughout the tour.