El Calafate Extension

• 4 days

DAY 1: Arrive in El Calafate

You will arrive in the quaint tourist town of El Calafate, the gateway to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. As you wander the main street, Avenida del Libertador, you will discover souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, chocolate and ice cream shops. At the latter, be sure to try some ice cream made using the Calafate berry from which the town gets its name. Today is an arrival day, and you are free to explore at your leisure.

DAY 2: Perito Moreno, Mayo & Negro Glaciers

Today you will join a small group tour of Los Glaciares National Park and see three of Argentina’s most breathtaking glaciers. The most famous of the three is Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few remaining glaciers in the world that continues to grow rather than retreat. You can wander the boardwalks before boarding a boat which takes you along the Tempanos Canal to the hanging glaciers of Cerro Mayo and Cerro Negro. Enroute you will stop in Toro Bay for a chance to walk in the Patagonian forest to see waterfalls and rock formations. At the end of your cruise you will return to Perito Moreno Glacier for an up close and personal view. If you are lucky, you may even get to see the glacier calving into the cool turquoise waters of Lago Argentino.

DAY 3: Estancia visit

No trip to Argentina is complete without a visit to an Estancia. These parcels of land, which are similar to a ranch or a farm are significant to the country’s history and today’s journey to Estancia Nibepo Aike allows you to truly experience the authentic lifestyle of the gauchos who live and work on this land. Initially called Estancia Jeronima, Nibepo Aike covers more than 12,000 hectares at the foot of the Patagonian Andes and is primarily a Hereford cattle ranch. You will enjoy a short horse ride before watching a demonstration of the gaucho’s horse handling skills and see the shearers at work in the shearing sheds. You can also milk the cows. To finish your day you will enjoy an asado, a typical Patagonian barbeque lunch.

DAY 4: Depart El Calafate

You will be transferred to the airport to fly to your next destination.

• Since you're so close, why not spend some time in the world's southernmost city on the Ushuaia Extension, and then hop onboard a small-ship expedition cruise to Antarctica. With over 30 ships and dozens of different itineraries to choose from, our Destination Specialists can help you find the expedition of your dreams to visit the most remote and awe-inspiring destination in the world, Antarctica! 

• Make sure to stopover in Buenos Aires, the ‘Paris of the South’ on the Buenos Aires Extension, over four days you will experience the history, food, and dance that makes this city world-famous. Delve into the city's history with stops in La Boca and Recoleta Cemetery, take a catamaran through the Tigre Delta and explore some of Buenos Aires' more unique neighbourhoods. You will also witness and taste an Argentinian Asado, up close as you sit around the parrilla while you enjoy a wine pairing menu. Finally no trip to Buenos Aires is complete without a traditional tango show with dinner on your final night. 

• Extend your time on the region, and take an incredible journey on the Stella Australia: Patagonia Explorer Extension and bear witness to the awe-inspiring and stunning beauty of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. See incredible wildlife at Ainsworth Bay or be mesmerised by the colossal Pia Glacier on this 5-day cruise that will take you to ‘The end of the World’.

Being environmentally accountable is a crucial part of our organisation. Chimu is currently striving towards using less paper, taking several initiatives to do so and tracking our progress along the way. Our goal: A paperless organisation. For this reason, all information given to you will be sent electronically. We encourage those who choose to travel with us to support our aspirations and actions and ask that you reconsider printing out documentation. To view these documents, you can download them to your iPad or portable computer before and during your trip.

Chimu is passionate and dedicated to sustainability measures and understands the crucial part sustainability plays within the tourism industry.

We use local guides and office staff to both maximise local employment opportunities and minimise carbon footprint. Local guides also ensure you benefit from the intimate knowledge, passion and culture of the country you’re visiting. Our guides are all highly qualified (most with university degrees) or equip with many years of experience and are paid above the standard wage. Whether it be our knowledgeable local guides, locally produced meals or the transport on tour, we do not use imported goods when local products are available. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment and give as much back as possible to the communities we work in.

While visiting the many national parks, heritage sites, museums and landmarks our travellers are encouraged to explore whilst remaining culturally aware and sensitive. We further encourage you to buy appropriate souvenirs and discourage the buying of anything wrongfully made or taken from the environment i.e. shells and endangered species products. Information on how you can be environmentally conscious, and travel responsibly will be made available in our Travellers Guides and provided during your travels by guides and staff.

For more information on our sustainability policies, including how we are striving towards being a paperless organisation, click HERE