El Calafate Extension

• 4 days

DAY 1: Arrival transfer in El Calafate

On arrival, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel.
He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it. Should you not be able to locate them, please refer to the front of your itinerary for emergency contact details of our representative office. Please note this service is with a driver only.

DAY 1: El Calafate

El Calafate flanks the southern shore of Lago Argentino in the southwest part of Argentina’s Santa Cruz Province. The town is near the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and one of the gateways to World Heritage Listed Parque Nacional Los Glaciers. The name El Calafate is derived from the calafate plant common in Patagonia. The town’s main street, Avenida del Libertador General San Martín, is lined with restaurants, cafes, chocolate shops and souvenir shops.

DAY 2: Perito Moreno - Mayo Spirit Boat & Trek Tour

This morning you will be collected from your hotel to venture into Los Glaciares National Park bound for the breathtaking glaciers of Perito Moreno, Mayo and Negro. The only way to reach the glaciers is by boat along the Témpanos Canal, stopping along the way at Toro Bay for a walk through the Patagonia lenga and ñires forest, passing waterfalls, ancient trees and lime rock formations. After the walk, the boat continues to the Negro hanging glacier where there is the chance for a short walk offering stunning 360 degree views. Back on the boat, you sail toward the north face of the massive Perito Moreno Glacier. The glacier is more than two miles wide and averages 74m in height above the surface of the water of Lake Argentino. It is one of the very few glaciers in the world that continues to advance and if you are lucky you may see the glacier calving as large masses of ice break away from the glacier and collapse into the water. Here, you can disembark at a floating dock and take time to stroll the walkways before boarding the boat and returning to El Calafate. On completion of the tour you will be taken to your hotel. Please note entrance fee and lunch are included. This is a small group tour.

DAY 3: Estancia Nibepo Aike

Estancia Nibepo Aike retains the essence of the old Patagonian ranches. Initially called Estancia Jerónima, Nibepo Aike covers over 12,000 hectares at the foot of the Patagonian Andes and is dedicated to the production of cattle with a herd of Hereford, and also many sheep. It is an ideal place to dip into the life of an authentic Patagonian ranch. At 0900 hours, you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the estancia which is located approximately 45 minutes away. Tour the estancia and have the chance to take a short horse ride (cost not included in tour and payable directly at the estancia) or a short walk for great views of the southern arm of Lake Argentino. After the walk or horse-ride, meet back at the door of the shearing shed for a demonstration of horse handling skills, or depending on the rural activities of the day, working with the herd in the corrals close to the main buildings. You may also be able to participate in the cow milking. Before returning to El Calafate, enjoy a typical Patagonian barbeque lunch.

Essential Info: Includes transportation, lunch with a glass of wine or soft drink per person during the meal, bilingual guide, activities at the estancia. Excludes extra drinks, tips.

DAY 4: Transfer to the airport for onward destination

You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Please note this service is with a Spanish speaking driver only.

• 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 remain 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