The town of El Calafate is in the heart of Argentinean Patagonia nestled on the banks of Lake Argentino and is a popular staging point for visits to different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park, including the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier. El Calafate is also within a day's drive of Cerro Chaltén and Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile, with their own, stunning glacial geography and superb hiking.
On this all-encompassing personalised itinerary, Chimu will provide travel logistics for your travel party for the duration of your journey, plus expert guides for all the major sightseeing as per itinerary. Each night you will stay in superior accommodation, handpicked by our experienced team for their creature comforts, convenient locations, and impeccable service.
Trip Code: ARTSFTE
Travel Style: Extension package
Location: Argentina, Patagonia
Flights: Ask us about booking your internal flights with your flights to/from South America to save money by creating an 'airpass'. Contact us for more info.
Over four days experience the perfect blend of incredible natural wonders and deep cultural interactions.
Visit the quaint and beautiful Estancia Nibepo Aike, an authentic Patagonian ranch covering over 12 000 hectares where you can enjoy activities like horse riding or beautiful hikes to incredible lakes. Finish with a delicious Patagonian barbeque lunch and glass of wine.
You will have the opportunity to see the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier, this incredible glacier is over 2 miles wide and 74m in height. You may even see the glacier calve, where large chunks of ice break off and crash into the waters below.
This itinerary is easily combined with other land based tours of South America or perhaps even taking the remarkable journey to the 'Frozen White Continent', Antarctica.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service
4 Days FROMTried & tested upmarket properties with above average facilities and service
4 Days FROMLuxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
4 Days FROMPrivate airport transfers
Accommodation with breakfast daily
Sightseeing with local English-speaking guide as detailed in itinerary
Other meals where stated
Exclusions
International flights
Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance
Beverages
Personal expenses
Gratuities for tour guide & drivers
Any items ot mentioned as included
Available upon request, contact us for more details.
Season and availability
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Upmarket properties with above average facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Talk to one of our Destination Specialists to plan your South American adventure and turn your dream into a reality. With exceptional knowledge and first hand experience, our consultants will piece together one of our Signature packages and customise your travel plans by adding extension packages.
"It had been something I’d wanted to do for 10 years and finally in September…
About meWhen my husband told me "let's go to Antarctica for our honeymoon", I didn't know what…
About me"Working for Chimu Adventures allows to me combine my work with my passion for…
About me"My most treasured memory of travelling would have to be waking up in the…
About me“The best thing about travelling through Latin America is the unbelievable…
About me“My first impressions of stepping on to South American soil was thinking that…
About me“Generally, I find Peruvians very friendly, laid-back and easy to get along…
About me“I love Brazil. Any country that has a public holiday for the best part of a…
About me
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