2021 Argentina

Patagonia in Depth: Hiking, Glaciers, Culture, and More

argentina patagonia bariloche — Join us for a spectacular overview of Patagonia! See the overview to read more about what we’ll see, do, and learn.

Traveling within the Argentinian portion of Patagonia, we’ll experience the landscapes of this breathtakingly beautiful part of the world. Local guides will lead daily activities, many of which take us off the beaten path and include exclusive opportunities along the way to hear from local experts.

We begin the adventure in Buenos Aires, one of the continent’s most cosmopolitan and exciting cities. After an initial exploration the city and orientation to Argentine culture with a guide, there is time to explore on your own, made easier from our well-located hotel in Recoleta, an elegant neighborhood near the renowned Recoleta cemetery and the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Next, we fly to El Calafate and transfer to Chalten, the hiking capital of Argentina. Expert trekking guides will lead us on two days of trekking on some the most beautiful trails in the country, providing celebrated views of the iconic Fitz Roy massif.

Returning to Calafate, we explore “glacier country” while staying at an estancia (Argentine cattle ranch) on the outskirts of town. Our time in Southern Patagonia is concluded by a visit to the massive and breathtaking Perito Moreno glacier, arriving via the “back door” for an exclusive experience at this natural wonder.

Finally we are off to Northern Patagonia and the city of Bariloche, the “Switzerland of South America,” with its sweeping views of the mountains and Lago Nahuel Haupi. Gorgeous, charming, quaint – Bariloche is special. While there, we hike the overlooks on the Campanario Hill and the Llao Peninsula, learn more about the history and unique culture of the area, and enjoy a fun (and delicious) visit to a micro-brewery run by friends of our tour operator, where we try our hand at empanada-making. We also enjoy an amazing day of kayaking on one of the lesser-visited lakes and a special lunch prepared over the open fire by a chef. The program closes with an authentic, local culinary experience.

Our tour operator for this program is Knowmad Adventures, led by Jordan Harvey and who were just named to the 2019 Travel + Leisure A-List … for the 7^th year in a row! This is quite an accomplishment. Read more here.

View the draft Itinerary.

Dave and Pat Van Wylen are veteran group travel leaders, having led both student and adult study travel programs. Their first venture with adults was April 2015 when they led a sustainability-themed activity-based (mostly biking) program in the Netherlands. More recently, they led programs to New Zealand in 2017 and 2019. With students, they have led semester abroad programs in Asia (1998), the Middle East (2008), and Australia (2013). Dave has also taught three January interims in Peru (Peruvian Medical Experience), six interims of Cardiac Surgery and Research at Emory University in Atlanta, plus a 2010 summer Global Health in Tanzania experience. Pat assisted on most of these interims as well as on an interim Health Care and Culture course in Hawaii/Micronesia (2010).

Dave (Biology) and Pat (International and Off-Campus Studies) worked for 21 years at St. Olaf before moving to Holland, Michigan in 2015, where Dave currently serves as the Dean for Natural and Applied Sciences at Hope College. In addition to his administrative work, Dave is a frequent teacher and speaker on sustainability and water-related issues. Pat coordinates adult travel programs through Hope College.

Dave and Pat both graduated from St. Olaf College in 1980. Dave later received his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Michigan (Go Blue), while Pat completed master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia in health administration and exercise physiology. They relish physical activity, and are delighted to have this opportunity to lead another activity-rich St. Olaf adult study travel program.

This program is designed to be more active than the average study travel program. The times of higher activity will be balanced by down times as well. Activities are encouraged, but you can choose to spend your time alternatively as desired.

To fully partake in this program, you should be capable of walking a minimum of one mile at a time over uneven terrain and up to five miles per day, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing a different culture, and of traveling with a group for several hours each day. You always have the option of skipping a group activity you think will be too strenuous and remaining back at the hotel or on the coach.

Hotels will be tourist class (typically three or four star) with private baths and air conditioning. Wi-fi may not be available at all locations.

Be sure to check the average temperatures and rainfall at our destinations for March. A couple of recommended web sites are weather.com or weatherbase.com. But keep in mind that you’ll be looking at averages and that temperatures could easily fluctuate by 5-10 degrees (or more) warmer or cooler. We recommend bringing light layers that can be added or removed as needed.

You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about routine vaccinations. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.int.

The program fee is $6,858 per person. Based on double occupancy, it includes discussions led by Dave Van Wylen, assistance by Pat Van Wylen, a dedicated tour manager, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the program including airport transfers on arrival and departure days, gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some limited medical coverage while overseas. For single occupancy, add $1,350.

Airfare to and from Argentina is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the program fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: Airfare between your home town and Argentina • Airport transfers in your home town • Any passport fees • Any recommended immunizations or vaccinations • Baggage insurance • Trip cancellation insurance above $2,000 lifetime coverage • Beverages at group meals • Laundry • Dry cleaning • Phone charges • Room service or other items of a personal nature • Expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities • Lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on program itinerary.

See the Payment Schedule.

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Review the latest information on recommended immunizations, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Check your passport: no visa is required for Argentina for stays of 90 days or less. However, you should look at your passport now and ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the program return date. Should you need to renew, visit the S. Department of State for instructions.
Familiarize yourself with a variety of Resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.
Hold the dates of March 7–20, 2021. Do NOT book your flights until we announce the program is a GO.

A minimum of 18 participants are needed by November 1, 2020 for this program to go. But don’t wait until then to register — it could fill much earlier! Registration will close November 1, 2020.

Ready to go?