This program was custom designed to be active and experience the landscapes of this breathtakingly beautiful part of the world.
This itinerary is subject to change. Travel demands flexibility. We will strive to balance adaptability with remaining on schedule. Please trust that, when it is not possible to follow the plan laid out below, our program leaders will work to find substitutions that retain the quality of this Study Travel program. Various details may be added or changed due to information obtained while making reservations, or perhaps on site, especially because of the weather. Included group meals are indicated by B, L, D. Thanks go to our tour operator, Knowmad Adventures, for consulting on the itinerary and making the arrangements.
Tuesday, March 15 Depart USA
Depart from our home town on individually booked flights (not included in the program fee.)
Wednesday, March 16 Arrive Buenos Aires (D)
Upon arrival, meet the Knowmad Adventures guide and transfer to the group hotel in the elegant, historic Recoleta neighborhood. This afternoon we’ll have a guided walking tour of the city focused on the Recoleta and Palermo neighborhoods. Enjoy exploring many of the important sights and centerpieces of this wonderful city while learning about topics such as: the historic development, the immigration process, specific cultural topics (soccer, tango music), its architectural heritage, Peronism, and other interesting features of Argentine society. Experience the European flair that has given the city its fame as we stroll through these eclectic neighborhoods. Group dinner. Overnight at Loi Recoleta or similar.
Thursday, March 17 Buenos Aires (BLD)
Perhaps a slightly later start to the morning to recover from travel. Then we’ll have another half-day tour of the city, visiting the historic San Telmo and La Boca neighborhoods along with other special areas of the city. We’ll visit the mysterious Zanjon tunnels, discovered underneath a mansion in the San Telmo neighborhood only in 1985. Group lunch at a local restaurant before some free time and a group dinner. Overnight at Loi Recoleta or similar.
Friday, March 18 Buenos Aires – El Calafate – El Chaltén (BL)
Transfer to the airport for an included flight to the Southern Patagonian town of El Calafate. We’ll be met by our new guide and will set out on the approximately 3-hour drive to the small mountain village of El Chaltén. We’ll make a short stop at the La Leona Hotel and Historical Site, famous for hosting Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for almost a month as they hid out after a bank robbery. We’ll also stop briefly at the slopes of Mount Los Hornos, where we can explore the 70-million-year-old petrified tree trunks. Box lunch en route. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Chalten Suites or similar.
Saturday, March 19 El Chaltén & Los Glaciares National Park (BLD)
Today we’ll enjoy a full day trekking adventure to the Laguna de los Tres vantage point for an absolutely stunning view of the complete Fitz Roy massif (weather permitting). Starting from Hosteria El Pilar, we will begin our ascent. Most of today’s hike is of moderate difficulty through native lenga tree forests. After approximately 2 hours, the jagged peaks of Mount Fitz Roy and the Piedras Blancas glacier will come into view. From here, we will continue ascending towards Laguna de los Tres, until we arrive at the old moraine ridge with an extraordinary view of the gorgeous laguna and glacier. We will end the hike on foot, arriving at our accommodations. In the evening, the group will walk to a nearby local restaurant to celebrate the day of incredible hiking and vistas. Fitz Roy full hike details: 13 miles, approximately 8-9 hours, moderate to difficult hiking but with flexibility for those who do not wish to do the full hike. Box lunch, dinner on your own. Overnight at Chalten Suites or similar.
Sunday, March 20 El Chaltén (BL)
Enjoy another day in El Chaltén, one of Argentina’s premier hiking regions. On this day we can choose to join our guides on a hike to Cerro Torre, the other flagship hike of Chaltén. This hike offers magnificent views of mountains, glaciers, and lagoons, and has flexible hiking designed for anyone who wants a shorter or longer trek. Alternatively if we prefer to explore independently we could choose to hike along well-marked alternate trails on our own; our guides can provide more information on these options. Cerro Torre full hike details: 13 miles, approximately 6-7 hours, moderate hiking but with flexibility for those who do not wish to do the full hike. Box lunch, dinner on your own. Overnight at Chalten Suites or similar.
Monday, March 21 El Chaltén – El Calafate (BD)
This morning we will be met at our accommodations by our guide and transferred on the approximately 3-hour drive to El Calafate, with a stop at La Leona along the way to break up the drive. Upon arrival in Calafate we will visit the Glaciarium, a beautiful museum where we will learn all about the history and science behind glaciers with special presentations and time with experts. Following our time at the museum, continue onward to our estancia accommodations. For lunch, dine a la carte at the on-site restaurant (paid on your own). This afternoon, the group will be split into two groups to enjoy a 1-hour horseback ride through valley to the shore of Lake Argentino, enjoying the beautiful landscapes along the way. We can also discover the traditional ranch, or simply relax. For dinner, enjoy a 3-course meal with our group at Galpon del Glaciar’s on-site restaurant. Overnight Galpon del Glaciar or similar.
Tuesday, March 22 Perito Moreno Glacier (BL)
Today we’ll enjoy a more off-the-beaten-path way of exploring Perito Moreno. First we’ll travel to a remote estancia to experience a bit of ranch life and enjoy a traditional asado. After a group lunch we’ll board a small vessel navigating toward the Perito Moreno Glacier and landing on Playa de las Monedas. Here we will take a short hike to gain sweeping views of the glacier, before boating on to the face of the glacier. Head onward to explore the footbridge walkways where we’ll take in various scenic overlooks and witness the thundering of giant ice calvings. After our time at the glacier we will be transferred back to our accommodations. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Galpon del Glaciar or similar.
Wednesday, March 23 El Calafate – Bariloche (B)
Today we will be picked up at our accommodations by our guide and transferred to the airport for the included flight to Bariloche. Upon arrival in Bariloche we will be met at the airport by our Knowmad Adventures guide and transferred to the hotel, with a brief introduction to the town. Lunch and dinner on your own. Evening free. Overnight at Cacique Inacayal or similar.
Thursday, March 24 Bariloche (BLD)
Today, we will complete a classic circuit of San Carlos de Bariloche in a fun, active way. While visiting the most important viewpoints of the area like Campanario Hill and Llao-Llao Hotel, our private guide will explain how this once little mountain village has turned into one of the most attractive cities in Patagonia. Along the route, we will appreciate the beauty of Lake Moreno and Lake Nahuel Huapi, as well as the Lopez and Capilla mountains. We will also do a nature-oriented hike through the hidden nooks of an impressive native forest. Enjoy views of the lake, Blest Sound and North Branch of Lake Nahuel Huapi framed by the Patagonian Andes. To end the excursion, we will visit a traditional microbrewery at the foot of Mount Lopez, where we can learn about the storied history of Swiss and Germans in the region and their fusion of cuisine and culture. Here we will learn how to make empanadas in a fun short cooking lesson, and enjoy a delicious lunch and beer tasting. We will also enjoy a chocolate tasting before heading back to our centrally-located accommodations to spend the afternoon at our leisure, perhaps independently exploring the nearby town center. In the evening, we will meet at the hotel to be transferred to one of Bariloche’s excellent restaurants to enjoy dinner. Overnight at Cacique Inacayal or similar.
Friday, March 25 Bariloche (BL)
Embark on a full-day exploration to a remote Patagonian lake for some incredible kayaking and hiking. In the morning, we will be transferred to the southern shore of remote Lake Mascardi in the Nahuel Huapi National Park. From here we’ll divide into two groups, one to paddle the turquoise waters and the other to go on a hike. Meet up again for an incredible picnic lunch grilled over open fire by a local chef. In the afternoon, the groups will switch activities, and following this active day we will return to our accommodations to spend the evening at leisure. Kayak details: easy to moderate kayaking on a lake, flexible with the ability to stop at multiple points. Hike details: easy to moderate, 1-2 hours flexible hiking. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Cacique Inacayal or similar.
Saturday, March 26 Bariloche (BD)
Free time to explore Bariloche. We recommend walking the streets of the charming town, sampling local cuisine, or enjoying the lovely lake views from our hotel. Explore the walkable Civic Center, perhaps learning more about the natural and cultural history of Bariloche at the Patagonia Museum and visiting the Cathedral of Bariloche, or continuing to explore the region’s beautiful hiking areas (our guide can provide more details on these options based on our interests). In the evening, we’ll be transferred to this evening’s culinary experience. Learn about different Argentine culinary customs as we cook alongside one of Patagonia’s most outstanding chefs, and enjoy the delicious dishes we’ve prepared together for dinner. Lunch on your own. Overnight at Cacique Inacayal or similar.
Sunday, March 27 Bariloche – Buenos Aires – USA (B)
Morning free, then transfer to the airport for an included flight to Buenos Aires. More information will be provided in order to book our onward flights. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you will be responsible for independently connecting to your overnight, international flight home.
Monday, March 28 Arrive home
Most flights leaving Argentina yesterday will arrive in the US today.
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