|
This is a combination program of light trekking and tours that starts in the Grand island of Tierra del Fuego, journeying through Ushuaia, passing the Estancias, Harberton and Las Hijas, cruising the Magellan Straits until Port Natales and the Torres del Paine National Glacier Park, finalising with the crossing to El Calafate in order to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. |
|
|
Patagonian Trekking Light is a light walking program that combines trekking with adventure, commencing in the City of Ushuaia, on the banks of the Beagle Canal, in the Island of Tierra del Fuego. We begin in the Tierra del Fuego National Park and then go to the Estancia Harberton with the object of seeing the penquins and for this we need to do a trekking to the Matillo Island where there is the Yecapasela Island colony of penguins. This island was used from the beginning by the Bridges family for the production of sheep and cows until 1960 and here grew an important colony of penguins.
Actually there is a colony of 2500 reproductive pairs of Magellan penguins, 13 pairs of Papúa penguins and 150 pairs of Rocky cormorants that live on the escarpments. This colony of penguins is growing and is unique in Ushuaia. The Estancia also offers the opportunity to visit the Acatushún Museum of Southern birds and mammals. It was set up with the objective to study the biology of marine mammals, especially dolphins, and south of South American birds. It has a vast collection of more than 2,500 marine mammal skeletons and 2,000 birds. Our adventure continues to Lake Fagnano and the way is along the limit of the end of the Andes mountain range that cordons Tierra del Fuego and shows us the true immensity of the desolately wild landscape that is of the Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Before we take the ferry along the choppy Magellan Straits we make a visit to enjoy the Estancia Las Hijas, about 40 kms, very close to the town of Tolhuin. This is a typical Patagonian working Estancia where we can see the sheepdogs in action and sheep shearing. We are also treated to a Patagonian lamb barbeque, a renowned Argentinean delicacy of this area. On arrival to land again we make our way to Port Natales to finally arrive to the southern sector of the Torres del Paine National Park situated in the ultimate Patagonian region of Chile. Here we can navigate to the glacier zone of Balmaceda and Serrano. The last part of our adventure takes us back to Argentina with a visit to El Calafate and the extraordinary Perito Moreno Glacier.
|
 |
Arrival at Ushuaia, visit to the Tierra del Fuego National Park
Reception at the Ushuaia Airport and transferred to our hotel. In the afternoon we go to see the National Park. This Park was created in the 1960s and is the protected region closest to the Antarctic and is on an area of 60,000 hectares (more than 120,000 acres). Its relief is diverse and the ultimate cordon of mountains of the Andes with its mountains bordered by valleys with crossing rivers and lakes makes it very inviting. The tree population consists mainly of notros, lengas, ñires and sour cherry trees. The floral diversity increases with the summer season and at this time you can appreciate the yellow violets, many types of orchid, white and yellow margaritas, 'fueguina' edelweiss amongst others.
|
 |
After breakfast we leave Ushuaia and head for the Estancia Harberton which is the oldest on the Tierra del Fuego Island. It was founded by the Englishman Thomas Bridges, an orphan, who was adopted by the Reverend Despard, another Englishman. From young he was taken to the Falkland Islands where he learnt the indigenous language, Yagán. In 1870 he founded a mission in Ushuaia where he then lived. In the Estancia Harberton you can visit the Acatushún Museum where there is a unique exposition of marine mammal and bird skeletons. This skeleton show of Cetacean skeletons is the most complete in the world. From the pier we board zodiac rubber dinghies to cross the Beagle Canal to begin our trekking and see the Magellan penguins. We walk by the marked trails accompanied by a professional guide who points out and explains the different types of native 'Fueguina' flora and fauna. We then leave the Estancia to continue our journey to the north of the Island where we meet the Fagnano Lake and then continue until late afternoon to arrive at the Estancia Las Hijas which is 60 kms from the city of Río Grande. Here we visit its installations and can observe the typical Patagonian activities such as sheep herding by dogs and the distinct processes of wool production. Finally we finish an intense day with a special lamb barbecue.
Dormitories
The dormitories are simple contructions inside the Estancia in order to share its activities. They consist of single bunk beds in a heated room. Mattresses and bed linen are supplied. |
 |
We breakfast before preparing for our journey and crossing to Port Natales in the Republic of Chile. On the way we can observe the change in scenery from the ultimate mountain cordon of the Andes to the wild and silent Patagonian Plains in the north of the Island and on the Continent. We need to go by ferry on the turbulent Magellan Straits and through the Primera Angostura Pass in a unique experience in order to pass from the Grand Island of Tierra del Fuego to the Continent. The Magellan Straits is a natural maritime pass that separates the Island from the Continent and connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. On the way we stop close to midday in order to have a box lunch and see the San Gregorio coast. We arrive late afternoon to Port Natales.
|
 |
Port Natales, with optional boat trip to the Patagonian Glaciers
There is then a free day to take different types of activities. One possibility is to take a boat trip to the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. We set out in the morning from Port Natales and navigate by the Ultima Esperanza fiord that has a magnificent natural backdrop of mountains, descending cascades of ice and an infinite variety of native southern Patagonian birds, arriving at the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. This region of the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park is one of the most beautiful of the Chilean Patagonia. We make a visit to the Estancia Perales before returning to the city of Port Natales.
Optonal boat trip up the River Serrano
For those that do not return to Port Natales they can continue the journey to the north up the Serrano River in Zodiac dinghies finishing in the Torres del Paine National Park. This group has lunch in the Monte Balmaceda Hostelry after visiting the Serrano Glacier. On this boat trip there are magnificent views of the Southern Ice Fields and the native forests. Disembarkation is at the Serrano Campsite where there is a bus to take them to the Pehoé Campsite in order to spend the night.
|
 |
Southern sector of the Torres del Paine and the journey to El Calafate
We leave the southern section of the Torres del Paine National Park by a trail that gives us incredible views of the mountains of Paine Grande, Almirante Nieto and Torres. At each viewpoint along the way we can take photos of these beautiful landscapes and it is possible to enjoy the flora and the variety of wild animals, the most significant species being the foxes, pumas, guemales and guanacos as well as an infinite number of birds. At the end of the afternoon we start the journey to El Calafate, arriving at night.
Nota: The groups unite during the course of the morning, the group that navigated up the River Serrano and those that returned to Port Natales, in order to go jointly back to Argentina and the city of El Calafate, after previously visiting the south of the Torres del Paine National Park.
|
 |
After breakfast we go until the Magellan Peninsula to arrive at the Perito Moreno Glacier. Here we undertake a short trekking gazing from the Canal de los Témpanos (Iceberg Canal) and enjoying magnificent views before having a talk by a glacier expert and then going along the walkways and taking some time watching, with astonishment, the falls of blocks of ice from the front of the glacier. To complete our program we go in a boat to navigate close to the walls of the glacier. We return to El Calafate during the afternoon.
|
 |
Farewell at El Calafate
Once we have had breakfast we are directed to the El Calafate airport and the conclusion of our services.
|
| |
|
| |
 |
HOSTERIA DOUBLE |
SPANISH |
1.237 USD |
1.237 USD |
| |
|
HOSTERIA SINGLE |
SPANISH |
1.475 USD |
1.475 USD |
| |
|
HOSTERIA DOUBLE |
OTHER LANGUAGES |
1.237 USD |
1.237USD |
| |
|
HOSTERIA SINGLE |
OTHER LANGUAGES |
1.475 USD |
1.475 USD |
The tours commence from the 31rd of October until the 20th February. There are four tours this season. A minimum of two people are required. Consult for discounts offered on direct purchase (for tour dates less than a week in advance)
|
31 OCT |
|
12 DEC |
09 JAN |
06 FEB |
-- MAR |
| |
28 NOV |
26 DEC |
23 JAN |
20 FEB |
|
|
|
|
|
Services Included:
- Bilingual guides (English and Spanish)
(consult for other languages: Italian, French, German)
- Navigation in the Estancia Harberton to observe the Magellan Penguins
- Visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier plus navigation
- Transfers detailed in the program; a combination of public and private services
- Meals detailed in the program
Services not included:
- Entrance to the National Parks
- Medical and life assurance
- Tips
- Drinks
- Air travel or airport taxes
- UshuaiaPort taxes
- Optional excursions
- Services not detailed in the program
|
|
|
