explora from-to El Chaltén (trip)

explora from-to El Chaltén

  • El Calafate Airport, near Santiago, Chile
  • Culture & Nature
Argentina, Chile, South America, Patagonia

from $6,083* per person9 DaysYear-round
Luxury accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Explora 24 people max
This area, surrounded by huge mountain massifs and dotted with glaciers, is home to more than 100 different bird species and many different mammals, some of which are endemic to the region; this is a place where the nature is exuberant and untouched.

On the Chilean side, the travesía is based at the Torres del Paine National Park.
Declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978, the park is characterized by its distinctive geological formations and the diversity of the landscape, which is home to over 100 species of birds, 25 species of mammals and 2,500 plant species.

Whether it is the start or end point of the El Chalten travel journey, we will use Hotel Salto Chico, the only lodge located in the heart of the Torres del Paine Park, as a base for our explorations.

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Locations visited/nearby

Argentina, Chile, South America, Patagonia

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary


Day 1: Arrival in Argentine Patagonia
We will welcome you at the airport in El Calafate. From there we will take the 220 kilometers (137 miles) trip northeast to El Chaltén, a small town located inside Los Glaciares National Park.

In the afternoon we will arrive at El Puma lodge, which will be our base and lodging for the next three days.


Days 2, 3 and 4: El Chaltén
Over these three days, we will trek around El Chaltén, going on different excursions of varying lengths and intensities during which you will get to know the geology, glaciers, flora and fauna of this remote place.

On our daily explorations, we will discover the 12-million-year-old Fitz Roy and Torre mountain ranges and cross mature lenga tree (nothofagus pumilio) forests and valleys characteristic of the Patagonian pampa. We will travel around glaciers, rivers, waterfalls and lakes.

From the many viewpoints in the park, we will be able to watch condors and eagles in flight, as well as enjoy panoramic views of El Chaltén and the mountain massifs.

Day 5: Crossing to Chile
In the morning, we will set out towards Torres del Paine National Park. We will approach the Lago Viedma ice floes and then continue our journey, passing by the vast plains of the pampa and following intensely colored rivers and lakes.

Later we will arrive at El Calafate, where we will enjoy some of the local cuisine in one of its restaurants. We will continue crossing the pampa until we reach the Cancha Carrera border pass. There, we will cross over to Chile, heading northeast towards Torres del Paine. On the way, you will have the opportunity to see the contrast of the Patagonian landscape, passing from the characteristic plains of the pampa to the steep Andes mountain range.

In the afternoon, we will arrive at our Hotel Salto Chico in Patagonia, inside Torres del Paine National Park.

Days 6, 7 and 8: Hotel Salto Chico
At Hotel Salto Chico, which we will use as our base to explore the Torres del Paine National Park, you can choose every day from a variety of different explorations. On foot or horseback, a couple of hours to a full day, gentle or more physically demanding, our explorations will let you get to know in-depth the geography and wildlife of this place, as well as discover the cultural identity of the region.

At the end of each exploration, our lodge is always there waiting for you: a place to enjoy and regain the energy you will need to keep on exploring.

Day 9: Departure from Punta Arenas
Early in the morning, we will take you to the airport in Punta Arenas for the flight to Santiago.

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