*Details may vary with dates. Select dates to see exact details.
detour Opinion: Is this trip for me?
Fitzroy, Cerro Torre, and Los Glaciares National Park are truly stunning, and are worth a trip to Patagonia! This park is a hiker's heaven, but expect some bad weather while you are there. Combine this trip with one of the Torres del Paine trips in Chile for the perfect Patagonia experience.
The Perito Moreno Glaciar is also well worth a visit.
Los Glaciares is one of the most scenically impressive national parks in South America, and we will spend several days hiking and exploring this impressive park! This vast reserve protects around 2300 square miles of the Patagonian Andes, including over 40 major glaciers. A visit to Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina complements any trip on the Chilean side of Patagonia.
The northern section of the park is dominated by the incredible, world-famous form of the Fitzroy Massif, with its sheer, 6000-foot rise from the glaciers at its base.
There are numerous spectacular mountains rising above the immense Lago Viedma, including Fitzroy 3405m (11,072') , and Cerro Torre 3128m (10,280'). The latter is such a steep and difficult granite needle that its summit was not climbed until 1974.The southern section is one of the world's glacier wonderlands (40 percent of the park is covered by glaciers).
About a dozen glaciers flow east to feed two huge lakes, Lago Viedma and Lago Argentino, and there are another 190 glaciers not connected to the park's giant South Patagonis Icefield. We will spend several days exploring and hiking through these places of outstanding beauty that have made Patagonia a true hiker's paradise at the ends of the earth.
Highlights
Explore one of the most beautiful national parks in South America.
Perfect addition to the 5 or 7 day Torres Del Paine Treks. ...view more details
Abbreviated Itinerary
Day 1: (Sunday) Pto. Natales - Cerro Castillo - Calafate - El Chalten - Fitzroy
The trip starts every Sunday morning from Puerto Natales or from Torres del Paine for clients finishing a 5 or 7 day trip with us (PAT 025 or PAT 026).
Not able to start the program a Sunday? Please ask for departures on other days !! ...view more details
Trip Options
Upgrade to Superior Class hotels: Add $194.00 per person.
Single Supplement fee for Superior Class hotels $125
Why should I choose this trip? What makes it better (different) than other trips?
On this interesting trip, you will get to hike beautiful trails and see impressive mountain scenery everyday. Unlike on most treks, however, this will not compromise your comfort as we will spend every night in hotels not tents. ...view more details
What kind of person will enjoy this trip?
This trip is great for the less extreme trekker who wants to feel the joys of hiking outside everyday but who does not want to put up with the discomforts of camping every night. ...view more details
Day 1: (Sunday) Pto. Natales - Cerro Castillo - Calafate - El Chalten - Fitzroy
We will start early in the morning from Torres del Paine and drive onwards to the Cerro Castillo border crossing. (Clients not doing Torres del Paine with us start Sunday morning from Puerto Natales.) There, we will meet the regular bus to Calafate (287 kms/180 miles), a small town set on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park amid dramatic scenery and natural beauty. Once in Calafate, we will have lunch with time afterwards to explore the main street and the town’s center.
From Calafate, we will take the regular bus and continue on about 4 hours to Chalten (220 kms/138 miles). We drive on isolated dirt roads across the pampas and along the northern end of Lago Viedma to reach the settlement of El Chalten, a tiny outpost beside Parque Nacional Los Glaciares at the foot of the impressive Mount Fitzroy.
We will arrive in late evening to Chalten and overnight at Hostería in Chalten. (B.)
Day 2-3: Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
We will have the next three days to explore the park. We shall undertake two main walks into the nearby mountains. One may take us to the Fitzroy Base Camp (about 6-7 hours) and the other in the direction of Cerro Torre (6-7 hours), but this will depend on weather conditions at the time. Most of these hikes are on well-established trails so that shorter options are often available. While hiking in the park, the trails will take us to places as Laguna Torre, the base camp of Cerro Torre climbs, Laguna Capri and Laguna Madre, Laguna de los Tres- directly in front of Fitzroy, and Piedras Blancas. The scale of the scenery- with its jagged peaks and glimpses of glaciers suspended between them- makes these walks extremely rewarding. (B, L-)
Day 4: Fitzroy - Calafate
We will start the day with a walk that follows the banks of the Rio Eléctrico with some of the most beautiful Beech forests in Patagonia. Afterwards, we are transferred to Chalten Bus Station on time to board the regular bus back to Calafate. Overnight in Calafate at Hostal Libertador, Lar Aike or similar. (B)
Day 5: Calafate – Perito Moreno
Today we will have the Perito Moreno Glacier excursion, a 60m-high relic of the Ice Age, creates a unique geographic event approximately every three or four years. As it advances, it pushes out across the surface of the lake, cutting the lake into two separate sections. As water pressure builds up on one side over the years, the glacier eventually explodes open with a torrent of water and a fury of calving icebergs. Although this spectacular event no longer occurs as cyclically as it did during the past 50 years, the Moreno Glacier is constantly moving, calving, and crackling an incredible sight and sound at any time.
We will start our excursion early in the morning (around 8 AM) to have the area to ourselves, with no rush and plenty of time for bird watching and photography. After our scenic drive through the National Park accompanied by an expert guide, we will arrive at the Moreno Glacier. However, unlike the regular tours, we will not go straight to the regular panoramic points. Instead, we start by marveling at the glacier's much less-traveled north face in all its splendor- watching and hearing giant chunks of ice plummet into the waters of Lake Argentino. Our guide will answer all questions about the area, as we walk in front of Moreno Glacier on a nature walk. We will then continue on to the footbridges area where we break so you have time to enjoy at your leisure. At the end of the tour, we have the option of boarding a boat that goes in front of the Iceberg Channel (Not included – option can be arranged). After the thrilling encounter with the Moreno Glacier, we head back to Calafate and arrive around early evening. (B, L-)
Day 6: Calafate - Puerto Natales
Early morning- we take the regular bus to Puerto Natales (5 hours). Arrive around 1PM with enough time to visit the town. Overnight in hotel Aquaterra, Francis Drake or similar. (B)
Day 7: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas
Transfer from your hotel in Puerto Natales to the bus station and board the regular bus that will leave you at Punta Arenas' airport on time for your departure flight. (B)
Cascada can also book and purchase for you at the best rates available the following side services: Domestic flights, Hotel accommodation in Santiago (3 to 5 star), Airport and Hotel pick ups in Santiago, side trips in Santiago and longer extension trips (rafting, riding, hiking, etc) in other areas throughout Chile
Request these additional services when you check availability above
What's Included
- 3 nights Hosteria or Hotel at El Chaltén, B&B W/private bathroom.
- 2n Hotel in Calafate B&B w/private bathroom.
- Domestic bus: P.Natales/Calafate/ P.Arenas and Calafate/Chaltén/Calafate;.
- 2 full days trek In Chalten with box lunch; 1 Half day trek AM on day 4 to Rio Electrico.
- Full day Perito Moreno regular Exc. SIB .
- Park Fees
- Piedra del Fraile Entrance Fee
- 1 bilingual trekking guides each 8 pers at Chalten.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, L-=boxLunch, D=dinner
Not Included
- Air fares
- Insurance
- Optional tipping to guides and staff
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional Minitrek on Perito Moreno Excursion USD 107 pp as Supplement.
- 3 nights Hosteria or Hotel at El Chaltén, B&B W/private bathroom.
- 2n Hotel in Calafate B&B w/private bathroom.
- Domestic bus: P.Natales/Calafate/ P.Arenas and Calafate/Chaltén/Calafate;.
- 2 full days trek In Chalten with box lunch; 1 Half day trek AM on day 4 to Rio Electrico.
- Full day Perito Moreno regular Exc. SIB .
- Park Fees
- Piedra del Fraile Entrance Fee
- 1 bilingual trekking guides each 8 pers at Chalten.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, L-=boxLunch, D=dinner
Not Included
Not Included
- Air fares
- Insurance
- Optional tipping to guides and staff
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional Minitrek on Perito Moreno Excursion USD 107 pp as Supplement.
Transportation to Trip Departure Point
Arriving to trip starting point description:
The trip starts every Sunday morning from Puerto Natales or from Torres del Paine for clients finishing a 5 or 7 day trip with us (PAT 025 or PAT 026).
Transportation On Trip
Transportation Types
Private Bus
Lodging - Accommodations
Lodging Types
6 Nights hotels
Hotels on Trip
Standard option Hotels;
- Calafate: Pioneros or similar.
- Chalten: Fitzroy inn or similar
- Puerto Natales: Francis Drake or similar.
Superior Option Hotels;
- Calafate: Libertador or similar.
- Chalten: Hostal el Puma or similar.
- Puerto Natales: Aquaterra or similar.
Details
Provider Social and Environmental Responsibility
Chile's diverse and marvellous environment is a gift to us and we feel in need to repay nature for all what we have received. As part of our commitment to support the environment, Cascada joined The International Eco-Tourism Society (VT-USA) in 1996 and has gained background, understanding and experience to model Cascada's own operations and o serve as an example to the others.
Tell me about the guides on this trip
You will be guided by a bilingual trekking guide. For groups of more than 8 people, another guide will be supplied.
Tell me about the safety precautions and plans for this trip.
We offer our guests the most rewarding experience by means of travelling to a remote destination such as Chile or Argentina with the highest degree of safety. comfort and exposure to nature and culture. As part of Cascada's safety mission fulfillment we became the first outfitter in South America to provide the guides with the Wilderness First Responder degree, training wich is widely accredited in the US and Canada.
Maximum Guide/Client Ratio
1 to 8
Maximum Age
None
Weather
The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to the saturated winds that circle the Antarctic landmass. Also, both the strong marine and the South Patagonic Icefield influence makes the weather hard to predict. In spring or early summer fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rains and eventually snow. Even in summer (December to march) you should come prepared to find cold- strong winds (up to 130 km/hr) and rainfalls. The summers average temperature is 11ºC/52ºF (24ºCmax, 2ºC min).
Travel Provider
Provider Name
Cascada Expediciones
Why should I choose this provider?
Cascada Expediciones services are designed to create a worthwhile experience and deep exposure to nature and culture. Our mission can be stated as:
Create and provide quality Tourist Services, innovative and with the highest value in terms of the life experience related to it.
Promote the benefits of Nature and Wilderness in its many forms, facilitate the discovery of the primitive spirit and create a deep understanding and respect to it.
Provide the best life conditions for all the ones working at Cascada Expediciones, assuring it to become a tool for personal and professional development.
Participate actively in the larger community serving it through contributions of employment and to respect and care for the environment.
Develop and promote Tourist Services which are environmentally sustainable, to provide ecotourism.
As part of our environmental mission fulfillment we became members of The International Ecotourism Society(USA) and gained information, understanding and experience from it that have helped us to model our own operations to follow the principles of ecotourism and to serve as an example to others.
As part of our quality mission fulfillment we were the first outfitter in South America to provide its guides with the Wilderness First Responder degree, training which is widely valid and accredited within the US and Canada. Since 1996 we have been bringing experts from the Wilderness Medical Associates to train our staff as well as other local outfitters.
We live and work in Chile, so we have the experience and in-depth knowledge of the region and its people, hence the ability to design and operate great trips for you; we are passionate adventure travelers ourselves: we have traveled extensively in remote places of Chile, Argentina and the world and we'd like to show you how the adventure of a lifetime can be.
Our travel in Chile and Argentina is designed for travelers who are seeking a holiday with plenty of outdoor activity and soft or hard adventure, who enjoy discovering nature and local culture while respecting the ecology and the environment.
The trips include various levels of physical activity, from easy to strenuous.
We include, in varying degrees, activities such as hiking, trekking, camping, backcountry walking, kayaking, diving, climbing, horsebackriding, whitewater rafting and seakayaking. This brings the traveling group together, and closer to nature. There are usually plenty of wildflowers and birds to be seen on our tours, with opportunities for botanists and bird watchers to pursue their interests. Most of our tours are outside the big cities and off paved roads visiting remote places, discovering the wildlife and local cultures, with emphasis on personal experience and respect for the ecology.
Most of our trips are suitable for all ages, from teens to seniors, and solo travelers or women traveling alone will find the groups friendly and welcoming with easy integration. Moreover our ECOCAMP 'lodge' in Torres del Paine, Patagonia offers a true wilderness experience in a comfortable setup.
Trip FAQ's
Trip FAQ's
What you need to bring
Day backpack (10lt), mountain backpack or duffel bag (70 liters), waterproof trekking boots, waterproof parka & pants, inner isolating layer (fleece or wool), three changes of clothes, sun hat, sun screen, hiking socks, sandals (for after hikes), bathing suit, sunglasses, towel (optional), ski poles (optional), long underwear, extra change of socks, flashlight/headlamp, extra insulating layer (fleece, wool, or expedition weight long underwear.
Provider Policies
Terms and Conditions
Insurance:
Travel protection is essential for your peace of mind; unexpected medical emergencies or illness before or during your trip and several other contingencies could make you lose pre-paid, non-refundable trip payments. Emergency medical transport and air ambulance during your trip to a remote location might be extremely expensive and will probably not be covered by your medical health plan.
That is why it is compulsory that you purchase personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, air ambulance, loss of effects, repatriation costs and all other expenses which may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring during your trip. We also suggest you to purchase cancellation and curtailment insurance. When obtaining travel insurance, you must ensure the insurer of the type of travel to be undertaken, especially when "adventure activities" are included in your trip.
There are several insurance companies offering travel protection plans through the web. Cascada Expediciones has selected some of them for your convenience. Click here to check different alternatives.
Medical & Health:
It is mandatory that clients with medical problems make themselves known to us well before departure. The trip leader has the right to disqualify anyone, at any time, during the trip if he feels the trip member is physically incapable and/or if a trip member's continued participation will be detrimental to the individual involved or the group. Refunds are not given under such circumstances.
Because of the fact that Hospital facilities for serious problems are often unavailable and evacuation can be prolonged, difficult and expensive, it is that we assume no liability regarding provision of medical care at any time during the trip. This statement is included on the Release & Assumption of Risk form provided by our company. All passengers over 65 are requested to fill out a Medical Certificate that would entitle him/her to safely accomplish the trip he/she is applying for.
Physical and/or Technical Certificates:
These certificates are issued in addition to the general medical certificate and are asked to secure a safe accomplishment of the activities included on certain specific mountaineering and kayaking trips.
Physical Certificate:
The following programs will require the passenger to be physically qualified to be accepted on the trip. This is not a technical demand but a provision towards the physical condition of the participant and the enforcement to be accomplished during the excursion:
High Altitude Mountain Trips: Aconcagua, Ojos del Salado, Parinacota
Technical Certificate:
The following programs will require the passenger to be physically and technically qualified to be accepted on the trip. This is a provision towards the level of skills owned by the participant and the degree of technical difficulty and risk involved on the trip: Rafting River Futaleufu; Intermediate and Experts River Kayaking;
Responsibilities of Trip Members:
Trip members are responsible for understanding the conditions implied in the Trip Itinerary and selecting a trip that is appropriate to their interests and abilities. In order to assist you we grade each trip with a Trip Rating. We are also happy to discuss the trip with you, as well as provide you with names of past participants who can discuss their experience with you.; Trip members are held responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake the trip; - for bringing appropriate clothing and equipment as advised in the equipment list; - for following normal standards of personal hygiene in order to lessen risk of traveler's diseases; - for following normal social behavior patterns with fellow trip participants; - for acting in an appropriate and respectful manner in accordance with the customs of areas visited;- for completing the itinerary as scheduled (or as adjusted in the field as necessary).
Normally the travelers will be asked to carry a day-pack containing the extra personal belongings they wish to take such as: camera, glasses, extra clothing, etc. In the 10day Patagonia trekking and Aconcagua, Plomo, Parinacota, Ojos del Salado ascents, travelers will be asked to carry their own personal items including back pack, sleeping bag, pad, daily box-lunch and others. The 10-day Patagonia trip offers the option to hire a porter. In camping trips, the cooking and the cleaning will be the responsibility of the guiding Staff and they may ask the passenger for help in setting up his/her tent;
Reasonable changes may be made in the itinerary due to weather conditions or if judged to be in the best interest and well being of the participants;
Pricing Policies
Pricing:
The price for the land portion of the trip is called Land Cost and includes:
-All accommodations in hotels, inns, mountain huts, camps and tents; -Ground transportation in private vehicles or domestic buses depending on the itinerary including reception & transfer from the nearest airport; - Meals in the field as specified in each program except for those meals in cities or towns where the travelers will feel inclined to make their own choices; -All trekking, horse-riding, diving, marine and river arrangements in the field (as specified in each program) including group equipment, permits and mules or pack horses if specified; -Entries and park fees; -Expert leadership including English speaking guides in all our fixed departures trips. The guide/participant ratio varies from 1/5 to 1/10 depending in the type of program;
Costs not included in the trip are some meals as noted in the itinerary, soft drinks and liquor, medical expenses, cost of hospitalization or evacuation, laundry, airport departure taxes, visas, international and domestic airfares, gratuities and insurance. Please refer to the trip itinerary for detailed information on what is included and not included in the Land Cost. If a trip must be extended or an itinerary modified due to weather, road conditions, lack of transportation, political or civil disputes, medical emergency or other causes beyond our control, the associated costs including any nonrecoverable costs are not included in the trip rates or refunds. In such circumstances it is your responsibility to pay directly for actual extra costs in the field (i.e. food, transport, accommodations, etc.). Obtain trip cancellation/interruption insurance!
Prices listed on our website and marketing material are subject to change since the trip dates and prices have often been published more than a year in advance. Between that time and the time of the trip's actual departure, we are occasionally faced with exceptional cost increases or currency fluctuations that we cannot absorb. We do everything we can to keep our prices the same as published.
Tier Pricing:
In order to operate small groups, some trips are priced according to the number of full-price passengers on the trip. Cascada Expediciones staff, invited passengers as travel writers, photographers or tour operators' representatives under a familiarization trip and other discounted travelers are excluded from the count for this purpose. We initially invoice you at the highest tier level price. If the price drops due to an increase in the group size, you will be refunded the difference.
Accommodation:
The prices correspond to accommodations in a share basis. If the passenger is traveling alone and there is no one with whom to share, or if he/she wishes single accommodation, then he/she will be asked to pay the Single supplement Fee listed in the Price-List. Accommodations in hotels are based on double occupancy. Accommodations in tents are based on double occupancy.
The criteria for picking out the accommodations are a mixture of comfort, security, location and local atmosphere.
Meals:
All meals on the field are included as well as all others to be taken in places such as National Parks where the travelers will not be able to purchase their own food or where we consider it is not recommendable to do so. Please refer to each trip itinerary for information on which meals are included and not included. The meals included are shown as B=breakfast, L=lunch, L-=box-lunch, D=dinner.
Cancellation Policies
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your trip, money will be returned less the cancellation fees charged by Cascada plus any additional nonrefundable cancellation fees and payments already advanced to airlines, hotels and other local suppliers.
a- Cascada Land cancellation fees for regular departures: these are departures with fixed dates. Cancellation of the confirmed booking outside 30 days prior to departure entails loss of deposit, which is 20% of the total trip cost. Thereafter the following applies:
30 - 23 days 40% of total fare
22 - 14 days 60% of total fare
13 - 0 days 100% of total fare
b- Cascada Land cancellation fees for private departures: these are trips operated in a non-fixed date or as special requests. Cancellation of the confirmed booking outside 60 days prior to departure entails loss of deposit, which is 20% of the total trip cost. Thereafter the following applies:
60 - 45 days 40% of total fare
44 - 31 days 60% of total fare
30 - 0 days 100% of total fare
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TESTIMONIALS
We are back from a fabulous time at the Refugio Amazonas! I have nothing but raves about it all! Thanks for your help in getting us to this great place!
-- Susan L, Refugio Amazonas Family Adventure
We just got back from Peru on Sunday. It was a GREAT trip. We thoroughly enjoyed it! The highlight was truly the trek to Machu Picchu. Thanks for all of your help in making the trip very special. Everything went off without a hitch. We were very impressed.
-- Mary Ann, B., Multi-Activity Peru
We had a great time on the Galapagos Cruise. Our guides were very engaging and informative and everything was timed just right. We had the right amount of activity, food and leisure time every day. We are not \"cruising\" people and were apprehensive at first about being stuck on a boat for 7 days but we didn\'t feel \"stuck\" given the number of excursions we had each day and the fact that we snorkeled at least once or twice a day. We also extended our trip on the Islands and stayed at a hotel but definitely would recommend a cruise over staying on the islands. The islands gets very hot and there are lots of mosquitos but on the boat there is shade, wind and no bugs! Great amount of variety of animals and geography we saw. Sad to leave!
-- Wendy K., Galapagos Islands on the Eric, Letty, and Flamingo
I want to say I LOVED the trip. ECOCAMP was divine. Really amazing setting. The mix of people in the group was healthy. We all liked each other enough to dine every meal together.