This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Travel with Intrepid
✓ Experience the jagged, snow-capped glory of peaks like Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre
✓ See the gigantic and still-advancing icescape that is the Perito Moreno Glacier
✓ Patagonia adventure covers some of the most stunning glacial scenery in the world
✓ Start with a tour of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires
✓ Head to frontier tow El Chalten to tackle the likes of Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre
✓ Continue to El Calafate, where the marvels of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
✓ 7 breakfasts
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Buenos Aires, the ultimate cosmopolitan city. With Latin passion, European elegance and a distinctive style, it may well steal your heart. Attend a group meeting at 2 pm. The adventure begins straight after the meeting with a two-hour orientation walk that visits Avenida de Mayo, Cafe Tortoni, Florida Street, Plaza de Mayo (Casa Rosada, Cabildo, Catedral de Buenos Aires) and Plaza Dorrego (San Telmo). Continue to Palermo to participate in a tango class. In a private space a professional tango couple will explain the dance’s origin and history, then give a sultry demonstration. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to join an hour-long beginner’s class to learn some of the basics. Following the tango class, you may want to head to one of the many parilla's (steak houses) in the area. Transfers back to the hotel are not included however taxis are easy to find and inexpensive.
Included Activities:
Special Information:
Fly south from Buenos Aires to El Calafate (approximately 3 hours), then travel by van to the frontier town of El Chalten, north of Glacier National Park (approximately 3.5 hours). Hikers and climbers from all around the world congregate here in order to reach the glaciers and mountains. Take it easy and drink in the views today in preparation for your trek tomorrow.
Rise and shine for the first day on trekking. Begin with perhaps the most famous of all Patagonia’s trails -- Laguna de los Tres. Ascend from El Calten on an approximately 9-hour trek through incredible landscapes. Walk through woodlands sprouted framed by granite cliff, over crystal-clear streams and towards the three frosted peaks of Mt Fitz Roy. Along the way you’ll see numerous glaciers, but the primary reward on his trek come at the end of a steep climb: glacier de los Tres and the blue lagoon that lies before it at the base of Mt Fitz Roy.
Included Activities:
Special Information:
Today is as clear as the mountain air, so you can decide whether to recuperate or tackle another trail. If you can’t wait to explore further, then perhaps head out on the Laguna Torre trail. Aside from the first two kilometres, there’s very little ascent on this trail, which leads to a beautiful glacier lake at the base of Cerro Torre. Hiking there and back will take around 7 hours, depending on how many stops you make.
Take a private transfer from El Chalten to El Calafate. Use the opportunity to relax and unwind after your two days of adventures on foot. The drive should be around 4 hours, depending on weather and traffic.
Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. This is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world and at 3 km (1.8 miles) wide and 35km (21 miles) long is a spectacular sight. Watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below. Take the steps of a lifetime as you embark on a guided glacier walk. When it's all over, return to El Calafate for the night.
Included Activities:
Special Information:
Take an included flight back to Buenos Aires. The afternoon is free to further explore the city.
Hike the incredible Laguna de los Tres through thick woodlands, over streams and past granite spires to the famed blue lagoon at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy
Listen to the thunder as cracks form in the spectacular wall of ice that is Perito Moreno Glacier. This massive, blue-hued natural wonder is constantly breaking and reforming
This tour is like a bucket list special on Patagonia, hitting the most-wanted with time to decompress in between sightseeing
This tour starts with a bang in Buenos Aires, with a walking tour and tango class to make the most of your limited time in the capital
Trekking is what small group travel was made for – let someone else take care of the permits and accommodation so you can focus on soaking up the views with new friends
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
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COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, a basic level of fitness will be required. If you have any concerns please consult your healthcare provider prior to purchase/travel.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Please follow the 'book now' prompts and select 1 passenger to view the single supplement cost.
Triple Share
Not available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of your return.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Maximum 12 people.
Children
Children must be 15 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Passport Details Required
Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
Perito Moreno Glacier - Mini Trek
Please note the maximum age limit for this activity is 65yrs old.
Start Time
This trip starts with a Welcome Meeting at 2pm of day 1.
Late Bookings
Bookings within 45 days from departure may incur in late booking airline fees. If applicable, this will be informed at the time of booking.
Domestic Flights
This trip includes a domestic flight. Argentina is particularly strict on excess baggage and usually enforces a maximum allowance of 15Kg for check in luggage.
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities:
Costs are per person.
The optional tours and shore excursions can only be purchased on-tour with your guide or the ship staff, and are payable in local currency. Optional tours are subject to conditions such as traffic, weather and sightseeing schedules, as well as minimum numbers.