Extensions - Patagonia

Patagonia is located in the southern reaches of Chile and Argentina and offers the intrepid traveller a world of adventure. Its wind-swept plains, glaciated mountain ranges and turquoise lakes stretch for thousands of miles, and despite its desolation, hold a wealth of unique flora and fauna.

Note: All touring is independent and can be adapted to suit your requirements.

Cascada Ecocamp

A stay at the Cascada EcoCamp, unique in Patagonia, is comfortable, environmentally friendly, and a truly amazing experience.   

Cascada EcoCamp offers a perfect compromise between hotel accommodation and camping, with large dome-shaped tents, with wooden floors, allowing plenty of space for sleeping comfortably.  A separate tent contains the kitchen/living/dining areas, while a separate building houses the communal bathrooms and composting toilets. 

Patagonia Wildlife Safari
Prices on request

The Patagonia Safari offers 2, 3, 4 and 5 nights full-board stays based on a weekly excursion itinerary. The programme starts and finishes any day of the week and you can enter/leave the Park boarding one of the daily regular transfers connecting Torres del Paine with Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales and the borderline with Argentina connecting on to El Calafate.

Day 1
You arrive to Punta Arenas - Patagonia’s largest city – and embark on a panoramic ride to Torres del Paine NP (345 km / 216 mi). On the way, you stop at the impressive Cueva de Milodón, a gigantic cave (30 m high; 80 m wide; 200 m deep) that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. The day winds down at breathtaking Torres del Paine. (B,L,D)

Day 2
You are driven through the park with spellbinding views of mountain-lined Lake Norkenskjold and Lake Pehoe. Upon arriving to Paso La Feria, we walk towards equally stunning Lake Sarmiento. The trail features views of the Paine massif with frequent spotting of condors, guanaco herds and puma tracks. You are driven back to EcoCamp for dinner and an overnight stay. (B, BL, D)

Day 3
You are driven to the western side of the park with stops at secluded lagoons for short walks and bird watching: Chilean Flamingos at Laguna Amarga; diverse bird life at Laguna Los Juncos; and a swan colony at Laguna Cisnes. Reaching Lake Pehoe, you visit the furious Salto Grande falls and walk along the gentle Nordenskjold trail (1-1.5 hrs return) which offers awesome views of the Cuernos del Paine horn-like peaks (2,670 m/8,700 ft). The day ends with a short nature hike along beautiful Lake Toro. Dinner and overnight stay at EcoCamp. (B, BL, D)

Day 4
You walk along Pingo River gorge through native beech forests and varied geological features (1.5-2hrs return, weather permitting). In the evening, you sail across glacial Lake Grey (1.5 hours) with its floating chunks of ice and approach the towering walls of captivating blue-colored Glacier Grey. The night is spent at EcoCamp (B, BL, D). 

Day 5
After breakfast sit back and enjoy a relaxing drive back to Punta Arenas airport (B, BL).

Optional: Alternatively, on day 5 you can continue your journey through Patagonia by driving across the border to El Calafate (Argentina).

Other packages offer more challenging treks for the fit hiker (5-8 hours hiking each day), including the 7 day ‘W Trek’, or the ultimate and demanding 10 day classic circuit route around the entire Paine massif.  Please contact Aurora Expeditions for further information.

All accommodation is twin share, sole use not available.

Included
  

• All ground transport private and domestic as indicated in the itinerary.

• 4 nights accommodation sharing a 2 person dome in EcoCamp.

• Park fees for Cueva del Milodon and Torres del Paine National Park.

• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• One expert English speaking trekking guide for 6 clients; one English speaking assistant guide added for groups larger than 6.



Not Included

• Airfares.

• Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trip).

• Optional tipping to guides and staff.

• Items of a personal nature (laundry, sodas, alcoholic beverage other than our famous pisco sour and wine offered in dinners, etc.).



Group Size & Guiding Staff:  
8-12 travellers is the most typical group size plus Ecocamp staff. Maximum is 20 clients. Guide to passenger ratio: 1:8.  

El Calafate

El Calafate on the shores of Lago Argentino is the gateway to the Los Glaciares National Park. Nominated by UNESCO as a natural Heritage Site, this park contains no less than 365 glaciers and an incredible variety of stunning landscapes. This tour visits the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier, known worldwide for the continuous spectacle it offers when huge ice blocks break off its western wall.

Day 1
You will be met and transferred to your hotel for three night’s accommodation. (tourist class hotel) 

Day 2
Full day lake trip to Upsala & Onelli Bay region, cruising among icebergs that have broken off the glacier.

Day 3
Full day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, located in Los Glaciares National Park.

Day 4
Breakfast at hotel. You will be transferred to the airport.

From USD640 Single, USD519pp Twin

Included

• Three nights accommodation and buffet breakfast daily.
• Touring as shown above and airport transfers – seat in bus
• English speaking guide

Not Included

• Airfares to/from El Calafate, airport taxes, passport and visa fees
• Excess baggage charges, gratuities to guides, drivers, etc.
• Meals, transfers and tours not indicated on the above itinerary
• Beverages, laundry charges or other items of a personal nature
• Any items not specifically mentioned as being included