OFF THE BEATEN PATHS AT LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK

A unique trekking experience on real off the beaten paths to have the glacial landscape all to yourself!

We know that El Calafate and its main attractions during the peak season can be collapsed with people, complicating the access and transit of visitors. That’s why we found this exclusive trekking tour in remote places of Los Glaciares National Park. Ideal to combine with the stay at the Nibepo Aike Patagonian ranch and to offer an original activity to customers who enjoy off the beaten path experiences.

We travel the route, we sail on two different boats, we walk through Patagonian forests and glacial valleys, to reach the end of the journey in front of an incredible lake covered with icebergs, overlooking the Dickson, Cubo and Grande glaciers; all this in a virtually desolate natural environment, where we will rarely meet someone.

In groups of no more than 15 people, the excursion includes the transfer from the hotels starting at 8:00 am. After 60 km, we arrive at Los Pioneros boarding, in the southern part of the Los Glaciares National Park.

We sail for an hour and disembark at the end of the South Arm where we begin the first 2-kilometer trek to Lake Frias, which we navigate in Zodiac boats. When disembarking on the opposite bank, the second trekking of 4.5 kilometers begins, going through a forest with centuries-old lenga trees, and then through an old glacier valley. We walk until we reach the Superior Lake Frias, which is covered with icebergs. From here we can see the Dickson, Cubo and Grande glaciers.

To complete the adventure, we rest for a while and have the box lunch on this beach with amazing views and then return on the same path and navigations to Nibepo Aike port. Return to the city of El Calafate, or to the Nibepo Aike ranch to complement the glacier experience.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Includes: Spanish/English bilingual trekking guide. Roundtrip transfers, box lunch and entrance fee to the National Park.
  • Not included: Tips or any other extra costs.
  • Operation: From October 1st to April 30th.
  • Duration: Full day – from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
  • Difficulty: Moderate. Trekking paths are on irregular terrain.
  • Max. 15 people + guide.

 

BIKE ADVENTURE IN THE IGUAZÚ NATIONAL PARK

If you want a refreshed experience to complement the traditional excursion to the Argentinean Iguazú Falls, you should bike through the jungle!

Located in the north of the Province of Misiones, the Iguazú National Park occupies a total area of ​​55,000 hectares. It is one of the first National Parks created in the country, with the objective to preserve the magnificent Iguazú Falls and the lush subtropical jungle that surrounds it.

The Yaguareté (jaguar) Trail is within the Iguazú National Park and this is the perfect adventure to go deep into the rainforest. You will ride a mountain bike along a red soil wild path across the jungle, having fun, observing and learning about the local flora and fauna. 

Early in the morning, we meet our biking guide at the Guard Station on the National Route 101. The earlier we ride not only the weather is “cooler” but there are more chances of seeing wild animals such as small mammals, birds and butterflies. 

The guide provides the bikes and the rest of the equipment and we set off riding on the 101 for about 2 kilometers. Then, we turn left to take the Yaguareté Trail. The pedaling is smooth and stable, at a suitable pace for all cyclists on this red soil trail with narrow paths that crosses the jungle.

The aromas of the jungle, its sounds, its freshness, its life…everything is a great complement to this adventure in search of full contact with nature.

Along the way, we make some interpretation stops to recognize wildlife. After 3 kilometers more, we reach the Iguazú River shore, where after checking up the group’s status we decide whether to go on riding or not.

Once we’re done with the pedaling, we return to the guard station where we leave the bikes and say goodbye to our guide.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Estimated duration: 2 to 3 hours.
  • Distance: 6 to 12 km of pedaling, flexible distance and subject to current and previous weather conditions, terrain conditions and cyclists’ fitness.
  • Difficulty: medium/high.
  • Starts VERY early in the morning: 5:30 to 6:30 am during the summer, and 8:00 am in winter. It can also be arranged in the afternoon.
  • Includes: Mountain bike; helmet; gloves; Water; 1 or 2 English speaking guides according to group size; Cyclist insurance; breakfast or snack depending if it’s AM or PM.
  • Not included: Transportation to starting place at route 101.
  • Recommendations: DO NOT wear white footwear, nor white clothes: dirt cannot be easily washed. The excursion can be combined with the visit of the Argentine side of the falls. Please, notify in advance if pax have food restrictions. The tour goes through areas of a wide variety of insects (mosquitoes, spiders, etc.), if travelers suffer from any allergies they must take their own medications to avoid consequences. Please, send on forehand the passenger list with the personal information to prepare insurance. On the spot guests will have to sign a disclaimer.

 

KING CRAB ROUTE EXCURSION IN 4X4 IN TIERRA DEL FUEGO

Visit the end of the world in Argentina! Delight yourself with a sea lunch and sail the Beagle Canal like a Fueguian sailor, while watching the sea lions and penguins.

In the morning, a 4×4 vehicle picks us up at the hotel and we leave Ushuaia crossing valleys, rivers and mountains until we reach the “Ruta de la Centolla” – King Crab Route. This rural tourism corridor was born just in 2017 and leads to Puerto Almanza, literally the last inhabited corner of Argentina located 70 kilometers from Ushuaia. A few families live here and wish to make known the work of the fishermen in the area, dedicated to the fishing of king crabs, spider crabs, trout and mussels.

The King Crab Route takes us to a refuge in the forest; a cabin surrounded by 500-year-old lenga trees and with a spectacular view to the Cornú Hill and Glacier. Here we learn about the ways and lifestyle of the local community, tasting homemade marmalades and pastries accompanied by our typical mate, coffee and tea.

After this first cultural encounter, we leave the cabin behind to go to Victoria Lagoon, in which Patagonian trout abound and from where we can see Andean condor nests. We continue our way into the Harberton Ranch lands. The route follows the Lasifashaj river, offering access to its waters with very picturesque landscapes, and takes us to the Beagle Canal to a point on Navarino Island from where you can see Gable Island and Puerto Williams in Chile.

During the excursion there are many chances to see some small animals such as foxes and muskrats, as well as different types of birds such as witch herons, ruddy-headed gooses, buff-necked ibis, white herons, kingfishers and woodpeckers.

Finally we arrive in Puerto Almanza, where we find the southernmost fishing port in Argentina. Here we embark on another adventure: we board a small boat in search of an impressive colony of sea lions, then continue sailing to the Martillo Island where we will have a close encounter with Magellanic penguins in their natural habitat.

After experiencing nature in all its splendor, we return to the port for a full lunch with fresh spider crab and fish from the Canal, cooked by local fishermen. We will enjoy a pleasant talk and delight in this exquisite seafood while admiring the waters of the Beagle Canal.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Operates every day.
  • Duration: Full day – 8 hours.
  • Pick up time: 8:30 am
  • Min. 2 pax.
  • Includes: Spanish/English bilingual guide. Roundtrip transfers In 4×4 vehicle. Three-step sea lunch (entry: natural spider crab, main course: tray with a variety of fish from the Canal, dessert, coffee, non-alcoholic beverages).
  • Not included: Tips or other personal extra costs.
  • We recommend wearing waterproof clothing, coat and shoes.
  • Optional with extra cost: Trekking to Lasifashaj Waterfall after the navigation.

 

HOMEMADE FOOD & WARMTH IN EL CALAFATE

An unforgettable dinner in a warm homey atmosphere. Enjoy a regional homemade meal made with love, between talks and laughs, feeling at home.

The evening’s host is Gabo, who says that what he likes most is to receive visitors; enjoy their company, long chats, mates, walks, and of course, food. His passion is to cook for his guests with love, time and dedication, honoring the popular saying “the kitchen is the heart of the home”.

Gabo welcomes you at his cozy cabin to cook and make you feel at home with the aroma of homemade food, chatting and sharing a drink. He proposes to know El Calafate in a different way, knowing its people and places from the point of view of a local person while sharing a dinner listening to good music and making new friends. 

This experience will take you to savor homemade food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with dishes made with regional products, accompanied by wines selected from Argentine and Patagonian wineries that respect the aromas and flavors in a harmonious and pleasant way to the palate.

The dinner proposal includes a welcome drink, entrance, main course, dessert and drinks. It has two fixed menus; a “traditional” one, based on regional cuisine and adapting the raw material of the area in an unforgettable journey of flavors; and the other “vegetarian” menu, designed so that those who opt for this type of food in which most of the ingredients used are selected from local organic farms can also enjoy this experience.

At a large table with a maximum of 12 people, you can taste the delicacies that Gabo cooks in his own kitchen while talking with him and with all the guests, appealing to the principles of the house: enjoy life, feel at home, cook with love and make new friends.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • The 3-step menus are fixed (may vary) and must be chosen at the time of booking. Please, ask for an alternative dessert dish should the diner request it.
  • Current Traditional menu: Entrance: Zucchini cream soup. / Main course: Braised lamb with mustard with wedge potatoes. / Dessert: Cheesecake with calafate ice cream or white chocolate brownie with semi bitter chocolate ice cream. / Drinks: Mineral water + soft drink or menu upgrade with ½ bottle of Saurus Malbec wine.
  • Current Vegetarian Menu: Entrance: Corn cream soup. / Main course: Vegetable au gratin stew. /  Dessert: Cheesecake with calafate ice cream or white chocolate brownie with semi bitter chocolate ice cream. / Drinks: Mineral water + soft drink or menu upgrade with ½ bottle of Saurus Malbec wine.
  • Transfers and wine are not included.