Argentina

This 17-day trip takes us to one of South America’s most astonishingly beautiful and geographically diverse walking destinations. Naturally, as the eighth largest country in the world, it is not possible to see it all in just one trip, so we have decided to focus on just two different regions and to allow ample time to do them justice. The contrast between the two areas is nothing less than extraordinary, as is the vastness of the landscapes that both characterises them and separates them from the rest of the world. 

The trip begins in Buenos Aires, a city unlike any other in Latin America; full of vibrant neighbourhoods, interesting historical monuments and a strikingly European architecture, all of which we will have time to explore during our stays there. After one night in BA, we take a flight to the spectacular region of Salta, tucked away in Argentina’s north-western corner, hidden amongst the shadow of the majestic peaks of the Andes that loom in the west. Over the course of a week we drive along on the famous route 68 and a long stretch of Argentina’s legendary Ruta 40 (Route 40); we walk through spectacular red canyons and unworldly rock formations, across high plateaux, in the depths of secluded valleys of the Sub Andean mountain range and amongst Yunga cloud forests; we visit one of Argentina’s most important wine-producing regions and stay in the oldest working commercial vineyard in Argentina situated at over 2,000m. At the end of it all we take time to explore the region’s lively and historic capital city.

After Salta we return to Buenos Aires, where we spend one night before taking a flight to southern Patagonia. Our first destination is El Chaltén, a riverside town (of very recent construction) that huddles at the base of two mountain ranges in the northern swathe of Los Glaciares National Park. The ranges of El Chaltén are like great granite walls, hemming in the town from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and the shrubby grasslands of Patagonian Steppe that stretch south to the larger town of El Calafate. We spend three days here in order to do a variety of walks and experience the stunning natural scenery found at the base of the world-famous Mount Fitz Roy.

From El Chaltén we drive south and then west to the bustling town of El Calafate, where we spend the following two nights. After a day spent walking through pristine Nothofagus forests and gliding across a remote lake on a zodiac near the Chilean border, we continue west towards the Los Glaciares National Park, where massive glaciers tumble into sapphire blue lakes and they sky knows no limits. We spend the next three nights at one of Argentina’s finest hotels in an extraordinary location that makes for the perfect base from which to further explore the area. During our time here we visit the world famous Perito Moreno glacier, arguably one of the most spectacular glaciers on earth, travel by boat past sculpted icebergs on a cruise to enjoy stunning views of the Upsala Glacier and bounce around in the back of a 4×4 jeep to reach one of the most remote corners of the Glaciares National Park, from where the views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are of indescribable beauty. The walks we do during our stay here take us across Patagonian Steppe, to the top of a lone grassy hill with sprawling views of Lake Argentina and through a remarkable canyon rich in fossils that was carved by a glacier.

After Patagonia we return to Buenos Aires for one final night.

For a detailed itinerary and/or further information, please contact us at [email protected]

KEY INFORMATION

The fitness level for all trips is classified according to the average distance and elevation gain of the walks offered, with fitness levels ranging from 1-5, see here for more details.