El Calafate
At 7 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel in downtown El Calafate to begin the tour.
El Cafalate - Bandera Port
We will travel 45 kilometers along a route that will take you through the countryside, full of very picturesque wooden houses. Once we arrive at Puerto Bandera, on Lake Argentina, we will board a comfortable and modern catamaran, and at approximately 8:15 AM we will start sailing.
El Calafate - Upsala Glacier
During the navigation and through imposing icebergs, we will head towards the northern arm of Lake Argentino until we reach the last navigation point allowed in the Upsala Channel, where you will find impressive views of the Upsala Glacier. Then, we will continue sailing through the Cristina Channel to the disembarkation point at the estancia, arriving at 11:30 AM.
El Calafate - Cristina Ranch
Having disembarked at the shores close to Estancia Cristina, an expert guide will welcome you and take you on an exciting trek through the surrounding valley. The hike unfolds along an ecotone area, a beautiful, semi-arid place carpeted in native shrubs and grasses. Then, the walk will ascend to an elevated lookout point that bestows sweeping views of the valley beyond, over Lake Argentino and Lake Pearson across to the towering Andes Mountains. From here, we will continue on a path sloping gently uphill, surrounded nature, until you reach the highlight of this trek: Los Perros River Waterfall, also a fantastic spot for observing flowers and plant life especially orchids.
Later on, having returned from the trek, you will enjoy a traditionnal lunch with drinks. We recommand you to taste the famous empanadas and the delicous patagonian lamb (one of the options) ! In the afternoon, you will visit the Folkloric Museum, located in what used to be an old shearing shed, where they will introduce the history of the Ranch. You will start a small and pleasant walk of about 30 minutes to visit the Caterina River and Chapel and then you will tour the historic town.
Return to El Calafate
Around 5.30pm, we will get back to the boat to begin the return to Punta Bandera port, then back to El Calafate. Arrival at the hotel will be at approximately 8 PM.
