Passage to Patagonia 2018 1
Itinerary Day 1: Depart UK Day 2: Buenos Aires After an overnight flight we arrive in Buenos Aires. After a quick stop at our hotel to drop off luggage, we ll have a city tour of Buenos Aires. Patagonia is home to two of the world s most beautiful natural reserves, Torres del Paine (Chile) and Los Glaciares (Argentina). Your holiday includes the best of both national parks. These are vast wilderness areas of wooded mountains and deep valleys pierced by channels and fjords, of snow-topped peaks, glaciers and aquamarine lakes. It s where the Cordillera de la Costa (the coastal mountain range) disappears into the sea and only the majestic Cordillera de los Andes (Andes Range) remains rising above the immense Patagonian pampas. This land has a unique ecosystem, a habitat for exotic shrubs, unusual flowers and ferns and a shelter for guanaco, nandu, foxes, pumas and rheas. This is one of the most remote places on earth, and offers us a fantastic holiday with stunning walks. Buenos Aires is a vibrant city which is very European in style, and is actually a collection of very distinct neighbourhoods. Close to the hotel is the upmarket district of Recoleta with its famous cemetery, the resting place of Eva Peron. On the other side of Avenida 9 Julio, which bisects the city centre, we find the Plaza de Mayo with the Casa Rosada and the Cathedral. Towards the south is the bohemian area of San Telmo, full of tango houses and cafés, and we will continue to the port and the district of La Boca where we will walk the colourful streets complete with artists, dancers and buskers. The rest of the day will be at leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Americas Tower (1 night), Buenos Aires (Meals included: Day 3: To Ushuaia A morning flight will take us to the southern tip of Argentinian Patagonia, known as the End of the World or Tierra del Fuego. Arrival approx midday. Optional walk with your HF leader around Ushuaia. Accommodation: Hotel Altos Ushuaia (3 nights) (Meals included: breakfast, 2
Day 4: Ushuaia, Penitentiary and Beagle Channel We ll visit the old Ushuaia penitentiary. The prison was built primarily to accommodate relapsing prisoners, but ended up housing some of Argentina s most dangerous criminals. The prison now houses several museums highlighting the history of the prison as well as the interesting history of the navigation of the South Pacific and South Atlantic. This afternoon, we ll take a boat trip to the Beagle Penguin Colony and Sea Lion Island. We sail over the waters of the Ushuaia bay, with a spectacular view over the capital of Tierra del Fuego and the mountains in the background. We ll reach the Alicia island, in the middle of the Beagle Channel, which is inhabited by an important colony of Imperial cormorants. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe the majestic black eyebrow albatross, the scuas and different kinds of gulls, as well as the funny steamer ducks or the alakush. The boat trip continues through the channel and we reach the area of the Les Eclaireurs archipelago. We ll visit the Sea Lion's island (Isla de los Lobos), where the two typical species of sea lions can be observed. It was in this area, where the cruiser Monte Cervantes sank in 1930. (Meals included: breakfast, Day 5: Tierra del Fuego National Park A short drive (11km) will take us from Ushuaia along the foothills of the Pipo river, and we ll come to the famous train station "End of the World" (Fin del Mundo). The historical train was originally built to transport prisoners from the prison to the working places in the woods. The railway was opened in 1896 and operated to serve the prison of Ushuaia. Closure came in 1947 and thereafter it lay derelict until an Argentine entrepreneur had the idea of reopening the line as a tourist attraction, in order to provide an environmentally efficient and friendly way of conveying people to the boundary of the Tierra del Fuego national park. After a short time at the station, we ll board the train and ride through the colourful landscape of lenga-woods, coihue woods, rivers, brooks and mountains (1 hour app). We ll have a short stop at La Macarena falls, with explanations about the landscape. The train journey continues into the national park Tierra del Fuego, as far as the ancient sawmill Lombardich which is the end of our journey. The national park offers mountain chains, rivers, hard wood forests, acid peat bogs and a rocky sea coast on an area of 63,000ha. The combination of very different landscapes in a relative small area is quite unique. This is a paradise for bird watchers, as it is the home of condors, rayaditos, giant black carpenter birds, Southern parrots, Thrushes, Fishing Martins and many other species. Huge beaver constructions cut the small rivers and let the water rise. In these artificial lakes, a big variety of peat bog plants grow and you may find tender orchids as well. We ll have time to enjoy a short walk in the park before returning to Ushuaia. (Meals included: breakfast, Day 6: To Torres del Paine National Park This morning we leave the End of the World and take a flight to El Calafate, 3
the gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park. We arrive late afternoon at the gates to the national park and a long winding drive takes us to Hosteria Mirador del Payne on the Laguna Verde. The early evening light can be wonderful in this part of the world and there will be time to stretch our legs with a refreshing stroll before dinner. Accommodation: Hosteria Mirador del Payne (1 night) (Meals included: breakfast, boxed lunch, Day 7: Torres del Paine Our first full day in the national park offers the chance for an incredibly scenic walk to Lago Grey. Our path meanders through meadows and woodland, passing clear mountain lakes framed by the magnificent Torres del Paine mountain range. Following a final steep descent to the park headquarters, a short bus ride takes us to the start of our Lago Grey walk. We ll enjoy views of the shimmering blue icebergs as they break off the Grey glacier and float towards the shoreline (Distance: 8.7 miles / 14 km, 820ft / 250m of ascent, 1,050ft / 320m of descent). The second walk to Lago Grey is 2.5miles / 4km, mostly level. Later we drive to the east side of the park to our accommodation. Accommodation: Hosteria Las Torres or Hotel Rio Serrano(3 nights) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, Day 8: Torres del Paine woodland and open scrubland into the Asencio valley with tremendous views of Lake Nordenskjold and Almirante Nieto mountain behind us. We ll take a rest at the Refugio El Chileno and then we ll ascend steeply through a boulder-strewn area to the the Base Las Torres viewpoint. The hour long climb is rewarded by a close view of the spectacular granite pillars, rising over 2,000m above the Patagonian steppe - the Towers of Paine (Distance: 11.8 miles / 19km, 3,770ft / 1,150m of ascent). For those preferring a less strenuous walk, we follow the group, but omit the final ascent. Day 9: Torres del Paine Today we ll enjoy a couple of short walks which give wonderful views of the national park. We ll walk from the national park entry at Lago Sarmiento to the national park entry at Laguna Amarga via some rock paintings, an ideal place for spotting guanaco and wildflowers. This is a relatively easy short walk (5 miles/8km). Today we have an excellent walk. Our trail winds through impressive 4
Day 11: Perito Moreno Glacier This morning we drive into the beautiful Los Glaciares National Park to see the majestic spectacle of the Moreno Glacier. Afterwards we ll take a short bus ride to the start of our next walk at Lago Pehoe, which will include the Salte Grande waterfall then out to the viewpoint Mirador Cuernos, returning by the same route. Once at the mirador, you ll be rewarded with incredible views of the Horn of Paine and up the Valle de Frances to the Italian camp and the glacier (4.3 miles / 7km in total on an undulating path). * This walk is subject to weather conditions, and may be replaced by an equally lovely walk at the Lago Azul (Blue Lagoon) During the drive, there is a dramatic change in landscape. While El Calafate is dry, harsh, and flat, the park entrance is green, studded with trees and mountains. From the viewpoint, the glacier spreads out towards the mountain peaks and onto the huge Patagonia ice shelf. Due to unusually favourable local conditions, it is one of the earth s few advancing glaciers. From a series of vantage points, deep blue ice and the shape of the glacier with all its small columns can be seen. You may also be able to hear the creaks and groans of the ice, and perhaps huge crashes as chunks of ice break off into the lake. Day 10: To El Calafate, Argentina This morning, we drive to Cancha Carrera, the border with Argentina. Distance approx 170 miles. At the border we will meet our local guide and take the long but spectacular drive across the Patagonian steppe to El Calafate. We will stop for lunch at estancia Chali Aike, where we can enjoy a typical Patagonian meal and look around the estancia to see the farming methods and everyday life for the settlers and gauchos in Patagonia. Accommodation: Hotel El Quijote (2 nights) El Calafate. After viewing the glacier, we have the option to take a catamaran to see the huge wall of ice from around 300 metres away (approx $18, ARG250). We can also take a small guided trek on the glacier, with crampons and full safety gear provided. While not being overly difficult, some fitness is required as it involves walking up and down some steep icy slopes. It is a quite unforgettable experience to walk on 5
this ancient ice cap (trek and catamaran payable locally: trek approx $110, catamaran $23. Due to local legislation, over 65s are not permitted to take part in the glacier trek). Day 12: To El Chalten Today is a long drive across the Patagonian wilderness, following the shore of Lago Argentino to the tiny settlement El Chalten, in the north of Los Glaciares National Park, under the spectacular Fitzroy range. The high icy granite needles of Mt Fitzroy dominate the region. Distance approx 140 miles. Day 13: Mount Fitzroy trekking Today we are treated to the area s signature walk, the closest trail to Mount Fitzroy. Our walk follows the Piedras Blancas trail, starting at Hosteria Pilar. After just over an hour s walk on a gently ascending path through lenga and nirre forest, we reach the first of several excellent viewpoints of the Piedras Blancas glacier. Another hour s easy ascent brings us to a windswept valley with views of Fitzroy and the surrounding mountains. We cross open ground and reach the shelter of Poincenot camp. From here the path continues to Laguna de los Tres. The trail finishes at the old moraine ridge with extraordinary views of the lagoon and de los Tres Glacier. This is the closest view to the granite wall of Mt. Fitzroy and the surrounding peaks. This afternoon, time permitting, we will take a walk to a viewpoint of Cerro Torre. This is a good introduction to the area and we can call in at the visitor centre, with some extra short walks possible on the ridge overlooking the visitor centre (Distance: 5.6 miles / 9km, 1,312ft / 400m of ascent. Harder walk 9.3 miles / 15km, 1,476ft / 450m ascent). Accommodation: Hosteria Senderos (3 nights), Going down the moraine, we follow the lagoon to its outfall where we can appreciate the emerald waters of the Laguna Sucia and its hanging glaciers (Distance: 14.2 miles / 23km, 2952ft / 900m of ascent). Laguna Capri: This walk follows the same route as above but deviates south to the lagoon. From the lagoon, there is a unique view of Mt Fitzroy and the neighbouring peaks (Distance: 11.2 miles / 18km, 1476ft / 450m of ascent). 6
Day 14: Laguna del Desierto This morning we will travel to the beautiful and remote Laguna del Desierto. This remote lake lies at the northern limit of the Parque National Los Glaciares and was once at the centre of a dispute between Chile and Argentina. The lake is surrounded by native lenga and niree trees and there are splendid views of the surrounding mountains, including the peaks of Mt Fitzroy and Cerro Torre, and cascading waterfalls and glaciers. Depending on the weather, it may be possible to take the boat across the lake (approx 250 pesos extra), then take a 6km walk to the foot of the Huemel glacier. There is a longer walk on offer which is a full day mountain walk to Mt Tumbado (Distance 9.5miles / 16km, 3,770ft / 1,150m of ascent). On the way back we can be dropped off at Chalten waterfall and walk the pleasant 6km back to town. Day 15: To Buenos Aires This evening we will have a tango show with dinner. The dance and the songs of the tango are rooted in the history and character of Buenos Aires and its people and we can see some of the city s best performers in atmospheric surroundings. (Meals included: breakfast, Day 17: Departure Today is at leisure to take in the atmosphere of the city or explore a little more, before a late afternoon transfer to the airport for our overnight return flight. (Meals included: breakfast) Early this morning we depart back to El Calafate for a flight to Buenos Aires. On the way we ll stop at Calafate for lunch. Distance approx 140 miles. Accommodation: Hotel Americas Towers (2 nights) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch) Day 16: Buenos Aires Today will be at leisure to enjoy the sights and sounds of Buenos Aires. Your HF leader will be on hand to advise, should you need further information. 7
Accommodation In Buenos Aires, stay at the Hotel Americas Towers (1 night) in an attractive central neighbourhood. The modern 4-star hotel has large rooms and an outdoor pool. We also stay here for the final 2 nights of our holiday. www.grupoamericas.com.ar private bath and central heating, and a restaurant serving the most delicious meals, including Patagonian spit-roast lamb, regional salmon and hot soups. In the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park is the Hosteria Las Torres (3 nights), a traditional lodge at the base of the Torres themselves. Comfortable rooms are complemented by a good restaurant and a large living room with cosy fireplace. http://www.lastorres.com/ (March and November 2017 groups will stay at the Hotel Rio Serrano) http://www.hotelrioserrano.cl/en We spend the next 3 nights at the Hotel Altos Ushuaia, an elegant hotel perfectly situated on a hill overlooking Ushuaia. You'll enjoy wonderful views of the city and the Beagle Channel from the restaurant's large windows. The rooms are comfortably furnished. http://www.altosushuaia.com/index_i. php In El Calafate, we stay at the Hotel El Quijote (2 nights), a comfortable Spanish style 3-star hotel with lots of dark wood, and located in the centre of El Calafate. www.quijotehotel.com.ar At El Chalten accommodation is in the Hosteria Senderos (3 nights), an attractive mountain lodge designed in the style of an old Patagonian estancia with comfortable, light and warm rooms and attractive restaurant, wine bar and a lounge corner with a log fire. www.senderoshosteria.com.ar The Hosteria Mirador del Payne (1 night) is the base for the first night at Torres del Paine, part of a livestock centre that dates from the late 19th century. It has comfortable rooms with 8
Before your holiday We hope you find this information comprehensive if not please visit our website for more details or contact us. All details correct at time of writing (July 2016). Passport and visa requirements are subject to change; please check with your consulate before you travel. We would advise that you check your government s travel advisory before travelling. For UK travellers, please check www.fco.gov.uk In all instances during your holiday, your first point of contact should be your HF Holidays leader or local leader. If for any reason this is not possible, HF Holidays emergency contact details are as follows: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm Tel +44 (0)345 470 7558 or +44(0)20 8732 1250 ( from overseas) Fri - Mon 7pm - 9am Tel +44 (0)7918 737777 Airport parking and accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call 0871 360 2750 and quote HX031 or book online at www.holidayextras.co.uk/hfholidays Suggested Kit List Please try to keep luggage to a minimum as you will need to carry it yourself at airports and between your transport and your hotel. Walking boots (worn in) with good ankle support and spare bootlaces Walking sandals/flip flops (shoes that can be easily taken on and off at temples Walking socks Lightweight fleece Warm fleece Hat, gloves Lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket Shorts Long trousers and long-sleeved light coloured shirts with collars to protect from the sun your clothing should ideally be pretreated with insect repellent and in-built sun protection (available from specialist clothing stores such as Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor) Sun hat Comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings and sightseeing Sun protection sunglasses, high factor sunscreen and lip protection Water bottle at least 2 litre capacity Lightweight survival bag Small/medium rucksack (30 litre) a bin liner will keep contents dry if it rains Soap and hand sanitizer gel Insect repellent Universal adaptor plug Universal sink plug Personal first aid kit including: personal medication, tissues, 9
plasters, blister kit, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, Imodium, rehydration sachets Passport (and copies); booking confirmation; insurance cover note; HF Holidays registration form Optional: trekking poles, camera, umbrella, binoculars. Please ensure you have access to emergency funds should you need them; carrying a credit card is probably the most convenient method. Please note that your HF Holidays leader reserves the right to refuse to take any guest on a walk should they consider that a lack of suitable clothing/footwear may affect safety. Baggage allowance 1 piece checked-in luggage (max 15kg). Size should not exceed 158 linear cm. Hand luggage allowance 5kg). This is determined by the internal flight luggage allowance. Please check details of your airline s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked. Passports & visas Passports must be valid for the duration of the stay. Visas are not required for UK, Australian, Canadian and USA passport holders. Australian, Canadian and US citizens need to pay a reciprocity fee to enter Argentina. This has to be done online in advance, but no more than 3 months in advance of the anticipated arrival date. Please see www.migraciones.gov.ar/ Other countries should consult the embassy for advice. Visitors are issued with a tourist card on arrival; please keep this safe for departure. Travel insurance If arranging your own travel insurance, please ensure it is adequate for your specific itinerary. Health advice This is subject to change and we would highly recommend that you consult your doctor before travelling. For further information on country specific advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus vaccinations are recommended. Rabies vaccines are sometimes recommended too. Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or overthe-counter medicines is banned in some countries. If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country s embassy/ consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution: Keep your medication in its original packet Take a copy of your prescription too If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country that you re visiting 10
Dietary requirements Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel. Travel tips for a comfortable flight We ve put together a few simple tips to help make your flight as comfortable as possible, ensuring you begin your holiday in tip-top shape. Move about. Change position and avoid crossing your legs. Immobility poses the greatest risk in the development of clotting disorders. Get out of your seat and walk around as regularly as possible to improve circulation No pills. Unless advised by your doctor, do not take sleeping tablets on the flight; this will reduce your mobility and make you feel sluggish Protect your ears. If you experience discomfort due to the cabin pressure changes, suck a sweet, chew, or hold your nostrils and gently blow through your nose; this should equalise the pressure. If you still experience problems, speak to a member of the cabin crew Drink plenty. Ask a member of the cabin crew if you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee or carbonated drinks as these will dehydrate you. Instead, try to drink plenty of fruit juices or water Eat light. Avoid heavy meals and foods air expands at altitude and heavy meals will result in that bloated feeling Moisturise. Your skin, especially your lips and nostrils, may feel dry so moisturising creams may help. If you wear contact lenses, always carry your glasses with you, as your eyes may feel dryer than usual Stay loose. Wear loose fitting, comfortable shoes and clothes Flight socks are recommended to help prevent DVT on longhaul flights Lost/damaged luggage If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport. They will assess the damage and in some cases the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if settlement cannot be reached. In many cases baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport. HF Holidays with-flight guests For those travelling on our HF Holidays group flight, please proceed to the arrivals hall once you have passed through passport control, customs and baggage reclaim, when you arrive at your destination. Your leader or local leader will assemble the group in the arrivals hall. Look out for the HF Holidays sign. Independent travellers If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the 11
hotel reception for the HF Holidays leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group. If your flight arrives before the group flight and you would like to join the transfer to the first hotel, please contact our Abroad Administration team on (0)20 8732 1271. They will have a list of the relevant transfer costs. Safety on your holiday Once you have made your booking, you will receive a pre-holiday questionnaire where we ask for details of next of kin, and insurance details. We need to have this from you at least 4 weeks before travel. Please also inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday Please listen to any safety instructions from the leader Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor If you become separated from the group, please stay where you are, the leader will retrace their steps to find you Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines, and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services on: Argentina 911 Chile 131 (ambulance), 132 (fire), 133 (police) Please then call our emergency number (see page 9) and let us know there is a problem. Tipping Tips have been included in your holiday price for key services such as local guides/ driver/restaurants. Any additional tips are at your own discretion. Climate Chile has great climatic diversity due to its length and position, crossing a tremendous range of latitudes. The weather is unpredictable, particularly in the Torres del Paine National Park. Sectors within the park have their own microclimates, dependent upon geographical location and nearness to mountains and glaciers. Argentina experiences a similar diversity in climate with Buenos Aires enjoying warm summers and the south having much cooler and more unpredictable weather, but certainly with a share of warm sunny days. Local currency & money matters Chilean Peso (CLP) and Argentinian Peso (ARS). US Dollars are the easiest currency to change. ATMs can be found at airports and town centres. Major credit cards are accepted in most places. Traveller s cheques are not advised. 12
Suggested reading and maps Lonely Planet Argentina 2016 Lonely Planet Chile & Easter Island 2015 Bruce Chatwin In Patagonia 1998 Maps can be obtained in advance from The Mapshop www.themapshop.co.uk Electricity 220V, round 2 pin plugs and flat 3 pin plugs Group size The group size is maximum 18 guests plus HFH leader Time difference GMT/UTC -3 hours HF Holidays Ltd, Catalyst House, Centennial Court, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SY, UK 13