Explore Patagonia’s glaciers, mountains, and vast frontier landscapes on an unforgettable nine-day expedition. Highlights include a stay at a historic estancia, trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier, two nights in a remote mountain refuge, and iconic hikes around Fitz Roy and El Chaltén.
Patagonia occupies a special place in the imagination. A land of glaciers, wind, and immense horizons, it remains one of the few places where wilderness still feels larger than humanity. Over nine days, we’ll journey from a historic estancia in Los Glaciares National Park to the foot of Fitz Roy, trekking across the Perito Moreno Glacier, spending two nights in a remote mountain refuge, and exploring some of the most spectacular landscapes in South America.
But the true reward of Patagonia extends beyond its scenery. Shared meals, unpredictable weather, and long days on the trail have a way of turning strangers into companions and companions into friends. This expedition is designed for those willing to trade convenience for authenticity and routine for adventure. The mountains, glaciers, and wilderness provide the setting; memories and friendships will be forged along the way.
Arrive independently in El Calafate on November 1st. You must book accommodation this night in order to be ready to meet the group the following morning.
Explore the vibrant town of Calafate, visit local museums and artisan shops, or simply rest after their journey before meeting the group the following morning.
Overnight: El Calafate (independent arrangements)
Meet in El Calafate and transfer to Estancia Nibepo Aike, a historic working ranch nestled within Los Glaciares National Park.
After orientation and settling in, we'll start with a light hike in the foothills, before returning to the farm to learn about life on the Patagonian frontier.
In the evening we’ll gather for our first traditional Argentinian barbecue or asado.
Transportation: 1.5 Hours
Hiking: 2 Hours
Difficulty: Light
Ascent: 984 Ft
Descent: 984 Ft
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
A full day to experience Patagonia beyond the tourist trail.
We'll spend the day hiking and exploring the ranch's extensive landscapes of steppe, forest, and lake shore, with opportunities for horseback riding and encounters with local ranching traditions.
Difficulty: Light
Hiking: Optional
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Today we’ll visit one of the natural wonders of the world: Perito Moreno Glacier.
After crossing Lago Argentino by boat, we'll strap on crampons and venture directly onto the glacier itself. Accompanied by expert guides, we'll explore crevasses, ice formations, and brilliant blue meltwater pools hidden within the ice.
Following the excursion, we'll return to El Calafate for the evening.
*The glacier walk is highly dependent on weather conditions and guide discretion.
Transportation: 3 hours
Hiking: 2 hours
Difficulty: High
Ascent: 328 ft
Descent: 328 ft
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After breakfast, we’ll travel north to El Chaltén, then continue to the trailhead in the Río Eléctrico Valley.
From here, we’ll follow the river through lenga forest to Piedra del Fraile, a rustic mountain refuge surrounded by Patagonia’s dramatic granite peaks. The gentle hike offers a quieter introduction to the landscape before the more demanding trails ahead.
We’ll settle into the refuge for the first of two nights, sharing dinner and enjoying the simple comforts of life in the mountains.
Transportation: 3.5 hours
Hiking: 1.5 hours
Distance: 4.4 miles
Difficulty: Low
Ascent: 423 ft
Descent: 128 ft
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
With no need to move camp, we'll spend the day exploring one of Patagonia's least-visited corners. Weather permitting, we'll have the option to make the difficult vertical climb to Piedra Negra, the base camp for alpinists exploring Marconi Glacier, or a lighter hike to a glacial lake.
This is Patagonia at its wildest and most remote. There are no showers at the refugio, so plan for "sponge" baths or bathing in the frigid mountain streams around our camp.
Hiking: 5 hours
Distance: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: High
Ascent: 3,200 ft
Descent: 3,200 ft
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After breakfast (and an optional bath in the river) we'll walk from the refuge and return to to the Electric River bridge. From here we'll return to El Chaltén by bus, but not before a stop at el Chorrillo del Salto, a stunning 65-foot waterfall.
The afternoon is intentionally relaxed. Enjoy a hot shower, explore the town's cafés and gear shops, or simply rest before another big day of hiking.
Transportation: 1 hour
Hiking: 1.5 hours
Distance: 4.4 miles
Difficulty: Low
Ascent: 128 ft
Descent: 423 ft
Meals included: Breakfast
Today (weather permitting) we undertake Patagonia's most iconic hike.
The trail climbs steadily through forests and alpine terrain before reaching Laguna de los Tres, where the granite towers of Fitz Roy rise dramatically above a glacial lake.
This is one of the world's great day hikes and the centerpiece of our time in El Chaltén.
Hiking: 8 hours
Distance: 14.3 miles
Difficulty: High
Ascent: 3,267 ft
Descent: 3,267 ft
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
We'll keep our final full day open to take advantage of the best weather and conditions available. Possible options include:
Hiking: ~6 hours
Distance: ~10 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Ascent: TBD
Descent: TBD
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After a final breakfast in El Chaltén, we’ll say goodbye to the granite towers of Fitz Roy and make the drive back across the steppe to El Calafate Airport. While this marks the end of the trip, Patagonia has a habit of calling people back, so Hasta la próxima.
Transportation: 3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast
This trip offered an incredible balance of adventure, culture, and connection. From the varied hikes and unforgettable Refugio views to the wine tasting, rafting, and spa day, every experience felt thoughtfully planned. The landscapes were stunning, the group dynamic strong, and Matteo’s leadership clear, patient, and supportive throughout.
This trip was the perfect balance of breathtaking landscapes, adventure, and relaxation. The food and cultural experiences—especially traditional cheese-making and historic wineries—were unforgettable, and the guides created a warm, fun, and well-organized experience.
They put together and executed a full and meaningful trip with positive energy. It was hard to end and say goodbye, but friends were made.
This was a fantastic trip to the Dolomites. It was thoughtfully planned out and was an incredible experience. I would love to do another trip with Alithea and Sunshine.
I couldn’t have asked for a better “pausa” from life. Everyday felt like an adventure with friends rather than a “guided hike trip” with strangers. No problems seemed bigger than the Dolomites mountains, guaranteed to leave the trip feeling so overwhelmed with gratitude and “funny times” :)
HEAVEN. Literally life-changing. If you are contemplating this host/travel agency versus others, don’t. THIS is the group you want to be with!!
Piedra del Fraile is a rustic mountain refuge tucked into the Río Eléctrico Valley, with sheer granite peaks on one side and glacial river on the other. There is no access by car, so the only visitors you will see have to come in by foot. It’s a very simple place, and a little rough around the edges, and that’s kind of the point!
Fair warning: there are no showers. You’ll be doing sponge baths or working up the courage to jump in the icy river (extremely cold, but even more memorable). These two nights "roughing it", will surely be some of the most enjoyable of the trip.
For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.
Roundtrip flights (USA - Argentina) are not included in the tour price. We recommend using Skyscanner or Google Flights to search for international flights.
This trip is confirmed and we recommend booking your airfare at least 3 months prior to departure. We recommend leaving the USA on Sunday, October 31st or Monday, November 1st. The group will not meet until the morning of November 2nd, but it is recommended to arrive 1-2 days in advance as flights from Buenos Aires to el Calafate are often delayed or canceled.
On November 10th, please avoid early departures (before 1:00 pm) as we will be traveling from el Chaltén to el Calafate (3 hours) in the morning.
On arrival an airport transfer will not be provided. You can find taxis at the airport, or, alternatively, reach out to us and we'll schedule a transfer with our trusted provider.
On November 10th the bus will drop us off directly at the airport in el Calafate.
This is a physically challenging itinerary with several consecutive days of sustained exertion, and not just on the trail. Our hikes run up to eight hours a day, and two of them include more than 3,000 feet of vertical climb. We’ll also go horseback riding, sleep in a simple mountain refuge (refugio) bunkroom, and walk across the rugged terrain of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Please come prepared for steep, sustained climbs. If you’re not able to manage them, you’ll need to sit out some of the group hikes.
A good rule of thumb: you should be comfortable hiking 8-10 miles with a daypack on hilly terrain, on back-to-back days. We recommend training with weekly hikes, stair work, or hill walking for at least three months before departure. If you’re unsure, contact us and we’ll help you decide whether this trip is a good fit.
No—U.S. citizens traveling on a U.S. passport do not need a visa to visit Argentina as tourists for up to 90 days.
The deposit is $400 and is fully refundable within 30 days of payment.
Yes, payment plans are available as long as full payment is made by the start of the tour. Once you have paid the deposit, write to explore@alitheatravel.com or respond to the tour confirmation email to request a custom payment plan.
This is a full itinerary that visits many highlights of Argentine Patagonia in just eight days. Whenever possible your guide will provide time to relax and enjoy a glass of wine or have a conversation with new friends. Days four and six each have programmed free time or rest.
Most of your trip is covered, but there are a few additional costs to plan for:
Meals not included: Breakfast is included every day, along with most lunches and dinners. You’ll be on your own for a few meals, including dinner after the Laguna de los Tres hike and lunch and dinner on your departure day. Budget about $20-30 per meal, or roughly $100-150 total, plus any drinks.
Before and after the trip: International flights, travel insurance, and your hotel in El Calafate on the night of November 1 (arrival day) are not included. If you’re extending your stay, you’ll also need to cover accommodation and meals for those extra days.
Personal expenses: Souvenirs, laundry, snacks, alcohol, and gratuities are at your discretion.
Optional: We recommend carrying 200-400 USD in cash for small purchases, particularly in remote areas where cards may not work.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Argentina, and are the easiest way to pay in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Amex is accepted less often. Some businesses add a surcharge for card payments, and your bank may charge foreign transaction fees, so it’s worth checking with your card provider before you travel.
Cash is still useful, especially in small towns and remote areas where card machines can be unreliable and ATMs run out of bills or have low withdrawal limits. We recommend bringing 200-400 USD in clean, undamaged bills as a backup, and exchanging only what you need for tips, small purchases, and snacks. Please also notify your bank of your travel dates so your cards aren’t blocked.
On hiking days, the average is roughly 7 miles, but the range is wide. Our easier days cover about 4 miles, while the biggest day, the hike to Laguna de los Tres beneath Fitz Roy, is about 14 miles and takes around 8 hours.
Distance is only part of the picture. Several days involve significant elevation gain, over 3,000 feet on our hardest days, on rocky and sometimes windy mountain trails. The ranch days, glacier walk, and travel days are much lighter, and some activities are optional, so you can pace yourself.
We recommend good cardio fitness and regular practice hiking with a loaded daypack, ideally with hills or stairs, in the months before departure. Please reach out if you’d like help judging whether this trip is the right fit.
Yes, there are laundry services and laundry mats in El Chaltén (nights 6,7, and 8).
