Part 1: Glacier trekking on the Perito Moreno Glacier

Prepare to experience a one of a kind adventure trekking on the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier, located in the Glaciers National Park. The UNESCO declared this site a natural heritage in 1981 because it harbors the longest existing glaciers outside of Antarctica (covering 75.3 square miles or 195 square kilometers). You will have your own private vehicle for the transfers and the assistance of a private guide for the visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier.

After 1 hour and forty minutes we arrive to "Bajo las Sombras"  (beneath the Shadows) port.

We prepare for a 15 minutes sailing bordering  the south wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier, in the Rico branch of Argentino Lake. You will admire it's 262 feet (80 meters) height, which is only 1/7 of it's total height! The full height of the south wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier is approximately 1834 feet (560 meters). An iceberg only displays 1/10 to 1/7 of its entire mass above the water, being the biggest portion of these "ice giants" under water.

After crossing to the opposite shore, our guides who are specialized in glaciology, will welcome you. Groups of 10 to 15 travelers are defined. Our guide will give you an informative explanation about Glaciers and an introductory lesson to glacier trekking. We will provided with snow treads (sort of crampons) that the guides will attach to your boots or trekking shoes. Although it is not strictly necessary, if you request them, our guide will provide you with pickets (poles) to make your trek over the glacier easier.
This trek lasts about an hour and a half, and it doesn’t have any serious difficulty. The crampons are specially designed to make you fell as stable on ice as you would be walking without them on a regular not slippery surface. Remember that this activity was designed and planned for beginners with no experience at all, not for experts. Moreover, strict and high security measures are involved throughout all the activity.
Unfortunately this tour cannot be done by people who have problems with motor skills.
The trekking is divided in 2 parts. The first one is done in an easy path and does not require any strong effort at all. The second one (which is optional because you will be given the choice to continue or return with one of the guides to land surface) requires a bit more effort and will take you to discover the more inner secrets of the glacier. We strongly suggested engaging in both trekkings.

As we plod along the Perito Moreno Glacier we discover cracks and notice the different shapes that the glacier adopts because of climactic factors, as well as the distinct tones and colors of the ice itself. These latter can range from an intense white to a dark blue. These color changes are due to the pressure of different layers of ice, a pressure that over the course of thousands of years changes the tonality of the ice. By analyzing their colors, scientists can determine the ice age.

After this pleasant outing on Patagonian ice we will engage in a short trekking in a Magellan forest, which will take you to a splendid lookout station situated above the forest. Here you will have lunch while you admire the Perito Moreno Glacier right in front of you!.

We recommend preparing your lunch at the hotel or local food shops during the day before the tour because there are no places to buy food at the glacier refuge. The hotels and local food shops are used to prepare lunch boxes, which are of very good quality. They cost approximately from US$ 10 to US$ 15.

After lunch we will cross Argentino Lake again until arriving back to the initial port. However, on the way back our boat will stop 985 feet (300 meters) away from the south wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier so you can take beautiful pictures of this amazing and unique natural attraction. This transfer back to port takes 30 minutes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Duration: Half day

Guide: shared English/Spanish speaking guide

Transfer: shared vehicle + shared motorboat. This tour is done during the same day as the Perito Moreno Glacier Panoramic Boardwalks.

Includes: transfer + guide + entrance fee to Glaciers National Park (does not include lunch)

Part 2: Visit to panoramic boardwalks which overlook the might Perito Moreno Glacier

After enjoying the trekking on the Perito Moreno glacier we will head to the panoramic boardwalks that overlook the Perito Moreno Glacier.

There are 7 different strategically located panoramic balconies, with distances ranging from 460 to 2100 feet (140 to 640 meters) from the starting point of the trail. Each balcony is situated at a different height and distance relative to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Except the trail to the southern balcony which implies going down a long descendant path, all the trails have an easy level of difficulty, but all balconies are worth seeing because each of them will provide you a different and unique view of this spectacular glacier.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the few active glaciers in the world. Every now and then its 197 feet (60 meters) face casts off entire walls or chunks of ice that fall into the waters of the Brazo Rico or the "Canal de los Tempanos" (Iceberg Channel), and then float along the channel towards the main body of the Argentino lake. Smaller sections break off constantly. Once you’ve heard the crackle of breaking ice and seen the immense sheets of ice walls plunging precipitously into the waters, you’ll realize that you’re witnessing one of the most impressive spectacles in the World and a must-see attraction of a life time.

The Breaking of Perito Moreno Glacier

The phenomenon known as "the breaking of the glacier" happens when the front of the glacier reaches the Magallanes Peninsula closing the water passage towards the Iceberg Channel originating a natural dam which stops the flow of the water from the Rico arm to El Canal de los Témpanos. Therefore the waters in the Rico Arm begin to raise their level pressing against and eroding the ice that starts to weaken, and water starts to filter through. The first ice detachments take place, increasing with the water flow, until a tunnel is formed. Finally, the tunnel falls in a wonderful spectacle separating Perito Moreno Glacier from the Magallanes Peninsula. The volume of water passing through during major breaks has reached 26.000 yd3 (20.000 m3) per second.

From the catwalks you will  notice the different shapes the glacier adopts because of climactic factors, as well as the distinct tones and colors of the ice itself.

We will then return to our hotel in El Calafate.

Difficulty: Easy

Duration: one and a half hours

Guide: no guide

Transfer: shared vehicle - approximate traveled distance: 100 miles (160 kilometers). This tour is done during the same day as the Multiadventure on the Perito Moreno Glacier.

You will be taken in the morning to Puerto Bandera (Port of the Flag) to board our boat that'll take you into the North Arm of Lake Argentino to navigate among icebergs and to the front of the imposing Upsala Glacier.

You will enjoy being at the exclusive VIP section of the boat. This section is located above the boat standard section, has a privileged view, much more ample and comfortable seats, and an exclusive assistance for the VIP guests.

The Upsala Glacier is the largest glacier within the continental patagonic ice, even though it has suffered severe losses during the last years. It owes its name to the Swedish city of Upsala, which university promoted the first glaciology studies in the area. The height of its walls range from 197 to 262 feet (60-80 meters) and its surface is of 232 square miles (595 km2), it is 37 miles long (60 km), and 3-4 miles wide (5-7 km). The total basin surface of this glacier is of 390 square miles (1000 km2). The dept of the lake at the front of the glacier is of about 3280 feet (1000 meters).

From there you will continue on the Onelli Channel and you will disembark in Onelli Bay. Landing in Onelli Bay you find ourselves surrounded by forests. A typical patagonic forest where "lenga" and "guindo" are generally covered of "usnea" (lichens), commonly called "old man's beard". Crossing the forest, through approximately 872 yards (800 meters), we reach Onelli Lagoon, where glaciers Onelli (45 km2/18 square miles), Bolado (16 km2/6 square miles) and Agassiz (31 km2/12 square miles) meet. This lagoon is usually full with icebergs, detachments of ice from the glaciers.

Upon finalizing the crossing of the forest you will see the Onelli Lagoon where you will visualize the Onelli, Bolado and Heim Glaciers.

At noon you will have free time for lunch. Then you will embark and navigate towards the Spegazzini Channel, to see the Seco, Spegazzini and Heim South Glaciers.

The Spegazzini glacier was named after the botanist Carlos Spegazzini who made the first studies of the local flora. This glacier has a surface of 26 square miles (66 km2) and it is 15.5 miles long (25 km), and 1 mile wide (1.6 km). The height of its front (262-443 feet/80-135 meters) is an outstanding characteristic. It is the highest glacier within the National Park.

The Seco Glacier's surface is of 1.5 square mile (4 km2) and clearly shows the receding process of a glacier.

By the end of the afternoon you will return to Puerto Bandera (Flag Port).  If  conditions aren't favorable to enter the Onelli area, you will disembark at Puesto de Vacas, a beautiful site where we you will see a shelter formerly used by expeditions to the Continental Ice Cap.

Important: when very large icebergs are present on the navigation route, the access to the Upsala Glacier area or to disembark in the Onelli bay is not possible. In these situations the tour is changed and instead of visiting theses areas, a navigation next to the Perito Moreno Glacier is added.

Difficulty: low

Duration: full day

Transfer: vehicle and motorboat (in VIP section). The VIP section is located above the standard section, has a privileged view, much more ample and comfortable seats, and an exclusive assistance for the VIP guests.

Includes: transfers +  entrance ticket to Glaciers National Park

On this half-day private tour you will enjoy the beautiful panoramic views that can be seen from the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls.

The Brazilian side consists of only one footbridge, which we will traverse in its entirety.
Since you will be doing this tour with a private vehicle and guide, you will have the freedom of enjoying each attraction at your own pace, making all the stops you want, enjoying the personal assistance and care from our specialized guide.

Duration: 2 hours and a half approximately

Guide:     private English speaking guide

Transfer: private vehicle

Includes: transfers + entrance ticket to Iguaçu National Park

If you enjoy seeing the most exotic and magnificent bird species with outstanding close up opportunities in a natural environment, then you will definitely love the visit to Foz Tropicana Bird Park.

The Foz Tropicana is a World-Class Bird Park located just meters away from the main entrance to the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (Brazilian side of the falls) and it is the most important bird preservation park in Latin America. You will have the chance to come into very close contact with many rare and colorful birds in large naturally landscaped walkthrough aviaries within a beautiful Atlantic Rain Forest natural environment. The Bird Park covers an area of 16 hectares; however, only 5 hectares are so far developed, the rest is presently kept as a conservation area.

This tour will allow you to get acquainted with and admire more than 150 different species from all around the world, one third of them in danger of extinction. You will follow an approximately 1 mile (1500 meters) path which winds through the forest and large walkthrough aviaries.

Expect colorful birds flying and passing above your head, and friendly Toco toucans.

In addition you will also admire Caiman Crocodiles, Boa Constrictors, Marmosets monkeys and Butterflies.  There are 25 species of butterflies which coexist in the same environment with humming birds, which can only find in the American Continent. There are many species of humming birds, Brazil has 80 of them. They are the only birds which can fly in all directions including sideways, backwards and upside-down. While hovering, the wing beat rate in smaller humming birds averages 70 - 80 wing beats per second. Their heart beats over 1000 times per minute during aggressive encounters with other humming birds. Humming birds' principle source of energy is plant nectar, and the major protein intake comes from arthropods (small insects and spiders). Before the introduction of the humming birds, spiders were a great problem in the butterfly house. They spun webs in every corner and caught the butterflies in large numbers. Two humming birds were introduced and proceeded to destroy the spider population by taking newly hatched spiders out of their webs before they were big enough to become a threat to the butterflies. It proved to be an accidental but very successful example of biological control!

The construction of this bird park had to be carried out carefully in order to prevent any damage to the native forest. The overriding theme of the exhibits was to provide environmental enrichment for the birds by giving them as much space as possible in naturally landscaped aviaries. The Bird Park has more than 900 birds of 150 species. Two thirds of the birds are native South American and the other third were imported subtropical species from other continents.

All birds seen in the Park originate from zoos, breeders authorized by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment) or rehabilitation centers. The Bird Park does not accept birds of unknown origin. All animals are registered and an annual report is given to the Brazilian Zoological Society and IBAMA.

Duration: 1 hour approximately (can be more depending on the time available)

Guide:      self-guided

Transfer: private vehicle

Includes: transfers + entrance ticket

We will arrive at the Iguazu National Park and board an ecological train that will take us to the footbridges which lead to one of the most impressive sites of the Iguazu Falls: La Garganta del Diablo (The Devil's Throat).  At this particular point, a great number of cascades converge.The Devil's Throat owes its name to the overwhelming sound created by the waterfalls, since this is where the largest flow of water concentrates.

At this point our guide will invite you to close our eyes and hear the roar of the falls. When you open your eyes, you will fully appreciate the overpowering strength of the waters that fall with an incredibly strong impact, creating a mist and fog so thick that the bottom of the Devil's Throat cannot be seen.

We will then begin traversing the higher circuit or road of the Falls. In our stroll we will cross two footbridge circuits: the higher (superior) and lower (inferior) circuits. As their names imply, both will allow you to appreciate two totally different perspectives of the Falls. Either from their base or from their highest point, the Iguazu Falls will earn your amazement and admiration.
Through the 3/4 mile (1200 meters) of the superior circuit, you will enjoy the views from the top of the Dos Hermanas, Alvarez Nuñez and Lanusse Falls.
Afterwards we’ll  stroll along the inferior circuit, which will allow you to get really close to the Falls, practically touching them and feeling their “rain” as we approach them.

Throughout the mile (1600 meters) of the inferior circuit we will get to know the beautiful Bozzetti, Mbigua, Ramirez and Chico Falls.

Since you will be doing this tour with a private vehicle and guide, you will have the freedom of enjoying each attraction at your own pace, making all the stops you want, enjoying personal assistance and care from our specialized guide.

Difficulty: low

Duration: full day

Guide:     private English speaking guide

Transfer: private vehicle

Includes: transfers + entrance ticket to Iguazu National Park

This ride in a double engine motorboat will take you as close as possible to the falls. You will be able to take the most outstanding close-up photos and live an experience that you will definitely treasure in your memories.

At the inferior circuit we reach a small pier where you will board a double motor boat.

You will first hear our boat’s motors roaring just meters away from the glory of the Falls where you can take some pictures. Then, the boat rapidly accelerates to get nearer and nearer to the Three Musketeers fall. You will get so close to the falls that a fine and refreshing  drizzle will soak you from head to toes.

You then approach the second strongest fall after the devil's throat, the San Martin Fall.

This is definitely an adventure of a lifetime.

After navigating 12 minutes, you will go back to port.

Difficulty: Easy on the boat ride part but travelers have to go down a 33 feet (100 meters) stairs to go to the boat pier, this can be hard for people with walking difficulties.

Duration: 12 minutes

Guide:     no guide

Boat: double-engine motorboat

On the way you will see several sights of interest which will enable you to acquire a better understanding of the local culture and geography, key aspects in understanding the wine making process.

The wineries we suggest are: Norton, Achaval Ferrer and lunch at Ruca Malen. However depending on availability we may also include other first-class wineries as: Cavas de Weinert, Alta Vista, Lagarde, Tapiz, Luigi Bosca, Nieto Senetiner, Chandon, El Lagar de Carmelo Patti, Séptima, Catena Zapata , Finca Decero, Cap Vistalba, and Familia Zuccardi.

Since you will be doing this tour with a private vehicle and guide, you will have the freedom of enjoying each attraction at your own pace, making all the stops you want, enjoying personal assistance and care from our specialized guide.

Enjoy the pleasure of visiting Valle de Uco, one of the best oenological areas in Argentina and home to some of the best high altitude wines in the world.

Early in the morning you will depart to Mendoza's agricultural oasis of Valle de Uco, 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Mendoza City. Inside the first mountainsides of the Andes' foothills, the Uco valley presents the highest altitudes at which wines are produced in the province of Mendoza.

The grapes produced in this area have reached international prestige and distinction. In the last years Moet Chandon, Catena, Kendal Jackson and Rostchild have planted vineyards in Valle de Uco in the search of the "Best high altitude wine of the world". The microclimates present in this area are suitable for cultivating varieties such as: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrontes, Tempranillo,Merlot, Pinot Noir,Chardonnay and Semillon.

The wide temperature range, constant sunshine and excellent soil characteristics of Valle de Uco produce grapes that enable the production of wines with exceptional intensity in color, as well as an important aromatic expression and ideal structure. The weather conditions make these grapes have a thicker skin than in all other areas of Mendoza. This special attribute makes it possible for the Valle de Uco wineries to produce the finest wine in Mendoza.

You will visit three of these first-class wineries: Salentein winery, Andeluna winery, Altus winery and O Fournier.

You will enjoy a guided wine tasting in each visited winery.

You will then enjoy an exquisite lunch with wines in one of the visited wineries.

Since you will be doing this tour with a private vehicle and guide, you will have the freedom of enjoying each attraction at your own pace, making all the stops you want, enjoying personal assistance and care from our specialized guide.