Extreme Challenge Patagonia

You should organise your international flights to arrive in to Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina no later than mid afternoon. Depending on your flight times, you may have some free time to explore the city. You will meet the rest of your trekking colleagues and the leader support team this evening for a full introduction and safety briefing, followed by dinner (own expense) and overnight in a local hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Buenos Aires

This morning you depart El Calafate from the hotel and journey toward the Glacier National Park for your first introduction to glacier trekking. Arriving at the port, Bahia Bajo las Sombras (Bay of Shadows), you board a boat for a short crossing of the Rico arm of Lake Argentino, taking in the views. After disembarking, you walk through a small, dense forest of native Lenga trees to arrive at the edge of the ice. Here, you will attach crampons and receive a briefing for the day ahead. The walk on the glacier is fascinating, and a very up-close-and-personal experience. You will be hiking across old ice formations, with its cracks, isolated small lagoons and crevasses of magical deep blue. Watching your step as you cross the glacier, the circular walk provides you with excellent views of the lake before returning to the start point. After lunch, you will return across the lake by boat, to the boardwalk on the east wall of the glacier. Here you will go toe-to-toe with this impressive and magnificent river of ice, before heading back to your hotel. (B,L,D) 

Accomodation: Hotel in Calafate

Early this morning, you leave El Chalten and travel towards Laguna Toro. After an hour of ascent, crossing small streams through native woodland, you emerge to a picture postcard view of Mount Fitz Roy, Torre and Huemul. Continuing across the Pampa de las Carretas, and up through the woodlands accompanied by birdsong, you will come to the beautiful alpine meadows. The weather is changeable, and you may experience the biting Patagonian wind and possibly even snow (even in the summer)! Keep your eyes open as it's quite possible to find the remains of 100-million-year-old marine fossils along the route. The highlight of the day is finally arriving at the viewpoint - nearly 1500m - offering a breathtaking view of the Torre and Fitz Roy massifs. After enjoying lunch with this incredible backdrop, you will return to El Chalten for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Accomodation: Hotel in Chalten

You may want to get up early today to enjoy a golden sunrise, the closest you can get to Mt Fitz Roy. After breakfast, you follow the trail that ascends steeply to Laguna de los Tres and your efforts will be rewarded at the top with captivatingviews of Mt Fitz Roy's summit. There may be some time to rest your legs and explore, before you descend down to the Rio Blanco valley through lush forest on an easy trail, finally joining the Electrico Valley and your base for the night - the Piedra del Fraile Refuge. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Refuge

Today's trek will climb up to Loma del Diablo with a long and steady hike. Today's terrain includes a mix of open land and pathways and forest trails sculpted by the Patagonian winds. Continuing the trek, you take in Laguna Verde and Azul. You will then return via the same route towards the road to transfer back to El Chalten for a well-deserved hot shower, and your celebratory meal. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Hotel in Chalten

Today is time to say Adios Argentina! You can book your flight home anytime today. The flight home is the perfect opportunity to reflect on all you have achieved, before sharing your fantastic journey with friends and family. (B)

Accomodation: No Accomodation today