Itinerary

Day 1 - Starting: Buenos Aires & Finishing: Buenos Aires

Arrive at any time.

Day 2 - Starting: Buenos Aires & Finishing: Mendoza

The impressive snow-capped Aconcagua looms in the background of this laid-back city, drawing adventure seekers and wine enthusiasts alike. Famed worldwide for the high quality wine produced in this region, Mendoza makes the perfect base to discover wine country. Enjoy the slow pace of this desert town with large parks, charming plazas, and lively evenings where locals mill about outside the many cafés, bars and restaurants on offer on Avenida Arístides.

Day 3 - Starting: Mendoza & Finishing: Mendoza

Spend the day cycling through vineyards and stop at wineries en route to sample the world-famous Malbec. In the evening, wander the streets of bustling Mendoza.

Day 4 - Starting: Mendoza & Finishing: Mendoza

The highest peak outside of the Himalayas, Aconcagua, stands 6962m (22841ft) tall. Located roughly 3hrs from Mendoza, Aconcagua Provincial Park is the start point of the trek to base camp. Head toward the heart of the Andes, trek through unique landscapes and take in breathtaking views of Aconcagua en route to base camp.

Day 5 - Starting: Mendoza & Finishing: Mendoza

Enjoy a free day to explore Mendoza before taking an overnight bus to Bariloche.

Day 6 - Starting: San Carlos de Bariloche & Finishing: San Carlos de Bariloche

Towering snow-capped peaks surround Lake Nahuel Huapi, creating the perfect photo at every turn, it's hard to deny that Bariloche is a photographer's paradise. There is plenty to see and do no matter the season. Winter draws skiers and snowboarders from near and far to carve through the excellent snow cover. In summer, hikers and mountain bikers abound taking advantage of the many trails to explore in the area. If that's not enough, Bariloche is Argentina's chocolate capital offering chocolate of all kinds to delight the senses.

Day 7 - Starting: San Carlos de Bariloche & Finishing: San Carlos de Bariloche

Depart early in the morning for whitewater rafting on Class III/IV rapids. Enjoy the thrilling ride and navigate down the river to the Chilean border. En route stop for a traditional barbecue lunch before returning to Bariloche.

Day 8 - Starting: San Carlos de Bariloche & Finishing: El Chaltén

Fly to El Calafate and continue by bus to El Chaltén and Glacier National Park. En route, marvel at the towering Andean mountains.

Day 9 - Starting: El Chaltén & Finishing: El Chaltén

Laguna de los Tres is the most popular trek in El Chaltén and for good reason. On a clear day, the view of Cerro Fitz Roy and the sparking teal lake below are spectacular. The gradual start to the trek provides time to appreciate the stunning landscape and ease into the challenging trekking ahead. Although the 400m (1,312 ft) incline to reach the lake is taxing, the reward is well worth the effort.

Day 10 - Starting: El Chaltén & Finishing: El Chaltén

Explore one of El Chaltén's many trekking routes. Opt to explore the Laguna Torre trail to spot the dramatic Cerro Torre, hike to Laguna Capri or head up to the Condor Mirador to enjoy great views of the town.

Day 11 - Starting: El Chaltén & Finishing: El Calafate

Jump into a raft and enjoy the thrilling ride through Glacier National Park. Watch the mountains fade into the distance and paddle down Class III rapids. Afterwards, head to the quaint little town of El Calafate, and opt for a hearty dinner to refuel.

Day 12 - Starting: El Calafate & Finishing: El Calafate

Home to the immense Perito Moreno Glacier, the quaint alpine town of El Calafate is the perfect base for exploring the nearby glaciers. Los Glaciares National Park, the most renowned in Argentina, was created in 1973 to preserve this vast glacial area encompassing the Upsala Glacier and the incredible Onelli Bay. The main strip of this tiny town is lined with small wooden shops, browse for souvenirs, chocolates, or stop in one of the restaurants for a rest.

Day 13 - Starting: El Calafate & Finishing: El Calafate

Argentino Lake, discovered in 1873, is the southernmost of the four water sheets produced by the Pleistocene Glaciation. With its fjords and fingers it covers 1,505km² (935 mi²), and is considered one of the most breathtaking lakes in the world. The Perito Moreno Glacier is an imposing river of ice, 2.7km (1.7 mi) wide by 55m (180 ft) high, which descends from the continental ice field to the Canal de los Tempanos.

Day 14 - Starting: El Calafate & Finishing: Puerto Natales

Once a small fishing village, Puerto Natales is now a hub of adventure enthusiasts itching to explore unforgettable Torres del Paine NP. Get any last-minute shopping done and rent all equipment needed for the hike. Extra gear not needed for the Paine hike can be stored at the hotel.

Day 15 - Starting: Puerto Natales & Finishing: Torres del Paine National Park

Embark on a 4-day excursion within Torres del Paine NP, hiking the famous W Trek. Start the 62km (38.5 mi) route by trekking to the base of Las Torres to see the dramatic three towers and turquoise lagoon below.

Day 16 - Starting: Laguna Amarga Refuge & Finishing: Cuernos Refuge

Wake up surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and continue hiking along the W Trek, crossing Paine River and passing through grassy fields. Stop at Lake Nordenskjöld and snap a photo of the mountains reflecting in the lake before reaching the refuge.

Day 17 - Starting: Cuernos Refuge & Finishing: Paine Grande Refuge

Hike to the French Valley lookout and take in the awe-inspiring views of the mountain range spreading across the national park. Marvel at the dramatic, contrasting greens and greys of the landscape.

Day 18 - Starting: Paine Grande Refuge & Finishing: Puerto Natales

Enjoy the final day of the W Trek that leads to Grey Lake and the lookout point for Grey Glacier. Admire the scale of this immense glacier and continue trekking to Lake Pehoé. Finish by taking a picturesque ferry ride across the lake and enjoy the sense of accomplishment.

Day 19 - Starting: Puerto Natales & Finishing: Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires. Opt for a tango show and a final night out with the group.

Day 20 - Starting: Buenos Aires & Finishing: Buenos Aires

Depart at any time.

More Information

Dossier Disclaimer

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Solo Travellers

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

My Own Room Exceptions

Nights 15-18: W Trek

Joining Hotel

For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

AIRPORT TRANSFER
If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that:

Your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, we will do our best to rearrange your arrival transfer however we cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please take a taxi to your start point hotel.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures Office Buenos Aires, Argentina
During office hours (Weekdays 9am-6pm Local Time)
From outside Argentina: +54 11 2150 2581
From within Argentina, but outside of Buenos Aires: 011 2150 2581

After hours Emergency number
From outside Argentina: +54 9 11 3425 0380
From within Argentina, but outside of Buenos Aires: 011 15 3425 0380

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Checklist

* Passport (with photocopies)
* Travel insurance (with photocopies)
* Airline tickets (with photocopies)
* USD cash
* Credit or debit cards (see personal spending money)
– G Adventures vouchers and trip details
* Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
* Camera and memory card
* CD/MP3 player
* Reading/writing material
* Binoculars
* Cover for backpacks
* Inner sheet for sleeping bag (sleeping bag provided)
* Fair sized daypack
*Warm gloves
*Warm hat
* Strong plastic bags to help keep gear dry
* Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)
* Thermal underwear
* Fleece top
* Windproof/waterproof jacket and pants
*Small travel towel and swim wear
* 4 shirts/t-shirts
* Sun hat
* 1 pair of shorts
* 2 pairs of long trousers
* 1 pair hiking pants/track pants (Convertible quick-dry pants that zip into shorts are recommended for the trek in Torres del Paine.)
* Hiking boots
* Sport sandals
* Sun block
* Sunglasses
* Toiletries (biodegradable)
* Watch or alarm clock
* Refillable water bottle – the water from the streams in this area and from the taps in the hotels is potable and bringing a reusable water bottle helps to reduce waste in this pristine area.
* Pocket knife
* Small flashlight
* First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhoea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).

NB – Argentine plugs have two angled slits and may or may not have one round hole and are 220v. Please be sure to bring an adaptor to be able to use the plugs. We recommend that you bring rechargeable batteries as there are not many facilities for properly disposing of batteries.

Visas

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

ARGENTINA’S “RECIPROCITY FEE”:
Effective January 7, 2013 all US, Canadian and Australian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity tax in order to enter Argentina. This reciprocity tax must be paid in advance online with a credit card. Cash at the border or airport is not accepted.

ONLINE PAYMENT FORM:
https://reciprocidad.provincianet.com.ar/

INSTRUCTIONS:
http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/pdf_varios/reciprocidad/Online_payment_instructions.pdf

COSTS:
US citizens: 160USD, valid for 10 years
Australian citizens: 100USD, valid for 1 year
Canadian citizens: 78USD the fee is valid for multiple entries until one month prior to the expiry of your passport

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Safety and Security

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home – you won’t need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it deemed necessary, due to safety concerns. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy and explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards), have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).

Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. Read more about travel safety for ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling.

Medical Form

Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that an average level of fitness and mobility is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.

Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at www.gadventures.com/medical-form.

A Couple of Rules

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. G Adventures can provide you with the appropriate coverage. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation

Planeterra is G Adventures’ non-profit foundation created to make a positive difference in the communities where G Adventures takes travellers. Planeterra supports sustainable social and environmental solutions in destinations travellers love to visit.

As travellers, it’s natural to want to give back to the places we’ve come to love. But to truly impact poverty, we work to build self-sufficiency, not dependency.

Planeterra partners with grassroots organizations with firsthand knowledge of local culture and true community needs. This ensures that solutions come from the people we support. Then G Adventures brings travellers to visit, fuelling sustainable local income in these communities. This model is helping many rural and marginalized communities on their way to self-sufficiency because they are harnessing the power of the tourism industry as a force for good. G Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration costs, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit planeterra.org.

MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT
Fifty percent of our planet lives on less than $2/day. For the price of a coffee, you can make every day of your trip count by giving back to the communities you visit through Planeterra.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your G Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking).

Newsletter

Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G Adventures, subscribe at www.gadventures.com/newsletters/

Stay current on how our company invests in our global community through our foundation – Planeterra. Sign up for Planeterra’s monthly news to learn more about how to give back and support the people and places we love to visit.

Travel Forum – The Watering Hole

Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you’re interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gadventures.com.

Meal Budget

Allow USD630-820 for meals not included.

Meals Included

18 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners

What’s Included

Cycling wine tour and wine sample (Mendoza). Full-day hike to Aconcagua base camp. Full-day rafting and barbecue lunch (Bariloche). Laguna de los Tres full-day guided hike (El Chaltén). Class III rafting. Perito Moreno Glacier guided tour (El Calafate). Torres del Paine NP excursion (3 nts). “W Circuit” hike. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Day 2 Optional Activities

• Cooking Class -
• Whitewater Rafting Mendoza -

Day 5 Optional Activities

• Whitewater Rafting Mendoza -
• Cooking Class -

Day 6 Optional Activities

• Mountain Biking -
• Bariloche Circuito Chico Tour -
• Horseback Riding Bariloche -

Day 10 Optional Activities

• Cerro Torre Valley Hike -
• Laguna Torre Hike -

Day 12 Optional Activities

• Laguna Nimez -
• Upsala Glacier and Onelli Bay Excursion -
• Cruise on Argentino Lake -

Day 13 Optional Activities

• Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Tour -

Day 19 Optional Activities

• Tango Dinner Show -

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