10 Days · Peninsula Valdes · El Calafate with El Chalten
Your Trip Overview
Trip start date: you can choose any starting date you want for your trip, because all our trips have private departures. That is, you won't be traveling as part of a group.
Trip duration & lodging:
10 days / 9 nights.
Lodging for 9 nights Included.
8 first‑class tours with the best tour guides (2 of them are private tours). All necessary entrance fees to national parks included.
4 airport transfers included
9 breakfasts + 2 lunch boxes + 1 lunch included.
Worry‑free planning & first‑class service
Hear from our guests and contact them2 destinations included:
- 3 nights in Peninsula Valdes (Whales, Penguins & Elephant Seals)
- 6 nights in El Calafate (Land of Towering Blue Glaciers) with El Chalten (Patagonia's Trekking Paradise)
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Peninsula Valdes
Staying for 3 nights, with 4 tours included
Day 1: You arrive in Peninsula Valdes
Flight arrival and transfer in group vehicle to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your hotel, enjoy your own explorations, or ask our local representative about suggested activities for your free time.Day 2: Peninsula Valdes
Peninsula Valdes’ Unique Marine Fauna Heaven
Peninsula Valdes is one of the largest marine wildlife reserves in the entire world, and a prime spot for viewing a diverse collection of wildlife. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its global significance as a marine wildlife refuge for several threatened species.
The scenic Peninsula Valdes, where arid landscapes contrast with the blue crystalline sea, is home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern Right Whale (whale season takes place from June to early December), southern sea lions, orcas (also known as “killer whales”), Magellanic penguins (penguin season is from mid-September to early April), as well as the largest continental colony of southern elephant seals in the entire world. National Geographic listed the Peninsula Valdes as one of the 10 best places in the world for whale-watching.
The inner part of the peninsula boasts rheas, guanacos (American Llama), hairy armadillos, ostriches and maras (very similar to hares). A high diversity and range of birds live in the peninsula as well; at least 181 species.
This is a full-day group tour.
An up-close encounter with the giant Southern Right Whale
Learn why National Geographic lists Peninsula Valdes as one of the 10 best places in the world for whale-watching. We’ll embark on a whale-watching adventure to get up-close and personal with one of the largest mammals on Earth: the Southern Right Whale!
One of the world’s rarest species of whale, the Southern Right Whale got its name because of the nature of its personality: easy to approach, friendly, and yielding large volumes of oil; making it therefore the “right” whale to hunt!
These whales are one of the more interactive whale species as they are usually on the water’s surface, which makes for a great viewing experience. They are very safe to approach and are often curious about boats passing by. They are playful and can be seen exhibiting unique behavior such as “sailing”, where they use their elevated tails to catch the wind; “lobtailing”, slapping it on the water; “headstanding,” where they rise in a vertical position with their head high above the air; and the most exciting, “breaching” where the whale jumps out of the water spinning, and landing with a huge splash!
We will spend approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes navigating before returning to the port.
This is a group tour done on the same day as the Peninsula Valdes tour.
Day 3: Peninsula Valdes
An Up-Close & Personal Experience Walking among the Cute Magellanic Penguins
Get ready for a delightful encounter with some of the cutest and most charismatic creatures on the planet: the Magellanic penguins! Punta Tombo Reserve is home to the world’s largest colony of Magellanic penguins, giving you the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with over a hundred thousand of these adorable creatures, which are only found on the Falkland Islands and the coasts of Argentina and Chile.
This is a long half-day group tour (the visit to the Punta Tombo Magellanic Penguins reserve lasts 2 hours), but it’s usually combined with at least 1 other tour option in the area making it a full-day tour.
Navigating to Discover the Dazzling Acrobatics of the Panda Dolphin
Prepare to embark on a navigation adventure in the Patagonian Sea, to discover the beautiful black-and-white Panda Dolphins. Known for their playful behavior and electrifying speed, this super cute dolphin is very rare to see, as it is found in two spots on Earth: Patagonia, and near a very remote island in the Indian Ocean.
The Panda Dolphin is very active, and is frequently seen swimming rapidly on the surface and leaping from the water, while surfing the waves created by the fast-moving boats. As they love swimming close to the surface, it’s easy to see them very clearly. They love to surf on breaking waves when very close to the shore, and can perform a variety of acrobatics, including spins and twists.
This is a group tour done on the same day you do your Punta Tombo’s Magellanic Penguins tour.
Day 4: Last day in Peninsula Valdes
Transfer in group vehicle to the airport.
El Calafate & El Chalten Region
Staying for 6 nights, with 4 tours included
Day 4: You arrive in El Calafate & El Chalten Region
Flight arrival in El Calafate. Welcome at the airport and private transfer to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your hotel, enjoy your own explorations, or ask our local representative about suggested activities for your free time.Day 5: El Calafate & El Chalten Region
Conquering the Mighty Perito Moreno Glacier!
Discover your inner adventurer as you explore and conquer one of the world’s most awe-inspiring and unique glaciers: The Perito Moreno. This splendid ice giant showcases its mighty glory in the Patagonian Glaciers National Park, which has been declared Mankind’s Natural Heritage site by UNESCO. The park’s vast size not only gives it the distinction of being the largest ice mantle in the world after Antarctica, but also that of being the third largest fresh water reserve on the planet.
Now, picture yourself strapping on your ice spikes, as you begin trekking along this ice giant on a full-day discovery journey along one of the few glaciers in the world, which is actually growing and advancing.
Your full day of adventure will include a close-up navigation of the Perito Moreno Glacier and a visit to the seven panoramic balconies facing the front of the glacier where you’ll have amazing picture-taking opportunities. After an adventure-packed day, you’ll be able to rest with the satisfaction of having successfully conquered the mighty Perito Moreno!
This is a full-day group tour and has an age restriction (click on tour name above for details).
Day 6: El Calafate & El Chalten Region
Icy Blue Giants: Navigate the Largest Patagonian Glaciers and take the most Awe-inspiring Glacier Photos (in boat’s VIP section)
Hop aboard as we embark on a journey to admire the second-largest glacier in South America, the Upsala, as well as the Spegazzini Glacier (the tallest in the Glaciers National Park and quite impressive to see), along with several Patagonian ice giants and beautiful iceberg formations that are only accessible by boat.
The glaciers’ scale is imposing, and their colors remarkable, ranging from pure white to deep shades of blue. We’ll settle into our seats inside the exclusive VIP cabin on the upper deck, where we’ll enjoy superior panoramic views along with enhanced comfort and service.
On our way to the Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers, we’ll have excellent photo opportunities as we pass icebergs of incredible and diverse shapes and sizes.
During this tour, we’ll also disembark at Glaciers Bay for about an hour and a half to visit a lakeside retreat. There, you’ll have time to explore the walkways leading to viewpoints with unique perspectives of the Spegazzini Glacier and enjoy a lunch of traditional local cuisine, accompanied by non-alcoholic beverages and wine.
This is a full-day group tour and includes lunch with water, soft drinks, wine and beer.
Day 7: El Calafate & El Chalten Region
Private transfer from your hotel in El Calafate to your hotel in El Chalten (with Spanish speaking driver). The transfer takes from 2.5 to 3 hours.
Day 8: El Calafate & El Chalten Region
A Thrilling Trekking Experience to Admire the Colossal Mount Fitz Roy and the Scenic Majesty of the Andes (private tour)
Ready your trekking boots and be prepared for a memorable experience in one of Patagonia’s most scenic and awe-inspiring locations. This full-day trip will see you trekking through lush forests and azure-tinted lagoons. And, for the grand finale: a sweeping view of massive Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres (Lagoon of Three). This famous lagoon takes its name from the three peaks that can be seen from the shore: Fitz Roy, Poincenot, and Saint-ExupĂ©ry. This last granite giant was, in turn, named after famous French writer Antoine de Saint Saint-ExupĂ©ry, best remembered for his classic ’The Little Prince’.
We’ll also trek to one of the favorite spots of many photographers: Laguna Capri, where you’ll have the opportunity to capture amazing images of crystal blue waters with the dramatic backdrop of the Andes mountain range.
After an exciting day of trekking and exploring, we’ll make our way back to town, with our camera fully-loaded with awe-inspiring pictures and our newly-formed memories of the unique natural beauty we have witnessed.
This is a full-day private tour and includes lunch-box and bottled water.
Day 9: El Calafate & El Chalten Region
Choose 1 among the following 2 tour options:
Option 1: The Torre Lagoon & Mount Experience: Scenic Trekking through Nature’s Stunning and Impeccable Work of Art
Get ready to soak up the impressive views of the Torre massif and the stunning scenery surrounding Torre Lagoon; while we trek through this impeccable work of art designed by nature.
The path we’ll traverse will take us through different landscapes which make up gorgeous natural settings; ranging from glacially-formed valleys, to lush and dense forests. Our trekking adventure will ultimately bring us to the spectacular Laguna Torre (Torre Lagoon), with its scenic backdrop featuring mighty Mount Solo, and coupled with the impressive views of the Torre massif, making this an unforgettable trekking experience, with plenty of panoramic viewpoints to quench your photographic thirst, as you create some of those precious memories you’ll take back home.
This is a full-day private tour and includes lunch-box and bottled water.
Option 2: An Off-the-beaten Patagonian Panoramic Hiking Experience to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado (private tour)
Strap on your trekking boots, and get ready to explore an exciting and a bit more off-the-beaten path trekking trail from where you’ll enjoy some of the greatest panoramic views of El Chalten’s rock giants, rivers and lagoons. We’ll make our way on this path, within the national park, to admire the beauty of the Fitz Roy and Toro valleys; and the grandeur of Lake Viedma.
We’ll explore a completely different kind of mountainous terrain, where we’ll get the chance to enjoy the typical alpine flora it has to offer; as well as search out age-old marine fossils.
At an altitude of nearly 4900 feet (1500 meters) above sea level, we’ll arrive at an awe-inspiring scenic viewpoint which offers an unconventional view of giant massifs Fitz Roy and Torre.
This is a full day private tour and includes lunch-box and bottled water.
Day 10: El Calafate & El Chalten Region
Private transfer from your hotel in El Chalten to El Calafate airport (with Spanish speaking driver). The transfer takes from 2.5 to 3 hours.
We look forward to welcoming you to Argentina again!Lodging for 9 nights Included
comfort category lodging
- Puerto Madryn: 3 nightsTerritorio Hotel
Territorio Hotel - superior category room with sea view: 3 nights
Superior category room with sea view - El Calafate: 3 nightsMirador del Lago Hotel
Mirador del Lago Hotel - superior category room: 3 nights
Superior category room - El Chalten: 3 nightsHosteria Senderos
Hosteria Senderos - classic category room: 3 nights
Classic category room
deluxe category lodging**
- Puerto Madryn**: 3 nightsTerritorio Hotel
Territorio Hotel - junior suite with sea view: 3 nights
Junior suite with sea view - El Calafate**: 3 nightsMirador del Lago Hotel
Mirador del Lago Hotel - superior category room with partial lake view: 3 nights
Superior category room with partial lake view - El Chalten**: 3 nightsChalten Suites
Chalten Suites - superior room: 3 nights
Superior room
** Deluxe Category note: In El Calafate, El Chalten and Puerto Madryn (Peninsula Valdes Region), hotels meeting our Deluxe standards aren't available. For these destinations, our Deluxe pricing includes "Comfort Plus" lodging — typically an upgraded room category in our best Comfort hotels.
Puerto Madryn Location: This coastal city serves as the main lodging base for Peninsula Valdes and is conveniently located midway between Peninsula Valdes and Punta Tombo.
