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About this trip
If you've dreamt of exploring Patagonia by trail running while staying at comfortable and scenic hotels, this is the trip for you. Throughout the trip, you'll leave tour buses and crowds behind in order to facilitate pristine Patagonian trail running adventures on this running retreat.
Your self-guided trail running trip will start in El Calafate, where you will begin your adventure with a visit to Patagonia’s most famous glacier and one of the world's only advancing glaciers. You'll get up close and personal to El Perito Moreño with a boat tour to view this amazing glacier from the water! You'll then explore further south to our next destination of El Chaltén, home to Monte Fitzroy, Cerro Torre, craft breweries, pristine lakes, glaciers, rivers, grasslands, and some of the world's most spectacular mountain vistas. Your curated hotels offer the comforts of 3-star lodging with authentic Argentinian breakfasts and breathtaking lake and mountain views. In between you'll trail run through Los Glaciares National Park and visit unique Argentinian estancias and nature reserves. You'll trail run from these base camps, where vistas of mountain spires, glaciers, and remote lakes are paired with mate, homemade pizza, typical Argentinian parrillas of roasted meat, ample Malbec, and artisanal beer brewed with special character and history unique to each location. Possible wildlife sightings range from Huemul (patagonian deer) to Condors and Pumas.
This running retreat is the perfect mixture of comfort and exploring a mixture of perfectly runnable and more wild, off-the-beaten path trails of some of Patagonia's most spectacular sites. On this self-guided trail running tour with all logistics, lodging, and transport taken care of, enjoy a break from winter and enjoy a Patagonian summer on your running retreat.
Trip Difficulty: Level 2
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
Please note, this is a LEVEL 2 trip. Runners must be able to complete the full distance each day on the trip itinerary (7-15 miles) with significant amounts of elevation gain and loss (1,500-3,700 feet per day) in mountainous environments, on technical trails, and at times in unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains of Patagonia.
Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime!
What’s included
Perito Moreño Glacier tour, including door to door hotel pick-up and drop-off, English-speaking guide, boat tour, and transport costs
Transfer to/from a remote, renovated Argentinian estancia from your hotel to enjoy a unique gastronomy experience with lunch and a glass of wine included
Private transfer between your hotel in El Calafate and your hotel in El Chaltén (~3h each way)
Trip logistics of route planning, lodging, and transportation reservations
Accommodation in 3-star hotels in El Calafate and El Chaltén for 6 nights, 7 days
Breakfasts included daily
Trip packet with suggested packing list, itinerary, mountain/weather resources, and gpx trail files
Not included
International airfare
Alcoholic beverages and meals
Travel Insurance
Entrance fee to Glacier National Park: 10,000 ARS (US$ 28.60) for foreign adults & children (must be paid in person at the entrance + can't be paid for in advance)
Transfer from airport to El Calafate (it's very easy and cost effective to take a Remis--the Argentinian taxi service, or book a shared shuttle)
Extra expenses due to a change in itinerary or in case of you having to shorten the day or trip as a whole (including personal return trips to airport/next destination/etc.)
Before You Go
Passport:
Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.
Travel Insurance:
Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip.
Weather:
Although this time of year is summer/fall in Patagonia, weather in the mountains, in Patagonia in particular, is variable and trail conditions are subject to change on an hourly basis! Patagonia is renown for its wind and changing weather in particular. Routes and itinerary subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail at the time of the trip. Please pack layers and options for multiple climates accordingly (a detailed packing list will be sent upon registration).
Trip Difficulty: Level 2
https://runcation.org/which-trip-is-right-for-me
Visa Requirements:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Argentina.html
Current CDC Recommendations:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/argentina
How to Arrive:
The trip starts and ends in El Calafate, Argentina. El Calafate is located in southern Argentina (280 kilometers north of Puerto Natales and 220 kilometers south of El Chaltén). El Calafate has a small airport located 20 km east of town with daily non-stop flights to and from Buenos Aires (3.5 hours), Ushuaia (1.5 hours), and Bariloche (1.75 hours). For International flights, most connect in Buenos Aires before taking a domestic flight to El Calafate. Most flights are operated by Aerolineas Argentinas with some operated by LAN. It is very easy to get to/from El Calafate Airport and El Calafate city by local taxi (Remis) or booking a shared shuttle.
Available Packages
Pricing based on minimum of 2 people. Solo travelers must add single supplement option add-on.
Available options
Includes mini-trek on the glacier with guide and gear. 10 hours instead of 7-8. All participants in your booking must choose in order to run.
Add-on adventure to Day 6 on your Estancia gastronomy experience. You'll horseback ride 1.5 hours through the most remote corners of the ranch, enjoying the nature that surrounds us. We will cross forests of ñires and lengas, streams and the mountain ranges of the place, from where we will be able to observe the best panoramic views of the Estancia and it’s beautiful surroundings. At the end of the journey, everything will be ready at El Establo Restaurant, to enjoy an excellent proposal of our regional cuisine.
No prior experience is required. Comfortable clothing and footwear appropriate to the weather is recommended.MENU
Starter dish, roast lamb stake or Curanto al hoyo, salad, side dishes and dessert One drink per person included, glass of wine or soft drink. Consult for vegetarian/vegan menu as well as gluten freeAdd-on adventure to Day 6 on your Estancia gastronomy experience. It is the safest way to climb: combining climbing, hiking and scrambling, and it doesn’t require any climbing experience. The rock is equipped with a steel cable anchored, which runs up the entire route. Placing ladder rungs, steel steps, suspension bridges strategically along the iron path, allowing climbers to move trough challenging terrain. With an epic ending zip line, leading the group to the higher part of the mountain, to enjoy the fantastic views of the valley, mountains, glaciers and Fitz Roy range. This Via Ferrata’s special construction allows you to slide a locked carabiner on your harness over each permanent anchor point without ever having to detach it from the cable, making it a safer, secure and fun experience!
The Via Ferrata runs 1800 ft (600 mts), and the elevation gain is 600 ft (200 mts). Each participant will be provided with helmet, harness and specialized lanyard. This assisted climbing experience doesn’t require any specialized climbing skills, although is important to have general physical fitness to hike continuously, and a big sense of adventure!. Due to the certified shock absorbers, the weight range is between 80 to 260 lbs or 40 to 120kg.Traveling as a party of one? No problem! Sign up for the single supplement here.
Itinerary
Day 1: Your trip will start in the afternoon at your hotel in El Calafate to check in and get settled followed by a meet-and-greet and orientation meeting to meet the guides and go over the logistics and itinerary of the upcoming week! You'll stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel hotel in a lakeside town with a view of Argentina's largest freshwater lake, Lago Argentina. That afternoon, you can enjoy dinner and refreshments at one of the many restaurants in town.
Mileage: Optional shakeout run in the afternoon 4-6 miles along Lago Argentina
Accommodation and breakfast in 3-star hotel included