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Glaciers in Argentina or Chile or both? Torres del Paine a must?

Glaciers in Argentina or Chile or both? Torres del Paine a must?

Old May 18th, 2006, 04:40 AM
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Glaciers in Argentina or Chile or both? Torres del Paine a must?

We are wondering whether to visit El Calafate, with trips to the Perito Moreno and Upsala glaciers, or to go to Puerto Natales with a boat trip to the glaciers plus a side trip to the Torres del Paine National Park. We are in our 60s and in good health, but do not plan a lot of hiking if we go to the park. We are somewhat flexible as far as the time we spend in either or both locations. We will probably go in early March. We would appreciate any opinios and recommendations on not-to-be-missed sights, guides and tours, lodging, food, etc. (It is not a problem if our guides speak only Spanish.) Thanks so much!
Carol
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Old May 18th, 2006, 06:19 AM
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We visited the Torres del Paine park and took a boat ride to the glaciers on Lago Grey last year in early March (we were in Argentina from March 1 -15. The park is amazing. We did not go to Calafate on this trip, so sorry, cannot give you a comparison, but I highly recommend Torres del Paine. We are not big hikers either but this park is unlike anything we've ever seen.

We had been in Ushuaia, took a small plane to Puerto Natalas where a guide picked us up, saw the penguins in otway, then stayed 2 nights in Punta Arenes, taking a day trip (a long day trip) with the guide into the Torres del Paine with the boat ride to the glaciers. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

From there we flew up to Puerto Montt and took the lake crossing into Bariloche, which I also highly recommend.

Next year we are planning to go back, one more time, to see El Calafate and Perito Moreno, etc.

Hope this helps.
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Old May 18th, 2006, 06:31 AM
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I assume you are first going to Punta Arenas. We went to P Natales, took the boat to see the Balmaceda glacier, which was good. Then we went to TDP for a few days, which was very good. Stayed at Hotel Lago Grey, which was good. I would recommend this trip.

Also, see the penguins on the west coast, and go to the Cueva del Milodon, with models of the milodon which lived in the area long ago.
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Old May 19th, 2006, 05:45 PM
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The Torres del Paine is worth a visit. But dont make the excursion that takes one day from Calafate, too tiring and not complete . You must at least take 2 days tour and believe me the Torres del Paine area is UNIQUE.
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Old Jun 9th, 2006, 12:44 PM
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Going to Torres from Calafate takes long if you go to Natales. Take transfers directly to Torres Hotels crossing the frontier at Castillo(chile). Both ways will cost a lot but you can share it with other people and you will make it in 4/5 hours.
Enjoy Torres del Paine.
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