Cañadón de los Fósiles Expedition
Overview
TREKKING details & inclusions:
• Transfer to Harbor + Sailing the Northern Arm of the Argentino Lake (Icebergs watching and panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier) +
• 4x4 vehicle ride to Upsala Glacier Viewpoint
• 14-km trekking descending through the Cañadón de los Fósiles(approximately 4:30hsKEY CONSIDERATIONS
• Minimum age: 12 years old.
• This trekking is only suitable for individuals with a good physical condition.
• This is not recommended for people with vertebral column, hips, ankles and knees problems.
• It is essential to have trekking shoes, preferably boots with ankle protection.
• Transfer to Harbor + Sailing the Northern Arm of the Argentino Lake (Icebergs watching and panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier) +
• 4x4 vehicle ride to Upsala Glacier Viewpoint
• 14-km trekking descending through the Cañadón de los Fósiles(approximately 4:30hsKEY CONSIDERATIONS
• Minimum age: 12 years old.
• This trekking is only suitable for individuals with a good physical condition.
• This is not recommended for people with vertebral column, hips, ankles and knees problems.
• It is essential to have trekking shoes, preferably boots with ankle protection.
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Round-trip shared transfer
- Lunch box
- Snack on board
- Entry/Admission - Estancia Cristina
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Estancia Cristina, Avenida Del Libertador 1037, El Calafate Z9405AHI Argentina
Having set sail from Punta Bandera harbor at 9AM, we will glide over the waters of Lake Argentino’s Northern Arm to reach the furthest possible point of navigation in the Upsala Channel, where we can enjoy a panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier’s immense front. Then, having disembarked at the shores close to Estancia Cristina, the group is welcomed by our specialized driver-guides who will help them into their 4x4 vehicles, ready to head off into the wilderness. Our sturdy 4WDs will then venture up into the Feruglio Mountains, a 9.5km ride which offers great views of our surroundings and takes us ultimately to an elevated area where the cars will be parked. Once there, we’ll begin a 20-minute trek over terrain characterized by glacial erosion, until reaching the Upsala Glacier Lookout; an exclusive point for visitors to appreciate this glacier that can only be accessed from Estancia Cristina. There will be plenty of time here to enjoy views of Lake Guillermo and the eastern side of the Upsala Glacier, as well as the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, before beginning the 14km trek through Fossil Canyon. The fascinating Cañadón de los Fósiles, which is around 170 million years old, has been named so for its immense concentration of marine fossils. We can observe a kaleidoscope of colors across this terrain, the canyon’s walls rising beside us as we make a gradual descent until reaching a ravine at the edge of the
valley. Along the way, we’ll stop and tuck into our box lunches, before leaving the canyon behind having explored it fully, then arriving back at the estancia and later onward to the port.
Estancia Cristina offers an optional box lunch, please request it in advance. Please also let us know of any dietary requirements in advance.
Duration: 6 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Estancia Cristina, Avenida Del Libertador 1037, El Calafate Z9405AHI Argentina
Having set sail from Punta Bandera harbor at 9AM, we will glide over the waters of Lake Argentino’s Northern Arm to reach the furthest possible point of navigation in the Upsala Channel, where we can enjoy a panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier’s immense front. Then, having disembarked at the shores close to Estancia Cristina, the group is welcomed by our specialized driver-guides who will help them into their 4x4 vehicles, ready to head off into the wilderness. Our sturdy 4WDs will then venture up into the Feruglio Mountains, a 9.5km ride which offers great views of our surroundings and takes us ultimately to an elevated area where the cars will be parked. Once there, we’ll begin a 20-minute trek over terrain characterized by glacial erosion, until reaching the Upsala Glacier Lookout; an exclusive point for visitors to appreciate this glacier that can only be accessed from Estancia Cristina. There will be plenty of time here to enjoy views of Lake Guillermo and the eastern side of the Upsala Glacier, as well as the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, before beginning the 14km trek through Fossil Canyon. The fascinating Cañadón de los Fósiles, which is around 170 million years old, has been named so for its immense concentration of marine fossils. We can observe a kaleidoscope of colors across this terrain, the canyon’s walls rising beside us as we make a gradual descent until reaching a ravine at the edge of the
valley. Along the way, we’ll stop and tuck into our box lunches, before leaving the canyon behind having explored it fully, then arriving back at the estancia and later onward to the port.
Estancia Cristina offers an optional box lunch, please request it in advance. Please also let us know of any dietary requirements in advance.
Duration: 6 hours
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 12 years
- May be operated by a bilingual guide
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- "Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers" It is a requirement at the time travelers enter the country, so that indirectly implies a requirement for us as well
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
RosalindaBelgium
April 2019
We were the only 2 people who did the trekking that day so we had the guide to ourselves; It was a wonderful afternoon and we got a lot of information from the guide; We had clear wether with some wind but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
We were the only 2 people who did the trekking that day so we had the guide to ourselves; It was a wonderful afternoon and we got a lot of information from the guide; We had clear wether with some wind but we thoroughly enjoyed it.jemrcb
February 2022
Cuando fui retocando las fotos, al recorrer este paisaje tan distinto, tan poco convencional, tomé dimensión de lo que hemos recorrido. Esto es una herida de nuestro territorio aún no cicatrizada, hace solo 100 años, una milésima de segundo para los tiempos geológicos, que una cuchilla de hielo c...
Cuando fui retocando las fotos, al recorrer este paisaje tan distinto, tan poco convencional, tomé dimensión de lo que hemos recorrido. Esto es una herida de nuestro territorio aún no cicatrizada, hace solo 100 años, una milésima de segundo para los tiempos geológicos, que una cuchilla de hielo cortaba y aplastaba la piel de La Tierra y, siento que éramos como el insecto más pequeño, recorriéndola. ME SIENTO EUFÓRICO DE HABER, DECIDIDO A MIS CASI 85 AÑOS, ANIMARME A ESTO.41adiMal
November 2022
I cannot recommend doing this activity more. It has been one of my favourite hikes! The staff at Estancia Christina are truly amazing, I had an incredible time here to do the Fossil Canyon Expedition. It was a one of a kind experience and my guide Augostina was very knowledgeable and excellent co...
I cannot recommend doing this activity more. It has been one of my favourite hikes! The staff at Estancia Christina are truly amazing, I had an incredible time here to do the Fossil Canyon Expedition. It was a one of a kind experience and my guide Augostina was very knowledgeable and excellent company during my trek through the canyon. The bus that came to pick me up from El Calafate was very much on time. We went to Puerto Bandera where we were out on a boat to head to the estancia. The boat ride is so incredible, the captain and crew do their best to make you feel comfortable and they take you as close as possible to the icebergs. There’s also a slight detour to see the Upsala glacier whilst on the boat. They give you a band and a very well detailed set of instructions on the boat. When I got off I was welcomed by my tour guide. I seemed to have been the only one for the hike on the day, so it felt very personalized. My guide Augostina did a fantastic job making me feel welcome and took me down the canyon at a very good pace. I was offered hiking poles before we embarked on our 14km hike, which was so thoughtful. The hike in itself was incredible - the canyon is so full of colours and you get to see the upsala glacier from many angles at the beginning of the hike too. The whole canyon is covered in fossils and so stunning. I didn’t want to add too many photos as to ruin the delightful surprise that is the whole canyon. Additionally, hats off to the chef. I got a lovely veggie sandwich (grilled veggies, cream cheese, cheese and some lovely seasoning), a brownie (so fresh), a piece of fruit and a large water bottle that was neatly packed for my lunch in the canyon. The food was absolutely delicious! If you’re thinking about doing this activity, just do it! It’s a one of a kind opportunity. I haven’t been able to experience this anywhere else but here!JPatti1
January 2020
Not only a beautiful canyon to hike down but abundant fossil, both negative (imprints) and positive (cavities filled by a material that has survived and thus left a 3D copy). In addition to the hike itself, a highight was the 4x4 ride to the Upsala Glacier overlook that is at the start of the tre...
Not only a beautiful canyon to hike down but abundant fossil, both negative (imprints) and positive (cavities filled by a material that has survived and thus left a 3D copy). In addition to the hike itself, a highight was the 4x4 ride to the Upsala Glacier overlook that is at the start of the trek - the overlook is fabulous to see and the ride up to it was invigorating and beautiful.