Botanical Wonders of Argentine Patagonia with Denver Botanic Gardens

Argentina’s varied climate and terrain create the ideal environment for a variety of species. In fact, it’s home to more than 10% of the world’s flora. Argentine Patagonia is famous for its rugged beauty, massive glaciers, towering mountains, and windswept plains. Patagonian flora showcase remarkable adaptability and resilience, reflecting the diverse microclimates and ecological niches found throughout this breathtaking landscape. During our time together, we’ll travel along famous Route 40, the longest route in Argentina, crossing from north to south parallel to the Andes mountains. There will be time to stop and explore local floral hotspots along the way.

This 14-day immersive botanical journey to Argentina is hosted by Panayoti Kelaidis, Director of Outreach & Senior Curator at Denver Botanic Gardens, and renowned Argentinian botanist Marcela Ferreyra. Join them for an unforgettable deep dive into the flora of Patagonia.

About Your Denver Botanic Gardens Host, Panayoti Kelaidis: Since 1980, Panayoti has represented Denver Botanic Gardens in educational, professional and promotional endeavors as an expert in horticulture. He also acts as a liaison to botanical societies, professional horticulture organizations and green industry members. He helped create Plant Select®; designed and implemented numerous gardens; and has led tours to Asia, Europe and South Africa. He works with rock garden, perennial, native plant and succulent societies nationally and internationally, and has served on the boards of horticulture societies. Panayoti has received numerous awards, including the 2000 Arthur Hoyt Scott Medal from the Scott Arboretum and the 2003 Liberty Hyde Bailey medal of the American Horticultural Society, two of the highest honors in American horticulture.

About Your Argentine Host, Marcela Ferreyra: Marcela first visited the mountains of Patagonia in 1992. That experience inspired her to move to Bariloche and write her college thesis on high mountain flora. Now a retired Biology Sciences Professor, Marcela continues to explore and conduct botanical research in Patagonia. Her ground-breaking studies have led to multiple publications. A highlight of her career is the publication of a unique and complete study of the high-altitude plants of the region. Marcela continues to be an inspiring teacher, conservationist, and engaging botanical guide.

 

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Tues, Dec 3): Arrival to Chubut, Argentina ~ Arrival to Comodoro Rivadavia airport. Plan to arrive by 12 pm local time. After hotel check in, we’ll head to Punta Marqués Protected Natural Area. Marked trails offer stunning views of the entire marine coastline of southern Chubut with countless beaches and cliffs. This will be our first introduction to local flora. The preserve is also home to a year-round population of Patagonian sea lions.

Accommodations: Lucania Palazzo or similar

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 (Wed, Dec 4): Patagonian Steppe and Perito Moreno ~ Today, we’ll transfer to Perito Moreno Town crossing the Patagonian Steppe. During our drive, we’ll see how the steppe changes from east to west while enjoying the beauty and immensity of this ecosystem. The steppe is very colorful and fragrant at this time of year due to an array of species in bloom. In addition to diverse flora, we’ll have the chance to see groups of Lesser Rheas, armadillos, and several endemic lizards.

Accommodations: Hosteria Municipal Bilardo or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 (Thurs, Dec 5): Buenos Aires Lake Plateau ~ We’ll explore the east side of Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires (Plateau of Buenos Aires Lake), a huge and interesting mesa partially protected by Patagonia National Park and other Provincial Parks. After breakfast, we’ll depart to the Old Estancia Los Toldos where there are two different walking trails: La Guanaca to Cerro Amarillo and Koi to Sumich basaltic plateau. Along the first trail, we will appreciate the amazing Río Pinturas Canyon. Along the second one, we will pass by an incredible lagoon ending at a strategic viewpoint overlooking Lago Buenos Aires plateau. Notice how the local steppe flora changes with the soil as we move from rocky to sandy areas. While studying the terrain, we may also catch a glimpse of puma tracks.

Accommodations: Refugio Posta de los Toldos or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4 (Fri, Dec 6): Cuevas de los Manos ~ Today brings a visit to Cuevas de las Manos (Cave of the Painted Hands.) This cave is the most important archeological site in Patagonia, full of millennia-old cave paintings that represent hunting scenes, handprints, native fauna, and abstract figures perfectly preserved. The site has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, we head back towards Perito Moreno continuing to Los Antiguos, a peaceful town located along the south shore of Buenos Aires Lake. Los Antiguos is an agricultural oasis where many small farms produce fruit crops, including famous local cherries. There may be time to explore downtown on foot.

Accommodations: Hosteria Uendeunk or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5 (Sat, Dec 7): Route 41 ~ Scenic Route 41 is one of the most beautiful routes in southern Patagonia. As you drive from 850 ft to 4900 ft in elevation along the route, the landscape changes from steppe to alpine as we move above treeline. Breathtaking views along the way are certain and with any luck, we’ll find several endemics only found here.

Accommodations: Hosteria Uendeunk or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6 (Sun, Dec 8): Route 41 to Lago Posadas ~ There’s too much to discover along Route 41 in a single day so we’ll explore different sections today. Our day ends at Hipólito Yrigoyen, a very small town commonly known as Lago Posadas, at the shore of the lake of the same name.

Accommodations: La Posada de las Posadas or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 7 (Mon, Dec 9): Oro River Canyon, Lago Posadas & Pueyrredón ~ This region allows us to enjoy a very pristine landscape dominated by mountains, valleys, and the area’s two large lakes. One lake is green and one is blue even though they’re only separated by a narrow strip of land. The Oro River Canyon is beautiful and runs to the foot of San Lorenzo Mountain which is 12,160 ft high. There’s time to stop and explore at various locations along the canyon.

Accommodations: La Posada de las Posadas or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8 (Tues, Dec 10): El Chaltén ~ We have a long drive today as we make our way to El Chaltén. Putting in more drive time today allows us to spend two full days in El Chaltén, a small and picturesque village at the foot of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre massifs. This town is famous among mountain lovers and adventurers from all over the world. Fingers crossed for clear weather so we have unobstructed views of region’s famous peaks.

Accommodations: Pudulodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Days 9 & 10 (Wed, Dec 11 & Thurs, Dec 12): El Chaltén ~ We have two full days to explore the surrounding area. Exact locations will depend on weather conditions, the group’s interest, and hiking abilities. Habitats include shrubland, woodlands, forest, and alpine. Possible locations include Loma del Pliegue Tumbado trail, Río de las Vueltas, and Chorrillo del Salto waterfall.

Accommodations: Pudulodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11 (Fri, Dec 13): El Calafate ~ After breakfast, we’ll depart to El Calafate. Our route takes us through open steppe landscape with even more beautiful views along the way. Keep an eye out for iconic Patagonian guanacos grazing in open areas. We’ll stop at various viewpoints for photo op’s and botanizing including La Leona, Río Bote, and Cuesta de Miguez to see an impressive population of Fabiana australis. The Patagonian Steppe should be in peak bloom, a sight to behold. Evening arrival to El Calafate, our home for the next three nights.

Accommodations: Kosten Aike or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 12 (Sat, Dec 14): Perito Moreno Glacier ~ We dedicate today to visiting one of the world’s greatest natural wonders – Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park. Dominated by rugged granite peaks, the landscape continually changes due to ongoing glaciations. Perito Moreno Glacier, the most striking sight in the park, blocks a narrow channel formed by Lake Argentino thereby raising the water level temporarily. This in turn causes regular thunderous ruptures of the glacier tongue into the water below. Get ready for an unforgettable auditory and visual experience. The roar of chunks of ice falling from the glacier will certainly make our day here memorable. During our visit, we’ll walk through a beautiful forest of Nothofagus betuloides (Magellan’s beech), a species that only grows in southern Patagonia. Under the canopy, we should find multiple species of orchids and many other regional highlights.

Accommodations: Kosten Aike or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 13 (Sun, Dec 15): El Calafate ~ Today we switch gears and travel by 4×4 vehicles to Balcones de El Calafate or Cerro Huiliche plateau overlooking the city and nearby lake. We expect to see multiple species in bloom today even though it’s a very short bloom season due to local winds. This afternoon, we’ll visit Laguna Nimez Protected Area on the edge of Lake Argentino. If you enjoy birding in addition to botanizing, you’re in for a treat. This area is home to Chilean Flamingos, Black-necked Swans, and an array of others. Flora in the area includes many species of sedges, rushes, and grasses. We should also have time to visit downtown before our Farewell Dinner.

Accommodations: Kosten Aike or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 14 (Mon, Dec 16): Departure from El Calafate, Argentina ~ Transfer to the airport in time to connect to your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

DETAILS

Price: $8185* per person based on two people sharing double occupancy accommodations. If you prefer a private, single occupancy room, add $1320*.

Includes: accommodations, Expedition Leaders (Panayoti Kelaidis and Marcela Ferreyra), additional local guides on Days 3, 4, 9, 10, 12 13, in-country transportation in a 20-passenger bus, all meals starting with Dinner on Day 1 through Breakfast on Day 14 (boxed lunches on field days), purified water and snacks in the vehicle, activities as listed, and basic $0 trip cost travel insurance policy.

Excludes: flights, passport/visa fees, upgraded travel insurance with trip cancellation and interruption benefits (available at pro-rated cost), gratuities, alcohol, laundry, personal expenses, and optional activities.

*Price is for payment by check. Credit card fees, if applicable, will be assessed at time of payment based on card used.

Group Size: 9-12 + 2 Expedition Leaders

Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Ability to climb up and down from a passenger van is required. Walks looking for flowers or to enjoy landscape will be on trails at a variety of elevations. Some trails will include some gradient. Some sections of mountain trails may be steep and have loose dirt, tree roots, rocks, or similar to step over. Elevations will range from sea level at Comodoro Rivadavia to 3600/4500 ft at El Chaltén. Walking distances will mostly be up to a 1-2 miles at a time and could add up to 3-5 miles per day, except for El Chaltén where we can walk a few more miles if the group wants and weather conditions are good. Patience and a positive attitude on long travel days in a bus is a must.

Important Information: Itinerary has been built to allow flexibility to accommodate activities and sightseeing. Every effort will be made to carry out all activities as planned and advertised, however, trip leaders reserve the right to make alterations, deletions, or modifications to the itinerary deemed necessary due to circumstances beyond their control.

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