Visit Patagonia’s highlights, such as Los Glaciares National Park, the dramatic Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park (Chile), and views of Mt Fitz Roy.
Day 1: Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you will be met at the airport and have a transfer in private to your hotel.
On your first day in the city you will be contacted by one of our Destination Hosts, who will check with you details of your itinerary, provide you with the printed documentation, and add any information you might need. She/ he will be your local contact while you are traveling with us and will be ready to answer your questions, give you tips about places to go, restaurants to eat and anything else you might be interested in. Not just about Buenos Aires, also about the different places you will visit during your whole itinerary.
You will have the rest of the day to enjoy this vibrant city, leaving you the remainder of the day to explore the historic neighborhoods and enjoy the cafe culture of Buenos Aires.
Day 2: In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel to enjoy our City Tour.
Over the course of a half day you will have the chance to visit the historical and political centre of the city; San Telmo with its cobblestone streets, La Boca where Buenos Aires turns colorful and tango is ever present, and the chic and aristocratic Recoleta, where the big palaces remind us that Buenos Aires was once the Paris of the South. (Duration: 3- 4 hours)
In the evening you will be picked up from your hotel (shared service) to be driven to one of Buenos Aires’ most emblematic cultural highlight’s; a Dinner and Tango Show offering a spectacular demonstration of the finest local dancing accompanied by delicious Argentine cuisine and all the malbec you’d like.
At the end of the evening you will be driven back to your hotel. (Duration dinner + show: 4 hours approx.) (B/D + drinks)
Day 3: At appropriate time you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. Private service.
Welcome to Southern Patagonia! El Calafate is located in the Patagonian steppe, dry and dramatic. It is on the border of Lago Argentino (Argentina’s biggest lake), considered capital of the glaciers. It is the gate to visit worldwide known Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the only glaciers in the world that is still advancing.
Upon arrival you will be taken to the hotel (shared service) and have the rest of the day to relax or explore the areas around the town or if possible, make the 1km hike out to Laguna Nimez for a beautiful Patagonian sunset. (B)
Day 4: After an early breakfast, you will leave on a full day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier (shared service), in Los Glaciers National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 and home to one of the most awe inspiring landscapes in Argentina, Perito Moreno Glacier is a site to behold.
During about 1 hour on our Perito Moreno Glacier tour, a bilingual guide will provide you with all the information you might want to know, and things you might have never thought about. On arrival you will have the chance to enjoy stunning views of the glacier from the nearby walking trail and viewing platforms.
But not just that, you will also enjoy the included Perito Moreno Glacier boat cruise that will take you close enough to fully appreciate the 80m high ice walls! In the early evening, you will return to you hotel in Calafate. (Duration: 6 hours) (B)
Note: For even more adventure, you may want to consider either taking the Big Ice or Mini-Trekking excursion (at an extra cost ). Both allow you to hike on the glacier! Ask us for more information, but be sure to let us know in advance because it is highly requested.
If you prefer to have a private tour (private vehicle and private guide) ask our travel advisors, so they can add it.
Day 5: Day at leisure to enjoy any of the optional tours around El Calafate. We suggest a visit to Estancia Cristina, a bike ride out to the lake, or a boat cruise to explore some of the more remote glaciers in the region. (B)
Day 6: In the morning you will go to the bus station on your own. Most of hotels are walking distance from the bus terminal, but if you prefer to take a taxi, you might spend about USD$5/7. Please, in case you want a taxi, we recommendreserving it the day before at the Front Desk in your hotel, to guarantee the availability.
You will take a comfortable public bus, where for during about 3 hours you will be able to enjoy the desert of Southern Patagonia on the famous Route 40. You will pass through La Leona river, that connects Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma. By the river you will see La Leona Road House where once Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid after robbing a bank where hidden for almost a month.
Upon arrival at El Chalten, the bus usually stops for about 15 minutes at the Park Ranger office where you will get general explanations about the park, recommendations, etc. They are very informative and enthusiastic to share their love for the Park.
El Chalten is the top rated trekking destination, considered the Argentinean capital of trekking. Located at the foot of the Fitz Roy Mountain, surrounded by glaciers, lakes, rivers and forest, it is still a hidden gem of our south. The charming little village, that is also the start point for most paths, is a paradise for walkers and trekkers alike.
Upon arrival you will make your way to your hotel. In El Chalten, most of the hotels are within a few blocks of the bus station, but if you prefer to take a taxi or remis, you can take it once in the bus terminal and they will cost you approx. USD$5-8.
On arrival you can explore the surroundings, have a stroll around a little waterfall, or just relax in the local brewery. (B)
Day 7: Be prepared for an exciting day in the wild Nature. El Chalten offers a range of options for all kind of difficulty of trekking. From the door of your hotel, you can go for a short 3 K walk, with views of the Rio de las Vueltas, lenga forest and the chance to see all kind of birds (great woodpecker spotting opportunity). If you are looking for great mountain views, in about one hour and a half you can reach the Cerro Torre view point.
For trekking fans, continue all the way to Torre base or go for the 8 hours trekking for the most impressive view of Fitz Roy and the whole massif by the “Laguna de los tres” path (highly recommended!). This is a trek that becomes difficult in the last bit but totally worth the effort.
You can choose where and when to go, and at your own pace, since the paths are self-guided and very well marked and maintained. We will provide you with complete trekking information of the park, so that you can decide the best plan to make the best of your day. (B)
Note: If you prefer to have more details about the self guided trekking or you prefer to have a guide, ask us for more information.
Day 8: This morning you can choose any other trek from a great variety that this National Park offers. Bare in mind that in the afternoon you will board your bus back to El Calafate (you have to go to the bus station on your own).
The three hour bus ride back will be a good opportunity to rest and enjoy the views from your window. Upon arrival you will make you way from the bus station to your hotel. (In El Calafate a taxi will cost roughly $8 to get from the bus station to your hotel.) (B)
Day 9: In the early morning you will be picked up for the full day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. Along the road you might be able to see rheas, guanacos, Patagonian hare, and even condors.
Keep an eye out for wild guanacos as they roam the windy plains. This will be a long day, but we believe it is worth every hour. Some of the wonders of the world renowned park that you will visit will be Salto Grande, Laguna Amarga, Lago Pehoe, the Cuernos del Paine and of course, the famous Torres del Paine.
In the late afternoon you will be dropped off at the Coffee Shop, El Ovejero, a cozy place to wait for the bus that will take you to Puerto Natales.
Once you arrive in Puerto Natales, you will have to get to your hotel on your own. Puerto Natales is a small town, base to explore the world famous Torres del Paine. Most of hotels are a few blocks from bus station.
Walk along the shores of Magallean strait, and enjoy the views of this place lost in the time looking, or just relax in one of the little cafés of town. (B/Box Lunch)
Important! It is not allowed to take any fresh food, plants, seeds, etc. from Argentina to Chile. They are very strict, and fines can be high. If you are not sure if something is allowed or not, please declare it (they will provide you with a form) and they will inform you if you can carry it or not.
Day 10: After an intense week, you might be happy to have a late and relaxing morning, and free time to explore on your own.(B)
Day 12: At appropriate time, you will take the bus to El Calafate (Taxis to the bus stations will cost roughly $4). We highly recommend to be ready ½ hour before the departure time at the bus terminal.
Upon arrival you have included a transfer to the airport to take your flight back to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires you will be driven to your hotel (private service). (B)
Day 12: At the appropriate time you will have a private transfer to the international airport for your flight back home. (B)
