Explore The Patagonian Highlights In Latin America Adventure Travel

Day 1: Buenos Aires/walking tour

We will meet you at the airport and transfer to our hotel in Buenos Aires. Your tour leader will meet you today for a briefing followed by a short walking tour of the city, exploring its treasure of history and culture. The evening is free for you so you can choose one of the many excellent restaurants serving the traditional Argentine steaks!

Day 2: Fly to El Calafate & transfer to El Chalten

Today morning we will fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate. On arrival, there will be a drive of approximately 3-4 hours to the small mountain town of El Chalten. The town possesses a stunning location in Los Glaciares National Park with awesome views of Mount Fitzroy and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

Day 3: Los Glaciares N.P./ walking tour to Cerro Fitzroy Base Camp

We set off amidst beautiful mountains and valleys for a day walk. First, we hike to Cerro Fitzroy Base Camp with marvelous views of the beautiful massif ahead. In the afternoon we proceed to the picturesque Laguna de Los Tres, a glacial lake whose still waters reflect the three main peaks of the range. This is a full day of walking over a moderately rough region, but with dramatic, rugged scenery all along the way.

Day 4: Back to El Calafate

Today is a free day to enjoy an additional trek or optional boating to another highlight of this region, the Viedma Glacier. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to El Calafate.

Day 5: Visit Perito Moreno Glacier / Enjoy boating

Today morning we will head the Perito Moreno Glacier. This enormous rough sheet of ice extends over 3 miles across Lago Argentino and rises 200ft out if its cold waters. It is the fastest moving glacier on the planet and the weird creaks and thunderous groans add a special atmosphere of joy. Every so often an ice chunk of office block size calves from its face into the water below before slowly floating down the lake as a giant iceberg. Embark a boat to enjoy an even greater view of the immense scale of this wonder.

Day 6: Free day in El Calafate

We will spend a second day here to explore more of the town's surroundings. It is possible to take a soothing walk along Lago Argentina to view birdlife including flamingos, or a little more demanding hike for some wonderful views extending over the Patagonian landscape and towards the mountainous border with Chile. You also have the option to join an excursion to a local Estancia or to Todo Glaciares. This exploration includes Upsala Glacier, Bahia Onelli (where pieces of a glacier are floating in the water) and the Spegazzinni Glacier.

Day 7: Arrive at Torres del Paine N.P.

Today after breakfast we have a long drive of approximately 8-9 hours across the border into Chile. Due to local laws, we must change buses at the border. Here our Chilean guide we will meet us and drive around some of the parks. We will get some time after we check-in for a short walk next to Laguna Amarga or Laguna Azul, which offer excellent panoramic views of the Paine Massif and the impressive granite Horns of Paine.

Day 8: Walk in the Torres del Paine

Without a doubt, one of the greatest highlights of the park is to hike up to the bottom of the Towers of Paine. The walk itself is rewarding, trekking through forests and allowing some wonderful views across the park. This is a fairly difficult and long trek, and the last section is pretty steep with rocky terrain, so you need a fairly good level of fitness and confidence. The view of the small lake at the base of these pure granite peaks makes the long walk well worthwhile. Once we finish the trek we will drive for approximately 2 hrs to reach Puerto Natales.   

Day 9: To Tierra del Fuego

Today after breakfast, you will get some free time before a fairly long journey in the afternoon, through exciting scenery to Cerro Sombrero. This journey includes a short boat crossing over the Magellan Straits. We advise you to carry plenty of water and some snacks for the journey of approximately 7-8 hours. In the evening we'll enjoy dinner together at the hotel in the small town of Cerro Sombrero.

Day 10: To Ushuaia, the end of the world

Tierra del Fuego, known as The Land of Fire is named after the original inhabitants who used to light fires to beat the winter chill. Crossing the island we'll have pictures of the most southerly part of the Andes before getting our first impressions of Ushuaia at the end of the world! This is a long driving day of approximately 7-8 hours but we use a luxury bus to make the journey more comfortable. Depending on weather conditions and traffic we should arrive at our hotel mid-afternoon.

Day 11: Walk in Tierra del Fuego N.P.

We'll spend this morning in the firm wilderness of Tierra del Fuego National Park, walking amongst the various terrain, flora, and fauna. In the afternoon we will go for a boat ride along the Beagle Channel to view marine wildlife including sea lions, penguins, and many species of waterbird that includes a flightless duck!

Day 12: Back to Buenos Aires

This morning we may have some free time in Ushuaia depending upon the flight time. There are excellent views from the hills heading up to the Martial Glacier and some small shops to pick up souvenirs. Ushuaia has just one museum, settled in the former prison, which is surely worth a visit. We fly back to Buenos Aires and normally arrive in time to visit one of the best tango shows in the old quarter of San Telmo and have the last group meal together.

Day 13: End Buenos Aires

Your Latin America adventure travel ends today. We will transfer you to the Buenos Aires airport for your home flight. Reach home safely and share your best experiences in the wonderful and unforgettable land of Patagonia.