Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to Santiago
Your flight departs today heading toward Chile for an overnight journey. You'll settle in and watch the stars as the plane carries you across to the longest country in the world.
- Day 2
Santiago
Landing in Santiago, you'll check into your hotel and start exploring the capital. The day ahead includes options like walking through Plaza de Armas, seeing pre-Columbian art at the museum, or hiking up Cerro San Cristobal to get panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Optional Activities
- Visit Plaza de Armas and Catedral Metropolitano
- Explore Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
- Hike to or take cable car (payable locally) up Cerro San Cristobal for city views
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Catedral Metropolitano Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Cerro San Cristobal - Day 3
Santiago
Today you're checking out Santiago's different neighborhoods. From the Italia district's cafés and boutiques to the elegant Lastarria barrio with its 20th-century buildings and flea markets, there's plenty to see. You'll also browse fresh produce at La Vega Market and grab a pisco sour at Chipe Libre bar.
Optional Activities
- Explore Italia district - courtyards, boutiques, and antique stores
- Wander Lastarria neighborhood - flea markets and historic architecture
- Try pisco sour (Chile's national drink) at Chipe Libre bar
- Visit La Vega Market - fruit, vegetables, cheese, and meat
Landmarks Italia District Lastarria District Chipe Libre Bar La Vega Market - Day 4
Santiago
You'll spend this morning in the Japanese Garden at Metropolitan Park, where you can take in views of Santiago's skyline and the Andes mountains. After that, the rest of your day involves wandering through the city's colorful streets and looking at the local architecture.
Optional Activities
- Visit Jardín Japonés de la Amistad (Japanese Garden) in Metropolitan Park
- Stroll through colorful streets and explore Santiago's architecture
Landmarks Jardín Japonés de la Amistad Metropolitan Park - Day 5
Santiago to Puerto Natales
After flying to Punta Arenas, you'll board a bus for a scenic drive through southern Chile's Patagonian landscape. The journey takes you past endless steppe, turquoise lakes, and snow-capped mountains where you might spot guanacos and ostriches before arriving in Puerto Natales to settle in.
Included Activities
- Bus transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales through Patagonian landscape
Optional Activities
- Bus transfer from Santiago to airport (payable locally)
Landmarks Torres del Paine National Park - Day 6
Torres del Paine Hike
The Torres trail hike in Torres del Paine National Park covers about 18 kilometers total. You'll trek past rushing streams and scenic viewpoints, rest at Refugio Chileno, then make the steep final push to reach the Torres with views of towering peaks and turquoise lagoon before heading back to Puerto Natales.
Optional Activities
- Full-day hike on Mirador Base Torres trail (18 km total)
- Bus transport to and from Torres trailhead (payable locally)
Landmarks Torres del Paine Refugio Chileno - Day 7
Lago Grey and Grey Glacier
This morning you're heading to Lago Grey and Grey Glacier. You'll see the bright turquoise lake up to 500 meters deep with floating ice chunks from the glacier. Later, the Mirador Glacier Grey viewpoint gives dramatic glacier views, and then you'll experience the powerful Salot Grande waterfall with its intense wind.
Optional Activities
- Bus transport to Torres del Paine National Park (payable locally)
- View Lago Grey and Grey Glacier
- Visit Mirador Glacier Grey viewpoint
- Experience Salot Grande waterfall
Landmarks Lago Grey Grey Glacier Mirador Glacier Grey Salot Grande Waterfall - Day 8
Mirador Francés Hike
You'll take the bus and ferry across Lago Pehoé to access the Mirador Francés hike. The trek goes past wild nature with the Torres as your backdrop, along the shimmering Lago Skottsberg and up a steep final section. At the summit you'll see the Cuernos, Glaciar Francés, and the full Torres del Paine landscape.
Optional Activities
- Bus transport to Torres del Paine National Park (payable locally)
- Ferry crossing on Lago Pehoé (payable locally)
- Mirador Francés hike with views of Cuernos and Glaciar Francés
Landmarks Mirador Francés Lago Pehoé Lago Skottsberg Cuernos Glaciar Francés - Day 9
Puerto Natales to El Calafate
Leaving Puerto Natales, you'll cross the border into Argentina and arrive in El Calafate. After picking up your rental car at the airport, you'll head to your accommodation and then stroll Avenida del Libertador to explore shops, breweries, and restaurants before enjoying an Argentinian steak dinner.
Included Activities
- Bus transfer from Puerto Natales to El Calafate
- Rental car pickup at El Calafate airport
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurants on Avenida del Libertador
Landmarks Avenida del Libertador - Day 10
Perito Moreno Glacier
Driving through Los Glaciares National Park, you'll reach Perito Moreno Glacier. Walking to the glacier front, which is up to 5 kilometers wide and 70 meters high, you can see the blue ice glowing in the sunlight. If you're lucky, you might witness massive ice blocks crashing into the water below.
Optional Activities
- Full-day tour to Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park
Landmarks Perito Moreno Glacier Los Glaciares National Park - Day 11
El Calafate
Today you get to choose your own activities. You could explore the vast Patagonian landscape by car, visit Laguna Nimez Nature Park to see flamingos and migratory birds on a scenic circular trail, or try ziplining with views of Torres del Paine and the Fitz Roy mountain range. The evening is yours to decide where to eat.
Optional Activities
- Self-drive through Patagonian expanses (rental car payable locally if not already included)
- Visit Laguna Nimez Nature Park bird sanctuary (payable locally)
- Ziplining with views of wild nature and mountain ranges (payable locally)
Landmarks Laguna Nimez Nature Park Torres del Paine Fitz Roy Mountain - Day 12
El Calafate to El Chaltén
Driving your rental car through Patagonian landscapes with endless expanses, snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, and wildlife sightings, you'll arrive in El Chaltén. This charming town has wooden houses and Fitz Roy mountain towering over it. After settling in, you'll have dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities
- Rental car drive from El Calafate to El Chaltén
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurants in El Chaltén (payable locally)
Landmarks El Chaltén Fitz Roy - Day 13
Fitz Roy Hike
Starting one of Patagonia's most spectacular hikes to Fitz Roy, you'll reach your first viewpoint after about an hour. Continuing through pristine natural landscape and crossing small streams, after approximately four hours you'll arrive at Laguna de los Tres. The turquoise waters are surrounded by majestic mountains with Fitz Roy towering in the background.
Optional Activities
- Hike in El Chaltén to Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres
Landmarks Fitz Roy Laguna de los Tres Los Glaciares National Park - Day 14
El Chaltén to Buenos Aires
You'll drive back to the airport and drop off your rental car before flying to Buenos Aires. In the capital, you'll explore the elegant Recoleta district with its Parisian-style townhouses. You can check out El Ateneo Grand Splendid, one of the world's most beautiful bookshops in a former theater, and see the striking steel Floralis Genérica flower sculpture.
Included Activities
- Rental car return to El Calafate airport
Optional Activities
- City tour to must-sees of Buenos Aires
- Visit El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookshop
- View Floralis Genérica sculpture on Plaza de las Naciones
- Explore Recoleta district
Landmarks Recoleta District El Ateneo Grand Splendid Floralis Genérica Plaza de las Naciones - Day 15
Buenos Aires
The colorful La Boca district is your destination today, famous for its rainbow-colored house facades. You'll walk El Caminito and stop at restaurants and street stalls for empanadas and craft beer. Later, you'll experience Buenos Aires' tango culture by taking a dance class or learning the important steps and cultural background from locals before dancing the night away.
Optional Activities
- Explore La Boca district and El Caminito street
- Eat empanadas and craft beer at local stalls
- Tango night with locals - dance class or cultural explanation (payable locally)
Landmarks La Boca District El Caminito - Day 16
Buenos Aires
This morning you're finding the iconic obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio for a photo with the green 'BA' letters. You'll navigate the 16-lane avenue, one of the world's widest streets. Later, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes has free admission to see South American and European masterpieces, and you can visit historic Café Tortoni for coffee and churros before relaxing in Bosques de Palermo Park.
Included Activities
- Visit Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (free admission)
Optional Activities
- Photo at Obelisco on Avenida 9 de Julio
- Explore Avenida 9 de Julio (16-lane avenue)
- Visit Café Tortoni for coffee and churros
- Relax in Bosques de Palermo Park
Landmarks Obelisco Avenida 9 de Julio Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes Café Tortoni Bosques de Palermo Park - Day 17
Buenos Aires
Starting in San Telmo, Buenos Aires' historic heart, you'll explore art galleries, lively markets, cobbled alleyways, street art, and hip bars. You can try mate at Plaza Dorrego while soaking in the bustling atmosphere, then have lunch at a traditional parrilla steakhouse to experience the famous Argentinian asado barbecue.
Optional Activities
- Explore San Telmo district - galleries, markets, art, and bars
- Try mate at Plaza Dorrego
- Lunch at traditional parrilla steakhouse with Argentinian asado
Landmarks San Telmo District Plaza Dorrego - Day 18
Departure from Buenos Aires
You're heading to the airport today to say goodbye to Buenos Aires. As the plane departs, you'll reflect on your incredible South American adventure and all the unforgettable experiences from Chile to Argentina.
- Day 19
Arrival Home
Arriving home in the morning after your long flight, you'll rest and recover while reflecting on your incredible South American journey. Sharing your countless adventures with family and friends is a perfect way to wrap up this trip.
