Itinerary
- Day 1
Buenos Aires
You'll start in Buenos Aires with a welcome meeting at your hotel to connect with the group and hear about what's ahead. Your tour leader takes you on an introductory walk through the city afterward. The evening is yours to explore and grab dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting at hotel
- Introductory walking tour of Buenos Aires
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurants in Buenos Aires
- Pre-tour hotel stay extension in Buenos Aires
- Day 2
Buenos Aires to El Chaltén
This morning you fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, then take a bus about three to four hours to El Chaltén, a small mountain town in Los Glaciares National Park. You'll arrive with views of Mount Fitz Roy and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field surrounding you.
Landmarks/POIs Mount Fitz Roy Los Glaciares National Park Southern Patagonian Ice Field - Day 3
El Chaltén
You'll trek through Los Glaciares National Park today, starting with a hike to Mount Fitz Roy Base Camp for views of the massif. Later you'll trek to Laguna de los Tres, a glacial lake with reflections of three main peaks. It's a full-day trek over rough terrain. A moderate pace option is available if you prefer.
Included Activities
- Hike to Mount Fitz Roy Base Camp
- Trek to Laguna de los Tres
Optional Activities
- Moderate trek option in Los Glaciares National Park
Landmarks/POIs Mount Fitz Roy Base Camp Laguna de los Tres - Day 4
El Chaltén to El Calafate
This day is free for you to do another trek or join an optional excursion in the area. By late afternoon, you'll transfer back to El Calafate by bus, which takes about three to four hours.
Optional Activities
- Additional trek in Los Glaciares National Park (9 mi/14 km, six hours)
- Optional excursion in the area
- Day 5
El Calafate
You'll see Perito Moreno Glacier, a massive ice sheet that stretches over 3 miles across Lago Argentino and rises 200 feet from the water. It's the fastest-moving glacier on the planet, and you'll hear the ice cracking and groaning as chunks break off into the water. An optional boat trip lets you get closer to it.
Included Activities
- Visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
Optional Activities
- Boat trip on Lago Argentino near Perito Moreno Glacier
Landmarks/POIs Perito Moreno Glacier Lago Argentino - Day 6
El Calafate
Another day to explore the area. You can walk gently along Lago Argentino to see flamingos and other birds, or try a harder hike with views over the Patagonian Steppe toward Chile's border. Optional excursions include a local estancia or Todo Glaciares, which covers Upsala Glacier and other sites.
Optional Activities
- Gentle walk along Lago Argentino to see birdlife including flamingos
- More demanding hike over Patagonian Steppe with views towards Chile
- Optional excursion to local estancia (ranch)
- Optional Todo Glaciares excursion including Upsala Glacier, Bahia Onelli, and Spegazzinni Glacier
Landmarks/POIs Upsala Glacier Bahia Onelli Spegazzinni Glacier - Day 7
El Calafate to Torres del Paine
After breakfast, you'll drive across into Chile over about eight to nine hours to reach Torres del Paine National Park. You'll change buses at the border due to local rules. After settling in, there might be time for a short walk by Laguna Amarga or Laguna Azul with views of the Paine Massif and the granite Horns.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park
- Optional short walk next to Laguna Amarga or Laguna Azul
Landmarks/POIs Torres del Paine National Park Laguna Amarga Laguna Azul Paine Massif Horns of Paine - Day 8
Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales
Today's highlight is the trek to Torres del Paine base camp, a challenging full-day hike mainly through forests along the Ascencio River valley. The last section is steep and rocky, so you'll need good fitness and confidence. Your tour leader briefs you first. A moderate option exists if you prefer. After finishing, you transfer to Puerto Natales, about two hours away.
Included Activities
- Trek to Torres del Paine Base Camp
Optional Activities
- Moderate trek option in Torres del Paine National Park
Landmarks/POIs Torres del Paine Base Camp Ascencio River valley - Day 9
Puerto Natales to Cerro Sombrero
You have free time this morning before heading to Cerro Sombrero in Tierra del Fuego, which takes seven to eight hours through dramatic scenery and includes a short ferry crossing over the Strait of Magellan. Bring snacks and drinks for the journey. Later you'll have dinner at the hotel and rest up.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner together at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Strait of Magellan - Day 10
Cerro Sombrero to Ushuaia
You'll travel by private bus about seven to eight hours to Ushuaia, the southernmost city on the planet and often called 'the end of the world'. As you head south, you'll see the Andes at their most southerly point before catching your first views of Ushuaia. You should reach the hotel mid-afternoon depending on weather and traffic.
Landmarks/POIs Ushuaia - Day 11
Ushuaia
The morning takes you into Tierra del Fuego National Park for a walk through varied terrain with diverse plants and animals. In the afternoon, you'll choose between an optional boat ride on the Beagle Channel to see penguins, sea lions and water birds with Ushuaia's snow-capped peaks as backdrop, or a half-day 4X4 excursion into remote lakes and wilderness.
Included Activities
- Walk in Tierra del Fuego National Park
Optional Activities
- Boat ride along Beagle Channel to see marine wildlife including penguins, sea lions and water birds
- Half-day 4X4 excursion to remote lakes of Fagnano and Escondido
Landmarks/POIs Tierra del Fuego National Park Beagle Channel Lake Fagnano Lake Escondido - Day 12
Ushuaia to Buenos Aires
Depending on flight times, your morning might be free to hike toward the Martial Glacier for views, browse shops for souvenirs, or visit the museum in the former prison. Then you fly back to Buenos Aires, typically arriving in time for a tango show in San Telmo or a final group meal.
Optional Activities
- Explore hills leading up to Martial Glacier
- Browse shops for souvenirs in Ushuaia
- Visit Ushuaia museum (former prison)
- Tango show in San Telmo, Buenos Aires
- Last group meal in Buenos Aires
Landmarks/POIs Martial Glacier Ushuaia Museum San Telmo - Day 13
Buenos Aires
Your main adventure ends today. You'll say goodbye to your travel companions and start your journey home. If you want to stay longer in Buenos Aires, ask your sales representative about booking extra nights.
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Buenos Aires
