Patagonian Highlights

Say hola to Buenos Aires, where our adventure kicks off. The excitement builds during our welcome meeting, in which we get to know each other a little, discuss important information about the days ahead and ask any questions you might have. Details on where the welcome meeting is held should be at the hotel reception. After, we join the tour leader for an introductory walking tour of the city. The evening is free for you to visit one of the many excellent restaurants in the capital. Want more time to explore? Extend your adventure in Buenos Aires by adding a pre-tour hotel stay through your sales representative. Stay: Argenta Tower (or similar).

Fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate this morning and transfer (approximately three to four hours) to the small mountain town of El Chaltén. The town has a beautiful location in Los Glaciares National Park with breath-taking views of Mount Fitz Roy and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Stay: Hosteria Don Atilio (or similar) (B).

Set off for a day of trekking amid the incredible mountains and valleys of Los Glaciares National Park. We start with a hike to Mount Fitz Roy Base Camp with views of the massif ahead.

In the afternoon, we come out of the forest to trek up to Laguna de los Tres, a glacial lake whose still waters reflect the three main peaks of the range. This is a challenging full-day trek over fairly rough terrain with impressive, rugged scenery along the way. Please note: We also offer a moderate trek option, which takes in the scenic beauty of the park at a more leisurely pace. Stay: Hosteria Don Atilio (or similar) (B/L).

Today has been left free for you to enjoy an additional trek or an optional excursion in the area. In the late afternoon, we transfer (approximately three to four hours) back to El Calafate. Trekking option: 9mi (14km), six hours Stay: Hosteria Puerto San Julian (or similar) (B).

Visit Perito Moreno Glacier today, a jagged ice sheet that stretches more than 3mi (5km) across Lago Argentino and rises 200ft (61m) out of the cold waters. It is the fastest-moving glacier on the planet and the eerie creaks and thunderous groans add an atmosphere of anticipation. Every so often, an office block-sized chunk of ice calves from its face into the water below before slowly floating down the lake as an iceberg. An optional boat trip gives an even greater appreciation of the immense scale of this wonder. Stay: Hosteria Puerto San Julian (or similar) (B/D).

We spend a second day here to explore. Take a gentle walk along Lago Argentina to see birdlife (including flamingos), or a slightly more demanding hike for fantastic views over the Patagonian Steppe and towards the mountainous border with Chile. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to a local estancia (ranch) or to Todo Glaciares – this navigation includes Upsala Glacier, Bahia Onelli (where glacier pieces float in the water) and the Spegazzinni Glacier. Please ask your tour leader and they will help you to arrange it. Stay: Hosteria Puerto San Julian (or similar) (B).

After breakfast, we drive (approximately eight to nine hours) across the border into Chile before arriving at Torres del Paine, one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Please note, due to local regulations we must change buses at the border. We may have time after check-in for a short walk next to Laguna Amarga or Laguna Azul, which offer great panoramic views of the Paine Massif and the striking granite Horns of Paine. Stay: Hosteria Pehoe (or similar) (B/D).

Without a doubt, one of the park highlights is the hike up to the base of the Torres del Paine. The walk itself is beautiful, trekking primarily through forests along the Ascencio River valley. This is a challenging full-day trek and the last section is steep with rocky terrain, so you need a reasonably good level of fitness and confidence.

Adverse weather conditions can make this walk much harder; however, your tour leader will give a trek briefing and answer any questions you may have. Please note: We also offer a moderate trek option to take in the majesty of Torres del Paine National Park at a more leisurely pace. Once we finish the trek, we transfer (approximately two hours) to Puerto Natales. Stay: Hotel Lady Florence Dixie/Hotel Baquedano (or similar) (B/L).

Enjoy free time this morning before we transfer to the small town of Cerro Sombrero, in the northern reaches of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. The journey (seven to eight hours) takes us through dramatic scenery and includes a short ferry crossing over the Strait of Magellan – take plenty of snacks and drinks.

In the evening, enjoy dinner together at the hotel and relax before we visit the end of the world tomorrow! Stay: Hosteria Tunkelen (or similar) (B/D).

Hop into our private bus for the journey (approximately seven to eight hours) to Ushuaia, which (as the southernmost city on the planet) is often called ‘the end of the world'! Heading south, we see the most southerly part of the Andes before catching our first glimpses of Ushuaia. We should arrive at our hotel mid-afternoon, depending on weather conditions and traffic. Stay: Hotel Ushuaia (or similar) (B).

Spend this morning in the stark wilderness of Tierra del Fuego National Park, walking among varied terrain, flora and fauna.

In the afternoon, there is an optional boat ride along the Beagle Channel to see marine wildlife including penguins, sea lions and many species of water bird. We also enjoy fantastic views of Ushuaia and its backdrop of often snow-capped peaks as we head out on the boat. Please ask your tour leader and they will help you to arrange it. If you want more adventure, or prefer not to trek, you can join an optional half-day 4X4 excursion, which takes you deep into the wilds of Tierra del Fuego, where conventional transport would fail to reach, including the remote lakes of Fagnano and Escondido (please note, it is not possible to see penguins on this tour). Stay: Hotel Ushuaia (or similar) (B).

Depending upon the flight schedule, we may have free time this morning in Ushuaia. There are magnificent views from the hills leading up to the Martial Glacier and some small shops to pick up souvenirs. Ushuaia has just one museum, housed in the former prison, which is worth a visit. We fly back to Buenos Aires and usually arrive in time to visit one of the excellent tango shows in the old quarter of San Telmo (optional) or enjoy a last group meal together. Stay: Argenta Tower Retiro Hotel (or similar) (B).

The main adventure comes to an end today. Bid chau to each other and begin your return journey home. Alternatively, extend your exploration by joining our extension to the majestic Iguazu Falls or otherworldly landscapes of Salta. Speak to your sales representative to book (B).