Suitable For:  active travellers, but it only incorporates a few short hikes.  If you are fit enough to complete a gentle trek of about 2 hours duration over easy terrain, you will find this well within your ability.

Patagonia is an extremely vast and diverse region, with scenery ranging from dramatic mountains to flat barren pampa and expansive ice fields. This comprehensive tour will take us actively over the best known and most attractive natural areas of the Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia. We begin with a visit to Peninsula de Valdes, a true sanctuary of fauna and marine life that includes the renowned Magellanic penguin colony and Southern Right whales. 

Countless other species will be observed wherever we go within Patagonia. We continue to Tierra del Fuego, the archipelago that marks the end of the South American continent. Here we visit the scenic settlement of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, built on the Beagle Channel in front of the Fuegan Andes, and surrounded by vast areas of largely undisturbed and equally spectacular country side. 

Finally we end our time in Argentina visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world´s largest continental glaciers. Watching the giant ice blocks fall into Lago Argentino makes us feel very much like small and insignificant. 

Next we cross over the border into Chile to see the splendour of the Andes, with its gem - the Torres del Paine National Park. The towering spires of Torres del Paine is without doubt, one of the most impressive sights in the world. The dramatic mountains are surrounded by glaciers, lakes, fjords and ancient forests. The variety of wildlife is incredible, and you will see plenty of it.  The area offers some of the most magnificent trekking and nature sightseeing in the world.

 

Itinerary         Map

Day 1 Sunday: Buenos Aires
Reception at the airport in Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at a hotel.

Day 2 Mon: Buenos Aires- Trelew
Enjoy the morning in this busy city. In the evening we transfer to the airport and fly to Trelew. Overnight at a hotel in Trelew. (B)

Day 3 Tue: Peninsula de Valdes
Full day excursion on the Peninsula de Valdes. We will observe plenty of varied wildlife including: guanacos, rheas, foxes, armadillos and sea lions. An optional boat excursion can be arranged allowing observation of the Southern Right whales. Overnight at a hotel. (B, L)

Day 4 Wed: Punta Tombo
Full day excursion in Punta Tombo to see the largest breeding colony of Magellanic penguins. Easy walk to approach various bird colonies (kelp gulls, skuas, giant petrels, guanay cormorants, etc) that inhabit the area. Overnight at a hotel. (B, L)

Day 5 Thu: Trelew - Ushuaia
Transfer to airport and fly to Ushuaia. The rest of the day will be free to explore the southernmost city in the world. Overnight at a hotel / Inn in Ushuaia. (B)

Day 6 Fri: Tierra del Fuego National Park
We will spend the morning sailing in the Beagle Channel and the evening a short gentle trek in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. The main attractions here are beech forest and the variety of birds, such as the Magellanic woodpecker, Austral parakeets, thorn-tailed rayaditos, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean condors. Overnight at a hotel / Inn in Ushuaia. (B, L)

Day 7 Sat: Ushuaia- Calafate
We will spend another morning sailing in the Beagle Channel. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport and fly to El Calafate. Reception at El Calafate airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at a hosteria in El Calafate. (B)

Day 8 Sun: Trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier
Full day excursion into Los Glaciares National Park to visit the remarkable Perito Moreno glacier (3 miles long, 200 feet high). A motor boat will lead us towards the towering ice walls for an outstanding view. We land at the southwest shore of Lago Rico and start approaching the glacier. After some instructions crampons will be provided to start a short gentle hike (about 2 hrs.) over the glacier surface. Before coming back we spend some time observing and listening to the thunderous cracking of moving ice and of the colliding blocks in the calm water. Drive back to El Calafate to stay overnight at the Hosteria. (B, L)

Day 9 Mon: El Calafate - Torres del Paine NP
First thing in the morning we board the regular bus to the Chilean border. From here we drive to the famous Torres del Paine National Park (280 km/ 175 miles). We continue northwards until the trail descends to the foot of the Andes providing the first view of the Cuernos del Paine: twisted pillars of grey granite, dusted with snow and rising dramatically from the pastures into a sky full of billowing clouds. Dinner and overnight at Ecocamp Torres. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Tue: Torres del Paine National Park
Drive to Lake Grey’s southern end, then cross the hanging bridge onto Grey beach overlooking floating ice bergs and start walking gently over the Grey Peninsula to have a splendid view over the distant Grey Glacier. After lunch, drive back, pass La Administracion, and take a short hike (2hrs round trip) up to Mirador Pehoe to admire the most spectacular sight (weather permitting) over the Paine massif. Once at the shores of lake Pehoe we take another gentle walk to Salto Grande, a giant fall which pours the waters of lake Nordenskjold into lake Pehoe, and gain another splendid view over Paine Grande and Los Cuernos craggy mountain arising dramatically across the lake. Return to our Eco-camp to stay overnight (B, L, D)

Day 11 Wed: Torres del Paine National Park (Laguna Azul)
We drive to the eastern side of the park to Laguna Azul that enjoys a warm micro-climate where the sun often shines even when it is pouring with rain elsewhere in the park. Here we will gently walk in ancient beech forest with opportunities for spotting diverse birds. On a clear day it is possible to gain a distant view of the Paine Towers rising above the blue lagoon. The famous Torres del Paine (2900m / 9400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Dinner and overnight at Ecocamp Torres (B, L, D)

Note: Alternatively to suit your ability we are able to schedule a hard grade hike to the foot of the Towers, one of the park’s most popular sights. This trek, 18km/11mi (8 hrs round trip) requires a good physical condition.

Day 12 Thu: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas
Early transfer to Puerto Natales in time to connect with the regular bus to Punta Arenas (345 km/ 216miles /5hrs). Reception at Punta Arenas bus station and private transfer to hotel Cabo de Hornos or similar (B, L)

Day 13: Punta Arenas
Transfer to Punta Arenas airport in time to catch your flight connections back to Argentina or to your home country.

Group Size & Guiding Staff: 2 minimum / 18 maximum plus our staff. Guide to client ratio: 1/12.
 
Physical Demands: This is a tour that includes a few short hikes and is therefore designed for active travellers who love nature & wildlife. All trekking excursions are rated as easy / gentle, so as long as you are used to regular exercise you will be able to cope well with this. We can shorten the walks to suit your needs.

what some of our previous guests thought about it all

 

Dates: Private Tours only - any date for 2 people or more.

Price Indication Per Person:   USD1590 The internal and international flights are not included.

Internal Flights: As a guide the price should be in the range USD490 - USD590 for the flights - Buenos Aires / Trelew / Ushuaia / Calafate.

Single Supplement: USD 305

 
What is included
The cost covers all land transportation from the time we meet you in Buenos Aires on day 1 until we leave you at the Punta Arenas airport on day 13. Meals as indicated by the code (B, L, D). Accommodation on a sharing basis in very pleasant local inns / small hotels.  An Englsh speaking guide and all reserve / park fees.

What is Not included
The flight tickets for the internal flights in Argentina and Chile. International airfares. Meals unless indicated by the code (B, L, D).  Personal travel insurance. Visa fees (if required). Vaccination costs. Personal clothing and equipment. All items of a personal nature. All drinks, except those provided as part of a meal (i.e. not specially requested by you).

Airfare (From the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be in the range GBP590 - GBP700 for economy class.

Accommodation
In cities and towns nights will be spent in small and nice hotel inns. While in Torres del Paine National Park you will stay at our Eco-camp.

Extra services
We can also book and purchase for you at the best rates available the following additional services: Domestic flights, Hotel accommodation (3 to 5 star). Transfers in Santiago or any other city. Various activities (rafting, horse riding, hiking, etc) in other areas throughout Chile and Argentina.
 
Climate
In spring or early summer (southern hemisphere) fine weather may deteriorate almost without warning, bringing rain and sometimes snow. Even in summer (December to March) you should come prepared to combat cold / strong winds (up to 80 km/hr) and rain. The average temperature in summer is 11°/4C/ 52°/4F ( 24 °/4C max, 2°/4C min).