Buenos Aires to Southern Patagonia Adventure

Buenos Aires to Southern Patagonia Adventure

HIGHLIGHTS

Buenos Aires - Calafate - Chaltén - Ushuaia - Torres del Paine

from 4195 USD
HIGHLIGHTS

Buenos Aires - Calafate - Chaltén - Ushuaia - Torres del Paine

days 13
  • Hike the wild pathways of El Chaltén to reach amazing views of Mount Fitz Roy.
  • Canoe through the pristine waters of Tierra del Fuego.
  • Get up close to Perito Moreno Glacier.
  • Cross the border into Chile and visit Torres del Paine National Park and Punta Arenas.
  • The best time to travel from Buenos Aires to Southern Patagonia is from October to April.
  Southern Patagonia features once-in-a-lifetime adventures for everyone! Start our 14-day itinerary discovering the history of tango and the most beautiful neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and then travel to the most famous destinations of southern Argentina and Chile

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Itinerary
Day 1

Welcome to Your Adventure Trip to Patagonia - Start in Buenos Aires

Pink house in Buenos Aires

 

  • Transfer from the airport to your hotel – Day at leisure

Upon arrival, we will drive you to the city and you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy Buenos Aires at your own pace. Buenos Aires is a marvelous, energetic, cosmopolitan city, full of color and different styles of architecture.

The capital of Argentina, and described as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires proudly embraces its title, and also shows off plenty of its own culture! Argentinians are usually eager to host visitors; if you walk the streets with a map, someone will surely stop and ask if you need directions…that’s just our spirit! 

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • Our recommendations for your first day in Buenos Aires

Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, che! (“che” means “guy” in Argentina). For this first day, feel free to wander the cobblestone streets lined with outdoor cafes, enjoy the mouthwatering aroma of world-famous Argentine beef sizzling on an open parrilla (barbeque), and browse the local antique and artisan markets that offer plenty of bargain shopping.

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Pink house in Buenos Aires
Day 2

City Tour and Tango Show - Buenos Aires

Tango in Buenos Aires

 

  • Half-day city tour through Buenos Aires

In the morning we will pick you up from your hotel to enjoy our 5-hour Buenos Aires city tour—you will be swept away by the highlights of our beloved Buenos Aires! Over the course of a half-day, you will have the chance to visit the historical and political center of the city; Plaza de Mayo, and the Pink House (the presidential house).

Next, we’ll move on to San Telmo, with its cobblestone streets and the oldest residential neighborhood, and then to La Boca where Buenos Aires turns colorful and tango is ever-present. Come walk Caminito Street and dance with the locals. The next stop is the chic and aristocratic Recoleta, where the big palaces remind us why Buenos Aires is called the “Paris of the South”.

 

  • Dinner and tango show 

In the evening we’ll pick you up from your hotel to take you to a mystical place where you’ll discover one of our most ancient traditions. Tango is more than our national dance… tango is our immigrant origins, the talent of our local artists, the sensuality of Argentine women, and our way of dealing with a broken heart; dancing our way through tragic, and yet eternal, love stories.

Tonight you will enjoy a 3-hour professional display of tango and music with a group of local artists on stage immersed in an elegant and alluring place. The manners, ambiance, clothes, and dance steps that tango lovers used to practice 100 years ago will come to life again and you will travel back in time for a night.

This spectacular tango show in Buenos Aires will be accompanied by delicious Argentine and international cuisine. Dinner is all-inclusive, beverages included so you can lose yourself in the ethereal taste of Malbec wine. At the end of the evening, around midnight, you will be driven back to your hotel, fully in love with the bohemian spirit of our incredible city.

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • What you need to know about tango culture in Buenos Aires

Tango is, all in all, a cultural experience that’s deeply rooted in Argentine hearts. Where do regular people go dancing tango? There are an immense number of dance halls or milongas in Buenos Aires. Some of our favorites are La Viruta -beginner-friendly- and Salon Canning -with more advanced clientele- in the Palermo neighborhood. Tango has evolved a big deal in the past years, and now there are also LGBT milongas that encourage a most inclusive practice. 

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Tango in Buenos Aires
Day 3

Start Your Adventure Trip to Patagonia - El Calafate

view of perito moreno glacier in el calafate

 

  • Transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires airport

Today, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport to take your flight to El Calafate, where your adventure tours in Patagonia begin. 

 

  • Transfer from El Calafate airport to your hotel in the city – Day at leisure

Upon arrival, we will bring you to your hotel and have the remainder of your day to relax or explore the surroundings.

El Calafate is a starting point for adventure-seeking travelers who chance to unearth the most spellbinding natural wonders of Patagonia, like the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the only glaciers in the world that’s still advancing. Though it’s not the only glacier in the area, it’s the one that made the city of El Calafate famous worldwide. For many years now, El Calafate has been considered the capital of the glaciers.

Located at the shore of Lago Argentino (the southernmost, largest Patagonian lake). It’s also home to the Spegazzini Glacier, which forms the natural border between Argentina and Chile, and the Upsala Glacier, named Glaciar del Gigante (Giant’s Glacier). It’s the biggest glacier that sits at the mouth of Lake Argentino.

But there is much more to see in El Calafate than glaciers. Make the most of your free day and discover other secret gems of the region.

 

Say Hueque Tips 

  • Our recommended activities in El Calafate for your free day.

Glaciers are the main attractions that you can visit via hiking or a boat ride, but you have a lot more to discover about Argentine rural culture. On your free day, you can visit a typical Patagonian finca (ranch) and learn all about  Argentine rural culture, and the traditions of the gaucho (cowboy), and enjoy a great asado (barbecue).

If you feel like exploring a bit on your own today, you can visit Laguna Nimez, a nearby nature reserve where pink flamingos – and many other native species – roam freely!

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view of perito moreno glacier in el calafate
Day 4

Perito Moreno Glacier Tour - El Calafate

Beautiful view at Perito Moreno Glacier

 

  • Perito Moreno Glacier tour, meet the icy giant of Patagonia

During the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Glaciers National Park to enjoy your first adventure tour in Patagonia, a 6-hour visit to Perito Moreno Glacier. 

You will travel about 25 miles from El Calafate to the park, enjoying the views of the Patagonian steppe. Once inside the park, you will take walkways to explore the different viewpoints, and you’ll feel unbelievably close to Perito Moreno Glacier. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a piece of ice break off and fall from the glacier wall, sinking forever into the lake below.

 Over the course of about one hour, a bilingual guide will provide you with all the information you might want to know…and things you may have never thought about. After this visit, you will take a boat ride that will bring you close enough to fully appreciate the 262-foot ice walls of Perito Moreno! You’ll never feel closer to this gigantic and impressive natural masterpiece. At the end of the day, we will drive you back to your hotel.  

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • Walk over the Big Ice.

Have you ever imagined walking across the surface of a glacier? Well, this is your chance! The Mini Trekking tour will allow you to trek on Perito Moreno Glacier… This is one of our favorite Patagonia outings; we’re sure you won’t regret it.  This is an optional excursion you can add to this day.

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Beautiful view at Perito Moreno Glacier
Day 5

Adventure Tours in Patagonia - Hiking in El Chaltén

El Chalten - Running

 

  • Transfer from El Calafate to El Chaltén – Day at leisure

Today, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and start a 3-hour trip to El Chaltén, the ‘Trekking Capital of Argentina’, and the hubs of adventure outings in Patagonia. You’ll travel along the famous Route 40, surrounded by the Patagonian steppe, and pass through La Leona River, which connects Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma, and where you’ll get to see La Leona Roadhouse, where the famous thieves Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid for a while. After discovering some other gems along your journey, you’ll reach El Chaltén and we’ll drop you off at your hotel.

El Chaltén is the top-rated hiking destination in Argentina. This charming little village sits at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy and it’s surrounded by glaciers, lakes, rivers, and forests. It’s also the jumping-off point for most hiking trails in the area. A paradise for sunny walkers and trekkers alike. Enjoy your first afternoon of leisure in Patagonia by relaxing in the local brewery or strolling around a little waterfall…

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • What you must bring to El Chaltén?

This is a little village, so we recommend that you take cash with you since ATMs are not usual, and the few they may be, could be out of order.  It’s better to be prepared! Though credit cards are accepted in Argentina, few grocery stores or restaurants may accept only cash.

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El Chalten - Running
Day 6

Hiking in Chalten - Mountains and lakes, self-guided

el-chalten-laguna-de-los-tres-full-day-trekking

 

  • Optional hikes – Cerro Torre viewpoint and Laguna de los Tres

Today, be prepared for an exciting journey into the wild. El Chaltén offers a wide range of hiking paths with varied difficulties. You can choose where and when to go since paths are self-guided and very well-marked and maintained.

From the main door of your hotel, you can go for an easy 2-mile walk to Cerro Torre viewpoint — it will only take you around 1 hour. Enjoy the sounds of Rio de las Vueltas, take in some amazing views of the Lenga forest, and be prepared to see all kinds of birds — this is a great woodpecker-spotting opportunity! 

For true hiking lovers, our next hiking favorite is Laguna de los Tres and the base of Mount Fitz Roy. Go for a medium-difficulty, 9-hour hike to the most impressive views of Rio de Las Vueltas Valley. You’ll cross Del Salto Stream, with its icy waters cradled by orange-tinted rocks that frame the breathtaking views of Mount Fitz Roy. And here’s a little secret: You can also reach Laguna Sucia from Laguna de los Tres… It’s only a 5-minute walk away.

Though this hike increases in intensity during the last bit, it’s totally worth it. This is one of the best day hikes in the world!  

 

Say Hueque Tips 

Seize the day, wake up early, and watch the sunrise at Laguna de los Tres  (see Mount Fitz Roy’s peaks turning red) — A true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can depart from the town of El Chaltén during the night or stay one night at Poincenot campsite, just 1 hour away from Laguna de los Tres.

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el-chalten-laguna-de-los-tres-full-day-trekking
Day 7

Travel Back to El Calafate

El Chalten mountain with hiking trails

 

  • Optional hikes – El Chorrillo del Salto

Enjoy an early walk around town or a quick hike this morning. We recommend that you walk to El Chorrillo del Salto, 1 hour away from the village, and reach its little waterfall encircled by native trees and flora, like the Patagonian Orchid.

 

  • Transfer from El Chaltén to El Calafate

Bear in mind that in the afternoon you will board your bus back to El Calafate, so you need to be back in time. The 3-hour drive back will be a good opportunity to relax while enjoying the passing landscapes out your window. Once you arrive in El Calafate, the bus will drop you off at your hotel. 

 

Say Hueque Tips

  •  What do you need to taste in El Calafate?

Now is your chance to try some tender Patagonian Lamb or maybe heavenly Calafate ice cream. In Calafate, food options are varied and plentiful; from veggie delicacies to the best demonstration of national steaks, there really is something for everyone. You can choose a fancy restaurant for dinner, or a more traditional local tavern to spend an unforgettable night. If you want to try some creamy Patagonian craft beer all you have to say is: “Una birra por favor!” ¡Salud! (Cheers!)

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El Chalten mountain with hiking trails
Day 8

Bus to Puerto Natales - Chile

hiker in Torres del Paine Viewpoint

 

  • Cross to Chile on a bus

In the morning, you will make your way to the bus station to take your bus to Puerto Natales. Most hotels are within walking distance of the bus terminal, but if you prefer to take a taxi, it may cost roughly US$ 5/7.

After this 5-hour-long trip, you will have crossed hundreds of kilometers of beautiful Patagonian steppe dramatically situated between the mountains. Once you arrive in Puerto Natales, the guardian Milodon statue (the last ground sloth that walked the Earth 5000 years ago) will wave its bronze hand at the entrance of this picturesque town, the gateway of the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. 

Upon arrival at the bus station, you will make your way to your hotel and will have time to get ready for your bike tour to explore the city.

 

  • Discover Puerto Natales on a bike city tour

Make your own way to the meeting point where the bike tour will start. After your guide briefs you on technical and safety tips, start riding through Puerto Natale’s historic sites. Take the way through the brand new waterfront, Braun Blanchard pier, and the famous Arturo Prat main square and dig into the culture of this port city, the capital of Ultima Esperanza province in Chile. Return to the starting place and make your own way to your accommodation in Puerto Natales.

 

 

Say Hueque Tips

Today you are crossing the border into Chile. Please make sure you have your passport. You are not allowed to take any fresh food, plants, seeds, etc. into Chile either. If you are not sure if something is allowed or not, please declare it (they will provide you with a form) and they will inform you if you can carry it or not.

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hiker in Torres del Paine Viewpoint
Day 9

Visit Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine - Base torres

 

  • Discover Torres del Paine National Park

A roundtrip tour to the famous Torres del Paine National Park is set for this day! We will pick you up from your hotel in Puerto Natales to first visit the Milodón Cave, located 15 miles north of Puerto Natales. Pass by La Silla del Diablo (the Devil’s chair), a rock formation and the “seat” of the Milodón as folksy tales say.

Continue the tour to Torres del Paine National Park through a plethora of stunning sceneries and a massif composed of numerous breathtaking lagoons and mountains. Reach the Grey Lake viewpoint, and then enjoy a pleasant walk along the lake’s shore. You will have some free time to enjoy lunch at Grey Hotel’s restaurant.

The last part of this tour includes a visit to Salto Grande, an 18-meter (46-foot) cascade of turquoise waters, and the viewpoint of Nordenskjold Lake. Then, we will take you back to your hotel in Puerto Natales passing by the Mirador del Lago Sarmiento, arriving at dusk.

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Torres del Paine - Base torres
Day 10

Bus to Punta Arenas - Chile

Punta Arenas - City

 

  • Take a bus to Punta Arenas 

Make your way to the bus station in Puerto Natales and take a 3-hour bus to Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chile. 

Located on the Magellanic Strait, it is the leading port for Antarctic cruises and scientific research. Before the construction of the Panama Canal, Punta Arenas was the most important maritime crossroad between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. 

Thus, the city grew as a commercial center surrounded by European-style buildings. Its colorful houses, standing out from a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, are a sight for sore eyes. 

Upon arrival at Punta Arena’s Bus Station, make your way to your accommodation and get ready to enjoy your first tour.

 

  • Visit two islands and spot penguins

We’ll pick you up from your hotel and then take you to the pier to sail the Strait of Magellan towards Magdalena and Marta Islands. 

Travel 45 minutes in speedboats and reach Isla Magdalena where more than 120,000 penguins land each year. Explore one of the largest Magellan Penguin colonies in South America for 1 hour.

Continue the journey to Marta Island where sea lions, imperial cormorants, Antarctic Terns, and hundreds of Dolphin Gull await.  

If we are lucky we can also see Southern Dolphins, Piebald Dolphins, and Sei Whales. Finally, return to the pier and be transferred to your hotel in Punta Arenas.

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Punta Arenas - City
Day 11

Take a Bus to Ushuaia - Argentina

Ushuaia - Beagle Channel

 

  • Bus to Ushuaia, Argentina

In the early morning, you will get to the bus station to embark on a full-day bus trip to Ushuaia to continue with your adventurous tours through incredible Patagonia. Take into account that you’ll be crossing borders again today!

This is a 12-hour trip in a comfortable bus, equipped with reclining seats, where you’ll cross the Patagonian steppe. Look out the window and you’ll see yellow and green grasslands with Chilean gauchos riding into the wild and grazing unbothered sheep until you reach the ferry crossing. It will take around 45 minutes to cross the mythical Strait of Magellan and hit the road again to cross the Chilean border, finally entering Tierra del Fuego Island on Argentine soil. 

As the famous end-of-the-world city approaches, grazing sheep will turn into wild guanacos and horses, with snow-capped mountains and evergreen woods arising at the entrance to Ushuaia. Once you get your “Southernmost City” passport stamp, you’ll realize that this intrepid journey through remote Patagonian roads was worth it.

Upon arrival in Ushuaia, you will journey to your hotel (taxis to and from the bus station should cost less than $10 US dollars). Ushuaia is a small town, and it is really easy to get around on foot. The Yamanas, the region’s first inhabitants, first called the area ‘Ushuaia’, which means “protected bay” in their language. Ushuaia was officially incorporated into the Republic of Argentina in 1884, and it soon became a penal colony, to establish a permanent Argentine settlement.

Take the afternoon to explore the town, learn about the region’s rich history at the Prisoners’ Museum, or visit the Galleria of Fuegian History (it has a lovely restaurant as well!). Please, don’t forget the local gastronomy! Ushuaia has the best seafood in Argentina.    

 

Say Hueque Tips

This bus trip allows you to see the landscape of other, lesser-known parts of Chile and will give you a much more complete perspective of the area. However, we understand that it is a long journey, and can be a very tiring day. For an additional cost, you can choose a less adventurous option; from Torres del Paine, you can drive back to El Calafate and then fly to Ushuaia.

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Ushuaia - Beagle Channel
Day 12

Trekking and Paddling in Patagonia - Ushuaia

hikers in Ushuaia’s national park

 

  • Discover Tierra del Fuego National Park wildlands

Today we’ll pick you up for a 10-hour, moderate-difficulty, adventure tour in Tierra del Fuego National Park, one of the highlights of Patagonia. The National Park is just 7.4 miles away from the city and borders the shore of the Beagle Channel, the famous channel discovered by Charles Darwin during his trip to Patagonia in 1883.

Once at Ensenada Bay, you will have time to enjoy the view over the Beagle Channel before you start hiking along the coast. Four miles of trail await you, where you’ll discover native flora, wild fauna, and the remains left by the Yamanas, the native inhabitants of the area. After this 3-hour hike, you will reach Lake Roca, where lunch will be served.

After a full homemade picnic, you will start the second part of this adventure. Take your oar and plunge into a 1hr 30min canoeing trip along the Lapataia River (only available for children over 5 years old). Make it all the way to Lapataia Bay, where the Panamerican Highway and National Route 3 ends at an awe-inspiring landscape.

After discovering the unique vastness of this stunning setting, we’ll take you back to your hotel to rest and prepare to enjoy the evening. This is your last adventure tour in Patagonia.

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hikers in Ushuaia’s national park
Day 13

Beagle Channel Cruise - Travel back to Buenos Aires

Ushuaia-Lighthouse Beagle Channel

 

  • Tour Ushuaia’s famous islands while sailing the Beagle Channel

Make your way to the pier (located downtown) to embark on a 4-hour Beagle Channel navigation on a fully equipped boat with a capacity for up to 26 people. Argentina standing at your left and Chile at your right, you’ll sail this natural border until you reach the iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, which is still in operation.

On the way, enjoy uplifting panoramic views of Ushuaia Bay, crowned by the Martial Glacier’s diverse marine wildlife, such as cormorants (flying birds, closely related to penguins) and seals. Hop off on Bridges Island to explore its vegetation and visit the archeological remains of the Yámanas while accompanied by a specialized bilingual guide. 

During the trip, enjoy bottomless hot cocoa and cookies, or try the mate (loose herbal tea), which is every Argentinian’s favorite drink.  Once we get back to the port, you’ll make your way back to your hotel.

 

  • Transfer from your hotel to Ushuaia Airport / Buenos Aires Airport to your hotel 

Your adventure tours to Patagonia finish today. At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the airport to take your flight to Buenos Aires where we’ll be waiting to take you to your hotel. Enjoy your last evening sipping a fernet and coke (classic Argentine cocktail) in one of the many bars of Palermo Soho, eating a pizza in one of the traditional pizza parlors of Corrientes Ave. or dancing tango in a traditional milonga (tango house) where you can mingle with some locals!

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • Have you ever walked amongst penguins?

If not, Ushuaia is your chance to fulfill that wanderlust dream…you can switch the Beagle Navigation to take the Magellanic Penguin Rookery tour on Martillo Island (from October to April at an additional cost) or add one day in Ushuaia to make both. At Martillo Island, you will also see a very rare type of penguin only found in Antarctica: the yellow-crested penguin.

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Ushuaia-Lighthouse Beagle Channel
Day 14

The End of Your Adventure Trip to Patagonia

Buenos Aires Obelisco

 

  • Transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires airport 

At the appropriate time, we’ll drive you to the international airport where you’ll take your flight back home, ¡buen viaje! (Good trip!).

Check out these Argentina trips, and keep traveling in South America

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Buenos Aires Obelisco
Prices per person
Accomodation INN & B&B
From

4195 USD

Accomodation Comfort
From

4715 USD

Accomodation Superior
From

5315 USD

Accomodation Luxury
pricing
  • Prices in US Dollars.
  • Valid until April 2025 (ask for prices at Christmas and New Year).
  • Prices are per person, based on 2 people in double occupancy. Single rates are available on request.
  • Flights are not included in the price but can be arranged on request.
included
  • 3-night accommodation in a hotel (Buenos Aires)
  • 3-night accommodation in a hotel (El Calafate)
  • 2-night accommodation in a hotel (El Chaltén)
  • 2-night accommodation in a hotel (Puerto Natales, Chile)
  • 1-night accommodation in a hotel (Punta Arenas)
  • 2-night accommodation in a hotel (Ushuaia)
  • Transfers and tours mentioned in the itinerary
  • Round trip bus El Calafate / El Chalten / El Calafate
  • One-way bus El Calafate/ Puerto Natales
  • One-way bus Puerto Natales/ Punta Arenas
  • One-way bus Punta Arenas/ Ushuaia
  • Bilingual local guide (English / Spanish)
  • Daily breakfast
  • Meals: Snacks and dinner (day 2), boxed lunch (day 9), lunch (day 12)
  • Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee.
not included
  • International or domestic flights
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Port tax 
  • Travel / Medical Insurance – Follow this link to get a free quote (only available for U.S. Travelers)
  • Guides during your days in El Chaltén are not included as the trails are well-marked. However, if you would like to be accompanied by a guide, please let us know at the time of booking and we will advise you of the additional cost.
Flights needed for this itinerary

plane-icon Buenos Aires ­– Calafate – Ushuaia – Buenos Aires

ESTIMATED COST FOR THE FLIGHTS ON THIS TRIP: Local flights cost from $150 per person per segment. We offer special rates on flights for this tailor-made itinerary.

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This is a Carbon Neutral Trip

We deeply care about our planet, just like you do. When you book with us, you’re not only fulfilling your travel dreams but also leaving a positive impact on the destination you’re about to discover. We are proud to plant 10 trees in damaged zones of Patagonia for every traveler. It feels good to do it right. Let’s move beyond sustainable!

Buenos Aires to Southern Patagonia Adventure
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