Argentine & Chilean Patagonia

Argentine & Chilean Patagonia

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  • Tour Perito Moreno’s majestic glacier, discover Torres del Paine National Park, and cruise the scenic lakes of Argentina and Chile.
  • Depart from bustling Buenos Aires to the peaceful lakeside town of Bariloche, and then make the beautiful journey to Puerto Varas in Chile.
  • Best time to travel: From October to April
 

On this Patagonia adventure trip to Chile and Argentina, you will travel from the glacial lands of Argentina to the Chilean fjords. Enjoy views of the Andes Mountains and huge volcanoes. Finally, return to Argentina and conclude your Patagonian adventure in Ushuaia, Antarctica's northern neighbor.

Itinerary

Travel to Chile & Argentina
First stop, 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.

Day1

Buenos Aires city tour & tango show

 

  • 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 to deal 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 which 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 have 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 to dance tango? There are an immense number of dance halls or milongas in Buenos Aires. Some of our favorites are La Viruta -beginners friendly- and Salon Canning -with more advanced clientele- in Palermo neighbourhood. Tango has evolved a big deal in the past years, and now there are also LGBT milongas that encourage a most inclusive practice. 

Day2

Travel to Chilean Patagonia and Argentina
Bariloche

 

  • Transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires airport

It’s time to fly to the Lake District, the stunning start to your Patagonia adventure trip in Argentina and Chile. We’ll drive you to the domestic airport where you’ll take a short, 3-hour flight to Bariloche.

 

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

Upon arrival, we’ll drive you to your hotel. Enjoy your free day in the city! Bariloche sits on the southern coast of Nahuel Huapi, a glacier-water lake with enthralling islands and beaches.

Hills and mountains framing the area allow visitors to enjoy all sorts of hiking trails and winter sports (Cerro Catedral is home to the biggest ski slopes in South America), as well as some mesmerizing views of the natural wonders of Patagonia. This region has it all — horseback riding through the Patagonian steppe, navigations through pristine blue-green waters, and the most mouthwatering chocolate in the country!

 

Say Hueque Tips

Our recommended activities for your free day in Bariloche:

  • If you want to check out some free activities around the area, you can wander the “Centro Cívico” where, among other things, people take a traditional photo with the cutest Saint Bernard dogs.
  • Taking a walk along the Nahuel Huapi lakeshore wouldn’t be a bad choice either, especially if it’s followed by a yummy visit to one of the many chocolate factories in the city. Who says that adventure has nothing to do with gastronomy? Not us!
Day3

Discover history and nature of Argentinian Patagonia
Bariloche

 

  • Full-day visit, history and nature of Bariloche

This morning, we’ll pick you up from your hotel to start one of the most famous and traditional visits to the Lake District. For around 6 hours you will tour the area in an active way, and your guide will be constantly focused on sharing the vast history of the area and the most relevant facts about the natural heritage of Bariloche.

You will visit Campanario Hill, considered by National Geographic to be the 8th-best view in the world, and one of the most visited places here—1500 people go to enjoy the view every day. Our guides are local experts and know the perfect time to visit. They will bring you there before the crowds swarm, so that you can have a close-up and intimate experience.

Other fabled places you will visit include Nahuel Huapi and the mild waters of Moreno Lake, Lopez and Capilla mountains, and the world-renowned Llao-Llao Hotel. Get ready to walk between millenary arrayanes trees on a nature-oriented outing through the impressive forest in the Llao-Llao Nature Park.

After filling your lungs with the refreshing air of the forest, you’ll enjoy your boxed lunch, and at the end of the day we’ll take you back to your hotel.

Day4

Day at leisure
Bariloche

 

  • Optional tours – Rafting in Manso River

For your day at leisure in Bariloche, we recommend that you take an optional outing to go Rafting down Manso River inside Nahuel Huapi National Park.

We will drive you along National Route 40 (the legendary road which extends from the North to South of Argentina) to enjoy some scenic views, passing by lakes Gutierrez, Mascardi and Guillelmo. At one stop, we’ll enter the land of a Native American Mapuche Community to share breakfast (maté or tea, and homemade fried bread and marmalade) and learn about their unique culture and traditions; a truly immersive and personal experience. 

From there we will start our rafting adventure, cruising down Manso River on its emerald waters. For about 1 hour, you’ll navigate your way through some medium-intensity rapids with the backdrop of this fairy-tale valley. Depending on the weather, you may be able to take a relaxing swim!

On our way back, we’ll stop to have lunch in the historic restaurant, El Viejo Almacén. After this 10-hour experience, we’ll drive you back to Bariloche.

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • Age restriction for this tour

This tour is only available for children over 10 years old. If you are traveling with younger children, we recommend that you visit Playa Bonita, on km 8 of Av. Bustillo (there are public buses leaving from downtown every twenty minutes). During summer months, on hot days, it gets full up with families and brave people who jump into the cold waters of Nahuel Huapi!

Day5

Adventure trip to Chilean Patagonia
Cruise and lake crossing

 

  • From Argentine to Chilean Patagonia – Full-day lake crossing

Time to cross borders and step into Chile, the land of the fjords! This is an 11-hour trip in which you’ll travel from Argentina to Chile in a different way, and have a day full of immersion into the beautiful landscapes of the Patagonian Lakes and relaxing navigations.

You’ll depart from your hotel in Bariloche by bus early in the morning to travel to Puerto Pañuelo, where you’ll embark on the first boat of the day. You’ll sail Nahuel Huapi Lake and reach Puerto Blest on a 1-hour navigation through beautiful woods and snow-capped mountains that surround the shore.

Who were the first men to embark on this adventurous journey? On the way, your local guide will reveal their history and other interesting facts about the vegetation and wildlife of the area.

From Puerto Blest, take a bus to Puerto Alegre where you’ll embark on your second boat of the day, crossing Lake Frías, with Mount Tronador as an amazing backdrop, to reach Puerto Frías, where you’ll finally cross borders into Chile.

Then, take a 2-hour bus passing by the legendary Andes Mountain Range to Pehulla, a beautiful eco-village where we’ll stop to have lunch before taking our last navigation of the day.

For the last part of the journey, explore the Todos Los Santos Lake (which stretches between Pehulla and Petrohúe), during a 2-hour navigation where you may see, weather permitting, the forbidding Puntiagudo and Osorno volcanoes.

Once in Petrohué, we’ll take you on a 3-hour bus trip, passing by Llanquihue Lake, the second-largest lake in Chile (and this is a land full of lakes), to Puerto Varas where we’ll drop you at your hotel.

Day6

Welcome to Chile!
Puerto Varas

 

  • Day at leisure in Puerto Varas

This is your day at leisure in Puerto Varas, the gateway city to the Chilean Lake District, which faces the great Osorno Volcano and is better known as the “City of Roses”.

This beautiful lakeside, first inhabited by Germans, has kept most of its traditional architecture; wooden houses, alerce trees and German Jesuit churches can be seen all over the place, as well as rose bushes covering every street.

The gastronomy of Puerto Varas is something to savor while staying in this city. Taste the “Kuchen” pie, a traditional dish of the first German immigrants, the homemade marmalades (Puerto Varas is famous for their blueberry-production!), and the best-smoked salmon fish.

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • What to do on your day at leisure in Puerto Varas?

Puerto Varas offers a wide variety of adventure outings, from hikes in the Llanquihue Reserve to kayaking in Petoué River, and our favorite, a visit to the Osorno Volcano sky center. Enjoy a warm coffee while admiring the magnificent Osorno Volcano Summit, and visit a famous brewery on your way back. Contact us to add this optional day tour to your travel itinerary!

Day7

Continue your Patagonia adventure trip
Puerto Natales

 

  • Transfer from your hotel to Puerto Montt airport and transfer to Puerto Natales.

Today we’ll drive you from your hotel to Puerto Montt airport to take your flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, we’ll be waiting to take you on a 1-hour trip to Puerto Natales, where you’ll spend the night.

Puerto Natales is the gateway city to the famous Torres del Paine National Park, which you’ll visit the next day! In the meantime, wander around the Last Hope Sound coastline, or just relax in one of the little cafés in town while admiring its patchworked facade of colorful houses.

Day8

Trip adventure in Chilean Patagonia
Torres Del Paine

 

  • Full-day trip to Torres del Paine National Park

Today we’ll pick you up really early at your hotel to take you to the first stop of this 10-hour adventurous trip: Milodon Cave. This natural monument, located 15 miles north of town, is composed of three caverns and a rocky conglomerate called Silla del Diablo (Devil’s chair), due to its chair-like shape.

Before getting to the cave, we will pass by La Silla del Diablo and learn about its mysterious legend…a story told by the oldest man in Patagonia who believed that the Devil appeared to those who came to look for him on dark nights.

We’ll keep on traveling to Torres del Paine National Park, and on the way, you’ll get to see Sofia Lagoon, Prat Range, Porteño Lake, and the stunning Grey Lake viewpoint. You’ll go over Serrano Bridge and continue to Grey Lake sector, where you’ll have time to walk along the shore. Once you go back to the parking lot, we’ll take you to a restaurant to rest and have lunch (lunch is not included in our service).

After lunch, we’ll head to Salto Grande sector. You’ll visit the Nordenskjold Lake viewpoint before continuing on a sinuous route to Amarga Lagoon area. We’ll also make a stop at Paine’s turquoise waterfall, whose waters come directly from Paine River.

Heading back to Puerto Natales, we’ll stop at Sarmiento Lake viewpoint to take one last picture of the stunning Torres del Paine.

Day9

Day at leisure in Puerto Natales

 

  • Optional activities – Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Boat Trip

Since we’re true nature and travel lovers, we think that the best way to enjoy this day will be by taking an adventure tour to explore your surroundings. Does that sound good? If so, we absolutely recommend that you add the optional “Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Boat Trip” tour to your travel itinerary, and enjoy a 9-hour sail through the Patagonian fjords in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park to spot hidden waterfalls, sea lions, and the Balmaceda Glacier. A 1-hour hike to the base of Serrano Glacier and a hearty lunch at a beautiful ranch will be included too!

If you would like to add on this tour for your free day, just let your travel advisor know.

 

Day10

Continue exploring Chilean and Argentine Patagonia
El Calafate

 

  • Bus to El Calafate – Day at leisure

Today, get prepared to take a 5-hour bus ride to El Calafate. To get to the bus station, a taxi will cost you roughly $6/8 USD. We highly recommend being ready half-an-hour before the departure time at the bus terminal. Once you arrive at the bus station in El Calafate, you will make your way to your hotel.

El Calafate is the starting point for adventure travelers who desire to unearth the most spellbinding natural wonders of Patagonia, like the Perito Moreno Glacier, the only glacier 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. 

 

Say Hueque Tips

  • Visit Laguna Nimez

If you want to know more about El Calafate, take a look to our Calafate Travel Guide to find some more practical information about the city. Our advice: if you feel like exploring a bit on your own, go on the half-a-mile hike to Laguna Nimez for a beautiful Patagonian sunset.

Day11

Perito Moreno Glacier tour

 

  • 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 the 6-hour Perito Moreno Glacier tour.  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.

Day12

Day at leisure in El Calafate

 

  • Optional tour to a Patagonian ranch

El Calafate has much more to offer than just its magnificent glaciers… we recommend that you complete this 2-week hiking trip to Patagonia by taking a day tour to immerse yourself in the rural culture of Patagonia.

Inside Glaciers National Park, at the end of National Route 15 and after a 1 hr 30 min drive over a rubble road, sits one of the oldest and most traditional Patagonian ranches in the area. It’s the only ranch that continues to maintain sheep and Hereford cattle-breeding as its main occupation. You can take a day trip to visit its 30,000 acres of land, learn about its history, and witness a sheep-shearing demonstration and horse-training. At the end of the day, a grilled lambed will await, sizzling on its traditional Patagonian rotisserie.

If you would like to add on this tour for your free day, just let your travel advisor know.

Day13

Continue traveling through Argentinian Patagonia
Fly to Ushuaia

 

  • Transfer from your hotel to El Calafate airport

Today we’ll drive you to the airport to take your flight to Ushuaia, the popular “End of the World” destination.

 

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

Upon arrival at the airport in Ushuaia, we will drive you to your selected hotel and then you will be free to explore the city and the surroundings.

Ushuaia is a small town, really easy to get around on foot. The Yamanas, its first inhabitants, called it Ushuaia which means “protected bay” in their language. It was officially incorporated into the Republic of Argentina in 1884, and it soon became a penal colony, in order to establish a permanent Argentine settlement.

 

Say Hueque Tips

Our recommended activities in Ushuaia:

  • Visit one of its curious museums—The Thematic Gallery of the “Historia Fueguina” to see the more than 120 character life-size figures that will tell you all about the history of Ushuaia, or unearth the story of the scariest and dangerous criminals at the Prison Museum.
  • Visit the different restaurant in town, Ushuaia is the best place to eat seafood in Argentina . —The word you shouldn’t forget is centolla (king crab!). You can try the finger-licking Blake Hake too. 
Day14

Trekking & paddling in the National Park
Ushuaia

 

  • Discover Tierra del Fuego National Park wildlands

Today we’ll pick you up from your hotel to start a 10-hour, moderate difficulty, adventure in Tierra del Fuego National Park, just 7.4 miles away from the city and bordering the shore of the famous Beagle Channel.

Upon arrival to 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 awaits 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 30 min paddling 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 end 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 enjoy another Patagonian evening.

 

Day15

Beagle Channel cruise
Travel back to Buenos Aires

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

In 1833 Charles Darwin sailed the Beagle Channel and found something great. Today it’s your turn: become another explorer of this channel, primitively named Onashaga Channel since the Onas were its first discoverers.

 Make your way to the tourist pier (located downtown) to embark on a 4-hour Beagle Channel navigation in a fully equipped boat with a capacity for up to 26 people. With Argentina on your left and Chile on your right, you’ll sail this natural border until reaching 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 fur seals. Hop off on Bridges Island to explore its vegetation, and visit the archeological remains of the Yamanas (the native inhabitants) accompanied by a specialized bilingual guide. 

 During the trip, enjoy bottomless hot cocoa and cookies, or try the maté (loose herbal tea), which is every Argentinian’s favorite drink. Once we get back to the port, you can make your way back to your hotel or stop in a local cafe or brewery to enjoy an amber craft beer paired with a traditional Patagonian appetizer.

 

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

At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Here is where your Patagonia adventure trip ends We’ll welcome you to the Buenos Aires airport, and drive you to your hotel to spend your last evening in the city.

 

Say Hueque Tips  

  • Optional tour- Walk among penguins in Ushuaia

If you want to walk amongst the penguins on this day, you can change this tour for the Martillo Island Penguin Rookery, which is a little bit longer and also includes the Beagle Channel visit! Want to get inspired? Contact us!

Day16

Day at leisure in Buenos Aires

 

  • Optional tours – Full-day visit to a ranch

There are still some estancias (ranches) that preserve the gaucho traditions, located in picturesque towns within Buenos Aires’ province. One of the most alluring estancias is El Ombú de Areco, a colonial-style working ranch built on 1880 that is located in the town of San Antonio de Areco, where gaucho traditions are ever-present.

Today, we’ll pick you up at your hotel to begin a 9-hour visit to this time-honored ranch. Learn about the gaucho culture and traditions, strolling around the beautiful old streets, museums and ancient pulperías (grocery stores) in San Antonio de Areco before heading to El Ombú.

Once you’re in the estancia, enjoy a typical asado (barbecue) before either a horseback ride in nature or a relaxing bike ride. For those who like to take things slow while on vacation, there is a peaceful swimming pool (only available in summer) and many sunny relaxation areas where you can take la siesta (an afternoon nap). At the end of the day, we’ll take you back to your hotel in Buenos Aires.

If you want to add this optional tour just contact your travel agent.

Day17

The end of your trip to Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia

 

  • 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!).

 

Say Hueque Tips

What to do on your last day in Buenos Aires?

How you would like to spend your last day of vacation? Here are some ideas:

  • You can explore the cobblestone, tree-lined streets of Palermo Soho in search of some one-of-a-kind Porteño fashion stores or discover the graffiti circuit. 
  • You may stop by one of our historic cafés (named “cafés notables”) located all over the city and have a “cortado”, the most popular Argentine coffee choice.
  • If you’re leaving on a Saturday or Sunday, you may have the chance to visit one of the city markets, only open during weekends. 
Day18

If this trip doesn’t meet your expectations we can tailor it to your needs and budget.

Prices per person

INN & B&B

From

USD 5870

View INN & B&B Hotels

Comfort

From

USD 6500

View Comfort Hotels

Superior

From

USD 7070

View Superior Hotels

PRICING

  • Prices in US Dollars.
  • Valid until April 2024 (ask for prices in 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.

PEACE OF MIND THIS IS A CARBON NEUTRAL TRIP

We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you book with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset. We are working to create more sustainable, responsible and meaningful ways of exploring South America. It feels good to do it right. Learn more about our actions against climate change here.

INCLUDED

  • 4-night accommodation in Buenos Aires
  • 3-night accommodation in Bariloche
  • 2-night accommodation in Puerto Varas
  • 3-night accommodation in Puerto Natales
  • 3-night accommodation in El Calafate
  • 2-night accommodation in Ushuaia
  • Daily breakfast
  • Meals according to the itinerary: snacks and dinner on day 2; boxed lunch on day 4; snack and boxed lunch on day 9; lunch on day 15
  • Bus from Puerto Natales / El Calafate
  • Transfers and tours mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bilingual local guide (English / Spanish)

NOT INCLUDED

  • Bariloche Eco Fee: this is a mandatory tax that you have to pay once you get to your hotel in Bariloche. It’s about $5 usd per guest, per night, and it varies according to your hotel category. Only cash is accepted.
  • National Park Entrance Fees
  • Port tax (day 16)
  • International or domestic flights
  • Travel / Medical Insurance – To get a free quote please follow this link: World Nomads.

FLIGHTS NEEDED
FOR THIS ITINERARY

Buenos Aires ­– Bariloche – Punta Arenas – Ushuaia – Buenos Aires

Flights in South America cost approximately $150 to $300 USD per segment (destination). We offer special rates on flights for this tailor-made itinerary.

FLIGHTS NEEDED
FOR THIS ITINERARY

Buenos Aires ­– Bariloche – Punta Arenas – Ushuaia – Buenos Aires

Flights in South America cost approximately $150 to $300 USD per segment (destination). We offer special rates on flights for this tailor-made itinerary.