Marvel at Argentina and Chile’s scenic and wildlife highlights as you journey across the immense treeless plateau of picturesque Patagonia.
Explore the lakes and glaciers around Calafate, and the stunning peaks and burgeoning wildlife of Torres del Paine, before travelling to Ushuaia at the southern end of Tierra del Fuego. The best, however, is saved until last – with the astonishing marine life of the Peninsula Valdés.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Days 2-3
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Arrive Buenos Aires; city tour & optional tango show
This morning, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Buenos Aires is a very vibrant city and an afternoon a city tour is included for you to discover and learn more about the Argentinian capital.
The next day you head out on a birdwatching trip at the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, where one can find up to 90 different species including the unusual black-necked swan. In the evening you may opt for a dinner with tango show (optional).
Accommodation: Hotel in Buenos Aires, 2-nights
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Days 4-5
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Fly to El Calafate; excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier
Today you transfer to the airport and fly to El Calafate from where you will transfer to your accommodation. A full day excursion to the famous UNESCO site of Perito Moreno Glacier will bring the glacier to life with its thundering sounds.
Accommodation: Calafate Parque Hotel, 2-nights
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Days 6-8
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Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)
Today you cross the border to Chile as you travel to Torres del Paine National Park (about six hours' drive). The towering mountains are your base for three days with plenty opportunities of optional activities such as trekking or horseriding to the base of the towers.
Accommodation: Hosteria Las Torres, 3-nights
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Day 9:
Transfer to Puerto Natales
This morning there will be a further opportunity to explore the beautiful national park of Torres del Paine before transferring to Puerto Natales for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Coastaustralis Hotel Patagonia, 1-night
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Day 10:
Transfer to Punta Arenas
Drive to Estancia Olga Teresa for lunch to see condors nest, then continue to Otway Bay penguin colony before reaching Punta Arenas for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Cabo de Hornos, 1-night
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Days 11-13
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Bus across Magellan Strait to Ushuaia; walks in Lapataia National Park & on Martillo Island
Today you will take a bus across the Magellan Strait to Ushuaia in Argentina.
Over the next three days you can explore Ushuaia and its surroundings. A boat trip to the Beagle Channel brings you close to cormorants and sealions and walks in Lapataia National Park and Martillo Island are a real wildlife treat! Look out for delights such as North American beaver, muskrat, grey fox, austral parakeet, South Andean deer and southern river otter.
Accommodation: Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel, 3-nights
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Days 14-15
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Fly to Trelew & continue to Puerto Madryn; explore Valdes Peninsula
Today you transfer to the airport and fly to Trelew - from there it is a one hour to Puerto Madryn. This is your base to visit Valdes Peninsula, well-known for the southern right whales migration (September to December). In the area you are also likely to see interesting species including the soft guanaco, magellenic penguin, elephant seal and even orca.
Accommodation: Hotel in Trelew, Puerto Madryn or Peninsula Valdes, 2-nights
(Most accommodation in the Valdes area is in the cities of Trelew or Puerto Madryn, although there are a few limited options on the Peninsula itself).
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Day 16:
Visit Punta Tombo penguin colony; fly to Buenos Aires
Today you will visit Punto Tombo penguin colony before returning to Buenos Aires for a final night in Argentina.
Accommodation: Hotel in Buenos Aires, 1-night
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Day 17:
Depart Buenos Aires
After a free morning, transfer to the airport for an overnight flight back to the UK.
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Day 18:
Arrive UK
