Buenos Aires, Patagonia & Santiago - 11 Days

Visit South America

Day 1, Buenos Aires

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be transferred from the airport to our hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Buenos Aires or relax before the start of our tour.

Tour Style: This tour is made up of a selection of excursions and activities, with transportation and a choice of standard or superior accommodation. You will have different bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guides for each excursion. Some excursions are on a shared basis, meaning you will be joined by travellers from outside of the group and the group size may exceed 16. Please note: Internal flights are not included in the cost of the tour but we can book these for you on request.

No meals included.

Day 2, Buenos Aires

After breakfast, we will explore the Argentinean capital on a half-day guided tour, starting with the elegant districts of Recoleta and Palermo, known for their tree-lined avenues, boutiques, and grand parks.

We'll see Plaza de Mayo, the political heart of the city, surrounded by iconic landmarks like the Casa Rosada and the Metropolitan Cathedral, as well as the impressive Colon Opera House and Palace of Congress.

Next, we’ll visit the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, with its cobbled streets and antique markets, before heading to Caminito Street in La Boca, famous for its colourful houses and artistic vibe. Our tour finishes at the vibrant Puerto Madero waterfront, known for its modern culinary scene. Lunch is included after our tour and the afternoon is at leisure for you to further explore Buenos Aires - you will need to make your own way back to the hotel.

Tonight, we enjoy an included Tango show with dinner and drinks. We'll experience an unforgettable evening, with live tango music, a 15-artist performance, and the finest Argentine cuisine, all set in an early 20th-century house.

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.

Day 3, Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires - El Calafate.

This morning after breakfast, we will be transferred from our hotel to the airport for our domestic flight to El Calafate. This flight is not included, we can assist with booking this domestic flight. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information.

On arrival in El Calafate airport, there is an included transfer to our hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 4, El Calafate

After breakfast this morning, we will travel to the Perito Moreno Glacier, located 80 km from El Calafate.

It is one of the largest glaciers and the only one in the world still advancing. It is the main attraction of Los Glaciares National Park, a 600,000-hectare protected area covered by an ice sheet.

Our journey begins in the Patagonian Andean forest, with a first stop at "Curva de los Suspiros" (Curve of Sighs) for a breathtaking view of this natural wonder. As we approach, we will walk down the catwalks to admire the glacier from various panoramic viewpoints. Up close, we’ll see ice blocks break off and crash into the water, forming beautiful ice floes in Lago Argentino.

After visiting Perito Moreno Glacier, we enjoy an included boat tour, to get even closer to the glacier. We will depart from the port at Bajo de las Sombras Bay, located 7 km from the glacier’s catwalks, and sail towards the southern side of the glacier. Along the way, we will observe ice blocks breaking off from the main glacier and will stop 300 metres from the southern wall of the glacier to admire its immense beauty.

Tonight is spent at our hotel in El Calafate.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 5, El Calafate

Today is at leisure in El Calafate.

You could spend the day exploring Laguna Nimez Reserve or browsing the local markets. Alternatively, book one of our optional excursions.

3-hour Nativo Experience with lunch or dinner (requires 2 passengers)

Embark on a thrilling 4x4 adventure through the Lake Argentino region. Starting at the lake’s shores, our guide will unveil the secrets of the local flora, glaciology, and geology. Marvel at panoramic views from the Punta Bonita Cliffs, explore ancient rock art at an archaeological site, and finish with a unique cave dining experience.

8-hour All Glaciers Navigation

Starting from Punta Bandera Port, 47 km from El Calafate, this 8-hour adventure begins with a sail through the North Arm of Lake Argentino. We’ll pass through the Devil’s Mouth funnel into the Upsala Canal, navigating around icebergs from the Upsala Glacier, and continue to the Spegazzini Canal to view the Dry Glacier, Spegazzini Glacier, and the Heim Sur and Peineta glaciers.

At Spegazzini Base, we’ll follow a 300-metre forest path with viewpoints of Los Glaciares Bay, leading to the Spegazzini Refuge for lunch and scenic views. For a more challenging option, a medium-difficulty mountain trail offers a trek through wooded paths with natural viewpoints.

We spend another night at our hotel in El Calafate.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 6, El Calafate

El Calafate - Puerto Natales (Chile).

This morning after breakfast, we will take a transfer from the hotel to the Calafate bus station. From there, we will travel by bus to Puerto Natales, Chile.

Upon arrival, a private transfer will take us from the Puerto Natales bus station to the hotel. The rest of the day will be yours to explore or relax at your leisure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 7, Puerto Natales

After breakfast this morning, we will explore two of the most remarkable natural attractions in Chile: Torres del Paine and Milodon.

Setting off from Puerto Natales, we will have the chance to experience forests, glacial valleys, mountain ranges, lakes, and, if the weather is on our side, spot condors along the way.

We will make a stop at the Sarmiento Lake viewpoint, offering a perfect opportunity to capture panoramic photos of the Torres del Paine Mountain range, the southern tip of the Andes, and Sarmiento Lake. Another breathtaking view can be enjoyed at the Laguna Amarga viewpoint, a favourite spot for flamingos.

Once inside Torres del Paine National Park, we’ll visit several viewpoints, including those at Lake Nordenskjold, Salto Grande, Pehoe, Puente Weber, and Rio Paine. At Lago Grey, we’ll have time to explore the area on foot. After leaving the park, we will stop at the Grey viewpoint to take in the grandeur of the mountains, the vast expanse of Lake Toro, and, if the weather allows, we will be able to catch a glimpse of the Grey Glacier.

Our day will conclude with a visit to the Cueva del Milodon Natural Monument, where we’ll be captivated by the unique local flora and fauna, as well as the caves and the striking rock formation known as the Silla del Diablo. Our tour ends back in Puerto Natales.

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, no dinner included.

Day 8, Puerto Natales

Today is spent on a 9-hour excursion to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, beginning with a boat tour.

Setting sail, we enter the Senoret Channel as we make our way towards Guanaco Island. We hope to spot Magellanic dolphins, condors and cormorants as we cruise. At each point of interest, the boat will stop, allowing us to take in the scenery and its attractions.

We continue to Mount Balmaceda, standing at 2,035 metres, where we can admire the glacier of the same name. We disembark at Puerto Toro to start a one-hour round trip hike along the shore of the Tempanos Lagoon towards the Serrano Glacier, accompanied by our guide.

Our return journey starts with a visit to an estancia (cattle ranch), where we will enjoy a traditional Creole lunch. Then we complete our journey back to Puerto Natales for a well-earned rest.

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, no dinner included.

Day 9, Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago.

Today you will be transferred by bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas Airport for your flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago. This flight is not included, we can assist with booking this domestic flight.

On arrival in Santiago, there is an included transfer to our hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 10, Santiago

This morning we embark on a half-day walking tour of Santiago.

We begin by boarding the subway and exploring some of the most picturesque stations. For instance, the “Universidad de Chile” station is decorated with a mural by a local artist and is renowned as one of the most beautiful in the world.

We visit a local market to appreciate Chile’s coastal bounty, reflected in its fish and shellfish, as well as its diverse array of fruits and vegetables. Continuing our walk through Santiago’s downtown, we will reach the Plaza de Armas main square, home to stunning architecture that adorns every corner of the city. During our tour we will also find time to sample local snacks such as empanadas and drinks made from local fruits.

Finally, we explore the Bellavista neighbourhood, known for its charming and colourful streets. After our tour, you can either further explore the city on your own (we recommend a visit to Cerro San Cristobal) or return to the hotel independently.

Today also offers an optional afternoon excursion to Cousino Macul Vineyards.

Half Day Cousino Macul

Cousino Macul is Santiago’s only vineyard, with a history dating back to 1856. Situated in the scenic Pirque Valley, just 45 minutes from the city, its historic main cellar, built in 1870, features a natural ventilation system maintaining a steady 14°C and 75% humidity. We will tour the old cellars with a guide, explore the evolution from 19th-century techniques to modern sustainable practices, and taste three local red wines: Varietal, Reserva, and Gran Reserva.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Day 11, Santiago

Our tour ends after breakfast with hotel check out and an included transfer to the airport in Santiago.

1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

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