Argentina – The Wonders at the End of the Earth

14 Full Days, Round-Trip Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires

This vacation is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience one of the world’s most pristine wilderness settings; this challenging two-week adventure packages the region’s essential highlights into one incredible journey.  You’ll explore Torres del Paine, encounter the Perito Moreno Glacier, and hike Glacier National Park. With years of local experience, our supplier employs the region’s best guides to reveal the extraordinary, bringing you to campsites that provide stunning views of Patagonia. Prepare to be awed!  Camera ready?This vacation is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience one of the world’s most pristine wilderness settings; this challenging two-week adventure packages the region’s essential highlights into one incredible journey.  You’ll explore Torres del Paine, encounter the Perito Moreno Glacier, and hike Glacier National Park. With years of local experience, our supplier employs the region’s best guides to reveal the extraordinary, bringing you to campsites that provide stunning views of Patagonia. Prepare to be awed!  Camera ready?

Argentina – The Wonders at the End of the Earth

14 Full Days, Round-Trip Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires

Overview

This vacation is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience one of the world’s most pristine wilderness settings; this challenging two-week adventure packages the region’s essential highlights into one incredible journey.  You’ll explore Torres del Paine, encounter the Perito Moreno Glacier, and hike Glacier National Park. With years of local experience, our supplier employs the region’s best guides to reveal the extraordinary, bringing you to campsites that provide stunning views of Patagonia. Prepare to be awed!  Camera ready?

Your Full Itinerary Begins…

Day 1 – Buenos Aires – Arrive at any time – as there are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting, Check into the hotel and enjoy the city on your own. With any extra time, opt to visit the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo or catch a tango show.  We’ll help you book pre- or post-trip accommodations, which is highly recommended, to fully experience this vibrant city.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting – The adventure begins tonight! Make sure you’re back from your city tour in time to meet with the group. After introductions, your guide will review the details of the tour. Please note that check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.

Optional Activities – Day 1: 

• Teatro Colón Opera House Tour
• Buenos Aires Bike Tour
• Buenos Aires Guided City Tour
• La Boca Neighborhood Visit

Accommodation:  Hotel Regente  –  Meals are on your own

Day 2 – Buenos Aires/El Chaltén – Fly to El Calafate; continue by bus to El Chaltén and Glacier National Park. En route marvel at the towering Andean mountains. Enjoy some free time in the town or head out on some short hikes.  Fly south to the province of Santa Cruz and the town of El Calafate before transferring overland to El Chaltén. Warm up for the upcoming hike with optional short treks to nearby lookouts or explore around town.

Plane – Buenos Aires – El Calafate – 3h30m – There are luggage restrictions.

Local bus – El Calafate – El Chaltén – 3h-3h30m – Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Free Time – El Chaltén – Afternoon – Explore the city or head further afield.

Accommodation:  Hosteria Vertical Lodge  –  Meal included:  Breakfast

Day 3 – El Chaltén – Enjoy a full-day guided hike to Laguna de los Tres and if the weather cooperates, a clear view of the Fitz Roy peaks.  En route, take in the gradual changes in terrain from tree covered trails to exposed alpine landscapes.  This day includes hiking to Glacier National Park. See granite pinnacles spiraling upward from the third largest ice field on earth. Hike to Laguna de los Tres to fully appreciate majestic Cerro Fitz Roy/Chaltén (11,290 ft) – one of the most famous and popular viewpoints of the mountain.

Guided Tour – 8h-9h – El Chaltén

Accommodation:  Hosteria Vertical Lodge  –  Meal included:  Breakfast

Day 4 – El Chaltén/El Calafate – Enjoy a free morning before heading to the quaint little town of El Calafate.

Local bus – El Chaltén – El Calafate – 3h-3h30m – Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Free Time – El Chaltén – Full Day – Enjoy free time any way you want. Hike to take in spectacular views or kick back and relax to gear up for the adventures yet to come.

Accommodation:  Hosteria Posta Sur  –  Meal included:  Breakfast

Day 5 – El Calafate – Travel to Perito Moreno Glacier for an included guided tour. Opt to take a boat ride on the lake and get different view of the stunning landscape and marvel at how large the glacier actually is up close.

Get out there and explore the natural wonder that is the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s few “advancing” glaciers. Head to the southern end of Los Glaciares National Park, where Moreno’s (197 ft) wall of ice sporadically chokes off the narrow “Canal de los Tempanos” (Iceberg Channel) creating a natural ice dam, which eventually explodes in a dynamic display of force.

Optional Activities – Day 5:

• Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Tour
• Perito Moreno Glacie
• Abel Tasman National Park

Accommodation:  Hosteria Posta Sur  –  Meal included:  Breakfast

Day 6 – El Calafate/Puerto Natales – Travel by bus into Puerto Natales to prepare for the upcoming days of included hikes with our expert mountain guides.  Continue the journey south along an unpaved road to the border of Chile. Spend a relaxing evening in scenic Puerto Natales before heading into spectacular Torres del Paine National Park.  Explore the town, eat a hearty meal for energy, and rest well for the hike ahead. Do any last minute shopping and rent all equipment required. Store your belongings for the hike; get a sleeping bag.

Local bus – El Calafate – Puerto Natales – 5h-6h – Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Border Crossing (Argentina – Chile) – Cancha Carrera – Arroyo Guillermo – 1h – Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.  Camera ready?

Accommodation:  Hotel Capitan Eberhard  –  Meal included:  Breakfast

Day 7 – Puerto Natales/Torres del Paine – Start exploring Torres del Paine by trekking to the base of Las Torres to see the dramatic three towers and turquoise lagoon below.

Private Vehicle  – Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine – 2h – Cross the pampa Patagonia first on asphalt roads to Cerro Castillo, stopping for a quick break. Continue by dirt road with some photo stops — views here are beautiful! Start checking for wildlife — lots of guanacos and condors, geese, and other birds. Enter the national park and continue for another 30 mins to the start point of the trek. There will be photo op stops.

Torres del Paine Trek Day 1 – Torres del Paine – 9h-11h – Full Day – Leave early and go by van to Torres del Paine National Park. Head with the group to the base of Las Torres campsite – our local guide will lead the way and act as sweep, keeping everyone together. Hike about 4-5 hrs in and 4-5 hrs back – it’s so worth-it! Accommodation:  Campsite  – at the end of the day enjoy some good food and time to reflect on the day.

Meals included:  Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8 – Torres del Paine – Cross lake Pehoe by ferry in the morning and trek to the French Valley, from the lookout point see the mountain range spread across the National Park. Take in the dramatic, contrasting greens and greys on the landscape.  Get your camera out for some wonderful images.

Ferry – Torres del Paine – 30m-45m – Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.  Travel time depends on weather conditions. Prone to seasickness? Be sure to bring medication.

Torres del Paine Trek Day 2 – Torres del Paine – 8h-10h – Full Day – Hop on a ferry and cross the lake to trek into the French Valley. Enjoy another full day of spectacular scenery and physical exertion.

Accommodation:  Campsite Paine Grande – Campground  –  Meals included:   Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 9 – Torres del Paine/Puerto Natales – Enjoy the last day in Torres del Paine National Park and hike to Grey Lake and the lookout point for Grey Glacier. Gaze off into the distance admiring the scale of this immense glacier. In the afternoon return to Puerto Natales.

Torres del Paine Trek Day 3 – Torres del Paine – 4h-5h – Morning – Lace up your boots for one last day of trekking in this gorgeous region. Make your way to the Glacier Grey lookout and back. After, catch the ferry and head back to Puerto Natales. A great photo opportunity.

Ferry – Torres del Paine – 30m-45m – Get to the next spot on your route aboard this ferry boat.

Private Vehicle – Torres del Paine – Puerto Natales – 2h-2h30m – Settle in and scan the scenery.

Accommodation:  Hotel Capitan Eberhard  –  Meal included:  Breakfast

Day 10 – Puerto Natales/Ushuaia – Take a bus south to Punta Arenas and cross into Argentina, arrive in Ushuaia, ‘the end of the earth’.  Wonderful opportunities for photos.

Local bus – Punta Arenas – Ushuaia – 12h-15h – Head to the Magellan Strait before hopping on a ferry for 20-30 mins, re-board the bus on arrival to Tierra del Fuego. Stock up on snacks and settle in – it’s a long journey. Cross the border, after a couple of hours, change to a van and continue on to Ushuaia.

Border Crossing (Chile) – San Sebastián – Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Accommodation:  Cilene del Faro Hotel  –  Meal included:   Breakfast

Day 11 – Ushuaia – Enjoy a free day to explore Ushuaia. Opt to hike to Laguna Esmeralda, get face to face with Martial Glacier, or visit Tierra del Fuego National Park.  This is the breeding season for the penguins – Nov-Mar.

Free Time – Ushuaia – Enjoy a free day to explore the end of the world.

Optional Activities – Day 11:

• Beagle Channel Cruise to Isla Martillo
• Horseback Riding Ushuaia
• The Maritime Museum
• Prison at the End of the World Museum
• Ushuaia Helicopter Ride

Accommodation:  Cilene del Faro Hotel  –  Meal included:   Breakfast

Day 12 – Ushuaia – Enjoy another free day to explore the area. Opt to take a boat cruise on the Beagle Channel to see penguins at Isla Martillo or enjoy a hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Free Time – Ushuaia – Full Day – Enjoy another day to explore the end of the world.

Optional Activities – Day 12:

• Beagle Channel Cruise to Isla Martillo
• Ushuaia Helicopter Ride
• Tierra del Fuego National Park Visit
• Horseback Riding Ushuaia
• The Maritime Museum
• Prison at the End of the World Museum
• Birdwatching

Accommodation:  Cilene del Faro Hotel  –  Meal included:  Breakfast

Day 13 – Ushuaia/Buenos Aires – Fly to Buenos Aires. Opt to pre-book a tango show and dinner.  This is where you began your adventure so enjoy a few of the optional activities that you didn’t have time for earlier.

Plane – Ushuaia – Buenos Aires – 3h30m – Luggage restrictions for flight.

Optional Activities – Day 13:

• Tango Dinner Show
• Buenos Aires Bike Tour
• Teatro Colón Opera House Tour
• Buenos Aires Guided City Tour
• La Boca Neighborhood Visit

Accommodation:  Park Royal Buenos Aires  –  Meal included:   Breakfast

Day 14 – Buenos Aires – Depart at any time.

Optional Activities – Day 14:

• Buenos Aires Bike Tour
• Teatro Colón Opera House Tour
• Buenos Aires Guided City Tour
• La Boca Neighborhood Visit

Meal included:  Breakfast

TravelKatz will be happy to point you in the right direction when it comes to traveling in South America.  This area is going to be one of the most interesting and will become very popular!  Call or email TravelKatz at 352-277-7300 or [email protected] to get on board with this vacation for your family, friends, or special group.