Itinery

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

Day 1: Buenos Aires
Check into the hotel and meet the group for an afternoon walking tour around this most European of Latin American cities. The grandiose architecture, wide boulevards and numerous restaurants and cafes of its busy centre give it a cosmopolitan air. As the principal port of a nation whose wealth was based on agricultural exports, the city experienced massive immigration and consistent growth. The huge metropolitan area is now home to over 13 million people (40% of the country's entire population!) and a disproportionate amount of wealth and power. You'll visit the districts of San Telmo, La Boca, Recoleta and of course the Plaza Mayo in central Buenos Aires.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals paid locally

Day 2: Ushuaia
Flying south (airport tax of approx 7.05 pesos payable locally) and following the coast for much of the way, you finally arrive at the large, roughly triangular island at the southern tip of the continent. Jointly owned by Chile and Argentina, much of its terrain is mountainous and partly forested. Even at the height of the southern hemisphere's summer, permanent ice and snow cap the peaks. The sheltered harbour and former penal colony of Ushuaia, the most southerly town in the world, stands on the lower slopes of Cerro Martiál facing the Beagle Channel. Depending on the flight time you'll have the rest of the day free to explore; perhaps take the chairlift up above the town to the Martiál Glacier for some splendid views and visit the town's museums or enjoy a short cruise on the Beagle Channel (optional) to see sea-lion, albatross and cormorant. The Antarctic wild goose is just one of over 150 species of bird that can be found in Tierra del Fuego.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Breakfast included

Day 3: Ushuaia
Today you will head out to the Parque Nacionál Tierra del Fuego at Lapataia to enjoy some walks. This coastal park has beautiful views, beaver dams and typical vegetation of the area. The hiking trails are short and not particularly demanding, making it a perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and get an introduction to the region. In the afternoon you may also choose to visit the 'Train at the end of the Earth' (a small narrow gauge steam railway), take a cruise on the Beagle Channel or drink a hot chocolate in Ushuaia itself.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Breakfast included

Day 4: Punta Arenas
We travel out of Argentina and into Chile on a long bus journey (12 hours) though the Patagonian wilderness. The initial route takes you through the mountains covered in woods and glaciers and past Lake Fagnano - the largest lake in Tierra del fuego. Once through this area you'll head out into the arid and flat landscape of the Patagonian plateau. Once into Chile you'll head to the Magellan Straight which you cross by ferry, before reaching your final destination of Punta Arenas.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Breakfast included

Day 5: Torres del Paine National Park
After stocking up on picnic provisions for the next few days in town, you continue north, where a group of spectacular, snow-capped peaks can be seen glistening on a distant horizon. The contrast of the craggy form of the Paine massif, set against the pastoral scenery of lakes and green pastures, endows it with a haunting beauty - with the result that the Parque Nacionál Torres del Paine was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. The scenery in the park is superb with a varied topography of green valleys, ice fields, jagged peaks and blue and green lakes. The backdrop of this spectacular scenery is complimented by an abundance of plant species and topped off with passing guanacos or condors. The day is spent exploring the park with plenty of photo stops and a short walk.

Accommodation: You will either stay in a hosteria with shared facilities and sometimes multi-share rooms or a prepared camp. When camping we will provide large tents, sleeping bags, mattresses and towels. The camp offers stunning views and is located next to a well equipped central building with toilets, hot showers, restaurant, bar and shop. Breakfasts are included.

Day 6-7: Torres del Paine National Park
The exact programme during your stay depends on weather conditions, but the main objective is to walk to the viewpoint overlooking the Torres del Paine (Paine Towers). These three splendid granite columns, whose colours change continually with the play of light and shade upon them, rise sheer out of an icefield, which in turn overlooks a desolate plain. The route involves a sustained ascent along the valley of the Rio Asencio, (about three hours walking) followed by a steep climb across the rough boulders (about one hour) of a moraine to arrive at a spectacular viewpoint. It's a hard walk but there are rest stops; the splendid views en route plus the awesome arrival at base camp (maximum altitude under 1000m) certainly make it well worth the effort. We also hope to include another shorter walk - with the additional (optional extra cost) possibilities of a boat trip on Lago Grey to the mouth of the impressive glacier of the same name or the catamaran on Lago Pehoe. The park extends over 2400km; throughout most of this area it is possible to observe much of the indigenous wildlife - particularly guanaco (one of the smallest of the llama family), fox, hare, condor, flamingo and many smaller birds.
Accommodation: Hosteria or serviced camp | Breakfasts included

Day 8: El Calafate
Leaving the mountains behind, you drive back into Argentina across largely featureless and arid pampa. The town of El Calafate - named after the burberry that grows profusely in the area - stands on the southern shore of Lago Argentino. After the wilderness of Paine, the town feels like a veritable metropolis and is always buzzing with activity. This busy seasonal resort is a pleasant place to relax and a good base for excursions into the surrounding area. You have some free time to explore before dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Breakfast included

Day 9: El Calafate & Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate is the principal gateway to the Parque Nacionál de Los Glaciares (Glaciers NP), which lies some 50km away. In the company of a local guide, you have a full day visit to the centrepiece of the park today, the awesome Perito Moreno glacier - one of the few in the world that is still advancing. From a series of walkways opposite its 5km-wide, 60m-high snout, you can marvel at nature's extraordinary power. The air is periodically rent with loud reports of cracking ice as huge icebergs calve into the freezing waters of the lake, creating great waves that set the ice floes bobbing. There's also the option to take a boat trip to the base of the glacier for extra close up views (optional).
Accommodation: Hotel included | Breakfast included

Day 10: El Chalten
We head by public bus to the tiny settlement of El Chaltén sitting in a valley towards the northern extremity of the Parque Nacionál de Los Glaciares. It looks and feels like a frontier town; in fact, it is the base for exploration of the dramatic peaks and glaciers of the magnificent Fitzroy Range, close to the border. On arrival there is time to explore or take a short walk to stretch your legs after our bus journey.
Accommodation: Hosteria | Breakfasts included

Day 11-12: El Chalten - Mount Fitzroy
You have two full days to explore the mountains on foot. Once again, the routes you tackle depend on weather conditions; there are many excellent ones for your guides to choose from. The principal objective is to reach Cerro Torre base camp, which affords exquisite views (weather permitting) of Mount Fitzroy (3375m) and Cerro Torre (3128m), both of which attract international climbers. This route involves a three hour walk over largely easy terrain (after an initial climb out of the broad valley) through wild and beautiful scenery. There is a long and rugged final ascent over rough, boulder-strewn moraines to get to the best viewpoint (maximum altitude under 1000m). Less energetic walkers can enjoy the scenic, easier stage but then opt out of the harder part of the walk. If the skies are clear it is however well worth the effort to get to the top.
Accommodation: Hosteria | Breakfasts included

Day 13: El Chalten & El Calafate
Today is free to take an optional excursion or just enjoy more walking in the mountains. There are excellent full day horse riding opportunities here or if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground why not don crampons on the exciting ice trekking excursion to the Viedma Glacier. After whatever activity you choose, late in the afternoon you re-board your coach for the return journey to Calafate. Sit back, relax and catch views of the sun setting over the mountains.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Breakfast included

Day 14: Buenos Aires
Flight timings can vary but it is most likely that you will have most of the day in Calafate and the chance to take an optional excursion such as horse riding or further hikes. From Calafate you make the return flight to Buenos Aires and transfer to your hotel (13.00 pesos tax payable locally).
Accommodation: Hotel included | Breakfast included

Day 15: Buenos Aires
Today is free for you to explore the city. Perhaps take a walk in the nearby nature reserve Parque Natural Costanera Sur or along the Puero Madero dock area. If you prefer the city, Florida Street has endless shopping opportunities and you may even see an impromptu Tango display whilst nearby Café Tortoni offers refreshment with a touch of history. For the last finale it is well worth taking in a Tango show; the sheer machismo and passion of this dance cannot be beaten, especially not in its home city.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Breakfast included

Day 16: Buenos Aires
Check out at leisure for the end of the tour. Breakfast included.

Please note a departure tax of US$29 is payable at the airport when leaving Argentina.

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