Day 1 Welcome to Buenos Aires

For most travellers, Buenos Aires is the entry point to Argentina... and what an entrance it is: this vibrant city feels almost European! Its cosmopolitan population of Italian, Spanish, French and many other nationalities, combined with stunning architecture, cultural activities and attractive neighbourhoods with small shops, cafés and international restaurants, make the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming.

Upon arrival, our local representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. After settling into your accommodation in the trendy neighbourhood of Palermo, the rest of your afternoon and evening is free for you to spend at your leisure. We recommend exploring the area near your hotel where you'll be able to soak up the atmosphere of this thrilling city stopping off at one of the nearby boutique cafés or lively wine bars. Having found somewhere for dinner and experienced one of South America's top restaurant scenes, explore Buenos Aires' nightlife at one of the local wine bars in Palermo, add an exclusive wine tasting to your itinerary or, take a leisurely stroll back to your hotel.

Tip: Porteños eat dinner late; usually restaurants will open their doors around 20:00.

Day 2 Tango & Highlights of Buenos Aires

Set off on a half-day walking tour with your own private guide, learning all about the history and culture of beautiful Buenos Aires. Your guide will be a real porteño (resident of the city), who knows every barrio like the back of his/her hand. Together, you'll head off to explore some of the city's historical hotspots, as well as some of the favourite local hangouts of your guides. It's a great mix of experiences thrown into one. Getting an inside glimpse of Buenos Aires, you'll go far beyond the guidebooks and swerve the tourist crowds, allowing you to see a different side of the city. At times, you'll take public transport to cover the larger distances, while most of the tour will be on foot. After a few hours with your personal guide, the tour will finish at one of his/her favourite restaurants, where you can grab a well-deserved bite to eat (lunch not included). It's a brilliant way to get a peek into the real porteño way of life.

Located in the heart of San Telmo, this historical refurbished 'conventillo' is a classic example of the Buenos Aires culture. La Ventana takes you back to older times. The interior architectural style has been preserved and creates an ideal setting for a unique experience: 32 performing artists, two tango orchestras, a folklore ensemble, dancers and singers, a menu of traditional and international cuisine and an exquisite list of Argentinean wines and Dinners.

Day 3 Travel to Patagonia & Visit Punta Tombo
Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn

In the morning, your transfer will take you to the airport for your flight to Trelew. Upon arrival at Trelew's Airport, you'll be met at the airport and dive straight into the action as you head out towards the Punta Tombo Provincial Reserve. This breathtaking journey along Patagonian roads will take about 2 hours. Arriving at continental South America's largest penguin nesting ground you'll be able to enjoy about 2.5 hours walking along the paths surrounded by waddling penguins. Walking among Magellan penguins is a unique experience and you'll have an up-close view of their habits and learn about these loveable creatures from your knowledgeable guide.

This area also attracts a number of other birds most notably, king and rock cormorants, giant petrels, flightless steamer ducks and black oystercatchers. You'll also be able to visit the Punta Tombo Interpretative Center which provides a great overview of the area and of course the penguins. If you're travelling between September and April, over a million Magellan penguins (the largest population in the world) come here to lay their eggs.

Following lunch (not included) at the cafeteria or restaurant, your transfer will take you to your hotel in Puerto Madryn. After arrival and having settled into your hotel the rest of your evening is free to spend at leisure. The city of Puerto Madryn is a modest beach destination but between June and December, the visiting southern right whales take centre stage especially from July to September when these huge whales can be seen from the town's pier! Steeped in history having been founded by Welsh settlers in 1886, we recommend taking a leisurely stroll along Puerto Madryn's shoreline where you'll see statues of immigrants and the indigenous Tehuelche that pay tribute to the town's history. This particular stretch of coastline is known for serving up some of Argentina's best seafood so tonight, we recommend going to one of the local seafood restaurants and ordering a delicious seafood platter.

Day 4 Whale Watching & Peninsula Valdes Wildlife
Puerto Madryn

You will set out early in the morning for the Peninsula Valdes Provincial Reserve. After a one-hour drive, you will arrive in Puerto Piramides, before embarking on a boat trip where every year between June and December, Peninsula Valdes plays host to one of the most amazing natural spectacles on Earth...whale-watching! From December to March you can also view sea lions, cormorants and dark dolphins. This tour is subject to weather conditions. Setting sail from Puerto Piramides in a zodiac (or small boat) you'll have an up-close and personal view of these enormous but friendly creatures. Around 2,600 whales live around Peninsula Valdes and, every year between 300 and 400 come as the waters near the shore are calm and shallow. During the whale-watching tour, keep an eye out for dolphins and killer whales.

Together with a small group and an expert guide who'll tell you all about the reserve's wildlife, your tour will then continue to show you the rest of the Peninsula Valdes. You'll head south through salt flats that shine a beautiful pink colour with the right sunlight. On arrival in Punta Delgada, at around midday, lunch (not included) will be served at El Faro resort. There you'll have the opportunity to descend the cliffs and view lots of sea lions lazing around on the beach below.

Your guide will then accompany you along the eastern coastline where a large population of sea elephants lives. Orcas attack the calves from September till November and if you are very lucky, you'll snap the perfect picture of an orca throwing itself on the beach, aiming for its afternoon snack. On the way to the area's visitors centre, you'll have a good chance of coming across fauna such as guanacos, rheas, foxes, maras, armadillos and a diverse variety of birds. Finally, you'll arrive back at your accommodation in Puerto Madryn just in time for sunset where the rest of the evening is free to enjoy some more of the region's famed seafood at a local restaurant.

Day 5 Arrival in Ushuaia
Puerto Madryn to Ushuaia

Private transfer to the airport to take a flight towards Ushuaia. As the southernmost city in the world, flying to Ushuaia is an adventure in itself as you touch down in the Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). It is a rough, desolate, often cold place next to the legendary Beagle Channel which connects the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

After arriving at your accommodation and having settled in, take a taxi (around USD 4 one way) to Ushuaia´s old airport, Aeroclub, for a great view of the whole city, bay, harbour and mountains. Having soaked up the impressive view of the City at the End of the World you can begin exploring the highlights of Ushuaia on your own. Stop off at the city's famous welcome sign proclaiming Ushuaia to be at the End of the World and what has become a very popular photo opportunity. We recommend taking time to visit the historical centre of the city including the navy neighbourhood, the cemetery and the Saint Christopher shipwreck that can be seen beside the promenade before passing by historical houses and places like the prison, school and police station which are all located on the way to the port. After appreciating the Antarctic Explorers promenade, you can visit the End of the World Museum (visit and entrance not included and optional).

Stay in the city for dinner tonight as king crab is the speciality here and is extremely delicious. With a full stomach, you can take a taxi back to your hotel a catch a good night's sleep before tomorrow's adventure into the National Park.

 
Day 6 Tierra del Fuego National Park
Ushuaia

Enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning, as you'll be heading out for a busy day of fresh air and activity in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Dress appropriately (layered clothes, hiking shoes, poncho, hat) and be prepared for any kind of weather. Your private transfer will pick you up from your hotel in Ushuaia to take you to the National Park. Once at the National Park you can choose to ride the End of the World train, or instead set off to do a bit of hiking before visiting the beautiful Roca Lake. You'll then take a long, gentle hike alongside the Lapataia River which cuts right across the archipelago to the Chilean border where you will be able to see Condor Hill which forms a natural border between the neighbouring countries. Setting off again to reach the other side of the National Park and the coast you'll stop off at two stunning lagoons. Just as unique as their surroundings, these aren't just normal lagoonsone lagoon is green and the other one is black! The Tierra del Fuego National Park is made up of a series of peat bogs and small rivers dammed by the local beaver population, all adding to the rugged beauty of this unique destination.

In the afternoon, you will be driven to the port where you'll board your boat and begin by sailing into the centre of the Beagle Channel passing the famous Les Eclaireurs lighthouse before continuing to Seal Island. As you might have already guessed, Seal Island unsurprisingly gets its name from the huge number of seals that can be seen relaxing on the island. Your journey down the Beagle Channel will continue to Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island), where you'll be able to see at least 10 different species of sea birds, so make sure you have your camera to hand! The boat will then head towards the Bridge Islands, where you'll disembark and set off on a mini-trek offering breathtaking views of the Beagle Channel at every bend of the trail. You'll then reach a large Magellan Penguin colony where you'll stop to watch them waddling about their daily business. It's worth noting that the best time of year to see the penguins is between November and March. Travelling back to Ushuaia after a full day exploring the Tierra del Fuego National Park and Beagle Channel, your transfer will take you back to your accommodation in Ushuaia where the rest of the evening is free to spend at leisure.

Day 7 Travel to El Calafate
Ushuaia to Calafate

It's time to hit the road again as you make your way to your next destination where if you are planning to, you can enjoy exploring the beauty and diversity of Argentina further. Your private transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flight.

If you are lucky enough to land in El Calafate on a sunny day, you will have unforgettable views of the mountains and lakes right before you land. We will take you from the tiny airport to your hotel in town. El Calafate is a nice little town in an otherwise desolate area, with one main street where most of the restaurants and shops are centred, and a few streets leading off of it. Start by getting your bearings by strolling around town and maybe pick out one of the local restaurants for lunch or dinner. It is often cold and windy here, so the lamb racks in the windows of restaurants, the lit fireplaces and the view of other travellers sipping from their wine glasses will be sure to tempt you inside. If you have a full afternoon available and feel like some fresh air and a walk, then head down to the bottom end of town to the Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve. You have to pay a small entrance fee but there is a beautiful circuit taking you through shrublands and wetlands and down to the lake's edge. You'll see all sorts of unusual birdlife down there, and if you aren't a seasoned bird watcher, you can always borrow a bird guidebook from the nature reserve office to help spot the different species of bird. In the evening just relax, enjoy dinner and get a good night's rest as tomorrow you'll be visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier!

Day 8 Perito Moreno, the show-stopper!
Calafate

After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel and driven, as part of a small group, into the Patagonia Glacier National Park to the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. The views along the way are beautiful in their own right, and you'll find it hard to tear your eyes away from such a dramatic landscape. Everything here is on a massive scale; with vast swathes of empty grassland and huge mountains - any sign of human inhabitancy looks tiny and insignificant. After about 50 miles you'll start to catch glimpses of the Perito Moreno ice wall as the road twists and turns it way through the Patagonia National Park. Stopping at a good vantage point you'll be able to soak up this incredible glacier from afar before heading down to view it up close. The network of wooden walkways in the park allows you to get very close to the glacier wall and you'll be able to see and hear huge chunks of ice breaking off and plunging into the icy waters below. After admiring this magnificent glacier from up close, your transfer and group guide will take you back to your accommodation in El Calafate where the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to spend at leisure.

Note: If you'd like you can add the mini-trekking hike on the glacier's surface to today's itinerary check with your travel specialist. You'll then be able to look forward to putting on your crampons and exploring the surface of the glacier in a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Day 9 Journey to El Chalten
Calafate to El Chalten

After breakfast, your private transfer will pick you up in El Calafate to begin your 3 to 4-hour journey to the small village of El Chalten. The journey from El Calafate to El Chalten is anything but boring as the road runs alongside Lake Viedma surrounded by the vast and beautiful Patagonian landscapes which will accompany and entertain you for the duration of the journey. Towered over by the 11,170 ft. jagged peaks of Mount Fitz Roy and the 10,175 ft. Cerro Torre, the small village of El Chaltén is both Argentina's and Patagonia's trekking capital. Situated near the Los Glaciares National Park, the area surrounding the enchanting village of El Chaltén is made up of World Heritage glaciers, dramatic mountainous landscapes, glacial lakes and waterfalls. Having checked in and settled into your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the relaxed and down-to-earth atmosphere of the village or experience the breathtaking scenery on a short mountain trail.

Day 10 Full hiking day in Chalten and return to Calafate
El Chalten to Calafate

Today is left free for you to choose what you'd like to do before being picked up for your return transfer back to El Calafate. Of course, we highly recommend getting out into the fresh air and hiking, but whether you wake up at dawn and head out on a serious hike or take it easy with a light walk it's entirely up to you. The trails around El Chalten are all extremely well signposted and marked so you can just study the map and hit the trail on your own. Whatever you choose to do today, you can't really go wrong!

If you're up for the challenge and an early riser, one of our favourite and most rewarding trails is the Laguna Torre hike. This 12.5-mile hike provides a great balance between its level of ease and a full-day hike of about 8 hours. Leaving from the western side of the village and after walking for just over an hour you'll arrive at a mirador (lookout) where you'll see the other imposing mount of El Chalten known as Cerro Torre, which rises up 10,262ft. Continuing along the trail, follow the scenic Rio Fitz Roy until you reach the glistening Laguna Torre. If you have time we recommend continuing for another hour along the northern shore of the lake to reach Mirador Maestri as the view of Cerro Torre's spire is the best from here.

Alternatively, you can go on a shorter 3.8-mile hike to Laguna Capri which is an easy-going and relatively flat half-day hike, perfect if you're limited by time. Often overlooked for the more challenging and lengthy hikes, what this trail lacks in length, certainly makes up for it with breathtaking views. From the scenic Rio de las Vueltas to catching your first glimpse of the 11,171 ft. tall Mount Fitz Roy, this trail is the perfect introduction to hiking in Patagonia. You can then take a leisurely stroll back to El Chalten along the same route you came, to and enjoy a heart-warming homemade hot chocolate in one of the village cafes.

Your private transfer will pick you up as you bid farewell to the small village of El Chalten and make your way back to El Calafate. The rest of the day or evening is free to spend at leisure and relax in El Calafate and you may even have enough time to wander into town and check out some of the souvenir shops in search of a wool hat, gloves or a scarf. Tonight you can sit down to enjoy one more delicious dinner of Patagonian lamb and a few drinks (dinner and drinks not included) before going back to your comfortable accommodation for a good night's sleep.

Day 11 Heading Home
Calafate

It's time to hit the road again as you make your way to your next destination where if you are planning to, you can enjoy exploring the beauty and diversity of Argentina further. We recommend continuing to explore the vast landscapes, glaciers and lakes of Patagonia where you'll be left stunned by the sheer enormity and beauty of this region. Your private transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels.