Buenos Aires Bariloche Torres del Paine Calafate Patagonian Cruise Santiago
A wonderful itinerary that takes in the very best of Patagonia on both sides of the border. From Buenos Aires, the journey zigzags across the Andes from the picturesque forests and snow-capped volcanoes of the Lake District to the ice fields and majestic granite peaks of the deep south and culminates in a classic cruise through lush, glacier topped fjords and the wind-swept rocks of Cape Horn.
Itinerary Highlights
Experience the colours and culture of Buenos Aires
Immerse yourself in traditional gaucho culture
Hike in the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park
Cruise across the face of the awesome Perito Moreno Glacier
Navigate the breathtaking Patagonian Fjords
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
5 Day Patagonian Cruise
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
18
Nights
Price Guide
$15000 – $25000 pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Buenos Aires
Day 2
Buenos Aires – the Paris of the Americas!
On arrival into Buenos Aires, you will be met and driven into the city and onto your hotel in easy reach the capital’s many attractions.After a night to recover from the flight, you have the chance to explore Buenos Aires, the “Paris of the America’s”. Visit the Pink Palace and Recoleta’s famous cemetery, famous last resting place of Evita, or head to the antique markets of San Telmo or the colourful cobbled streets of La Boca. There is so much to see and do in the capital and why not round off your stay with a Tango Show and Dinner or a street-eats dinner tour of Palermo.
Day 3-5
Bariloche & Northern Patagonia
Fly south to Bariloche at the northern edge of Argentine Patagonia, a charming town overlooking the picture-post Lake Nahuel Huapi surrounded by towering Andean peaks, raging waterfalls and old-growth forest. Spend 3 days exploring the breathtaking national parks and wonderful “Circuito Chico” and “7 Lakes” driving routes”. There is excellent hiking, riding, biking and boat-trips out on the lake while further afield, you can walk amidst the eerie rock formations of the “Enchanted Valleys”, visit remote estancias surrounded by desolate Patagonian steppe or gaze at the “black Glacier” of the Tronador Volcano.
Day 6
Puerto Varas & the Chilean Lake District
Today, you cross the border into Chile via the Full Day Lake Crossing, a stunning journey by boat and bus that cuts through the heart of the Andes navigating a succession of glacier-fed lakes and mountain passes to reach Puerto Varas.
Day 7-10
The Torres del Paine National Park!
Fly south to the tip of Chile and head into South America’s most impressive national park, the Torres del Paine, a magnificent area of towering jagged peaks, thunderous waterfalls and huge glaciers that epitomises the natural majesty of Patagonia. Stay at an all-inclusive mountain lodge or tented camp and hike, ride, paddle or enjoy jeep safaris to immerse yourself in the glorious landscapes. For walkers, the French Valley and Towers Viewpoint are unmissable while for photographers, the Lake Grey boat-trip weaves through multi-hued icebergs up to the face of Glacier Grey itself.
Day 11-12
Calafate & the Perito Moreno Glacier
Head back across the border to the bustling town of Calafate overlooking Lake Argentino. Calafate sits at the heart of Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, home to the awesome Perito Moreno Glacier, the world’s largest (and only advancing glacier) outside of the poles. Visit the glacier, take a boat-trip up to the face of the ice combined perhaps with lunch at a traditional estancia or even an ice-hiking experience – an incredible way to round off your stay.
Day 13-17
Ushuaia & a 5 Day Patagonian Cruise
Fly south to Ushuaia and, time-allowing, visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park taking a ride on the “Train to the end of the world”. The following day, you will board your vessel for a 5 day cruise through the breathtaking Patagonian islands, fjords and inlets that make up the southern tip of South America. Each day, you will join guided excursions to take in the region’s resident mountains, glaciers and rich wildlife. The vessel follows in the footsteps of the explorers Robert Fitzroy and Charles navigating the iconic Beagle Channel and Straits of Magellan and even includes, weather permitting, a visit to Cape Horn itself.
Day 18
Santiago
Disembark the cruise in Punta Arenas and fly north to Santiago for a final night in South Amrica.
Day 19
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $15000 – $25000 per person
When to travel
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Argentina’s weather is as diverse as the country’s landscapes. In the far south, temperatures reach the high teens during the spring and summer months of November to March (best time to visit) though can drop close to zero at night. Due to its latitude, days are long – 16 hours of light in December which contrasts with around 8 hours in mid-winter when temperatures run close to zero during the day and sub-zero at night. Heading north, the Lake District follows a similar pattern though is warmer over 20° in the summer and wettest in March/April though with beautiful autumnal colours. Buenos Aires and central Argentina enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with annual highs of 30° while the subtropical north is very hot and sticky with tempestuous downpours during the summer months – Iguazu Falls are particularly impressive in January in February though often the sheer volume of water and surrounding mist shroud the view.
In Argentina, January is usually one of the hottest months of the year with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. It can be quite humid, especially in Buenos Aires, so it's important to stay hydrated and wear light clothing. If you're planning to explore the country during this time, be prepared for some intense heat and seek shade during the hottest parts of the day.
February in Argentina is usually warm with temperatures ranging from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius. While it may not be as hot as January, it's still important to stay hydrated and wear light clothing. The weather is generally pleasant and sunny, making it a great time to explore the country.
In March, Argentina experiences an autumn climate with temperatures ranging between 16 and 27 degrees Celsius. It is generally sunny with occasional cooler days, making it a good time to explore the country without worrying about the scorching heat. It is recommended to wear layers as the temperature can drop at night.
In April, Argentina experiences a mild autumn climate with temperatures ranging between 14 and 23 degrees Celsius. It is generally sunny with occasional cooler days, making it a good time to explore the country without worrying about extreme heat or cold. It is recommended to wear layers as the temperature can still drop at night.
May in Argentina is the beginning of winter, with temperatures ranging from 9 to 18 degrees Celsius. It can be quite chilly, especially at night, so it's recommended to pack warm clothes and layers. Despite the cooler weather, it's still a good time to visit Argentina as there are fewer crowds and the scenery can be quite stunning.
In June, Argentina experiences the heart of winter with temperatures ranging from 6 to 14 degrees Celsius. It can be quite cold, especially at night, so it's important to pack warm clothes and layers to stay comfortable. Despite the cooler temperatures, June is still a great time to visit Argentina as there are fewer crowds and the scenery is still breathtaking.
In July, Argentina experiences winter with temperatures ranging from 5 to 13 degrees Celsius. It can be quite chilly, particularly in the evenings, so it's important to bring warm clothing and layers to stay comfortable. Despite the cooler temperatures, July is still a great time to visit Argentina as there are fewer tourists and the scenery is still stunning.
In August, Argentina experiences a milder winter with temperatures ranging from 6 to 16 degrees Celsius. While still cool, it's not as chilly as July and visitors can still enjoy the beautiful scenery without having to worry too much about the cold. It's still recommended to bring layers for the evenings, but overall, August is a great time to visit Argentina.
In September, Argentina experiences a gradual increase in temperature with highs ranging from 14 to 20 degrees Celsius. The evenings can still be cool, so it's best to bring layers, but overall, the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
During October, Argentina experiences a slight increase in temperature with highs ranging from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. The evenings can still be cool, so it's best to bring layers, but overall, the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
In November, Argentina's temperature starts to rise again with highs ranging from 20 to 27 degrees Celsius. The weather is generally warm and sunny, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities. However, it's still advisable to bring some layers for cooler evenings.
In December, the weather in Argentina is generally warm with temperatures ranging from 21 to 30 degrees Celsius. It's a great time to explore the outdoors and enjoy the sunshine, but it's also a good idea to bring some layers for cooler evenings.
Add on’s
Close to el Calafate, el Chalten is perched at the base of Mount Fitzroy, Argentina’s iconic peak and offers some of the finest day-hikes in South America. Allow a couple of nights camping and you can head out onto the great southern icefield itself where you can enjoy mesmerising views of the jagged, granite peaks.
North of Santiago, Chile’s Atacama Desert offers a complete contrast to Patagonia with eerie rock formations, red rock canyons, white-washed Andean villages and spectacular landscapes such as the Tatio geysers and Atacama Salt-lake. The oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama is the perfect base to explore the desert panorama and offers a good selection of accommodation from luxurious lodges to simple, local hotels.
From Buenos Aires, the thunderous Iguazu Falls are a short flight away and lead you nicely on across the border to Rio or even north-west to Lima and Peru’s Inca highlights.unities are really endless.
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