The Pampas Valdes Peninsula mount Fitzroy El Calafate

This itinerary takes in the dramatic southern highlights of Argentine Patagonia and combines breathtaking scenery and wildlife with rich gaucho culture. From the traditional estancias of the pampas just outside Buenos Aires, you head to the natural wonderland of the Valdes Peninsula, immortalized in David Attenborough’s documentary “Trials of Life” before heading across to the granite peaks and icefields of the Los Glaciares National Park and iconic Mount Fitzroy.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Experience Argentina’s traditional Gaucho culture
  • Visit the natural wonderland of the Valdes Peninsula
  • Hike into the magnificent Mount Fitzroy Massif
  • Take a boat trip up to the face of the Perito Moreno Glacier

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

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.

12

Nights

Price Guide

$5500 – $8000 pp

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Fly to Buenos Aires

plan line
Day 2

The Pampas

On arrival into Buenos Aires, you will be met and driven out to a traditional estancia within the rolling pampa grasslands, a world-away from the bustling Argentine capital. This is gaucho country rich in traditional Argentine lore and a perfect spot for recovering from the journey and experiencing estancia life. Tour the estate on horseback, take part in daily farm activities, visit the charming nearby town of San Antonio de Areco or simply wind down in the beautiful grounds enjoying delicious local cuisine – a traditional “asado” barbeque washed down with local wines is never far away!

Day 3-5

Valdes Peninsula – A mecca for marine life!

Fly south to Trelew, gateway to the natural wonderland of the Valdes Peninsula, Argentina’s desolate, windswept, coastal steppe whose beaches teem with huge colonies of penguins, sea-lions and elephant seals. Off the coast, killer whales patrol the waters while within the calmer seas just off Puerto Piramides, you find one of the most important breeding grounds of the southern right whales. Based a traditional estancia, you will enjoy daily excursions by foot, boat, vehicle or even horseback if you prefer guided by expert naturalist guides to experience the region’s incredible flora and fauna.

Day 6-9

Mount Fitzroy – Argentina’s Iconic Peak

Returning to the airport, you will fly back towards the Andes to reach Calafate. Here, you will be met and driven to el Chalten, perched at the foot of the spectacular Mount Fitzroy, Argentina’s iconic peak. For walkers, El Chalten offers some of the finest day-hikes in Patagonia if not South America; the “Laguna de Los Tres” and “Cerro Torre” trails are unmissable and bring you to breathtaking glacial lakes sitting at the foot of towering granite peaks. Trekking aside, there are scenic drives (and boat-trips) at Lago del Desierto, historic estancias and wonderful wildlife, all dotted throughout with incredible viewpoints.

Day 10-12

Calafate & the Perito Moreno Glacier

Fly south to Trelew, gateway to the natural wonderland of the Valdes Peninsula, Argentina’s desolate, windswept, coastal steppe whose beaches teem with huge colonies of penguins, sea-lions and elephant seals. Off the coast, killer whales patrol the waters while within the calmer seas just off Puerto Piramides, you find one of the most important breeding grounds of the southern right whales. Based a traditional estancia, you will enjoy daily excursions by foot, boat, vehicle or even horseback if you prefer guided by expert naturalist guides to experience the region’s incredible flora and fauna.

dot joiner for itins
Day 13

Return flight to Buenos Aires for onward connections

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 $5500 – $8000 per person

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

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.

Add on’s

There are a multitude of add on holiday options to this Argentina itinerary, for example you could continue across the border to the magnificent glaciers and mountains of the Torres del Paine National Park or fly south to Ushuaia for a breathtaking Patagonian cruise. For something completely different, the magical Iguazu Falls are a short flight north of Buenos Aires which then lead you on nicely to the salt-lakes, canyons and wineries of Salta or the wildlife rich Ibera Wetlands or even across into Rio.

Buenos Aires is also a short flight away to Peru which opens up Cusco and Machu Picchu and also Quito for a breathtaking Galapagos cruise.

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