When to go
January – March and October – November
Price
From £4,495 pp (including flights) | Private: £4,795pp (including flights)
Flight time
14hrs 18mins
Introduction
Explore one of the greatest wildernesses in the world in Patagonia. On this memorable 16-day journey, you will visit the Lake District to Chile, take a full-day tour across glaciers and lakes, and marvel at the majestic local wildlife at the Torres del Paine National Park. And with about 260,000 square miles of area to explore, there is no shortage of stunning scenery, authentic dining opportunities, and thrill-seeking adventures on hand.
At a Glance
Duration
16 days & 13 nights
Guide price
Group: £4,495pp (including flights) | Private: £4,795pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Buenos Aires | Bariloche | Puerto Varas | Punta Arenas | Puerto Natales | Torres del Paine | El Calafate | Perito Moreno | Ushuaia | Beagle Channel | Tierra del Fuego | Buenos Aires
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
Alvear Art Hotel | Hotel NH Edelweiss | Cabaña del Lago Hotel | Hotel Costaustralis | Hotel Lago Grey | Hotel Kosten Aike | Hotel Los Acebos | Alvear Art Hotel
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 14 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires
Extensions
Tour + Iguazú (4 days & 2 nights) from £595
Highlights
Scenic Andean Lake Crossing
Operating every day, the Andean Lake Crossing experience is an unforgettable journey. You will navigate through three lakes in the Andes Mountains, between two National Parks, Chile and Argentina. Along the way, you will see forms of volcanic rock, bathed in emerald, green waters.
Tour the Perito Moreno Glacier
In Patagonia, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the largest in the whole region. It is 30 kilometers long, 2,100 meters high in elevation, and covers an area three times the size of Manhattan Island. There, you will be amazed by the impressive size and scale of the natural glaciers. It is also home to one of the few glaciers in the world that has yet to retreat from its original spot. As a result, visitors who see the glacier today will see it in the same condition that past generations did.
Stay at the Torres del Paine National Park
The Torres del Paine National Park is a must-see destination for anyone who visits Patagonia. Founded in the 1950s, and now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the park is managed by the CONAF (National Forest Organization of Chile). The organization is dedicated to preserving local wildlife and practicing sustainability, as evident by the many ranches, sheep farms, and estancias (estates) on land.
Cruise the Beagle Channel
Located at the tip of South America, the Beagle Channel is 150 miles long and 3 to 8 miles wide. It provides visitors with a stunning, dramatic visual spectacle, along with an impressive landscape of glaciers and mountains. A short boat tour will take you across the Beagle Channel, with a visit to the Le Eclaireurs lighthouse and the potential for sea lions sightseeing.
Sample Itinerary
Hidden Wonders at Patagonia
Discover the beauty, solace, and sometimes peacefulness of Patagonia with a memorable 16-day trip. In this sample itinerary, you will travel across pristine rivers and lakes, enjoy morning works at the national park, take a cruise on the Beagle Channel, and marvel at the wonder and emptiness of the icy glaciers. To this day, many of those glaciers are still attached to land, a rare sight due to the devastating effects of global warming.
Day 1: Fly to Buenos Aires
Fly from London to Buenos Aires. Regional connections available.
(N)
Day 2: Buenos Aires
Arrive in Buenos Aires in the morning. Then head to the Alvear Art Hotel and stay for 2 nights. Enjoy afternoon leisure by exploring the streets of Buenos Aires on foot. There you will discover faded colonial architecture, memorable dining experiences, and unbeatable sights like the Palacio Barolo and the Casa Rosada.
(N)
Day 3: Buenos Aires
In the morning, enjoy a guided tour of Buenos Aires. Learn about its rich European culture, get a taste of its fun and vibrant urban street setting, and enjoy the city’s many fine wine, food, and arts as well. You will also learn more about its unique architecture, which is inspired by Greek and Roman temples and palaces.
(B)
Day 4: Fly to Bariloche
Fly to Bariloche, an alpine-style town at the heart of Argentina’s Lake District. Then make your way to the Hotel NH Edelweiss, located in the heart of San Carlos de Bariloche, for a 2-night stay.
(B)
Day 5: Bariloche
Take a half-day tour of Bariloche. Marvel at the distinctive Swiss architecture. Take a gander at Marino Lake, which is unique for its glacier setting yet still conventionally warm and beautiful beaches. In fact, the water is warmer than other lakes in the area.
(B)
Day 6: Puerto Varas
From morning till night, enjoy a full-day shared boat and coach journey across the Late district to Chile. This region is full of lush farmland, clear lakes, snowcapped volcanoes, and richly dense forests. You will then reach the lakeside town of Puerto Varas, which has an inviting waterfront, traditional Germanic architecture, and a lively nightlife culture that will entertain you well into the early hours of the morning.
Make your way to the Cabaña del Lago Hotel for 1 night.
(B)
Day 7: Fly to Punta Arenas • Puerto Natales
Fly to Punta Arenas. Then transfer to Puerto Natales. This small, quaint fishing town has a population of around 20,000 people. The local economy mainly thrives in fishing, mining, cattle and sheep farming, and of course, tourism. It is considered a pleasant, cosy stop-off before reaching the Torres del Paine National Park.
Stay overnight at the Hotel Costaustralis.
(B)
Day 8: Torres del Paine National Park
Visit the Torres del Paine National Park and enjoy a full-day tour there. The region has over 50 hike trails to explore, mountain biking routes, rock climbing, and even fly fishing.
Your guided tour will give you stunning panoramic views of the mountains, glaciers and lakes, including the chance to see native condors (a type of New World vulture) and flightless rheas (South American ostriches). Your guided tour will also include a visit to the Saito Grande Waterfall, Lake Pehoe, Lake Grey, and Lake Nordenskjöld. So, be prepared for a jam-packed day full of fun and adventure.
Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Lago Grey. Optional upgrade to superior room with glacier view, from £45 per person.
(B, L)
Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park
Morning walk throughout the national park. Get a close-up view of Lake Sarmiento, the largest of its kind in the sanctuary. And visit the Amarga Lagoon, which is unique for its high salt-concentrated water. Once the salt water evaporates, it leaves a soft wife layer on the riverbank, which contrasts nicely with the usual color of the water.
Enjoy afternoon leisure.
(B)
Day 10: El Calafate
Take a pleasant drive across the border, making your way to El Calafate in Argentina. Located on the southern border of Lake Argentino, El Calafate is home to the Glaciar Perito Moreno, which spreads far and wide.
Stay 2 nights at Hotel Kosten Aike.
(B)
Day 11: Perito Moreno
Take a full-day tour of Perito Moreno. As one the most popular tourist destinations in Patagonia, it has one of the few glaciers in the world to not be detached from land. This makes it a rare sighting for tourists, as most glaciers worldwide have retreated due to global warming.
The glacier is also 5km wide, with an average height of 74m above the water surface. You will then take a cruise on the lake, facing the ice wall.
(B)
Day 12: Fly to Ushuaia
Fly to Ushuaia, a popular and busy port and adventure hub. It sits below the snowcapped Martial Range, where the Andes meets the Beagle Channel. Enjoy a luxurious 2-night stay at the Hotel Los Acebos or similar.
(B)
Day 13: Beagle Channel • Tierra del Fuego
In the morning, cruise across the Beagle Channel. Located at the southern tip of South America, the Beagle Channel is about 150 miles long and 3 to 8 miles wide. In the afternoon, you will visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park, encompassing an area of 243 square miles.
(B)
Day 14: Fly to Buenos Aires
Fly to Buenos Aires. From there, transfer to the Alvear Art Hotel and stay for 1 night. Visit the La Ventana for an optional evening dinner and tango show.
(B)
Day 15: Fly to London
Transfer to the airport. Fly back to London, arriving the next day.
(B) (N)
