Itinerary

Day 1 Buenos Aires
Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure to begin your exploration of the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina.This evening you will be taken for dinner and a tango show at the famous La Ventana tango house. Overnight in Buenos Aires.

Day 2 Buenos Aires
After breakfast you will be taken on a city tour. During your city tour in Buenos Aires you will drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue of the world, you will pass close to the Colon Theatre, one of the world’s best known opera houses. Visit the famous Avenida de Mayo that runs into the Plaza De Mayo, surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo (first City Hall, built during Spanish rule). At the other end of Avenida de Mayo the cupola of the Congress building can be seen. Stop and inside visit of the Metropolitan Cathedral, this imposing neo classical building is Argentina’s main catholic building. The mausoleum of General San Martin (the National Hero) is located inside the Cathedral, and Pope Francisco used to celebrate religious services in this Cathedral when he was cardinal of Buenos Aires city. Stop at the famous Cafe Tortoni, the oldest literati cafe of the city. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack. Your next stop is La Boca, a most colorful area with the famous street Caminito. Continue to the north area passing by Palermo and visit the Recoleta area, one of the city’s most glamorous spots. Here you will see elegant boutiques and excellent restaurants, surrounded by centennial trees. The heart of the neighborhood is Recoleta cemetery. The cemetery is the center of this aristocratic neighborhood, and the most relevant personalities of Argentina’s history rest in this place. The mausoleums and pantheons reflect the architectural diversity emerging from the different cultural tendencies Argentina incorporated in its formation as a nation. The cemetery is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of Argentina. 30min stop includes visit of Eva Duarte’ s grave, known as Eva Peron (Evita). Afternoon is at leisure. This evening you can take the following optional tour. Argentina culinary experience (3h 30min) On shared basis This tour is designed to give you an introduction to the best of Argentine cuisine and culture. This is not a cooking class, but a fun and unique experience, where you will meet and dine with people from all over the world. The international team of guides are on hand to spoil you and take you through every step of this culinary journey. Each guest is welcomed with a drink. At first you will try Patagonian trout tartar served with Torrontes wine. Choose from the gourmet fillings and create your own empanada learning the traditional “repulge” technique for beef as well as cheese and ham fillings. Enjoy a typical Argentinian picada with grilled provoleta cheese, sliced chorizo sausage, mollejas (gizzard) and homemade chimichurri. Learn the most important Argentinian gestures during a short class. Enjoy what many are claiming to be the very best steak in Argentina, cooked to order and accompanied with velvety mash potatoes and a variety of roasted vegetables marinated with rosemary vinaigrette. These top of the line thick cut filet steaks have a unique 24 hour preparation method that sets apart from the rest. Vegetarian, pescetarian and celiac options are available on request. Two distinct Malbec wines, from boutique wineries in Mendoza, paired to complement food. Learn about and enjoy unlimited wine throughout the dinner. White wine is also available on request. Enjoy a cuartirolo cheese tasting with dulce de batata (produced of sweet potato) and dulce de madera (Argentina is the only country in the world where a special kind of wood can be eaten). For desert make your own alfajores, Argentina’s national sweet, where biscuits, dulce de leche, melted chocolate fondue and coconut shavings combine to delight the senses. Finally, get taught about the history and etiquette of mate, Argentina’s national pastime, and prepare it from scratch among yourselves. A fun and dynamic way to approach Argentina cuisine and Argentinean habits while meeting other international travelers. Overnight Buenos Aires.

Day 3 Buenos Aires-Ushuaia
After breakfast transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Ushuaia (not included). Ushuaia is the capital of the territory and the southernmost city in the world. Like Rio Grande Ushuaia has grown fast in the last few years, thanks to immigration and the electronics industry in the area. You should not miss the End of the World Museum, the old prison and to explore some restaurants to try the excellent spider crabs. A walk around the harbor is interesting too, where some old boats can be seen. Ushuaia and its scenery inspired the research and fantasies of Jules Verne, Fitz Roy, Charles Darwin and Emilio Salgari. Upon arrival at the Ushuaia airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Ushuaia.

Day 4 Ushuaia.
In the morning you will go on a tour to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you will get the impression as if time goes slower than anywhere else. The long stormy winters and the width of the sky formed a very simple and modest way of living. The National Park is crossed by many rivers which flow into the Beagle Channel. Drive through the park to enjoy the landscapes and have a little walk. In the afternoon you can enjoy an optional catamaran tour on the Beagle Channel. The Beagle Channel got its name due to the expedition of Charles Darwin. You will pass through the Casco Island where you will see many nests of seabirds. Sea lions can be seen onto the Island of Los Lobos. Overnight in Ushuaia.

Day 5 Ushuaia-Calafate
Transfer to the airport and flight to El Calafate (not included). Pick up at the airport by our local guide and transfer to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. We suggest a visit to the Glaciarum Museum. This the first museum in South America dedicated to the glaciers and Patagonia ice. It has a privileged location, situated close to El Calafate town (20 minutes drive) on the way to Los Glaciares National Park. The whole complex is a last generation interpretation center which will offer you an interactive exhibition with the aim to learn about the glaciers. It`s an interactive museum with theme rooms, exhibitions showing recent investigations, scenic & lighting effects, multimedia programs and audiovisuals. It also has a permanent exhibition focused on global climate changes and the environmental problems on earth. Overnight in Calafate.

Day 6 Calafate-Perito Moreno-Calafate
Today you will be taken on a full day tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier. After a drive through the National Park Los Glaciares one arrive all of a sudden in a forest full of colors, before one sees, equally unexpected, the glacier Perito Moreno. This is one of the few glaciers that are still growing. Every 4 to 5 years it covers the gap between the mainland and itself and grows into the Lago Argentino. Eventually the ice cannot resist the enormous pressure of the water and crashes with a frightening noise. One can watch this glacier spectacle every day when single ice blocks fall into the lake. Considering that the glacier is 5 km long and 70 m high one can imagine the noise this makes. Here we will have 2 hours to experience the glacier before driving back to Calafate for overnight.

Day 7 Calafate-Puerto Natales
In the morning transfer to the bus terminal. From here you will travel with the public bus to Puerto Natales. Pick up at the bus terminal and transfer to the hotel. Puerto Natales is a small village with approx. 19,000 inhabitants, located approx. (153 mi) northwest of Punta Arenas at the coast of the Fjord of Last Hope. Puerto Natales is the capital of Ultima Esperanza Province and was founded in 1911. Originally, people lived on sheep farming and fishing. In the past years it developed to an important touristic place which is of main interest as starting point for excursions to the sensational National Park Torres del Paine. Overnight in Puerto Natales.

Day 8 Puerto Natales-Torres del Paine National Park-Puerto Natales
After breakfast drive to the Torres del Paine National Park. You will be able to appreciate the most spectacular reserve at the end of the world, 150km northwest from Puerto Natales. In this protected area you will find a fertile combination of lakes, lagoons, waterfalls, glaciers, hills and peaks. Inside the area, the road is surrounded with dozens of lagoons, contrasting with hills and snow capped mountains. You will visit among other things the Milodon Cave and the Salto Grande waterfall. In the late afternoon drive back to the hotel. Overnight in Puerto Natales

Day 9 Puerto Natales-Punta Arenas- Santiago
Early morning transfer to the bus terminal in Puerto Natales and transfer by public bus (4h) to the city of Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas found in 1848 at the shores of the Magellan Strait, is definitely a town with “European” character. Sheep-breeding, oil and chemical factories, fishery and commerce are the main sources of income. Penguin colonies and immense farms, as well as a usually cold and windy climate will be experienced here. Upon arrival at the public bus station, you will be welcomed by your local guide for a city tour through Punta Arenas, which was the first permanent settlement in Austral Patagonia. Started on the 18th of December 1848 as a small colony, in a couple of years it developed to be the most important cultural, commercial, and cattle raising center of Patagonia. Continue on a tour through the tidy laid out avenues and squares which host more than thirty monuments. Proceed to Cerro La Cruz, from where you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the city and the Strait of Magellan. Afterwards continue to the Punta Arenas airport for your flight to Santiago de Chile (not included). Upon arrival pick-up and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Santiago.

Day 10 Santiago
Santiago de Chile is a city of contrasts with remains of its colonial past to the ultramodern, high-rise buildings of the financial center; Chile’s capital city will surprise you. At the beginning of the city tour you will see the San Francisco church, which was built between 1572 and 1618. You will pass through the Barrio Paris & Londres which is characterized by its European architectural style and its narrow cobbled streets. Then you will visit the area of the Club Hipico, one of the most beautiful horse racing tracks in South America, privileged by its architecture of the late 19th century. Continuing your tour towards the Barrio Concha y Toro, you will immediately notice that the constructions of the buildings here are very similar to those in the Barrio Paris y Londres. While walking through the main street you will recover vestiges of the aristocratic past of the capital. In 1989 this district was declared as “Zona Tipica” (Typical zone). You will be impressed by the Gothic, neo-colonial and Bauhaus constructions. After that you will visit the Plaza de Armas and see the cathedral. Just around the corner, you will find the main post office, the National History museum and the town hall of Santiago. From here you head along the famous Alameda, Santiago’s colorful main avenue, towards the heart of the city, seeing the “Palacio de la Moneda” (seat of government), various monuments and public buildings on the way. Afterwards, you continue the tour by driving up to the top of the San Cristobal Hill. From one of the hill’s view points, you will have the finest views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains. To round off the tour, you will pass through the modern residential areas of the city with their daring architecture and, finally, the bustling Providencia shopping zone. Overnight in Santiago

Day 11 Santiago-End of Tour
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport. You can extend your stay in lovely Santiago or continue to the Atacama Desert or to the wine regions in Chile and Argentina.

Additional nights available

Pre and post tours to Easter Island, the wine growing area around Santiago, Bariloche and Iguassu Falls available.