Adventures In Patagonia

Arriving early in Buenos Aires we check in to our hotel. Here we find ourselves in the midst of Argentina’s vibrant capital, located on the southern shores of the Rio de la Plata. Since its founding by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536 the city has thrived on trade and its vibrant streets are filled with an eclectic mix of European architectural styles, with Spanish, French and Italian classicism rubbing shoulders with remnants of Victorian grandeur. Gaining independence from its Spanish overlords in 1816 the city grew to rival the great cities of Europe, its wide avenues and elegant squares earning it the title of the Paris of the South. This afternoon we will take a tour of the city, exploring the major landmarks around the Plaza de Mayo, site of the famous mass demonstrations by supporters of Juan Domingo Peron in 1945, organised by his wife Eva. We’ll also visit the elaborate mausoleums of the famous Recoleta Cemetary, the final resting place of some of Argentina’s most revered figures, including Eva Peron herself. Our tour will also takes us via Palermo Park and the colourful vibrancy of La Caminito in the La Boca district of the city. Settled originally by Italian migrants, the area is famed for its colourful houses and lively street performers. You can even come across the tango being performed of some street corners, highlighting the city’s connection with this most Latin of dances. This evening we have an opportunity to enjoy something of Buenos Aires’ dazzling nightlife and soak up the pulsating rhythms of one of South America’s most captivating cities. N.B those that are travelling on group flights from London will arrive the night before and receive one night accom plus breakfast in Buenos Aires prior to Land Only passengers arrival.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Today we transfer to the airport for the flight to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, spectacularly located on the Island of Tierra del Fuego at the very tip of the South American continent. Beyond this remote port lies the Beagle Channel and then the open waters of The Drake Passage, where the deep rich waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans converge amidst some of the most challenging seas on earth. This afternoon is free, flight time permitting, to explore this remarkable city at the ends of the earth. You might like to visit the Maritime Museum, housed in what was once the prison, to learn a little something about the harsh realities of life on these unforgiving oceans, or even take a half day trip out into the Beagle Channel itself to experience a little something of the power and majesty of these southern oceans. A trip to the nearby Glacier Martial affords some superb views out across the Beagle Channel to the Chilean islands beyond - NB - depending on the flight times to Ushuaia breakfast will be taken either at the hotel in Buenos Aires or in flight

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Tierra del Fuego translates as the ‘Land of Fires’ and today we have time to explore the nearby national park. Separated from Patagonia by the waters of the Magellan Strait, Tierra del Fuego is a landscape of lakes, forest and tundra, set beneath an imposing backdrop of ragged mountain peaks. We aim to walk some of the coastal paths today, taking in the expansive views and hopefully coming across some of the abundant wildlife in the area. These peaks and valleys, filled with Lenga and Guindo trees, provide a rich haven for Patagonian grey foxes and condors and, as we follow the Sendero Bahia trail towards our lunch stop, we will hopefully catch sight of some of the region’s indigenous fauna. After lunch we will take time to walk along some of the Hito trail before driving back to Ushuaia later this afternoon.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After breakfast this morning we depart by public bus and spend our day travelling across Tierra del Fuego, crossing the Magellan Strait by ferry and entering Chile, to complete our journey to Punta Arenas later this afternoon. One of the largest maritime settlements in the region and the first Chilean settlement along the waters of the Magellan Strait, Punta Arenas was founded in the mid 19th century, beginning its life as a penal colony and growing rich on sheep ranching and (before the opening of the Panama Canal) the vital facilities that it offered to shipping traversing the dangerous routes through the southern oceans. Spending time here should give us an opportunity to soak up something of the unique atmosphere of this colonial outpost at the edge of the world, enjoying some local specialities, such as king crab, and perhaps sampling some of the excellent Chilean wines before retiring for the evening.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

A landscape of rugged mountains, turquoise coloured glacial lakes and spectacular wildlife, the majestic vistas of Chilean Patagonia are some of the most scenic and environmentally diverse regions on the planet. Travelling north across the Patagonian steppe, with its desolate rolling plains and views of the peaks of the Cordillera in the distance, we head first for the city of Puerto Natales, our gateway into the sumptuous landscapes of the Torres del Paine National Park. Founded in 1911 this southerly coastal town is a shipping port and a transport hub for almost everyone heading for the Paine Park and in fine weather the cafes are filled with travellers and crowds gathering for the ‘big event’ - the arrival of the Navimag boat from Puerto Montt. After a brief stop in the town we continue towards the magnificent landscapes of the park, surely one of the most beautiful natural vistas on earth and a place once described by Alberto de Agostini as “one of the most spectacular sights that the human imagination can conceive”. Blessed with an abundance of natural wonders, the 934 square miles of land was turned into national park in 1959 and takes its name from the Tehuelche Indian word payne meaning blue, apt acknowledgment of the striking turquoise lakes that abound in this astonishing place. Our dramatic drive takes us via the Milodon Cave to our accommodation in Torres del Paine.

Overnight Standard Hostel Included meals: Breakfast

Paine is little known outside Chile, lying amidst a region of ice-capped peaks, silent blue glacial lakes and wild hill country. Home to a wide variety flora and fauna, it is not unusual to see large numbers of guanacos here, as well as black-necked swans, upland geese, pink flamingos and the odd grey fox snooping around the human food areas looking for an easy meal. We may even be fortunate enough to spot condors, or even the elusive puma, larger here than in any other place in the Andes. Our first full day here affords us an opportunity to hike out to view the ‘Torres’, imposing pinnacles of sharp granite that are surrounded by glacial lakes and craggy ranges that formed millions of years ago. Reaching over 2,600 metres these towers are just part of an impressive range of some 15 peaks rising above 2000 metres, the highest of which is the Cerro Paine Grande, presenting us with one of the most breathtaking mountain vistas on the planet. This is a place to keep an eye out for condors, rheas and guanacos. Our second day offers us the icebergs of Lago Grey, with an opportunity to take an optional boat trip out onto the waters of one of the largest lakes in the park, where icebergs calved from a huge glacier float down towards the beach to be transformed into bizarre formations of incredible blue-hued majesty by the wind and water. We will also have an opportunity on our second day to enjoy some shorter walks for some breathtaking views across the landscape.

Overnight Standard Hostel Included meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we depart for the Argentinean border at Cerro Castillo, crossing the vastness of an empty, treeless plateau, where the only signs of life are the occasional estancia sheltering behind a windbreak of rare trees. Our destination is the town of El Calafate on the southern shores of Lago Argentino, an unassuming little community that has been declared the national capital of the glacier region and provides us with an excellent base from which to explore Los Galciares National Park and in particular the immense grandeur of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we will visit the awe inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier, a highlight which ranks as one of South America’s most magnificent sights and arguably one of the world’s greatest spectacles. Fed by the vast expanse of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the glacier covers some 250 sq km and presents us with an impressive list of statistics. It stretches for over 30km and at it deepest point is over 700m thick. It is advancing at a rate of 700 metres per year, but is estimated to calve off great chunks at probably the same rate, meaning that it has remained pretty much stationary for nearly a century. Where it meets the icy waters of the lake it presents a vast wall some 5km wide that towers on average some 60 metres above the surface of the water. All in all a natural masterpiece of quite spectacular majesty. There will be opportunities whilst here to take an optional boat ride or an optional glacier walk, affording a chance to relish a truly intimate encounter with one of nature’s most inspiring of masterpieces.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We return to the mountains today and drive north, past the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma to El Chaltén, lying at the confluence of the De las Vueltas and Fitzroy Rivers in Los Glaciares National Park. After a chance to check into our hotel and relax there will be the option this afternoon to stretch our legs with a walk up to Chorillo de Salto, taking in the beauty of the town’s surroundings, a natural setting that benefits form being a transition area from the barren Patagonian steppe to the lush grandeur of sub Antarctic forest, all set before the imposing backdrop of the granite pillars of the Torres and Fitzroy Mountains.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Over the next day and a half we have the opportunity to explore the stunning Fitzroy Massif. Today we may take the option to set out with a local guide, weather permitting, to cover the distance to the base of Fitzroy Mountain, whose unmistakable summit is almost permanently covered in cloud, a phenomenon that was believed to be smoke by the indigenous Tehuelche who named it Chalten (smokey mountain). The mountain reaches a height of some 3,405m and its forests and slopes are home to a unique array of wildlife, including the elusive huemel, a small deer and the majestic (and far from small) condor, one of the largest land birds on the planet. The scale and grandeur of this setting, where the glaciers seem to hang suspended between the jagged peaks, makes this walk a truly rewarding excursion and the return journey will take us some 7-8 hours. Or we may take a guided walk to Laguna Torre where along the way we will have views of the magnificent Cerro Torre and Cordon Torre. (6-7 hr return walk). N.B Both of these walks are moderate to strenuous due to the distance covered and type of terrain, there are other shorter walks available on self guided trails shoud you require or you may take the time to relax around the town of Chalten and its stunning surround.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we continue our exploration of the area with our chosen hiking trails before returning by bus to overnight in El Calafate.

Overnight Standard Hosteria Included meals: Breakfast

Today we return to Buenos Aires and enjoy a free afternoon for some final sight seeing and shopping.  This evening you may have the opportunity to experience the vibrant spectacle of Tango at one of the city's shows (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast