Exploring Patagonia by Land & Sea in Argentina & Chile

When you land, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel in the heart of San Telmo, the historic district, where you’ll be staying for three nights. Your stylish hotel will immerse you in the history and heritage of this incredible city. When you’ve settled in, head up to the rooftop terrace for a drink before lunch in the fabulous fusion restaurant. You have the rest of the day to relax or begin exploring this vibrant city.

So you can get to know the city a little better today, we’ll arrange for you to take a tour of the capital with a local guide. In the company of an expat who knows Buenos Aires like the back of their hand, you’ll spend a few hours immersing yourself in its culture, visiting secret spots and learning more about the daily life of the porteños (port city locals).

After the tour, you have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure: hunt for special souvenirs at the Sunday San Telmo antique fair; explore the Caminito street museum in the colourful La Boca neighbourhood; sink your teeth into some incredible meat at a friendly parilla (steakhouse); go for an Argentinian wine tasting; marvel at the Haussmannien architecture in the chic Recoleta district; visit the fantastic Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts); or do as the locals do and spend an evening in the trendy Palermo district.

If you like, we can also arrange for you to have dinner at a milonga, a traditional tango venue frequented by locals of all ages.

It’s time to begin your adventure in Patagonia. You’ll take a private transfer to the airport and board your flight to El Calafate, one of the region’s must-sees, which takes just over three hours from Buenos Aires. When you land, pick up your hire car and drive to your small hotel that’s bathed in nature. Relax after your journey in the cosy living room or in the hot tub with a view of magnificent Argentino Lake.

This small town full of charming wooden houses is the gateway to the magnificent Los Glaciares National Park, so hop into your car and head towards its turquoise lakes and snow-capped peaks. The park’s biggest attraction is the incredible Perito Moreno glacier, which you can reach via footbridges and pathways that bring you the best views of this natural phenomenon. From the park’s various viewpoints, Perito Moreno seems to pose for you, a majestic wall of ice that’s 550ft thick in places. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for a Magellanic fox, Patagonian hare, guanaco, southern Andean deer or perch. So you can focus on exploring, we’ll take care of lunch for you: a typical Argentinian ‘picada’ picnic of meat, cheese, bread and, of course, Malbec. Tuck into this feast as you look out at Perito Moreno.

If you like, we can also arrange for you to go riding around the lake, or organise a cruise on the lake followed by a 4x4 trip across The Pampas.

You have most of today to spend at your leisure, and there’s plenty to get stuck into. Inside the park, Lago Roca is the southern arm of the Argentino Lake. The journey here alone is worth the detour, leading you between majestic peaks and forests of lenga beech and ñire trees. When you arrive, enjoy this incredible place as you hike, ride or look out for local birds including condors, Darwin's rheas and southern oystercatchers. Keen walkers might want to tackle Cerro de los Cristales, a 4,220ft peak that, on clear days, offers panoramic views of Perito Moreno and the Torres del Paine.

For lunch, we’ve got something special planned: a barbecue in a traditional estancia (ranch) nestled in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park. With a backdrop of mountains and lakes, you’ll experience the art of asado, typical Argentinian barbecue that includes beef, lamb, morcilla (black pudding) and chorizo cooked on an open fire. After you’ve eaten your fill, make the most of your surroundings and go for a picturesque walk to help digest all that delicious food.

Today, you’ll return your hire car to the airport before flying to Ushuaia. This resort town is located on the southernmost tip of Argentina, which has been nicknamed ‘the end of the world.’ You’ll spend the night here in one of the town’s most beautiful hotels on the banks of the Beagle Channel. Spend the rest of today relaxing in your comfortable room, taking a dip in the semi-open swimming pool or enjoying an incredible view of the canal from the veranda.

It’s time for the most incredible part of this Patagonian adventure: your cruise at the end of the world. You’ll take a private transfer to the port where you’ll board the Stella Australis for the first of four-and-a-half days at sea between fjords, canals and craggy peaks. This ship is built to handle the complex manoeuvres require to navigate the region's waterways, allowing you to take in incredible landscapes along the way. There are cosy lounges on different decks where you can relax and enjoy the view, while at the very top, an exterior bridge lets you experience the magic of this region in the fresh air.

This cruise takes you along the southern archipelago of Tierra del Fuego, straddling Chile and Argentina. After leaving Ushuaia, you’ll take the Beagle Channel followed by the Strait of Magellan – hasta luego Argentina!

On this second day on board, the ship will make its way through the Murray Channel, which separates the Chilean islands of Hoste and Navarino, then into Nassau Bay to reach Cape Horn National Park. Here, you’re officially at the southernmost point of continental America, and it's dramatically beautiful. If the weather allows, you’ll stop to experience these isolated landscapes up close. Your journey continues north for a stop in Wulaia Bay, where the Yaghan peoples lived around 10,000 years ago. It’s believed that these native people moved across the channels on canoes made of lenga bark (endemic white beech). Here, you’ll climb through the trees of the Patagonian forests for a breathtaking view of the bay and the endless southern horizon.

Your third day at sea transports you to frozen lands. In the morning, the ship takes you to the north-eastern arm of the Beagle Channel to reach the Pia Fjord. On land, you’ll walk until you can absorb the beauty of the fjord’s eponymous glacier. This gigantic natural structure rises between mountain peaks and seems to flow into the sea, and it’s well worth the journey. This afternoon, you’ll head to the Garibaldi Fjord for a hike to a glacial waterfall.

Today begins in the Cockburn Canal, which grants you access to the Agostini Fjord. Here, come face-to-face with the majestic glaciers that descend from the Cordillera Darwin. You’ll take an exhilarating Zodiac boat trip to reach the shore before a hike around the lagoon that’s been formed by the melting of the Águila Glacier. The rest of the day will be spent at the Condor Glacier, where another Zodiac trip brings you a special encounter with this icy giant.

It’s your last morning aboard the ship today, so spend some final moments moving to the rhythm of the glaciers, fjords and canals that wind through the islands of Tierra del Fuego. Depending on the season and climactic conditions, you might have a final stopover on Magdalena Island, which is populated by an impressive colony of Magellanic penguins, or on Isla Marta, home to around 1,000 sea lions.

You’ll arrive in Punta Arenas around lunchtime. This is the end of your unforgettable cruise, but thankfully not the end of your adventure. You’ll be privately transferred to your hire car pick-up location before driving on to Puerto Natales, about three hours away. Your home for the night is located in a beautiful natural setting just outside of the city, and you’ll have superb views of Última Esperanza Sound from your comfortable room.

Your journey today takes you north to the Torres del Paine National Park, about an hour and a half away. You’ll leave the banks of the Ultima Esperanza fjord behind and plunge into more magnificent landscapes punctuated by the three peaks of the ‘torres’. Your next three nights will be spent in a lodge in the heart of the park. In simple chalet-style surroundings, you’re in constant contact with nature thanks to large bay windows.

Classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Torres del Paine National Park boasts stunning landscapes and an ecosystem that is almost unique. It has been ranked as one of the top five most beautiful places on the planet, and it’s easy to see why. Infinite deep blue lakes, lofty peaks marbled with snow and majestic glaciers are just some of the things you’ll see as you explore the park today (we’ll take care of the entry fees, so you won’t have to think about that). Several trails lead you to lakes Sarmiento, Pehoé, Grey, Toro and Nordenskjöld. In the distance, the granite peaks of the Cuernos del Paine (Paine horns) permanently watch over this untouched natural setting; to see them close up, hike to the shores of Lake Péhoé or to the Nordenskjöld viewpoint. If you’re not a keen walker, don’t worry – the park has trails of varying difficulty and length, so there’s something to suit everyone. Take the path to the Grey Lake Viewpoint and cross the forest and Rio Avurtadas en route, or head to the Salto Grande waterfall.

With your hire car at the ready, you’re free to explore the park at your own pace, but if you like, we can also arrange for you to go riding in the Patagonian Pampas, or to take a cruise on the Grey Lake followed by a hike on the glacier.

Today, you’ll drive back to Punta Arenas to return your hire car and board your three-and-a-half-hour flight to Santiago. When you arrive, you’ll be taken to your city-centre hotel by private transfer. After all that adventuring, it’s time to relax. Spend the rest of today lounging by the swimming pool, and don’t forget to toast to your trip on the terrace before heading out to try one of the capital’s many restaurants this evening. If you like, we can also arrange for you to see Santiago by night with a local.