Best of Argentine Patagonia: Buenos Aires, El Calafate, El Chaltén & Tierra del Fuego - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Explore

Welcome to Argentina! Renowned as the "Paris of South America" and the "Queen of El Plata," the capital city of Buenos Aires is famous for its mix of European ambience and Latin American zest for life. It's the birthplace of Argentina's rich tango heritage, home to some of its most beautiful architecture and its richest museums, and the nucleus of its fútbol (soccer) culture—a sport for which Argentinians have unbridled enthusiasm.

When you arrive at the airport—most likely Ezeiza International—your driver will take you to your hotel, where you will have the chance to recharge from the journey. Once you're rested up, be sure to venture out into the welcoming arms of Buenos Aires and explore. The city center is your best starting point.

Suggested activities include:

• Admire Plaza de Mayo, the city's oldest and most important square and a site of both celebrations and protests. The plaza is ringed by ornate government buildings, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the 1580 town hall. In the middle of the landscaped plaza, the Pirámide de Mayo was built in 1811 as a monument to the May Revolution of 1810, which fomented the nation's independence from Spain.
• Visit the Obelisco, which might be the most famous landmark in the city. Erected in 1936, the stone obelisk commemorates the 400th anniversary of the city's founding. Sitting right in the middle of Avenida 9 de Julio, and boasting a whopping 16 lanes, makes it the widest city street in the world. 
• Stop by the Teatro Colon, one of South America's premier opera houses. The horseshoe-shaped gallery features 2,487 seats and incredible acoustics. You can opt to take a tour through the incredibly elaborate opera house or watch a show here. The Colon's stunning neoclassical facade has been regarded as one of the most handsome buildings in Buenos Aires since its opening in 1908.
• Stroll through Puerto Madero, an upscale waterfront neighborhood adjacent to Buenos Aires downtown. Puerto Madero is known as the "new money" financial center of Buenos Aires. There is a scenic and lively walking route worth exploring and a canal front lined with bars and restaurants. Enjoy a romantic stroll over the canal on the Puente de la Mujer at sunset—the innovative, modern footbridge swings open to allow boat traffic to pass.
• Dine at an Argentine steakhouse or parilla. When night falls and dinnertime arrives, enjoy an authentic thick, juicy steak (Argentina has some of the best beef in the world) drizzled with the nation's famous chimichurri (a garlic, herb, and vinegar sauce). But plan on dining late—Buenos Aires' culture thrives after dark, and it's common for locals to have dinner after 9 pm, especially on weekends. 

Day 2: Fly to El Calafate

In the morning, a driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. Known as the gateway to Argentina's glaciers, the city is located on the shores of Lago Argentino, the nation's biggest freshwater lake. If possible, select a window seat to enjoy the stunning views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field as you fly over it. 

Upon arrival at El Calafate, another transfer will take you to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing or wander around and enjoy the cafés and souvenir shops around town. You can learn about nearby glaciers by visiting the Glaciarium, a multi-media center that has an ice museum, various interactive displays, and educational information regarding glaciers. Don a coat, boots, and gloves to enjoy a drink at the museum's Glaciobar BrancaIt, Argentina's first ice bar.

Day 3: Perito Moreno Glacier Trek

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll transfer to Los Glaciares National Park. As you enter the park, you'll catch your first glimpse of the majestic Perito Moreno. This expansive ice mass flows down from the Andes Mountains into the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, ending abruptly in a great wall curving around the lake. With a little luck and patience, you'll witness "calving," the awe-inspiring sight of ice breaking off the facade and crashing into the tranquil waters below. Every time ice hits the water, a thundering crash will reverberate in your ears. 

Believe it or not, you'll be trekking on top of this glacier—your full-day excursion that involves walking over the ice while fully equipped with crampons and an ice ax. Traversing Perito Moreno is an amazing adventure and a perfectly safe one, as you'll be accompanied by certified bilingual guides who know the terrain intimately. Enjoy the thrill of crossing over deep blue ice crevices and hiking over meltwater streams as you experience Perito Moreno up close. 

During the day, you'll also have ample time to witness the glacier from one of the many viewing platforms in the park. These platforms are accessible via a network of boardwalks that run along the shores of the lake, offering the best vantage points and sweeping views of the glacier.

Day 4: Enjoy a Scenic Transfer to El Chaltén

After breakfast, a vehicle will pick you up for the three-hour drive to the town of El Chaltén. If the skies are clear, you'll be treated to incredible views of Mount Fitz Roy, the toothlike 11,020-foot (3,359 m) granite mountain that looms over the town. El Chaltén is regarded as a hiker's paradise due to the proximity of Fitz Roy and other mountaineering options in the area.

Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day to acclimate to the area. Perhaps you'll want to take a walk in town before a relaxing evening sampling El Chaltén's many restaurants and craft-beer bars.

Day 5: Full Day Hike to Laguna de Los Tres & Mount Fitz Roy

Today you'll set out on a full-day outing in Los Glaciares National Park. El Chaltén is the perfect starting point for hiking because there are a number of trailheads that start just outside of town. Many of these leads into the Fitz Roy range and offer wonderful opportunities for day hikes.

A "day hike" here means a full day of hiking since most trails can take up to 11 hours to complete, depending on the route you take. You'll most likely hike to Laguna de los Tres today. The trail leads up through an alpine forest—where you'll have beautiful views of Piedras Blancas Glacier—and all the way up to the lake. Laguna de los Tres earned its name from the panoramic view it offers of the three peaks: Fitz Roy, Poincenot, and Torre.

At the end of this 16-mile (26 km) hike, you'll descend the mountain and return to your hotel in El Chaltén for a well-earned rest.

Day 6: Hike to Mirador Cerro Torre

Today, you'll leave El Chaltén on foot, accompanied by a professional guide. On this hike, you'll traverse a glacial valley that has fascinated geologists due to its perfect "U" shape, which is the result of the area once being covered by large swaths of ice. The total distance of this hike is 15 miles (24 km) and it takes about six hours to complete.

The journey will take you through bright green lenga forests and around lagoons until you reach the day's final destination—Laguna Torre. This glacial lake sits at the foot of the sharp granite peak of Cerro Torre, and here you'll find the glacier that feeds the lake as well. After spending some time at the lake admiring the views, you'll return to El Chaltén along the same path.

Day 7: Return to El Calafate, Visit the Glaciarium

After breakfast, you'll take a three-hour private transfer to reach El Calafate. Upon checking into your hotel, you can then spend the afternoon exploring the town and its surroundings. Browse the local shops and enjoy the cafés.

Learn about the region's glaciers at the Glaciarium, a multimedia center featuring an ice museum, interactive displays, and educational information. Then enjoy a drink at the museum's Glaciobar BrancaIt, Argentina's first ice bar—be sure to bundle up, as it's chilly inside!

For dinner, be sure to sample the local cuisine of roast Patagonian lamb, ribeye steak, and empanadas. Wash it all down with a glass or two of malbec.

Day 8: Fly to Ushuaia, Explore

After breakfast in El Calafate, you'll pack up and transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia—the southernmost city in the world. Upon arrival, a driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel, where you'll have the rest of the day to explore as you see fit. 

Located on a bay in the Patagonian region of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia sits between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the silver waters of the Beagle Channel. This is the same waterway Charles Darwin explored when he was traveling on the HMS Beagle almost two hundred years ago. Make sure to get out and walk along the waterfront for a better glimpse of the craggy mountains and silver channel.

Suggested activities in and around town: 

• Stroll the streets of downtown. As you walk around the colorful shops and buildings, notice an endearing jumble of architectural styles with everything from mock chalets to tumbledown wooden cottages.

• Stop in at the Prison Museum. The building that houses Ushuaia's Maritime Museum was once an old prison. Constructed at the turn of the 20th century, some six hundred convicts occupied three hundred and eighty cells until the prison's closing in 1947. Today, the prison looks unchanged since its doors closed.

• Visit the Museo del Fin del Mundo, or the "End of the World" Museum. Located on the waterfront, this small museum features fascinating exhibits on the region's natural and Indigenous history. You'll also find extensive exhibits on birds and sailing.

• Head to Laguna Esmeralda. With the trailhead about 11 miles (17 km) outside of Ushuaia, this is an easy afternoon hike for all levels. The shores of this turquoise lake are great for photos and stopping to enjoy nature.

• Sample the local cuisine. The region is famous for its seafood, particularly centolla (king crab). Try au gratin—it's the most decadent dish in Ushuaia. 

Day 9: Hike & Canoe in Tierra del Fuego

Spend a day in Tierra del Fuego National Park, one of the most frequently visited places around Ushuaia. It's close to the city, and there are many wonders within its 155,000 acres. You'll have a specialized guide to help you discover the natural beauty within the park. You'll get to know the ins and outs of this protected paradise, from seaside mountains and freshwater rivers to subantarctic forests and tranquil bays.

After arriving, take a magnificent 4.3-mile (7 km) hike on a coastal path that follows the Beagle Channel. You will have prime views of the channel along the way and the chance to enjoy the diverse flora and fauna, including sea lions, seals, and albatross. During the hike, you will pass remnants of ancient settlements once occupied by the Yámana Indigenous People.

You'll reach Lago Roca after trekking for three hours. Here you can relax and enjoy a hot lunch before pushing off on a canoe ride down the Lapataia River. This waterway leads to your ultimate destination—the spectacular Bahia Lapataia (Lapataia Bay)—located in the Beagle Channel, sitting at the end of Nacional Route No. 3, an extension of the legendary Pan American Highway. From here, you'll transfer back to your hotel in Ushuaia.

Day 10: Beagle Channel Cruise

After breakfast in Ushuaia, head to the pier to board a boat for a local cruise. Today's excursion sails through the Beagle Channel, one of the region's most important waterways named after the HMS Beagle, a 19th-century British ship that brought Charles Darwin to South America.

As you pass through the channel, you'll get breathtaking panoramic views of the city of Ushuaia and the entire bay. Be on the lookout for diverse marine wildlife, such as cormorants and sea lions, especially near the Lobo and De Los Pajaros islands. If the winds are calm, you can hop ashore and look out to the opposite coast, stretching across Chile and Argentina. Before making your way back to Ushuaia, see the famous Les Eclaireurs, the so-called "Lighthouse at the End of the World."

Day 11: Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart

This morning, you'll head to the airport in Ushuaia to fly back to Buenos Aires. From here, you'll transfer to the international airport for your flight back home. Buen viaje!

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