Highlights
- Enjoy a thrilling ice trek along one of South America's most famous glaciers
- Boat to Isla Martillo to observe gentoo and Magellanic penguins
- Go on a range of hikes in Argentina's trekking hub, El Chaltén
- Spend a day trekking and canoeing in Tierra del Fuego National Park
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Buenos Aires, Explore | Buenos Aires |
| Day 2 | Fly to El Calafate, Visit the Glaciarium | El Calafate |
| Day 3 | Ice Trek on Perito Moreno Glacier | El Calafate |
| Day 4 | Ride Horses, Kayak, or See Wildlife Near El Calafate | El Calafate |
| Day 5 | Enjoy a Scenic Transfer to El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 6 | Hike to Laguna de Los Tres | El Chaltén |
| Day 7 | Explore Mountain Trails Around El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 8 | Free Day in El Chaltén | El Chaltén |
| Day 9 | Return to El Calafate, Free Afternoon | El Calafate |
| Day 10 | Fly to Ushuaia, Explore | Ushuaia |
| Day 11 | Trek & Canoe in Tierra del Fuego National Park | Ushuaia |
| Day 12 | Beagle Channel Cruise | Ushuaia |
| Day 13 | Boat to the Penguin Colony on Isla Martillo | Ushuaia |
| Day 14 | Depart Ushuaia |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, Explore
Welcome to Argentina! Begin your trip in Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital city. Nicknamed the "Paris of South America," it's famous for its rich tango heritage, European-inspired architecture, and fervent fútbol (soccer) fans. You'll transfer from the airport to your hotel and have some time to get settled before heading off on an afternoon tour.
Your guide will pick you up and start by showing you Plaza de Mayo, home to the national government palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Continue to nearby San Telmo, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods; it's famous for its bohemian atmosphere, street tango performances, antique shops, and cobblestoned streets. La Boca is known for its brightly-painted houses and the legendary Boca Juniors Football Club, where Diego Maradona played. Puerto Madero is on the riverside, with former industrial warehouses turned into elegant bars, restaurants, and offices.
Palermo is home to trendy bars, clubs, and boutiques, plus parks, lakes, and wooded areas. Recoleta is famous for its cemetery, where some of Argentina's most famous residents are buried—including Eva Perón, also known as Evita. After the tour, have dinner near your hotel—try an Argentine parrilla, or steakhouse—and get some rest before traveling onward tomorrow.
Day 2: Fly to El Calafate, Visit the Glaciarium
Today you'll fly to the Patagonian destination of El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. If you can, get a window seat to take in the stunning views of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field during the roughly three-hour flight. El Calafate is known for its location on Lago Argentino, Argentina's largest freshwater lake. After checking in at your hotel and getting settled, you'll have the afternoon and evening free to stroll around town and do some sightseeing.
Get ready for tomorrow's visit to the nearby glaciers by visiting the Glaciarium. This interactive museum offers hands-on displays and an ice bar where you can take a break for drinks. Stop in the quaint cafés and shops around El Calafate, then have dinner in a local restaurant before getting some rest at your hotel.
Day 3: Ice Trek on Perito Moreno Glacier
Today's adventure takes you to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. The transfer from your hotel takes about one hour. As you enter the park, you'll catch your first glimpse of the majestic glacier. This extensive ice mass flows down from the Andes out over Lago Argentino, ending abruptly in a great wall that curves around the lake. Watch for "calving," the awe-inspiring sight of ice breaking off the facade and crashing into the tranquil waters below.
Today, you'll go on an ice trekking excursion on the glacier's surface. Equipped with crampons and an ice ax, follow your guide on a memorable adventure on ice! Afterward, you'll have time to explore the boardwalks and viewing platforms offering sweeping views of the glacier. Head back to El Calafate for the evening.
Day 4: Ride Horses, Kayak, or See Wildlife Near El Calafate
Today you'll have free time to enjoy El Calafate however you like. You could book a luxurious spa treatment and spend the day relaxing. Embark on an active adventure, like horseback riding at a nearby ranch, or go for a kayak trip on the lake. You could also tour Reserva Laguna Nimez, a protected area that's home to exotic birds like the Chilean flamingo. The reserve is located just a short walk outside town.
Day 5: Enjoy a Scenic Transfer to El Chaltén
Today you'll enjoy the wonderfully-scenic three-hour drive to El Chaltén. This small Patagonian village, nicknamed "the trekking capital of Argentina," sits on the shores of Lago Argentino. Like El Calafate, it's a gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, with towering peaks rising 10,000 feet (3,048 m) above the wind-swept landscape. As you drive into El Chaltén, enjoy incredible views of Mount Fitz Roy.
Check in to your hotel, then take the rest of the day to acclimate to the area. If you're up for a short outdoor adventure, well-marked trails lead away from town. Or walk around the village and have a relaxing evening in one of El Chaltén's many restaurants and craft beer bars. For dinner, sample local dishes like roast Patagonian lamb, rib-eye steak, and empanadas. Then get some rest before tomorrow's early start.
Day 6: Hike to Laguna de Los Tres
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 7: Explore Mountain Trails Around El Chaltén
Day 8: Free Day in El Chaltén
Today you'll have the whole day to discover more of El Chaltén and its hiking trails at your own pace. You could go on a short 1.9-mile (3 km) walk along the Río de las Vueltas, spotting woodpeckers and other birds along the way. Or trek through the native forest to the deep blue waters of Laguna Capri, a lake at the foot of the mountains. Salto El Chorrillo is a thundering waterfall located a short walk from town. Nearby, you'll find plenty of rocks where you can sit and enjoy the serene landscape.
Another option is to visit the Huemul Glacier, located about an hour outside of town. Named after a native deer, the hike up to the glacier and the lake will bring you through some of the most picturesque scenery in the area, past rivers and streams, and through virgin forests. A nice reward is the view of Cerros Torre and Fitz Roy from the top. When you're done exploring more of the area, head back into town and visit a local bar to enjoy some of the best craft beer in the country,
Day 9: Return to El Calafate, Free Afternoon
In the morning, go on a hike near El Chaltén. Grab lunch in town, then board the bus back to El Calafate. After the picturesque journey, you'll have a break today to take it easy or try any outdoor activities you haven't done yet, like horseback riding or bird-watching. Have dinner at a restaurant in town before your travels continue tomorrow.
Day 10: Fly to Ushuaia, Explore
After breakfast in El Calafate, you'll pack up and transfer to the airport for your flight of just over an hour to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on a bay in Tierra del Fuego, the city sits between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the silver waters of the Beagle Channel, where Charles Darwin famously sailed. After dropping off your things at your hotel, walk along the waterfront to marvel at the mountains and scenic shoreline.
Visit Ushuaia's Maritime Museum, housed in a building that was once a prison, or the Museo del Fin del Mundo (End of the World Museum). Located on the waterfront, this small museum features fascinating exhibits on the region's natural and Indigenous history. Alternatively, take a leisurely afternoon hike at Laguna Esmeralda, a beautiful turquoise lake outside Ushuaia. Then enjoy dinner in a local seafood restaurant—be sure to try the centolla (king crab).Day 11: Trek & Canoe in Tierra del Fuego National Park
Today, you'll spend most of your time in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Your experienced guide will show you the best hikes, lakes, and lookout points, from seaside mountains to freshwater rivers to subantarctic forests and tranquil bays. Begin with a 4.3-mile (7 km) hike on a coastal path that follows the Beagle Channel. You'll have excellent views of the channel along the way and pass remnants of ancient settlements once occupied by the native Yámana people.
At the end of the hike, enjoy a delicious lunch with views of the Río Lapataia and Lago Roca. Then it's time to start a canoe ride down the river. This waterway leads to your ultimate destination, Lapataia Bay. Located on the Beagle Channel, it sits at the end of the Pan-American Highway. You'll return to the city of Ushuaia for the night.
Day 12: Beagle Channel Cruise
After breakfast in Ushuaia, head to the pier to board a boat for a sightseeing cruise on the Beagle Channel. As you sail 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 islands of Lobo and De Los Pajaros.
If the winds are calm, you can get off the boat and walk ashore on one of the islands. Before making your way back to Ushuaia, you'll cruise past the famous Les Eclaireurs, the so called "Lighthouse at the End of the World."
Day 13: Boat to the Penguin Colony on Isla Martillo
Enjoy another adventure on the water today. After transferring by car to Estancia Haberton, you'll sail across Brown Bay and the Beagle Channel, passing incredible landscapes and islands with colonies of sea lions and Magellanic penguins. Your destination is Isla Martillo, a rocky island populated by penguins. You'll be invited to hop off the boat and walk near them; though closer contact isn't allowed, you'll have some fantastic photo opportunities.
Continue the boat trip to the small village of Almanza, where you'll have a seafood lunch with a local family and learn about the fishing industry in the area. Then continue hiking to the Río Lasifashaj, which features a picturesque waterfall. Sunset will be approaching slowly as you return to Ushuaia for a relaxing dinner and rest at the hotel.
Day 14: Depart Ushuaia
Your adventure in Argentine Patagonia has come to an end. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and help you make your connection back to Buenos Aires to catch your flight home. Safe travels!
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