Highlights
- Walk the cobblestone streets of Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay
- Sample traditional Argentine steak and wine in Buenos Aires
- Get an up-close-and-personal view of the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier
- Explore untouched nature around the Patagonian mountain town of El Chaltén
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Montevideo (Uruguay), Afternoon City Tour | Montevideo |
| Day 2 | Visit a Carnival Tablado, Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento | Montevideo |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Buenos Aires (Argentina), Biking & Food Tours | Buenos Aires |
| Day 4 | Tour the Temaikén Ecological Reserve | Buenos Aires |
| Day 5 | Fly to El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion, Nautical Safari | El Calafate |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to El Chaltén, Hike Condors Viewpoint & Salto del Chorrillo | El Calafate |
| Day 7 | Ranch Day at Estancia Nibepo Aike, Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Montevideo (Uruguay), Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Uruguay! After you arrive at Carrasco International Airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to Uruguay's capital, Montevideo. This fascinating city is known for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and coastal beauty. After settling in at your hotel, a guide will be waiting to introduce you to the capital on a city-wide tour. Admire historic buildings like the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral, stop at charming squares like Plaza Matriz, and take a stroll through the traditional Prado neighborhood. Stop at the famous Mercado del Puerto to refuel and sample food at one of the famous grills.
Later, wander along the Rambla de Montevideo, an extensive promenade stretching along the coast. Relax in the spacious Parque Rodó and taste authentic Uruguayan cuisine at one of the many food stalls at Abasto Market. Other highlights include the oldest theater in South America, the Solís Theater, and the Plaza Virgilio, which has the most spectacular views of the coast. Montevideo also has several beaches, such as Pocitos Beach and Ramírez Beach, where you can enjoy the sun and the sea later in the afternoon.
Day 2: Visit a Carnival Tablado, Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento
Today in Montevideo, you'll attend a Carnival tablado (show), a tour designed for you to experience the colors, flavors, and rhythms of Carnival firsthand as you learn the history, traditions, beginnings, and meaning that this incredible annual party has for the Uruguayans. Your English-speaking guide will lead the way into this world of music, rhythms, and customs.
Later in the day, head to the beautiful city of Colonia del Sacramento. The entire town is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and the streets are packed with history. After you arrive, join a local guide to tour the cobblestone lanes and discover sites such as the Portón de Campo (Old City Gate) and the historic Calle de Los Suspiros (Street of Sighs).
During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to taste maté, a traditional tea made from the leaves of the yerba maté plant. The tea is prepared in an ancient ritual practiced in Uruguay for generations. A local maté expert will teach you the basics of making tea and provide background on the drink's history. Sample different varieties and taste regional pastries to refuel during your walk, then return to the hotel, where you'll have the rest of the afternoon free.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Transfer to Buenos Aires (Argentina), Biking & Food Tours
This morning, hop aboard the 3.5-hour ferry from Montevideo to Buenos Aires. Known as the "Paris of South America," the Argentine capital welcomes you with its leafy parks, wide boulevards, and vibrant nightlife. After you settle in, take a bike tour through the traditional barrios (neighborhoods) of the city, including San Telmo, La Boca, and Monserrat. See the historic Plaza Dorrego, one of the oldest squares in Buenos Aires with a famous weekly market, and cruise by the gorgeous gazebos in El Parque Lezama.
Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening immersed in an Argentine gastronomy tour. Start with a walking tour of parrillas (Argentine steakhouses) to discover the best hole-in-the-wall spots locals favor. Try the best steaks in the city, drizzled with traditional chimichurri (garlic, herb, and vinegar sauce). Continue to sample various Argentine specialties in the picturesque Palermo neighborhood, stopping at restaurants and cafés for handmade empanadas, famous street foods like choripán (sausage with bread), and local wines. End the tour at one of the city's best heladerias (ice cream shops).
Day 4: Tour the Temaikèn Ecological Reserve
Today, you'll take a break from city sightseeing to dive into a full-day tour of nature and wildlife at the famous Temaikèn Biopark. Located 45 minutes from the city in the town of Belén de Escobar, the name "Temaikèn" holds significance: it derives from the Indigenous Tehuelche words tem (earth) and aikèn (life) to mean "land of life."
There's something for everyone to enjoy at the park, including an aquarium, cinema, botanical gardens, interactive exhibits, and restaurants. Visit the largest aviary in South America and see endangered animals such as the Patagonia frog, swamp deer, and the jaguar. There are also exhibits dedicated to animals from all over the world, including Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In the afternoon, your driver will take you back to Buenos Aires, where you can get an early night to prepare for tomorrow's Patagonian adventures.
Day 5: Fly to El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier Excursion, Nautical Safari
It's time to venture deeper south into Argentina today, as your driver transfers you to the airport to catch a 3.5-hour flight to El Calafate. Located deep in Patagonia at the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, this small city is famous as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. After you settle in, you'll venture into the park right away as your guide takes you to the western end of the Peninsula de Magallanes. Here, you can follow wooden boardwalks to various panoramic points, taking in multiple views of the jaw-dropping Perito Moreno Glacier.
Later in the day, board a boat at Puerto Bajo Las Sombras for a nautical safari to get an up-close view of the glacier from the waters of Lago Argentino. Within the first 20 minutes of navigation, you'll be able to observe icebergs as a result of the constant ruptures in the front of the glacier. The boat then approaches the southern wall of the glacier to monitor the landslides and take photographs. At the end of this long day of adventure, your driver will transfer you back to El Calafate.
Day 6: Day Trip to El Chaltén, Hike Condors Viewpoint & Salto del Chorrillo
Join another full-day guided tour today to explore the mountain village of El Chaltén, located about 2.5 hours away. Begin on the mythical Route 40, bordering Lago Argentino, cross the Río Santa Cruz, then travel down the picturesque canyon of the Río La Leona. Grab a coffee and a slice of homemade cake at the old hotel in Paso La Leona before stopping at Viedma Glacier viewpoint. Here, you can appreciate a beautiful panoramic view of the emblematic peaks of Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
Once you arrive in the charming town, a guide will lead you on an easy, one-hour hike up to the Condors Viewpoint, where you'll be met with a magnificent panoramic vista over the Piedras Blancas Glacier, with El Chaltén village below and the Valle de Río de las Vueltas in the background. In the afternoon, take another short hike to Salto del Chorrillo, a beautiful waterfall with crystalline waters surrounded by gorgeous native forests. Head back to the town to enjoy the craft brewery or sip yerba maté at the local teahouse before boarding the car back to El Calafate.
Day 7: Ranch Day at Estancia Nibepo Aike, Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart
Spend the final morning of your trip learning about life on the region's estancias (ranches). Your guide will take you on a 40-mile (60 km) trip to the historic Estancia Nibepo Aike, located on the shores of Lago Roca. After a welcome picnic, tour the ranch to see typical activities such as sheep shearing (using traditional methods), sheep herding, or sheep milking. Learn about the life of a gaúcho (Argentine cowboy) and the basics of horseback riding, then set off to explore the surrounding Andean Patagonian forest. Return to the estancia in time to share a classic Patagonia lamb roast, ranch-style.
After lunch, your driver will take you to the El Calafate International Airport in plenty of time to catch your connecting flight to Buenos Aires for your onward connection. Buen viaje, wherever life takes you next!
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