Luxury Adventure in Argentine Patagonia - 14 Days

Highlights

• Bookend your outdoor adventures with tours and tango in Buenos Aires
• Be a cowboy for a day at a working Argentine ranch
• Hike and kayak your way around the azure lakes near Bariloche
• Explore Los Glaciares National Park with a private guide on full-day mountain treks

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, South Side Sightseeing Tour

Welcome to Argentina! There's no better introduction to South America's second-largest country than its capital and largest city, Buenos Aires. Its 15 million inhabitants are known as Porteños (people of the port), as the city sits on the mighty Río de la Plata. It was here in the late 19th century that waves of immigrants from Europe began arriving en masse, contributing to the distinctive culture that reveals itself in Buenos Aires' Euro-centric architecture, wide boulevards, and leafy parks.

A driver will pick you up at the airport for the ride into the city and the Alvear Palace. This 5-star luxury hotel in the city's old-money Recoleta district enjoys a central location close to historic landmarks (like the famous cemetery where Evita is buried). It's also the model of timeless elegance, mixing classic French opulence with modern urban style. The grand suites feature crystal chandeliers and Argentine art hanging on the walls, while luxurious amenities include a rooftop heated pool and afternoon tea service. If you're tense after the flight, head to the spa for a massage and/or body exfoliation.

After checking in, hop on a bicycle and stretch your legs with a privately guided 10.5-mile (17 km) tour. It begins in the south with a ride around San Telmo and La Boca, the two oldest neighborhoods in the city. The latter is the site of Buenos Aires' original port and the birthplace of tango music. Continue along San Telmo's cobbled streets on your way to Plaza de Mayo. This historic square is where the city was founded in the 16th century and is the site of the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace). After snapping photos, you'll finish the ride in the upscale waterfront neighborhood of Puerto Madero and then return to your hotel.

Day 2: Day Trip to San Antonio de Areco & Estancia el Ombú

Argentina has a rich frontier history that's represented in its enduring gaúcho (cowboy) culture. To fully appreciate Argentines' mastery of cattle ranching and horsemanship, it's necessary to visit a working estancia (ranch)—which is exactly what you'll do today! In the morning, meet your driver for the 72-mile (117 km) transfer northwest to San Antonio de Areco. This bucolic town is the heart of gaúcho country and still retains its equestrian and silversmith traditions.

Your destination is right outside San Antonio, at Estancia El Ombú. This colonial-style mansion was built in 1880 and sits on expansive green grounds, offering visitors an authentic Argentine countryside experience. Once here, there's a variety of options for activities: you can go horseback riding, hiking, or sightseeing in an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage. The estancia is also a working farm, and you can observe typical ranch-style activities such as herding animals, branding cattle, and milking cows.

A highlight of the day is sitting down to a traditional asado (barbecue). Enjoy grilled meat and empanadas paired with Argentine wine while being entertained by horse shows and traditional folk dancing. Afterward, you'll transfer back to Buenos Aires and your hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Bariloche, Brewery Beer Tasting

It's a big travel day, as this morning you'll return to the airport for the two-hour flight south to San Carlos de Bariloche, located in Argentina's beautiful Lake District. Called "Bariloche" for short (the name, which means "Jaguar Island," comes from the Mapuche Indigenous people who once inhabited the area), the city was founded in 1902 on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi. It's part of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, and in the coming days, you'll experience the park's majesty on nature hikes and excursions.

From the airport, you'll transfer outside the city to Hotel Llao Llao. Sitting on a small peninsula overlooking the lake, the 5-star Llao Llao is not only the finest hotel in the Lake District but also one of the finest hotels in all of Argentina. The luxurious Swiss-chalet-inspired architecture is matched only by its interior layout, featuring elegant rooms and suites with lake views. The hotel offers two restaurants serving gourmet Patagonian and Argentine cuisine, and when you arrive, you can take advantage of Llao Llao's famously opulent afternoon tea service or play a round at its 18-hole golf course.

After settling in, you'll kick off your time in the Lake District with a visit to a local microbrewery. Patagonia is becoming ever more famous for its craft beer scene, and during a tasting, you'll see why this mountainous region claims some of the best brews in the nation. There's also a full menu of snacks and mains to nibble on during the private tasting tour.

Day 4: Kayaking & Hiking Adventures Around Nahuel Huapi

Today's privately guided adventure begins early with a private transfer to López Bay. There, you'll grab a paddle and hop in a kayak for a ride around Nahuel Huapi. Marvel at views of snowcapped peaks as you glide across the lake's glassy waters. After about an hour and a half, you'll disembark at a secluded spot to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch accompanied by Argentine wine and a tasty dessert.

After eating, continue paddling to another destination on the lakeshore, where you'll find a trailhead. Then begin a brisk 2.5-hour hike up to the Brazo Tristeza viewpoint, which features Instragrammable vistas over the lake, its islands, and the peak of Cerro Tronador. Spend some time admiring the views before hiking back to the trailhead and returning to Bariloche.

Day 5: Day Trip to San Martín de los Andes

In the morning, you'll meet your private driver for a full-day road trip to experience more of the Lake District's many charms. You'll follow the scenic Seven Lakes Road, a 66-mile (107 km) road that connects the lake towns of San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura. On this jaw-dropping route, you'll see magnificent landscapes as you pass through two national parks. These include rich coihue forests and azure lakes like Falkner, Escondido, and Nahuel Huapi.

As you pass one such lake, Correntoso, you'll arrive in the small town of Ruca Malén. Then, continue on to San Martín de los Andes, a charming settlement located on the shores of Lago Lacar. After visiting the town and snapping photos around the impressive waterfront, you'll return to Bariloche in the afternoon.

Day 6: Day Trip to Barrio Tristeza: Boating & Picnic

Today, you'll get to explore a beautiful corner of Nahuel Huapi. After an early breakfast, meet your private driver and transfer about 30 minutes outside Bariloche to the Brazo Tristeza region. This deep glacial fjord occupies an arm of the southwest area of Nahuel Huapi and features all the dazzling scenery that defines the Lake District: snowcapped peaks, dense forests, and glassy waters.

You'll arrive at Lopez Bay, and from the pier, you'll hop on a private boat for the one-hour ride along the calm, glassy waters of Brazo Tristeza. It's a scenic trip during which you'll pass Valdivian forests on the lakeshore. It's also a great place for birding, as the area is home to exotic avian species like thrushes, woodpeckers, and the Andean condor.

The boat will stop at a secluded area in Brazo Tristeza, and from a trailhead, you'll set off on a brisk hike to the elegant Arroyo Frey waterfall. Break here for a rustic picnic lunch amid the wilderness and waterfall scenery before hiking back down the trail to the boat. After returning to Lopez Bay, you'll transfer back to your hotel.

Day 7: Fly to El Calafate, Dinner at Rancho Aparte

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the two-hour flight deeper into Patagonia and El Calafate. Sitting on the shores of Lago Argentino, El Calafate is the main base for trips into the famous Los Glaciares National Park and one of its star attractions, Perito Moreno Glacier.

Your driver will take you to the eastern outskirts of town and Xelena Hotel & Suites. This 5-star hotel sits right on the lakeshore and features comfortable, quiet, and well-equipped rooms overlooking the water. Other welcome amenities include an indoor pool and a heated outdoor pool with lake views, plus a Jacuzzi, sauna, and a luxury spa offering beauty treatments and aromatic therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind.

Later, return to town for a dining experience that celebrates rustic, gourmet Patagonian cuisine. Take a seat at Rancho Aparte, a ranch home converted into a closed-door restaurant serving home-cooked meals from fixed menus. Highlights include regional specialties like roast Patagonian lamb and goulash with gnocchi pasta, all prepared with organic ingredients from local farms. Of course, the menu is paired with some of the finest wines in Patagonia and throughout Argentina.

Day 8: Day Trip to Perito Moreno & Nautical Safari

Today, you'll enjoy a memorable full-day adventure into Los Glaciares National Park. Meet your driver in the morning and transfer about west to Perito Moreno. It's a scenic 1.5-hour drive during which you'll pass natural landmarks like Redonda Bay, home to a variety of exotic waterbirds, including black-necked swans and flamingoes.

Continue cruising across the vast Patagonian steppe until you reach the national park's entrance, surrounded by beech and oak forests. Here, amid a network of boardwalks and viewpoints, you'll be treated to your first glimpses of Perito Moreno. This expansive glacier flows down from the Andes over the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, ending in a great wall that curves around the lake. At points, these walls reach 230 feet (70 m) high.

After marveling at the glacier from the boardwalks, you'll hop on a boat to see it up close. This nautical safari departs from the Puerto Bajo Las Sombras on the Rico arm of Lago Argentino. As you cruise toward the southern side of the glacier, you'll pass by icebergs floating in the water. Keep your camera ready, as once you get near the walls, you might see a chunk of ice breaking off and crashing into the water below (a process known as "calving"). At the end of the day, you'll transfer back to the hotel.

Day 9: Day Trip to Estancia Nibepo Aike & Horseback Ride

Another ranch-style adventure awaits, as this morning, you'll transfer to the historic Estancia Nibepo Aike, located on the shores of Lago Roca. After a welcome picnic, tour the grounds and witness traditional ranch activities, like sheepshearing, herding, and milking. As you go, you'll learn all about gaúcho life, plus the basics of horseback riding. Then, hop in the saddle and off into the surrounding Patagonian forest. As you ride, keep an eye out for exotic wildlife like condors, foxes, and woodpeckers, among others. Afterward, return to the estancia and sit down for a ranch-style lamb roast. 

Day 10: Transfer to El Chaltén, Laguna Torre Trek

Leave El Calafate this morning on a three-hour drive north to El Chaltén. Nicknamed "the trekking capital of Argentina," this town lies on the Río Las Vueltas. Like El Calafate, it's a gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, with towering peaks rising 10,000 feet (3,048 m) above the windswept landscape. If the skies are clear during the drive, you'll have incredible views of the granite massif of Mount Fitz Roy. And though it's filled with cool cafés and craft beer bars, El Chaltén often feels overcrowded with travelers and trekkers. That's why you'll stay 23 miles (37 km) north of town at Aguas Arriba.

This expansive lodge sits on Lago del Desierto and occupies 1,700 acres (688 ha) of pristine Patagonian wilderness. The cozy rooms with lake views are spacious and well-equipped, but the real star is its proximity to Los Glaciares National Park, featuring southern beech forests that are ideal for nature hikes. The lodge serves gourmet meals in its elegant dining room with wraparound windows overlooking the water, and when the sun is out, you can also dine on the lakefront terrace.

With several trailheads just outside of town, El Chaltén is the perfect starting point for treks into the Fitz Roy range. Speaking of which, after check-in, you'll leave right from town on your first private trek up to Laguna Torre. The 4.3-mile (7 km) hike takes you through bright green lenga forests and around lagoons until you reach the glacial waters of Laguna Torre. This lagoon 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 snapping pics and admiring the views, you'll return to El Chaltén along the same path.

Day 11: Full-Day Hike to Laguna de Los Tres 

Wake up early and head out on a full-day privately guided hike in Los Glaciares National Park. The route you'll follow today covers 12 miles (20 km) and takes 8-9 hours to complete. Your destination is Laguna de los Tres, a gorgeous lagoon from which you'll enjoy panoramic views of three peaks: Fitz Roy, Poincenot, and Torre. During the trek, you'll also stop at incredible viewpoints looking out to the Piedras Blancas Glacier. When you arrive at the lagoon, you'll break for lunch and have time to relax before descending back to El Chaltén.

Day 12: Full-Day Hike to Loma Pliegue de Tumbado

Today's hike is a big one, as it follows a 12.4-mile (20 km) route to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado. The trek takes around seven hours and features excellent views over the valleys of Cerro Fitz Roy and Torre, the Patagonian steppe, and the vast Lago Viedma. Get ready for memorable Patagonian postcard views! You'll begin by leaving El Chaltén on the footpath that heads toward Laguna Toro. Your private guide will lead you on the ascent for about an hour, crossing over small streams and passing through forests.

Then, you'll start to walk across an alpine terrain where delicate flowers grow. It's also possible to spot the remains of marine fossils that are about 100 million years old. Know that you may experience Patagonian wind and snow up here, even in summer,  so dress in layers. You'll finally arrive at the viewpoint to take unique photos of the Torre and Fitz Roy massifs. After breaking for lunch with a magnificent view, return to El Chaltén to spend one more night before returning to Buenos Aires tomorrow. 

Day 13: Fly to Buenos Aires, Dinner & Tango Show

Say goodbye to Patagonia because this morning, you'll transfer to El Calafate and the airport, where you'll catch a three-hour flight back to Buenos Aires. After touching down, a driver will take you back to where it all started: the Alvear Palace. After checking in, feel free to spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the hotel's amenities.

This evening, combine dinner with one of Argentina's most famous cultural traditions—the tango. You'll join a small group for an evening at Gala Tango, a distinguished dinner and dance club with French architecture and furnishings reminiscent of 1930s Argentina. Start with a tango lesson and master the basic steps with the help of a local expert. Then, sit back and watch the professional dancers while feasting on regional specialties and sampling a glass or two from the club's extensive wine list.

Day 14: Tour the Palaces of Buenos Aires, Depart 

Squeeze every ounce of fun out of this itinerary with one more memorable city tour in Buenos Aires. After breakfast, meet a private guide and return to the downtown area to visit a few more of its famous landmarks. First up is the Teatro Colón, one of South America's premier opera houses. The neoclassical building was inaugurated in 1908 and features a horseshoe-shaped gallery with 2,487 seats and incredible acoustics.

Another highlight you'll visit is the Palacio Barolo, which was built in 1923 and features unique architecture inspired by Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy." After the tour, you'll transfer back to the airport and catch your international flight home. Safe travels!

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