Luxury Argentine Lake District & Patagonia - 7 Days

Highlights

• Go sightseeing and enjoy tango shows in Buenos Aires
• Stay in a Lake District landmark at the historic Hotel Llao Llao
• Kayak along the azure waters of Nahuel Huapi in Bariloche
• Trek across the surface of glaciers and see Patagonia by 4WD

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, City Tour, Dinner & Tango Show

Welcome to Argentina! There's a lot to see and do in South America's second-largest country, which is why this quick getaway focuses on just a few highlight regions. Jump right into the action with your arrival in Buenos Aires. Argentina's capital is a grand metropolis that merges European influences and Latin American spirit to create a culture of its own.

Your private driver will whisk you from the airport to the Hotel Faena Buenos Aires. Located in the upscale waterfront neighborhood of Puerto Madero, the Faena occupies a former grain warehouse converted into a model of 5-star luxury. The classy rooms and suites feature king beds,hand-woven throws, and Arabescato marble bathrooms. After settling in, feel free to decompress with a trip to the wellness center for a massage or soak in a hammam bath. Also, you can enjoy afternoon tea in the intimate lounge amid crystal candelabras while accompanied by live music.

Later, leave the hotel on a private guided walking tour. This half-day jaunt will take you south from Puerto Madero to historic Plaza de Mayo, home to the iconic Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace), plus stroll the cobbled streets of San Telmo, the oldest neighborhood in the city. Continue south to La Boca, an old port area known for its zinc houses and colorful Caminito Street. Later in the evening, enjoy a night out at Tango Rojo. Also in Puerto Madero, this cabaret serves three-course meals with live tango performances. It's a memorable way to experience Argentina's famously seductive musical styling.

Day 2: Fly to Bariloche & the Lake District, Stargazing Tour

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. 

Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool or enjoying treatments at the hotel spa. Then, after dinner, meet your guide for the transfer to a remote spot in the wilderness free of light pollution. There, under the clear Patagonian night sky, marvel at the canopy of bright, twinkling stars above. There's no better way to commune with nature and the cosmos simultaneously.

Day 3: Nahuel Huapi Kayaking & Nature Hike

The adventures in Argentina's great outdoors begin this morning with a private transfer to López Bay. There, on the lakeshore, you'll grab a paddle and hop in a kayak for a ride around Nahuel Huapi. Marvel at views of the surrounding 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 Mount Tronador. Spend some time admiring the views before hiking back to the trailhead and returning to your hotel. 

Day 4: Cerro Catedral & Refugio Frey Hike

You're in for a more rugged hike this morning as you leave the hotel on a guided trek up through the Cerro Catedral massif. The starting point is a ski resort at the base of the mountain, where you'll hop on a chair lift for the ride up to a station at 6,561 feet (2,000 m) above sea level. 

Then hit the trail on a rocky path for an hour. This section is steep, but there will be stops to hydrate and enjoy views of Mount Tronador, Cerro Negro, and the Valle del Arroyo Rucaco mountain valley. The hike becomes easier and faster for the next two hours until you arrive at the Schmoll and Toncek lagoons. These mark the entrance to the Frey Valley, known for its otherworldly red granite rock formations.

Break for lunch on the shores of the Toncek beneath the surrounding jagged peaks. Before embarking on the return trek to Cerro Catedral, you'll stop at Refugio Frey mountain hut to learn some regional alpine history. Then, head back down the mountain on a trail passing through rich lenga forests. Eventually, you'll reach the ski center parking lot and catch a transfer back to Bariloche.

Day 5: Fly to El Calafate, Dinner at Rancho Aparte

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the two-hour flight south as you make your way deeper into Patagonia to 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.

Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will transfer you west of town to EOLO. Also known as "Patagonia's Spirit," this 4-star ranch-style accommodation enjoys a privileged location on the wild Patagonian frontier. EOLO is the place to come to experience Patagonia in a secluded setting, as it focuses on understated luxury and excursions/adventures into the surrounding wilderness. Rugged country aside, guests here can enjoy gourmet dining amid panoramic views and sublimely restful sleep in elegant rooms decorated with antique furniture.

After dropping off your bags, you'll return to town for a dining experience celebrating rustic yet gourmet Patagonian cuisine in all its glory. Take a seat at Rancho Aparte, a Patagonian ranch home converted into a closed-door restaurant where guests are treated to 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 6: Perito Moreno Mini-Trekking & Glacier Hike

Meet your private driver this morning and head out on a tour of Los Glaciares National Park. The ride there takes about an hour, and as you enter the park, you'll catch your first glimpse of the mighty Perito Moreno. This expansive glacier is 97 square miles (250 sq km) and flows down from the Andes over the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, ending in a great wall that curves around the lake.

The excursion begins at Bajo de las Sombras, a port near Perito Moreno. Board a boat for the 20-minute ride across the narrow southern arm of Lago Argentino to the opposite shore. There, you'll meet bilingual mountaineering guides for a mini-trek atop Perito Moreno. Strap on your crampons, grab an ice ax, then embark with your group. You'll never forget the experience of traversing the surface of this massive ice flow, crossing over deep blue ice crevices, and hiking over meltwater streams. At the end of the excursion, you'll transfer back to El Calafate.

Day 7: Patagonian Steppe Safari, Depart Argentina

The fun isn't over yet! After an early breakfast, hop in a private 4WD vehicle for a half-day safari on the famous Patagonian steppe. This vast, arid expanse of flatlands has seen its fair share of travelers, artists, adventurers, and tourists over the centuries. They're drawn to its quiet emptiness and rugged peacefulness, and you might get hooked, too. Besides cruising the scenic desert terrain, you'll also spot regional wildlife, like condors, foxes, and guanacos (a type of camelid similar to a llama).

The excursion culminates with a drive through a nature reserve, after which you'll return to El Calafate. There, you'll board a plane for the flight back to Buenos Aires in time to catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels!

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