Luxury Argentine Patagonia Discovery: Buenos Aires, El Calafate & Ushuaia - 10 Days

Highlights

• Cycle along the cobbled streets of San Telmo, Buenos Aires' oldest neighborhood
• Marvel at massive glaciers and ride horses around historic Patagonian ranches
• Visit penguin colonies as you cruise along the Beagle Channel
• Explore the hidden corners of Tierra del Fuego by 4WD
• Sip some of Argentina's best malbecs with a private wine tasting

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, City Bicycle Tour

Welcome to Argentina! You'll discover Patagonia shortly—for now, enjoy a day in the big city. You'll arrive in Buenos Aires, famous for its European-inspired boulevards and its Baroque and neoclassical architecture. Witness this marvelous cityscape in all its glory when you transfer from the airport to the upscale Recoleta neighborhood and Palacio Duhau. This 5-star hotel occupies a historic complex that combines modern sophistication with a touch of Belle Époque chic. The opulent rooms feature amenities like king beds and marble baths, plus there's a spa and two world-class restaurants.

After checking in, you'll meet a private guide and hop on a bicycle for an introductory ride around the city. This 10.5-mile (17 km) route will take you through the city's historic south. It begins around Lezama Park, which straddles 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. Today, it's most famous for its historic (and colorful) Caminito Street. La Boca is also home to La Bombonera, the most famous futból (soccer) stadium in the country.

Continue riding along the cobbled streets of romantic San Telmo, past corner cafés, 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 of the palace's pink facade, you'll continue north to the upscale waterfront neighborhood of Puerto Madero. After visiting a wetland ecological reserve in the area, you'll break for lunch at a boardwalk food truck specializing in Argentina's famous grilled meats. From there, finish riding back to the San Telmo area. 

Day 2: Day Trip to El Ombú de Areco Ranch

Before heading off to rugged Patagonia, you'll want to learn a bit about the country's famous gaúchos (cowboys. In the morning, meet your driver for the 72-mile (117 km) transfer northwest through the famous Pampas prairies to San Antonio de Areco. This bucolic town is the heart of Argentina's gaúcho country and retains its equestrian and silversmith traditions even today. It's also rich with folk history, inspiring Argentine author José Hernández's epic poem, "Martín Fierro." The ballad recounts the exploits of its fictional hero as he endures life on the frontier.

Your destination is right outside San Antonio, at Estancia El Ombú. This colonial-style ranch 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 private 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 (Argentine 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 El Calafate, Dinner at Rancho Aparte

Say goodbye to city life as you return to the airport this morning and board a 3.5-hour flight 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 4: Day Trip to Perito Moreno & Kayaking

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime into Los Glaciares National Park. Meet your private driver in the morning for the transfer west to Perito Moreno. It's a scenic 1.5-hour drive during which you'll pass landmarks like Redonda Bay, home to various exotic waterbirds, like 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. Once here, you'll have a couple of hours to explore the network of boardwalks offering prime views 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. If you're lucky, you'll witness "calving"—an event where massive portions of the glacier wall break off and crash into the icy waters below.

Around 11 am, hop in a kayak and get a closer view of this marvel of Mother Nature as you paddle across the lake to Perito Moreno. You'll get within a few hundred meters of its massive ice walls, which reach 230 feet (70 m) high. At around 3 pm, you'll transfer back to El Calafate. 

Day 5: Day Trip to Estancia Cristina & Horseback Ride

More memorable Patagonia adventures are in store today. After an early breakfast, your driver will pick you up at the hotel for the 28-mile (45 km) drive to the port at Punta Bandera, on Lago Argentino. There, you'll board a ferry and ride along the Upsala Channel, passing towering icebergs as you go. When you reach the northern section, you'll see the western front of the Spegazzini Glacier. At over 10 miles (16 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, this ancient ice mass is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

After admiring Spegazzini, continue north into the Cristina Channel, arriving at the far end by late morning. You'll disembark at Estancia Cristina, one of the most impressive ranches in the region. It was founded by pioneers in 1914 and built on a valley once covered by the Upsala Glacier. Upon arrival, you'll meet a guide and hop in the saddle for a horseback ride around the area—expect plenty of delightful mountain views.

Later, you'll visit the Folkloric Museum. Located in an old sheepshearing shed, it offers insight into the history of the estancia. After a walk around to admire the panoramic views of snowcapped mountains, running rivers, glassy lakes, and ancient glaciers, you'll transfer back to El Calafate.

Day 6: Fly to Ushuaia, Tour the "City at the End of the World"

Pack your bags once again because, in the morning, you'll transfer to the airport for the 1.5-hour flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on a bay in the Patagonian region of Tierra del Fuego, the city lies between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the silver waters of the Beagle Channel. This is the same waterway where Charles Darwin sailed the HMS Beagle almost 200 years ago. A driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the mountains just north of town, where your hotel is located.

Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa is a 5-star accommodation within the Cerro Alarkén Nature Reserve. The luxurious rooms are outfitted with plush beds and baths with rainfall showers, plus windows offering spectacular views of the mountains, forests, and sea. You can enjoy even better views of the Beagle Channel with a swim in the outdoor infinity pool, and there's also an indoor heated option. The on-site spa offers a range of treatments, and when you're feeling peckish, head to the hotel restaurant, La Cravia, which serves local and international dishes with an emphasis on Patagonian cuisine.

After checking in, you'll meet a local guide for a private walking tour around Ushuaia's compact city center. Highlights include the 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. There will be ample opportunity to do some shopping on Avenida San Martín, plus you can stop in at a local seafood restaurant—be sure to try the centolla (king crab). 

Day 7: Beagle Channel Boat Cruise to Isla Martillo & Penguin Colony

Wildlife lovers rejoice! Today, you'll board a private boat and set sail along the Beagle Channel to view some of the region's most exotic animals. Enjoy the mountain and coastal views as you pass Isla de los Lobos, a rocky islet that's home to large herds of sea lions. You'll have ample opportunity to view these creatures and take plenty of photos.

Continue to Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), a natural seabird habitat home to cormorants and imperial shags. It's a birder's dream, so keep your binoculars close. The furthest you'll venture is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, located on the northernmost of a chain of islands of the same name. Here, you can see the Monte Cervantes, an ocean liner that sank in 1930. There are also views across the channel to Estancia Remolino (a remote ranch), Isla Gable, and the naval base at Puerto Williams (located on Isla Navarino, Chile).

Eventually, you'll reach Isla Martillo, where you can observe large colonies of gentoo and Magellanic penguins. Witness these flightless birds in their natural habitat while your guide shares information about their habits and nesting areas. Keep in mind that visitors are not allowed to approach or feed the penguins, and silence is encouraged in order to prevent any disturbance to the bird's nesting habits or daily activities. At the end of the day, you'll cruise back to the port and return to your hotel.

Day 8: Off-Roading & Trekking in Tierra del Fuego National Park 

Eat a hearty breakfast and lace up your hiking boots because a full day of outdoor excursions awaits. Specifically, you'll venture into the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park. Within the park's 243 square miles (630 sq km) are some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in Patagonia.

Meet your private driver/guide and hop in a specially outfitted 4WD vehicle durable enough to handle the park's backroads. Then, drive into the park to a trailhead. There, you'll embark on a brisk hike through sub-Antarctic forests to landmarks like the Río Lapataia. After a few hours, you'll arrive at Lapataia Bay. Located in the Beagle Channel, this bay sits at the end of the Pan-American Highway and National Route No. 3. Here, get back in the vehicle for the ride back to Ushuaia. 

Day 9: Fly to Buenos Aires, Evening Wine Tasting

Time to return to the capital. After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport in Ushuaia and catch a 3.5-hour flight north back to Buenos Aires. A driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you back into the city and Palacio Duhau. Spend a few hours relaxing before gearing up for your final evening activity in Argentina. You've enjoyed many thrilling outdoor adventures these last couple of weeks, so now it's time to kick back and raise a glass to toast these memorable experiences.

At the appropriate time, you'll transfer to a restaurant in the trendy Palermo Soho district for a private wine tasting. Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world, with many different varieties being cultivated that reflect the country's different immigrant groups. These include the famous malbec from the French and bonarda from the Italians. This delectable experience includes a tasting of six wines paired with fine cheeses and charcuterie. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 10: Dine at Don Julio, Depart Buenos Aires

Don't rush out the door without treating yourself to one more incredible meal. On the menu today is Argentina's world-famous beef, served at Don Julio, one of the finest parillas (steakhouses) in the world. This is a coveted reservation, as the restaurant is booked solid for months ahead of time. A table will be waiting specifically for you, and you'll sit down to enjoy sizzling grass-fed beef drizzled in the famous chimichurri sauce and paired with a glass (or two) of robust Argentine malbec. After the meal, you'll transfer to the airport and catch your flight home. Safe travels!

More Great Patagonia Itineraries