Natural Wonders of Argentina & Chile: Waterfalls, Glaciers & National Parks - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Tour the City

Welcome to Buenos Aires, Argentina's vibrant capital city! Your private guide will welcome you at Ezeiza International Airport and take you to your hotel. After getting settled and perhaps taking a short nap to recover from the long flight, you'll go on a tour of the city's neighborhoods in the afternoon. Your guide will take you to key attractions in the city center, including Plaza de Mayo, home to the Casa Rosada presidential palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Continue to San Telmo, known for its antique shops, cobblestone streets, and historic cafés. Stop for a coffee in Plaza Dorrego before continuing to the colorful houses of La Boca, a neighborhood that's also home to the legendary Boca Juniors Football Club, where Diego Maradona played. Stroll along the waterfront in Puerto Madero, where former industrial warehouses are now elegant bars and eateries. Tonight you'll dine in a traditional parrilla (steakhouse) before getting some rest.

Day 2: Visit a Traditional Argentine Estancia 

Today you'll make a side trip, leaving the city of Buenos Aires and venturing into the nearby countryside to a working estancia (ranch). The drive takes about 1.5 hours each way, and you'll notice how the landscape shifts to vast grasslands filled with cattle as you transfer out of the city. When you arrive at the ranch, you'll tour take a tour of the grounds before choosing between some hiking or horseback riding around the property.

The outdoor activity will work up your appetite for a hearty lunch that begins with freshly baked empanadas and a glass of wine. Sit back and relax as your hosts prepare a traditional asado (barbecue), grilling a variety of meats and vegetables served with salads and more wine. Later, you'll sample classic desserts made with dulce de leche, Argentina's favorite sweet condiment. Return to Buenos Aires late in the day and enjoy a free evening.

Day 3: Free Day in Buenos Aires, Tango Show & Dinner

You'll have part of the day free today to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace. Travel to neighborhoods you missed on the first day's tour, like Recoleta, home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery, and Palermo, where many of the city's best parks, restaurants, cafés, shops, and bars are located. MALBA, a museum dedicated to modern Latin American art, is an excellent choice, particularly if the weather isn't cooperating. 

Return to your hotel to regroup in the late afternoon. This evening, you'll attend a tango show and dinner at a historic venue in the central neighborhood of Monserrat. Enjoy the spectacle of dancing set to live music performed by a traditional orchestra and a pair of tango singers. The staff will serve a gourmet dinner with wine pairings during the show, and at the end of the evening, you'll head back to your hotel to rest up for tomorrow's flight. 

Day 4: Fly to Iguazú Falls, See Falls & Birds Park

This morning you'll catch a two-hour flight north to Puerto Iguazú, the Argentine city closest to the famous Iguazú Falls and the surrounding national park. Transfer to your hotel and have lunch before venturing into the park, which straddles the borders of Brazil and Paraguay. Board the train inside the park, then take a short walk to observe the cascade of waterfalls from different perspectives. One of the most incredible sights on today's introductory tour is the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), a dramatic section of the falls accessible by a long wooden walkway. 

Depending on your timing and eligibility (a Brazilian visa is required for some travelers), you may be able to cross the border to see the falls from the Brazilian side. Either way, you'll leave the park later in the afternoon and continue to a wildlife sanctuary to see rare tropical birds, snakes, monkeys, and butterflies. Then return to your hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening before tomorrow's adventure.

Day 5: Guided Hike at Iguazú Falls

Today you'll continue exploring Iguazú National Park on a full-day excursion. Enter the park early in the morning and follow your guide on a 2.5-mile (4 km) hike to Garganta del Diablo. Although you may have already seen this spectacular sight, today's your chance to enjoy this otherworldly view without the crowds.

Next, explore the lower trails in the park to take in views of various waterfalls, including the  Two Sisters, the Bossetti Falls, the Hidden Falls, and more. You'll also be able to see Isla San Martín from this perspective. After a lunch break, discover the upper trails featuring elevated views from a series of wooden catwalks. You'll stay in the park until closing time, then transfer back to your hotel for dinner and rest before traveling onward tomorrow.

Day 6: Fly to El Calafate (Argentina), Visit the Glaciarium

It's off to Patagonia today as you transfer to El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. To get there, you'll take two flights with a layover in Buenos Aires (the total travel time is about seven hours). El Calafate sits at the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field on the shores of 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. If you'd rather explore the outdoors, check out the birds at the Laguna Nimez Nature Preserve just outside town. Stop in the quaint cafés and shops around El Calafate, then have dinner in a local parrilla (steakhouse) before getting some rest at your hotel.

Day 7: Experience the Perito Moreno Glacier

Today's adventure takes you to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. As you enter the park, you'll have your first glimpse of the extensive ice mass that flows down from the Andes out over Lago Argentino, ending abruptly in a great wall that curves around the lake. Near the visitor's center, you'll have time to explore the boardwalks and viewing platforms offering sweeping views of the glacier.

Witness "calving," the awe-inspiring sight of ice breaking off the glacier's face and crashing into the tranquil waters below. You may also have the option to see the glacier from another perspective on a boat tour! The tour takes you close to the towering ice walls of the glacier, an unforgettable experience. During the excursion, you'll also take in beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. You'll return to El Calafate late in the day.

Day 8: Transfer to Puerto Natales & See the Port

Meet your driver this morning for the scenic six-hour transfer south to the city of Puerto Natales, formerly a fishing port and now the main base for excursions into Torres del Paine National Park. The town is set on the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), offering scenic views across the water to the mountains beyond. Facing north from here, you'll see the peaks of Cerro Benitez and Cerro Toro, and the sight is especially phenomenal at sunset.

Take a stroll around town and stop for a drink at one of the town's many bars and cafés. You could also walk to the Monumento de la Mano, a monument of a huge concrete hand framed by snowcapped peaks. It's a great spot for photos. In the evening, try a traditional seafood stew in a family-run restaurant before you get some rest at your hotel. More adventures in Patagonia's landscapes await tomorrow!

Day 9: Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park

A two-hour transfer takes you into Torres del Paine National Park this morning, and you'll get your first glimpses of Torres del Paine's massive peaks as you approach the park. Arrive at the Laguna Amarga main entrance and register with the park office, then set out on a full-day guided tour. You'll explore Torres del Paine's unique ecosystem and impressive viewpoints at your own pace with a knowledgeable guide, visiting the park's four ecological zones: the Andean desert, Magellanic subpolar forest, pre-Andean shrubland, and Patagonian steppe.

Along the way, you'll spot plenty of local wildlife, which might include cougars, foxes, guanacos, and birds of prey. Take in stunning landscapes, from the park's distinctive horn-shaped peaks to glacial lakes. Enjoy a few short hikes and a picnic lunch with a view. You'll sleep at lodgings in the park tonight.

Day 10: Continue Exploring Torres del Paine

You'll have today free to explore the park! A wide range of activities and excursions are available, depending on your interests and fitness level. Take a half-day hike to Lago Grey, try ice hiking on Grey Glacier, or go for a boat ride to see the glacier from another angle. Opt for a wildlife-viewing excursion or a sightseeing tour in a 4WD vehicle. You could also trek along the first part of the famed "O" Circuit, hiking up Mount Almirante Nieto to an incredible view of Lago Nordenskjöld.

Return to your lodgings for a lunch break, if it's convenient, or request a picnic lunch so you can stay outdoors all day. You'll have time to relax and recharge at the hotel after dark. Then get some sleep before heading back to civilization tomorrow. 

Day 11: Fly to Santiago, Free Evening

A driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport to take a three-hour flight to Santiago today. Upon arrival, another driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Chilean capital. One fun idea is to ride a cable car up Cerro San Cristóbal for sweeping views over the city and the Andean scenery.

Later, enjoy a culinary adventure in the city. In recent years, Santiago has emerged as a global foodie destination as Chilean chefs reinvent traditional dishes, like empanadas and cazuelas (stews), with ingredients sourced from the Atacama Desert and the southern Patagonian region. You'll find great restaurants and wine bars in the Bellavista neighborhood and the revitalized historic districts of Yungay and Italia. Head back to your hotel to get some rest.

Day 12: Tour Santiago, Afternoon Food & Culture Walk

This morning you'll embark on a guided city tour to see Santiago's highlights. Snap photos of the Palacio de la Moneda, Chile's opulent presidential palace, a short stroll from the Plaza de Armas. Next, stroll the cobblestone streets of Barrio Bellavista to see colorful houses, vibrant street art, and an eclectic array of eateries and bars that are great for people-watching.

Have lunch on your own, but don't overdo it: a food-focused tour awaits in the afternoon. You'll meet up with a specialized guide to walk around a local marketplace for an introduction to Chilean ingredients and cooking techniques. Sample a freshly squeezed juice before continuing to the neighborhood of Bellas Artes. Sample artisanal ice cream, then hike up Cerro Santa Lucia. Finish with a craft beer and locally sourced seafood in the stylish neighborhood of Lastarria. 

Day 13: Casablanca Wine Tour with Lunch

Celebrate your penultimate day in South America with a day trip into the Casablanca Valley, located between Santiago and the Pacific Ocean. Vineyards dominate the landscape, with winemakers focusing on white varieties and cool climate reds. You'll stop at two wineries today, touring the grounds and tasting wines. Begin at the organic and bio-dynamic Veramonte, one of the region's first wineries. Enjoy a scenic view from the balcony, then take a walk through the vines and the winemaking facility. Return to the tasting room to sample four wines. 

Continue to Casas del Bosque, another celebrated winery in the region. After a tour and tasting, sit down for a three-course lunch with wine pairings in the winery's restaurant. You'll return to Santiago late in the day and have free time to enjoy on your own before the trip ends tomorrow. 

Day 14: Depart Santiago

Your two-week adventure has come to an end. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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