Compare Chile & Argentina's Patagonian highlights by Audley Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 5,981 |
| Price Per Day | $ 460 |
| Highlights |
N/A
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description |
Quintessentially Latin, Argentina is home of the tango, and one of the most thrilling ways to experience this is at the Esquina Carlos Gardel Tango show in Buenos Aires. Spend the evening sampling local food and wines and watching this passionate dance. Other things to do in Argentina that we recommend include visiting the Peninsula Valdes to spot southern right whales, seals, penguins and birdlife. Or, don crampons and trek across the creaking ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Santiago.
Day 2 : Santiago
Arriving in Santiago youâre met by your private guide and driver and taken to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your journey. Alternatively, if youâre keen to start exploring, thereâs an option to head out on a city tour with your guide. Visit the cityâs commercial hub of Huérfanos and Ahumada, then the main square of Plaza de Armas. End by climbing Santa Lucía Hill, a long, steep rock covered in vegetation with great views over the city.
Day 3 : Torres del Paine National Park
Your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas, which lasts roughly three and a half hours. On arrival you're met by your guide from your lodge for the four hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park. After arriving at your lodge, you're briefed on the possible activities of the coming days and rest after the journey.
Day 4 : Torres del Paine National Park
Head out into Torres del Paine National Park to take part in a number of trips or activities booked in advance with your lodge guide. You could go horse riding, fishing or explore the area by 4x4. If you like hiking, we suggest embarking on the hike to the mirador (viewpoint) over the towers, a demanding but exciting uphill walk that ends with you looking out over the cyan lagoon at the towers' base.
Day 5 : Torres del Paine National Park
Another day taking part in trips and activities from your lodge. Today you might want to journey by boat among the marooned icebergs of the milky Lago Grey to reach the snout of the Grey Glacier. All meals are included during your stay.
Day 6 : El Calafate
Today you travel by coach across the border into Argentina, leaving at 9am and arriving into El Calafate's bus station at 3pm. Your private driver meets you on arrival and takes you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day and evening relaxing in your hotel.
Day 7 : El Calafate
Enjoy a full day (ten hours) trip to the Perito Moreno glacier. Your driver picks you and takes you to a jetty on the Lago Argentino where you join a small group on a boat ride to the glacier face. Look out for icebergs calving. We can arrange for you to do some trekking on the glacier itself (age restrictions apply) with experienced guides: this allows you to walk among the constantly changing ice formations and get a sense of their scale. Lunch isn't included although we can arrange for your hotel to provide a packed lunch.
Day 8 : El Calafate
A day at leisure in El Calafate. We recommend hiring bicycles and going down to the Lago Argentino to observe the bird life along the lake. Go north to a spot called Laguna Nimez or to Bahía Redonda, where you'll find lookouts, hides, and recommended circuits. You might see ducks, geese, black-necked swans, coots, ibis and (at certain times of the year) Chilean flamingos.
Day 9 : Buenos Aires
Take a private transfer to El Calafate airport in time to catch your flight to Buenos Aires, which takes around three hours. Arriving in Buenos Aires, you're met by your private driver and guide and transferred to your hotel. Relax after your journey or head out for a walk in the area around your hotel - Buenos Aires has many distinct districts with their own character.
Day 10 : Buenos Aires
Today enjoy a guided tour of the highlights of the Argentine capital. This is a shared excursion which lasts roughly four hours, after which you're free to explore under your own steam. It includes a visit to the Plaza de Mayo where Eva Perón famously addressed the crowds from a balcony. Your guide shows you some of the city's more modern quarters, as well as San Telmo, the home of tango and more traditional districts.
Day 11 : Buenos Aires
A day at leisure to further explore the city. We suggest returning to the places that particularly captured your imagination in yesterday's tour. In the evening, you'll be picked up and taken by shared transfer to the Carlos Cardel Tango show, which includes dinner.
Day 12 : International return flight
Today take a coach transfer to the airport in time to catch your international return flight.
Day 13 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
