Argentine Patagonia: Glaciers & Peaks
Venture into the heart of spectacular Patagonia, where vast stretches of natural beauty await your discovery.
• Explore the cultural gems of Buenos Aires with a private guide.
• Stand in awe of Patagonia’s natural wonders during hikes & immersive excursions.
• Visit the legendary Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the country’s most stunning sights.
• Marvel at the mighty Mount Fitz Roy, one of the majestic and challenging peaks in the world.
• Featuring a curated selection of premier accommodations and lodging.
Independent Travel
Independent trips are either entire trips you take privately or solo extensions to a group tour.
Adventure
Explore thrilling and challenging destinations, engaging in activities such as hiking, trekking, and adrenaline-pumping experiences.
Premium
Elevate your journey with style and sophistication, offering top-notch experiences without breaking the bank.
Flexible
With no pre-set departure dates, choose when you want to go and for how long.
At A Glance
Day 1 – Buenos Aires
• Private airport transfer with Meet & Greet
Day 2 – Buenos Aires
• Belle Epoque Palace & The Architecture of Buenos Aires (with Lunch, 5 hrs)
Day 3 – Buenos Aires
• Recoleta at Leisure
• Tango Show & Dinner at Cafe de Los Angelitos (3.5 hrs)
Day 4 – El Calafate
• Private airport transfer
• Private Glaciarium Ice Museum tour (2.5 hrs)
Day 5 – El Calafate
• Exploring The Perito Moreno Glacier (6-8 hrs)
Day 6 – El Chaltén
• Private transfer to El Chaltén
• El Chalten hotel Orientation & Inclusions
Day 7 – El Chaltén
• El Chaltén half or full day hiking excursions
• Explore El Chaltén at leisure
Day 8 – El Chaltén
• El Chaltén overland excursions
Day 9 – El Chaltén
• El Chaltén rock climbing excursions
Day 10 – Buenos Aires
• Private transfer to El Calafate (with lunch)
• Private airport transfer in Buenos Aires
Day 11 – Buenos Aires
• Exploring San Telmo & La Boca (with Lunch, 5 hrs)
• Dinner Reservation at Kayla Restaurant
Day 12 – Buenos Aires
• Depart at any time
• Private airport transfer
Itinerary
Day 1 – Buenos Aires
For your added comfort, an English-speaking guide will be awaiting your arrival outside of Customs with personalized signage. Your representative will then lead you to your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 – Buenos Aires
Discover why Buenos Aires is known as the “Paris of South America” on a privately guided tour through the city’s finest landmarks. See the dazzling structures representing the city’s Belle Epoque era, rich in tree-lined sidewalks, turn-of-the-century palaces and handsome apartment buildings featured prominently. The sprawling Plaza San Martín, an important part of today’s exploration for example, is surrounded by several masterpieces such as the Beaux Arts Palace, originally built as a residence for the Anchorena family, an imposing mansion, partially, inspired by the Louvre. Putting this into perspective, in Argentina the name Anchorena evokes the wealth and power similar to the likes of Rockefeller and Morgan in the United States, Krupp in Germany or Rothschild in France and England. Then there is the Kavanagh Building, a ground-breaking Art Deco skyscraper that was at the time of its inauguration, in 1936, the tallest skyscraper in Latin America. Still in the same area, the Museum of Decorative Arts was the former home to Argentine aristocracy, the Errazuriz-Alvear family, an elegant piece of architecture, surrounded by sumptuous gardens and encircled by detailed, wrought iron railings. The list of splendid edifices you can see also includes Circulo Militar, designed in Paris and built in Buenos Aires for the Paz family who owned the La Prensa newspaper, the French Embassy, owned by the Ortiz Basualdo family until 1939 and the Brazilian Embassy, owned by the Pereda family until 1944. Today’s walk sheds plenty of light into how sublime architecture transformed Buenos Aires into the most European of Latin American cities.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Buenos Aires
Nestled in northern Buenos Aires, the sophisticated neighborhood of Recoleta is rich with opulent architecture and historic structures made for exploring during a day at leisure. Mixed in with its elegant remnants of yesteryear and homes of the rich and powerful are a wealth of indie boutique and designer stores. Recoleta’s must-see site is its world-famous cemetery, home to thousands of above-ground mausoleums representing Art Deco, Gothic and Art Nouveau styles. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for Argentina’s legendary Evita Peron. After your visit, unwind at Plaza Francia, an ideal place to settle in on a park bench and indulge in an ice cream or peruse unique creations during the weekend craft market. To soak in the cultural scene, opt to visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes to see its impressive inventory of paintings from the likes of Rembrandt, Titian, and Monet. Stop by the Libreria El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a former cinema transformed into one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. As night falls, be sure to visit Recoleta’s limitless collection of enticing bars and restaurants.
Buenos Aires may well be the best place in the world to catch an exclusive tango show, and the nightly performance at Café de Los Angelitos may well be the best in the city. This evening, enjoy a special night out as you are picked up from your hotel by a private driver and a bilingual guide, setting out for Café de Los Angelitos. Take in an intimate tango performance led by local dancers, all while enjoying a gourmet dinner consisting of grilled local meats, international dishes and excellent Argentinian wines. A sensory experience capturing the essence of Buenos Aires tango and gastronomy – this will be a night to remember.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – El Calafate
Meet your professional driver and English-speaking guide for a domestic airport transfer.
Fly from Buenos Aires domestic airport to El Calafate. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 15 minutes. Please note that flights are subject to change based on availability and are a separate purchase.
Enjoy a private airport transfer with a professional driver and English-speaking guide.
Before exploring the ‘real thing’ at El Calafate, visit the Glaciarium for an engaging introduction to the fascinating world of the glaciers. Discover a series of dioramas recreating the glaciers’ most characteristic features. Photos by some of Argentina’s finest nature photographers, such as Florian von der Flecht, Daniel Wagner and Andres Bonetti support the projections with extraordinary captivating images. The Southern Patagonian Ice field and all the Patagonian glaciers are represented, seen from every possible perspective, including a look at a glacier from an over-flight to the experience of actually being inside a glacier. After this frosty interlude, your private guide will transfer you back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 – El Calafate
Embark on an incredible full-day exploration of the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier, one of Argentina’s most iconic attractions. At 19 miles long glacier, Perito Moreno is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This stunning natural wonder is one of only three Patagonian glaciers currently not retreating. Join your private guide and travel about two hours to reach the Glaciers National Park. Marvel at the views of Argentine Lake with its Round Bay populated with a variety of birdlife, including black neck swan, gallaretas, the cauquén and coirones. Journey into the park to observe the arboreal vegetation formed by ñires, sour cherries, and lengas. Observe vibrant flora like the outstanding “notro”, rich in an intense red hue. A large visitor center at the site features a walking circuit boasting inviting views of the glacier’s different faces and surfaces. Gain insight into this majestic glacier, learning about Perito Moreno’s endemic flora and fauna, its history, and and its photogenic formation. After an amazing day in the outdoors, you will return to your hotel in El Calafate. The duration of this tour is flexible depending on your interest level, as you are free to take as much or as little time as you like, enjoying the glacier and national park.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 – El Chaltén
Enjoy a private transfer with your own vehicle and driver from El Calafate to El Chalten. The journey is approximately three hours. Please note, your the driver will speak little or no English. English speaking drivers are sometimes available at an additional cost, please consult your destination expert.
Simplicity, excellence, and the importance of a deep exploration experience are the concepts embodied at your hotel in El Chaltén. All programs include accommodations, transfers to and from the airport, meals and beverages, and a selection of exploration routes designed by the lodge’s outdoors team. After settling into your accommodations and taking a tour of the grounds, an in-house guide will provide an orientation of the area and help design your personalized itinerary. Recommendations will be based on your interests, fitness level, and the weather forecast to help curate a completely customized experience. Clients travelling together may wish to participate in different activities or simply relax and take in the views. Prepare to conduct explorations that go off the beaten track and delve deep into the natural surroundings of Argentinian Patagonia.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – El Chaltén
Embark on a short or easy half-day group hike, as recommended by the Explora guides. Hike up a rock cliff, offering unique views and perspectives to the Las Vueltas River valley. Journey from the lodge to the entrance of the Los Huemules Nature Reserve forest, a selection of native birds accompanying you along the way. Venture deep into Los Glaciares National Park, immersing yourself in pure Argentine Patagonia. Wander through the northern area of the park, taking a closer look at the Piedras Blancas Glacier while learning about its history, formation, and dynamics.
Unwind with time at leisure during your stay at your El Chalten hotel. Make a stop at the on-site store to stock up on essentials or peruse local artisanal goods. Visit the Explorer’s Bar to meet with your guide and plan future adventures. Stocked with local spirits, the bar is frequently the meeting point of returning groups at nightfall. Or opt to simply unwind in your room, soaking in the scenes of El Chalten’s outdoor splendor.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – El Chaltén
Your hotel’s selection of overland excursions puts you right in the center of stunning nature. Enjoy a short adventure at the Río Las Vueltas, admiring different perspectives of the valley and wide views of the Andes Mountains. Before returning to the lodge, you’ll make a stop in El Chaltén town to stroll through its streets. Opt to take a trip through time with a guided visit to the house of pioneer Andreas Madsen, a Danish man who built the first houses in El Chalten. Gain insight into the challenges faced by Madsen and his family, and what everyday life was like at an estancia over a century ago.
Your hotel provides a full spa service to help you refuel after days of exploration. Hydromassages, a sauna, and a massage room invite you to unwind amid spectacular views of Argentinian Patagonia. Please note: Your treatment is not included and will be paid for on location. Reservations are confirmed at the time of booking and are subject to availability.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – El Chaltén
Designed for thrill-seekers of all levels, your hotel offers incredible rock climbing experiences. Visit your hotel’s Rock Climbing School to learn about the main places to climb in El Chaltén, their history, how to control the body and the importance of trust in your climbing partners. Then, set out for a half-day guided excursion to see firsthand why the area is known worldwide for rock climbing. Many of the world’s top climbers have tackled Fitz Roy, Torre, and La Guilloumet mounts, among others. For those with the appropriate experience, your hotel offers climbing routes perfect for beginners and others that are more demanding, always considering your safety and well-being in mind.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Buenos Aires
Enjoy a transfer in a private vehicle with a professional driver from El Chalten to El Calafate. For your added comfort, a guide will accompany you on this three hour journey. As well, a boxed lunch is included.
Fly from El Calafate to Buenos Aires domestic airport. The flight duration is approximately three hours. Flights are subject to change based on availability and are a separate purchase.
Meet your professional driver and English-speaking guide for a domestic airport transfer.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11 – Buenos Aires
Embark on an exploration of magnificent San Telmo and La Boca, two of Buenos Aires’ most beloved neighborhoods. San Telmo is without question one of the trendiest quarters of the city thanks to its cool, bohemian atmosphere and famed antique shops. Plaza Dorrego is the place to be on Sundays to find anything from antiques, memorabilia, second-hand clothes to dusty magazines during its traditional Antiques Fair. Next, set out to experience La Boca, arguably one of the city’s most authentic neighborhoods. La Boca’s history was largely shaped by immigrants who established themselves within this gritty port-side barrio. A working-class district, La Boca has jealously guarded its identity, of which soccer and tango are major ingredients. What will strike you immediately is the peculiar architecture, especially along Caminito Street, which in 1959 was declared an outdoor museum. It is the work of one of Argentina’s most famous painters and neighborhood philanthropists, Quinquela Martín. He gathered neighbors to paint the houses, made out of tin and scrap metal, in bright colors, emulating the early immigrants. The most recognizable icon, though, is La Bombonera (the Chocolate Box), right in the heart of the area and home of the Boca Juniors, the country’s largest soccer club.
Experience an unforgettable gastronomic experience at Kayla Restaurant, home to decadent cuisine paired with magnificent city views. Immerses yourself in a delicate combination of flavors, textures and colors. Indulge in smoked duck, seafood, and incredible Argentine meat. Be sure to save room for dessert and give in to the temptation of cakes, sorbets, and creative sweet treats. Please note: Your meal is not included and will be paid for on location. Reservations are confirmed at the time of booking and are subject to availability.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12 – Buenos Aires
Meet your professional driver and English-speaking guide for an airport transfer.
Meals included: Breakfast
Captivating Moments
Get captivated by a stunning collection of sample images from this trip.
Additional Information
This sample itinerary is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose. Itinerary details and availability are subject to change, please inquire for up-to-date information and pricing.
What’s Included
• A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
• 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
• All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
• A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver – your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
• Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
• A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with you
• One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers
What’s Not Included
• Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you’d like to receive pricing from our Air Team
• Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you’ve booked your tour
• Visas (unless noted)
• Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
• Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
• Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, optional tours, or local camera or video fees
• Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Book This Trip
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