Patagonia: Journey to the end of the world

Overview

Explore the thrilling and unspoiled vastness of the Patagonia region on this journey to the end of the world. Starting in the lively capital city of Santiago, jump right into the fun of this tour by heading to Santa Rita Winery, where you’ll learn about the wine-making process and taste, blend, and bottle your own wine to take home with you! On your tour of Santiago you’ll be surprised at how a city of so many people can be so well kept and vibrant—a city packed with local parks, artwork at every turn, and European-style squares. On to Puerto Natales for a night before staying inside scenic Torres Del Paine National Park for two nights. Jagged peaks, glistening green waters, glaciers, and powerful falls set the stage. You’re sure to glimpse some of the wildlife here, like guanacos, foxes, birds, and if you’re lucky, the elusive puma. Cruise on Lago Grey to see famous glaciers and floating icebergs; visit the famous sites of Chile’s largest natural reserve; and even trek through a rugged and unspoiled rainforest to see cascading waterfalls on these two days of unspeakable scenic beauty.

A highlight of this tour is undoubtedly your visit to El Calafate, home to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the largest in the world and still advancing! You’ll have the chance to walk on catwalks overlooking the glacier and, with luck, you’ll witness glacier pieces calving into the waters below. You also experience the massive Upsala Glacier by boat—a different experience that allows you to marvel at the color and sheer masses of these glaciers. Follow this with a visit to an estancia (ranch) on the shores of Lago Argentino for lunch and your choice of activities, such as a 4-wheel drive tour or trekking. From El Calafate, descend to Ushuaia, the end of the world! Cruise Beagle Channel, watching for albatross, sea lions, and skuas while you marvel at the sheer idea of standing at this point on the globe. You also visit Martillo Island for a chance to see Magellan penguins. In Tierra del Fuego, an expert Naturalist will lead you around the delicate ecosystems of this southernmost national park. Head north to Buenos Aires, where you will conclude your Patagonian journey with exciting new adventures like a wine tasting with a local sommelier in a Cava setting and a visit to famous Recoleta Cemetery. And no visit to Buenos Aires would be complete without a lesson in the sizzling, sensuous Tango!

Depart UK

Santiago, Chile

Arrive in Santiago where you will be transferred to your hotel.

Welcome to Chile, South America’s longest and narrowest country, with more than 2,650 miles of beautiful Pacific coastline. Depart at 2 pm and enjoy a tour of SANTA RITA WINERY, founded in 1880 with the finest of French vine stocks. See the beautiful vineyards and learn about the wine-making process. You will get the chance to taste, design, blend, bottle, cork, and label your own wine during your visit. Wrap it up with a wine tasting and bring home the bottle that you created.

Santiago

After breakfast, embark on a CITY TOUR with a Local Guide who will show you the highlights of this great city of colonial and contemporary contrasts. See the famous Alameda, Santiago’s colourful main avenue, San Francisco Church, and Santa Lucia Hill. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit LA VEGA CENTRAL MARKET to learn about typical food in Chile, including steaming pots of cazuela and humitas, similar to tamales! Top off your sightseeing with a terremoto drink at a local pub and a visit to Cerro San Cristobal for a stunning view of Santiago and the Andes.

Santiago - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales

Depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas on the Straight of Magellan, gateway to Chile's Patagonia. Head to Puerto Natales on a scenic drive through the Patagonian steppe passing rivers, forests, mountains, and ranches. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.

Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park

Visit the legendary MILODÓN CAVE, where prehistoric fossils dating back 14,000 years ago, including those of a sabre-toothed tiger and a gigantic sloth weighing over a ton, have been found. Venture into TORRES DEL PAINE, one of the most spectacularly scenic regions in the world. Spanning a massive area, it was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Cascading waterfalls, roaring creeks, shimmering lakes, and jagged mountains are just a part of what Paine offers. During your visits to see the famous sites, including Los Cuernos, Lago Pehoe, and Salto Grande, you are guaranteed to get a glimpse of some of the park’s fauna, such as herds of guanacos, foxes, swans, and birds. Also stop at Lago Grey to see the imposing Grey Glacier, floating icebergs, and enjoy the beautiful views and rugged landscapes! Arrive at your hotel where you will be treated to an organic COCKTAIL DEMONSTRATION, which includes a walk through the garden to pick the ingredients followed by a lesson to learn how to make popular drinks from the region. Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Torres del Paine National Park

Today, enjoy a full day exploring the park. See LOS CUERNOS, or “the horns,” the iconic jagged granite peaks that loom over the windswept plains. Next, view the spectacular waterfall, SALTO GRANDE in the park’s lake district. After lunch at the hotel, head to the LAGUNA AZUL where you have a good chance of seeing some of the park’s wildlife including guanacos and condors. End the day at CASCADA PAINE, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by rugged vistas.

Torres del Paine National Park - El Calafate, Argentina

After breakfast, take an easy guided hike to LAGUNA INGES in search of an array of birds and other wildlife that can be found here. Next, depart for El Calafate, a lovely village on the southern shores of Lake Argentino. Originally a simple sheltering destination for wool traders, today El Calafate serves as the entry point for the UNESCO Natural Heritage Site of Los Glaciares National Park.

El Calafate. Glacier Cruise & Estancia visit

Today, a CRUISE on Lago Argentino takes you up close for views of icebergs and UPSALA GLACIER, one of the longest in South America at over 35 miles long. Disembark at a historic ranch, ESTANCIA CRISTINA, on the shores of Lago Argentino. Whether you prefer a quiet day of touring and history or more adventurous activities, like trekking or exploring by 4-wheel-drive vehicle—the choice is yours during your ranch visit.

El Calafate. Excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier

A must for all visitors to Argentina is a visit to PERITO MORENO GLACIER in LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK. Forming part of the Patagonian Continental Ice Field, from which 13 glaciers descend on the Atlantic side to flow into the Viedma and Argentino Lakes, this glacier is one of the few in the world that is still advancing. During your walking tour along the catwalks, marvel at the breathtaking glacier views and with some luck, see the ice calve into the waters below.

El Calafate - Ushuaia

After breakfast, fly to Ushuaia, Argentina—the end of the world! You’ll have the opportunity to see the Andes Mountains from a CRUISE along Beagle Channel. Bask in the feeling of being in the southernmost city in the world, and watch for sea lions, albatrosses, skuas, and other interesting Patagonian fauna. Arrive at MARTILLO ISLAND, where you have the chance to see a colony of Magellan penguins!

Ushuaia. Tierra Del Fuego National Park Excursion

Today, discover TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK, the southernmost national park in the world. Hike around the park, escorted by an expert Naturalist. With stops at Bahia Lapataia, Lago Roca, and Bahia Ensenada, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate ecosystems here.

Ushuaia - Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires today, the “Paris of South America” and capital of Argentina. Fabulous food, shopping, and architecture all converge here to create a distinctly Latin vibe. Tonight, enjoy a WINE TASTING led by a local sommelier at an exclusive Cava, where you will try some famous Argentine wines, followed by dinner in this intimate setting.

Buenos Aires

Your guided sightseeing starts at Plaza de Mayo to see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, housing San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Colon Opera House before reaching RECOLETA CEMETERY, burial site of Eva Perón. Next, in La Boca, a colourful district and site of the city’s first port, take a short walking tour of this unique neighbourhood, then continue to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and a popular gathering spot for artists. Top off the evening at a famous TANGO CLUB, where instructors are ready to lead a TANGO LESSON, followed by a farewell dinner of Argentine steaks and other local specialities. End the night with a show featuring flawless performances of Latin America’s most sensuous dance—the Tango!

Buenos Aires - UK

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Home landing in the UK