Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Torres del Paine, and Santiago
12 Days/10 Nights
From $5,289 per person
(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)
Daily Departures from October to April
Overview
Discover the breathtaking natural attractions and wildlife of Patagonia on this fantastic journey. Beginning in Buenos Aires, experience the country’s culture and sample its tasty cuisine. Then, venture to the southern part of Los Glaciers National Park, to marvel at the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the only advancing glaciers in the world. From there, cross into Chile to explore the impressive Torres del Paine National Park, where you can hike, ride horseback, or partake in other outdoor activities. The last part of the trip takes you to Isla Magdalena, home to a colony of 120,000 Magellanic penguins.
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 10 nights (2 nights in Buenos Aires, 3 nights in El Calafate, 3 nights in Torres del Paine, and 1 night in Santiago), and 17 meals (10 breakfasts, 4 lunch, and 3 dinners).
Best Time to Go: October-March.
Destinations: South America, Argentina, Chile, and Patagonia.
Interests: Adventure, All-Inclusive Properties, Culture & History, and Wildlife Viewing.
Places Visited: Buenos Aires, El Calafate & Los Glaciares National Park, Torres del Paine National Park, and Santiago.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Buenos Aires.
Depart to Buenos Aires via overnight flight.
Day 2: Buenos Aires.
After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Buenos Aires.
Note: Check in time in Buenos Aires is typically 2:00pm. We can request early check-in for you but cannot guarantee it.
Day 3: Buenos Aires-City Tour-Tango Dinner Show.
In the afternoon, you will have a panoramic city tour of Buenos Aires. This tour will cover the most important sights in the city. You will visit the impressive National Congress (the Parliament), the Civic Centre, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the headquarters of the executive branch of the government, and the town Hall. You will also see one of the best Opera Houses in the world. The tour will continue with a visit to the neighborhood of San Telmo, and you will learn about its history. On Sundays, you will be able to enjoy a flea market. You will go next to La Boca, known for its colorful architecture and for being the first port in Buenos Aires. This neighborhood was originally settled by Italian immigrants. You will also visit the Palermo and Recoleta areas of the city and modern neighborhoods such as Puerto Madero, with big mansions and great parks.
In the evening, you will enjoy typical Argentine dinner and wine, and a Tango show with a re-creation of the original style and melancholic rhythms of the 1940’s. The impressive lyrics will be interpreted by some of the best singers in the city. You will also hear some folk music from the Altiplano region of the country. Overnight in Buenos Aires. (B,D)
Day 4: Buenos Aires-El Calafate.
Transfer the airport for your flight to El Calafate. El Calafate is named for the local blue berry that when eaten, guarantees your return to Patagonia. Located on the southern shore of Lago Argentino, it is the main hub for visitors to the southern part of Los Glaciers National Park. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in El Calafate. (B)
Day 5: El Calafate-Perito Moreno Glacier.
Today, you will have a full day excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier, the highlight of any visit to southern Patagonia. The glacier is 19 miles long, three miles wide, and 200 feet high, and is one of the only advancing glaciers in the world. You can observe, hear, and take photos of the glacier from steel catwalks on Peninsula de Magallanes. The sound of huge icebergs calving into the Canal de los Tempanos (Iceberg Channel) is a truly unique experience. Overnight in El Calafate. (B)
Day 6: El Calafate-Boat Tour of Lago Argentino.
Today you will have a full day boat tour of Lago Argentino, Argentina’s largest lake. Departing from the southern shore of the lake, the boat heads northwest through Boca del Diablo, the narrowest passage point of the lake, to Brazo Norte (the northern arm of the lake) to reach the barrier of ice flows in Upsala Canal. From there, passengers can appreciate the breathtaking views of the immense Upsala Glacier in the distance. The boat then heads south along the Spegazzini Canal towards the glacier of the same name. Gourmet lunch is served on board.
After lunch, the boat continues on to Puesto de Las Vacas, a quiet bay in the Spegazzini Canal, for a landing and guided hike to enjoy the panoramic views of the glacier. After re-boarding, the boat returns along the Brazo Norte to the dock for disembarkation. Overnight in El Calafate. (B,L)
Day 7: El Calafate-Torres del Paine.
Transfer to your hotel in Torres del Paine (the transfer to Hotel Las Torres is scheduled for 7:00am and to Tierra Patagonia 8:00-9:00am). Torres del Paine National Park is one of the best parks for outdoor enthusiasts in South America. It offers camping sites and vast hiking trails in the midst of a spectacular natural setting that includes forests, blue and green lakes, glaciers, and the granite peaks – ‘Towers of Paine’ – for which the park is named.
When you arrive at the hotel, you will have time for lunch and an afternoon excursion. Overnight in Torres del Paine. (B,L)
Day 8: Torres del Paine.
Choose from one full-day or two half day optional excursions (included in the cost of the tour). Overnight in Torres del Paine. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Torres del Paine.
Choose from one full-day or two half day optional excursions (included in the cost of the tour). Overnight in Torres del Paine. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Torres del Paine-Punta Arenas.
Transfer from Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Punta Arenas. (B)
Day 11: Punta Arenas-Magdalena Island Penguin Tour-Santiago.
In the morning, you will travel by boat to Magdalena Island, a small island and protected nature reserve in the Straits of Magellan, which is home to approximately 120,000 Magellanic penguins. You will disembark to observe the penguins and learn about their habitat and breeding cycles at a lighthouse exhibit located on the island. Weather permitting, you will also circumnavigate Marta Island, home to a colony of 1,000 sea lions and other wildlife.
After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Santiago. (B)
Note: This tour is only offered from October to February. During March, other options will be considered.
Day 12: Santiago.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
What's Included
Price Includes
- South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
- Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
- Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
- Excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
- Local, English-speaking tour guides.
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare.
- Domestic airfare.
- Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Gratuities, gifts, and personal items.
- Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.
Accommodations
Buenos Aires
El Calafate
Torres del Paine
Santiago
Additional Details
Group Private: All airport/hotel transfers are private, except for El Calafate-Torres de Paine, and Torres del Paine-Punta Arenas. In Buenos Aires, the Panoramic City Tour and Tango Dinner Show (transfers) are group tours for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations, and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations. In El Calafate, the excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier and boat tour of Lago Argentino are group tours. In Torres del Paine, all excursions are operated on a small group basis. The Magdalena Island excursion is a group tour.
Elevations: Torres del Paine National Park elevations can reach 4,000 feet or more, depending upon your itinerary, and Santiago is 1,700 feet.
Passport/Visa: For Argentina, U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee of $100 and $75 respectively (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons) online, and must show proof of payment prior to arrival. The reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens has been suspended until further notice. For citizens of Australia, this fee covers unlimited entries to Argentina for 10 years, while citizens of Canada are charged the fee every time they enter the country (or $150 for multiple visits within five years). The fee can be paid online at ProvinciaNet.com.ar. You will need to register in order to make the payment. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy of Argentina in their country before traveling. For Chile, U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens (except Greece) require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Greek citizens can stay for up to 60 days. Australian, and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee (considered a multiple entry visa) of $95 and $132 respectively upon arrival (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons). Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Chilean embassy in their country before traveling.
Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance’s Classic and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.
To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $900 (3 & 4 Star) or $1,250 (5 Star & Deluxe) plus the cost of the airfare (if we arrange it for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.
