Tour of Argentina and Chile

On arrival in Argentina and Buenos Aires you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel before enjoying a low key evening of warm Argentinian hospitality.

Learn about the origins of the tango and put your dancing shoes on for a spot of tango. Or simply sit back while the professionals show you how it's done while sampling some of the area’s award winning Argentinian wines, accompanied by a three course meal.

Tonight you’ll spend the first of two nights in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires.

Begin your second day with a city tour of the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires. Along the way, you’ll see the Plaza de Mayo, the legendary 19th century central square where the pink presidential palace Casa Rosada grandly resides, and the town hall, Cabildo. Our trip will carry on to San Telmo, a very desirable district of Buenos Aires with cobbled streets, lively markets and plenty of places to eat and drink coffee. Stop by Café Tortoni, one of the most famous cafés in the city.

Next, we’ll visit La Boca, which is known for its 19th century seaport history, Italian flavour and colourful houses. From here, you’ll see Barrio Norte, home to the wealthy residents of Buenos Aires. Pay your respects at the Recoleta cemetery, where the grave of the celebrated Evita Péron can be found.

Continue to Avenida 9 de Julio, named after Argentina’s Independence Day on 9th July 1816, and on to the attractive Plaza Lavalle, where the Federal Court of Justice and the Teatro Colón are situated.

While you’re in the area, why not opt for an optional excursion of the river with a Tigre Tour, San Telmo Market visit or find out more about Argentinian cuisine?

Day at leisure. 

This morning, we’ll take an internal flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

Ushuaia is a resort town situated on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in Argentina. This busy hilltop town is home to a mix of museums, including the End of the World Museum, the old prison and tempting places to eat. Sample the local spider crab before exploring the boats in the old harbour.

Ushuaia is also popular with explorers, due to its mountainous, snow capped surroundings – the Martial Mountains and Beagle Channel. It’s often the starting point for trips to the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Tonight, you’ll rest your head in your hotel in Ushuaia before setting off to explore this region further the next morning.

Spend the morning with a tour of the Tierra del Fuego National Park on your fourth day in South America. Explore the Andean Patagonian forests, picture postcard lakes and hiking trails around the mountains.

Next, we’ll drive to the historic Estancia Harberton, on the edge of the Beagle Channel. Founded in the 1800s by missionary figure Thomas Bridges, it’s still a working estate, with grounds, gardens and buildings you can visit today.

Afterwards, you’ll set sail to Martillo Island, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to observe the Magellan and Gentoo penguin colonies up close. The best time to see these beautiful birds in their natural habitat is between November to April, along with skuas, albatrosses and many other birdlife.

On your return to Estancia Harberton and before going back to your hotel in Ushuaia, continue swatting up on your bird knowledge with a trip to the fascinating Birds and Sea Mammals Museum.

Today, you’ll take an internal flight to El Calafate, a town famed for its proximity to the stunning Southern Patagonian Ice Field and entrance to Los Glaciares National Park.

El Calafate itself is well worth getting to know, with a beautiful chapel and paths taking you to some enviable views of the Andes, Redonda Lake and Soledad Island. Discover cave paintings and the scenic walking trails along Argentino Lake, before taking a look around the Glaciarium Museum.

Enjoy a relaxing evening in El Calafate and a good night’s sleep before an exciting day of adventure tomorrow.

After a good breakfast, we’ll embark on an action packed day tour of the National Park Los Glaciares, including the highlight, Perito Moreno Glacier. It’s a much loved spot for nature and beauty lovers due to its breath taking icefalls, crystal clear lakes and dramatic glaciers.

The park features incredible ice falls, enormous icebergs, soaring mountains and beautifully blue lakes, such as the 160 kilometre long Lake Argentino. At approximately 60 metres high, Perito Mereno is still growing and frequently sheds chunks of ice into the lake below – an exciting spectacle for visitors. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.

With plenty of hiking trails to tackle, take in the pure air and enjoy wildlife encounters. You may even see condors and black chested buzzard eagles, which are native to the area.

You’ll stay overnight in El Calafate before setting off to Chile the following morning.

Once you’ve breakfasted, a bus will transfer you to the border of Argentina and Chile before continuing on to the port city of Punta Natales. 

Established in the early 1900s and the capital of Ultima Esperanza Province, Puerto Natales was recognised for its sheep farming and fishing. It’s now a popular place to begin an exploration of the nearby National Park Torres del Paine. While you’re here, discover the Municipal Historical Museum and the Mylodon Cave.

Spend tonight in your Puerto Natales accommodation and rest up for a big day ahead.

Enjoy a good breakfast spread to set you up for a day of touring the Torres del Paine National Park. This rugged and stunning landscape was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and features thundering waterfalls, such as Salto Grande, cavernous creeks, bright blue lakes and majestic mountain peaks.

It's the ideal place for wildlife and nature lovers. You can spot the many local and rare animals as you walk along Grey Lake, including the llama lookalike guanaco, along with foxes and plenty of birdlife.  

Feel completely at peace in this remote landscape and view the sights from a different perspective with a kayak trip on one of the icy blue lakes or on horseback with a riding expedition across the park.

Spend your second and last night in Puerto Natales.

Today, our tour will depart Puerto Natales and continue on to Punta Arenas.

Get acquainted with the character of this jostling city, which is located on the tip of Chile’s southern Patagonia region, with a tour. discover why Punta Arenas, established in 1848, is the cultural, commercial and cattle hub of Chile. From its historic tombs, monuments and beautiful gardens, it’s a city of contradictions with old and new sitting side by side.

Visit the Cementerio Municipal and enjoy some beautiful views of the city from the high lookout of Cerro La Cruz. You’ll be able to see over Tierra del Fuego and the southern part of the country, including the Strait of Magellan.

Later, we’ll take a flight to Santiago de Chile, where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel for the first of two nights.

Wake up to your last full day in one of America’s biggest cities and the capital of Chile, Santiago. Set in a valley and encircled by the snowy Andes, Santiago is a dynamic and diverse city. Become familiar with the gems of this historic region with a tour showcasing the old, colonial past and the newer, financial hub, alongside some quirky and unusual architecture.

Head south to the famous Alameda - Santiago’s vibrant main street – and spot numerous famous landmarks. Stop by the Chilean University, San Francisco Church and the famous Santa Lucia Hill, which boasts beautiful parks and fantastic views.

Carry on your Santiago journey to the Plaza de Armas and the buzzing 19th century Central Market, which has a reputation for wonderful fish. From here, you’ll have the chance to cross the Mapocho River to the avant garde area of Bellavista. Finish in San Cristobal Hill, which boasts splendid outlooks over the city and mountainous regions.

If you feel like winding down after a busy day of sightseeing, finish off your tour in style with a wine tasting excursion. Retreat to your Santiago hotel and enjoy a good rest before departing home the next day.

Today marks the departure of your Argentina and Chile tour. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.