The Essential of Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia with Cruise

DAY 1 – BUENOS AIRES

Arrival and reception at the airport transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we make a panoramic tour of the city. We start at Plaza de Mayo, witness of the most important events of the country since 1810, to then continue to the neighbourhood of La Boca and finish in Palermo and Recoleta.

In the evening, we attend a dinner show to appreciate the magnetism of tango.

DAY 2- BUENOS AIRES

Day at leisure to explore the city.

DAY 3 – BUENOS AIRES / USHUAIA

Transfer to the airport to board the scheduled flight to Ushuaia. Arrival and reception at the airport, transfer to de hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 4 – USHUAIA / AUSTRALIS CRUISE

In the morning, excursion to the Tierra del Fuego National Park to enjoy excellent panoramic views of the Beagle Channel, surrounded by mountains, lenga forest, cherries, notros and flowers.

In the afternoon, we conclude with the boarding formalities and later, transfer to the port. Once on board, the captain and crew welcome us. Set sail.

DAY 5 – AUSTRALIS CRUISE / CAPE HORN / WULAIA BAY

We sail along the Murray channel and Nassau Bay towards Cape Horn National Park, where we land if the climatic conditions allow us. The mythic Cape Horn, known as ‘the World’s End’, was declared as Worldwide Biosphere Reserve in 2005.

In the afternoon, we land at Wulaia Bay, historic site that used to be one of the biggest settlements of native canoeists called Yamanas. We walk to a viewpoint from where we can appreciate the beauty of the vegetation and geography.

DAY 6 – AUSTRALIS CRUISE / PÍA GLACIER / GARIBALDI GLACIER

We start the day sailing through the north-western arm of the Beagle Channel to land at the Pía fiord to walk towards its viewpoint.

In the afternoon, we enter the Garibaldi fiord to have a walk to the base of a glacial waterfall. Return to the cruise.

DAY 7 – AUSTRALIS CRUISE / AGOSTINI SINE / ÁGUILA GLACIER / CÓNDOR GLACIER

Today we push out into the Agostini Sine, where it is possible to appreciate the glaciers that comes down from the centre of the Darwin Mountain Range, some of them reach the sea. During the morning, we land in Zodiac boats to make a soft walk around a lagoon that emerged from the Águila glacier. In the afternoon, we return to the Zodiac boats to come closer to the Cóndor Glacier. We learn about the formation of the glaciers and its influence in the sharp geography of the Patagonian channels.

DAY 8 – AUSTRALIS CRUISE / PUERTO NATALES

Early in the morning we arrive at Magdalena Island, if the climatic conditions allow it, which was a must-stop for the supply of ancient sailors and discoverers. During our walk towards the lighthouse, we can appreciate a wide colony of Magellanic penguins.

Finally, we arrive at Punta Arenas. The land is at 11:30 AM. Regular shuttle to Puerto Natales.

DAY 9 – TORRES DEL PAINE

Full day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. The park was declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO in April 1978. The variety of flora and fauna along the landscapes and geography makes this area one of the most ideal places to practice adventure sports. We admire lakes as the Sarmiento, Nordenskjold and Pehoe, among others. The fauna you may observe are foxes, guanacos, and other species. During the tour, there is a huge variety of birds easy to see. We take a short walk towards the Salto Grande, which is a part of the water supply system of the park. The circuit continues to the administration leading to Lake Grey, where it is possible to take a short thirty-minute walk through a native wood to reach the lake’s coast and admire the icebergs that break off the glacier and now are located at the beach. Box Lunch. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 10 – PUERTO NATALES / EL CALAFATE

Regular shuttle to El Calafate. Arrival and reception. Accommodation.

DAY 11 – EL CALAFATE

Way out from the hotel to the Perito Moreno Glacier, located at Los Glaciares National Park. The Perito Moreno Glacier is an impressive mass of ice that descends from the Southern Ice Field, causing detachments during its advance, which makes it the only glacier in the world that is constantly moving. This is an awesome spectacle, not only for its beauty but also for the detachments’ roars. It was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its beauty.

DAY 12 – EL CALAFATE / BUENOS AIRES

Time at leisure for optional activities. At due time, transfer to the airport to board the flight towards Buenos Aires. Arrival and reception at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

DAY 13 – BUENOS AIRES

Transfer to the airport to board scheduled flight.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Needed transfers.
• Accommodation: 12 nights
• Buenos Aires (3) – Ushuaia (1) – Cruise (4) – Puerto Natales (2) – El Calafate (2)
• Tours:
• Buenos Aires: city tour – dinner show
• Ushuaia : National Park
• Australis Cruise : programmed activities and excursions
• Puerto Natales: Torres del Paine
• El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier
• Meals: 12 breakfasts – 4 lunches – 5 dinners
• Needed tickets to Parks and Reserves

Operational note:

Day 8: During September and April, the landing at Magdalena Island is replaced by a landing at Marta Island, where South American sea lions can be spotted from the Zodiac boats.