Patagonian Highlights

Our local leader will meet us today for a welcome briefing and to take us on an introductory walking tour of the city. The evening is free for you to visit one of the many excellent restaurants in the capital, many serving the much-revered Argentine steaks. Stay: Argenta Tower (or similar).

This morning, we fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate and transfer (approximately three to four hours) to the small mountain town of El Chaltén. The town has a beautiful location in Los Glaciares National Park with breath-taking views of Mount Fitzroy and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Stay: Hosteria Don Atilio (or similar) (B).

Today we set off for a day of trekking amid incredible mountains and valleys of Los Glaciares National Park. We start with a hike to Cerro Fitzroy Base Camp with views of the massif ahead. In the afternoon, we come out of the forest to trek up to Laguna de los Tres, a glacial lake whose still waters reflect the three main peaks of the range.

This is a full day challenging trek over fairly rough terrain with impressive, rugged scenery along the way. Note - We also offer a moderate trek option to take in these storied mountain peaks and scenic beauty of the parks flora and fauna at a more leisurely pace. Stay: Hosteria Don Atilio (or similar) (B/L).

Today has been left free to enjoy an additional trek or an optional excursion in the area. In the late afternoon, we transfer (approximately three to four hours) back to El Calafate. Trekking option: 9mi (14km), six hours Stay: Hosteria Puerto San Julian (or similar) (B).

Today we visit the Perito Moreno Glacier. This jagged ice sheet stretches more than 3mi (5km) across Lago Argentino and rises 200ft (61m) out of the cold waters. It is the fastest-moving glacier on the planet and the eerie creaks and thunderous groans add an atmosphere of anticipation. Every so often, an office block-sized chunk of ice calves from its face into the water below before slowly floating down the lake as an iceberg. An optional boat trip gives an even greater appreciation of the immense scale of this wonder. Stay: Hosteria Puerto San Julian (or similar) (B/D).

We spend a second day here to explore. We can take a gentle walk along Lago Argentina to see birdlife (including flamingos), or a slightly more demanding hike for fantastic views over the Patagonian Steppe and towards the mountainous border with Chile. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to a local estancia (ranch) or to Todo Glaciares – this navigation includes Upsala Glacier, Bahia Onelli (where glacier pieces float in the water) and the Spegazzinni Glacier. Please ask your tour leader and they will help you to arrange it. Stay: Hosteria Puerto San Julian (or similar) (B).

After breakfast, we have a long drive (approximately eight to nine hours) across the border into Chile before we arrive in one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, Torres del Paine (due to local regulations we must change buses at the border). From here, we meet our Chilean guide and drive around some of the park. We may have time after check-in for a short walk next to Laguna Amarga or Laguna Azul, which offer great panoramic views of the Paine Massif and the striking granite Horns of Paine. Stay: Hosteria Pehoe (or similar) (B/D).

Without a doubt, one of the park highlights is the hike up to the base of the Torres del Paine. The walk itself is beautiful, trekking primarily through forests along the Ascencio River valley. This is a full day challenging trek and the last section is steep with rocky terrain, so you need a reasonably good level of fitness and confidence.

It is important to recognize that adverse weather conditions can make this walk much harder; your tour leader will give a briefing regarding the trek and answer any questions you may have. Note - We also offer a moderate trek option to take in the majesty of Torres del Paine National Park views, flora and fauna at a more leisurely pace. Once we finish the treks, we take a transfer (approximately two hours) to Puerto Natales. Stay: Hotel Lady Florence Dixie or Hotel Baquedano (B/L).

After breakfast, we have free time before a fairly long transfer in the afternoon, through dramatic scenery to Cerro Sombrero. This journey involves a short ferry crossing over the Magellan Straits. We advise you take plenty of water and snacks for the journey (approximately seven to eight hours).

In the evening, we'll have dinner together at the hotel in the small town of Cerro Sombrero. Stay: Hosteria Tunkelen (or similar) (B/D).

Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) is named after the original inhabitants who lit bonfires to ward off the winter chill. Crossing the island, we'll have views of the most southerly part of the Andes before catching our first glimpses of Ushuaia – the end of the world! This is a long driving day (approximately seven to eight hours) but we use a private bus to make the journey more comfortable. We should arrive at our hotel mid-afternoon depending on weather conditions and traffic. Stay: Hotel Ushuaia (or similar) (B).

We'll spend this morning in the stark wilderness of Tierra del Fuego National Park, walking among varied terrain, flora and fauna.

In the afternoon, there is an optional boat ride along the Beagle Channel to see marine wildlife including penguins, sea lions and many species of water bird including a flightless duck. We also enjoy fantastic views of Ushuaia and its backdrop of often snow-capped peaks as we head out on the boat.

Please ask your tour leader and they will help you to arrange it. For those wanting more adventure or not wishing to trek, an optional half-day 4WD excursion is on offer, which takes us deep into the wilds of Tierra del Fuego, where conventional transport would fail to reach, including the remote lakes of Fagnano and Escondido (please note, it is not possible to see penguins on this tour). Stay: Hotel Ushuaia (or similar) (B).

Depending upon the flight schedule, we may have free time this morning in Ushuaia. There are magnificent views from the hills leading up to the Martial Glacier and some small shops to pick up souvenirs. Ushuaia has just one museum, housed in the former prison, which is worth a visit. We fly back to Buenos Aires and usually arrive in time to visit one of the excellent tango shows in the old quarter of San Telmo (optional) or enjoy a last group meal together. Stay: Argenta Tower Retiro Hotel (or similar) (B).

Depending on the time of your flight home, you may have another chance to see more of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. After last night's tango show, you might be tempted to learn a few steps or watch it in the streets and plazas. A visit to the grave of Evita in the remarkable Recoleta Cemetery, said to be the most expensive real estate in the world, is also possible. (B).