Highlights of Patagonia

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. With Latin passion, European elegance and a distinctive cosmopolitan style, it might just steal your heart. Attend a group meeting at 2 pm where you’ll get to know your group and trip leader. The adventure begins straight after the meeting with a two-hour orientation walk that visits Avenida de Mayo, Cafe Tortoni, Florida Street, Plaza de Mayo (Casa Rosada, Cabildo, Catedral de Buenos Aires) and Plaza Dorrego (San Telmo). Continue to Palermo to participate in a tango class. In a private space, a professional tango couple will explain the dance’s origin and history and then give a sultry demonstration. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to join an hour-long beginner’s class to learn some of the basics. Following the tango class, you may want to head to one of the many parrillas (steak houses) in the area for dinner.

After breakfast today, fly south from Buenos Aires to El Calafate (approximately 3 hours), then travel by van to the frontier town of El Chalten, north of Glacier National Park (approximately 3.5 hours). Hikers and climbers from all around the world congregate here in order to reach the glaciers and mountains of the park. Take it easy and drink in the views today, in preparation for your trek tomorrow. The afternoon is yours to relax, sightsee or get to know your fellow explorers. (B)

Rise and shine nice and early for your first day of trekking. After breakfast at your hotel, begin with perhaps the most famous of all Patagonia’s trails – the Laguna de los Tres. Ascend from El Calten on an approximately 9-hour trek through incredible landscapes. Walk through woodlands framed by granite cliffs, over crystal-clear streams and towards the three frosted peaks of Mt Fitz Roy. Along the way, you’ll see numerous glaciers, but the primary reward on this trek comes at the end of a steep climb - the Glacier de los Tres and the blue lagoon that lies before it, at the base of Mt Fitz Roy. Take in the gorgeous views, snap a couple of shots and take a moment to appreciate the majesty. This evening is yours to relax and recharge. (B)

This morning’s schedule is as clear as the mountain air, so you can decide whether to recuperate or tackle another trail. If you can’t wait to explore further, perhaps head out on the Laguna Torre trail. Aside from the first two kilometres, there’s very little ascent on this trail, which leads to a beautiful glacier lake at the base of Cerro Torre. Hiking there and back will take around 7 hours, depending on how many stops you make, so make sure to head out nice and early and get back to your hotel in time. This afternoon, travel to El Calafate, where you’ll spend the night. The drive takes approximately 4 hours, depending on weather and traffic. (B)

Today, visit the immense Perito Moreno Glacier. This electric-blue beauty is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world and at 3 km wide and 35 km long, it’s a spectacular sight. Watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below, creating a thunderous symphony. The glacier is the third largest reserve of fresh water in the world, after the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. You’ll also have the option to add a mini hike onto your visit, which explores part of the Moreno glacier on foot – this hike is not available without a guide, so make sure you book ahead. Once you’re finished soaking up the wonder of this natural formation, return to your El Calafate hotel for the night.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll travel to the jewel of Patagonia – Torres del Paine National Park (approximately 2.5 hours from El Calafate). Known for its soaring mountainous peaks, bright blue icebergs and glaciers and untouched grasslands (home to many wild guanacos, birdlife and the Patagonian fox), this park is a nature-lovers paradise. Once you arrive, the day is yours to explore. You might want to find a good spot to watch the sunset, gracing your visit to this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with some of the best natural entertainment. (B/D)

Today, head out on a full-day trek in Torres del Paine National Park. The Base Las Torres trek can be a bit of a challenge – but with high reward. Today, you’ll witness some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth, including rolling hills backdropped by snow-capped peaks and diverse flora and fauna among expansive rivers and lakes in different shades of blue and green. After hours of exploring this incredible park, you’ll arrive at the base of Torres del Pain (or The Blue Towers) – the three distinctively jagged peaks that are synonymous with Chilean Patagonia. At their base, a turquoise lake sits still, completing the scene. In the afternoon, travel to Puerto Natales and perhaps round your group to celebrate your last night of Patagonian adventure however you like. (B/L)

Today after breakfast, your trip comes to an end. If you’d to extend your stay in South America, just speak to your booking agent. (B)