Wonders of Patagonia (Small Group)

It's time to tango your way through Buenos Aires, your gateway to the far south and the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia.

On arrival, your local host will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Settle in or head out to explore the grand boulevards and colourful barrios of Argentina's capital.

This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow small group travellers for dinner.

Explore Buenos Aires with your Travel Director, beginning along 9 de Julio Avenue, often called the widest street in the world. See the ornate Colón Theatre before arriving at Plaza de Mayo, the city's historic heart, framed by the Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo. Step inside the cathedral to view its neoclassical interior. Continue to the lively district of La Boca, known for its brightly painted houses and the famous Caminito Street. Travel through Palermo's green spaces, lined with lakes and gardens, then head to Recoleta to visit the cemetery where Eva Perón is buried.

Fly to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, where your Local Specialist introduces the stories and contrasts of life at the edge of the world. On a walking tour, explore the old neighbourhoods and take in panoramic viewpoints overlooking the mountains and Beagle Channel, then continue through newer areas where families and communities have settled over time.

This evening, enjoy a Be My Guest experience as you join a local host in their home for dinner, sharing conversation, learning about daily life in Ushuaia and connecting more deeply with this remote corner of Argentina.

Join a Local Specialist to explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, where forests, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains reveal the natural beauty of this remote region. Keep watch for wildlife such as red foxes, condors, eagles and beavers as you walk through the park. Take in views over the Beagle Channel at Ensenada Bay, then continue to Roca Lake and the Bay of Lapataia, where rugged landscapes frame the southern tip of Argentina.

Later, you could choose from a selection of Optional Experiences, including a cruise on the Beagle Channel or a catamaran trip to see a penguin colony.

Leave the 'End of the World' and fly to El Calafate on the shores of Lake Argentino, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park with its spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. You'll have a rare opportunity to explore the otherworldly landscape of massive glaciers, interconnected fjords and mountainside glacial lakes over the next few days, but not before perhaps tucking into the Calafate berry after which the town is named to secure your return to this mystical region.

The day is dedicated to a deep exploration of the striking UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park. Touring with a Local Specialist, you'll come face-to-face with its arctic-blue and white glaciers that are fed by the massive South Patagonian Ice Field. Discover the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier, which towers above the icy waters of Lake Argentino. You could perhaps witness massive igloo icebergs plunging into the lake with thunderous force.

Experience the rugged solitude of the windswept steppe and the quiet southern beech forests before heading back to El Calafate for an evening spent at leisure. Consider indulging all your senses savouring the town's famous Patagonian lamb paired with a delectable glass of Argentina's Malbec, or pop into the Glaciarium for a chilly encounter that will warm your polar heart.

After breakfast, embark on an adventure to Puerto Natales, a charming gateway to the stunning landscapes of southern Chilean Patagonia. Your journey begins with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Pingo Salvaje, where you'll learn about the ranch owners' holistic grazing efforts. You'll also be led on a walk to an on-site waterfall, which the farm uses to produce hydraulic energy. Next, it's off to to the fascinating Milodon Cave with your Local Specialist.

Here, German explorer Herman Eberhard discovered evidence of a giant prehistoric ground sloth, along with traces of human habitation dating back to 6000 BC, offering a unique window into ancient life. Next, explore Rupestre Patagonia Park, which showcases Patagonia's natural and cultural riches. Just a stone's throw from Milodon Cave, this family-owned park features native Patagonian forests and diverse sedimentary rock formations.

Alongside a Local Specialist, marvel at stunning eaves and caverns sculpted by glaciers 18,000 years ago. Pause at the Laguna Sofia viewpoint for breathtaking vistas and condor sightings. Along the way, uncover ancient cave paintings, each inviting your personal interpretation. This enriching day deepens your connection to Patagonia's unique heritage and beauty.

Embark on a breathtaking journey into Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the world's most breathtaking wildernesses. Spanning over 113,000 hectares, this awe-inspiring landscape is famed for its jagged granite peaks, shimmering turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls and roaring creeks. Guided by a Local Specialist, you'll explore some of the parks most iconic highlights: the glassy waters of Lage Pehoe, Salto Grande waterfall and Lago Gray viewpoint, offering sweeping vistas of the mighty Gray Glacier.

Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for guanacos, foxes, swans and other remarkable wildlife that call this pristine reserve home. Continue to the serene Laguna Amarga region, where you'll witness the towering Torres from the east and discover the fascinating cyanobacteria with stromatolites at the Laguna Amarga caldera. Conclude your day at the aptly named Blue Lagoon, its striking cerulean waters reflecting the untouched beauty and raw power of Patagonia.

Enjoy a Be My Guest experience at Estancia Tierra de Overjeros, a working ranch in Cerro Castillo owned by Raúl and América. Surrounded by sheep pastures and fruit trees planted by América herself, you'll learn how generations of hard work have shaped life in this remote part of Patagonia. Watch Raúl and his skilled sheepdogs demonstrate how flocks are guided using voice and whistle commands, then see how the wool is prepared for export.

Afterwards, sit down with your hosts for a traditional Patagonian lamb barbecue. A welcome drink, regional dishes, homemade dessert and fresh bread with Pebre sauce complete this warm and authentic taste of Chilean country life.

Today's exploration takes you by boat up the Rio Serrano, passing the Southern Icefield (Campo de Hielo Sur) toward the icy turquoise sheets of the Serrano Glacier. Take some time with your Travel Director to explore the impressive glacier with a hike through unspoiled, cool rainforest landscapes to Seno Última Esperanza (Fjord of the Last Hope) where you will see the rest of the Southern Patagonian Icefield. Continue through the fjord by boat with views of the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers in the background.

This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner and toast to an unforgettable expedition to the ends of the earth.

Depart this morning for the peninsula town of Punta Arenas to board your flight to Santiago International Airport, where your Patagonia adventure ends. Airport arrival will be at 8 p.m., please be aware when booking your onward flights.