Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Welcome to Argentina!
Upon arrival at the Airport your guide will meet and greet you and will introduce you to Buenos Aires, one of the most passionate and cosmopolitan cities of South America. While you are transferred to your selected hotel, you will learn about its rich architectural and cultural heritage, modern creative energy, electric nightlife, unique traditions, vibrant arts scene, extensive parks, and warm, friendly hosts that makes it one of the world’s most exciting capitals. Your guide will assist you at check-in and you will have some time to rest and relax after the long flight.
Buenos Aires city tour
Today, you will discover the most important sites of this glorious city in a 4 hour city tour: The magnificence of the Northern Quarters, Palermo and the beauty of its parks and buildings, Recoleta with its French style architecture, bars and cafes; the imposing Colon Theater, one of the five most important opera houses in the world; Plaza de Mayo (May Square) surrounded by the Government's House (The Pink House), The Old Cabildo (Town Hall) and the Metropolitan Cathedral; San Telmo, residence of the aristocracy until the turn of the XIX century. The colors of La Boca, picturesque quarter of Italian immigrants; and the fashion area of Port Madero with its many bars & restaurants round off this excursion.
A visit to our emblematic “Café Tortoni” is a must!! Buenos Aires nightlife provides its own inhabitants and visitors with numerous entertainment possibilities.
This evening you will attend an unforgettable tango show performed by the best dancers and singers, while enjoying a delicious meal. This is the perfect way to live Buenos Aires, the city of tango.
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B / D
Day 2
Buenos Aires - Ushuaia
You will be making an early departure from your hotel to the airport to board your flight down to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city.
Ushuaia
Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport by a friendly and experienced guide, who'll transfer you to your chosen hotel, and then help you and the city become friends. Your afternoon will be spent at your leisure to walk around as you will. A couple of good hints would be to make your way to the End of the World Museum, and/or the Old Penitentiary Museum. Make sure to enjoy the typical dish at these latitudes: the ridiculously delicious king crab.
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B
Day 3
Ushuaia - Australis Expeditions Cruise
This morning you'll visit the Tierra del Fuego National Park, the only one in the country with a maritime coast. Within its 63,000 hectares, you'll find fire-bushes, beech trees, ñires, box-leafed barberries, along with endless profusions of flowers such as its spectacular orchids and violets. Hugging the mountains, you'll follow a road where you'll come across both peat bogs and beaver dams. After crossing the Lapataia River, a magnificent view of Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) and the upland geese and ibis that come here every summer will present themselves to your astonished eyes. A walk along the path up to Laguna Negra (Black Lagoon) or the Beavers' Path will be suggested at that point - your camera will be amply rewarded if you take either of these up. At Lapataia Bay, you'll witness the testimony of the original inhabitants of the Island (the Yamanas) at a fascinating archaeological site: the "concheros". On the way back to Ushuaia, take a brief stop at Lake Roca, whose colour changes as the weather does.
And from there, The Great Adventure will begin, as you find yourself on board the AUSTRALIS CRUISE. Captain and crew will welcome you with a cocktail reception on board, and then you will depart for the Ends of the Earth, pulling out of the Beagle Channel from Argentine into Chilean territorial waters. The lights of Ushuaia disappear as you turn into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands.
Overnight stay on board. B/L/D
Day 4
Australis Expeditions Cruise: Cape d'Horn - Wulaia Bay
We will sail through the Murray Channel and Nassau Bay, arriving at Cape Horn National Park, where we will disembark, if weather conditions permit, to experience the magic of walking through one of the southernmost points of the world, surrounded by charm and legends. In the afternoon, we will disembark at Wulaia Bay, a historic site of one of the largest settlements of the native Yagans canoeists. We will reach a viewpoint, walking through the Magellanic forest, where lengas, coigües, canelos, and ferns grow, among other species.
Overnight stay on board. B/L/D
Day 5
Australis Expeditions Cruise: Pia Glacier - Porter Glacier
In the morning, we will sail along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to enter and disembark in the Pia Fjord. We will hike to the viewpoint from where you will see the homonymous glacier, whose main peak extends from the top of the mountain range to the sea. During the afternoon, we will embark on a Zodiac boat navigation excursion, without disembarking from them. We will advance between high rocky walls to reach, at the end of them, the imposing Porter Glacier and be able to contemplate it face to face.
Overnight stay on board. B/L/D
Day 6
Australis Expeditions Cruise: Aguila Glacier - Condor Glacier
In the morning, we will navigate the Cockburn Channel to enter the Agostini Sound, where you can appreciate the glaciers that descend from the center of the Darwin Mountain Range, some of them reaching the sea. After breakfast, we will disembark via Zodiac boats for a walk around a lagoon formed by the melting of the Aguila Glacier. In the afternoon, we will navigate in Zodiac without disembarking from them, to approach the Condor Glacier at a privileged distance. We will learn about the formation of glaciers and their influence on the abrupt geography of the Fuegian channels.
Overnight stay on board. B/L/D
Day 7
Australis Expeditions Cruise: Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas
We will disembark at Magdalena Island first thing in the morning if weather conditions are suitable. On the island, we will be able to see a colony of Magellanic penguins. This excursion is replaced by a landing on Marta Island in September and April, where South American sea lions can be sighted from Zodiac boats. Then, we will arrive in Punta Arenas, disembarking at approximately 12:30 hrs.
Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales
Upon arrival at Punta Arenas Pier, you will be drived to Puerto Natales, where you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the countless activities to do outdoors and you’ll be amazed by the vibrant colors that paint the sky at sunset, which you’ll see from your kayak or bike. Enjoy the Chilean Patagonian food and take the opportunity to recharge your batteries in this amazing place.
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B
Day 8
Torres del Paine-National Park
Some quick advice before starting: Patagonia without a visit to Torres del Paine National Park is almost a sin. Lucky, then, that you'll be heading straight there this morning. First stop will be the Milodon Cave, which is of anthropological value impossible to overestimate. This old cave is thought to have been home to the prehistoric Patagonian Man, living side-by-side with the extinct, herbivorous Milodon. From there, it's on to Cerro Castillo for a handy coffee stop. Your coffee will be pretty good, but nothing compared to the scenery you'll drink up as you pass the Amargo Lagoon, home to red foxes and condors and backdropped by the dramatic Paine mountain range. But that's just the start. Your path then winds around the Nordenskjold and Pehoé lakes, together with groups of guanacos and lesser rheas or ñandúes; before exposing the huge Salto Grande waterfall to your astonished eyes. It's on to the Grey Lake area from there, having a lunch stop at the appropriately-named Grey Inn. It's glaciers all the way from there, as you hike through lenga forests and the Grey Glacier's sublime ice-floes. It won't be until late in the afternoon that you make it to your hotel, where you'll have some well-deserved relaxing time, preparing you for the unforgettable experiences that are just around the corner.
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B
Day 9
Puerto Natales - El Calafate
Good thing you relaxed yesterday evening, because you'll need to get up early this morning so that you can start your 5 hour bus trip through all the sublimity of the Patagonian Steppe and make it to El Calafate in time for lunch. After that, it's off to your hotel, from where you can take your camera and go for a walk along the shores of Lake Argentino and catch some of its stunning views.
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B
Day 10
Perito Moreno Glacier
Argentina isn't short on natural beauty, but today, you'll get to see one of the most irrefutably beauteous: the Perito Moreno Glacier. You'll have very little inclination to argue with UNESCO's decision to dub this a World Natural Heritage Site way back in 1981. Arriving at the Glaciers' balconies, you'll get to spend 4 or so hours walking along the various pathways to drink in its glory from different angles. Gorgeously framed by dramatic mountains, lakes and forests, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most spectacular scenes going around. It owes its fame to its continuous movement, which produces a cyclical phenomenon of advance and backward motion, causing awe-inspiring periods of ice-toppling. You won't believe your eyes, so make sure you take plenty of photos!
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B
Day 11
El Calafate - El Chalten
Today you will be transferred on a 3 hour trip by bus to El Chalten. El Chaltén is a tiny mountain town located 220km north of El Calafate, in the province of Santa Cruz. It's situated along the banks of the Río de las Vueltas (The Laps River)and lies within the boundaries of The Glaciers National Park. El Chalten, is considered to be Argentina’s youngest town and boasts one of the most incredible settings in the world. The impressive mountain peaks of the Andes vie for your attention, together with ancient glaciers, national lakes and lagoons, and thick green forests, it's no wonder the town attracts so many adventure enthusiasts from all over the world. El Chalten is a world class trekking destination, offering many other outdoor activities like mountain climbing, ice climbing. rafting, fishing and lake cruising. Have the evening at your leisure and get ready for an amazing trek!!
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B
Day 12
El Chalten
Today you’ll have the chance of experience an amazing selfguided trek that can be selected from the menu below, you won’t believe your eyes!!!
FULL DAY TREKS MENU
RIO BLANCO Difficulty: Medium Duration: 8 hours Description: Short drive to Hostería El Pilar next to Río Blanco 11 miles north of El Chaltén. The trail follows Río Blanco, pass Piedras Blancas glacier and up to Rio Blanco base camp. Piedras Blancas glacier is a hanging glacier that descends from the base of Fritz Roy. Lunch stoop will be in the vicinity of Río Blanco or Poicenot base camp. To return to town the group will follow the trail and pass Laguna Capri to enjoy even more view of mount Fitz Roy. Distance to cover: 18 km Elevation: 400 meters
PLIEGUE TUMBADO Difficulty: Medium Duration: 7 hours Description: Walk through the little village and pass the Ranger Station where the Visitors Centre that you may visit is located. Pliegue Tumbado is a ridge and a summit that offers views of both Cerro Torre and mount Fitz Roy. It is also a less visited area of the park and it is well worth the effort of the climb. Distance to cover: 24 km Elevation: 1000 meters
PIEDRA DEL FRAILE Difficulty: Low Duration: 6 hours Description: Short drive to Rio Eléctrico, 12 miles north of El Chaltén. This walk leads through beech forest and riverbeds to Refugio los Troncos, Piedra del Fraile. The place chosen by priest A. D’ Agostini to set camp during his exploration and climbs in the los Troncos, Piedra del Fraile. Distance to cover: 12 km Elevation: 135 meters
TORRE LAGOON Difficulty: Medium Duration: 7 hours Description: Hike along the Río Fitz Roy valley to reach the Laguna Torre at the end of the valley. Get as close as non-climbers can get to the mystical Cerro Torre. You will also visit the base camp where climbers wait for the good weather to attempt the climb. Distance to cover: 22 km Elevation: 250 meters
You will return to your hotel a bit exhausted after your outstanding trek so take your evening to rest and relax.
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B
Day 13
Buenos Aires
Back to the big city!
After all this excitement, this morning will see you transferring by bus to El Calafate Airport to head on back to Buenos Aires and your comfortable city hotel. Have the night out on the town, taking in the many shops, art galleries, bars, restaurants and discotheques with which Buenos Aires is packed.
Overnight stay in the selected hotel category. B&B
Day 14
End of itinerary
After your last sumptuous breakfast, make sure you save some time to buy your last-minute souvenirs and/or photos. At the scheduled time, you'll be picked up from your hotel to be transferred to Ezeiza International Airport to board your flight back home. It's certain you'll carry the warmth of Argentina's people in your soul, not to mention the natural beauties of this wonderful country in your camera! It wouldn't be too much of a surprise if you're back over this way some time soon.