Patagonia – Penguins & Glaciers

The Trip

Day 1: Buenos Aires – Arrive and transfer to the hotel
Day 2: Buenos Aires – Day at leisure to explore the city
Day 3: Puerto Madryn – Fly to Trelew and visit penguin colony on Punta Tombo
Day 4: Puerto Madryn – Wildlife tour of the Valdes Peninsula
Day 5: Ushuaia – Fly south to Ushuaia, the most southerly town in the world
Day 6: Ushuaia – Guided tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park
Day 7: El Calafate – Fly to El Calafate and transfer to the hotel
Day 8: El Calafate – Free day to explore this fascinating region
Day 9: El Calafate – Full day tour to Perito Moreno Glacier
Day 10: Buenos Aires – Fly back to Buenos Aires
Day 11: Transfer to the airport for onward flight home

Suggested extension

Day 11: Iguazu Falls – Fly to Iguazu and transfer to the hotel
Day 12: Iguazu Falls – Full day guided tour of the falls
Day 13: Fly to Buenos Aires in time for onward flight home

Day 1

Today you will arrive in Buenos Aires where you will be met by your driver guide and transferred into the city. After getting settled into your hotel, you’ll be taken on a tour of the city with an expert local guide.

Day 2

Today is completely free to explore the city at leisure. We suggest a cruise along the beautiful Tigre or take the optional Gaucho Party tour where you can try your hand at horse riding and enjoy a traditional asado bbq. Alternatives include cookery classes, visits to the many museums and galleries or tango lessons. In the evening you will be picked up from your hotel for a thrilling dinner and tango show where you can see the magnetism of this passionate dance close up and enjoy a delicious three course meal.

Day 3

This morning you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Trelew. When you arrive you will travel overland to Punta Tombo Fauna Reserve to see the largest Magellan penguin colony. If time permits you will also take a tour of the Chubut valley, visiting Trelew, Gaiman and other welsh villages. Spend the night in Puerto Madryn.

Day 4

Today you will take a full day tour of the Valdes Peninsula, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its geography, flora and fauna. Between July and November you will have the opportunity to do a whale watching cruise to see these gentle giants up close. You will also visit Punta Delgada Light-house, an elephant seal colony and Valdes Cover, a beautiful viewpoint. Return back to Puerto Madryn to overnight.

Day 5

After breakfast at the hotel you will be taken to the airport for your direct flight to Ushuaia, the most southerly town in the world. When you arrive you will be transferred to the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Day 6

This morning you will take a guided excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park, the only park in Argentina with a sea coast. During the excursion you will take the End of the World train as an optional tour. In the afternoon you will sail along the Beagle Channel admiring Sea Lion Island and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Afterwards you will return back to Ushuaia and overnight at your hotel.

Day 7

This morning you will be taken to the airport for your direct flight north to El Calafate. When you arrive your driver guide will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore.

Day 8

Today is completely free to explore the city and surrounding area at leisure. We suggest you take an optional sail among the icebergs taking the Estancia Cristina or Ice Rivers Express. Alternatively you will enjoy the ancient landscapes of El Chalten and take guided or self-guided hikes along the spectacular trails. Overnight in El Calafate.

Day 9

Today you will transfer overland to the Glaciers National Park to see the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier. During the tour, wander along the wooden walkways and admire the natural wonder from different points of view. The tour can be accompanied by an optional one-hour boat trip which will allow you to get up close to the glacier. After enjoying the UNESCO heritage site you will return back to El Calafate to overnight.

Day 10

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Arrive and transfer into the city for your last evening at leisure.

Day 11

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Suggested extension

Day 11

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Iguazu Falls. When you arrive you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Day 12

This morning you will be picked up for a guided tour of the Argentinean side of the falls. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, they will certainly not disappoint. During the tour you will visit the Devil’s Throat balcony and hike along the upper and lower walkways, taking in the natural wonder from all sides. If time permits, we suggest an optional boat tour to get up close to the falls and feel the spray on your face. Spend your last night at your Iguazu hotel.

Day 13

Today you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires in time for your onward flight home.