Argentina and Chile: The Ultimate Journey
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Buenos Aires: romance and tango
Explore sexy and sophisticated Buenos Aires, a city of steamy tango, sizzling steaks and a nightlife that never stops. Take an eye-opening tour with a local Porteño (resident of the city) for an edgy glimpse into behind-the-scenes life and soak up the totally seductive atmosphere. You’ll stay in happening Palermo district, one of the most popular barrios in Buenos Aires.
Days 3-5 – Whale tails & tyre tracks
Today you’ll be transferred to the airport in Buenos Aires for the 2 hour flight to Trelew. Your domestic flights will be booked as part of your international ticket, please speak to your Travel Specialist for more information. On arrival in Trelew you’ll pick up your hire car and head off to the Valdes Peninsula, just 2 and a half hours away. Drive across a rugged wilderness packed with wildlife, spot killer whales and visit huge penguin colonies. Argentina’s Peninsula Valdes is over run by animal life, from ostrich-like nandoos darting across the plains to humpback whales breaching in the waves. This is a really wild road trip along the northern coastline of Patagonia. The richness of the wildlife is simply staggering and seeing it on your own four wheels doubles up the adventure.
Days 5-8 – Gateway to the South Pole – Ushuaia
Next, you’ll make your own way to the airport in Trelew where you’ll drop off your hire car and catch your flight to Ushuaia in Southern Argentina. Today’s flight usually takes just over 2 hours direct and on arrival you’ll be transferred to your hosteria, located on the outskirts of town. Stay in the southernmost town on the planet, trek through national parks and sail through the icy Beagle Channel. Ushuaia, the gateway to the South Pole, tumbles down a hill between mountains into the wild, thrashing sea. During this trip, you’ll trek into the Tierra del Fuego National Park and take a boat trip along the isolated Beagle Channel, passing colonies of penguins and following in Darwin’s footsteps.
Days 8-11 – Sailing amongst the glaciers
You’ll make your own way back to the airport for your onward flight to El Calafate, it’s usually a short 90 minute flight. On arrival in El Calafate you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Get glacial in Patagonia, sailing between icebergs and exploring a frozen world of endless mountains, piercing winds, lakes and cool blue glaciers bigger than the entire city of Buenos Aires. It’s a surreal, silent place that has to be seen to be believed. This trip will take you into the frozen heart of Patagonia, a land of dazzling white snow, deep sapphire skies and cool blue glaciers.
Days 11-14 – Dramatic Torres
After breakfast it’s time to make your way to the bus station where you’ll board the bus to Puerto Natales in Chile. Today’s journey will take around 7 hours and upon arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. In Torres del Paine you’ll find yourself in the middle of the rugged and pristine landscapes of Patagonia where you can take a tough hike to the iconic granite pillars that dominate this vast landscape or a light trek to freezing glaciers. Hop in your hire car and discover the dramatic beauty of this magical place, where you can experience three seasons in the space of a day.
Days 14-16 – Penguins at the edge of the world
On the next leg of your journey, you’ll be taking the bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas. Today’s journey will take around 4 hours and on arrival you’ll make your own way to your hotel. This Chile trip will take you to the southernmost tip of Chilean Patagonia in search of penguins. Punta Arenas town has a rugged sea port atmosphere, brightly coloured houses and a fascinating history. During your stay you’ll go on a boat trip to see a huge colony of Magellanic penguins.
Days 16-18 – Take a break amongst the vineyards
Next, you’ll make your own way to the airport where you’ll board your flight to the city of Santiago de Chile, it’s a 3 and a half hour flight. On arrival you’ll be picked up and transferred one hour to the wine valley of Maipo Valley. We’ll arrange for a transfer to take you directly to your simple but cosy B&B with its own swimming pool and views of the Andean peaks. There are no tours planned during your stay, so you can do as you please. Cycle through the vineyards or book a wine tour to sample some of the local produce.
Days 18-20 – Llamas on the moon
Today you’ll be transferred back to Santiago airport where you’ll catch a flight to Calama, the nearest airport to the famous Atacama Desert. Today’s flight takes just over 2 hours. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel. San Pedro de Atacama is a small and quaint town with lots of white houses. You’ll stay at a simple, yet cosy centrally located hotel. Its laid-back atmosphere, sand coloured walls and hammocks in the garden make it fit right in with its surroundings. This immense area is the world’s driest desert and you will feel the temperature rise throughout the day.
On day 2, you’ll join an excursion to the Atacama Desert with a small group of international travellers. You’re going to stop off at some very scenic points so don’t forget your camera! Driving through the Valle de la Luna you’ll experience this surreal lunar-like landscape of barren rocks and valleys, and at sunset you’ll climb to up to great vantage point. As the sun sets you’ll see the colours of the valley change to red, purple, green and blue as the moon slowly rises in the sky.
Days 20-22 – Like a Gaucho in sunny Salta
Next, you’ll make your own way to the bus station in San Pedro for the direct bus to Salta, in Argentina. The journey time is roughly 10 hours. On arrival in Salta you’ll be picked up and transferred to your cosy hotel. Ride on horseback through the green valleys and tobacco plantations of sunny Salta, steeped in folklore, colonial charm and traditional Gaucho spirit. During this trip, you’ll spend two nights in Salta with a day trip to a local estancia where you’ll horse ride, sample a tasty BBQ and learn all about local life on a ranch.
Days 22-26 – Iguazu Falls in the rainforest
You’ll have time to have one final look round Salta before making your own way to the airport for your short 1 hour flight to Puerto Iguazú. Feel the spray of the roaring Iguazu Falls that will leave you deafened and utterly speechless, and explore the surrounding rainforest where raccoon-like coatis play. You’ll visit both the Argentinean and Brazilian side of the falls, the latter with a guide. You’ll spend three nights on the Argentina side in a hotel close to the park.
Next, you’ll make your own way to Puerto Iguazu airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. This flight takes roughly 2 hours. On arrival we’ll arrange for a transfer to pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the same hotel where you started your trip. The next day you’ll make your own way to the airport and catch your flight back to the UK.
When you request this itinerary our Chile Travel Specialists will check the cheapest flight options for you. Sometimes we find that it’s more economical to fly from Iguazu via Sao Paulo back to the UK. If this is the case we’ll alter the itinerary slightly so that day 23 will be free for you to explore the Argentine side of the falls under your own steam. You’ll then visit the Brazilian side on day 24 on a guided excursion, and on day 25 you’ll fly back to the UK via Sao Paulo.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
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For the locations included in this itinerary we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious, offer something unique or offer a more comfortable transport option – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary select our In Style option below.
