Patagonia with Tierra del Fuego or Journey to the End of the World (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay)

Chicago- Buenos Aires

Meet the group with a guide at the check-in desk at the O’Hare airport terminal in Chicago. Passport and luggage check-in. Flight to Buenos Aires.

BUENOS AIRES CITY TOUR

We will land in Buenos Aires, once known as the Paris of the South. We will see the colorful district of La Boca, as well as the beautiful streets of San Telmo. We will visit the Cathedral and Plaza de Mayo – the main square of the city, the place of many historical events, incl. the May Revolution, as well as many other demonstrations and protests.

Next to the elegant and aristocratic district of Recoleta and the famous cemetery located there. Rather than simply a graveyard, it is considered a work of art. It is the resting place of many famous personalities such as Evita Peron.

After the sightseeing, we will go to the hotel for the night.

COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO (URUGUAY)

On this day, we will take the ferry to a small colonial town in the southern part of Uruguay, about 175 km south of the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo.

Colonia del Sacramento, is a Uruguayan gem of a town with a historic center and cobbled streets, founded by the Portuguese in 1680. A city surrounded on three

sides with water, for a long time it was a bone of contention between the Portuguese and the Spanish settlers who founded Buenos Aires on the opposite bank of the river.

After years of dispute, during which the city passed from hand to hand, it finally fell into the possession of Uruguay. The aforementioned climatic historic center that we will visit has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

We will return to Buenos Aires by passenger ferry for the night.

BUENOS AIRES - USHUAIA - TIERRA DEL FUEGO E.G.

Today we say goodbye to Buenos Aires and we fly to the south of Tierra del Fuego and the famous City at the End of the World – Ushuaia. Upon arrival, we will go on a trip to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, during which we will admire snow-capped peaks, peat bogs, valleys of wonderful greenery, rivers and lakes.

The park was established in 1960 to protect the southernmost forests of the Beagle Channel and covers an area of 69,000 hectares. We will see a viewpoint  for sightseeing on the Beagle Channel. During the tour we will take short walks and see Lapataia Bay, Ensenada Bay and Ashigami Lake.

CANAL BEAGLE - USHUAIA - EL CALAFATE - EL CHALTEN CRUISE

This morning we are going to take a cruise on the Beagle Channel. During the trip we will sail past the famous lighthouse Les Eclaireus and we will observe exotic fauna- cormorants; as well as sea lions resting. After about 4 hours, we return to Ushuaia.

In the afternoon we said goodbye to Tierra del Fuego and leave for the airport from where we will fly to El Calafate.

Upon arrival, we drive to El Chalten – the famous town which is the trekking capital of Argentina. The town is at the foot of Cerro Fitz Roy, surrounded by glaciers, lakes and forests, and is a natural jewel of Patagonia. We will pass a section of the legendary Ruta 40, as well as near the place where the famous gunslingers Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were hiding during their wanderings. Overnight stay at a hotel.

CERRO FITZ ROY

After breakfast, we will go to one of the most spectacular and unforgettable mountain trails in Patagonia. Through impressive landscapes and forests, we will reach the viewpoint at the foot of the Cerro Fitz Roy summit. Its conquest is a dream for many mountain climbers.

Despite its rather moderate altitude, the mountain has walls up to 2,300 meters high and is considered a difficult trail, requiring great technical skill and overcoming treacherous weather. For people who cannot or do not like to walk a lot, there is a possibility of a cruise on the Desierto Lagoon. The desire should be reported in advance to the office.

Difficulty level: 3/5, distance: 26 km, estimated time: 8-9 hours

EL CHALTEN - EL CALAFATE

After breakfast, we say goodbye to El Chalten and go to El Calafate located on the shores of Lago Argentino. This is a  city of sheep breeders and a tourism center that attracts many visitors with the Los Glaciares National Park. It includes three glaciers and the famous giant Perito Moreno.

Transfer to the hotel, free time to rest. Overnight stay at a hotel.

PERITO MORENO

In the morning, we depart for Los Glaciares, a National Park included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The famous Perito Moreno glacier is located there. Its walls reach 60-70 meters, and the forehead reaches 4 km. We will witness an extraordinary spectacle of nature – pieces of ice tearing off, testifying to the constant movement of the glacier.

In the afternoon, we return to El Calafate and stayed overnight at the hotel.

For those willing, an additional cruise to the head of the glacier for about $ 30 per person.

Moreover, for those who are willing and persistent, there is a possibility of Mini Trekking on the glacier or Big Ice Trekking under the supervision of qualified guides. Willingness to participate must be reported before setting out. 

Cost: Mini Ice Trekking – approximately $ 220, Big Ice Trekking – approximately $ 360.

EL CALAFATE - PUERTO NATALES

After breakfast, we say goodbye to the Argentinian part of Patagonia and cross the border with Chile towards Puerto Natales – a charming town located on the famous bay of last hope “Ultima Esperanza”.

Time to rest and explore the town. Overnight stay at a hotel.

TORRES DEL PAINE E.G.

After breakfast, we will go on a day trip to one of the most beautiful mountain national parks of the South American continent – Torres del Paine. It is a place inscribed on the UNESCO list, and according to National Geographic it is the fifth most beautiful place in the world. Named the Eighth Miracle of Nature, it delights every visitor.

During the trip we will visit places like Cueva del Milodon – caves famous for discovering the remains of the extinct giant sloth Mylodon Darwinii.

A viewpoint over the beautiful Lago Nordenskjold lake, Lago Gray with ice blocks floating on its surface. Here we will go trekking to the Gray Glacier viewpoint. We will stop at the viewpoint on Lago Pehoe overlooking the majestic Cuernos del Paines and Mount Paine Grande.

Finally, saying goodbye to the park, we will visit the Cascada Paine waterfall.

Return to Puerto Natales. Overnight stay at a hotel.

BASE LAS TORRES

Today, a demanding trail worthy of its reputation awaits us to one of the most important places in the Torres del Paine National Park – Base las Torres.

We will start our hike up from Hosteria las Torres. We will cover the Valle Ascencio and cross the Ascencio River. However, the panoramic views of the pampa lakes and the valley itself will require a 2.5-kilometer uphill hike in a gusty wind.

The trail then descends to Refugio El Chileno. The vegetation here corresponds to the pre-Andean matorral, then quickly turns into a forest.

The last stage is the hardest. It runs 0.8 km, takes around 45 minutes, and takes you to the Las Torres viewpoint over three giant granite towers.

After the rest, return to Hosteria Las Torres and return to Puerto Natales.

Difficulty level: 4/5, distance: 20 km, estimated time: 8-9 hours

CRUISE TO BALMACEDA AND SERRANO GLACIERS

In the morning, we will cruise to the Ultima Esperanza Fjords at the foot of the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers in the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park.

First we reach Monte Balmaceda and the glacier, from where we continue our cruise to Puerto Toro. We disembark and make a short trek through the forest until we reach the Serrano glacier wall.

After returning to the boat, we will enjoy a unique aperitif made of glacier ice. P.

return to Puerto Natales and farewell to the Bay of Last Hope. Transfer to the capital of Chilean Patagonia – Punta Arenas. Overnight stay at a hotel.

CRUISE ISLA MAGDALENA - PUNTA ARENAS - SANTIAGO DE CHILE

After an early breakfast, we will go on a cruise on the Strait of Magellan to Magdalena Island to the Magellanic penguin colony, numbering over 150,000. birds. During the cruise, we will also sail around the island of Marta, which is home to sea lions. It will be an unforgettable experience to see the masses of the mammals basking in the sun.

After these exciting moments and returning to the shore, we will go to Punta Arenas for lunch and the last purchase of souvenirs.

Transfer to the airport for a flight to the capital of Chile – Santiago de Chile. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for the night.

Morning tour of Santiago de Chile.

Transfer to the airport. Passport and luggage check-in. Flight to Chicago.

Chicago

Return to Chicago, farwell of the group.