Day 1: Buenos aires, Free Afternoon
Arrival at Ezeiza International Airport and transfer to the chosen hotel in the city of Buenos Aires. Free Day.
Day 2: City Tour
After breakfast we go on a city tour visiting Plaza de Mayo, where you will also see the Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada (Government House), Teatro Colón, La Boca district with its famous Caminito street and modern Puerto Madero where docks were refurbished to allocate sumptuous restaurants along the river. Transfer back to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon free.
Day 3: Buenos Aires – Ushuaia
Breakfast and transfer to the Jorge Newbery Airport to board your flight to Ushuaia. Arrival in Ushuaia.
Day 4: Stella Australis Cruise (Wednesday)
Breakfast. Check-in between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm at San Martín 245, Ushuaia. Between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm boarding the Stella Australis. The Captain and crew will give you a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterwards, the ship departs for “the uttermost part of the world”. Through the Beagle Channel, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. The great adventure has just begun.
Day 5: Stella Australis Cruise – Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay
We sail through Beagle and Murray Channels to reach Cape Horn National Park, where we disembark (weather permitting). Cape Horn is a sheer rocky promontory 425 meters high. This place is known as the “End of the Earth”. Disembarking here is considered a privilege. The park was declared World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005. In the afternoon we will go ashore in Bahía Wulaia, historical site which was one of the largest aboriginal settlements in the region. This area is famous for the beauty of its vegetation and geography. Walking through the Magellanic forest of lengas, coihues, canelos and ferns among other botanical species we will arrive at a panoramic viewpoint.
Day 6: Stella Australis Cruise – Glaciar Günther Plüschow
In the afternoon we will visit the stunning beauty of the Günther Plüschow glacier. The name comes from the German pioneer aviator who aboard his vessel “Feuerland” arrived in Punta Arenas in 1928. Then we will navigate the Seno Chico, and disembark into Zodiac boats, to get a better view of the glaciers Piloto and Nena from the sea.
Day 7: Stella Australis Cruise – Isla Magdalena – Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales
In the early morning we will disembarkon Isla Magdalena, an enormous penguin breeding site with more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins, which can be seen on our walk to the lighthouse that guides vessels as they sail through the Strait of Magellan.
The penguis from Isla Magdalena emígrate in April. If your trip were to coincide with this date, then you will disembark on Isla Marta where you will visit a colony of South American sea lions. After our visit we return to Punta Arenas, where we will disembark at 11:30 am. We will continue the trip to Puerto Natales by public bus. Arrival at the hotel. Rest of the day free.
Day 8: Torres del Paine National Park
After breakfast we start our trip to Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most impressive sights of the Andes surrounded by glaciers, waterfalls, lakes and lagoons. We will visit Cuevas de Milodón (Milodon Cave) and Salto del Río Paine appreciating a wonderful panorama of the imposing Paine Massif. As the trip continues we visit Lago Pehoe till we reach Lago Grey and Grey Glacier. After lunch, in the afternoon we return to Puerto Natales.
Day 9: Puerto Natales – Calafate, Free Afternoon
After breakfast we depart by public bus to the argentine border. After the formalities at the border we continue our trip to El Calafate. Rest of the day free.
Day 10: Visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier
Breakfast and a full day excursion to the Moreno Glacier, the most famous of the glaciers, declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The glacier covers an area of 195 square meters, its width is 5 km and the height of its ice walls is up to 60 meters above the lake’s level. As you follow the catwalks you will be lead to face the glacier and admire it in all its grandeur. Consult about the minitrekking excursion on the glacier accompanied by mountain guides for a two hour circuit. Then you will stop for lunch at a shelter (take a lunch box with you) and then back to the catwalks where you will spend an hour and a half watching the most incredible views and calving activity. Back to the hotel.
Day 11: Free Day for Optional Activities
Breakfast. On this free day we recommend an optional excursion to the ranch “Estancia Cristina”. The excursion involves navigating the Lago Argentino among huge ice floes and magnificent views of the western front of the Upsala Glacier, continuing through the Cristina Canal to the disembarkation point at the Estancia Cristina where there are many activities to do. Another good option is Navegación Todo Glaciares (navigating all the glaciers) visiting the front of the Upsala Glacier and disembarking at Bahía Onelli (only if the ice barrier allows it), then navigating the surroundings of the Moreno Glacier. Another shorter and cheaper option is Navegación Ríos de Hielo (navigating frozen rivers), navigating the Lago Argentino, but without passing the sites which have been mentioned, this is an excellent option for those who have already visited the Moreno Glacier before. Back to the hotel.
Day 12: Calafate – Buenos Aires – Tango Show Dinner Night
Breakfast and transfer to the airport in El Calafate to board the flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival in Buenos Aires and transfer to the chosen hotel. Check-in. Rest of the day free. At night we go to a Dinner Show in one of the many Tango houses where you will enjoy a delicious dinner and a Tango show of international quality.
Day 13: Free Day
Breakfast and free day. We recommend an optional visit to an “estancia” where you can spend a full day in the countryside. The outing includes lunch which consists of a typical asado (barbecue), traditional dishes and a gaucho show.
Day 14: End of the Tour
Breakfast and transfer to the airport in Ezeiza to board your return flight.
