Border information: if you are starting your trip in Buenos Aires, you will most likely enter Argentina at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also known as Ezeiza Airport (IATA code: BUE/EZE).Welcome to the cosmopolitan Argentine capital of Buenos Aires! There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this meeting.Please note that many of the optional activities will only be possible for those with extra time in Buenos Aires before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Buenos Aires.
Today is a free day to explore the incredible city of Buenos Aires, soak up the atmosphere of its streets, and discover its amazing culture, art, and music.
Today we begin our journey from Buenos Aires with a full drive day across the pampas and grasslands of the province.
Today we head south to the coastal town of Puerto Madryn.
Today we will have a free day for optional activities in and around Puerto Madryn. There is the opportunity to take a tour to the Valdes Peninsular to see its desolate scenery and abundant marine life, head out on a boat trip in search of dolphins and whales, or perhaps go for afternoon tea in a Welsh tea house in the nearby towns of Gaiman or Trelew.
Today we will drive south along the coast and have an included visit to the incredible remote colony of Magellanic Penguins in Cabo Dos Bahias (Cape Two Bays), close to the town of Camarones. After seeing the phenomenal sight of thousands of penguins nesting on the shore, we will head to the nearby small town of Camarones.
From Camarones we set off on an all day drive following the South Atlantic coast.
Today we leave the coast behind and head west across the country to the town of El Calafate, the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Today we will head out on an included full day guided visit to view the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most spectacular sights in Patagonia.
Border information: Exit Argentina at Cerro Castillo and enter Chile at Cerro Castillo.Today we will drive to the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park. This is one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty in the world and a main highlight of the trip for many of our passengers and leaders! We will stop en route in Puerto Natales to stock up on supplies and pick up our local guides and cook who will accompany us during our time in the National Park.Tonight we will camp at Camping Pehoe, a stunning campsite inside the National Park with incredible views of Los Cuernos mountains, which we will refer to as our 'base campsite'.
Embark on the W-Walk with a local guide. Places at the campsites are limited by the National Park, so we book them in advance of your trip. We will be trekking the W-Walk from West to East, to enjoy the spectacular views.This morning we will wake early and transfer by truck for the morning Catamaran to cross Lago Pehoe. We will then set up camp at Paine Grande, before continuing on our hike towards the lookout for Glacier Grey.
Today we depart from our camp at Paine Grande and hike into the stunning French Valley. In the afternoon, we will make our way to Camp Cuernos.The hike is approximately 8 hours.
Today we have a slightly easier day, we will hike from Camping Cuernos along the edge of Lago Nodenskjold, around Almirante Nieto and stay just outside Valley Ascencio. We will arrive at Camp Central after approximately 5 hours hiking.
This is our final day of the W-Walk and the most spectacular. The day begins with a steady climb from our camp site up Rio Asencio. Be prepared for the final hour which is a relatively steep scramble up to the Tarn and Mirrador Las Torres, affording great views of the iconic Towers.Our hike today is approximately 8 hours for the return trip (16km). We will spend the night at Camp Central again.
Today we have an early start to leave Torres del Paine and head south to cross the Magellan Straits onto the island of Tierra del Fuego.Tonight we will wild bush camp somewhere in the desolate wilds of the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego.
Border information: Exit Chile at San Sebastian, enter Argentina at San SebastianToday we cross over to the Argentine side of Tierra del Fuego and drive to the incredible port town of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world!
We will have a free day in the remote town of Ushuaia, with plenty of time for optional activities such as a visit to the hauntingly beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park, boat trips to see the scenery and wildlife of the Beagle Channel, or heading out horse riding along the coast.
Border information: Exit Argentina at San Sebastian, enter Chile at San Sebastian.Today we start heading back north and back onto the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego. Here we will visit the small King Penguin colony that have recently set up home at the remote Bahia Inutil (Useless Bay).
Border information: Exit Chile at Integracion Austral, enter Argentina at Integracion Austral.Today we continue our journey north, crossing the Magellan Strait back to the mainland and then heading across the Argentine border.
Today we will continue north, overlanding across the Patagonian steppe and to the small town of El Chalten, situated in Los Glaciares National Park and famous for its incredible mountains, glaciers and world-class trekking opportunities.
We will have a day to enjoy the stunning Los Glaciares National Park and the incredible scenery of the nearby Mt. Fitz Roy. There are lots of trekking and walking opportunities here, as well as boat trips, horse riding, and many other fantastic options.
Today we start heading north again with a full day drive along the famous Ruta 40 (Route 40).
Border information: Exit Argentina at Ingeniero Pallavecini, enter Chile at Puerto Ingeniero Ibañez.Today we will drive across the border into the magnificent scenery of the Chilean Carretera Austral, possibly one of the most stunning areas in South America, with the beautiful mountains of the Cerro Castillo National Reserve. In Cerro Castillo we will camp in a lovely family-run campsite with basic facilities, where we will enjoy a Chilean BBQ.
We have a free day here to enjoy optional activities such as hiking to the turquoise waters of Laguna Cerro Castillo or to go horse riding.
Today we drive through the Chilean fjords to Queluat National Park, where we can take a walk in the enchanted forest to see the spectacular Hanging Glacier.
Today we continue to the rafting mecca of Futaleufu, a frontier town on the northern end of the Carreterra Austral, bordering Argentina. The Rio Futaleufu is one of the premier white water rafting rivers in the world, but the town is also a great spot for mountain biking, trekking and canyoning.
We have time in Futaleufu to relax and enjoy the surroundings or to do optional activities.
Today we continue our journey to the picturesque town of Bariloche in Argentina's Lake District. We will see a definite change in the landscape today as the vegetation becomes more lush and green as we come out of the Patagonia region and into the forests of the Lake District.
We will have a free day to enjoy the beautiful mountain town of Bariloche and the stunning surrounding lakes, mountains and forests. We have options to explore the area by foot, mountain bike, kayak or boat.
Border information: Exit Argentina at Mamuil Malal, enter Chile at Mamuil Malal.Today we journey through the Andes into Chile and continue to the town of Pucón via the scenic Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Route).
We will have a free day in Pucón to enjoy a range of optional activities, including a sunrise expedition to climb the Villarica volcano which looms over Pucón, heading out horse riding through the surrounding forests, or an evening visit to the nearby natural hot springs.
Today we will leave the Chilean Lake District behind and head to the coast to the laid back, farming village of Buchupureo, where we can relax by the beach.
This morning we head into the wine region where we will make a stop at a vineyard for a wine tour and tasting. In the afternoon we continue our journey to the cosmopolitan Chilean capital of Santiago.
Border information: if you are finishing in Santiago, you will most likely exit Chile at Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (IATA code: SCL).Today is a free day to explore the cosmopolitan Chilean capital.Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Santiago. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
