Patagonia Essentials: marine wildlife, southern lands, and mythical glaciers

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Hello Argentina !

  Welcome to Argentina! Upon your arrival, private transfer to your hotel. Upon your arrival in this fascinating city, you will immerse yourself in a unique atmosphere where architectural elegance blends with contagious energy. Located on the banks of the majestic Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires will charm you with its cosmopolitan flair and rich cultural heritage. From the magnificent European-style architecture to the lively, vibrant neighborhoods, every corner of the city tells a fascinating story and invites you to discover its charms. Experience the passion and rhythm of Buenos Aires by diving into its bustling streets and feeling the warmth of its people. Let yourself be carried away by the tempting aromas of restaurants and cafés, where you can enjoy delicious Argentine cuisine and famous cuts of meat. Immerse yourself in the city's rich nightlife, where the music and dance of tango invite you to be swept away by the rhythm of passion and emotion. From the elegant boulevards of Avenida 9 de Julio to the charming corners of San Telmo and La Boca, Buenos Aires awaits you with open arms to offer you an unforgettable experience.

• day 2

  Guided tour with tango lesson

  Your French-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel to help you discover the city. You will explore the bohemian district of San Telmo, then, between anecdotes and legends, head towards the historic center (Plaza de Mayo, the Cabildo, and the main buildings), noting different architectural styles and impressive domes. Finally, you will head to the very colorful neighborhood of La Boca, famous for its unique street, Caminito, a true open-air museum. At one point during your visit, you will enjoy 60 minutes in a comfortable studio with your professional dance teacher, in the world capital of tango. During the lesson, you will learn the basic steps (or more if you already dance) to dance the tango on the dance floor: the embrace, how to walk, the basic step, the "Ocho" and other movements. The Argentine and Uruguayan tradition of tango, now renowned worldwide, was born in the popular circles of the cities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, in the Rio de la Plata basin. In this region where European immigrants, descendants of African slaves, and indigenous people mix, the Criollos, a heterogeneous blend of customs, beliefs, and rituals, emerged to evolve into a distinctive cultural identity. Among the best-known forms of expression of this identity, the music, dance, and poetry of tango are both a reflection and a vehicle of diversity and cultural dialogue. French-speaking guide. The tour is done on foot and by public transport. Duration: 5 hours.

• day 3

  Flight to Atlantic Patagonia

  Transfer to Buenos Aires domestic airport. Flight to Trelew. Upon arrival, group transfer to your hotel in Puerto Madryn. Distance: 60 km - about 50 minutes. Puerto Madryn and the Valdés Peninsula offer a fascinating experience at the heart of Argentina's marine life. This region is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including southern right whales (from June to November), sea lions, penguins, and orcas. Visitors can enjoy boat safaris, wildlife watching from the coast, and a unique immersion in this preserved ecosystem, making Puerto Madryn and the Valdés Peninsula a must-see destination for nature lovers.

• day 4

  Valdés Peninsula, World Heritage Site

  This excursion begins with pick-up at your hotel. It is a land tour of about 400 km and 11 hours in duration, accompanied by tour guides who will help us interpret the natural ecosystem of the Valdés Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 1999, it has been home to various unique species that find in the region a suitable place to develop their lives. From Puerto Pirámides (located 100 km from Puerto Madryn - 1h15 by road), boats depart for natural encounters with southern right whales in their natural habitat, in the Golfo Nuevo. Puerto Pirámides is a tourist village nestled in the Valdés Peninsula. For 1h30, you can surround yourself with cetaceans and marine wildlife. This navigation is considered the most enjoyable naturalist experience of the Valdés Peninsula. The captain and the whale watching guide will immerse you in the coastal and marine ecosystem with their enriching stories. During the boat trip, you will discover the behavior and reproductive cycle of the southern right whale in the Golfo Nuevo, from mating, birth to the raising of the calf. Departures are daily and are subject to change depending on weather conditions. The check-in time is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure to complete pre-boarding at the whale watching company's office in Puerto Pirámides. Make the most of this exciting adventure with the whales by following our recommendations: bring enough warm clothing, arrive half an hour before the scheduled departure time, bring sunscreen and sunglasses, and protect your electronic or photographic equipment from possible splashes. The southern right whale season runs from mid-June to early December. The excursion continues towards Caleta Valdés, an interesting geographical formation and a site for elephant seal and sea lion colonies. We continue our journey, reaching the most remarkable point of the Peninsula: Punta Norte. On the way back, we visit the Interpretation Center. We will also enjoy the panoramic viewpoint that will show us the two gulfs: Golfo Nuevo and San José. Panoramic observation of Bird Island. Estimated return to Puerto Madryn at 6:30 pm / 7:00 pm. You will have free time for lunch at Puerto Pirámides or Caleta Valdés. Group excursion with a Spanish/English-speaking guide.

• day 5

  Punta Tombo

  In this program, we will visit the largest penguin colony in Latin America. First stop: Rawson Port, Unión beach, at 09:00. Optional: a boat trip to observe the toninas overas, the smallest dolphin in the world. This activity can be booked on site. It should be remembered that these friendly and playful animals live in the wild, so our navigators will do their best to find them. This excursion lasts about 1h45. On the way back, you will have time to enjoy a snack at Puerto de Rawson, famous for its fish and seafood. Then, we will continue our journey to Punta Tombo, a geographical feature that serves as a habitat for Magellanic penguins. Estimated time of stay in this reserve: 1h30/2h00. There, we will have time to observe how seagulls, skuas, giant petrels, cormorants, oystercatchers, steamer ducks coexist on the coast and, given the extent of the area, characteristic species of the steppe such as guanacos, rheas, maras, and foxes. Estimated return to Puerto Madryn: 18:30 / 19:00. Group excursion, with Spanish/English-speaking guide. Excursion available from September to April only. From Puerto Madryn to Punta Tombo, it is 189 km, about 3 hours by road (6 hours round trip).

• day 6

  Flight to the end of the world

  Today, get ready to fly to the southernmost city in the world! That's it, you have arrived at the end of the world! The rest of the day is free for you to visit the southernmost city in the world. You can stroll around the old colonial houses and visit the End of the World Museum as well as the Maritime Museum in the former Ushuaia penitentiary. Set in a bay between the Beagle Channel and the mountains, Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego, presents itself as the city at the end of the world. Its atmosphere is unique, especially at the port where companies display the schedules of the next departures for Antarctica. But it has not always been popular. To populate this strategic location, the Argentine government first had the idea to build a penal colony there, which operated from 1922 to 1947 and has become an interesting museum. In the 1970s, it was the creation of an industrial park and tax privileges that attracted immigrants. They built houses with corrugated iron roofs, painted in all colors, which give Ushuaia its charm. It is better to visit the city during the austral summer, when the climate is more pleasant and the nights are shorter.

• day 7

  Tierra del Fuego National Park and Beagle Channel

  In the morning, set out to discover the majestic Tierra del Fuego National Park! Let yourself be carried away by these astonishing and surprising landscapes, between forests, lakes, and the magic of the end of the world! Created in 1960 on 63,000 hectares, Tierra del Fuego National Park protects the southernmost Andean-Patagonian forest, in a mountain with steep relief along a marine coast. Numerous trails allow you to explore the peatland landscapes and the lenga and guindo forests (types of beeches), with, in spring, the yellow Magellan orchid. Tens of thousands of beavers, introduced in the 1940s, now cause considerable damage. But you can also find foxes, bats, and upland geese there… Group excursion with English/Spanish-speaking guide. Duration: 5 hours. National Park entrance fees included. Then, meet at 3:00 pm at the pier for a yacht cruise along the Beagle Channel to encounter sea lions and cormorants. Head to Bridges Island, where you will disembark for a short walk (about 1 hour) to discover Yámana archaeological sites, the island's fauna and flora, accompanied by your guide. You will have a breathtaking view of the Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, between Argentina and Chile, where the Andes come to an end. You will also be able to observe, among other things, the mountains overlooking Ushuaia and the Chilean coast opposite in the distance. Return to Ushuaia in the afternoon. Duration: 4 h. Departure time: 3:00 pm.

• day 8

  Exploration of distant lands at Cap San Pablo and at Estancia Rolito.

  Each land has its own secrets, but not everyone is chosen to know them. A lighthouse on a solitary cape, a mysterious shipwreck from 40 years ago, and a distinguished old estancia are some of the icons that will reveal the unknown stories of Tierra del Fuego. Early in the morning, you will leave Ushuaia following National Route 3 and cross the Andes via the Garibaldi Pass. Located 450 meters above sea level, it is one of the most interesting points of the journey. After about 60 km, Lake Escondido will surprise you in the midst of high rocky walls. Continuing on, you will notice that the ecosystem gradually transforms from forest to steppe in the northern part of the island, a region known for breeding the best lambs in the world. Next, you will head towards Provincial Route "A", where you will take a gravel road and visit Estancia Rolito. This beautiful estancia, which preserves the spirit of a family business founded on the tradition of sheep farming, is the first to open its doors to rural tourism. Here you will take a break for a delicious tea accompanied by homemade cakes, cookies, and jams. You will also take the time to walk through part of the magnificent ancient lenga forest. After enjoying this picturesque place, you will continue towards the Atlantic Ocean and Cape San Pablo. At this point, you will climb an isolated mountain at the foot of which stands an abandoned lighthouse (easy walk). Upon reaching the top of this lighthouse, you will see the Desdemona, a ship abandoned for nearly 40 years, inviting you to travel back in time. It was on a cold winter morning in 1983 that this huge ship ran aground on the shores of the Argentine Sea. After exploring this mysterious giant, you will visit local fishermen who will invite you to enjoy a homemade lunch with fresh fish at their home. You will be welcomed by Silvia and Miguel at their home. Return to your hotel after a unique experience. Small group excursion with English / Spanish-speaking guide. Available only from October to April.

• day 9

  Flight to the glaciers

  Take off for El Calafate and the land of glaciers! Watch out for the landing, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of Lake Argentino right next to the airport. You can then reach the village at the foot of the turquoise waters of the lake. Built on the southern shore of Lago Argentino, El Calafate is the main gateway to the southern area of Los Glaciares National Park and the incredible Perito Moreno glacier. It is located on the shores of Lake Argentino, in the province of Santa Cruz, about 80 kilometers from the Perito Moreno glacier and 2,800 km from the city of Buenos Aires. El Calafate owes its fame to the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, which is home to tourist attractions such as the Perito Moreno glacier, the Upsala glacier, and Mount Fitz Roy, among others. OPTIONAL: At the end of the day, you will be welcomed in Gabriel's house, a friendly home where you will feel right at home in the heart of southern Patagonia! Warm atmosphere and tasty dishes, such as the seasonal vegetable casserole or the typical lamb goulash. Accompanied, of course, by good wines!

• day 10

  Day at a typical Patagonian estancia and navigation at the foot of the Perito Moreno glacier.

  Get ready to experience a memorable day! You will first travel across the Patagonian steppe before arriving at a typical estancia. You will discover the traditional activities of Argentine gauchos and enjoy a typical "asado" (barbecue) cooked before your eyes. After having lunch in this memorable setting, in the heart of the Patagonian plains, you will set off by boat along the South and Rico arms of Lake Argentino until you land at Las Monedas beach for a walk in the forest. You will board again and sail towards the famous Perito Moreno glacier, in the heart of the Glaciers National Park, to enjoy an afternoon admiring the impressive Perito Moreno glacier rising before your eyes… Small group excursion with English/Spanish-speaking guide. Entrance fees included.

• day 11

  Glacier Park: hanging glaciers

  Departure for Punta Bandera, from where you will board to navigate the Canal de los Témpanos. You will enter the Seno Mayo of Lake Argentino. You disembark at Bahía Toro and, accompanied by a guide, you will take an interpretive walk through the Patagonian Andean forest (composed of cherry trees, cinnamon trees, lengas, and ñires) until you reach a centennial cherry tree specimen, whose trunk measures more than three meters in diameter. Then, you will cross the forest until you reach a stream fed by a waterfall, from where you can observe a limestone rock formation whose palisade measures about 180 meters high and 100 meters wide. You will stay at this place until it is time to return to the boat, which will take you to your next destination. Departing from Bahía Toro, you will continue to navigate along the Seno Mayo of Lake Argentino, from where you can observe the hanging glaciers of Cerro Mayo and Cerro Negro. Then, you disembark with the guide and begin a walk of about 1,000 meters in the Patagonian Andean forest, following the path of a stream. You will be guided until you reach the wall from where you will observe the already mentioned hanging glaciers and enjoy, with 360° panoramic views, a wonderful landscape that will take your breath away. You will have time in this memorable setting to observe Cerro Mayo and Cerro Blanco, then you will return to the boat which will take you to the north face of the Perito Moreno glacier. Once there, you disembark at the Perito Moreno dock, located at the foot of the walkways, to visit the walkways for about 2 hours. At the end of the excursion, you will return to the town of El Calafate around 6 p.m. Duration: 10 HOURS - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Group excursion, with English/Spanish speaking guide. Entrance included. Box lunch included. Recommendations: bring sunglasses, sunscreen, warm clothes, gloves, and comfortable shoes.

• day 12

  Back to Buenos Aires

  Return to Buenos Aires. Arrival and private transfer to your hotel. Located on the east coast of the country, on the banks of the Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires is known for its elegant architecture, wide avenues, and vibrant artistic and cultural scene. Moreover, the city offers a diverse and delicious culinary scene, where you can taste the flavors of Argentine cuisine, with a focus on grilled meat and excellent local wines.

• day 13

  End of stay in Argentina

  Your last day in Argentina has arrived, marking the end of this unforgettable adventure. Depending on the schedule of your international flight, you will prepare for your return journey. The time has come to say goodbye to this country of captivating landscapes and warm hospitality. A transfer will be arranged to take you to the airport, where you will board your return flight home. As you leave this land rich in experiences and memories, remember the magnificent landscapes of this country, the lively streets of Buenos Aires, and the moments of discovery and adventure that marked this trip. Leave Argentina with a heart full of precious memories and the promise to return one day for new discoveries. Your journey is coming to an end, but the memories and experiences will stay with you forever. BON VOYAGE! End of our services.