13 Day Chile & Argentina with Patagonia's Glaciers

DAY 1, Wednesday - Depart for Chile
Depart for Chile

DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Santiago
Welcome to Chile! Morning arrival in the energetic capital city of Santiago; transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, attend a Welcome Drink and Dinner together with you Tour Manager and fellow travelers. Then get a good night's rest before the exciting adventure that awaits you in South America! We recommend that you select flights which arrive in Santiago no later than 4:30 PM on Day 2 of the itinerary, or earlier if possible
Overnight: Santiago
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Friday - Santiago City Tour
This morning's city tour takes you through the colonial neighborhoods of the city that contrast with the modern financial center, known as Sanhattan. Pass by beautiful residences that are part of the Barrio Universitario (University Area). In the historical center visit the lively Plaza de Armas, with its fountains, sculpture and intriguing people-watching opportunities. The tour continues with a drive along the green Parque Forestal with its stunning Fine Arts museum. Continue crossing the bohemian neighborhood of Bellavista and climb up San Cristóbal Hill* to a viewpoint, for a magnificent panoramic view of the city with its backdrop of the towering Andes Mountains. This afternoon, join the optional excursion to the Undurraga Winery in the Maipo Valley, one of Chile's most important wine producing areas. Taste some of Chile's world-famous wines during the tour before returning to Santiago
* San Cristóbal Hill is currently not accessible
Optional: Half Day Undurraga Winery Tour & Tasting (PM)
Overnight: Santiago
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Saturday - Fly to Punta Arenas, Cerro Negro Ranch, Travel to Puerto Natales
Today, transfer to the airport early in the morning for your flight to Punta Arenas, the Southernmost tip of Chile, jumping-off point to the rugged landscape of Patagonia. Upon arrival, drive to Puerto Natales. Along the way, stop at Cerro Negro Ranch, to savor a traditional lamb barbecue lunch and experience the lifestyle of an authentic Patagonian ranch. Afterward, watch a sheepdog and sheep-shearing demonstration, before continuing to your hotel in Puerto Natales for overnight
Overnight: Puerto Natales
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Sunday - Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
Get ready for an extraordinary day! Begin in the port of Puerto Natales, where you board a boat and sail through the Ultima Esperanza Fjord. The flora is dominated by different species of beech trees, Calafate, Chilco and Canelo among others. Along the way, view cormorants, sea lions and the building that belonged to "Frigorifico Bories", one of the largest meat packing plants in Patagonia. Catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring thousand-year-old Balmaceda Glacier. In Puerto Toro, disembark and walk through a native forest towards Serrano Glacier. Following your hike, have lunch before departing on a scenic drive to your hotel in Torres del Paine. Arrive and check into your room with time to relax before dinner tonight
Overnight: Torres del Paine
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Monday - Full Day Expedition to Torres del Paine*
Spend the day in Torres del Paine National Park declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. With its soaring granite pillars dominating the landscape, it is surely one of the most unspoiled and impressive sights in the Southern Hemisphere. Stand in awe at the Nordenskjold viewpoint with its jagged peaks, azure lakes, and emerald forests. Then, drive to Salto Grande and after a short hike, admire views of Lake Nordenskjol plummeting into the famous Salto Grande waterfall. You will also encounter the famous Paine Horn, Los Cuernos, an outcropping of granite peaks which is part of the Paine Massif. Afterward, continue to Quincho Rogel for lunch. In the afternoon, drive by Paine River and Lake Pehoé with its vibrant turquoise color to Cascada Paine, where you make a brief stop. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and spend time at leisure before dinner tonight
Overnight: Torres del Paine
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Tuesday - Explore Torres del Paine, Travel to El Calafate*
Depart this morning for Torres del Paine to further explore this breathtaking national park that is surrounded by imposing snow-capped mountain peaks. Guanacos, a type of llama, can be seen wandering around on the Patagonian plains, as well as rheas, sheep, foxes, eagles, condors and other wildlife. View Lake Sarmiento the largest lake in the park and also the only lake that is not glacier fed.  Continue towards the northeast area of the park and admire Amarga Lagoon located just outside the park. The water of the lake is a lush green color and contains algae and plankton. Spot large flocks of flamingos that gather here in search of food throughout the Patagonian summer. Afterward, head to El Calafate, a small city named for the berry that, once eaten, guarantees that you'll return one day to Patagonia. Get acquainted with the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and the great Perito Moreno Glacier
Overnight: El Calafate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8, Wednesday - Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park*
A day you have been waiting for! Journey to the unforgettable Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This park, created in 1937, is the largest ice cap outside of Antarctica and Greenland with an ice field that controls the world's third largest reserve of fresh water. Observe the glacier's massive ice wall, almost three miles wide and over 240 feet high above the lake's surface, from a cliffside promenade that overlooks the constantly shifting ice. Perito Moreno is legendary for its dynamic changes, which produces a cyclic phenomenon of movement forward and backward, along with spectacular ice falls from its front walls. The easy access to this site has crowned Perito Moreno as one of the most visited glaciers in the entire world. Tonight is at leisure in El Calafate
Overnight: El Calafate
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Thursday - Full Day Boat Excursion to Glaciers National Park*
At the pier, board a boat that will take you on an extraordinary excursion to view some of the world's most spectacular glaciers. Sail across the North Arm of Lago Argentino to reach the Upsala Channel, with sightings of the huge Barrier Iceberg and Upsala Glacier, South America's longest glacier. The voyage continues in-between spectacular icebergs of immense sizes and varied formations. After a box lunch on board, the boat reaches the icy monument of the Spegazzini Glacier, highest among all of the glaciers in the national park. You'll be dazzled by blue ice floes that drift in the freezing waters to create astonishing images with changing hues. This afternoon return to the port of Punta Bandera and spend the remainder of the day at leisure in El Calafate
Overnight: El Calafate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Friday - Fly to Buenos Aires
Travel today on a flight to the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires. Its beauty is apparent as you arrive in this 19th century "Paris of South America" with its elegant architecture, wide tree-shaded boulevards, striking monuments and sprawling parks. The rest of the day is yours to get acquainted with this city that has a very distinct European flavor. Tonight, be sure to treat yourself to a fabulous Argentine beef dinner at one of the city's many superb steak restaurants
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Saturday - Buenos Aires City Tour
Discover the city's highlights this morning on a tour that includes the Plaza de Mayo, Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada (government palace); see the balcony where Eva and Juan Peron made their speeches. Then, to the colorful La Boca neighborhood, a working class barrio, and the old quarters of San Telmo and Caminito, a mix of colonial style homes, narrow lanes, artists' lofts and very trendy cafes. Drive to the Recoleta Cemetery, final resting place of many of the wealthiest and most important Argentine historical figures. The grounds here cover more than four city blocks, filled with tombs adorned by works of local and international sculptors, and more than 6,400 mausoleums including the tomb of Eva "Evita" Peron, always heaped with flowers and letters from adoring fans. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring some of Buenos Aires neighborhoods and fabulous collection of shops before this evening's tango lesson with professional Argentine Tango dancers. Tonight is at leisure, or, participate in the optional Argentine Dinner and Tango Show
Optional: Buenos Aires Dinner & Tango Show (PM)
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Sunday - Full Day in Buenos Aires
Revisit some of your favorite places in the city today, shop for leatherwear and designer clothes, or, join the optional fun-filled Gaucho Party at the Santa Susana Ranch. Get ready for a rustic experience at a typical Argentine ranch (estancia), dedicated to agriculture and the breeding of cattle and horses. After a tour of the grounds, enjoy a typical barbecue lunch, followed by a folklore show with live music and dancing. Return to the hotel with time to prepare for this evening's "Farewell to Argentina" Dinner with your group at a delightful restaurant
Optional: Full Day Gaucho Party
Overnight: Buenos Aires
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Monday - Depart Argentina
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast