CLASSIC PATAGONIA CIRCUIT (12 DAYS / 11 NTS)

Day 1: BUENOS AIRES

Reception at the Ezeiza International Airport. Transfer to the Hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Day 2: BUENOS AIRES

Arrival to Ezeiza International Airport. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation. In the afternoon, we depart to start the City Tour to visit the most important landmarks of the city. In the beginning you can appreciate the impressive Colon Theatre, which along with the Scala in Milan, is one of the world’s two best theaters regarding acoustics. Later on we cross the widest avenue in the world, Avenida 9 the Julio (9th of July Avenue). when reaching Plaza de la Republica (Republica Square), you can see in its center rises the most recognizable symbols of Buenos Aires: the Obelisk. We continue to Plaza de Mayo (Mayo Square), the political, social and historical center where the iconic Casa Rosada (Pink House), head of the Executive Power; the Cabildo, the first government house going back to colonial days; the Metropolitan Cathedral and the May Pyramid are located. Later we visit the areas of San Telmo, one the oldest areas in the city and the area of La Boca, where the country’s first immigrants arrived at its old historical port and is characterized by its colorful houses. We later visit Puerto Madero, old port from the past now completely renovated during the ‘90s and transformed today in a must see for tourists who visit the city. Continuing the visit, we head for the northern area of the city where we find La Recoleta, one of the most elegant and aristocratic areas of the city, observing the Paseo del Pilar, the numerous and internationally renowned gastronomic restaurants and the Pilar Church. The tour ends in Palermo, area known for its large mansions, its Tres de Febrero Park and other innumerable parks and important avenues. In this area we can see the monument to the Carta Magna, popularly known as the Monumento de los Españoles (Monument to the Spaniards). Return to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Day 3: BUENOS AIRES - PUERTO MADRYN

As scheduled transfer to Jorge Newberry airport to board the flight to Trelew. 

Day 3: PUERTO MADRYN

Reception at the Trelew Airport and transfer to the hotel in Puerto Madryn. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Day 4: PUERTO MADRYN

Early morning, departure to begin the Full Day Peninsula Valdes tour. Heading North and after travelling for 77km (48 mi), we arrive to the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus,a narrow strip from where we can see the San Jose Gulf and the Nuevo Gulf. After several kilometres we arrive to Puerto Piramides. From June up to mid December, it is possible to take a ship to observe the Southern Right Whale. Depending on the season of the year (December to March) it is possible to visit the Punta Piramides Sea Lion Colony, establishment of South American Sea Lions during the breeding and reproduction season. We will later visit the colonies of the South American Sea Lions and Elephant Seals on the coast, framed by the powerful Patagonian sea cliffs in Punta Delgada, Valdes Cove or Punta Norte. After lunch, and on our way back, we visit the Fauna Observation Centre and the Regional History Museum located on the Carlos Ameghino Isthmus. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 5: PUERTO MADRYN

Early morning departure to begin the Punta Tombo & Gaiman excursion. Departure from the Hotel towards the South. On the route, we can appreciate the gradual landscape change between the Patagonian Steppe to the coastal environment, together with typical fauna and flora of the region. Arrival to the Punta Tombo Reserve, the greatest continental Magellan Penguins Colony and one of the most powerful shows of wild fauna in the world (an estimated population of 1 million examples). There the Penguins fulfil their biological cycle year after year and can be sighted from a very short distance in their nests and natural habitat. Later return to Trelew to visit Paleontological Museum and its rich collection of fossil remains that are millions of years old. We continue towards Gaiman, a small farming settlement that still preserves the architecture and the traditions of the colonizers: the Welsh. Optionally we can taste a famous Welsh Tea and their exquisite home-made bakery and confectionery. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 6: PUERTO MADRYN

As scheduled, transfer to Trelew Airport to board the flight to Ushuaia. 

Day 6: USHUAIA

As scheduled, transfer to Trelew Airport to board the flight to Ushuaia. Reception at the Ushuaia Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Day 7: USHUAIA

The tour begins in the morning at the Tierra del Fuego National Park. It occupies a surface of 63,000 hectares (155,673 acres). Its objective is to preserve the Patagonian -Andean ecosystem and the sub-Antarctic forest. After crossing the Pipo River Valley and on one of Monte Susana’s slopes ‘The End of the World Train Station’ is located. In this area of the park, old prison convicts used to work picking stones. Further on we visit Ensenada Bay and the Beagle Channel coast, Roca Lake and Lapataia Bay; where National Route 3 ends: the most southern point of the Pan American Highway. There we can take short walks and the possibility of witnessing species of the native forest and fauna of the most southern National Park of Argentina. Return to hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation. In the afternoon and as an option, we suggest you take the tour allows you to know the sea area of this city at the end of the world: Beagle Channel - Lobos (Sea Lions) and Pajaros (Birds) Islands. On a modern vessel, equipped to offer the maximum comfort, we sail between the Bridges Islands and the Les Eclaireurs Archipielago and Lighthouse, rock formations rising in the middle of the Beagle Channel, where we can see different types of birds of the sea and coast environment such as the cormorants, albatross, petrels and oystercatchers that live along the mountain chains that enclose the magnificent inter-oceanic pass. An excellent opportunity to sight marine mammals and birds without disturbing them. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 8: USHUAIA

As scheduled transfer to Ushuaia airport to board the flight to El Calafate. 

Day 8: USHUAIA-EL CALAFATE

Reception at the El Calafate Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Day 9: EL CALAFATE

In the morning the Perito Moreno Glacier Full Day Tour starts. Departure from El Calafate towards the West. After travelling through the Patagonian Plateau we can observe ‘Ñandues’ (Rhea Birds), Guanacos, Armadillos and a great variety of birds (among them the Black-Chested Buzzard-Eagle and the Condor). After travelling through a transition area we are able to appreciate how the landscape completely changes when leaving the steppe into the Sub-Andean Patagonian Forest composed of Lengas (White Oaks), Ñires (Antartic Beech) and flowers of intense colours of which the red flowers of the ‘Notro’ (Fire Bush) are the ones that most stand out. The vegetation indicates where rain level increases as we continue to advance towards the west and the Andes. After travelling afew kilometres, we find the Entrance to the National Park. Once inside the Los Glaciares National Park, we can appreciate the long and wide footbridges of the viewpoint, constructed in three levels, from which you are surprised with spectacular panoramic views of the Perito Moreno Glacier, always blended with the periodical ice slides, sometimes very significant, of its front. Optional: making a nautical safari. This lake tour leaves from the Bajo las Sombras Pier, inside the park, and sails along the Chico Channel of the Argentino Lake to observe the Southern wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier. During almost an hour the ship sails parallel to the wall of approximately 70m (229.66ft) in height, which allows us to enjoy from close the ice slides and the grandeur of the glacier. Return to the hotel. Accommodation

Day 10: EL CALAFATE

Early in the morning begins the All Glaciers Tour | Upsala, Onelli and Spegazzini in the morning. Leaving from El Calafate and travelling some 30 minutes on the route that joins this city with Puerto Bandera, from where ships leave. Sailing towards the Upsala Glacier, we go through the narrowest part of the Argentino Lake, called Boca del Diablo (Devil’s Mouth), of barely 1 km (0.62 mi) in width. Further ahead, we start to enjoy the great quantity of ice floes that are pushed by strong west winds. From a safe distance of 800m (2,624.7ft), we can enjoy the Upsala Glacier front. This glacier is the largest of the National Park, with a surface area of 595 km2 (229.75 mi2) and 60 m (196.85ft) in height. The sailing continues southwards up to Onelli Bay where we disembark. Free time for lunch. After lunch we trek some 800m (2,624.67 ft) through a wood until we reach the Onelli Lake, with its surface covered with ice floes. From this point we can see four other glaciers: Onelli, Bolados, Agassiz and Heim. Finally, we will visit the Spegazzini Glacier front, the highest of the region, with a front with its highest peaks reaching 135m (442.91ft) in height. On the way back, we disembark again in Puerto Bandera, and are transferred back by land to the city of El Calafate. Accommodation.

Day 11: EL CALAFATE – BUENOS AIRES

As scheduled, transfer to El Calafate Airport to board the flight to Buenos Aires.

Day 11: BUENOS AIRES

Reception at Jorge Newbery Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. We suggest an optional dinner- show in one of the city’s most renowned Tango houses. Accommodation.

Day 12: BUENOS AIRES

As scheduled, transfer to Ezeiza International Airport. End of services.