Trip Inspiration

14 Days Immersive Patagonia

Uncover the Beauty of Patagonia

Experience the highlights of Patagonia on this adventure that takes you through southern Chile and Argentina - with some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. After exploring Santiago, discover Chilean Patagonia from the stunning Torres del Paine National Park. Cross the border to Argentina to experience the famed Perito Moreno Glacier and Estancia Cristina from El Calafate, before heading to El Chalten. You'll have incredible views of the famous Fitz Roy and then cap off your trip with a visit to Buenos Aires.

Trip Highlights

Locations

  • 1 night at Hotel Bidasoa in the South America hot spot, Santiago
  • 4 nights in Torres del Paine at Patagonia Camp
  • 2 nights at Los Ponchos Hotel Boutique in El Calafate
  • 2 nights at Estancia Cristina in Los Glaciares Nat’l Park
  • 3 nights at Chalten Camp in El Chalten
  • 1 night to unwind in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aries

Activities

  • Privately guided tours of Santiago and Buenos Aires
  • Hiking, boating, and horseback riding in Chilean Patagonia
  • Glacier tours, including a mini-trek atop Perito Moreno Glacier
  • 4×4 to the best views of the the vast Southern Patagonia ice cap
What does “Trip Inspiration” mean?

At Travel Beyond, we believe your trip should be designed just for you, not for the masses. Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client, offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. The itinerary below was planned for a past client, but we’re sharing it for travel inspiration and as an example of what a trip to Patagonia might look like. Let us know when we can design a trip just for you!

Day 1

Arrive Santiago, Chile

Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival in Santiago this morning, you will be met for your private transfer to Hotel Bidasoa where you will spend one night. Early check-in is guaranteed, and breakfast is included in your stay.

This afternoon, you will be met for your privately guided Santiago exploration.

Santiago de Chile is fast becoming the place to be. The New York Times has named it South America’s top destination, and a recent article in Saveur magazine labeled it the continent’s new hot culinary capital. The quality of life, cultural and culinary offerings make it a highly desirable city. Your exploration of the city today will provide a panoramic view of the city from different vantage points, and you will stop briefly at the historical, commercial, and residential icons of the city along the way.

The uptown areas of the city are famed for their avant-garde architecture and laid-back pace of life, but the administrative center is the real heart of the city. It is home to the Government Palace (La Moneda), the splendid Plaza de Armas square, the cathedral, and countless other historical landmarks. Santiago’s other neighborhoods combine commercial and culinary highlights, state-of-the-art architecture, and night life.  After this introduction to Santiago, you will be returned to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your evening at leisure.

Hotel Bidasoa Meals: N/A

View Gallery

Day 2

Santiago to Torres del Paine

This morning after breakfast and checkout, you will be met for your private transfer to the Santiago airport for your flight to Punta Arenas (or Puerto Natales, depending on flight schedules). On arrival, you will be met by a lodge representative for a shared transfer to Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine National Park. Accommodations will be reserved for four nights, including all meals and shared activities. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the area around the lodge.

Located on the shore of Lake El Toro on a place of incomparable beauty, Patagonia Camp is Chile’s first luxury camp. It is the perfect place to enjoy wild Chilean Patagonia, combining nature and adventure with comfort and luxury. Patagonia Camp has 20 independent “yurts,” each with a beautiful view of the lake and the Paine Mountains. Patagonia Camp is completely built on top of wooden posts. The terraces around the yurts, the common areas, and the boardwalks all connect to the main hall. This way the camp maintains the existence and survival of the plants, bushes and trees that have lived in the area for hundreds of years.

Every evening before dinner, meet the guides who will share with you the activities scheduled for the following day. Your guides will assist you with choosing the best excursions according to your individual interests and abilities. Activities are shares with other hotel guests, in the company of an English-speaking guide.

Patagonia Camp Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

View Gallery

Days 3-5

Torres del Paine

Spend your days at leisure enjoying Patagonia Camp and the activities on offer. All meals will be served at camp or with your activities.

During your stay you can discover ancient forests, brilliantly colored lakes, and spectacular mountain scenery in some of the most remote and pristine wilderness on Earth. Several base camp excursions including hiking, fishing, and kayaking are offered daily from Patagonia Camp in the company of expert staff naturalists who will interpret the flora and fauna of the area, and share the highlights of the crown jewel of Chilean Patagonia. Hikes range from easy to strenuous, offering you many options for exploration.

Patagonia Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

 

Day 6

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile to El Calafate, Argentina

Today after breakfast, you will be met for your shared transfer to El Calafate, Argentina, with border formalities en route. You will be delivered to Los Ponchos Hotel Boutique. Accommodations will be reserved for two nights, including breakfast daily. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Los Ponchos Hotel Boutique Meals: Breakfast

View Gallery

Day 7

El Calafate

Today you will be met by your private guide for your full-day Perito Moreno Glacier Tour, including lunch.

Perito Moreno Glacier is Los Glaciares National Park’s most famous and imposing resident. Visitors travel from around the world to witness the magnificent sight of this ever-growing natural phenomenon, which stretches three miles wide and 200 feet high above Lake Argentino. Watch as the evolving landscape takes shape in front of you, with huge chunks of ice breaking free from the main body and booming into the lake below. The waves and dramatic crashes caused by these continual movements are a display of true natural beauty. Enjoy one of South Americas most famous natural landmarks and set out on the walking trails to look for the park’s wildlife, including Andean Condors, Buff-Necked Ibis, Black-Chested Buzzard Eagles, Ashy-Headed Geese and many other unusual species.

Now, get ready for an unforgettable two-hour ‘mini-trek’ atop the glacier! Cross Lake Argentino by boat, and watch in awe as you pass large floating ice blocks and navigate along the tall ice walls towering over you. You will arrive on an uninhabited beach, where you will be met by the expert guides who will lead you to the top of the glacier and across the fascinating landscape. Enter another world of incredible blue ice formations, hidden crevasses and gentle streams winding through gullies and pooling into small lagoons. The level of trekking is considered to be moderate, and although the ice surface is irregular, it is also firm and perfectly safe. Having conquered the glacier trek, you will enjoy a gentle stroll through the forest, as you make your way back to the shelter for a well-deserved rest.

Following your tour, you will be returned to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Los Ponchos Hotel Boutique Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 8

El Calafate to Estancia Cristina

This morning you will be met for a transfer to Punta Banderas, where you will board a boat with local guests toward Estancia Cristina. A dramatic three-hour navigation across Lake Argentina, skirting around massive icebergs, culminates with viewing the face of the Upsala Glacier from the water. Upon arrival at the Estancia, staff will assist you with checking in, and lunch will be served. You will stay at Estancia Cristina for two nights, including all meals and selected activities. Please note: We have included an example itinerary here, but this is just a sample of the activities available at Estancia Cristina. Additional options for fishing and longer, more strenuous hikes are also available. Your stay will be coordinated based on your interests and preferences.

Located at the far end of the Cristina Channel on the northwest coast of Lake Argentino, Estancia Cristina stands on a remote corner of the “Los Glaciares” National Park. Founded in 1914 by Joseph Percival Masters and his wife Jessie, the Estancia still conserves its essence, maintaining alive the history of this pioneering family who through enormous effort and perseverance, turned this inhospitable and solitary place into a small piece of paradise. Accessible only by boat, Estancia Cristina stands on an exclusive and privileged setting in the Argentine Patagonia. Strategically built on a glacial valley formerly occupied by the Upsala Glacier, the Estancia is surrounded by picturesque views of snow-capped mountains, lakes, rivers and hanging glaciers.

In the afternoon, you may choose to enjoy a guided historical tour of the Estancia – first visiting the onsite museum to learn about the history of the Masters Family, and their awe-inspiring life pioneering a successful sheep ranch in this remote corner of wilderness some 100 years ago. There will also be a guided walk by the Caterina River, the well, the Chapel and the Estancia’s colonial main house.

Estancia Cristina Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

View Gallery

Day 9

 

Estancia Cristina

Today, ascend in specialized 4×4 vehicles to a nearby lookout point. One of the most impressive viewpoints in all of Patagonia, from here you have sweeping views of the Upsala glacier, the vast Southern Patagonia ice cap and the azure Lake Guillermo below. Later, join one of the Estancia’s gauchos for a relaxing hike or horseback ride up the Catarina river valley to one of the fishing lagoons or lookout points.

Estancia Cristina Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 10

Estancia Cristina to El Chalten

For your last morning, enjoy an easy walk up the east margin of the Cristina valley to the waterfalls on the Rio de los Perros (Dog River). This route crosses gentle grasslands and has a short ascent through groves of native southern birch trees. Even this short ascent rewards you with wondrous views of the Cristina valley and her various lakes. Horses or 4×4 vehicles can also be arranged up to a point on this route for those unable to walk that distance.

This afternoon you will return by boat and transfer to Calafate.From there you will continue on to Chalten Camp, your base for exploring the magnificent mountains and landscape arould El Chalten, Argentina.

Over the next three days, you will fully immerse in your Patagonian surroundings. Whether from the comfort of your authentic domed room or while on foot, you will have unimpeeded and unforgettable views of the world famous Fitz Roy. Alongside expert guides, you will have uninhibited access to the region’s unique flora and fauna and the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities.

Chalten Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

View Gallery

Days 11-12

El Chalten

Spend your days participating in the incredible activities available both on property and beyond. Enjoy world-class salmon fishing or a kayaking excursion that immerses you into the many lakes and rivers in the area. You might consider a visit to the Madsen House Museum, where you can learn about El Chalten pioneer Andreas Madsen, or set off on a bird watching expedition and see how many different species you can find.

For those who want to relax, wander down to the river and sink into one of the chairs set along the bank. Or swing in a nearby hammock overlooking the Fitz Roy. You are also highly encouraged to choose one of the spectacular hikes through the national park.

De Los Tres Lagoon Full Day: This trek starts with a transfer to the trailhead at El Pilar, located 11mi to the north of the town. Enjoy the attractive views of the valley and the Río de Las Vueltas, and the impressive Cordón de Los Cóndores mountains that you will drive alongside.

The walk begins through a dense forest of lenga trees that protect you from the winds coming off the Continental Ice Field. Right from the start you will be able to see many different glaciers; Marconi, Eléctrico, Cagliero and in the distance, towards Lago Del Desierto, the Vespignani glacier.

Arriving at your first viewpoint, Piedras Blancas glacier, you will then leave the forest, and end up in a clearing where you can admire in all their splendor the peaks of “S”, Saint Exupéry, Poincenot, Fitz Roy, Mermoz and Guillaumet. You will then begin the 1,312ft climb, and in about an hour you arrive at Laguna de los Tres.

During this steep climb up to Laguna de los Tres, the path will be rocky and contain steps; but arriving at the highest point on the path, you will be rewarded by the majestic views of Fitz Roy, the glacier de los Tres and its lagoon. The grandeur of this location makes you feel very insignificant. From here, circle Laguna de los Tres and head towards the viewpoint of the Laguna Sucia and its glacier. After a rest and a bite for lunch, start the descent and walk back to El Chaltén.

Lagoon Torre Full Day: From El Chaltén you will head off on the Laguna Torre footpath and, after a small climb, enter a small Ñire wood. From here, the path starts to ascend more steeply alongside the Fitz Roy River until it arrives at a viewpoint of the canyon and the Margarita waterfall. You’ll look down over the FitzRoy River and its serpentine course with a backdrop of the unique Mount Solo, the Adela range, and the impressive Mount Torre.

After about an hour of walking you will arrive at the Mount Torre viewpoint, which affords unforgettable views of the surrounding mountains. You will then continue for another 2 hours through grand lenga forests, crossing old glacial moraines and wet plains until you arrive at Laguna Torre. In this section you may spot a wide range of birds, including the Magellanic woodpecker, and upon arrival at Laguna Torre will see huge icebergs floating, having calved from the Torre glacier face.

Chalten Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

 

 

 

Day 13

El Chalten to Buenos Aires

Today you will be transferred back to El Calafate for your flight to Buenos Aires.

Upon arrival, you will be met for your private transfer to Legado Mitico, where accommodations will be reserved for one night, including breakfast. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure or exploring the vibrant city.

Legado Mitico Meals: Breakfast

View Gallery

Day 14

Depart Argentina

This morning you will be met for a privately guided City Tour.

The morning’s exclusive tour serves as the perfect introduction to four of the city’s most distinctive districts, offering a fascinating insight into its history, contrasts and culture. Your expert local guide will draw on their extensive knowledge as you experience the highlights of Buenos Aires, including political centers, artist meccas and barrios rich in European architecture. You will become acquainted with the foundation site of the capital at Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires’ undisputed political heart.

Next, delve into one of the oldest districts, Parque Lezama and La Boca in the south, where artists’ ateliers and brightly colored houses jostle for space; before moving on to Plaza San Martin and Retiro. Here you will notice the transformation of Buenos Aires’ architecture from the rambling style in the south of the city to the European-influenced residential quarters of the 19th century. Finally, you’ll come face to face with the sophisticated neighbourhood of Recoleta, whose buildings and avenues were inspired by the French; it is also home to the world famous Recoleta Cemetery and Evita Peron’s Mausoleum, and you will make a stop here on this tour.

After your tour you will be returned to your hotel and have some time to explore the city at your leisure. Later, you will be met for a private transfer to the Buenos Aires International Airport for departing overnight flights home.

N/A Meals: Breakfast

View All