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12-Nights Patagonia: Journey To The End Of The World - Small Group Discovery from $8,000
Globus
OFFER ID 1507875
Small groups lead to big experiences on this Small Group Discovery tour. Whereas most fairy tales conclude with "The End," that is exactly where this one begins. In this vast kingdom of jagged peaks, massive fjords, and imposing glaciers stretching across the southernmost tips of Argentina and Chile, you are the sovereign of this dramatic domain affectionately referred to as the "end of the world." Surrounded by the granite pillars of Torres Del Paine National Park, standing tall before the advancing Perito Moreno Glacier, and cruising through the majestic scenery of the Beagle Channel, you will reign before glorious vistas, bask in triumphant scenery, and even prevail over a colony of Magellan penguins on this tour of pristine Patagonia. As no ordinary toast will do for such a colossal experience, you’ll rejoin civilization in Buenos Aires to raise your glass to the ornate teatros, the charming tea rooms, and of course, the steamy tango. A Small Group Discovery tour of epic proportions.
12 nights from $8,000 per person
Itinerary Details
Patagonia: Journey To The End Of The World
Day 1 ARRIVE IN SANTIAGO, CHILEWelcome to Chile!
Meet your Tour Director after your arrival.
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Day 2 SANTIAGOToasts of the Town
After breakfast, embark on a city tour with a Local Guide who will show you the highlights of this great city of colonial and contemporary contrasts. See the famous Government Palace, Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and Santa Lucia Hill. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit La Vega Central Market to learn about traditional Chilean food including steaming pots of cazuela and humitas, similar to tamales! Enjoy a terremoto cocktail (meaning ‘earthquake’ and made of Chilean wine, liqueur, and sorbet) at a local pub before a visit to Cerro San Cristobal for stunning views of Santiago and the Andes. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOCAL TASTES Visit La Vega Central Market, the area’s largest local market housing more than 2,000 traders selling the most local produce, where. A majority of local restauranteurs source their ingredients. During your visit, discover not only typical Chilean foods but also food from neighboring countries as well.
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Day 3 SANTIAGO–PUNTA ARENAS–PUERTO NATALESPatagonia Pleasures
Depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan, gateway to Chile’s Patagonia. Head to Puerto Natales on a scenic drive through the Patagonian steppe passing rivers, forests, mountains, and ranches. Enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Your drive today takes you through the Patagonian steppe or desert. Keep an eye out for guanacos (a type of camelid) commonly found in this region, along with condors, fox, chinchilla, and, for the very lucky, the more elusive puma.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION Designed by National Architecture Award winner, Germán del Sol, the Remota Patagonia Lodge offers an extraordinary stay where nature is always the main stage. Inspired by traditional wind-tilted Patagonian shearing sheds, Remota Patagonia Lodge sits serenely austere and comfortable retreat amid the spectacular and ruggedly windswept landscape of Puerto Natales.
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Day 4 PUERTO NATALES–TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARKFossils, Flora & Fauna
Visit the legendary Milódon Cave, where prehistoric fossils dating back 14,000 years ago, including those of a saber-toothed tiger and a gigantic sloth weighing over a ton, have been found. Venture into Torres del Paine, one of the most spectacularly scenic regions in the world. Arrive at your hotel for some free time before dinner featuring a traditional BBQ including fresh ingredients from the onsite garden. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Your small group is in for a big adventure with a guided hike to experience the natural wonders of Torres del Paine National Park. Spanning a massive area, this park was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978 for its cascading waterfalls, roaring creeks, shimmering lakes, and jagged mountains. During your visits to see the famous sites, including Los Cuernos, Lago Pehoe, and Salto Grande, you’ll be sure to spot some of the park’s fauna, such as herds of guanacos, foxes, swans, and birds. Also stop at Lago Grey to see the imposing Grey Glacier, floating icebergs, and the beautiful views and rugged landscapes!
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION Experience a breathtaking estancia atmosphere amid the peaks of Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park. Check into Hotel Las Torres before your small group is welcomed with a traditional BBQ. including fresh ingredients from the hotel's onsite garden.
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Day 5 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARKPeak Perfection
Today, enjoy a full day exploring the park. See Los Cuernos, or “the horns,” the iconic jagged granite peaks that loom over the windswept plains. Next, view the spectacular waterfall, Salto Grande in the park’s lake district. After lunch at the hotel, head to the Laguna Azul where you have a good chance of seeing some of the park’s wildlife, including guanacos and condors. End the day at Cascada Paine, a beautiful waterfall surrounded by rugged vistas. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Discover more of the breathtaking beauty of Torres del Paine, considered by many who visit to be the world’s most spectacular national park. From its dramatic and jagged peaks to the deep blue lakes and vast grasslands, its glacial lakes and rivers will sweep you away into a world unlike any other as your small group explores the park with a guide.
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Day 6 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK–EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINAEarthly Treasures
After breakfast, take an easy guided hike to Laguna Ines in search of an array of birds and other wildlife that can be found here. Next, depart for El Calafate, a lovely village on the southern shores of Lake Argentino. Originally a simple sheltering destination for wool traders, today El Calafate serves as the entry point for the UNESCO Natural Heritage Site of Los Glaciares National Park. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Leave Chile today for Argentina and its breathtaking Patagonian landscapes. Sit back and relax today as you cross the border while admiring the rugged landscape, glacial lakes, and maybe even some Patagonian wildlife.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION The perfect retreat for small groups, the Mirador Del Lago Hotel creates just the right base camp for your days in picturesque El Calafate. Enjoy cozy luxury in the midst of mountain peaks and lakeshores in the “National Capital City of the Glaciers.”
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Day 7 EL CALAFATE. EXCURSION TO PERITO MORENO GLACIER Ice Breakers
A must for all visitors to Argentina is a visit to Perito Moreno Glacier (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Los Glaciares National Park. During your walking tour along the catwalks, marvel at the breathtaking glacier views and, with some luck, see the ice calve and break into the waters below. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SPECTACULAR SIGHTS Explore Perito Moreno Glacier, which forms part of the Patagonian Continental Ice Field. From here, 13 glaciers descend on the Atlantic side to flow into the Viedma and Argentino Lakes with one of the few glaciers in the world that is still advancing.
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Day 8 EL CALAFATE. EXCURSION TO ESTANCIA NIBEPO AIKEGlaciers & Gauchos
Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore El Calafate. You may wish to walk the shores of Lake Argentina, visit the quaint shops, or grab a bite at one the many restaurants. Later, visit the Glaciarium: Patagonia Ice Museum to learn how glaciers form and grow, while learning the history of the Patagonia Icefields. Visit the [LF] GlacioBar, the first ice bar in Argentina, for a frosty beverage before departing for an evening at a historic estancia (ranch). (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Join your small group for an evening to remember to experience ranch life at Estancia Nibepo Aike. Located in the southern arm of Lake Argentina, this historic Argentinian estancia dates back to the early 20th century and preserves the essence of the old Patagonian ranches amid stunning views of Glacier National Park’s wild landscapes. Sip a cup of mate (traditional herbal tea) while enjoying the estancia’s stunning landscape, flora, and fauna. See gauchos (cowboys) performing traditional ranching activities such as sheep-shearing and learn techniques used in threading and rolling wool. Later, enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner while enjoying the sunset.
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Day 9 EL CALAFATE–USHUAIAA Wilderness at the End of the World
After breakfast, fly to Ushuaia, Argentina—the end of the world! You’ll have the opportunity to see the Andes Mountains from a [LF] cruise along Beagle Channel. Bask in the feeling of being in the southernmost city in the world, and watch for sea lions, albatrosses, skuas, and other interesting Patagonian fauna. Arrive at Martillo Island, where you have the chance to see a colony of Magellan penguins! (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
WILD WONDERS Visit Martillo Island, home to a colony of Magellanic penguins on an island in Tierra del Fuego. Discover the burrows and nests in the ground and learn about the different types of penguins found in this remote part of the world.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION Your small group can make yourself at home with a stay at Cilene del Fuego apartment homes—yes, apartments! Your two-night stay features the services of a traditional hotel, with personal space to stretch out, indulgent spa services, pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna, and private conveniences of home. Live like a local in sleek, modern style with invigorating views of the mountainscapes and the Beagle Channel.
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Day 10 USHUAIA. TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK EXCURSIONA Fragile Land of Fire
Today, discover Tierra del Fuego National Park, the southernmost national park in the world. Hike around the park, escorted by an expert Naturalist. With stops at Bahia Lapataia, Lago Roca, and Bahia Ensenada, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate ecosystems here. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Today, your small group joins an expert naturalist guide for a hike in the southernmost national park in the world in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Look skyward to spot any of the 50 fascinating bird species who call this paradise home, including Magellanic woodpecker, Andean condor, and austral parakeet. Closer to earth, watch for other inhabitants like red foxes, muskrats, and guanaco.
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Day 11 USHUAIA–BUENOS AIRESThe Boulevards of Buenos Aires
Fly to Buenos Aires today, the “Paris of South America” and capital of Argentina. Fabulous food, shopping, and architecture all converge here to create a distinctly Latin vibe. Tonight, enjoy [LF] Argentinian dinner party with local specialties and wine. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Tonight’s dinner is an Argentine Experience! Enjoy a five-course dinner of Argentina’s most famous food (including steak) paired with a variety of the region’s wines. You will also learn how to make your own empanada along with the different folding techniques as well.
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Day 12 BUENOS AIRESDinner, Dancing, Dazzling
Your included sightseeing this morning starts in La Boca, a vibrant district and site of the city’s first port. Take a short walking tour of this unique enclave at the mouth of the river and then on to San Telmo, famous for its late-colonial buildings and as a popular gathering spot for artists. At the Plaza de Mayo, see La Casa Rosada (the President’s Pink House) and the Metropolitan Cathedral, which houses San Martin’s Mausoleum. Drive past the ornate Teatro Colón opera house before reaching Recoleta Cemetery, burial site of Eva Perón. After an afternoon at leisure, top off the evening at a famous Tango club. Start with a dance lesson, followed by a farewell dinner. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE The Tango and Argentina go hand in hand tonight as your small group visits a local milonga, or tango house, where professional tango dancers teach the traditional techniques of the Argentine Tango. After learning some of the key dance moves, the professionals will delight you in Tango Show featuring the dance as it has evolved through the ages. Afterward, dine on Argentine steak, specialties and wine.
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Day 13 BUENOS AIRESSafe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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Patagonia begins in central Argentina, about 450 mi/725 km southwest of Buenos Aires, and stretches from the Rio Colorado to the Strait of Magellan. This vast, beautiful region is a haven for naturalists and adventurers. It comprises almost 30% of Argentine territory and is filled with a rich diversity of plants and animals, including guanacos, penguins and elephant seals; windswept and barren terrain; lakes and unspoiled nature.
It's a popular destination for those who like to fish, especially November-May, when trout and salmon can be hooked in the rivers and streams flowing through the Andean foothills. Big-game hunting is also a popular sport in Patagonia.
There are three major areas: the Rio Negro and Neuquen Province (access via Bariloche); Chubut Province (includes Puerto Madryn, Gaiman, Los Alerces National Park and Comodoro Rivadavia); and Santa Cruz Province (Rio Gallegos and Glaciers National Park).
Layered clothing, including a windbreaker, is a must, as it can dip below freezing traveling south, even during the hemisphere's summer months.
Chile has a distinctly European flavour and Santiago will bring this home to you as you visit the churches, monuments and museums all designed in a certain familiar style.
Excursions
Ushuaia – Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train - Half Day
Ushuaia – Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Begin the tour by driving along National Route N3, crossing the valley of the Pipo River and the foothills of Mount Susana, to the train station located in the area where the inmates of the old prison collected firewood.
The little steam train will wind along the trail that the prison train used to follow over bridges, swampy areas, and green valleys, making a short stop at La Macarena waterfall. On completion of the train ride and already in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, drive through the most attractive landscapes of the park, such as Lake Roca and Bahía Lapataia (where the National Route N3, part of the Pan-American Highway ends).
In different locations take short walks to appreciate the different species of the native forest and the protected fauna in the southernmost National Park of Argentina.
After the tour you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Beagle Channel
- Lapataia Bay
- End of the World train
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Box-Lunch
- Entrance fee
Excursions
Buenos Aires - Full Day Sightseeing Tour - 7 hours
Buenos Aires - Full Day Sightseeing Tour - 7 hours
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Explore some of the most recognizable landmarks in Buenos Aires. Find out about the history and culture of this city, as you take in some of the most significant spots. Start at the most important square in the country: Plaza de Mayo. The country was founded here in 1580, and today the most important governmental buildings are located here including Casa Rosada (Government House), Cabildo (City Hall) and Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral). Continue through the cobblestoned streets of San Telmo neighbourhood, where the original porteños (Buenos Aires residents) settled in the early days. The next stop is picturesque La Boca, home to Caminito, perhaps the city's most photographed street thanks to its corrugated iron and brightly coloured houses. This block houses one of the few outdoor museums in the world, where artists exhibit work, related to the influence of mainly Italian immigrants who arrived at this port at the end of the 19th century. La Boca is home to the legendary football (soccer giants) Boca Juniors, whose colours of blue and yellow adorn most of the houses and stores in this neighbourhood. Drive towards Palermo, passing through Puerto Madero, a regenerated area where redbrick warehouses have been transformed into trendy restaurants and bars.
Once in the northern area of the city, drive past Palermo Chico with its impressive townhouses, tree-lined boulevards, and parks. Palermo Soho, on the other hand, combines the flavour of an old, working-class neighbourhood with some contemporary details, including ethnic restaurants, design stores and bars. The bohemian atmosphere makes it popular with Argentines as well as foreign visitors, and restaurants cater to all palates. Continue to Recoleta, one of the most elegant and sophisticated districts, visit Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church and Recoleta Cemetery, known for its rich architecture and famous personalities whose mortal remains it treasures.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Old quarters at San Telmo neighborhood
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Palermo neighborhood and parks
- Recoleta Cemetery
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires sightseeing tour with shared visit to Colon Theatre - Half Day
Buenos Aires sightseeing tour with shared visit to Colon Theatre - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Familiarize yourself with some of the most recognizable landmarks, as well as history and culture in the Paris of the South, on this half-day private guided city tour. Kick off at Plaza de Mayo square, the heart of the city both from a historical and political point of view, and site of its foundation in 1580 by Don Juan de Garay. The next stop is San Telmo with its cobbled stone streets and colonial buildings. Also visit La Boca neighbourhood, the tough port barrio and colourful working-class area. Before returning to the hotel, visit Colon Theatre, one of the world's greatest opera houses, with its sublime interior, every piece of marble, furniture and crystal, imported from Europe. The theatre took 80 years to be completed and finally opened in 1908. It combines many European architectural styles and influences, including Greek columns, French stained glass and Italian marble. The house seats up to 2,500 people and the Colón has hosted opera celebrities such as Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas and Placido Domingo. Shared guided tour to Colon Theatre.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Old quarters at San Telmo neighborhood
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Colon Theatre (shared visit)
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour North - half day
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour North - half day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Familiarize yourself with some of the most recognizable landmarks in the northern area of Buenos Aires. Drive through Palermo, a district with several different areas such as classic Palermo Chico and contemporary Palermo Hollywood. Start in Palermo Chico with its impressive townhouses, tree-lined boulevards, and parks, then continue to Bosques de Palermo parks; past the Japanese and Rose Gardens with their lakes and sculptures, which can be visited independently. From here continue past the Palermo racetrack and polo grounds where the famous Argentine Polo Open is played every December. Palermo Soho, on the other hand, fuses the flavour of a working-class neighbourhood with contemporary twists such as ethnic restaurants, design stores and bars. Its bohemian atmosphere makes it popular with Argentines as well as foreign visitors. Gastronomy options appeal to all palates. Finally, visit Recoleta neighbourhood, home to many a mansion, which takes one back to Argentina's glorious days. The tour ends at the Recoleta Cemetery, renowned for its rich architecture and sculptures that makes it more of an open-air museum than a final resting place.
After tour you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Palermo trendy area
- Japanese and Rose garden in Palermo
- Recoleta cemetery
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour & Evita Museum - Half Day
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour & Evita Museum - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Explore the highlights of the 'Paris of South America' in a four-hour tour accompanied by one of our experienced representatives who will introduce you to the history and culture of this magnificent city. Beginning with the historical areas of Buenos Aires: Plaza de Mayo, the historical and political heart of the city, laid out by Don Juan de Garay in 1580 during the second founding of Buenos Aires. Continue to La Boca, the tough port barrio and colourful working-class area of Buenos Aires, Palermo with its gardens and mansions; and finally, Recoleta, where you will visit its world famous cemetery and see the tombs and mausoleums of the most important personalities of Argentine history. Finally, visit the Evita Museum, a living museum where people can learn, understand and appreciate the life of one of the most important women in Argentine history.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Palermo neighborhood and parks
- Recoleta Cemetery
- Evita´s museum
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Entrancee fee for Cemetery and Evitas museum
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires Tigre Getaway - Half Day
Buenos Aires Tigre Getaway - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Escape the hustle and bustle of central Buenos Aires on this relaxing half-day getaway, featuring fashionable riverside suburbs and a cruise along sheltered waterways. Drive to Tigre passing through neighbourhoods such as Vicente López, Olivos, and San Isidro, and past elegant homes of these residential suburbs, including the Presidential Residence in Olivos, official home to Argentina's president. On arrival at the Paraná River, board a private river boat and head out along the Delta's waterways. An array of colourful sights awaits as the boat cruises past islands, turn-of-the-century homes, yacht clubs and a fleet of watercrafts, including canoes and sailboats. A soft drink and snack are served while you enjoy the scenery. Re-join your vehicle when the river cruise ends and transfers you back to the hotel.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Parana river
- Sail in the Delta
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Private river boat
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires Tango Show & Dinner at Rojo Tango
Buenos Aires Tango Show & Dinner at Rojo Tango
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
At Rojo Tango, a unique venue designed by Philippe Starck located within the Faena Hotel, enjoy an evening of “Porteño” (residents of Buenos Aires) music and dance. After a three-course dinner with wine and without moving from your seat, the band will strike up and the dancers will appear on scene, to recreate nostalgic times when Tango was danced in the streets of Buenos Aires. A majestic performance full of fantasy and sensuality and incredible skill.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Tango show at Rojo tango
- First class venue
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- Private vehicle
- Dinner
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- English speaking guide
Buenos Aires: Gaucho celebration - Full Day
Buenos Aires: Gaucho celebration - Full Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Join a Gaucho celebration at Estancia Santa Susana, a typical ranch only 80 km from Buenos Aires. The estancia has 1,200 hectares (2965 acres) dedicated to agricultural activities and has been a popular tourist destination near Buenos Aires for the last 30 years. Experience the genuine Gaucho lifestyle with various activities, such as a delicious typical Argentine barbecue with drinks, horsemanship show, a visit to the main house, the colonial museum, and the chapel. A short horse-back or carriage ride is also available before lunch. This tour provides an insight to the most fascinating traditions of Argentina.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Horseback activity
- Agricultural activities
- Gaucho lifestyle
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Lunch at the estancia
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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