THE ARGENTINIAN PATAGONIA AUSTRAL WITH CHILE – Self Drive

Arrival to the city of Buenos Aires and private transfer to your hotel. Free day at leisure to discover the town.

Overnight in Buenos Aires.

After breakfast, pick up from your hotel for a private city tour through the city. During this tour, you will visit the most beautiful, historical and important places of the city. You will get the chance to do it at your own pace. Discover the history of “Plaza de Mayo” the site of the most important historical events in the country since it ́s foundation. Once you leave May Square along May Avenue and enjoy a coffee at the historical “Café Tortoni”. If you like, take a short trip on the first ever subway line in South America.

Wonder in awe at the oldest residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires: San Telmo. Walk along it ́s cobble-stoned streets and discover its antiques shops and picturesque buildings. Live and feel the original Tango in the neighborhood of La Boca: walk along “Caminito Street” and enjoy the dancers and souvenir shops. See the mythical Boca Juniors soccer stadium. If you will we can take you to the Pasión Boquense Museum and take a look around. On the next stop you can contemplate the modernization of the city while traveling along Madero Port and its exclusive docks Walking through Retiro you will come to one of the most aristocratic areas of the city: Recoleta. Once you get there, there ́s a lot to discover, but the most important one is the Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron, "Evita" rest in peace.  

You can also visit Palermo and its most exclusive residential area before finally returning to your hotel. If you wish to add other places to your tour or choose some of these, you can tell us and we will arrange it for you.

Overnight in Buenos Aires

Tour Milonga

At the appropriate time you´ll be picked up from your hotel in order to start with your ¨Milongas¨ tour. Buenos Aires and Tango are synonymous; visitors can easily find a Tango tour that will include a beautiful stage show that you won’t find outside of Argentina. We want to take you one step further to where the Porteño goes – to the Milongas. At the Milongas, your experience will include an introduction to the codes, traditions, etc. of Tango before you have the opportunity to learn the dance and enjoy the real Tango together with the locals. At the end of the tour you´ll be taken back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Buenos Aires

At the designated time you will have a private transfer to Buenos Aires Domestic Airport for your flight to the Southern City of America, "The End of the World City", Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego Province.

Walking along it the visitor can observe Mother Earth's motion. At the end of the plains of Patagonia, in Tierra del Fuego Province, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur, Los Andes cordillera stands out in the landscape displaying its glacier-meltwater valleys, peat bogs and ancient forests to show a paradise in the south. Ushuaia, one of a kind city, capital of the Province offers its natural and cultural beauties and service infrastructure making of it a hard to forget destination.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in a shared service.  

Beagle Channel Navigation on board Kams Yatch

At the designated time in the afternoon you will be transfer to the pier to enjoy an afternoon Navigation. Depart from the local pier towards Alicia Island, where we will find a colony of South American sea lions. Then we sail to Birds Island to watch king shags and imperial shags living close to their nests, and from spring through fall we can even find their breeds. Again, we head east towards another small island that, depending on the season, we can view South American fur seals. Very close to this island is Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, an authentic symbol of Ushuaia, built in 1919. From there we have a view of the island where rock shags live. On our way back to Ushuaia, we disembark at Bridges Island to walk along a path for the interpretation of wildlife, while listening to the history of the native inhabitants, the Yamanas. On this island, we can find the largest Yamana's "concheros" (shelly deposits) of the region. As this is the largest island, we reach the highest panoramic point from which we can enjoy amazing views of the Beagle Channel with the town of Ushuaia in the distance.

Overnight in Ushuaia

After covering the 10 km from Ushuaia to Tierra del Fuego National Park, this tour visits its most relevant attractions. On foot, and in contact with Nature, along the undulating 8-km-long Coastal Path, this medium-difficulty hike should not pose a big challenge to those passengers used to exercise, and with the appropriate attire. Those who prefer a less demanding activity may choose to walk along a few shorter, and softer trails (please request the “Soft Trekk” option in advance). Near to the border of Lapataia River, lunch will be served with a great panoramic view from inside a heated dome-tent, to avoid wind or rain. Afterwards, all participants will be equipped with rubber boots, coverpants and lifejackets: the excursion will continue from Lake Acigami aboard inflatable canoes (duckies) for about an hour through the freshwater of the Lapataia and Ovando rivers until reaching the sea in Lapataia Bay. This canoe activity ends near the point where Route 3 (also called Pan-American Highway) meet its southern end.

Overnight in Ushuaia

This program is a beautiful journey into the almost uninhabited, peaceful location of the first "estancia" in Tierra del Fuego: Harberton Ranch. This full-day, active tour takes passengers for a ride, to navigate, to walk and to make discoveries in one of the roughest and most beautiful places in the Beagle Channel. From the hotel, we leave Ushuaia Eastbound along National Route No. 3 and Route "J". Once at Harberton Ranch we propose to visit the Marine Mammal Museum, and the surroundings of one of the first white men settlements in Tierra del Fuego. On board of a motorboat we will leave towards Martillo Island. From the boat, we'll have the chance to see penguins in their breeding lair. Navigation on the motorboat continues up to the main attraction of the day: the enormous Gable Island, where lunch with a good Patagonian wine, soft drink and mineral water await. After coffee, go for a hike to know more of this gorgeous island, crossing over beaver damms and through the forest to reach the Beagle Channel shore. From there take the boat to reach Puerto Harberton, and to hop on the bus to Ushuaia.

Overnight in Ushuaia

Today you will pick up a rental car in Ushuaia city to discover the area on your own.

Today we recommend one of the most classic walks in the city of Ushuaia, its access is only 12kms from the exit of the city, a few meters before reaching the winter center "Valle de Lobos".

The trail is fully signposted with no chance of getting lost, even so it is always recommended to pay attention to the marks on the trees; In it you will find all kinds of terrain, from trails through the middle of the forest to peat bogs depending on the time of year you decide to hike. This hike can be done at any time of the year as long as you take the corresponding safety measures (in winter it is never a bad idea to wear crampons, especially knowing that on very cold days ice sheets form on the trail). Approximately 9kms round trip starting from RN3; going at a slow pace in 2 hours at most you get to the lagoon. Although it is not a very long walk, it is recommended to calculate the hours of light depending on the time of year you decide to go, it is necessary to take into account in winter the light is always more limited.

Overnight in Ushuaia

Today we recommend visiting Martial Glacier. This attraction is located at short distance from the city (7 Km from downtown). It is ideal for a half-day tour. The main trail is a - 900 m -walk with incredible viewpoints of Ushuaia. Winter snow makes it perfect for beginners willing to practice alpine ski and snowboard. In summer time, visitors are welcome to experience hiking and trekking.

Overnight in Ushuaia

Today you will head north on Route 3, up to Tolhuin town.

Amongst its distinctive features, Ushuaia is the only trans-Andean city in the country. The range comes in a straight line from Alaska but it bends in Tierra del Fuego Island towards the east, relocating itself among the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

In order to cross the mountain range from Ushuaia towards the North of Argentina it is mandatory to go through Garibaldi Crossing, located 60 Km from the city, it is the narrowest point to go through mountain. This spot is surrounded by the waters of Escondido Lake and the never-ending Fagnano Lake.

Leaving behind the Cordillera, the scenery slowly changes and gets fully dominated by Fagnano waters, an extense lake (shared between Argentina and Chile). It has a 104 Km extension and 200 m depth. The city of Tolhuin is located at the head of the lake and it is known as the Heart of the Island as its translation from Shelkham language indicates.

The city of Tolhuin is the youngest in the province. Fagnano lake, Jeujepén mountain and the soft ruggedness of the land provide a beautiful landscape with almost no human impact, it has perfect conditions for outdoor activities. Hiking, photographic safari, flora and fauna spotting, camping. Near the city, Laguna Negra and Río Valdez “Heart of the Island Reserve” you’ll be able to practice the mentioned activities.

Sport fishing is possible in both Laguna Negra and Fagnano lake as long as you have fishing permit and apply to regulations. Tolhuin offers accommodation, transport and restoration services.

Overnight in Tolhuin

This beautiful and lonely place is located between the city of Rio Grande and Tolhuin. To get there, you must follow route 3, up to where route A begins. Along this gravel road we will have to travel 46 km more. Although this route is not paved, it is not necessary to have any special vehicle, since the road is quite firm and in good condition.

The path is very beautiful, with many forests of lengas and small rivers. In this route we will also go through some rooms, until we reach this cape on the Atlantic Ocean. It should be mentioned that there is no means of public transport that makes this tour, so the options are to do it with our own car or hire a tour to take us. We recommend the one offered by CIVITATIS.

Until you reach the end of the route, a good idea is to stop to visit one of the lonely roads. Although most are part of different rooms, it is possible to take walks. If we stop a few kilometers before reaching the coast, we can reach beaches like those in the image.

Once the road was completed, we arrived at a well-known postcard, where we will see Cabo San Pablo and the image of a ship that was intentionally stranded on the coast to avoid the shipwreck, after having suffered the routine of the hull. The name of the cargo ship is "Desdemona" built in Hamburg, Germany. It has been there since September 9, 1985.

After exploring this mysterious giant, we visit Estancia Rolito, a charming country house that preserves the spirit of family entrepreneurship based on sheep tradition and is a pioneer in opening its gate to rural tourism.

Overnight in Tolhuin.

Today you will drive 196km on Route 3 until you reach San Sebastian Border Crossing. It is still Tierra del Fuego Island but you will leave Argentina and enter Chile.

From San Sebastian continue 50km on route 257 up to Bahia Inutil.

Bahia Inutil is bordered by a coastal path that connects small settlements and coves, as well as ranches. Nature enthusiasts come to this hidden place in the world in search of the sovereign of Tierra del Fuego: the King penguin.

Overnight Bahia Inutil

Today we recommend you to visit King Penguin Natural reserve (pinguinorey.com). Only 15km distance.

Hundred years ago, the king penguin shared with the original peoples that inhabited the island of Tierra del Fuego, a link revealed by the discovery of skeletal remains of this species in areas of Selk’nam occupation.

Over the years, there have been various visits by king penguins in Magellan and Tierra del Fuego. And it is in 2010 when they decide to settle in Bahía Inutil to reproduce, thus recognizing Fuegian things.

Since the Park was created, the colony has been gradually increasing, which has been successful in raising fledglings that migrated to the sea. Permanent monitoring, study and quick access for observation transforms this settlement into a unique place in South America.

The trails are relatively short and suitable for all kinds of audiences, but the rhythm and needs of each visitor must be taken into account, since the terrain is uneven and the journey may take longer.

Overnight in Bahia Inutil

Today you will continue your journey on Route 257, up to Punta Arenas, you will exit Tierra del Fuego Island. You will have to cover a 292km distance, but we recommend you departing early morning, to assure the Magellan Strait crossing, as it is subject to the weather conditions for the ferry to cross.

On this drive, you will enjoy one of the highlights of the trip. You will cross the Strait of Magellan is a maritime pass located in the extreme south of Chile, between Patagonia, the Big Island of Tierra del Fuego and several islands located west of it towards the Pacific Ocean. It is the main natural passage between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Visiting Punta Arenas is meeting the history of the original peoples of Southern Patagonia, now extinct. It is going back in time and following in the footsteps of the settlers who set foot on these lands, in search of new horizons.

The city of Punta Arenas has several attractions such as the Plaza Muñoz Gamero, the Braun Menendez Palace, declared a National Museum, the Cathedral Church and the famous Duty Free Zone, where products are sold duty free.

Do not leave without visiting the Nao Victoria, a museum that contains replicas of the first Europeans who arrived in these lands. Be sure to tour the beautiful gardens that adorn the graves of historical figures in the Punta Arenas cemetery and get to know the Plaza de Armas, where the statue of the Patagonian Indian is. Legend has it that you have to kiss one of your feet if you want to return to the wonderful city of Punta Arenas.

Overnight in Punta Arenas

Today you will hit Route 9 up north for 250km. You will reach Puerto Natales city, the entrance door to the famous Torres del Paine National Park.

Puerto Natales and its surroundings have an untamed geography of fjords, archipelagos, valleys and ice fields. With irregular weather conditions, it is a city that has landscapes and attractions that offer a variety of experiences such as horseback riding, trekking, climbing, sailing, fly fishing and many others!

Overnight in Puerto Natales

Today we recommend you an early morning start! Have a good breakfast and get back on the road!

Do you want to live one of the best experiences in Chilean Patagonia? Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most visited protected areas in Chile and stands out for its incredible natural beauty.

You will drive 85km up north on Route 9 to reach Torres del Paine National Park.

Only 25km from Puerto Natales, you can make a stop to visit Milodon Cave, huge cavern over 200 meters deep, 80 wide and 30 high.

As impressive as its dimensions are the stories it contains. More than 15,000 years ago, large extinct animals, such as the mylodon or the jaguar, were housed there and, probably, it was a hunting ground for the first inhabitants of Patagonia. Today, archeology and paleontology reveal the secrets of these men and animals.

Visiting Torres del Paine National Park means meeting lakes, lagoons, extensive valleys, and huge mountains, among which the Cuernos del Paine and Torres stand out, which can be seen from different places in Patagonia. You will contemplate the vastness of Campos de Hielo Sur with its Pingo, Tyndall, Geikie and Gray glaciers, the latter being the most visited by national and international tourists.

Overnight in Torres del Paine

The park has a really large extension, therefore we recommend you to plan the visit to the different sectors.

- The Pehoé Lake is another of the emblematic destinations of the Torres del Paine National Park because it accompanies the landscape of the Cuernos del Paine with its green waters. You can navigate and access the viewpoints that lead to impressive waterfalls. In the vicinity of Lake Pehoé is the Salto Grande, a must stop inside the park.

The Gray Glacier is one of the most impressive places in Torres del Paine National Park and to witness it you can navigate around Lake Gray or take a hiking excursion on the glacier only in summer.

- Nordenskjöld Lake is another of the natural beauties of Torres del Paine National Park. It is characterized by the colour of its waters due to the high concentration of rock minerals.

- The most important tourist place in the park is the closest point to witness the famous Torres del Paine. To get to this viewpoint, you need a trek of approximately 8 hours (round trip), where you will find pre-Andean scrub and lenga forests.

In case you are interested, is possible to organize to sleep in special camps and refugees between every trek! Just ask us for more information.  

Overnight in Torres del Paine

Today you will drive 316 Km up on Route 9 back to Punta Arenas to board a flight to Santiago de Chile.

Upon arrival at the international airport, you will be transferred to your selected Hotel.

Overnight in Santiago de Chile

Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to begin your tour of the city. Chile's capital city is a sophisticated, sprawling metropolis wedged between the Andes and mountainous coastal range, which plays home to 6 million Santiaguinos, one third of Chile's population. One of the iconic landmarks you'll discover during this excursion is the La Moneda presidential palace. Originally a colonial mint, it was designed by Italian architect, Joaquín Toesca. The Plaza de Armas main square is surrounded by some beautiful buildings, including the impressive cathedral and central post office, as well as the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, which houses over 700 exhibits. Then of course there's San Cristobal Hill, where you'll get a panoramic view of the city and the omnipresent Andes. Your guide will be on hand to tell you all about the city and give you some tips on where are the best places to find the spirit of Santiago.

Overnight in Santiago de Chile

Today you will head inland to the Casablanca Valley for a wine tasting at Casas del Bosque winery.

Continue the trip to the colourful port city of Valparaíso to explore the coast and the humble wines produced in the neighbouring valley. Famous for its stacked hills and winding stairs with incredible street art, this UNESCO World Heritage city takes you back in time, yet has a modern feel.

As you climb the stairs or head up in one of the infamous funiculars, you are greeted by incredible views of the bay and surrounding German-style homes. A highlight of this tour is visiting the home of Chile´s Nobel Prize-winning poet, Pablo Neruda.

You will enjoy this amazing city. You will enjoy lunch on a local restaurant. Discover the city by the street art all around you.

Overnight in Santiago de Chile

At the designated time you will have a private transfer to Santiago airport for your flight back home.

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