Patagonia and the Winelands of Chile
22 Sep –
4 Oct 2024
- 13 Days
- 4 Star hotels
- 20 Meals
- Group size: 15
Menu
Itinerary
We meet at O.R. Tambo International for a tour that will see us strolling the streets of Buenos Aires, marvelling at glaciers in Patagonia and sipping our way through Chile’s vineyards. As you settle into your flight, prepare to tap into your inner adventurer on this luxury small group journey.
Welcome to Buenos Aires, the vibrant heartbeat of Argentina. Known as the “Paris of South America,” the city is an eclectic mix of grand colonial buildings and irresistible Latin energy. Its storied streets echo with the sensual rhythms of the tango, the smell of sizzling asados (barbeques) and a palpable sense of passion. On arrival, we were met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.
After breakfast, we fly to El Calafate, our gateway to the rugged wilderness of Patagonia. This vast region spreads over the southern tip of South America, straddling the border between Argentina and Chile. Sometimes referred to as “the end of the earth,” Patagonia is an otherworldly landscape of soaring mountain peaks, pristine lakes, ethereal glaciers and ancient forests – a dream-like combination which results in one of the most beautiful places in the world. When we reach El Calafate, we are taken to our hotel. We gather at a local restaurant in the evening to share a delicious dinner.
This morning, we set out for Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore Perito Moreno Glacier. This stunning frozen mass measures 30km long, 5km wide and 60m high, and what makes it exceptional is that it is one of few glaciers in the world still in full advance. We explore the network of walkways that provide sweeping views of the glacier and then board a boat for a closer encounter, navigating Lake Argentino towards the incredible icy wall. We have lunch in the national park and return to El Calafate to enjoy an evening at leisure.
A day of travelling lies ahead as we make our way to Torres Del Paine National Park. From the rolling grasslands of Argentinian Patagonia, we cross the border into Chile. Established in 1959 and declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1978, Torres Del Paine is regarded as South America’s finest national park. Soaring granite peaks silhouetted against an ever-changing sky loom above lush forests and radiant blue water. We make our way to our hotel, which sits on the shores of Lake Grey. This evening, dinner in the hotel restaurant is accompanied by limitless views of the mountains and the lake.
Awake to stunning views of Lake Grey and then set out to discover Torres Del Paine National Park. With cameras at the ready, we begin our excursion with a hike along the Pingo River, crossing the bridge that spans the rushing water and walking through the forest to the lake shore to board the catamaran. We cruise the ice-cold crystalline waters to Grey Glacier, where we spend some time admiring its towering ice walls and enjoying an aperitive aboard the boat. We end our tour with visits to the park’s most beautiful sights: Lake Pehoé, with its staggering views of the Paine Massif, Salto Grande waterfall, and Amarga Lagoon. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Puerto Natales, a port town perched on the western coast of Chile.
After breakfast, we travel from Puerto Natales to neighbouring Puerto Bories, where we board a catamaran that takes us up the Última Esperanza Sound. This winding inlet ends at the Balmaceda Glacier. This impressive river of ice clings to the mountain of the same name. We disembark from the boat and hike along the water’s edge to the imposing wall of Serrano Glacier. Both these glaciers are in rapid recession, making this a sight to be savoured. We taste some ancient ice cream and then enjoy lunch at an authentic Patagonian ranch. Later, we return to our hotel. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
We bid farewell to Patagonia and make our way to Puerto Natales airport for our flight to Santiago de Chile, perhaps stopping at the Milodon Cave Natural Monument on the way. On arrival in Santiago, we embark on a half-day city tour that shows us landmarks from the city’s colonial past. We travel past the Cerro San Cristóbal, a popular hillside park topped with a 14-metre high, snowy white statue of the Virgin Mary, and end our tour in the fashionable districts of Providencia and Las Condes which sit at the foot of the Cerro San Cristóbal. We check into our hotel and spend the evening at leisure in this sophisticated and exciting city.
From Santiago, we travel towards the coast to the city of Valparaíso. Brightly painted buildings crowd the city’s many hills, joyfully smashed together and jostling for space in a spectacle of colour. We explore the historic centre and ride one of the city’s many funicular elevators to admire the view. A visit to the Casablanca Valley to sample the area’s wines is also on our route today. We take a tour of a winery and indulge in a wine tasting. In the evening, we return to Santiago de Chile and enjoy the evening at leisure.
A full-day excursion awaits us today. We enjoy breakfast in the hotel and set out for the Maipo Valley. Located a short distance from Santiago de Chile, this is Chile’s most important wine-producing region. Here, the Andes Mountains form a natural barrier to the cool Pacific air, creating a dry climate with warm days and cold nights. As a result, the area is particularly good for the cultivation of French varietals, which were brought to Chile by wealthy Chileans in the 1800s. We visit two wineries to taste the region’s fine wines and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight, we celebrate the end of a fantastic tour with a farewell dinner in Santiago de Chile.
After breakfast at the hotel, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. On arrival, we check into our hotel.
Saying goodbye to South America, we check out of our hotel and travel to the international airport for our departing flight.
We land at O.R. Tambo International, and our intrepid adventure comes to an end. From Buenos Aires to the southern reaches of the Andes and the big blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean, we’ve experienced one of the last places on Earth that is truly far away. Spectacular, wild and remote, Patagonia has shown us nature, unspoiled and pristine.
We meet at O.R. Tambo International for a tour that will see us strolling the streets of Buenos Aires, marvelling at glaciers in Patagonia and sipping our way through Chile’s vineyards. As you settle into your flight, prepare to tap into your inner adventurer on this luxury small group journey.
Welcome to Buenos Aires, the vibrant heartbeat of Argentina. Known as the “Paris of South America,” the city is an eclectic mix of grand colonial buildings and irresistible Latin energy. Its storied streets echo with the sensual rhythms of the tango, the smell of sizzling asados (barbeques) and a palpable sense of passion. On arrival, we were met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.
After breakfast, we fly to El Calafate, our gateway to the rugged wilderness of Patagonia. This vast region spreads over the southern tip of South America, straddling the border between Argentina and Chile. Sometimes referred to as “the end of the earth,” Patagonia is an otherworldly landscape of soaring mountain peaks, pristine lakes, ethereal glaciers and ancient forests – a dream-like combination which results in one of the most beautiful places in the world. When we reach El Calafate, we are taken to our hotel. We gather at a local restaurant in the evening to share a delicious dinner.
This morning, we set out for Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore Perito Moreno Glacier. This stunning frozen mass measures 30km long, 5km wide and 60m high, and what makes it exceptional is that it is one of few glaciers in the world still in full advance. We explore the network of walkways that provide sweeping views of the glacier and then board a boat for a closer encounter, navigating Lake Argentino towards the incredible icy wall. We have lunch in the national park and return to El Calafate to enjoy an evening at leisure.
A day of travelling lies ahead as we make our way to Torres Del Paine National Park. From the rolling grasslands of Argentinian Patagonia, we cross the border into Chile. Established in 1959 and declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1978, Torres Del Paine is regarded as South America’s finest national park. Soaring granite peaks silhouetted against an ever-changing sky loom above lush forests and radiant blue water. We make our way to our hotel, which sits on the shores of Lake Grey. This evening, dinner in the hotel restaurant is accompanied by limitless views of the mountains and the lake.
Awake to stunning views of Lake Grey and then set out to discover Torres Del Paine National Park. With cameras at the ready, we begin our excursion with a hike along the Pingo River, crossing the bridge that spans the rushing water and walking through the forest to the lake shore to board the catamaran. We cruise the ice-cold crystalline waters to Grey Glacier, where we spend some time admiring its towering ice walls and enjoying an aperitive aboard the boat. We end our tour with visits to the park’s most beautiful sights: Lake Pehoé, with its staggering views of the Paine Massif, Salto Grande waterfall, and Amarga Lagoon. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Puerto Natales, a port town perched on the western coast of Chile.
After breakfast, we travel from Puerto Natales to neighbouring Puerto Bories, where we board a catamaran that takes us up the Última Esperanza Sound. This winding inlet ends at the Balmaceda Glacier. This impressive river of ice clings to the mountain of the same name. We disembark from the boat and hike along the water’s edge to the imposing wall of Serrano Glacier. Both these glaciers are in rapid recession, making this a sight to be savoured. We taste some ancient ice cream and then enjoy lunch at an authentic Patagonian ranch. Later, we return to our hotel. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.
We bid farewell to Patagonia and make our way to Puerto Natales airport for our flight to Santiago de Chile, perhaps stopping at the Milodon Cave Natural Monument on the way. On arrival in Santiago, we embark on a half-day city tour that shows us landmarks from the city’s colonial past. We travel past the Cerro San Cristóbal, a popular hillside park topped with a 14-metre high, snowy white statue of the Virgin Mary, and end our tour in the fashionable districts of Providencia and Las Condes which sit at the foot of the Cerro San Cristóbal. We check into our hotel and spend the evening at leisure in this sophisticated and exciting city.
From Santiago, we travel towards the coast to the city of Valparaíso. Brightly painted buildings crowd the city’s many hills, joyfully smashed together and jostling for space in a spectacle of colour. We explore the historic centre and ride one of the city’s many funicular elevators to admire the view. A visit to the Casablanca Valley to sample the area’s wines is also on our route today. We take a tour of a winery and indulge in a wine tasting. In the evening, we return to Santiago de Chile and enjoy the evening at leisure.
A full-day excursion awaits us today. We enjoy breakfast in the hotel and set out for the Maipo Valley. Located a short distance from Santiago de Chile, this is Chile’s most important wine-producing region. Here, the Andes Mountains form a natural barrier to the cool Pacific air, creating a dry climate with warm days and cold nights. As a result, the area is particularly good for the cultivation of French varietals, which were brought to Chile by wealthy Chileans in the 1800s. We visit two wineries to taste the region’s fine wines and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Tonight, we celebrate the end of a fantastic tour with a farewell dinner in Santiago de Chile.
After breakfast at the hotel, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. On arrival, we check into our hotel.
Saying goodbye to South America, we check out of our hotel and travel to the international airport for our departing flight.
We land at O.R. Tambo International, and our intrepid adventure comes to an end. From Buenos Aires to the southern reaches of the Andes and the big blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean, we’ve experienced one of the last places on Earth that is truly far away. Spectacular, wild and remote, Patagonia has shown us nature, unspoiled and pristine.
Unleash your inner adventurer as you journey through Argentina and Chile to discover the breathtaking beauty of Patagonia, the secrets of Chilean wine culture and the character of Latin America’s pulsing cities. From Buenos Aires, travel to the wilderness of Patagonia and explore a landscape of golden grasslands, snow-capped mountains, ancient forests, radiant blue lakes and majestic glaciers with hikes, boat rides and drives. Next, to Santiago de Chile, which we use as a launching pad for visits to characterful Valparaíso and wine tours in the Casablanca and Maipo Valleys. This small-group tour to Patagonia and the winelands of Chile is an investment in unforgettable moments in nature. Lose yourself in the beauty of South America and discover a true sense of wildness with this unique, luxury journey.
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The tour leader collects a set amount from each member of a tour. This kitty is then used to tip the local tour guide and city guides, bus drivers, any other assistants, and restaurant staff. We believe in tipping for good service as a token of appreciation, especially as many workers in tourism rely on tips to supplement their income.
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Remember that we limit the number of guests on our tours. This means more time at stops and sites. We definitely do not do groups of 30 pax, where guests are rushed from one site to the other. There is enough time to explore on your own.
We always suggest USD/Euro 50 to USD/Euro 100 per person per day. As we mostly include two meals per day on our tours, this will be enough for lunch/dinner, some snacks, and memento shopping. Should you want to buy larger items, we suggest taking along your credit card. Remember to advise the bank that you will be travelling.
