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Argentina & Chile: Southern Patagonian Peaks
Group Tour
Overview
Famed for its striking glacial lakes and dramatic mountain landscapes, Patagonia is one of the world’s great outdoor paradises. However, the region also boasts a distinct culture, renowned gastronomic delights, and remarkable individuals striving to keep their histories and lands alive.
Beginning in Chile’s capital, Santiago, we’ll sample culinary treats at the Central Market and become pisco connoisseurs during a tasting, before flying down to one of the world’s southernly corners at ...
Famed for its striking glacial lakes and dramatic mountain landscapes, Patagonia is one of the world’s great outdoor paradises. However, the region also boasts a distinct culture, renowned gastronomic delights, and remarkable individuals striving to keep their histories and lands alive.
Beginning in Chile’s capital, Santiago, we’ll sample culinary treats at the Central Market and become pisco connoisseurs during a tasting, before flying down to one of the world’s southernly corners at the Strait of Magellan. Here, two full days will be spent exploring the natural wonders of Chile’s famed Torres del Paine National Park, including tracking its majestic pumas. Crossing over to Argentine Patagonia, we’ll admire the formidable Perito Moreno glacier, enjoy gaucho hospitality and Argentinian Malbec in El Calafate, before working off the calories with some breathtaking hikes around El Chalten and the Fitz Roy Massif. This trip-of-a-lifetime concludes in the colourful Argentine capital of Buenos Aires with a final evening of food, laughter and passionate tango.
A tour like no other, we’ll enjoy two weeks hiking, dancing, eating and drinking our way across Chile and Argentina’s world-famous Patagonian peaks, and meeting some of the wonderful people that call them home.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
Minibuses and 2 domestic flights
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience. This can obviously vary greatly across both countries and tours. On this particular trip we will be in hotels, a few of which are boutique hotels set in restored or historic buildings. Please note that in such buildings, room sizes and styles can vary. Please also note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Santiago (Chile)
Day 1 Tour starts in Santiago (Chile)
Welcome to Chile’s capital, Santiago. Tucked within the surrounding Andes mountains, it may come as a surprise that this modern city is one of the oldest in the Americas, founded in 1541 by Spanish conquistadors. Rooms will be ready from 3pm this afternoon. The day has been left free to unwind from the flight and settle into our new surroundings.
Day 2 Santiago: Culture & Flavours of the Capital
Day 2 Santiago: Culture & Flavours of the Capital
Our day begins with a walk through some of Santiago’s historic neighbourhoods, learning about the communities, past and present, that have shaped the capital. Making our way through the city’s beating heart, its central market, we’ll then get a taste for how Chile’s history and geography have shaped its cuisine, stopping at some of the stalls to sample the local treats on offer. The flavourful fun ends with a crash course on the country’s national spirit, pisco, at a tasting session.
Day 3 Santiago – Puerto Natales: Fly South to Patagonia
Day 3 Santiago – Puerto Natales: Fly South to Patagonia
This morning (subject to schedule changes) we’ll catch our flight south to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Chilean Patagonia. On arrival, we’ll have time to explore the small port town’s waterfront, main plaza and historical museum for some insight into its history, industry and inhabitants, spanning its indigenous roots to the European shepherds that settled the land.
Day 4 Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine National Park: Mountain Peaks & Glacial Lakes
Day 4 Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine National Park: Mountain Peaks & Glacial Lakes
Today we’ll venture into the famed Torres del Paine National Park, exploring some of its most captivating natural landmarks. We’ll spend a full day traversing these mountain landscapes, admiring the lagoons of the Laguna Amarga Sector to the east of the park, up to the breathtaking viewpoints found in the central Valle Frances sector, and across to its western sector to walk around the icy glacial waters of Lago Grey.
Approx. driving: 4hrs/200km
Approx. hiking: 45mins/1.5km
Day 5 Torres del Paine National Park: Puma Tracking and Patagonian Conservation
Day 5 Torres del Paine National Park: Puma Tracking and Patagonian Conservation
A real privilege, today will be dedicated to the region’s wildlife. Though most visits to Patagonia understandably tend to focus on its enchanting landscapes, our tour today puts a spotlight on the flora and fauna of the park, whilst supporting the excellent work and legacy of one of world’s most respected conservationists. An early start gives us the best chance of spotting Patagonia’s largest cat, the majestic puma, as we call on the help of trained local trackers. A full day out driving across the park should hopefully give us optimal time for some wildlife encounters whilst enjoying the wonderful scenery in between.
Day 6 Torres del Paine National Park – El Calafate (Argentina): Argentine Wine
Day 6 Torres del Paine National Park – El Calafate (Argentina): Argentine Wine
We’ll cross over into the Argentinean side of Patagonia today, settling into our hotel in the charming town of El Calafate, also referred to as the ‘Capital of the Glaciers’. This evening we’ll enjoy a very Argentine welcome with a wine tasting, sampling some of the country’s world-famous reds.
Approx. driving: 4.5hrs/190km
Day 7 El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier
Day 7 El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier
A visit to Argentine Patagonia wouldn’t feel complete without coming face-to-face with the country’s iconic natural landmark - Perito Moreno Glacier. Located in the UNESCO-inscribed Los Glaciares National Park, home to over 148 glaciers fed by the South Patagonian Ice Field, Perito Moreno is often considered the most spectacular of them. Confronted with the glacier’s icy face upon arrival, we’ll spend the day exploring the boardwalk trails across from it with our guide and independently, appreciating the striking scenes from different angles. With any luck, the hope is to witness the thrilling moment of a block of ice calving from the powdery-blue wall of ice and plunging into the waters below creating far reaching ripples across the lake.
Approx. driving: 2.5hrs/155km
Day 8 El Calafate: Cowboy Culture & a Patagonian BBQ
Day 8 El Calafate: Cowboy Culture & a Patagonian BBQ
With a morning at leisure, we can either enjoy some downtime or head out and explore El Calafate, inspired by the alpine towns of the European Alps. This afternoon, we’ll then head to an estancia for an immersion into the distinct gaucho culture of the region. Over warm cake treats and hot wine, we’ll begin with a tour of the ranch, introducing us to different facets of rural Patagonian life including sheep herding and shearing; horseback riding; and self-sustainable vegetable gardening. Later, things get fired up as we’re treated to a folkloric show over a typical Patagonian asado (BBQ).
Please note that there is the opportunity to do a bit of optional horse riding at the ranch. As helmets are not available we would recommend that those wishing to partake consider bringing their own from home.
Day 9 El Calafate – El Chalten: The Early Settlers
Day 9 El Calafate – El Chalten: The Early Settlers
After breakfast, we’ll transfer from Argentina’s ‘Glaciers Capital’ to its ‘Trekking Capital’. Upon arrival at the small hiking mecca of El Chalten, we’ll take things easy this afternoon with a peaceful visit to the home of one of the first families to settle the region. During our tour of the house-museum we’ll have access to antique tools, period furniture and old photographs, painting a picture of life in the early days of these Patagonian pioneers, before an opportunity for questions and conversation over tea and coffee. Later, dinner will be followed by an early night’s rest to prepare for the next couple of active days.
Approx. driving: 3hrs/215km
Day 10 El Chalten: Fitz Roy & Laguna de Los Trek Hike
Day 10 El Chalten: Fitz Roy & Laguna de Los Trek Hike
El Chalten tenderly lies below the towering mountains of the Los Glaciares National Park, with the jagged peak of Mount Fitz Roy itself piercing the sky high above. This morning we’ll hike up to one of the best viewpoints in the area for a closer look at the three tallest peaks of the Fitz Roy Massif from the turquoise, glacial pool of Laguna de los Tres. A fairly challenging hike, there will be plenty of inspiring scenes of glaciers and lakes to keep us energised along the way.
For anyone not wishing to do the hike today, there is the option to spend the day instead in the charming town of El Chalten or to enjoy some downtime at the hotel.
Approx. hiking: 8-9hrs/20km
Day 11 El Chalten: Hikes, Viewpoints & a Brewery
Day 11 El Chalten: Hikes, Viewpoints & a Brewery
This morning we’ll enjoy a gentler hike up to two viewpoints on the other side of town offering picture-postcard views over the area and, with any luck, the chance to spot eagles and condors known to fly overhead. With some time to relax, later in the afternoon we’ll head to a local brewery for dinner.
Approx. hiking: 2-3hrs/7km
Day 12 El Chalten – Buenos Aires
Day 12 El Chalten – Buenos Aires
Transferring back to the airport in El Calafate, we’ll catch a flight up to the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, using the rest of the day to relax into our final destination of the tour.
Approx. driving: 3hrs/215km
Day 13 Buenos Aires: The Colourful Capital & Home of Tango
Day 13 Buenos Aires: The Colourful Capital & Home of Tango
The fire that ignited Argentina’s fight for independence was sparked off in the city of Buenos Aires in 1810. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then, that the city was also the birthplace of the fiery tango dance that has become synonymous with the country. Walking through the capital’s neighbourhoods this morning, we’ll learn something of Buenos Aires’s history and culture from the aristocratic architecture of Recoleta to the immigrant communities that shaped the colourful streets of La Boca and San Telmo. Later, we'll learn a few tango steps during a tango class, before handing the stage over to the professionals whilst we enjoy the show over a farewell dinner.
Day 14 Tour ends in Buenos Aires
Day 14 Tour ends in Buenos Aires
With camera full of spectacular snaps capturing the unforgettable landscapes and experiences of the last two weeks, our adventure comes to a close this morning where those taking the suggested group tour flights will be transferred to the airport.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Capital Bellet, Santiago
The modern four-star hotel in the heart of Santiago’s vibrant Providencia district offers a great location, surrounded by the capital’s abundant bars and restaurants, and comfortable facilities including its own restaurant, bar and coffee shop. The hotel offers 144 contemporary rooms each with a comfortable amount of space, complete mod-cons and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the city and surrounding mountains.
Hotel Vendavel, Puerto Natales
Conveniently located in downtown Puerto Natales, just three blocks from the waterfront and the main square, Hotel Vendeval makes wandering around town a breeze. The hotel has twenty-three modern rooms with external views and little hints of its location in the Patagonian port town. Views over the town and the channel can be enjoyed from the rooftop terrace.
Hotel del Paine, Torres Del Paine
Hotel del Paine is wonderfully located on the banks of the River Serrano within the environs of the Torres del Paine National Park. It is a simple boutique lodging, with rustic log-cabin style accommodation. Each of the 44 comfortable rooms have great views of the Cordillera del Paine. A menu of international dishes using local produce can be enjoyed at the restaurant and extra tours can be arranged from the hotel's menu of excursions. This long-standing Patagonian abode provides a simple but fantastic base from which to explore the park, particularly the grand lagoons and lakes of its western sector.
Rincon del Calafate, El Calafate
Translating to the ‘corner of Calafate’, Rincon del Calafate reflects the soul and traditions of the Patagonian gateway town. The alpine-style architecture, typical of the region, and stone fireplaces create a wonderfully cosy environment to come into after a day out amongst the region’s icy glaciers. Its 48 rooms are furnished in simple wood décor, creating a rustic feel that’s charming and inviting.
Chalten Suites, El Chalten
The wonderfully cosy Chaltén Suites has only 14 rooms providing a very relaxing atmosphere in the touristy gateway town of El Chaltén. The rooms are elegantly furnished with rustic-style wooden furniture and earthy tones creating a cosy atmosphere, perfect for some rest and relaxation after a day’s hiking and excursions. The hotel also has a graceful lounge and dining area with homemade cooking and views of Fitz Roy on a clear day. Free, onsite parking is also available.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Torres del Paine National Park Conservation
Our wildlife and puma tracking tour uses guides trained by the Rewilding Chile Foundation, a legacy of the highly respected Tompkins Conservation organisation. As well as providing an income to local conservationists and bringing awareness to incredible work that has been done - and has yet to be done - in Torres del Paine National Park and wider Patagonia, part of the proceeds of our tour also goes towards supporting the nonprofit.
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| BA 0251 | London Heathrow (LHR) 22:15 | Santiago De Chile (SCL) 09:50 |
| BA 4252 | Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) 14:20 | Madrid Airport (MAD) 05:55 |
| BA 7060 | Madrid Airport (MAD) 07:40 | London Heathrow (LHR) 09:15 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Argentina or Chile.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
NB. Please note that as of January 2016 US policy (subject to change) has stated that anyone wishing to travel to or via the USA must have a biometric passport. In addition, anyone who has travelled to several countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Cuba, Yemen or Somalia since March 2011, is required to apply for a US visa (rather than just an ESTA). If you are affected by this, the process is fairly straightforward and you can read more about it here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/us-visa .
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Argentina or Chile.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
NORTHERN DESERTS & CANYONS
Check out our Northern Deserts & Canyons itinerary which connects perfectly with the dates of our Southern Patagonian Peaks tour, giving you the chance to also explore the otherworldly desert landscapes found in the north of Argentina & Chile. Allow 14 days.
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
The sub-Antarctic cold of the Patagonian Sea in the south makes much of Patagonia inaccessible for most of the year. The region’s peak travel season is during the southern hemisphere’s summer (December – March), when temperatures are more bearable (in the teens to 20s), though nights will still be chilly. Strong westerly winds are common, and clouds can often form over this mountainous region. Temperatures in the capitals during the summer months will be in the high-20s to low-30s during this time, with high humidity in Buenos Aires. Due to changing weather patterns across the world, the Patagonian season has been able to be extended, with the shoulder season months of Oct-Nov and Mar-Apr becoming more accessible. These months also offer slightly cooler temperatures in the capitals.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious, but not all Wild Frontiers tours are the same, and it is important that you choose a tour which is suitable for you. To help you decide and ensure you choose a suitable tour, please refer to our helpful guide here. As a minimum, you should make sure that you read the day-by-day itinerary and the Key Aspects to Consider sections carefully. Should you still have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour, then please contact us.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Though most of this itinerary will be accessible to most people, please note that the hike to Laguna de los Tres on day 10 is fairly challenging and will require a high level of fitness. The hike - considered El Chalten's most popular for good reason - takes around 8-10hrs with regular stops, including for lunch. For anyone that would like to join the tour but that does not wish to do this hike, there is the option to spend the day instead in the charming town of El Chalten or at the hotel. The hike on day 11 is shorter and easier which anyone in a reasonable state of health should be able to enjoy.
For this tour, you will benefit from dedicated destination hosts in both Santiago and Buenos Aires, and your main tour leader will meet you in Patagonia.
*Please note that domestic flights in Argentina and Chile are often subject to schedule changes and it may sometimes be necessary to amend the itinerary in accordance with such changes, though every effort will be made to keep to itinerary alterations to a minimum.
RECCE TOURS
As we all know, the world is a constantly changing place - destinations & routes that were once cutting-edge now regularly find themselves appearing in mainstream brochures. Coming up with truly original tour ideas is a constant challenge but at Wild Frontiers we are committed to offering you a real alternative to the mainstream and each year we run a handful of new and original adventures. These are our so-called Recce Tours and since the very beginning have proven incredibly popular with those of you who like to act as our “guinea pigs” and join us on these tours. Fantastic fun and highly rewarding, Recce Tours will assuredly not go 100% to plan and it is not uncommon for clients to take an active role in tweaking the itineraries along the way. More challenging than our normal tours, these will often require a greater degree of flexibility...they will not be for everyone.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip. On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 14478 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.