Splendours of Patagonia

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Buenos Aires.

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the next 2 nights. The rest of the day is at leisure. Buenos Aires is commonly known as the “Paris of South America”, owing to its classical architecture, plazas, fountains and wide boulevards.

With your private guide explore the city's highlights. In the heart of downtown you will visit the historic Plaza de Mayo which is surrounded by the Government House, also referred to as the ‘Pink House’, the Cabildo and cathedral. San Telmo neighbourhood, with its cobbled streets and colonial houses is one of the oldest in the city and famous for tango dancing. Continue to La Boca, the colourful port area, with its famous and well photographed street, Caminito. The final stop is Recoleta Cemetery where you have the opportunity to visit the final resting place of Eva Peron.

Today depart the capital and fly to the Argentine Lake District. There are some twenty lakes on the Argentine side of the Andes, the largest being Lake Nahuel Huapi on the shores of which sits the pretty town of Bariloche. The town has an almost alpine flavour with Swiss chalet style wooden buildings and is a great base to explore the surrounding national parks. Bariloche will be your base for the next 2 nights.

Explore the spectacular scenery around the Lake District today. Take in panoramic views of lakes Moreno and Nahuel Huapi as well as mountains Lopez and Capilla. A 17km drive from Bariloche, you will find Mount Campanario, where you can take a chairlift and enjoy the incredible views of the surrounding forests, lakes and mountains.

Cross the border from Argentina into Chile on one of the most spectacular journeys by road and boat. Take in the magnificent Andean landscape, with its verdant forests and snowy peaks, set sail across the Frías Lake, with its quiet and unspoilt waters, deep turquoise in colour. Stop en route at the Petrohué waterfalls where whimsical shapes of volcanic rock, bathed by green waterfalls make up a stunning landscape. Spend the next 2 nights in the small town of Puerto Varas overlooking Lake Llanquihue and sat in the shadow of the Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes. This charming German-influenced town is the ideal base for exploring the area.

One of the most beautiful regions in the country the Lake District boasts snow-capped volcanoes, pristine lakes, waterfalls and virgin forests. Explore the majestic Osorno Volcano today. Ascend the volcano for spectacular panoramic views.

Depart the Lake District to perhaps what could be considered as the highlight of Patagonia – the Torres del Paine National Park. Fly to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales (flight schedule dependent) and transfer by road to the park. Spend the next 3 nights here and choose from a variety of daily excursions to explore this world renowned national park.

With a dramatic landscape of mountain peaks, roaring rivers, sparkling blue lakes and rich emerald forests; the views here are breath taking. Visitors never fail to be impressed by their first glimpse of the “Los Cuernos” or the “Horns” – three granite pillars soaring more than 2000m above the Patagonian Steppe. These days are at leisure to explore the area on foot, on horseback, by vehicle or take scenic boat trips.

Travel by road and cross the border into Argentina. Arrive in the afternoon to El Calafate, in the heart of Patagonia. The Patagonia region of Argentina offers spectacular wild and majestic scenery in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glaciers National Park) - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. This is a land of colossal mountain ranges crowned in snow and pristine glaciers descending into turquoise lakes.

Visit the Los Glaciares National Park and most importantly, the El Perito Moreno Glacier. A huge river of ice 30km long and 5km wide, descends from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field to Lago Argentino. As it advances, the ice cracks and produces thunderous roars that reverberate from deep within the glacier, producing a hugely impressive show. Walking along the paths in front of its western wall allows you to admire this natural wonder from different viewpoints and take the boat trip to enjoy views of the glacier wall from lake level.

Fly to Buenos Aires today for your final night, please enquire if you would like to see a tango show and enjoy a traditional steak dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.