Patagonia Encompassed

Welcome to Santiago. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to our hotel. There's time to relax before we embark on a walking tour of Chile's capital. We enjoy panoramic views over the city from Cerro Santa Lucia park and from the summit of San Cristobal, which we reach by cable car. Other highlights include the Plaza de Armas, Lastarria and the famous fish market. We end our tour in Bellavista, an Italian quarter of narrow streets where we can enjoy a cold beer at one of the cafes.

Today is free for you to independently explore Santiago at your own pace or join an optional excursion to Valparaiso, which is a lively seaport built on a series of hills, overlooking the seaside resort of Vina del Mar. In Chile’s second city you can explore the steep, winding streets and see the brightly coloured colonial homes or take a ride in one of the wooden funiculars to one of the cliff-top communities.

Time permitting you may wish to visit one of the local vineyards situated just outside of Santiago to learn about the process of making wine and sample some Chilean favourites.

Santiago - Temuco - Pucon. This morning we take an hour flight down to Temuco followed by a short drive to Pucon - leisure capital of the lake district. Overlooked by the magnificent peak of Villarrica Volcano, Pucon is a popular summer resort on the banks of Lake Villarrica. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Consider hiring a bike and heading into the countryside, where there are waterfalls, volcanic lakes and natural thermal springs. Alternatively, if you are feeling particularly adventurous, there's the opportunity to go river rafting through pristine glacial waters, with the magnificent volcano as your backdrop.

Spend the day at leisure in Pucon or choose from three exciting optional excursions. There's an optional full day visit to Huerquehue National Park, hiking through the picturesque araucaria forests, known for their native monkey puzzle trees and beautiful lakes. Alternatively, you can opt for a daring ascent to the icy summit of Villarrica volcano. This demanding trek demands a high level of physical fitness. The rigorous 1,400-meter climb takes 5-6 hours, trekking over snowy and icy terrain. The third optional excursion is a 4-hour horseback ride into Mapuche countryside, originally settled by Mapuche Indians, along the shores of the vibrant green Curilafquen Lagoon. You can even take a dip in the chilly waters if you dare!

Pucon - Puerto Varas. This morning we take a 4-hour bus journey to Puerto Varas. This pretty town is nestled along the shore of Lake Llanquihue, one of South America's largest natural lakes, in the heart of the picturesque lake district. Sitting in the shadows of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, Puerto Varas has a distinct Bavarian feel, stemming from its colonisation by German immigrants. In the afternoon, we visit the crystalline cascade of Petrohue Falls.

We enjoy a full day excursion to Chiloe today. This remarkable island evolved separately from the mainland, boasting its own unique history, architecture, and mythology. Approximately half of its population engages in traditional agriculture, employing age-old techniques that have existed for centuries. Along the island's unpaved roads, we encounter distinctive ox-driven carts, passing by unique wood-shingled churches and there are also fishing port where we savour fresh oysters.

November-March we can take a boat trip to spot Magellanic and Humboldt penguins. The excursion ends with a visit to a chilote family, where the traditional curanto is prepared for us; it’s a hearty dish of seafood, meat, potatoes and vegetables, all piled high in a hole in the ground, buried and cooked among glowing embers.

Puerto Varas - Punta Arenas. This morning we take a short drive to Puerto Montt, followed by a two-hour flights to Punta Arenas. On a clear day we can enjoy incredible views of the southern icecap, its fjords, volcanoes and glaciers. As we reach the city, we see the earthy brown Patagonian steppes punctuated by petite lagoons, stretching towards the majestic Straits of Magellan. On the opposite side of these waters, the mountains of the windswept Tierra del Fuego island rise.

We spend the night at Punta Arenas, once a significant British-influenced trading hub.

Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales. This morning we explore the historic city or if the weather is nice we head out onto the water for boat trip out to Magdelena Island to see the island's large colony of Magellanic penguins or enjoy a kayaking adventure through the natural beauty of Agua Fresca Bay.

In the afternoon, our journey continues by bus to Puerto Natales, a small town situated on the picturesque shores of Last Hope Sound. Puerto Natales serves as an ideal place for exploration, especially into the nearby wonders of Torres del Paine National Park.

Over the next two days we explore the wonders of Torres del Paine National Park by private vehicle and on foot. Leaving early in the morning and returning to the comfort of Puerto Natales by evening. Whilst exploring the park we will take in the best breath-taking viewpoints, including Lago Nordenskjold and Salto Grande. The scenery is nothing short of overwhelming, with the majestic granite massif of the Cuernos, serene milky lakes adorned with icebergs, soaring above, condors riding against perpetual fierce winds.

There are a number of walking trails alongside glacial lakes and rivers, providing incredible views of the dramatic rock towers and needles soaring 3,000 meters into the tumultuous sky. The most famous hike is the 'base of the towers' hike, and this is also the most demanding, lasting at least 8 hours.

Puerto Natales - El Calafate (Argentina). This morning a coach journey takes us across the Patagonian steppe and into Argentina. As we pass through the beautiful landscape, we pass guanacos, nandus (similar to ostriches), flamingos and see the translucent Lago Argentino, the largest lake in the country. Our next destination is El Calafate located alongside the shores, it is a small town that's experiencing rapid growth. The town is bustling with hotels, cafés, tour agencies, delicatessens, sweet shops, and wandering travellers.

This morning we make our way to explore Perito Moreno Glacier, recognised as one of the world's most dynamically changing glaciers. We have a short stop in a town that serves as a pivotal stop for those visiting the Glacier point, then we start our 2.5 hour guided tour. Our tour takes us alongside the lake before ascending into a wooded valley enveloped in beech and birch trees. Our journey continues alongside glistening lagoons adorned with vibrant crimson and heather-hued lichens. Gazing at the glacier's towering 60m cliff-edge, spanning an extraordinary 5km width, it's an awe-inspiring spectacle. You may hear the unforgettable sound of the glacier calving a vast wedge of ice the size of a tower block and sending it smashing it down into the lake, where it divides and floats away as an iceberg.

If adventure calls, take an optional 1-2 hour mini-trek on the glacier with a local guide. Walking out on the ice is an extraordinary experience; atop this immense ice sheet you feel exposed to the elements, and you can explore the craggy, desolate landscape, peering into crevasses and deep water pools, squinting against the incredible blue of the ice.

El Calafate - El Chalten. This morning we travel by road through uninhabited wilderness to El Chalten. Here, we spend the next two days. This small town boasts an idyllic lcoation, encircled by the awe-inspiring, rugged peaks of the Fitzroy range within Los Glaciares National Park. Established in 1985 to preempt Chilean territorial claims and promote settlement, El Chalten has rapidly flourished into a hub for summer climbing, trekking, and winter cross-country skiing. We take in the beauty of this exceptionally scenic region by walking its trails within the national park with our local guide.

We include guided walks, however these are optional and some are demanding due to their steepness, length and uneven terrain. Again the tour leader and local guides are on hand to best advise on suitable options and you can do as little or as much as you desire.

An early morning road journey takes us back to El Calafate for our flight to Ushuaia. Known as the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, sits at the foot of a hand of jagged peaks. Although isolated, it once housed a penal colony in the early 20th century and transformed into a quiet town in the late 1970s. The beautiful town has chalet-style homes, contemporary high-tech factories, shopping complexes, and duty-free outlets.

Today brings an incredible opportunity to explore Tierra del Fuego National Park with its lush deciduous beech forests cascading down towards vivid lakes, and fjords teeming with waterfowl and beavers. We stroll along winding hillside trails, unveiling the views of the Beagle Channel. Our local guides have their own nature trails to ensure we see and learn as much we can about the flora and faunas of the area.

Ushuaia - Buenos Aires. Today we fly to the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. A beautiful cosmopolitan city known for its fascinating districts and being the birthplace of the Tango and Diego Maradona. We spend the next three nights in this lively city, with ample time to explore and enjoy evenings sampling the tasty world-renowned steaks and delicious wine, or enjoying a tango show.

On day 18 enjoy a guided tour of the capital, visiting the city's renowned landmarks. Starting our tour in the historical hub where government buildings and churches blend harmoniously with stylish shopping districts, resonating a Parisian charm. We explore the iconic La Boca neighbourhood with its cobblestone streets and vibrant painted houses and experience the bohemian essence of San Telmo. Slightly further out of town we also visit the Recoleta district which is home to the cemetery where Evita is laid to rest

Day 19 is free to spend at leisure exploring more of this beautiful city or escape the urban hustle and bustle, travel by motor catamaran across the River Plate border to Colonia in Uruguay. Here you can wander through cobblestone lanes, admire colonial houses from the top of the lighthouse.

Today marks the end of your incredible adventure. After breakfast and hotel check out you will be transferred to the airport in Buenos Aires for your onward departure journey.