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Discover some of the incredible highlights of Patagonia on this 9 day adventure, from Santiago de Chile, to El Calafate, Argentina.
Experience some of South America's finest national parks including Torres Del Paine National Park, famous for its granite pillars, lakes and mountains offers outstanding vistas, wildlife and hikes. Choose from a horseback ride guided by a traditional gaucho through the Patagonian landscape, hike to the stunning Las Torres Base, a field day to a typical Patagonian Estancia to enjoy an authentic lamb roast, mountain biking to the shore of Balmaceda Lake or a walk to witness cave paintings of the Aonikenk (Tehuelche) culture.
Travel to Los Glaciares National Park, where we listen and watch ice calving from Perito Moreno Glacier and take a boat to get up close. This is a trip of overwhelming natural beauty!
This itinerary is also offered in reverse - Signature Patagonia - El Calafate to Santiago, and combines brilliantly with an expedition cruise to Antarctica!
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Itineraries
Day 1
Santiago
Arrival transfer in Santiago. This service includes a driver and local English speaking guide who will provide you with any useful information needed for your stay.
Santiago, Chile’s capital and largest city, lies in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range. Founded in 1541, Santiago has been Chile’s capital since colonial times. It is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city and although it features many colonial buildings, it has grown into a modern metropolis and the cultural centre of the country.
Overnight in Santiago.
Day 2
Santiago City tour
Spend your morning getting to know Santiago on a half-day city tour. You will visit the highlights this cosmopolitan city has to offer. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the local area where your hotel is located. Barrio Lastarria is an upmarket, vibrant, and safe neighbourhood, home to some of Santiago’s best cafes, bars and restaurants with lots of boutique retail stores.
Overnight in Santiago.
Day 3
Fly from Santiago to Patagonia - Torres del Paine
You will be collected from your hotel and transferred by private transfer to Santiago airport to meet your flight to Patagonia. *either Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales
On arrival, you will be collected to begin your journey into one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine national parks, Torres del Paine, where you will spend the next four nights in an all-inclusive lodge of your choice. The transfer time will take approximately 5 hours and you will be offered incredible views of the Patagonian landscape as you watch estancias, lakes and snow-capped mountains pass you by. On arrival at your lodge, check in and the late afternoon and evening is free for you to organise the following day’s excursions.
Day 4
Torres Del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, famous for its spectacular scenery, fauna and adventure activities. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978, Torres del Paine is considered to be one of the most magnificent, untouched places on Earth.
Choose from one of the many activities included in your lodge stay. Activities on offer include hiking one of the many world-class trails or to Las Torres base viewpoint, horseback riding, taking a cruise on a lake to view the Grey glacier, or a cultural visit to an estancia and learn about the gaucho culture that is unique to Patagonia. Please note additional charges may apply for some activities depending on certain lodge inclusions.
Day 5
Torres Del Paine National Park
The excitement continues today, wake up and enjoy breakfast at your lodge, before you head out on another hand selected excursion within the incredible Torres del Paine National Park. Whatever you didn't have the opportunity to do yesterday is ready and waiting for you to explore today.
Day 6
Torres Del Paine National Park
Make the most of your final full day here in the beautiful Torres del Paine National Park by partaking in another full or half day excursion with one of the lodges experienced guides. There truly is something for everyone, catering for all activity levels so be sure to make the most of your last day. Enjoy dinner and your surrounds one last night before preparing yourself for tomorrows departure
Sample day:
This morning start your journey to the park’s most spectacular waterfall and an astonishing viewpoint. The adventure starts with a 45-minute drive to Pudeto in the heart of the park’s lake district. The trail leads us through a portion of the park impacted by the great forest fire of 2011- 12. Between the remains of the fire-ravaged trees, new life is already sprouting from the rich Patagonian soul. The path continues to Sendero Mirador Cuernos. Possibly the Park’s most spectacular viewpoint, the panorama features the “Los Cuernos” (Horns), Mount Paine Grande and the French Valley and Glacier rising straight up from the other side of Nordenskjöld Lake: a brethtaking spectacle of rock and water. From this point we continue the trail to Salto Grande, a raging aquamarine cascade that channels water between lakes Nordenskjöld and Pehoé. The roundtrip hike from car park to viewpoint takes about two hours.
Given the open terrain, high winds are possible during this trek. Those who don’t want to undertake the complete hike can opt for a shorter version that features just the brief hike to Salto Grande waterfall (about 30min round trip). Enjoy lunch back at the lodge and get refreshed for your afternoon exploration.
This afternoon, you may choose to go for a leisurely trail ride to the famous Lake, ‘Lago Nordenskjold’, at the base of the Paine Massic named after a famous Swedish-Finnish explorer who dedicated himself to the study of Antarctica, Greenland, Chile and Peru. Leaving from Pesebrera, your excursion follows the famous W Trail, passing the northern shores of the lake and Mount Almirante Nieto. Cross various rivers and forests, having the opportunity to appreciate various viewpoints and Patagonian flora. In addition, you will have the opportunity meet the baqueanos and live a unique and authentic experience in Patagonia.
Day 7
Torres Del Paine National Park - El Calafate
Today you say bid farewell to the Chilean Patagonia and say hello to the Argentinian Patagonia. A shared transfer van will help with immigration formalities when crossing from Chile and into Argentina and deliver you safely to El Calafate, Argentina. Travel by road from Torres Del Paine to El Calafate in Argentina (approx. 6 hours).
El Calafate flanks the southern shore of Lago Argentino in the southwest part of Argentina’s Santa Cruz Province. The town is near the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and one of the gateways to World Heritage Listed Parque Nacional Los Glaciers. The name El Calafate is derived from the calafate plant common in Patagonia. The town’s main street, Avenida del Libertador General San Martín, is lined with restaurants, cafes, chocolate shops and souvenir shops.
Overnight in El Calafate.
Day 8
Perito Moreno Glacier
This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred via the beautiful Patagonian and into Los Glaciers National Park, home to the world-famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Join a boat cruise on the lake where you will get up close to Mayo, Negro and Perito Moreno Glaciers and bear witness to the 74-meter-high glacier calving right in front of your eyes. Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the only glaciers left in the world that continues to advance forward. On return to El Calafate, enjoy the rest of the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere in this beautiful village. Note entrance fee and lunch are included.
Day 9
El Calafate
Today you will transfer to El Calafate airport for your onward arrangements.
Perhaps fly to Ushuaia, and take a expedition cruise to Antarctica, or head but to Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls?
- 9 days guided touring across Patagonia from Santiago, Chile to El Calafate, Argentina (or reverse option available)
- Accommodation in comfortable superior hotels and lodges
- Breakfast daily, Lunch on Perito Moreno tour
- All meals while at Torres del Paine accomodation
- Open bar, except premium beer, wine, and spirits in Torres del Paine
- Internal flight as part of this itinerary*
- Sightseeing on a shared basis as outlined in the tour itinerary with English speaking guides
- All transfers
- Entry fees to Torres del Paine National Park
Important Notes:
International flights, visas/reciprocity fees, travel insurance and gratuities are not included. Tour can be offered in reverse itinerary order on request.
- Travel Insurance – your North Travel consultant can provide you with a quote. Get a quote now.
- Tourism visa or transit visa if required
- Upgrades to Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class available and to be quote at the time of booking.
- Itinerary deviations (e.g. extensions or specific airline requests). This will be quoted by a North Travel consultant at the time of booking.
- Professional service fee's (if any)
Advertised prices are not guaranteed until confirmed at booking. Prices are dynamic and may be affected by foreign exchange, airline, cruise, tour and supplier changes beyond North Travel’s control.
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