The Wonderful Wildlife of Argentina and Chile

Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. Afternoon guided tour of the city. The tour will include visits to the blue-collar neighborhood of La Boca where tango originated, San Telmo where the city was first founded, the Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Recoleta with its French architecture and 19th century cemetery where Eva Peron is buried.

Transfer to the airport and fly to Trelew. Met on arrival and transfer to the Valdes Peninsula. Designated a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO and a Natural Protected Area of Argentina, the wild 1,545 square mile peninsula protrudes 62 miles eastwards in to the South Atlantic. Afternoon excursion to visit the calving site of the enormous southern elephant seal.

Full day exploration of the Valdes Peninsula. The activities will depend upon the season but could include visiting the huge colonies of nesting Magellanic penguins, haul-out sites of southern sea lions and boat trips to see southern right whales or hunting orcas. There are also herds of guanacos and many seabirds to see.

Transfer to Trelew and fly to El Calafate. The rest of the day is at leisure

Full day exploring the magnificent 18-mile long Perito Moreno glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. The excursion will begin with informative walks around the side of glacier and later an exhilarating mini ice trek on the glacier itself. There will also be a boat trip along the huge wall of the glacier that gives a chance to see massive blocks of ice break off with a loud crack and crash into the lake to form icebergs.

Transfer across the border into Chile and to Torres del Paine National Park. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Full day of guided activities in Torres del Paine National Park, considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Activities can include treks up to the massive “three paines” peaks themselves; walking through the scenic Patagonian steppe; mountain biking excursions and wildlife spotting including a chance to spy a puma. Herds of guanaco, chilla and Andean foxes, Patagonian skunk, Darwin’s rhea and Andean condor are some of the species that could also be seen.

Another full day of activities in the National Park. NB: If interested, request a specialist puma tracker to assist in spotting one of the elusive cats – Torres del Paine is one of the few locations in the Americas where puma are seen regularly, and some of the cats are now quite habituated to humans.

Transfer to Punta Arenas and fly to Puerto Montt, the capital of Chile’s beautiful Lake District. Met and transfer to Puerto Varas passing stunning landscapes including the Calbuco Volcano en route. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Full day exploration of Chiloé Island, the largest in the Chilean archipelago. The ferry ride across to the island often produces sightings of Peale’s dolphins and South American sea lions. There will be the chance to see local towns, traditional wooden churches and stilt houses and learn about the past and present life of the islanders. A boat trip to the Punihil islands will offer a chance to see a mixed colony of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins and maybe marine otters too. Return to Puerto Varas in the evening.

Transfer by road and boat back into to Argentina, arriving at Bariloche in the afternoon.

Full day of excursions including a cable car ride up to Cerro Campanario for a 360-degree view of the lakes and mountains. Later, enjoy a trip along the fascinating Circuito Chico to include Moreno lake, San Eduardo Chapel, Puerto Pañuelo, Llao Llao Hotel and Playa Bonita beach.

A day at leisure for optional activities, or perhaps explore the town and surrounds independently.

Transfer to the airport and fly to Buenos Aires. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. In the evening enjoy a farewell traditional Argentine dinner and tango show.

Transfer to the airport and catch your international flight home.