Overview

This trip is ideal for those interested in experiencing stunning landscapes, outdoor adventure and the culture of Northern and Southern Patagonia. The journey begins in the vibrant and cosmopolitan Capital city of Buenos Aires, it continues in Bariloche, gateway of the lake district where you will stay at the most exclusive resort in Argentine Patagonia with spectacular views of forests, lakes and the Andes Mountains. Then you will fly south to El Calafate, base to explore “Los Glaciares National Park”. You will hike on the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier, sail close to majestic glaciers, visit an authentic ranch in Patagonia and enjoy a trek through one of the most beautiful canyons in the area. You will also discover the best of restaurants which specialize in preparing fresh, local ingredients to the highest of standards. In short, an unforgettable trip that includes the best of Argentine Patagonia.

This is a flexible itinerary: hotels and outdoor adventures can be adjusted accordingly to suit your preferences.

Memorable Moments

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 – Buenos Aires – Welcome to Argentina! Introductory Walking Tour
Day 2 – Buenos Aires – Full Day Comprehensive Tour of Buenos Aires
Day 3 – Bariloche – Introductory Tour of Nahuel Huapi National Park
Day 4 – Bariloche – Villa La Angostura, Traful and Northern Lake District
Day 5 – Bariloche - Navigation in private yacht and Victoria Island Tour
Day 6 – Bariloche – Rafting the Manso River
Day 7 – El Calafate – Fly from Bariloche to El Calafate
Day 8 – El Calafate – Ice Trek on Perito Moreno Glacier
Day 9 – El Calafate – Uspala Glacier & Estancia Cristina
Day 10 – El Calafate – Departure

FAQ

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Full Itinerary

Upon arrival, your bilingual guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After settling in to your accommodations, head out on your first walking tour of the city and explore the aristocratic neighborhood of Recoleta home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza Francia, the Alvear Avenue and best shops in the city.

Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel

Start off your day exploring major attractions of Buenos Aires, where an exciting tour of Buenos Aires awaits! This full day-tour will give you an in-depth view of the highlights of Buenos Aires. With a knowledgeable and engaging guide, you will visit the most important attractions: Colonial streets and traditional cafes, historic districts, colorfully painted tin houses, modern glass towers and large avenues, belle époque palaces as well as its most beautiful parks. In the evening, enjoy a fun Tango lesson followed by a delicious dinner and tango show.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Four Seasons Hotel

This morning, your bilingual guide and a separate driver will take you to the airport for your direct flight to Bariloche. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a bilingual guide and you will be transferred to your hotel. After check in, enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch paired with Argentinean Malbec Wines in a secluded bay. Together with an expert guide, explore and learn about flora, fauna & history of Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Meals: Dinner.
Accommodations: Llao Llao Resort, Golf & Spa

Today you will leave Bariloche behind to explore the impressive northern area of the Nahuel Huapi National Pak. You will visit the charming village of Villa La Angostura, Lakes Correntoso, Nahuel Huapi, Espejo & Traful village. We´ll do some easy soft hikes and before reaching the small village of Traful, we’ll taste a delightful and delicious picnic lunch by the lake in a privilege setting. In the afternoon, we´ll visit Traful Village and the Patagonian steppe with its different contrasts. In the last part of the journey we´ll follow the crystal clears water of Limay river completing this beautiful loop around Nahuel Huapi National Park northern area.

Meals: Dinner.
Accommodations: Llao Llao Resort, Golf & Spa

Embark a private Yacht for a great leisurely day navigating the pristine waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi exploring its Islands, secluded bays and impressive blue deep colors. Once in Victoria island, we will start a soft trek to enjoy stunning views. We will enjoy al fresco lunch in a special setting savoring Malbec wines. Following lunch, return to the yacht and discover isolated coastlines, hidden bays, waterfalls, and the blue deeps colors of Lake Nahuel Huapi, surrounded by the Andean mountain range. After disembarking, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodations: Llao Llao Resort, Golf & Spa

Experience a vibrant full day Rafting Experience in the Heart of the Andes. Paddle and explore Manso River Valley Class II/III (Manso Inferior). Discover pristine lakes, native forest and spectacular landscapes. Recommended for both adventure lovers, beginner or Families. Once we arrive to Puerto Manso, we change clothing and enjoy an exquisite lunch. A long table with assorted fresh meals: vegetables, cold meat, breads, dressings, juices and delicious local desserts.

Meals: Dinner.
Accommodations: Llao Llao Resort, Golf & Spa

Today we will transfer you to Bariloche airport to board your direct flight to El Calafate. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you and take you to your hotel. Afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional steakhouse known for its delicious meats and Patagonian lamb.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodations: Posada Los Alamos

Visit the famous Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of its most visited attracitons, the Perito Moreno glacier, one of the only glaciers in the world that is not receding. After a short boat ride across the bay, experience an ice-trekking excursion on the majestic Perito Moreno glacier crossing towering ice peaks, huge crevasses, turquoise blue creeks and icy lagoons with your specialized guide. In the afternoon, visit the spectacular paths and balconies facing the Perito Moreno Glacier for expansive and up-close views of the magnificent glacier. In the evening, relax in the pool or sauna of your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodations: Posada Los Alamos

Following breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Puerto Bandera where you will board the boat which takes you on a cruise towards Upsala Glacier, navigating through icebergs and breathtaking scenery until arriving at Estancia Cristina. Following a tour of the property, embark on a 4×4 excursion up the mountains through the forest. You will hike for 30 minutes to the peak of a hill for an incredible panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier. After a picnic lunch, begin your hike in descent from the top of the mountain, all the way to the estancia.
Late in the afternoon, return to your hotel.

Meals: Dinner.
Accommodations: Posada Los Alamos

Following check out, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires.

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Offers

FAQ

Buenos Aires can be enjoyed at any time of the year. The average annual temperature is 18 °C (64 °F). July is the coldest month, with lows of between 0 and 12 °C (32°F – 53 °F), and January is the hottest month, with average temperatures of 20°C and 30 °C (68°F – 86°F).

The best time to visit Patagonia is November to early March (summertime in the southern hemisphere). Naturally, this is also high season, so you’ll need to book well in advance to secure accommodation ( between 15 and 12 months in advance). Mid-November to mid-December tend to be less crowded, with spring flowers in bloom, while autumn, from mid-March to late-April offers a backdrop of spectacular autumn colors and wonderful sunsets. In the winter months the Perito Moreno Glacier and other parks are open all year round but during the winter day light is shorter and weather is more extreme and windy.

Yes, definitely. Buenos Aires’ cuisine is much more than beef and dulce and leche. There are options for every taste and culture, with vegan, halal, kosher, Armenian, Japanese, Thai, Indian and many more types of restaurants in a city. It can be a little bit tricky to eat 100% vegan outside the big cities but the population is rising awareness towards what being vegan means. Only a few years ago, it was hard to find vegetarian food in Argentina. However, with 7–10% of the population estimated to live meat-free lifestyles, vegetarians are a demographic that Argentine restaurants can no longer afford to ignore. After you sign up for a trip with us, you will receive several pre-trip mailings with specific information of each destination including a list of restaurants that will meet your dietary needs.

No. Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours and it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. But we would be happy to help you arrange flights. Just ask for an air quote when making your booking.

Yes. All airport transfers are included in this itinerary. Our professional bilingual drivers wait for our clients at the Arrivals Gate with a sign with their name on it. We use modern cars and SUVs with air conditioning and plenty of room for luggage. This is a professional, and safe service with licensed drivers, who are committed to your personal safety and comfort.

You are likely to have limited, if any, internet access or cell phone reception whilst out on treks and in certain towns in Patagonia. There is almost complete coverage in large towns and cities across Patagonia, but when travelling between cities, sailing lakes or hiking in national parks there is little to no signal, and cell phones are not recommended as a reliable form of communication. There are a lot of black spots due to the general topography of the land, and even a gust of wind can cause problems with signal.

Cafes, restaurants and hotels in towns and cities have Wi-Fi. More remote estancias and lodges may have limited signal, and even limited electricity. All hotels included in this itinerary have WIFI included in the rate of your room.

There are two different ice hike routes; both take a full day and include your transport to and from El Calafate. The ‘Mini Ice’ trek gives you 1h 40mins on the ice itself as part of a two-hour guided tour (age limit 10 – 65 years old*). The ‘Big Ice’ is aimed at more adventurous visitors and gives you 3h 30mins on the ice (age limit 18 – 50).

*Due to operational insurance issues, the age limit for doing the mini-ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier is 65 years old. If a passenger exceeds this age then an alternative excursion to the Glacier will be arranged.

Since temperatures can vary between 5 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the course of a single day, it’s crucial that travelers layer clothing. A waterproof jacket and good quality trekking boots are highly essential, as is sunscreen and a pair of quality sunglasses (the sun is extremely bright). . Prior to your trip, we will provide you with packing tips and suggestions and information regarding any baggage weight restrictions.

This itinerary is a low impact tour. This is a trip that is appropriate for travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).

Some days require walking or trekkiig for long periods of time during city tours and outdoor activities. Feel free to call our office for more clarification.

Trekking options offered by Estancia Cristina vary in duration and level of difficulty.

There is a full day trek that combines a 4×4 ride and a shorter hike to the Upsala Glacier. The difficulty of this excursion is low.

There is another full day Trek with a duration of 6 hours. Due to physical demands and challenging terrain, Estancia Cristina’s full day trek is only suitable for individuals who are in a good physical condition. This activity is not recommended for people with back, hip, ankle or knee problems. Once the trekking has started, the only way back to the estancia is on foot.

Contact us for further clarification.

Throughout all of our itineraries, we have built in options and free time where possible so that you can experience a place in a way that’s meaningful to you. If you are interested in exploring further, many of our expeditions offer pre- or post-trip extensions.

Currently, proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test is required to enter Chile and Argentina. Given the fluidity of the situation, updated entry requirements will be provided 30 days prior to travel.

No vaccinations are needed for this itinerary.

We strongly recommend that you check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/travel) or the World Health Organization (who.int/en) for the latest on required and recommended vaccines for your destination.

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