Patagonian Journey: From Buenos Aires to Ushuaia through the Andes
Fourteen days crossing Argentine-Chilean Patagonia: Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Puerto Varas, Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno Glacier and the end of the world in Ushuaia.
Description
Patagonia is a land of superlatives: mountains that scrape the sky, glaciers calving into turquoise lakes, endless wind-swept steppes and the constant feeling of standing at the edge of the world. This 14-day itinerary begins in Buenos Aires, with its palpable tango soul in San Telmo and the colors of La Boca. From there you fly to Bariloche, in the heart of Argentina's lake district, where snow-capped mountains reflect in crystal-clear waters. The journey crosses into Chile via the Cardenal Samoré Pass to Puerto Varas, facing Osorno Volcano, the lake gateway to Chilean Patagonia. Farther south, Torres del Paine unfolds the W trek among granite towers, glaciers and guanaco-studded pampas. Back in Argentina, El Calafate offers the thunder of Perito Moreno Glacier breaking apart into shards of blue ice. And Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego, closes the trip with the end-of-the-world sign and a landscape of Fuegian channels that feels like the last corner of the planet before Antarctica.
Health & safety
- Extreme wind in Patagonia: sunscreen even when cloudy
- Glacier water is drinkable on treks, but bring a filter as a precaution
- Medical insurance with mountain rescue coverage for Torres del Paine
Day-by-day itinerary
Buenos Aires: San Telmo and La Boca
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires: San Telmo and La Boca
Arrival in Buenos Aires. San Telmo, La Boca and a first taste of porteño culture.
San Telmo and the antiques market
Culture2hCaminito in La Boca
Culture1hFlight to Bariloche
Bariloche
Flight to Bariloche
Flight to Patagonia. Arrival in Bariloche, heart of the Lake District.
Circuito Chico by bike
Sports4hPatagonian trout dinner
gastronomy1hLake District: Bariloche
Bariloche
Lake District: Bariloche
A day in the lake district: boat trip on Lake Nahuel Huapi and the Arrayanes Forest.
Boat trip to the Arrayanes Forest
Nature5hCrossing the Andes to Chile
Puerto Varas
Crossing the Andes to Chile
Cross-border lake journey from Bariloche to Puerto Varas through the Andean lakes.
Andean lake crossing
Nature8hStroll facing Osorno Volcano
Nature1hPuerto Varas and the Petrohué Falls
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas and the Petrohué Falls
Excursion to the Petrohué Falls and ascent of Osorno Volcano.
Petrohué Falls
Nature2hKayaking on Lake Todos los Santos
Sports3hTransfer to Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine
Transfer to Torres del Paine
Flight to Punta Arenas and transfer to Torres del Paine National Park.
Scenic transfer through Chilean Patagonia
Nature5hTorres del Paine: Refugio Gray
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine: Refugio Gray
First day of the W trek: hike to Grey Glacier.
Trek to Grey Glacier
Sports6hTorres del Paine: French Valley
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine: French Valley
Second day of the W: the French Valley, a lookout between the Cuernos del Paine.
Ascent to the French Valley
Sports7hTorres del Paine: Base of the Towers
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine: Base of the Towers
Last day of the W: ascent to the Base of the Towers lookout. The three granite towers at sunrise.
Base of the Towers Trek
Sports8hEl Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate
El Calafate: Perito Moreno Glacier
Transfer to El Calafate, Argentina. Visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Perito Moreno Glacier Boardwalks
Nature4hEl Calafate: Glacier Trekking
El Calafate
El Calafate: Glacier Trekking
Mini-trek on the glacier with crampons among blue crevasses.
Perito Moreno Ice Trek
Sports4hFlight to Ushuaia
Ushuaia
Flight to Ushuaia
Flight to the end of the continent. Arrival in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.
Beagle Channel Cruise
Nature4hFuegian King Crab Dinner
gastronomy1hTierra del Fuego National Park
Ushuaia
Tierra del Fuego National Park
Trek through Tierra del Fuego National Park: lenga forests, peat bogs, and the end of Route 3.
Coastal Trail to Lapataia Bay
Nature4hEnd of the World Train
Culture2hFarewell to the End of the World
Ushuaia
Farewell to the End of the World
A last stroll around the harbor. Return flight from Ushuaia.
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