Buenos Aires, Bariloche & Puerto Montt Tour

This morning sees you landing in the outskirts of the mighty metropolis of Buenos Aires, the “Paris of Latin America” and one of the most unique and unforgettable cities on the globe. Drop off your bags at your luxurious and perfectly located hotel before stepping out onto the streets of this charming capital. Walk the gorgeous sidewalks of the Belgrano barrio (neighborhood), one of the most sophisticated in Buenos Aires. Or, tour the theaters of Tribunales, from Avenida Corrientes to the awesome and recently renovated Teatro Colon, Argentina’s premier opera house and one of the most acoustically perfect buildings on the planet. Enjoy dinner at any number of parillas (grills) that dot the city center. The beef is always perfectly prepared, the wine is always sumptuous, and the atmosphere is always charged with the bonhomie of life in unparalleled Buenos Aires.

After a full and hearty breakfast at your beautiful hotel, set out on a guided tour that will show you all of the highlights of this fantastic city. Learn about Argentina’s rich and turbulent political history at the Plaza de Mayo, which has been home to Argentina political protests and demonstrations for decades. Then, take in the splendid scene at the Casa del Gobierno, the executive mansion of the President of Argentina known simply as “The Pink House” for its emblematic rosy hue. Walk down the widest avenue in the world, the famous Avenida 9 de Julio, where you’ll find some of the city’s most famous buildings and monuments, from the astounding façade of the French embassy to the soaring obelisk reminiscent of the Washington Monument.

Your morning tour concludes in the lively and exciting barrio of La Boca, the long-time home of the Italian immigrants that gave Buenos Aires its one-of-a-kind flavor and flair. The area is now home to brightly colored buildings and some of the best hidden gems of Argentina cuisine. Visitors should try a slice of cheesecake from the local panaderia, or take in the street art that abounds in this district.

The afternoon is left to you to explore the rest of this phenomenal city. The cemetery in Recoleta is one of the finest in the world and houses the remains of Argentina’s political, social and cultural elite. The bustling districts of Palermo offer some of Buenos Aires’s best shopping.

This morning takes you north of Buenos Aires to the shores of the Parana Delta and the charming town of Tigre, the jumping off point for exploring the Delta and a quaint and gorgeous town in its own right. Tigre is situated on a series of small streams and rivers, this popular tourist destination is a feast for the eyes, from the rolling waterways to the verdant fields that abut them to the fascinating buildings built in the grand style of the Belle Epoque. The Tigre Club is particularly fine and houses the recently-opened Tigre Municipal Museum of Fine Art, as well as the main salon filled with Venetian mirrors, French chandeliers, and spectacular marble staircases. You can cruise the Delta with an experienced and friendly guide aboard gorgeous motorboats made of mahogany, or simply wander the waterfront taking in the various rowing and regatta clubs, all of which are phenomenal examples of Argentina architecture.

In the evening, return to the city to witness Argentina’s premier cultural experience: a tango show. From the immigrant neighborhoods of its birth to the dance floors of some of the most famous ballrooms, this dance epitomizes the spirit of Argentina like nothing else. Even if you’re not a fan of dance, you’ll be sure to enjoy the incomparable meal that comes with the show.

Board a flight that will take you across Argentina’s wide expanse to San Carlos de Bariloche, nestled in the Andean foothills and surrounded by the indescribable wonder of Nahuel Huapi National Park. There will be a car waiting for you to transfer you to your comfortable and elegant hotel, and then the rest of the day will be yours to explore. You might want to see the exhibits at the Museum of Patagonia, featuring stuffed wildlife and a fascinating exhibit detailing the culture of the indigenous population. Or take a cable car up to Cerro Otto where a revolving restaurant offers incomparable views over Bariloche and the spectacular scenery beyond.

Today features an exploration of this singular corner of the globe, a display of nature at its grandest and the incredible confluence of city and countryside. Your tour starts on Bustillo Avenue, running adjacent to the rich and varied wildlife of Nahuel Huapi Lake and ending at the aptly named Playa Bonita (Pretty Beach). Crest the ridge at Campanario Hill and then board a cable car to access the upper reaches of this stunning formation, giving you a splendid vista over the entire area, stretching past the long reaches of lakes and rushes to the craggy visages of the iconic Andes.

Following this awe-inspiring experience, take a drive to San Pedro and the Llao Llao Peninsula, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the world-famous Llao Llao Hotel, nestled serenely between Lake Moreno and the Nahuel Huapi Lakes. You’ll cross a magnificent bridge connecting these two spectacular reservoirs before heading to Bahia Lopez, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of Bariloche. Gaze over the wide expanse of Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno from the natural balcony at Panoramic Point.

Spend the rest of the afternoon however you see fit. You can hike around this remarkable region, kayak Gutierrez Lake, or simply relax and enjoy the picturesque surroundings of western Argentina.

Be sure to bring your passport with you as today takes you west from the shores of Nahuel Huapi deep into the Andes and past the Chilean-Argentina border. Travel by bus to Puerto Panuelo, where you’ll climb aboard the decks of El Condor Catamaran embarking on an astounding tour of the Blest Branch of Nahuel Huapi. You can have lunch at the pleasant and comfortable restaurant of the Blest Branch, featuring scrumptious food and sensational vistas of the lake.

Then it’s back to land, boarding a bus to Puerto Alegre along the Frias River before the Calueche or Dalca motorboat steers you across Frias Lake for your first glimpse of the breathtaking Tronador Hill, an extinct volcano climbing nearly 12,000 feet into the brilliant blue Patagonia sky. Clear customs at Puerto Frias and make your way into the rugged country of eastern Chile, where the fecund vegetation belies the climbing altitude and where the soaring Andes provide the perfect backdrop for the indescribable foreground of Chilean flora and fauna. Navigate the Vincente Perez Rosales Pass before reaching Chilean customs at Peulla. From here, it’s a quick ride to your hotel.

Your first day in Chile is dedicated to showing you all the high points of this unique and untrammeled countryside, filled with azure lakes and slate gray cliffs, the dazzling white of snow-capped peaks and the rich green of the Andean high plains. Step on to the shining decks and gleaming hull of the Lagos Andinos Catamaran and disembark on a memorable exploration of Chile’s scenic Lake Todos Los Santos, where you’ll catch views of the sharp point of Mount Puntiagudo and the impressive rise of Osorno, one of Chile’s most active volcanoes. The volcano's shape and structure are reminiscent of iconic Mount Fuji on the shores of Japan.

Arrive at the banks of the Petrohue River—one of the finest recreational fishing streams in the entire world—before setting off to glimpse the astounding Petrohue Waterfalls. Also, enjoy the phenomenal vista of Osorno and the volcanic massifs of the Andes beyond. Tonight is spent in the sensational town of Puerto Montt, fronted by the lakes of Chile and rooted in the foothills of Osorno, offering incomparable views of both of these stunning formations.

Today you return to Argentina and Bariloche, cruising through river lands and foothills, past high plains and sprawling lakes and the Argentine border. Make yourself comfortable at your luxurious accommodations before perambulating Bariloche’s charming streets, taking in the storefronts, restaurants, shops, galleries and government buildings. You might want to take the time to explore the myriad chocolate stores that dot the city, featuring delicate confections filled with local fruits and liqueur: La Abuela Goye, Bonifacio, Benroth and Tante Frida are some of the city’s best.

A delicious breakfast prepares you for a tour of Bariloche’s breathtaking lakes. Crisscross through the region on the decks of a sleek and modern ship, regaling at the scenery that fills the lake shore and climbs high into the stratosphere, filled with wildlife and greenery that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Alight at Victoria Island in the heart of Nahuel Huapi Lake, covered by trees that seem to graze the sky itself, giants sequoias and powerful oaks, cypresses and pines, all offering canopy for some of the most interesting wildlife in the world. The wildlife includes a colony of pudu (the planet’s smallest species of deer), wild boar and innumerable species of birds.

Then, venture into the ancient groves of Arrayanes trees in the stupendous Bosque de Arrayanes, one of only two forests of its kind in the world. You’ll be wowed by the spectacular trees (some of which are more than 600 years old) as well as the vibrant and varied display of wildlife. Look for the tiny and adorable monitos del monte—literally, “little bush monkeys”—and the spreading span of the wings of an Andean Condor.

After a morning meal in Bariloche, you’ll be transferred back to Buenos Aires, where you’ll return home after a week and a half of some of the most beautiful wildlife, fascinating sights and friendly people you’ve ever encountered. With all that these incredible countries have to offer, don’t be surprised if you spend the plane ride home planning your return voyage to the incomparable scenery of the Southern Cone.