Complete Patagonia: Buenos Aires, Peninsula Valdes, Ushuaia/Tierra del Fuego and Glaciers
A 12 day trip to Argentina
This Kontiki trip is the complete Patagonia experience. We start in Buenos Aires, then fly to Trelew for a visit to Valdes Peninsula and the Punta Tombo penguin rookery—one of the most fascinating places on the steppes of Patagonian. From Trelew, which began as a Welsh settlement in the 1860s, we fly to Ushuaia, America’s southern-most city, and Tierra del Fuego, with a cruise visit to the Beagle Channel, a strait separating the islands of the archipelago. Finally, we will travel to Calafate to visit Glaciers National Park, famous for the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Upsala/Onelli glaciers.
Photos
Details
Departures:
This tour includes international airfare from Miami (US) with flexible departure dates , on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via Miami; Kontiki will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin. There is no minimum or maximum group size for this trip.
Places Visited:
Buenos Aires, Trelew to visit Valdes Peninsula and the Punta Tombo penguin rookery, Ushuaia, and Tierra del Fuego, cruise to the Beagle Channel, and Calafate to visit Glaciers National Park.
Activities:
Architecture
Art & Music
Boating & Sailing
Cruise
Cultural Activities
Gourmet & Dining
Hiking & Trekking
History & Archaeology
Nightlife
Outdoor Adventure
Safari & Wildlife
Spectacular Scenery
Walking Tours
Price:
Price starting from $6083 USD per adult 3- star double occupancy and price starting from $7559 USD per adult single 3-star occupancy. 4-star and 5-star occupancy prices upon request. Prices include air transportation from Miami to Buenos Aires in economy class, domestic airfare, hotel accommodation including daily continental breakfast, city tours in English including all entrance fees, all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling, and meals where specified. Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote).
Detailed Description
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1
Take the overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Day 2
Buenos Aires
Arrive in Buenos Aires, and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, city tour of Buenos Aires, an impressive city that combines the atmosphere of an old European town with the features of a Latin American capital. In this tour, you will acquire a deep understanding of its characteristics, its history, its architecture, its culture and its best stories. We will visit the center of the city, San Telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero and Palermo, with stops in Plaza de Mayo, Caminito and La Recoleta.
Note: check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).
Day 3
Day of leisure in Buenos Aires
Evening tango show
At night, you will watch an unforgettable tango show performed by the best dancers and singers while enjoying a delicious meal at Esquina Carlos Gardel. This world-famous tango show shows the glamour of the 1930s in a romantic and intimate setting. This is the perfect way to leave Buenos Aires, the city of tango. Three-course dinner and Argentinean wine included.
Day 4
Trelew/Punta Tombo
Transfer for flight to the Trelew airport. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Transfer to Punta Tombo Rookery to admire a magnificent colony of Magellan penguins.
Day 5
Peninsula Valdés
Full-day tour to Península Valdés, passing by Ameghino Isthmus, located between the Nuevo and the San Jose gulfs. Visit Puerto Piramide, where there is a sea lion rookery. This is a great opportunity to take the optional boat excursion for an outstanding whale watch (available from October to November). We will continue to Punta Delgada for a view of its important colony of sea lions and Caleta Valdés, where sea elephants seem to have found their ideal natural habitat. Lunch included. Return to Puerto Madryn.
Day 6
Ushuaia
Transfer to airport to take the flight to Ushuaia. Upon arrival in Ushuaia, South America’s most southern city, transfer to your hotel.
Day 7
We will take a boat excursion on the Beagle Channel to see the Birds and Sea Wolves islands. Cruise the legendary waterways of the Beagle Channel in a classic vessel and admire the spectacular setting of Ushuaia harbor set against a mountain backdrop. Cruise past Isla de los Pajaros (Birds Island) and observe multiple species of birds including a large colony of cormorants. Get close to seals and sea lions as you cruise around Isla de los Lobos (Sea Wolves Island). Note: Embarkation tax of $2 per person must be paid locally.
Day 8
Tierra del Fuego National Park/Calafate
Departure to Tierra del Fuego National Park, located only 12 kilometers (7 miles) from the city. It preserves typical species of the Andean-Patagonic Forest, such as firebushes, beech trees, ñires, box-leafed barberries and flowers, spread in an area of 63,000 hectares. Before entering the National Park, board the Train to the End of the World and enjoy an unforgettable trip along the original embankment where the old prisoners’ train ran until 1947 for their expeditions into the National Park in search of wood for heating. The highlight of the park is Lapataia Bay, the southernmost tip of the continent, with a wonderful view of the Beagle Channel. Here, the old inhabitants of the area have left their testimony in the “concheros,” incredible archeological deposits. Afternoon transfer to the airport to take the flight to Calafate. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel.
Day 9
Perito Moreno
Overland trip to Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world’s largest active continental glaciers, declared Universal Mankind’s Heritage Site by UNESCO, because of its breathtaking beauty and unusual behavior. A boat excursion to the face of the glacier is included to get an up-close and personal perspective of this immense gift from Mother Nature.
Optional mini-trekking excursion for outdoor enthusiasts (additional $55 per person).
Day 10
Upsala/Onelli Glaciers
Departure from the hotel toward Puerto Bandera, 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the town, to board a catamaran to enjoy a full-day lake excursion to Upsala Glacier and Onelli Bay, cruising among hundreds of icebergs that have broken off the glaciers. Upsala is the largest continental glacier in the Southern Hemisphere. The height of its walls varies between 60 and 80 meters (196 to 262 feet) and it has an area of 595 square kilometers (229 square miles). Return to Calafate.
Day 11
Buenos Aires
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Buenos Aires, or optional excursion to the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Upon arrival, transfer to the international airport to connect with flight back home.
Day 12
Arrival.
