Patagonia is a feast for the senses, filled with radiant flora, vibrant glacial lakes, marvelous mountaintops, and majestic glaciers waiting to be explored. Traverse along the unforgettable region stretching across Chile and Argentina. Fields made of ice slide between hilltops and thunderously drop into lagoons. Icebergs drift across lake surfaces. Waterfalls roar with life and cascade down verdant cliffs. Penguins nest alongside pebbled shorelines and flamingos relax in the serene waters of a...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Santiago – Introduction to Chile's Capital
Santiago is at the heart of Chile, standing as the financial and cultural capital of the country. The majestic Andes Mountains border the edges of the city and tower over the financial sector skyline. The tall hill in the center of Santiago, known as San Cristobal Hill, has a marvelous lookout from which the entire city is visible. A funicular carries locals and visitors from the base of the mountain to the summit, bypassing the celebrated Chilean National Zoo and the famous gardens adorning the foothills. The city blends energy, sophistication, cosmopolitan cuisine, and local culture effortlessly.
Your private transfer greets you at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport and escorts you into the heart of the city to your luxurious hotel. A brief tour of the city center highlights the intricate art exhibitions on the bottom floor of the Centro Gabriela Mistral, the cultural and performing arts center named after the famous Chilean poet. Consider learning more about your tour experts for Patagonia, and see how they meticulously craft your itinerary so it pertains to your particular interests and desires for a memorable trip of a life. Vaults and cantilevers decorate the interior alongside vibrant murals. Small plazas add a European charm. You can settle into the wonders of Santiago with relative ease, introducing you to the unforgettable beauty to come.
What's Included:
Day 2
Punta Arenas – Glimpse of the South
Day 3
Puerto Natales – On the Shores with Penguins
Day 4
Ultima Esperanza Sound – Surprises in the Scenery
Day 5
Ultima Esperanza Sound – Along the Last Hope Sound
Day 6
Ultima Esperanza Sound – First Impression of Torres del Paine
Day 7
Torres del Paine – Off to the Lookout
Day 8
Torres del Paine – Notable Nordenskjold Lake
Day 9
Torres del Paine – Reaching the Peaks
Day 10
El Calafate – Traveling Without Borders
Day 11
El Calafate – National Reserve of Lake Roca
Day 12
El Calafate – Patagonia in Ice
Day 13
El Chaltén – Mountain Village
Day 14
El Chaltén – A Different Perspective of Patagonia
Day 15
El Chaltén – Beyond the Lookout
Day 16
El Chaltén – Desert Lake
Day 17
El Chaltén – Refreshing Alpine Return
Day 18
Buenos Aires – Return to Urban Life
Day 19 - 21
Buenos Aires – Passion and Grace
Day 22
Buenos Aires – Expedition Known
Trip Highlights
- Witness the splendor of the Paine Massif and the breathtaking granite peaks of the Towers of Paine
- Enjoy an unparalleled panorama of Fitz Roy Mountain behind the opulent waters of a glacial lake
- Venture along a secluded fjord to stroll with penguins at the Seno Otway Penguin Colony
- Indulge in a traditional barbecue in the wild plains of Patagonia created by actual gauchos, South American cowboys
- Hike along the verdant mountain landscape in search of marvelous waterfalls feeding into stoic lagoons
- Venture along the scenic plains in search of treasured wildlife, including rheas, guanacos, and flamingos
- Travel by land and water en route to the remarkable edges of the Patagonian Ice Field to see glaciers up close
- Visit the Milodon Cave where ancient fossils were discovered by a German explorer, connecting ancient civilizations with extinct animals
- Explore the unique neighborhoods of Buenos Aires on a guided tour of the city’s memorable and riveting culture
Detailed Description
The wonders of Patagonia are ineffable, filled with inspiring drama and captivating charm. Your 22-day Patagonia tour for seniors takes you on a thrilling adventure across the landscape, encompassing the mountains and lakes, rivers and waters, and panoramas and cultures spread throughout the region. You arrive in Santiago, the capital of Chile. The city is home to incredible art and vibrant markets. The next morning, you venture south on a flight to Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chile, beginning your Patagonia vacation. Your guide leads you on the first of many Patagonia active tours, venturing through the woods to the top of Cerro Mirador for your first view of the stunning scenery across the Strait of Magellan.
The following day, you set out to Seno Otway to visit the penguin colony en route to Puerto Natales. Once in town, your guide takes you on an introductory hike along the Gulf of Admiral Montt. Venture north to the Milodon Cave, home to the ancient milodon, a giant sloth, before arriving at your luxurious accommodation at a traditional Patagonian estancia. Next, you travel along Last Hope Sound for an unforgettable view of Serrano Glacier and the surrounding landscape. Make your way into Torres del Paine National Park and hike to the shores of Grey Lake to fully appreciate the view of Grey Glacier and the Paine Massif. You hike along the trail, lined with stunning local flora, to Lake Sarmiento and the waterfall of Salto Grande. You reach the lookout of Lake Nordenskjold before heading to your accommodation. Your guide takes you along the trails leading to the shores of Lake Nordenskjold, which offer views of the Paine peaks and the nearby glaciers.
You travel along the scenic trails to Laguna Azul, filled with wild guanacos and sensational birdlife. Enjoy a barbecue lunch catered by local gauchos along the shoreline. Travel across the border from Torres del Paine in Chile to El Calafate in Argentina. Hike to the Lake Roca National Reserve to explore the quiet landscape on the borders of Los Glaciares National Park. Your guide takes you along the edges of Perito Moreno Glacier to see one of the few glaciers in Patagonia that is still expanding rather than melting. You travel from Lake Roca to the village of El Chalten, in view of the incredible peak of Mount Fitz Roy. The following day, your guide leads you on a memorable hike to Capri Lagoon for a closer view of the Fitz Roy Massif.
Hike to Cerro Torre and continue to Torre Lagoon for an adventurous excursion into the national park. You trek through the forests and along the shores of Laguna del Desierto for another view of the sensational peaks around Los Glaciares National Park. You return to the alpine town of El Calafate. Fly from El Calafate to Buenos Aires and settle into your luxurious hotel in the famous South American beloved city. Your guide leads you on a wondrous tour exploring the unique neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. On your final day of your exceptional senior tour of Chile and Argentina, your private transfer greets you into the hotel lobby and escorts you to the airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$9,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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