Luxurious Exploration of Lakes and Glaciers in Argentina & Chile Tour

Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina

What to expect on this itinerary

The splendors of dramatic landscapes and the comforts of contemporary luxury combine for perfect vacationing in Patagonia. Touch the bright blue ice of a glacier with your fingertips. Witness the twin peaks towering over an immaculate indigo lake. Bask in the comforts of a secluded hotel with a panoramic view encompassing the mountain summit and serene coastline of a glassy fiord. Indulge in the luxuries of a five-star accommodation and take in the breathtaking scenery, unique adventure and lavish discoveries on your custom tailored Patagonia lakes and glaciers tour.

Countries Visited

Argentina, Chile

Places Visited

Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Santiago, Puerto Natales

Suggested Duration

9 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Buenos Aires – Luxuries of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city that encompasses the European atmosphere of its Spanish past, along with the South American flair that provides vigor to the beloved tango. The historic neighborhood of San Telmo has a wealth of lavish mansions lining the cobblestone streets. Antique shops and bookstores look out to candlelit walkways. The artistic district of La Boca displays its vibrancy through corrugated-iron houses painted with bright colors. Artists capture the lively atmosphere of the streets in their paint, modeling their captivating pieces after the dancers performing tango on the corner. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you to your luxurious hotel filled with contemporary comfort.

The aroma of grilled meat drifts from a traditional Parrilla, a barbecue type restaurant that specializes in sizzling dishes representative of the cuisine gauchos (the equivalent of a South American cowboy) would have eaten on a ranch. The rich history of the city radiates from Plaza de Mayo. The square encompasses two city blocks and was constructed by the Spanish in the 16th century. Old colonial buildings decorate the borders of the plaza, including the landmark Casa Rosada, the pink Presidential Palace. Locals continue to frequent the quaint Café Tortoni on Avenida de Mayo. The 19th-century café is considered the birthplace of tango.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

El Calafate – Capital of the Glaciers

Day 3

El Calafate – Upon the Glaciers

Day 4

El Calafate – Choice of Glaciers

Day 5

Puerto Natales – Indulging in the Scenery

Day 6

Puerto Natales – Inclusive Wonderment

Day 7

Puerto Natales – Chosen Adventure

Day 8

Santiago – Patagonian Enchantment to Santiago Charm

Day 9

Santiago – Sweeping Santiago

Trip Highlights

  • Walk across the surface of a magnificent glacier on a guided tour of Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina
  • Bask in the charming alpine streets and numerous chocolate shops in the town of El Calafate
  • Indulge in the five-star luxuries of your premier hotel, including a private view of the Patagonian landscape in Chile
  • Traverse the breathtaking scenery of Torres del Paine National Park to see glaciers and the Towers of Paine twin peaks
  • Choose your desired adventure from sailing Last Hope Sound to zip-lining over the Patagonian landscape
  • Enjoy the exceptional glaciers and waters of Lago Argentino on a sensational cruise around icebergs and towering glaciers

Detailed Description

Travel in luxury, style, and confidence on your 9-day Patagonia lakes and glaciers tour. The mountain air is clean and crisp. Ice fields spread across the landscape, overtaking the horizon. Glacier walls rise out of the lakes like fortresses carved from a frozen world. The scenery of Patagonia is ineffable, providing breathtaking views and unforgettable moments at every turn. Explore the boutiques of Buenos Aires, the artisan markets of Santiago, and the opulent pleasures of Patagonia; the splendor of Argentina and Chile are endless.

When your flight lands in Buenos Aires, Argentina, your private transfer is waiting for your arrival. Venture into the city and settle into a comfortable luxury hotel located in a fabulous neighborhood near the heart of the city. The next day, your private transfer escorts you to the airport for your domestic flight to El Calafate, known as the “Gateway to Los Glaciares National Park.” Cruise along Lago Argentino before traversing the icy surface of Perito Moreno Glacier. Stroll along the viewing platforms and discover the exorbitant size of the glacier firsthand.

Next board a boat once more and cruise along the expansive waters of Lago Argentino, witnessing the numerous glaciers bordering the lakeshores and the icebergs bursting from the water’s glassy surface. The following day, your transfer meets you at your five-star hotel in El Calafate to escort you over the border into Chile. The hotel is the embodiment of luxury inside, a refurbished historic building with views of the opulent Patagonian countryside.

The following days are yours to bask in the glories of the inclusive hotel and the Patagonian landscape at your leisure, so be sure to take advantage of the variety of tours offered. Sail the fiord or horseback ride to a nearby town. Venture to the basecamp of Torres del Paine or cycle around Laguna Sofia. Your private transfer escorts you to the airport in Punta Arenas for your flight to the capital city of Santiago, Chile. Your hotel is situated in a charming historic house. Your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby on your final day and leads you to the famous markets of Santiago. Delight in the variety of artisan shops and restaurants before you continue onward to the airport for your flight home.

Starting Price

$3,700 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.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 111 reviews

Argentina, Antarctica Trip Review: Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chalten, Ushuaia, Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy, Iguazú Falls, 26-Day Tour

There are not enough words to describe how magical this trip was. It was 26 days and every day was an adventure filled with unexpected surprises. This trip touched the highlights of Argentina and just a tiny portion of Antarctica. Even though I was not able to see the whole of Argentina and the whole of Antarctica, the experience remained beautiful, all thanks to Zicasso's travel agent and his team, who made this trip very much a magical adventure. Yes, it was aggressive, as I covered many different parts. However, my agent and his team made it possible for me to feel comfortable and enjoy my experience. He and I worked together from March 2024 to October 2024 on customizing this trip. We talked about the budget and certain modifications. The result was a trip I will never ever forget.

Buenos Aires: I was there for one night and got a great overview of the history of Argentina from my guide. In the six hours I had on the tour, I understood I needed to stay in Buenos Aires longer to appreciate the city. There are many districts and each has its own history and, in a way, its own culture. I have to return to explore Buenos Aires a little bit more because six hours is not enough to explore this beautiful city. I was amazed at how green this city is. I appreciated the guide for giving me an overview of the history of Argentina. However, I know I need to come back to really get an in-depth education of the history of Argentina, especially the history of Buenos Aires.

El Calafate: This is a relatively new city in Santa Cruz province. Let me tell you, it is absolutely gorgeous. It has a different, country-style feeling. One of the biggest attractions of El Calafate is definitely Lago Argentino, with branches of its glacier river surrounding the city. The Perito Moreno Glacier was absolutely magnificent. I can't believe I was able to trek on top of the glacier. The guides were awesome. They helped me a lot while I was struggling to trek on this glacier. They made me feel comfortable and gave me the courage to trek on just a small part of the glacier. 

The next day, I visited El Chaltén. My guide was awesome. She made me comfortable during the three-hour ride and told me lots of interesting facts. She was very patient when I was hiking up to Laguna Capri. The hike, which is four kilometers from the base, was very challenging, but I was able to do it. On the ride back, I was able to see the cloudless peaks of Mount Fitzroy. That was really a lucky day … it reminded me that life can be very unpredictable, with many twists and turns.

Ushuaia: I cannot believe I came to the southernmost city in the world! I hiked eight kilometers in the Tierra del Fuego National Park and paddled in the Lapataia river. This was definitely a very challenging excursion, but my guide made me feel very comfortable and helped me all along this challenging trek. Everybody in my trekking group made me feel comfortable as I was struggling to hike along the steep path. However challenging this trek was, I still loved it and enjoyed it, and was able to inhale the beauty of this pristine forest. 

The next day I did a five-kilometer hike into Laguna Esmeralda, which was again breathtaking. Even though this track was not as challenging as the previous day, it was still challenging because of the muddy path. My guide was very patient with me and made us all feel very, very comfortable. This hike was worth it, as after five kilometers hiking, I was able to see Laguna Esmeralda. This beautiful green glacier lagoon was breathtaking; again not enough words to describe its beauty. I was very appreciative of my guide and all the group members who helped me as I was struggling to hike.

Antarctica: What can I say? I visited the coldest, driest, windiest place on our planet. Even though it was not fun journeying through the Drake Passage for 48 hours, going in and coming back, it was definitely worth the experience and risk-taking. After all, adventures are known for their challenges. The expedition team was excellent. They were highly and made sure everyone on the ship had a great experience. Every one of the crew cared about us. Again, there are not enough words to explain how beautiful this continent is. I have never loved winter, snow, or even ice, but it taught me how to fall in love with ice. There were so many beautiful icebergs. And I fell in love with the penguins. I can definitely see myself sitting down in a place and just watching penguins all day. I even did the polar plunge. This trip taught me that I have the capacity to do a lot of things I did not expect to be able to do.

Mendoza: Usually, people come to Mendoza for wine. I came to Mendoza for something else besides wine. I can't believe I was able to see Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain peak in all of the Americas. It was Mount Aconcagua that was my inspiration to come to Argentina. I saw Mount Aconcagua and learned about the different mountain ranges. I even enjoyed the beautiful ride along the mountain ranges through tunnels. I learned about the oasis and the irrigation system. I was very, very impressed with the irrigation system and how they divert the glacier river to feed the town and water the trees in the cities. I even visited an olive oil and balsamic vinegar factory. It was amazing to learn how olive oil was made before newer technologies came into place. I finally was able to taste different types of olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, which I fell in love with. This was all thanks to my guide, who was wonderful throughout the trip. She was what made the trip so memorable. I definitely had a great time interacting with her and learning from her. I cannot believe that during my short stay in Mendoza, I was able to see many things and learn many things.

 

Salta/Jujuy: Again, my words come up short in describing how much I enjoyed these two beautiful provinces. They reminded me of Peru, having once been part of the Incan civilization. There is so much history and countless natural beauty within these two provinces. It was my guide who made this trip unforgettable. He made this trip very educational and fun at the same time. I visited some small towns, both colonial and pre-colonial. I visited many breathtaking areas, such as Quebrada de Las Flechas, Cafayate, Cachi, and Humahuaca. It was unbelievable how the topography changed on different points of my journey. I am so happy that he was my guy, as I learned so much from him, especially about geology. I sincerely do not have enough words to describe how grateful I am to have learned from him.

Iguazú: One word, spectacular! I cannot believe I saw the Iguazú Falls from the Argentine and Brazilian sides. It was hands down one of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen. I even did a boat ride to get a river-level perspective of these falls. I'm glad to have had a guide who was so excited and enthusiastic in showing me different parts of the waterfalls along the different trails in the national park. He was excited to show me the national bird reserve in Brazil on my last day. I could feel myself coming back to Iguazú Falls and just standing there and enjoying the beautiful, spectacular view of this magnificent group of water bodies.

Once again, I thank my travel agent from the bottom of my heart for arranging this beautiful and majestic adventure for me. I learned so much history and geology. I also learned that I had the capacity to undertake difficult, challenging trekking that I didn't think I was able to. I came out of this trip feeling like a stronger person. I cannot wait to work with him again for another adventure!

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Chile Trip Review: Atacama Desert, San Pedro, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park, 9 Nights
"My trip was everything we wished for. Zicasso’s tour operators mapped out a wonderful itinerary, with tours that were interesting and scenic."

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Argentina, Chile Trip Review: Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Bariloche, Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glacier, Valparaiso, Vineyard, Local Cuisine, 2 Weeks

We would give this a 4.5-star rating. Overall, our trip was very enjoyable and went smoothly. We would recommend the services of this Zicasso travel company for arranging a trip to Patagonia. The logistics were well taken care of and the tour guides were all knowledgeable and personable. Communication during the planning phase and during the trip was easy. We spent three nights each in Santiago, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Bariloche, and Buenos Aires.

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Argentina Travel Review: Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Mount Fitz Roy, Iguazu Falls, Glaciers, Boat Tours, Scenery, 10 Nights

When my wife and I first considered a trip to Argentina, there were many unknowns. Neither of us had ever been to South America, so everything from transportation, possible language barriers, and deciding which attractions we would enjoy most felt like a challenge. We then decided to contact several travel agencies, but one quickly stood out. Our Zicasso travel agent made a strong, welcoming first impression.

She was always prompt, helpful, and thoughtful with every interaction. It was abundantly clear how much she cared about her clients and her commitment to creating a truly personalized Argentine experience for them. She was patient, flexible, and attentive with every email and video call exchange in order to create an itinerary that matched our interests and needs. Her support continued well beyond the planning stage. She would regularly check in to make sure we were prepared for the trip. She also connected us with their 24-hour emergency assistance service and made time to meet us in person to welcome us there.

Our trip took us across a broad range of destinations and climates, including Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Mount Fitz Roy, and the Iguazú Falls region. We enjoyed guided tours, scenic hikes, and boat rides near ancient, awe-inspiring glaciers and lush, breathtaking waterfalls. Since these locations are far apart, flying was the most convenient method to travel between them. Along the way, we experienced issues with domestic flights, ranging from significant delays, an overnight reroute due to weather conditions, etc.

During our flight issues, the 24-hour emergency assistance service was incredibly helpful, with a majority of my communications handled by the travel agent's team. They provided timely, reliable guidance that reduced our stress through each event. In a few instances, they helped us avoid long delays with their expertise and local connections. No matter the time of day we messaged or called them, they responded with professionalism, patience, and genuine care. This level of quality service showed us just how dedicated this team is to supporting their travelers every step of the way.

If you are planning a vacation to Argentina, I highly recommend reaching out to them. They are passionate, knowledgeable, and truly committed to making your experience unforgettable. You will not only appreciate the beauty of the country and have a relaxing time, but also gain insight into its diverse culture and rich history during your adventures there.

This travel company made our trip seamless as possible, leaving us feeling heard and cared for throughout our journey. Their high level of professionalism, combined with their personal touch and care, left a lasting impression on us.

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Argentina Tour Review: Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Bariloche, El Calafate, El Chalten, 2 Weeks

We take great pleasure in saying our Patagonian adventure through Zicasso and the tour operator was near perfect. Our sincere thanks to our travel specialist and everyone at the tour operator for the red-carpet treatment we received at every destination on our itinerary: namely Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Bariloche, El Calafate, and El Chalten. We commend everyone involved in the personalized communication, planning and execution of our two exciting weeks traveling throughout Argentina.

Beginning in December 2025, the travel specialist and his team worked out every detail of travel in Argentina's fall season: all our domestic flights, customized tours, airport transfers, and, most importantly, the most knowledgeable, engaging guides we could ever have imagined. We can't make enough positive comments about our first Patagonian adventure.

Every driver arrived promptly, putting us immediately at ease. Every evening, team members messaged us on WhatsApp to remind us of the next day's transfers and tours. They followed up immediately with answers to any questions we had.

All of our guides were exceptional. Their passion and depth of knowledge made our tours more fascinating and entertaining than any we've ever experienced. We could not have planned anything remotely close to the guides the tour operator included for each tour.

We will most assuredly utilize the services of the travel specialist at the best tour company we have ever found for adventures in South America.

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Argentina, Brazil Travel Review: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Tango Shows, Vineyard Tours, Boat Ride, Wine, Local Cuisine, 11-Night Trip

My wife and I recently embarked on a breathtaking journey through South America, visiting Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazú Falls in Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We entrusted Zicasso's tour agency with planning our trip and it turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we've ever made.

From the very beginning, the team at the tour company was attentive and responsive, taking the time to understand our preferences and interests. They crafted a personalized itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration.

Buenos Aires: Our adventure began in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. The agency arranged for a knowledgeable local guide who took us through the historic neighborhoods, tango shows, and culinary delights. The accommodations were centrally located, allowing us to explore the city with ease.

Mendoza: Next, we traveled to Mendoza, where we were immersed in the world of wine. The tour agency organized exclusive vineyard tours and tastings, providing us with a unique insight into the region's winemaking traditions. The picturesque landscapes and charming boutique hotel made our stay unforgettable.

Iguazú Falls: The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls. The agency ensured we had the best vantage points and arranged for a thrilling boat ride that brought us up close to the cascading waters. Their attention to detail and seamless logistics made this experience truly magical.

Rio de Janeiro: Our journey concluded in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. The travel company curated a perfect blend of iconic sights like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, along with hidden gems that showcased the city's unique culture. The beachfront hotel provided stunning views and a relaxing end to our adventure.

Throughout the trip, the tour company was always available to assist with any questions or adjustments, ensuring a stress-free experience. Their expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident in every aspect of our journey.

We wholeheartedly recommend this company to anyone seeking a well-organized and memorable travel experience. We look forward to planning our next adventure with them!

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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