3-Week Family Tour of Patagonia and the Capitals of Chile and Argentina

Your family adventure in South America will begin in the Chilean capital, Santiago. South and Central American culture balance the city’s diverse neighborhoods that will officially welcome you to your home away from home. Your transfer will wait for you at the airport with a sign in hand and take you on a quick zip around the city to your accommodation around the corner from Lastarria, a vibrant and quirky district popular among families of all ages. A short visit to view the artifacts inside the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art will inspire your family before dinner.

You can wake up early and tuck into breakfast as the golden glow of sunrise envelopes Santiago’s bustling neighborhoods. Afterward, your guide for the day will invite you to visit the fresh seafood, fruit, and vegetable markets that pepper the town squares of Santiago. Here, you will delve into the history of regional Chilean cuisine, get to know Santiago’s famous street food chefs, and photograph the colorful culinary delicacies. You will continue to Vitacura to visit art galleries, upmarket boutiques, and the gorgeous green lawns of Bicentennial Park before you grab an ice cream at a famous scoop shop.

Santiago’s exuberant atmosphere echoes across the valleys that unfold beneath the snowy peaks of the Andes. The emerald pastures that compose these valleys will call to your family to spend an evening away from the busy, modern cityscape. Your transfer and wine guide will greet you in the morning for a tour of the vineyards that grow from the Casablanca valley’s rich soils. Several sun-kissed estates will invite you to discern the distinct profiles of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Sirah as your children play in the gardens, ride horses, or swim in pools basking in the sun.

The vast and magnificent wilderness of Patagonia is something that you and your family will behold during the next step of your journey that will begin once you touch down in Puerto Montt and transfer to the Puelo River Valley. The trip to Puelo will take your breath away as you and your family perceive the immaculate Patagonian landscapes that wildlife photographers covet. The birdlife is beautiful and wildlife abundant, and your family will enjoy an afternoon to yourselves during which you can sit on the deck and watch the wildlife pass by or fish from the river’s edge.

You will wake up to the smell of sizzling bacon and join your family for a cup of coffee in view of the unspoiled olive-green valley. Birds, monkeys, and other curious creatures will provide the soundtrack as you fuel up for a full-day Tagua Tagua hike within the untamed wilderness. Boasting a combination of challenging trails and easy paths, your hike through the jungle will be suitable for your family and preferences. Your adventures will reward you with a sail across the sparkling Tagua lake, a picnic amongst the wandering wildlife, and views of towering waterfalls pouring down rocky cliffs.

You can plan several fun family activities for today or leave the day open and go where the wind blows. If your family is yearning for another adventure, a self-guided Barraco falls hike is easy to complete and will bestow you with incredible views of the waterfall that plunges into a glistening natural pool that your family can dive in the water to cool off. The journey to the falls will take you through ancient forests where Myrtles, Ulmo, and Hazelnut trees grow near streams that flow through the greenery, scenes that make for beautiful wildlife photography.

You will wake up and pack your bags as the sunrise paints the Northern Patagonian mountains and valleys orange and gold. After breakfast, you will transfer to the domestic airport and soar over the northern wilderness to Southern Patagonia. The southern landscapes will shift your expectations of Patagonia as the lively green forests give way to the icy white peaks and fields surrounded by amber pastures. Southern Patagonia will feel like a far cry from the northern valleys around Puelo yet no less beautiful for a family adventure that will begin in Puerto Natales.

Ranches and farms known as estancias are at the historic heart of Patagonian culture. These rustic and rural ranches boast incredible far-flung locations in the wilderness region and will allow your family to escape the worries of the modern world. The Bahía Esperanza, which you will visit today, is a particularly impressive estancia that you will cross the Ultima Esperanza Fjord past the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields to reach. Horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking around the illustrious Patagonian wilderness are stunning ways to admire your surroundings, photograph the colorful birdlife, and absorb the wonders of nature.

You may soak up the sunshine this morning as you stroll around the Puerto Natales neighborhood and visit museums that share the fascinating Patagonian history. After breakfast, you will meet your transfer, wave goodbye to Puerto Natales, and head for a campsite set in the remarkable wilderness of Torres del Paine National Park. Friendly hosts manage the environmentally sustainable camp and will invite you to adapt harmoniously to your sensational surroundings, including imposing snowy mountains that scrape the sky, shimmering turquoise lakes, and panoramic chartreuse plateaus.

You will wake up and witness the serene Patagonian surroundings at sunrise as light floods the landscape and animals graze the short grass. The scenery is the stage on which Patagonia’s wilderness wonders will capture your fascination during a hike from the charming Estancia Lazo on the shores of Laguna Verde up modest hills to observation points that overlook the Paine Cordillera. You will watch as Guanacos graze the meadows and Condors circle the sky on the Lazo-Weber trail to see Lake Toro, the Serrano Pampas, the River Paine, Sierra Baguales, the Paine Cordillera, and Mount Balmaceda.

Today, a second trek through Torres del Paine National Park will reveal more of the undulating wilderness that wraps the Patagonian pastures in the shadows of impressive icy mountains. The trails will guide you to the banks of Lake Pehoe, where you will board a boat and cross the glimmering water to the Pudeto Sector and climb the Paine Grande slopes. The reward for your family-friendly excursion lies at the tip of the Grey Glacier Lookout, where the impressive views of Lake Grey and the ancient glacier showcase the marvelous forces of nature that prevail in Southern Patagonia.

You and your family may uncover more of Southern Patagonia during one last trek across Torres del Paine National Park. Suitable for families with older children, the challenging trail is an unforgettable experience that will test your fitness and share incredible memories in the Patagonian wilderness. The progressive hike weaves through the Ascencio Valley and lookout points will let you stop to capture the sensational Patagonian scenery of sparkling rivers, emerald meadows, and rugged peaks. The paths proceed beneath the rolling green forest canopy and across vast blackened granite landscapes in a theatre of lofty summits and glaciers.

This morning will wrap up your extended stay and thrilling adventures in Chilean Patagonia, although there is more of Patagonia to see and explore beyond the Chilean border in Argentina. After breakfast, you will transfer to the Argentinian glacier capital, El Calafate, and spend the afternoon acclimating to this vastly different slice of Patagonian paradise. You may stroll to the banks of the Laguna Nimez and watch the flamingos gather on the water, find a bite to eat at a traditional Argentine grill house, and get an early night’s rest in anticipation of tomorrow's activities.

Enjoy a delicious and wholesome breakfast as the sunrise welcomes a new day that you will spend exploring the icy plains and snowy peaks of Los Glaciares National Park. You will climb onto a boat and navigate the tranquil Lake Argentino past the frosty ice walls that tower between you and the jaw-dropping face of Perito Moreno Glacier. You will join your guide on the glacier catwalks that circumvent the powdery pastures and direct eager families to the fairytale ice grottos naturally carved into the frozen cliffs.

Across Lake Argentino lies a charming estancia that hovers above the waters where icebergs drift around the Upsala Glacier. Your host will welcome you to the historic ranch and share the stories that shroud its unassuming position as well as take you to see the Caterina River and the chapel. Afterward, your family will experience the ice like never before on all-terrain vehicles built to handle the snowy expanse of the Continental Ice Field Refuge. You will cruise in style across the Patagonian powder and relish every second of discovering the spellbinding region on this exciting ATV drive.

Your Chilean and Argentinian family vacation will come to an end at the bustling cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires. The vibrant cityscape moves to the rhythm of historic Argentinian culture and the distinct art and architecture tells a story of South American settlers and contemporary developments. Your family will check into an accommodation around the corner from the city center and submerge yourselves in the captivating atmosphere shortly after you arrive. You will experience the thrill of a Rojo Tango show and eat legendary Argentinian delicacies at a beloved restaurant this evening.

Today, a full-day tour of the city will reveal what makes Buenos Aires tick and spotlight why travelers flock to the pulsating metropolis. You will begin at the popular town square, Plaza de Mayo, and walk to the colorful streets of La Boca, where the tango atmosphere emanates from lively bars and restaurants. An exploration of the old town of San Telmo, the glamorous dockside district of Puerto Madero, and the Recoleta museums will highlight the unique charms of Buenos Aires before you indulge in an Argentinian grill.

Your final full day in Buenos Aires is an opportunity to savor the culture through food as you begin with a half-day tour of the culinary staples that pack flavorful punches. You will veer off the beaten path and visit small eateries and family-run restaurants treasured by the locals for their authenticity and dedication to generational Argentinian cuisine. You and your family will devour empanadas, stuffed pastries, smear dulce de leche, a caramelized milk, on bread, and savor the mouthwatering spiced meats of an Argentinian Asado, traditional barbeque, with the locals.

Your family will wake up as Buenos Aires comes to life and the sounds of local chatter ring from the streets outside of your window. You may head out for a morning around town and shop the boutiques that line boulevards for items to commemorate your trip. Afterward, you will head back to your hotel, enjoy a sumptuous breakfast spread, pack your belongings, and join your transfer to the international airport. You will be home sooner than you think and take incredible memories of Chile and Argentina with you.