Wildlife and Glaciers of Patagonia

Day 1 - Buenos Aires

Depart on an international overnight flight from the UK. British Airways currently fly to Buenos Aires from Heathrow with a stop enroute in Rio de Janeiro. Other options include Iberia via Madrid and KLM via Amsterdam. On arrival at Buenos Aires Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city (approx. 45 minutes).

The NH Lancaster Hotel is set in an elegant building located in the heart of Buenos Aires. The refurbished rooms have been equipped with modern comfortable furniture and decorated with wood and leather giving them a touch of sophistication. All rooms feature private bathrooms, flat screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel amenities include a restaurant serving international cuisine and a small fitness centre.

Overnight at the NH Lancaster. Superior room. Bed & Breakfast.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Day 2 - Private half day guided tour of Buenos Aires

Today you will have a private half day guided tour of Buenos Aires including La Recoleta (approx. 5 hours).

A vibrant, cosmopolitan city, Buenos Aires has a distinctly European feel with its elegant architecture, parks and outdoor cafes, yet somehow manages to retain its own unique identity. The city has a strong Spanish/Italian influence, which is reflected in the great food (beef and pizza), wine and the stylish Porteños (local residents). Our tour will include visits to the Plaza de Mayo (where many of the main public buildings are grouped), the interesting & colourful neighbourhoods of San Telmo and La Boca (full of restaurants, cafés and antique shops) and Recoleta Cemetery. This amazing “city of mausoleums”, is host to numerous elaborate marble sarcophagi and tree lined walkways.

Overnight at the NH Lancaster. Superior room. Bed & Breakfast.

La Boca

Day 3 - Puerto Madryn

This morning you will be transferred from your hotel to Buenos Aires Domestic Airport (approx. 30 minutes) for your flight to Trelew. Flight time 2 hours.
 On arrival at Trelew Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Puerto Madryn (approx. 50 minutes). 


The Dazzler by the Wyndham group is a modern and well appointed hotel in the heart of the city close to all amenities. The sea view rooms are light with large windows and sweeping views along the beach. There is also a rooftop terrace. The property has 95 sound proofed rooms with air conditioning, free WiFi and desk. This hotel features a rooftop terrace, Health Club and sauna. There is a safety deposit box at reception. 

Overnight at The Dazzler Wyndham. Classic sea view room. Bed & Breakfast.

Puerto Madryn

Day 4 - Full day guided visit to Peninsula Valdes

Today you will have a group guided full day visit to Peninsula Valdes including whale watching (subject to weather and sea conditions). 

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 the Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve and one of the most significant marine reserves on the planet. Here you will find large colonies of Magellan penguins both on the peninsula and at the nearby Punta Tombo, which may be observed at close quarters from September to March. In addition, daily whale watching boat trips (primarily to see Southern Right Whales) can be arranged from Puerto Piramides between June and December. Sea lions and elephant seals may be seen between August and April and bird species include eagles, owls and Lesser Rheas. The Patagonian hare, grey fox and guanacos are also easy to spot when travelling around the peninsula. The excursion includes a visit to the Interpretation Centre before entering the reserve to observe both the land and marine wildlife. The whale watching boats depart from the small village of Puerto Pirámides, a natural port with the easiest access to the bay. Hopefully you will view whales, dolphins and seals and plentiful varieties of sea birds including the Giant Petrel and the Imperial Cormorant. 

Overnight at The Dazzler Wyndham. Classic sea view room. Bed & Breakfast.

Whale watching, Peninsula Valdes

Day 5 - Depart for Ushuaia

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Trelew Airport (approx. 40 minutes) for your flight to Ushuaia. Flight time: 2 hours. Please note that the direct flight currently operates on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. On arrival you will be met and driven to your hotel in the centre of the city. 

Located by the waterfront in the centre of town. The Albatros is within walking distance of the quirky shopping area, museums and the decommissioned prison, now an interesting historical and cultural site. The property has 77 rooms, restaurant and spa. The hotel is popular with guests pre and post Antarctic and southern fjord cruises. 

Overnight at the Hotel Albatros. Standard room. Bed & breakfast.

Ushuaia

Day 6 - Check in for the Cruceros Australis cruise

Founded in 1884, Ushuaia is the provincial capital of the island of Tierra del Fuego and has a population of around 45,000. The island is separated from the mainland by the Magellan Straits to the north and to the south is the Beagle channel of which there are fine views from Ushuaia.  The beautiful Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego covers an area of 150,000 acres. The spectacular landscape includes snow capped mountain peaks, crystal clear unfathomable lakes and wooded valleys of evergreen beech forests. It is a wonderful area for walking and the only place in this enormous country where the mountains meet the sea.  Boat trips on the Beagle Channel provide an opportunity to enjoy the amazing landscape from a different perspective. In addition, it is possible to view penguins (November to March), seals, sea-lions, petrels, cormorants, Kelp geese and the occasional Blackbreasted albatross You will have a free day until you check in for the Cruceros Australis cruise and embark late afternoon.

Stella / Ventus Australis Patagonia Cruise. This adventurous five-day, four-night cruise journeys between Ushuaia (Argentina) to Punta Arenas (Chile) through some of planet’s most remote places and showcases the region’s pristine landscapes, rich in wildlife. The ship brings an extraordinary level of comfort and service to the uttermost edge of the world. Leaving the twinkling lights of Ushuaia behind, the vessel calls on fabled spots like Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay before cruising down the Beagle Channel. Continuing through the maze of islands, you will visit a number of glaciers that guard the southern flank of the Fuegian Archipelago, before entering the legendary Strait of Magellan. Last stop is the Isla Magdalena and its boisterous Patagonia penguin colony before docking at Punta Arenas.  Check in at 409 San Martín Ave. in downtown Ushuaia between 10:00 and 17:00 (10 AM-5 PM) on the day of your cruise departure. Board the Australis Cruise at 18:00 (6 PM). After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the most remote corners of planet Earth. During the night we traverse the Beagle Channel and cross from Argentina into Chilean territorial waters. The lights of Ushuaia disappear as we turn into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands.

Overnight onboard M/V Stella / Ventus Australis. 1 x Double AA Cabin for 4 nights on a Fully Inclusive basis.

M/V Stella / Ventus Australis

Day 7 - Cape Horn

Around the break of dawn, the Australis cruises crosses Nassau Bay and enters the remote archipelago that comprises Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, we shall go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition -- and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland -- Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005. The Chilean navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, staffed by a lightkeeper and his family, as well as the tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument (currently awaiting repair after being damaged by fierce winds).

Sailing back across Nassau Bay, we anchor at fabled Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where the human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region’s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerising beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station -- which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area -- passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooded mountain behind the bay. On all of these you stroll through an enchanted Magellanic forest of lengas, coigües, canelos and ferns to reach panoramic viewpoints overlooking the bay

Overnight onboard M/V Stella / Ventus Australis. 1 x Double AA Cabin on a Fully Inclusive basis.

Cape Horn

Day 8 - Pia Glacier

In the morning we will navigate the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to enter and disembark in Pia Fjord. We will take a short hike to a lookout from where we can see Pia Glacier extending from the top of the mountain range all the way down to the sea. In the afternoon and aboard our Zodiac boats, we will sail between high rocky walls until we reach Porter Glacier. We will stop to observe its colours, listen to its sounds and if we are lucky, even witness some calving. We will stay here for a moment to discuss this incredible ice mass and take some photographs before returning on board.

Overnight onboard M/V Stella / Ventus Australis. 1 x Double AA Cabin on a Fully Inclusive basis.

Pia Glacier

Day 9 - Agostini Sound

Early in the morning, we will sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound.  From there it is possible to see the glaciers that descend from the middle of the Darwin Mountain Range -- some of them reaching the water. This morning, we will disembark and go for an easy walk around a lagoon, which was formed by the melting of the Águila Glacier.  We will reach a spot right in front of that glacier with stunning views. In the afternoon, we will approach the Condor Glacier via Zodiac and hopefully see some of the abundant Andean Condors in the area.

Overnight onboard M/V Stella / Ventus Australis. 1 x Double AA Cabin on a Fully Inclusive basis.

Darwin Mountain Range

Day 10 - Strait of Magellan

After an overnight cruise through Magdalena Channel and back into the Strait of Magellan, we anchor off Magdalena Island, which lies about halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. Crowned by a distinctive lighthouse, the island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellanic penguins. At the break of dawn, weather permitting, we go ashore and hike a path that leads through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged inside the vintage 1902 lighthouse. Many other bird species are also found on the island. In September and April, when the penguins dwell elsewhere, this excursion is replaced by a ride aboard Zodiacs to Marta Island to observe South American sea lions. After a short cruise south along the strait, disembarkation at Punta Arenas is scheduled for around 11:30 AM.

You will be met off the ship by the Las Torres Hotel mini van and driven the Torres del Paine National Park. A journey of approximately 5 – 6 hours which includes a stop at the family’s historic estancia, Cerro Negro. Here you will be welcomed with fresh bread, kitchen garden salad and empanadas accompanied by a welcome glass of Chilean wine whilst viewing the wilds of Patagonia through the floor to ceiling windows of the ‘quincho’. An extremely informative guided visit of the sheep shearing shed is included to also learn about the human agricultural history of the region followed by a privileged tour of the original farm house, fully intact and untouched since 1940. It is a fascinating insight as to their lifestyle in such a harsh environment. Continue to your lodge in the National Park arriving late afternoon.  The lodge is a family concern with a particular focus on protecting the legacy that the current generation have inherited. The hotel is one of many properties on the reserve. The famous W Trek starts (or finishes) at Las Torres and they manage 4 of the hikers refugios, a camp site and trails. The hotel is built and designed to replicate an estancia. Although there are 74 rooms these are spread over three separate buildings each with one ground and one upper floor. The central bar has a welcome and convivial atmosphere frequented by both guests and guides. Here you can order a hand crafted artisan gin or beer from the Las Torres on site micro brewery accompanied by a hearty sandwich with fresh produce from the kitchen garden. There is also an a la carte restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Bedrooms are simple but extremely comfortable, no TV, Wifi is mainly reliable throughout the hotel. Lovely hot water and good water pressure for such a remote location.      

Overnight at Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine National Park. Double Superior Room for 3 nights on a Full Board basis with excursions.

Magellanic penguins

Day 11 & 12 - Explore with a range of excursions

You have 2 full days to choose from an array of guided excursions including a full tour of the park (to include the Grey Glacier boat trip, subject to weather conditions), riding, hiking (options for parts of the W Trail) Lake Pehoe boat trip, mountain bikes and climbing. The resident guides will explain all the options in full detail from their adventure centre which houses a wonderful map detailing distances, points of interest along with the best areas for specific wildlife viewing. Your fitness levels are taken into the account and always the variable weather. 

Overnight at Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine National Park. Double Superior Room on a Full Board basis with excursions.

Torres del Paine

Day 13 - Calafate

This morning you will transfer across the border from Chile back into Argentina. A journey of approximately 6 hours allowing for both border crossings. It is an isolated journey across the Patagonian steppe where you will probably see Rheas, many guanacos, maybe the Patagonian fox and armadillo as well as many birds of prey. Arrive in the southern adventure town of Calafate and your hotel. 

Calafate is a town near the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. It’s known as the gateway to the Los Glaciares National Park and is 80km east of the massive Perito Moreno Glacier. The quaint town offers a variety of bars, restaurants and shops. In addition, the ‘Glaciarium’ has been created on the edge of the town to help our understanding of glaciers and their environmental importance. Exhibits include models, dioramas, photographs, screens, interactive representations and a 3D documentary. You will have the afternoon at leisure.  The Hotel Kay Yatun is a pretty former estancia converted into a homely hotel just outside the town. Rooms are simple but very tastefully furnished. They have a very good restaurant El Quincho on site.    

Overnight at Hotel Kay Yatun, Calafate. Double Superior Room for 2 nights. Bed & Breakfast.

Calafate

Day 14 - Perito Moreno Glacier

This morning you will be collected for a private tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Located 78 kilometres (48 miles) from El Calafate, The Perito Moreno glacier was named after the explorer Francisco Moreno, a pioneer who studied the region in the 19th century and played a major role in defining the territory of Argentina.  It is undoubtedly one of the wonders of the world and its deep blue ice walls stretch down 30kms from the Patagonian ice field.  With the movement of the glacier, enormous pieces (as big as blocks of flats) break off and create icebergs which float in the lake. It is a spectacular and unforgettable sight.

Overnight at Hotel Kay Yatun, Calafate. Double Superior Room. Bed & Breakfast.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Day 15 - Fly to Buenos Aires

You will be driven to Calafate Airport for the flight back to Buenos Aires. Flight time: 3 hours. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 

Overnight at the NH Lancaster. Superior room. Bed & Breakfast.

Buenos Aires

Day 16 - Day of departure

You will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.