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15 Day itinerary in Argentina, South America

Patagonia Argentina & Chile Highlights Exploration

Experience a journey through Argentina and Chile exploring Patagonia’s iconic cities, glaciers, lakes, and national parks. This itinerary covers Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, El Calafate, Torres del Paine, Puerto Varas, and Bariloche, offering diverse landscapes and cultural highlights across the Patagonia... Read More

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Maria ConstanceQwerty Travel Argentina

By Maria Constance and Qwerty Travel Argentina

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Minimum 2

Maximum 85

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Buenos Aires

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Nature & Widlife

Patagonia Adventures

Eco

Cultural

Hiking

Adventure

Landscapes & Sceneries

Day Trips & Excursions

Photography

Multi-Country

Meet local people

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Water & Coastline

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Sail the Andean Lake Crossing from Puerto Varas to Bariloche

2

Experience Torres del Paine National Park’s granite spires and lakes

3

Witness the majesty of Perito Moreno Glacier

4

Explore Patagonia’s best—from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia to Bariloche

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Day 1: Arrival in Buenos Aires | Gateway to Argentina

Arrive at Buenos Aires International Airport and transfer directly to your hotel, the ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco. You can check in starting from 2:00 PM. The remainder of the day is open for you to relax after your journey or begin exploring the city’s energetic streets at your own pace. Whether you choose to unwind or step out, you set the rhythm for your first evening in Argentina’s capital.


Buenos Aires is known for its classic architecture and as the birthplace of tango, reflecting a blend of European influence and Latin spirit throughout the city.


Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco
Day 2

place Day 2: Buenos Aires City Tour | Urban Icons and Neighborhoods

Spend your morning discovering the vibrant character of Buenos Aires. Begin by visiting the iconic Obelisk and continue through well-known plazas such as Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martín, and Plaza Congreso. Walk along major avenues including Corrientes, Mayo, and the expansive 9 de Julio. Explore historic neighborhoods like La Boca, San Telmo, and Montserrat. The tour also takes you through the elegant districts of Palermo and Recoleta, as well as the lively Puerto Madero area. You will pass city parks such as Lezama and Tres de Febrero, see the financial districts, and view a football stadium. The afternoon is free for you to further explore the city or relax as you wish.


Recoleta Cemetery is among the most visited cultural landmarks in Latin America, drawing visitors for its unique architecture and history.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco
Day 3

place Day 3: Buenos Aires to Ushuaia | Journey to the End of the World

Begin your day with a transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia. After landing in Ushuaia, located where the Andes meet the Beagle Channel, you will transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to settle in and experience the city at your own pace.


Ushuaia is recognized as the southernmost city in the world, surrounded by dramatic landscapes that once inspired explorers such as Charles Darwin.


Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Patagonia Jarke
Day 4

place Day 4: Tierra del Fuego National Park | End of the World Experience

Start your day with a pick up from your hotel to explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, situated just 12 kilometers from Ushuaia’s center. Before entering the park, pause at the End of the World train station, where you may opt to board the historic narrow-gauge train for a 60-minute journey through sub-Antarctic forest, ending inside the park. If you prefer not to take the train, you can enjoy a walk in the pristine Fuegian forest, though this walk may be canceled in winter depending on weather conditions. After the train ride or walk, regroup inside the park and continue by vehicle and guide to Ensenada Bay, where the Andes, sub-Antarctic forest, and sea converge in a unique ecosystem. In this area, trace the legacy of the native inhabitants through preserved archaeological remains and visit the last post office in America, which is sometimes open for sending postcards (Ensenada Bay is closed in winter). Continue to several scenic lookouts for short walks and opportunities to photograph the park’s diverse flora and fauna. Next, stop at Acigami Glacier Lake (also called Roca Lake), a transboundary lake shared with Chile, and finally reach Lapataia Bay. Here, see the iconic sign marking the southern end of the Pan-American Highway, more than 15,000 kilometers from Alaska. In clear weather, Antarctica is just 1,000 kilometers to the south.


Tierra del Fuego National Park is a protected area for rare species and is closely linked to the indigenous Yámana people, whose presence is deeply rooted in the region’s history.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Patagonia Jarke
Day 5

place Day 5: Ushuaia to El Calafate | Enter Glacier Country

Transfer from your hotel in Ushuaia to the airport for your flight to El Calafate. After landing, you will transfer into town and check in at Michelangelo Hotel Calafate. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore your new surroundings at your own pace.


El Calafate is located beside Lake Argentino and serves as the main gateway to the region’s vast glaciers and the Patagonian steppe.


Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Michelangelo Hotel Calafate
Day 6

place Day 6: Perito Moreno Glacier | Glacier Adventure and Nautical Safari

Depart from El Calafate for a full-day excursion to the renowned Perito Moreno Glacier. Travel 80 kilometers to reach panoramic viewpoints and walkways, where you can wander along ramps and balconies at various heights for unique perspectives of the advancing ice. Board a one-hour boat ride that brings you within 150 meters of the glacier’s towering face, allowing you to witness thunderous calving events and the shifting blue hues of the ice. After taking in these dramatic scenes, return to El Calafate.


The Perito Moreno Glacier is notable for its rare status as an advancing glacier and its frequent, powerful ice break-offs.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Michelangelo Hotel Calafate
Day 7

place Day 7: El Calafate Free Day | Explore at Your Own Pace

Today is open for you to experience El Calafate as you wish. You might choose to stroll through the town’s streets, take additional glacier excursions by boat, or immerse yourself in Patagonian gaucho culture with a ranch visit that highlights traditional skills and ways of life. The day offers flexibility to tailor your activities according to your interests.


El Calafate has evolved from a modest sheep-farming village into a thriving adventure hub on the shores of Lake Argentino.


Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Michelangelo Hotel Calafate
Day 8

place Day 8: El Calafate to Puerto Natales | Gateway to Chilean Patagonia

After breakfast, transfer to El Calafate’s bus station and board a regular bus to Puerto Natales, crossing the border into Chile. Upon arrival in Puerto Natales, you will be greeted by a local team member and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to start exploring this active Patagonian town.


Puerto Natales is the primary entry point for visitors heading to some of Chile’s most renowned national parks.


Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: If Patagonia Hotel
Day 9

place Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park | Cueva del Milodón and Scenic Wonders

Begin your day with a visit to the Cueva del Milodón, a large cavern measuring 200 meters long, 30 meters high, and 80 meters wide, known for the discovery of well-preserved skin and bones of the prehistoric giant sloth, the mylodon. Spend about half an hour exploring the cave before continuing to Cerro Castillo for a refreshment break. Proceed towards Torres del Paine National Park, traveling through landscapes that shift from steppe to forest and watching for local wildlife such as rheas and guanacos grazing freely. Inside the park, encounter turquoise lagoons, ice-capped mountains, and a variety of fauna. Take a 15-minute walk to Salto Grande waterfall on the Paine River. After lunch, visit Lake Grey for a walk to its pebble beach and distant views of the Grey Glacier. Return to Puerto Natales via a scenic route that may pass along the shores of Toro, Porteño, and Sofía lakes.


The 1895 discovery of mylodon remains in the Cueva del Milodón spurred significant paleontological interest in the region.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: If Patagonia Hotel
Day 10

place Day 10: Puerto Natales to Puerto Varas | Entering Lakes Country

Begin early with a transfer by bus to Punta Arenas airport, pausing at the Punta Arenas bus station along the way. Board your flight to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Puerto Varas. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace, whether you wish to relax or begin exploring the lakeside town.


Puerto Varas is well known for its scenic location on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, with the snowcapped Osorno Volcano visible in the distance.


Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Hotel Boutique Casa Kalfu
Day 11

place Day 11: Andean Lake Crossing | Puerto Varas to Bariloche

Set out on the renowned Andean Lake Crossing, beginning in Puerto Varas, Chile, and concluding in Bariloche, Argentina. This international journey traverses the Andes Mountains, taking you across three pristine lakes—Todos los Santos, Frías, and Nahuel Huapi. Between the lakes, you will travel four scenic land stretches that connect each waterway, providing a unique way to experience the wild border region. Along the route, take in dramatic mountain scenery and landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers. The Lake Crossing covers 180 kilometers, passing through untouched forests, vivid blue waters, and snowcapped peaks. Upon arrival in Bariloche, transfer to your hotel and start to experience the town’s Swiss-inspired atmosphere.


The Andean Lake Crossing route follows historic paths once used by explorers and traders to connect isolated communities by water.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Hotel Carlos V Patagonia Bariloche.
Day 12

place Day 12: Bariloche Small Circuit & Campanario Hill | Scenic Marvels

Today you will explore San Carlos de Bariloche and its surroundings, traveling along Avenida Bustillo beside Lake Nahuel Huapi. The route features natural viewpoints such as Bahía López and Punto Panorámico, offering opportunities to admire the region’s lakes, forests, and mountains. After passing Playa Bonita, arrive at the base of Cerro Campanario and ascend to its 1,050-meter summit. At the top, a cross marks the site of the first mass celebrated by Monsignor De Andrea in 1930. The summit features a café and two open terraces, providing wide views of lakes including Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno, El Trébol lagoon, the San Pedro Peninsula, Llao Llao, Victoria Island, and a panorama of nearby peaks such as Otto, López, Goye, Cathedral, and Chapel mountains. The chairlift, equipped with Doppelmayer technology, operates at a variable speed of 1.3 meters per second, with eight towers, 46 chairs, and a total length of 640 meters, transporting up to 450 people per hour. The upper station is at 1,050 meters and the lower station at 770 meters. The panoramic cafeteria at the summit accommodates up to 80 people and features two terraces rising 20 meters high. The chairlift runs until 6:00 p.m. in winter and 7:30 p.m. in summer. After descending, you can browse a selection of artisanal local products, from textiles and woodwork to candles, ceramics, and cosmetics.


Cerro Campanario is often called the “center of the landscape,” offering visitors some of Bariloche’s most celebrated panoramic views.


Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Hotel Carlos V Patagonia Bariloche.
Day 13

place Day 13: Bariloche Free Day | Alpine Town at Leisure

Spend today in Bariloche with complete flexibility. You may choose to visit local chocolaterias, hike mountain trails, or join an optional sightseeing excursion in this alpine town on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The day is open for you to explore at your own pace and enjoy the town’s unique atmosphere.


Bariloche was established by Swiss and German immigrants and is recognized for its chocolate and Alpine-style architecture.


Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: Hotel Carlos V Patagonia Bariloche.
Day 14

place Day 14: Bariloche to Buenos Aires | Return to the Capital

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, proceed to the ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy as you wish, whether you choose to revisit the city’s vibrant nightlife or relax after your Patagonian journey.


Buenos Aires is famous for its jacaranda-lined streets and classic cafés, offering a lively atmosphere for both relaxation and exploration after your travels.


Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range: ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco
Day 15

place Day 15: Departure from Buenos Aires | Farewell to Argentina

After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) for your departure flight. Take time to reflect on your journey through Patagonia, from the energy of Buenos Aires and the remoteness of Ushuaia to the shimmering lakes of Bariloche. As you leave, you carry memories of Argentina and Chile’s striking landscapes and welcoming culture.


Ezeiza International Airport has served as Argentina’s busiest international gateway since 1949, marking the conclusion of your Patagonian adventure.


Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • ibis Buenos Aires Obelisco
  • Hotel Boutique Casa Kalfu
  • Patagonia Jarke
  • Michelangelo Hotel Calafate
  • Hotel Carlos V Patagonia Bariloche.
  • If Patagonia Hotel

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (14)

Transport expand_less

  • Airport transfers at each destination (arrival and departure)
  • Transfers to and from bus stations
  • Bus ticket from Calafate to Puerto Natales
  • Bus ticket from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
  • Lake crossing from Puerto Varas to Bariloche

Activities expand_less

  • Sightseeing tours with local guides in small groups
  • Boat ride at Perito Moreno Glacier
  • All tours mentioned in the itinerary

Extras expand_less

  • Optional tours available (upon request)
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary

Not Included expand_less

  • International and domestic flights
  • National park entrance fees and Cuevas de Milodon entrance ticket
  • Personal expenses
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance

About Maria Constance

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Expertise: 

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Culture & History

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Water & Coastline

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