Discover Patagonia: A 16-Day Tailored Land & Cruise Journey with Luxury, Wilderness & Culture
Discover the authentic heart of Patagonia on this unique journey which contrasts the beautiful streets and cosmopolitan culture of the cities with towering mountain masses, impressive glaciers and vast areas of unspoiled wilderness. Starting from Buenos Aires, travel to El Chaltén, “the end of the world” and continue to El Calafate with its stunning electric blue glaciers, before arriving at the end of the world and Patagonia’s southern frontier in Ushuaia. From there embark on a luxury expedition cruise and sail through the Beagle Channel and the Magellan Strait. Experience glaciers that tumble into the sea, as well as colonies of penguins and sea lions in the most remote corners of the planet. Your journey concludes in the capital of Chile, Santiago, where the city center is a delight surrounded by the towering peaks of the Andes on all sides. As with all of our itineraries, this has been carefully designed using the expertise and local knowledge of our Agents and incorporates elements of adventure, comfort and real local experience.
What's included
Itinerary
Welcome to Buenos Aires, a city where European elegance meets Latin passion. Upon arrival, your private transfer will escort you to your hotel, where you can take some time for yourself after your journey. In the afternoon, step outside to feel the rhythm of the city with its grand boulevards, historic cafés and tree-lined neighbourhoods that whisper stories of old-world charm and modern energy. The evening invites you to enjoy your first taste of Argentina, where warm hospitality and rich flavours set the tone for the journey ahead.
Today you explore the vibrant layers of Buenos Aires with your guide. Explore the historic Plaza de Mayo and admire the iconic Casa Rosada before continuing into San Telmo, where cobbled streets, antique markets and tango-filled corners create an atmosphere frozen in time. In La Boca, colour explodes from every façade, telling the story of immigration, art and resilience. The day flows effortlessly between history, culture and local life, offering a deep introduction to Argentina’s beating heart.
Leave the city behind as you fly south into Patagonia’s vast wilderness. Upon arrival in El Calafate, continue by road through sweeping landscapes toward El Chaltén, the trekking capital of Argentina. As the iconic silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy appears in the distance, you feel the shift from civilisation to raw, untouched nature. The evening is peaceful, with crisp mountain air and a sense of anticipation for the adventure ahead.
Today is dedicated to one of Patagonia’s most iconic hikes, where trails wind through forests, glacial rivers and rugged valleys. As you ascend toward Laguna de los Tres, the landscape opens dramatically, revealing Fitz Roy in all its towering majesty. The silence is profound, broken only by wind and distant ice. This is Patagonia at its most powerful! Wild, humbling and unforgettable.
Travel back toward El Calafate, where the vastness of Patagonia continues to unfold. The journey reveals endless steppe, distant peaks and wide skies that seem to stretch forever. Upon arrival, the town offers a softer rhythm, with cosy cafés and lake views that invite you to slow down and reflect on the landscapes you’ve just experienced.
Today brings one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders: the Perito Moreno Glacier. Walk along panoramic platforms as immense walls of ice crack, shift and thunder into the lake below. The sound is both dramatic and hypnotic, a reminder of nature’s constant evolution. Optional boat excursions bring you even closer to the glacier’s electric blue face, an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
Step into the cultural heart of Patagonia with a visit to a traditional estancia. Here, vast open landscapes meet centuries-old ranching traditions. Gauchos welcome you into their world, sharing stories of life on the land. Whether riding across the steppe or simply enjoying the stillness, this day offers a deeper connection to Patagonia’s human heritage.
Fly south to Ushuaia, the southernmost city on Earth. Surrounded by mountains and sea, this remote frontier town carries a sense of adventure and isolation unlike anywhere else. As evening falls, the light softens over the Beagle Channel, marking the beginning of your voyage into the world’s most remote waters.
Today you board your expedition cruise, stepping into a world defined by glaciers, silence and sea. As the ship sets sail through the Beagle Channel, the coastline fades into vast horizons. The sense of discovery builds as you prepare to explore one of the least touched regions on the planet.
If weather permits, you will set foot on Cape Horn, a legendary landmark where oceans collide and winds shape the land. The experience is raw and elemental, a place that has long captured the imagination of explorers. It is a moment of reflection at the edge of the world.
Sail through Glacier Alley, where towering ice walls descend from the Darwin Range into the sea. Pia Glacier reveals itself in striking shades of blue, surrounded by silence and grandeur. Each moment onboard is enriched by expert narration, deepening your understanding of this extraordinary ecosystem.
Today is defined by intimate encounters with nature. Seals, sea lions and seabirds accompany your journey through pristine waters. Disembarking for guided walks, you experience Patagonia’s wildlife and glaciers in their purest form. Untouched, wild and profoundly beautiful.
Disembark to visit Magdalena Island, home to thousands of Magellanic penguins. Walking among these colonies is both playful and humbling, as life unfolds in perfect rhythm with the sea. Later, you arrive in Punta Arenas, marking the end of your maritime expedition.
Fly north to Santiago, where the dramatic shift from wilderness to city creates a striking contrast. The capital greets you with mountain views, modern energy and a vibrant cultural scene. This is a moment to reconnect with urban life after days in the wild.
Explore Santiago’s highlights, from historic plazas to panoramic viewpoints over the Andes. Ride the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal and wander through Bellavista’s artistic streets. The city reveals itself as layered, dynamic and full of life.
Your journey concludes with a final morning in Santiago. As you transfer to the airport, the memories of Patagonia’s glaciers, Argentina’s peaks and Chile’s landscapes remain vivid. This was a collection of experiences shaped by nature at its most powerful.
