Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia

DAY 1
Depart U.S.

Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Argentina.

DAY 2
Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina
Destination: Buenos Aires
Accommodations: Argenta Tower Hotel or similar

Morning: Upon arrival in the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina this morning, you will be met at the airport by an O.A.T. representative, who will assist with your transfer to our hotel. There, you'll meet your local Trip Experience Leader, as well as travelers who took the optional pre-trip extension to Santiago & Easter Island's Sacred Sites and those who arrived early in Buenos Aires before the main adventure.

Lunch: On your own. Your Trip Experience Leader can recommend local restaurants to try.

Afternoon: You’ll have a few hours free this afternoon to acquaint yourself with all the city has to offer and make discoveries on your own. Perhaps you’ll step into one of Buenos Aires’s famed milongas (dance salons) to dance the tango.

We’ll meet back at our hotel prior to dinner for an informative Welcome Briefing with our Trip Experience Leader. Then, we'll slip into the swirl of activity that fills the surrounding streets, joining the flurry of pedestrian traffic, business workers, and fashionistas as we get to know our surroundings during an orientation walk. As we stroll through the heart of Buenos Aires, we'll catch a glimpse of the many options and activities available to us during our stay: sidewalk cafés ideal for people-watching over a cortado (coffee with milk) and medialunas (croissants); nearby markets, mansions, and quiet cobbled streets; and wide boulevards showcasing the city's elegant mixture of classic and modern architectural styles.

Dinner: On your own—your Trip Experience Leader can provide recommendations. With influences from French and Italian to Spanish and indigenous fare, there’s no telling what you might choose to eat—though Argentina’s succulent grass-fed beef might be a good place to start.

Evening: The remainder of the evening is yours to explore Buenos Aires. You may choose to relax at the hotel or venture out into the city, spotting vibrant street art, graffiti, and urban art vendors.

DAY 3
Explore Buenos Aires • Controversial Topic: The “Disappeared” of Argentina’s Dirty War • Explore La Boca • Tango lesson
Destination: Buenos Aires
Meals included: B D
Accommodations: Argenta Tower Hotel or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll depart via public transportation for a full morning of discovery, beginning with a tour led by a local guide. As we explore a few of the city's barrios (neighborhoods), we'll enjoy a local perspective on the rich history of Buenos Aires—an epic tale of birth and rebirth, protests and passions, suffering and triumph set against the placid landscape of the Rio de la Plata.

Next, we'll enjoy a brief visit to the Plaza de Mayo, the main square of the city, before driving to the La Boca neighborhood, the colorful streets where the Argentine tango was born. We'll observe the many street artists and dancers that work in this area, and enjoy time for independent exploration, before making our way back to our hotel.

En route, we'll stop at a historic café, where we’ll hear firsthand testimony about the Controversial Topic of the tens of thousands of Argentines who were kidnapped, tortured, or killed between 1976 to 1983 during the country’s last dictatorship, in a campaign known as the "Dirty War." The discussion will be led by a local who sadly experienced these atrocities first-hand, as the child of one of the many “disappeared” people.

In 1976, the Argentine military overthrew the democratically-elected government in a coup, and put in place a dictatorship led by Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael Videla, Admiral Emilio Eduardo Massera, and Brigadier-General Orlando Ramón Agosti. This was part of a series of political coups called Operation Condor, a campaign notoriously sponsored by the United States government to combat the spread of communism. The newly created dictatorship wasted no time searching for anyone they considered to be a dissenter, from political rivals to average citizens suspected of being aligned with leftist, socialist, or social justice movements. Thus began the "Dirty War," a time of terror when the people of Argentina lived in fear that a loved one—or even themselves—could be taken away at any moment, for any perceived reason.

Lunch: On your own. Ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations. You might like to try choripan, beef or pork sausage (traditionally chorizo) served on a roll and usually accompanied by a chimichurri (parsley, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and red wine vinegar) sauce.

Afternoon: The afternoon is yours to explore Buenos Aires independently. If this day falls on a weekend, perhaps you’ll head to the San Telmo antique and artisan market (open only on Sundays) to browse the boutiques and market stands, and revel in the bohemian vibe of the surrounding neighborhood. Or, you may take in some culture at the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, better known as MALBA, which contains pieces by such noteworthy Latin American artists as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.

Prior to dinner, we’ll regroup at the hotel and put on our dancing shoes for a tango lesson. Our two instructors are also professional dancing partners, and will first perform for us. Then they will turn their attentions to our group and teach us some basic steps of this nationally beloved, passionate dance.

Dinner: We'll toast to the discoveries ahead during a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, featuring regional Argentine fare.

Evening: After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is yours to relax or perhaps enjoy a nightcap at the hotel bar.

DAY 4
Buenos Aires • Paraná Delta tour
Destination: Buenos Aires
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Argenta Tower Hotel

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Our day's discoveries begin at Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of Eva Perón, the country’s beloved former First Lady and an outspoken advocate for workers' rights.

Then, we'll depart the cemetery by bus for the Paraná Delta, an exotic landscape just half an hour from the city that seems a million miles away. Traditional houses on stilts (pilotes) are surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation and built on islands that are separated by a twisting maze of waterways. This scenic area is one of Latin America's most unique environments, and we'll embark on a boat ride to witness it up close.

Lunch: Included at a local restaurant in Buenos Aires.

Afternoon: Yours to do as you please. Your Trip Experience Leader would be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you'll try some Porteño-style pizza. Argentina was settled largely by Italian immigrants; over time, Argentinian pizza has developed its own unique flavor—with a thicker crust and lots of cheese.

Evening: Continue pursuing your own interests this evening. Or, return to your hotel early to begin preparing for tomorrow's flight to Bariloche.

DAY 5
Fly to Bariloche
Destination: Bariloche
Meals included: B
Accommodations: Cacique Inacayal Hotel or similar

Activity Note: Today, we’ll spend about six hours traveling from Buenos Aires to Bariloche. Travel time includes overland transfers and a 2-hour flight.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Following breakfast, we'll drive the airport to catch our flight to Bariloche.

Lunch: On your own. You may wish to pick something up in the airport to enjoy during the flight.

Afternoon: As we fly, we can gaze out the windows at the peaks that surround this lakeside city nestled in the foothills of the Andes. Set along the banks of the 40-mile-long Lake Nahuel Huapi, San Carlos de Bariloche—as the city is more formally known—is the gateway to Patagonia's Lake District, and has a distinctly alpine flavor indicative of its strong Central European influence. This is most apparent in the wood and stone architecture of the city center, which—along with its status as an international skiing destination—helps give Bariloche the nickname “Little Switzerland.”

After arriving in Barlioche and checking into our hotel, you have the freedom to explore independently. Late this afternoon, we'll drive by bus downtown, where our Trip Experience Leader will lead an orientation walk to acquaint us with the area.

Dinner: On your own. Your Trip Experience Leader can recommend one of the city’s many restaurants. While beef reigns supreme in Argentina, salmon and trout are plentiful in Patagonian lakes and rivers, and are popular dishes served fresh or smoked with a variety of sauces.

Evening: The evening is yours to continue your independent discoveries of Bariloche. Perhaps you’ll have a drink at one of the city’s many microbreweries or pubs.

DAY 6
Explore Bariloche • Hike Brazo Tristeza • Craft brewery visit
Destination: Bariloche
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Cacique Inacayal Hotel or similar

Activity Note: Today's excursion will include a hike lasting approximately 2 hours through a forested area.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll drive to Campanario Hill this morning, where we’ll enjoy a chairlift ride up this steep peak, climbing high above the tree line for a panoramic view of Patagonia’s scenery. Then, we’ll take the chairlift back down and make our way to Brazo Tristeza, a scenic area located along a shimmering lake. Here we’ll hike for nearly 2 hours, taking in views of the deep green foliage and stark mountains mirrored in the azure water along the way.

Following our hike, we'll quench our thirst at a family-owned craft brewery. Here, we'll witness how Bariloche's land and culture come together when we see how locally grown ingredients are used to brew beer. Considering the strong German influence in Bariloche, it's no surprise that locals are experts at transforming their region's fresh hops, barley, and pristine water into a variety of beers and ales using artisanal methods passed down from generation to generation. The owner and his father will walk us through the brewing process.

Lunch: We'll enjoy lunch at the brewery, including a sampling of the brewery's libations.

Afternoon: We’ll make our way back to our hotel following lunch, stopping along the way for a panoramic view of the Patagonian landscape. The balance of the afternoon is yours for independent exploration. Check with your Trip Experience Leader for activity suggestions.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: On your own to make discoveries around this lakeside city. Perhaps you’ll have a nightcap at the hotel bar, taking in the scenic views of the surrounding region where water, mountains, and forests all meet.

DAY 7
Bariloche • Horseback ride and family lunch on the Patagonian steppe • Optional Limay River float
Destination: Bariloche
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Cacique Inacayal Hotel or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Following breakfast, we’ll head out to the Patagonian steppe to visit a local family. Thanks to our small group size, we'll have a chance to make personal connections with members of the family in their home before mounting up for a horseback ride—the most traditional way to explore this part of the world. After our ride concludes, we'll discover more of the Patagonian steppe on our own two feet.

Lunch: We’ll savor a barbecue at the family ranch. As we dine, we’ll learn about the family and their history in Argentina. The family's ancestors re-located to Patagonia from Germany in the 1800s—just one of many European families who were given land by the Argentine government as a reward for helping establish the border between Argentina and Chile.

Afternoon: Enjoy time for independent exploration in Bariloche. Or, you may choose to take an optional excursion to the Limay River, where we'll float by raft for a close look at the landscapes of the northern Patagonian steppe. A popular site for fly-fishing, this river is home to an abundance of large rainbow and brown trout.

Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you’ll try one of Bariloche’s regional specialties, such as jabali (wild boar), at a local restaurant. Travelers taking the optional tour will enjoy a boxed lunch under a covered quincho (hut) near the river.

Evening: We'll return to the hotel late this evening. You are free to relax or explore Bariloche independently.

Limay River Float - $90/person

Experience the natural splendor of northern Patagonia from a different point of view by floating along Bariloche’s most scenic river. Flowing from Lake Nahuel Huapi, the tranquil Limay River provides our small group with a perfect path along which to capture up-close views of the pristine wilderness and wildlife of the steppe from the comfort of our raft. Dinner is included for those who join this optional tour.

DAY 8
Overland to Puerto Varas, Chile
Destinations: Puerto Varas, Chile
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Radisson Puerto Varas or similar

Activity Note: Today, we’ll travel 8 to 10 hours overland into Chile. As we cross the border from Argentina into Chile, we will have our passports stamped, which can take up to a few hours, depending on how many people are crossing that day. Along the way, we will stop for 1.5 hours to have lunch and change buses.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll bid farewell to Bariloche and make our overland transfer to picturesque Puerto Varas, located deep within Chile's Lake District. As our bus crosses the Andes Mountains, we'll take in views of snowcapped peaks, jagged rock towers, and freshwater lakes. We should arrive at the border just prior to lunch. Be sure to have your passport ready.

Lunch: We’ll stop at a local restaurant in Moncopulli, Chile for lunch.

Afternoon: Our transfer to Puerto Varas continues after lunch. Upon arrival late this afternoon, you’ll have free time to relax in our hotel or explore our new surroundings. Perhaps you’ll take some time to discover the town’s German heritage juxtaposed with its dramatic, volcanic landscape.

Dinner: On your own—your Trip Experience Leader can provide recommendations for local restaurants. You may want to try Caldillo de Congrio, a traditional fish stew.

Evening: The remainder of the evening is yours to explore. You may choose to have a nightcap at a local bar along the costanera (scenic trail) which boasts views of Lago Llanquihue.

DAY 9
Puerto Varas • Grand Circle Foundation visit: COMBAS fine arts school • Home-Hosted Dinner • Explore Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park
Destination: Puerto Varas
Meals included: B D
Accommodations: Radisson Puerto Varas or similar

Activity Note: Today's Grand Circle Foundation site visit to the COMBAS music school is subject to availability. Check with your Trip Experience Leader for more details.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, we'll drive to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, a protected natural area that has been shaped by ancient glaciers and volcanic eruptions. In the distant eastern limits of the park, the Osorno Volcano’s snowcapped cone towers over Lake Llanquihue. The Mapuche Indians call this area the meeting ground between man and God, and with its mirror-like lakes, cascading falls, and volcanic mountains, it remains one of Chile's most popular regions to visit.

Our discoveries here include a walk along the Petrohue Rapids, where chutes of water flow over ancient lava that has been polished by silt over the centuries into a bed of smooth stone.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch on your own after we return to Puerto Varas. Your Trip Experience Leader would be happy to provide restaurant recommendations.

Afternoon: Enjoy a few hours to spend as you please. Perhaps you’ll rent a bike and ride along the ciclovia (bike lane) that circles Lake Llanquihue.

Late this afternoon, we’ll make our way to COMBAS (Conservatorio de Musica y Bellas Artes del Sur), a fine arts school and a new Grand Circle Foundation Site.

Upon arrival, we’ll be greeted by the school's founder or one of its instructors, who will detail the school’s mission and lead us on a tour of the facility.

Founded in 2018, COMBAS seeks to promote artistic education in southern Chile by offering classes in music, dance, and visual and performing arts to adults and children. While most lessons at COMBAS are paid for by the students, the organization also maintains a Children’s Orchestra, which provides music lessons to at-risk children free of charge.

In its first year of operation, the orchestra project provided scholarships (including training, transportation, and food) to 49 vulnerable children. These students, who range in age from 6 to 14 years old, all come from low-income families and often face difficulties at home, including domestic violence and substance abuse. The goal of the project is to provide these students with a safe environment and new skills that will prevent them from turning to drugs and violence.

As we tour the facility, we’ll see some of the children practicing their instruments and have the opportunity to interact with them, as well as their teachers. You might even try your hand at playing one of the instruments yourself.

Because the school is relatively new, it has received very little support beyond a few one-time donations of musical instruments. The teachers' salaries, plus all maintenance costs, must be covered by the tuition collected from paid lessons. As we’ll hear, it’s been difficult for COMBAS to make ends meet. Grand Circle Foundation is the organization's first long-term partner, aiming to fund much needed renovations, including ceiling repairs, installing a heating system to combat the brutal cold, and painting the exterior of the building.

After our visit concludes, we'll make our way to local families’ homes for our Home-Hosted Dinner. To facilitate a more intimate experience, we’ll be split into smaller groups for this special meal.

Dinner: Upon arrival at the family’s home, we’ll be greeted by our hosts and invited into the kitchen to prepare empanadas, a traditional stuffed dumpling that’s very popular in this region of Chile. As the empandas bake, our hosts will show us around the property before we get to know one another over Pisco Sours (a citrus cocktail made with Pisco, a brandy unique to Chile and Peru).

The families we dine with in Puerto Varas are varied—some are couples with pets, others have children, while others are comprised of several generations. After enjoying our empandas, the main courses begin. As we dine on homemade dishes like Pastel de Choclo (corn stew) and sip Chilean wine, we’ll learn more about what life is like in Puerto Varas.

Before saying hasta luego (see you later) to our hosts, we’ll enjoy a sweet treat: perhaps cake with locally grown fruits like murta (Chilean guava berry) or ruibarbo (rhubarb).

Evening: The evening is yours to continue making independent discoveries. If you are a chocolate lover, you may wish to seek out one of the artisanal chocolate shops around Puerto Varas.

DAY 10
Chiloé Island • Explore Castro
Destination: Chiloé Island
Meals included: B D
Accommodations: Enjoy Chiloé Hotel or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll drive to the ferry terminal this morning to make our way to our next destination: Chiloé Island. This windswept island off Chile's coast is known for its rugged landscape and seafaring people. Our hotel is located in the island's capital city of Castro, which brims with color and boasts expansive coastlines.

Lunch: On your own in Castro. Your Trip Experience Leader can suggest a restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll check in to our hotel after lunch, and you'll enjoy time to explore the neighborhood independently.

Later, we'll regroup and drive to nearby Nercon Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a prime example of Chilota architecture. Then, we'll return to Castro to visit the Church of San Francisco, Castro's main church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site sitting on the city's main square. Both churches were established in the 17th century by Jesuit missionaries and represent the melding of Spanish Catholicism with indigenous culture.

Our discoveries conclude with a walk to view Castro's iconic palafitos. These vibrantly-hued homes balance on stilts and are perhaps Castro's most iconic landmark.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: The remainder of the evening is yours. You may retire to your room to rest or perhaps you’ll explore the local nightlife in Castro.

DAY 11
Castro • A Day in the Life of the Rilan community
Destination: Chiloé Island
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Enjoy Chiloé Hotel or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll enjoy a unique perspective on life in Chiloé during our A Day in the Life experience of the Rilan community. We'll drive from Castro to the community's town square, where we'll be greeted by our host for the day. He or she will lead us on a short walk around town, pausing to interact with any locals we come across. As a pillar of the Rilan community, our host offers a unique perspective on the joys and challenges of living in this remote part of Chile.

Our first stop will be to the Church of Rilan, which has been designated a National Monument of Chile and one of Chiloé's sixteen UNESO Heritage Site churches. Like the other churches on the island, the Church of Rilan features unique wooden architecture that blends European and Latin American styles. It also boasts a bright blue roof. Then, we'll continue our tour, pausing to visit a local store or perhaps the town fire station.

After our tour concludes, our host will invite us into his or her home on a nearby farm to meet the family and help with chores. Depending on the season, we might pitch in to plant or harvest potatoes, harvest apples from the orchard, or pick herbs which are used for teas and infusions. Afterwards, we'll join our host family under the fogon—a covered outdoor structure to protect from Chiloé's frequently rainy weather—for a chat. Over a mug of traditional mate or herbal tea, we'll learn about local customs and about the changes that threaten Rilan and Chiloé's traditional ways of life. Of particular concern is the large-scale salmon farming that has cropped up in the area. Chile is the second-largest producer of salmon in the world, but salmon are not native to Chile; without natural predators, the local salmon population has exploded, wiping out native species, rupturing the delicate ecosystem and contaminating the ocean floors with their food and droppings.

Next, we'll help our hosts prepare lunch, a traditional meal called a curanto. Curanto is a stew consisting of typical local fare—shellfish, meat, potatoes, and vegetables—cooked inside a pot. As the meal is cooking, we'll help prepare a few popular local snacks, like milcaos (potato pancakes), chochoca (potato dough cooked over the fire on a stick), and chapalele (potato dumplings). After preparing the curanto and allowing our food to cook, we'll then take a brief tour of our hosts' property, giving us an even deeper glimpse into their daily routine.

Lunch: We'll enjoy the flavor of the local specialties we helped to make when we sit down to lunch with our hosts.

As we share our meal, we might discuss the effect a new bridge project might have on the lifestyles of Chiloé. The goal of the project is to facilitate travel between the island and the mainland. However, many islanders worry the increased traffic will increase pollution and alter long-cherished island traditions.

Afternoon: Before bidding our hosts farewell, we'll have time for one more activity: rayuela. This traditional Chilean game is similar to bocce or horseshoes: a player throws a tejo (or small disk) and tries to land it within a certain target. Our hosts will be happy to show us how to play.

After returning to Castro late this afternoon, the balance of the day is yours.

Dinner: On your own. Perhaps you’ll seek out some of the island’s excellent seafood served along Castro’s waterfront.

Evening: The evening is yours to continue your independent discoveries or relax at the hotel. Perhaps you’ll take advantage of some of the hotel’s amenities.

DAY 12
Puñihuil Wildlife Reserve • Fly to Punta Arenas
Destination: Punta Arenas
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Jose Nogueira Hotel or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: With our luggage in tow, we'll drive to the Puñihuil Wildlife Reserve for our final morning in Chiloé. There, we’ll board small boats if the weather permits and sail out to observe the wildlife who call this reserve home. We’ll search for Humboldt and Magellanic penguins as well as sea otters, sea lions, seals, and a variety of marine birds, perhaps chatting with local fishermen about the menagerie around us.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Puñihuil.

Afternoon: After lunch, we’ll drive to Puerto Montt Airport for our flight to Punta Arenas, arriving late this afternoon.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner on your own in Punta Arenas; locals recommend seeking out the seasonal centolla (king crab) or trying a local restaurant owned by descendants of this area’s original Croatian immigrants. Your Trip Experience Leader can provide recommendations based on your preferences.

Evening: The evening is yours to make independent discoveries.

DAY 13
Overland to Torres del Paine National Park • Hike near Lago Grey
Destination: Torres del Paine
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Hotel Lago Grey or similar

Activity Note: We’ll be traveling overland around six hours by bus from Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine, with stops along the way.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll begin our overland journey to Torres del Paine, widely considered to be South America's finest and most beautiful national park—and one of the most remote places in the world. We'll spend two nights here, giving us time to hike winding trails over rippling currents; witness the ostrich-like rhea (known locally as nandu), condor, fox, and other wildlife protected by this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site; and take in the landscapes of rugged mountains rising over mirror-smooth lakes and fields.

Lunch: We’ll stop at a scenic viewpoint for a boxed lunch, which you can enjoy at your leisure.

Afternoon: Our journey to Torres del Paine continues after lunch. We'll arrive at our lodge, located in the heart of the park, around mid-afternoon.

After settling in, we'll embark on our first elective hike led by our Trip Experience Leader and a local guide along the shores of Lago Grey, where blue icebergs rest against sandy beaches and the Grey Glacier stretches into the distance through the towering peaks of the surrounding mountains. As an experienced naturalist, our Trip Experience Leader will help to identify the region's varied flora and fauna. Herds of guanaco make their homes along the trail's path, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these llama-like creatures. Our hike will last around two hours, after which point we'll head back to our hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Yours to relax or have a nightcap at the hotel restaurant.

DAY 14
Explore Torres del Paine National Park
Destination: Torres del Paine
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Hotel Lago Grey or similar

Activity Note: Today will be an active day featuring two hikes over uneven trails lasting up to five hours total. Travelers who do not wish to participate in the hikes may have the day at leisure.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll continue exploring Torres del Paine with our Trip Experience Leader today with a duo of included hikes. Our first hike takes us to Salto Grande, a rushing waterfall set between Lago Nordenskjold and Lago Pehoe. We'll witness the awesome power of the falls and have a chance to spot some of the indigenous wildlife—like the guanacos that feed on the brush and grasses by the riverbank.

Lunch: We’ll take a break from hiking to enjoy a boxed lunch while taking in our scenic surroundings.

Afternoon: Our second hike will take us through undulating plains and beneath the towering Paine Massif, one of the most recognizable mountain profiles in the world.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: The remainder of the evening is yours to relax or make independent explorations. Your Trip Experience Leader can provide recommendations.

DAY 15
Overland to El Calafate, Argentina
Destination: El Calafate
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Kau Yatun Hotel or similar

Activity Note: We will travel overland by bus around ten hours from Torres del Paine to El Calafate, with sightseeing stops along the way. Our passports will be checked as we cross the border from Chile to Argentina. This process can take up to a few hours, depending on the number of people crossing the border.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll depart Torres del Paine National Park this morning, with a final stop for sightseeing and photo opportunities en route. We’ll pass by the soaring mountains, granite towers, and blue glaciers that make this region a true natural wonderland.

Lunch: At a local restaurant en route to El Calafate.

Afternoon: We cross the border from Chile back into Argentina early this afternoon. Once we are in Argentina, we’ll change buses and continue our drive to El Calafate, arriving late this afternoon.

Dinner: At our hotel's restaurant.

Evening: The remainder of the evening is yours to relax or have a nightcap in the hotel bar.

DAY 16 El Calafate • Ranch visit Destination: El Calafate Meals included: B L Accommodations: Kau Yatun Hotel or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Following breakfast, we'll make our way to a Patagonian ranch. Upon arrival, we'll be received by the ranchers and have the opportunity to hear about their gaucho lifestyle, including their methods of using dogs to herd sheep and cattle, the important role horses play on the farm, and the different types of saddles that are used to ride horses. This is also a good opportunity to ask our hosts about their personal experience.

Lunch: Our small group will savor a a tasty, barbecue lamb meal at the ranch.

Afternoon: After returning to our hotel, the balance of the day is yours to make independent explorations. You may choose to stroll along the busy pier to watch ships arriving to and departing from the remote fjords or visit the artisan shops off the main square that sell handmade woolen crafts and locally-produced chocolates.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: The evening is yours to relax or choose to have a nightcap with fellow travelers at the hotel bar.

DAY 17
Explore Los Glaciares National Park
Destination: El Calafate
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Kau Yatun Hotel or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We head out on a full-day excursion to Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Los Glaciares is the second-largest national park in Argentina and comprises more than 1,700 square miles and nearly 50 large glaciers. These glaciers are fed by a giant ice cap (the largest continental ice extension after Antarctica and Greenland) that begins in the Andes and occupies well over a third of the park’s total area.

During our explorations, we’ll discover the Perito Moreno Glacier, which towers nearly 200 feet above Lake Argentino. It is named after Francisco Moreno, a 19th-century Argentinean explorer who helped resolve his country’s border dispute with neighboring Chile. The constant, cyclical movement of Perito Moreno’s ice mass often forces the glacier to “calve”—an iceberg “birthing” process in which smaller chunks of ice fracture and break off from the glacier to thunderous accompaniment. This spectacle can occur at any time, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed that we’ll be lucky enough to witness this phenomenon. Surrounding the glacier are wooden platforms with railings, providing you with various angles at which to view the glacier.

Lunch: Enjoy a boxed lunch in the park, among the natural splendor of Perito Moreno.

Afternoon: We’ll return to El Calafate, and the balance of the day is yours. Before dinner, we'll regroup for a Farewell Briefing to reminisce over our adventure, and prepare for our journey home.

Dinner: We'll celebrate our discoveries over a Farewell Dinner.

Evening: The evening is yours to retire to your room, or perhaps you’ll head out to a local pub or cocktail bar for a final toast to Patagonia.

DAY 18
Fly to Buenos Aires • Return to U.S.
Destination: Buenos Aires
Meals included: B
Accommodations: Argenta Tower Hotel or similar

San Telmo Street Market, Buenos Aires, Argentina Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After taking part in a Farewell Briefing with your Trip Experience Leader, we'll head to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires.

Lunch: On your own. You may choose to grab something at the airport to eat during your flight.

Afternoon: Upon arrival in the Argentine capital in the mid-afternoon, we'll transfer to our hotel. You'll have a few hours to relax in a dayroom before heading to the airport for your flight home.

If you are taking the Iguassu Falls: Thundering Cascades of Argentina & Brazil post-trip extension, you’ll have the rest of the day free and remain in Buenos Aires tonight.