Argentina and Chile with Australis Cruise

Program

Day 1:
Buenos Aires
Arrival at Ezeiza International Airport. Our staff will be waiting to assist you and transfer you to the hotel.

Day 2:
Buenos Aires
Breakfast and free morning.
Personalized city tour of Buenos Aires (5 hours), where you can learn part of our history and enjoy the architectural legacy left by our ancestors, such as: Plaza de Mayo, the typical La Boca neighborhood, formerly the natural port of the city, where in the late 19th century a thriving and growing Italian community, predominantly of Genoese origin, began to settle; “Caminito,” a street declared a museum with its colorful houses; arriving at San Telmo, the oldest area of the city, and almost without realizing, passing into Puerto Madero, the youngest neighborhood where international cuisine restaurants abound. Continuing the route, we reach Recoleta, the most prestigious neighborhood for several decades, characterized by its old buildings, which are a summary of European architecture from the last century, and its vibrant life created by both the locals and tourists strolling through its glamorous streets. The tour ends in Palermo, highly valued for its green spaces that form the lungs of Buenos Aires. At the end, you can choose to stay at the last point of the visit or return to the hotel.

Day 3:
Buenos Aires - Iguazú
Breakfast. Personalized transfer to the airport to board the Aerolíneas Argentinas flight to Iguazú (flight not included). Our staff will pick you up from the hotel 3 hours before your flight to take you to the domestic airport and assist with your boarding. Regular reception and transfer to the hotel.

Day 4:
Iguazú
Breakfast. Personalized excursion to the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls. Embark on a fascinating excursion to the impressive Iguazú Falls, where you will immerse yourself in a unique experience of connection with the lush nature. Our expert guides will accompany you through the grandeur of the falls, touring both the upper and lower walkways. Then, you will have free time for lunch or to navigate the Iguazú River.
To further enrich your experience inside the National Park, we recommend booking "The Great Adventure: Baptism of the Falls," an exciting combination of a Zodiac boat ride along 6 km of the lower Iguazú River, crossing rapids and entering the Devil’s Throat Canyon.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the charming atmosphere of the "Yabuticaba Mercadito de la Selva," where we will greet you with a welcome drink and a unique cultural experience about Yerba Mate. Afterward, you will savor and experience authentic local cuisine. At the end, we’ll return to your hotel.

Day 5:
Iguazú
Breakfast. Excursion to the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls. Departure from the hotel to the Foz do Iguazú National Park in a small group of 6 people. The visiting area consists of a single 950-meter walkway, located along the cliffs of the Iguazú River, offering a truly impressive panoramic view of all the waterfalls. The tour culminates at the Devil’s Throat viewpoint, where the roar of the falling water overwhelms the visitor.
After the visit, we will have 40 minutes of free time for individual activities, such as exploring the fascinating Brazilian culture at a local craft center with free entry. Return to the hotel.

Day 6:
Iguazú – Buenos Aires – Ushuaia
Breakfast. Regular transfer to the airport to board the Aerolíneas Argentinas flight to Ushuaia (flight not included). Reception and regular transfer to the hotel.

Day 7:
Ushuaia
Breakfast. In the morning, excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park.
The first stop is the End of the World Train Station, the southernmost operating railway on the planet. This charming little train, resembling a toy, connects the station to the National Park, making a stop at the La Macarena Waterfall, a natural viewpoint with spectacular views. (The train ride is optional; those not taking it will wait to continue with the excursion).
Next, we tour different panoramic points of the park, some of which are inaccessible by other means of transportation. We visit Lake Acigami, with crystal-clear waters surrounded by mountains, and the famous Lapataia Bay, where you can observe beaver dams, peat bogs, and diverse birdlife.
Unlike other national parks in the country, here you will find a combination of maritime coast, forest, lakes, rivers, and mountains in a single landscape. Its vastness brings together the biological wealth of Tierra del Fuego Island, offering a perfect synthesis of its natural environment.
We conclude the excursion returning to Ushuaia with enough time to combine the day with a Beagle Channel navigation in the afternoon.

In the afternoon, embark on a Beagle Channel navigation to the Island of the Seals and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (known as the End of the World Lighthouse). This excursion begins at the local tourist dock, from where we depart to sail across Ushuaia Bay to reach the Beagle Channel. We will sail around Bird Island, where you can observe Fuegian wildlife such as Skua, Black-browed Albatross, Steam Ducks, Cauquenes, Cook's Petrels, and Gray Gulls, and Seal Island, where one- and two-haired sea lions can be found. Upon reaching Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, we will spot colonies of Imperial Cormorants and Rock Cormorants. Along the way, the guide will not only explain the characteristics of the species observed and the geography of the area but will also describe the historical importance of this maritime passage in the city’s rise. On the return journey, enjoy the breathtaking view of the mountain range surrounding Ushuaia and the stunning nature that surrounds it. It’s a journey of great historical and scenic value. Return to the hotel. (Transfer not included).

Day 8:
Ushuaia
Breakfast. Full-day Off-Road Lakes 4x4 excursion. After breakfast, with the first rays of sunlight, we will embark on a full-day safari adventure in 4x4 vehicles, with lunch included. The journey will allow us to connect differently with the most remote landscapes of Tierra del Fuego Island. On dirt trails and crossing streams, we will reach the imposing shore of Lake Fagnano, where we will take a moment to contemplate this extraordinary place and its unique energy. From there, the vehicles will continue along difficult-to-access off-road paths, offering us views of unmatched beauty. We will then begin a trek through the forest to Lake Escondido, where a mountain refuge awaits. Along the shore, we will observe a beaver community, their constructions, and dams, creating a habitat for their family. In this marvelous setting, we will enjoy a traditional Argentine barbecue, paired with Malbec wine, and the opportunity to relax, share conversations, and recharge. After lunch, those who wish can canoe across the calm waters of Lake Escondido and explore the amazing landscape. Return to the hotel.

Day 9:
Ushuaia – Australis Cruise
Breakfast. Regular transfer to the cruise office to check-in. Free time to explore the city and, starting at 6:00 PM, embark on the Australis Cruise. After embarkation, a welcome toast will be held, and the Captain and crew will be introduced. The ship will then set sail towards the southernmost part of the world. Through the legendary Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan, we will enter Patagonia and the channels of Tierra del Fuego. Overnight on board with full board service.

Day 10:
Cape Horn – Wulaia Bay
We will sail through Murray Channel and Nassau Bay, arriving at the Cape Horn National Park, where we will disembark, weather permitting, to walk one of the southernmost points in the world, surrounded by beauty and legends.
In the afternoon, we will disembark at Wulaia Bay, a historic site that was one of the largest settlements of the Yámana canoe natives. We will walk to a viewpoint, passing through the Magellanic forest, where lenga, coihue, canelo trees, and ferns grow, among other species.

Day 11:
Pía Glacier – Porter Glacier
In the morning, we will sail through the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to enter and disembark at Pía Fjord. We will take a hike to the viewpoint where we can observe the namesake glacier, whose main tongue extends from the top of the mountain range to the sea.
In the afternoon, we will navigate by Zodiac boats through high rocky walls to reach Porter Glacier. We will stop in front of its wall to observe its colors, listen to its sounds, and, if we’re lucky, witness some ice calving. After taking the obligatory photographs, we will return aboard.

Day 12:
Agostini Sound – Águila Glacier – Cóndor Glacier
In the morning, we will navigate Cockburn Channel to enter Agostini Sound, where we will be able to appreciate the glaciers descending from the Darwin Mountain Range, some of which reach the sea. During the morning, we will disembark by Zodiac boats for an easy walk around a lagoon formed by the melting of Águila Glacier, where we will come face to face with it.
In the afternoon, we will take a Zodiac boat ride to get closer to Cóndor Glacier. We will learn about the formation of glaciers and their influence on the rugged geography of the Fuegian channels.

Day 13:
Magdalena Island – Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales
In the early morning, weather permitting, we will disembark at Magdalena Island, in the Strait of Magellan, a compulsory stop for ancient sailors and explorers. This island is home to an immense colony of Magellanic penguins, which can be seen during a walk to the lighthouse, currently guiding vessels through the strait. In September and April, this excursion is replaced by a landing at Marta Island, where sea lions are observed from Zodiac boats.
After the visit, we will continue the journey to Punta Arenas, where we will disembark around 11:30 AM. Reception at the Punta Arenas port and transfer to the bus terminal for a regular bus to Puerto Natales. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 14:
Puerto Natales
Breakfast. Regular excursion to Torres del Paine National Park and the Milodon Cave. From the hotel, we depart to Milodon Cave, a natural monument located on Cerro Benítez, 25 km from Puerto Natales, where Captain Eberhard found nearly intact remains, including bones, of a prehistoric animal called the Milodon. There is a replica of this animal at the site. The journey continues to Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where we will enjoy various landscapes such as Magellanic forest, the vast Patagonian steppe dominated by wind and aridity, lakes populated with seabirds, and turquoise-colored waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, arriving at Salto Grande, where two large lakes, Nordenskjold and Pehoé, meet.
After a delicious lunch, we will take a pleasant walk along the shore of Lake Grey, where we can see blue icebergs and, in the background, the vast Grey Glacier. Return to Puerto Natales.

Day 15:
Puerto Natales – El Calafate
Breakfast. In the morning, transfer to the bus terminal to take the regular bus to Calafate. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 16:
El Calafate
Breakfast. Regular full-day excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways, including the “Nautical Safari” boat ride. Departure from the hotel for an 80 km drive to the entrance of Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO Natural Heritage site, as it preserves a vast area of the continental ice field, from which the Moreno, Onelli, Agassi, and Upsala glaciers descend. The most impressive is the Perito Moreno, which stretches across the waters of Lake Argentino with a 5 km wide and 70-meter-high wall. The Panoramic Point marks the start of a descending walk on the walkways in front of the glacier. From there, you’ll enjoy the vast landscape and hear the constant ice calving. The excursion continues with the “SAFARI NAUTICO,” a boat ride along the Rico arm of Lake Argentino, lasting about 1 hour, offering the chance to experience the glacier up close. Once in front of the wall, the boat stops for a few minutes to allow you to marvel at its vastness and beauty. Return to the hotel.

Day 17:
El Calafate
Breakfast. Full-day navigation on Lake Argentino “Gourmet Glacier Experience” cruise on the María Turquesa vessel. The Patagonian Ice Field is, after Antarctica, the largest ice field on the planet. This excursion sails through this Patagonian landscape with the highest comfort, including gourmet cuisine designed specifically for a memorable experience. After boarding at the Private Port La Soledad (60 km from El Calafate), the navigation departs toward the glaciers of the National Park. We disembark at Puesto de Las Vacas for an interesting walk where we will learn about the glacier's discovery and its features. The journey continues through the Upsala and Perito Moreno Glacier channels. A box lunch is served onboard, including lamb sandwiches with sides, dessert, and a non-alcoholic drink.

Day 18:
El Calafate – Buenos Aires
Breakfast. Regular transfer to the airport to board the Aerolíneas Argentinas flight to Buenos Aires (flight not included). Reception and private transfer to the hotel.

Day 19:
Buenos Aires
Breakfast. Free day.
In the evening, as the perfect finale to the trip, a Tango Show Dinner is included, the best way to experience Tango in all its glory. Under the direction of a renowned orchestra, a group of professional dancers and singers perform in the tango capital. The dinner includes appetizers, a starter, main course, dessert, and drinks. Return to the hotel.

Price includes

- 19 nights of accommodation with breakfast
- Meals as per the program
- All transfers and excursions detailed in regular service
- Entrance fees to National Parks are included in the excursions
- English Speaking Guide

Price does not include

- International and Domestic Flights (Buenos Aires - Iguazú, Iguazú - Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires - Trelew, Trelew - Ushuaia, Ushuaia - Calafate, Calafate - Buenos Aires)
- Eco taxes to be paid per night per passenger at check-out (Iguazú: USD 3, Buenos Aires City tax: USD 1.5, and Bariloche: USD 1.6 approximately)
- Medical insurance and trip cancellation
- Extras and services not mentioned in the itinerary:

* Day 4: The Great Adventure: Baptism of the Falls
* Day 5: Visit to the Sanctuary and Refuge Parque Das Aves and an exciting panoramic helicopter flight
* Day 19: Half-day excursion in the Premium Delta

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place