Explore the Legendary Landscapes of Southern Patagonia with Boundless Journeys

Welcome to Buenos Aires! Upon arrival in Argentina's capital, you'll be met by a Boundless Journeys representative at the airport and transferred to your elegant, downtown hotel in Buenos Aires' Palermo Hollywood neighborhood.

Founded by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, the capital—whose name translates to "City of our Lady Saint Mary of the Fair Winds"—was an important New World trading center for more than two centuries. In 1816, following what is known as the May Revolution and several years of conflict, Argentina earned its independence from Spain. Despite two later efforts by French and Anglo-French forces to blockade the city into submission, Buenos Aires maintained its independence and its reputation as Argentina's most liberal, free-trading, and European-influenced city continues to this day.

This afternoon, you may have time on your own to explore Buenos Aires and the revived Palermo neighborhood, containing the city's planetarium, Japanese and Botanical gardens. There are shopping opportunities at nearby artisan markets and antique stores, and also the chance to enjoy your first taste of Argentinean beef served on an open parrilla barbecue.

After a welcome meeting, we'll enjoy dinner together at a favorite local restaurant.

Accommodations

Palladio Hotel
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hotel Palladio is a luxury boutique hotel blending modern comfort with classic charm in the heart of the Recoleta neighborhood. Enjoy the spa and wellness center, or soak up the sun in their heated outdoor pool. Savor authentic cuisine in the bistro and bar, and catch the sunset from the rooftop terrace.

This morning we will enjoy a city tour of Argentina's capital of Buenos Aires, focusing on the city's cosmopolitan northern district. We will learn about Porteno's lifestyle, vibrant culture and music, and visit monuments on our way to Plaza de Mayo, taking a moment to admire significant buildlings such as the Casa Rosada or the Congress. Experience the European flair that has given the city its fame strolling around eclectic neighborhoods; from antique San Telmo and colorful working class La Boca. We end in the chic, aristocratic Recoleta area, famous for its Beaux-Arts architecture and its 19th-century cemetery, which contains the grave of famed Argentinean First Lady, Eva Perón ("Evita").

This evening, we'll kick off our journey ahead with one of Argentina's most emblematic cultural highlights: a captivating tango show at Gala Tango.

Accommodations

Palladio Hotel
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hotel Palladio is a luxury boutique hotel blending modern comfort with classic charm in the heart of the Recoleta neighborhood. Enjoy the spa and wellness center, or soak up the sun in their heated outdoor pool. Savor authentic cuisine in the bistro and bar, and catch the sunset from the rooftop terrace.

After breakfast, we'll transfer to the airport for our three-hour flight to El Calafate in southern Patagonia. Located on the Patagonia steppe at the edge of the ice field, El Calafate is named for an endemic berry that, once eaten, guarantees a visitor's return to Patagonia — and for good reason. A surreal landscape comprised of stark grasslands, dramatic peaks, and sparkling turquoise lakes — including the country's biggest, Lago Argentino — El Calafate feels like a world all its own. The town is also the gateway to the region's main attraction, the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few glaciers on the planet that is still advancing.

Upon arrival this afternoon, we'll enjoy lunch at a local cafe, followed by a walk down to the Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve, home to a variety of 80 species of birds, both Patagonian residents and migrators, including the flamingo and swan. We'll then visit Chacra Las Moras, near the great Argentino Lake, a farm growing reginonal fruits, where we'll learn about the art of cultivation in the Patagonian climate.

We'll settle into our lovely hotel on the shore of the lake to freshen up in time before dinner. For dinner this evening, we head to one of our guide's favorite restaurants for regional dishes served inside a cozy, wood-paneled dining room.

Accommodations

Los Ponchos Apart
El Calafaté, Argentina

With expansive views of Argentino Lake, this boutique apartment hotel is located just minutes from the Perito Moreno Glacier, and features a rustic Argentinean décor, Hispanic art collection, and roomy, shiplap-accented guestrooms

Today's itinerary features a full day of exploration in Los Glaciares National Park. Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981, the park and its famous Perito Moreno Glacier offer some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in Argentina, and our journey today takes in the very best of the region.

Our route begins with a 31-mile drive through Santa Cruz's vast farmland, dotted by estancias, or ranches, and provides a glimpse into the rural heart of southern Patagonia. We drive to Roca Lake and on to Estancia Nibepo Aike, one of the region's sheep-ranching pioneers. There, we enjoy a short hike on the property before delving into a traditional Patagonian lunch comprised of family recipes and ingredients harvested from the gardens.

We continue to the nearby port, where a short boat ride brings us to the starting point for our walk along Playa de las Monedas, or Coins Beach. Our short hike winds through a forest of beautiful Andean lengas trees, culminating with breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

We return to our boat and continue closer to the south face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, where we may witness calving in real-time! As an active glacier, portions of the ice 'calve,' or break-off, frequently, providing the opportunity to witness this rare, natural phenomenon. We'll then visit a impressive network of glacier catwalks inside the National Park, where our guide will further describe the various faces and marvels of the massive amount of ice we observe.

We return to our inviting hotel to relax before an evening to dine out on your own at one of El Calafate's many highly recommended restaurants.

Accommodations

Los Ponchos Apart
El Calafaté, Argentina

With expansive views of Argentino Lake, this boutique apartment hotel is located just minutes from the Perito Moreno Glacier, and features a rustic Argentinean décor, Hispanic art collection, and roomy, shiplap-accented guestrooms

Our destination today is El Chaltén, located three hours north of El Calafate and known as the trekking capital of Argentina. Winding through the unique desert scenery along the famous Route 40 highway, the road skirts the La Léona River, an important connecting point between the region's two major lakes: Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma. Along the way, we stop at the La Leona Road House, made famous by turn-of-the-century outlaws, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, who visited after robbing the Londres and Tarapaca's Bank in Rio Gallegos, and remained hidden in the area for almost a month.

Situated at the foot of the Fitz Roy Mountain, El Chaltén is surrounded by glaciers, lakes, rivers, and forest. Despite increased tourism in recent years, it remains a hidden gem of the south. The town is the staging point for most excursions in the region, ours included. Our hike takes in the wild beauty of the borderlands and towering peaks between Argentina and Chile in Los Glaciares National Park.

Beginning in El Chaltén's downtown area, our trail leads west through the Fitz Roy River Valley, toward Grande Glacier and the snowcapped Cerro Torre (the highest peak in the ice fields), and through the Andean-Patagonian forest. The isolation of this unique, 45-million-year-old woodland is what makes it known as a "green island," offering a rare mix of endemic flora and fauna unseen anywhere else.

Tonight, we return to relax before setting out to a favorite local restaurant for dinner.

Accommodations

Los Cerros Boutique Hotel & Spa
El Chalten, Argentina

Perched along the El Chaltén Valley and surrounded by mountains, this chalet-like property offers five-star services, cheerful interiors, and luxurious amenities, including a gourmet restaurant, gym, pool, and spa.

It's time to lace up our hiking boots! After an early breakfast, we prepare for a full day out on the trails with a transfer to El Pilar to begin the De los Tres (Mount Fitz Roy) Lagoon Trek.

This classic route takes in some of the most scenic portions of the Fitz Roy region and, though strenuous at points, is a true highlight of our trip and well worth the effort. Our hike begins gradually, eventually incorporating some significant uphill climbs. Starting in virgin lengas forest, we have an early payoff at Piedras Blancas with views of the glacier and surrounding lagoon. We continue on to the Poincenot Base Camp, a starting point for various treks within the Fitz Roy range, and proceed to the aquamarine De los Tres Lagoon. Here, we have one of a kind photo opportunities of the jagged Fitz Roy peaks, emerging from the ice in the distance.

We return via a different path that passes the Capri Lagoon. Back in El Chaltén, we have time to toast our adventure over a well-earned, ice-cold beer. Tonight, you are free to enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many local restaurants, or if your legs need a rest, Destino Sur's restaurant is a fine choice.

Accommodations

Los Cerros Boutique Hotel & Spa
El Chalten, Argentina

Perched along the El Chaltén Valley and surrounded by mountains, this chalet-like property offers five-star services, cheerful interiors, and luxurious amenities, including a gourmet restaurant, gym, pool, and spa.

Today, we have a four-hour transfer—circumnavigating Lake Videma—to the family-owned Estancia Helsingfors, our base for the next two nights. In 1907, the estancia was founded by Alfred Ramström, a Finnish immigrant escaping the Russian regime in his native land. Ramström bred and sold horses to pay for this scenic stretch of ranchland in what is today Los Glaciares National Park, naming it "Helsingfors," which means Helsinki in Swedish.

We arrive at the ranch in time for a special treat: a traditional Argentinean asado barbecue. Consisting of beef, sausages, and other meats prepared outside over an open fire, asado is typically served alongside local red wine and salads. After lunch, we enjoy a hike along Lago Viedma to Windy Point, amidst the surrounding mountains and sparkling glacier-fed lake.

Accommodations

Estancia Helsingfors
El Calafaté, Argentina

Comprised of nine, elegantly-appointed, en-suite guestrooms, this early 20th-century estancia lodge and gourmet restaurant boasts an unmatched location inside Los Glaciares National Park overlooking Lake Videma, Mount Fitz Roy, and the Andes beyond.

We continue our exploration of Los Glaciares National Park and Estancia Helsingfors, this time with a visit to one of the region's most dramatic locations, the Blue Lagoon.

Our full-day hike (a horseback option is available) will depart from our hotel, following the gradually-ascending Alfredo Valley, whose river provides power for the local area, including Helsingfors Lodge. We continue our trek through this surreal landscape, skirting the side of Huemul Hill, and making a final, steady climb culminating with views of the Blue Lagoon. Here, the pool's sapphire hues contrast dramatically with the dark shadows of the surrounding mountains and the whiteness of the glacier, providing ample payoff for our efforts today on the trail. The descent back to the lodge offers incomparable expansive views over the lake of this one-of-a-kind property.

We enjoy yet another delectable dinner this evening at the lodge.

Accommodations

Estancia Helsingfors
El Calafaté, Argentina

Comprised of nine, elegantly-appointed, en-suite guestrooms, this early 20th-century estancia lodge and gourmet restaurant boasts an unmatched location inside Los Glaciares National Park overlooking Lake Videma, Mount Fitz Roy, and the Andes beyond.

We bid farewell to Estancia Helsingfors and set off back to El Calafate. Upon an early afternoon arrival, you are free to explore the town as you wish, and enjoy a local lunch on your own. This afternoon offers several options of further exploring town, artisan shops and enjoying the local culture on yoru own, or choosing from a few excursion options. Your guide may present and faciliate visits to sites such as a local winery, Chacra Las Moras farm, or the local Glaciarium museum, housing three exhibition halls of dioramas, 3D documentaries, and multimedia displays exhibiting southern Patagonia’s rare, natural phenomena with an eye toward environmental preservation. (These visits are at an additional expense.)

At a favorate local restaurant this evening, we raise a glass of local Malbec to our adventure and the unforgettable moments shared in this magical land.

Accommodations

Los Ponchos Apart
El Calafaté, Argentina

With expansive views of Argentino Lake, this boutique apartment hotel is located just minutes from the Perito Moreno Glacier, and features a rustic Argentinean décor, Hispanic art collection, and roomy, shiplap-accented guestrooms

Enjoy a leasuirely morning before transferring to the El Calafate airport in time for your departing flight to either Buenos Aires or elsewhere depending upon your post-tour plans.