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Bienvenidos! Welcome to Chile. Your adventure begins in Santiago, where you will be collected from the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your fellow travellers and local leader for a welcome meeting at 6:00pm before dinner at a local wine bar. Get to know your group over a multi-course meal matched with delicious local wines and learn more about your upcoming adventure in the wilds of Patagonia.

Today is a travel day so sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. You’ll leave the hotel early in the morning (your departure time can vary depending on the flight) and fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas. This is a good time to go through your photos or catch up on some reading as the flight takes approximately 3–5 hours. From here, take a transfer to Puerto Natales, a drive of around 3.5 hours, with views of the Patagonian landscape and the chance to see animals like guanacos along the way. On arrival, check into your Feature Stay hotel which has been designed to blend into the landscape and make the most of the sweeping views. With spectacular scenery right outside your window, this is a place to connect with nature and leave the rest of the world behind. After an orientation walk with your leader around Puerto Natales, you may like to join your group for dinner at a local restaurant.

With a full day to explore Torres del Paine National Park in awe-inspiring Chilean Patagonia, you’re set for some great adventures today. Few people have the opportunity to see this area and those who do find it difficult to forget the amazing scenery and incredible wildlife. Even better, you can see all these things and more without having to hike for hours – the beauty of Torres del Paine simply surrounds you. Today’s activities will be customised based on the weather and your group’s fitness level and interests. You might take in stunning views of the Grey Glacier and icebergs, marvel at the Salto Grande waterfall, see the Paine Massif or go on some short hikes. We’ll look after all of your lunch, transport and activities so you can focus on connecting with nature. Today’s adventure is sure to be a trip highlight!

Today you’ll be exploring the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers within Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, which can only be accessed by sea. Cruise through the Ultima Esperanza fjord, passing by glaciers, waterfalls and small estancias, eventually arriving at the Balmaceda glacier. Continue to the end of the fjord and take a short walk to a viewpoint looking over the glacier before cruising back the way you came, keeping a look out for imperial cormorants and sea lions as you go. After your cruise, head to nearby Estancia Perales to enjoy a box lunch and amazing views. Tonight, perhaps head out for a dinner with your group in Puerto Natales and share stories about today’s adventures.

After a hearty breakfast to prepare you for a day of travel, you will cross the international border from Chile to Argentina and arrive at El Calafate, a journey that takes approximately four hours. This is your gateway to the Glaciers National Park. As a major hub for adventurers headed to Perito Moreno, El Calafate has undergone a lot of development in recent decades but retains plenty of charm. Located on the shore of the Argentino Lake and surrounded by the Andes range, this is a beautiful place to spend a few days. After your long travel day, relax at your hotel, or choose to experience a classic Argentine tradition by adding on an optional dinner at a charming Estancia featuring the region’s famous grilled lamb and perhaps a glass of local Malbec.

Today, drive to the Perito Moreno Glacier (approximately 1.5 hours). This is one of the few balanced glaciers in the world and at 3 km (1.8 miles) wide and 30 km (19 miles) long, it is a spectacular sight. There are multiple viewing platforms overlooking Lake Argentino, and they provide an ideal vantage point to watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below. After you have watched the calving glacier, board your boat with an expert English speaking guide for a special glacier cruise that takes you even closer to the glacier. Once you’ve finished soaking up the wonder of this incredible natural formation, you’ll return to El Calafate for a relaxing evening.

Take to the skies on a comfortable flight from El Calafate to Ushuaia, an easy 1.5 hour journey. Check in to your hotel which is ideally located for exploring the city. After a walk around town with your leader to get your bearings, the rest of the day and night is yours to enjoy your way. You could visit the Museo del Fin del Mundo (End of the World Museum) or take a stroll along the waterfront. Tonight, you might like to head out for drinks or a casual dinner with your group or enjoy a quiet night in.

After breakfast with your group, set off on a tour Martillo Island where you’ll get to walk alongside the penguins that call this island home. Take a scenic drive with views of the Beagle Chanel and board a boat that will take you to the island where you can stroll beside hundreds of penguins. Keep an eye out for the island’s other wildlife as well, such as cormorants, petrels, and Nordic skuas. On the way back to Ushuaia, you’ll stop at the Acatushún Museum to learn more about the animals that live in this remote part of the world. On your return, freshen up and perhaps head out to celebrate the final night of your Patagonian adventure.

There are no activities planned for today so you are free to leave at any time. But this doesn’t mean your Patagonian adventure has to come to an end! If you wish to spend more time in Ushuaia, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Or perhaps you would prefer to fly up to the Lake District, travel to Buenos Aires, join an Ocean Endeavor Antarctica sailing, or fly home (via Buenos Aires). Please let us know if we can help with any ongoing travel arrangements or extend your stay in South America.