Compare 8-Day Argentina & Patagonia Tour: Buenos Aires & El Calafate by Tours4Fun vs Highlights of Patagonia by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 Arrival in Buenos Aires

Upon your arrival at Buenos Aires airport (Ezeiza or Aeroparque), you will be met and transferred to the Europlaza hotel in the city center. The rest of the day will be free for you to spend at your leisure.

Day 2 Buenos Aires - El Calafate

After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the Jorge Newbery Airpark for your domestic flight to El Calafate. Upon arrival at the El Calafate Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Hosteria Hainen, where you can relax for the rest of the day. El Calafate is a picturesque village close to Lago Argentino, one of Patagonias largest and most stunning lakes. It's also the entrance to the amazing land of the glaciers.

Day 3 Perito Moreno Glacier Boat Safari

Today's Los Glaciares National Park excursion is perfect for those nature lovers who want to explore lakes, rivers, mountains and trails to discover one of its greatest wonders, the only advancing glacier in the world, Perito Glacier. Known worldwide for its unique phenomena: huge parts of the glaciers fall out in the Argentino Lake once a year, attracting thousands of people. The Safari Boat ride will take so close to the glacier you will feel how cold it is and see how small we feel next to it! After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and we will head towards Los Glaciares National Park. We will drive along the scenic Route 11, which runs alongside the main course of Lago Argentino on our way to Brazo Rico. Once in the park, we will go to Curva de los Suspiros, where we will get off the vehicle to take a first look at the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is certainly an amazing image. Later we will make another stop at the Muelle bajo las Sombras, where we will navigate to get closer to the southern wall of the glacier. By boat we will approach to the stunning Perito Moreno ice walls, getting close enough to contemplate its immensity and also to observe the ice landslides that continually take place. As we get to the front wall, the boat will stop for a few minutes to get a better look at the landscape, giving us a very good opportunity to take interesting photographs and film the scene. Then we will go to the front catwalks of the glacier, where we will see it from several balconies located at different heights, allowing to appreciate it from different angles, each more beautiful than the last one. Finally we will enjoy some free time to spot the different detachments that continually take place, and those who want to, can enjoy lunch at any of the restaurants near the runways. In the afternoon we will return to El Calafate and we will drop you off at your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy El Calafate.

Day 4 Full Day Boat Trip on the Ice River From El Calafate

Our journey to the Ice Rivers of Patagonia will take so close to the glaciers you will feel Patagonia's heartbeat against your fingertips. Early in the morning, after breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you will head towards the Port of Punta Bandera, 47 kilometers away from the city of El Calafate. You will drive by the Route 11 to Los Glaciares National Park and will skirt the main part of Lake Argentino to Puerto Bandera's private port, arriving around 8:30 am. You will be quickly informed about the safety and seaworthiness and you will then embark on modern Catamaran at 09:00 am, to start navigating between icebergs in the north and Upsala Glacier to the namesake. Travelling through another arm of Lake, you will observe the highest Glacier, Glacier Spegazzini with almost 100 meters of height. After spending the day being impressed by the landscapes and unique experience, you will be taken back to shore and take ground transportation to El Calafate.

Day 5 El Calafate to Buenos Aires

In the morning you'll be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport in El Calafate for your return flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival at the domestic airport you'll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Buenos Aires. You will have your afternoon free for your last souvenirs shopping or just to take a walk around the city.

Day 6 Panoramic City Tour and Tango Show

Today we'll introduce you to Buenos Aires, from the great attractions to the amazing culture, including an exciting Tango Show. Buenos Aires City Tour Discover the magic of Buenos Aires. Perfect for first-time visitors, this morning or afternoon three-hour city tour is a well-rounded introduction to Buenos Aires' famous sights while also leaving you with some free time to explore a bit more of the city. After breakfast, you will be picked-up from your hotel and go for a three-hour bus tour, including the beautiful parks and gardens of Recoleta and Palermo neighborhoods, the Colon Theater, Mayo Square, the cathedral, traditional Mayo Avenue, Congress Square and many other buildings and palaces. We will start our tour through one of the main avenues, the 9th of July Avenue, where we'll see the Teatro Colon and the Obelisk. Afterwards we will visit the Plaza de Mayo, where we will do our first stop, There was the historical, political and foundational epicenter of the city; We will be able to take Photos of the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Government House, the Cabildo. The tour will continue south through the old neighborhood of San Telmo, passing through Parque Lezama, and then on to the neighborhood of La Boca, where we have our second stop. Famous for the stadium of Boca Juniors, one of the greatest exponents of the Argentinian passion: Football; and also important for Caminito, one of the biggest Tourist Attractions, full of color, magic and history. After the break we'll move to Puerto Madero, which is one of the newest, most exclusive and most modern neighborhoods in Buenos Aires with its main areas of Retiro and Plaza San Martin. We'll move on to Palermo, which is Buenos Aires main green area. The last neighborhood we'll visit is the exclusive and sophisticated neighborhood of La Recoleta to end up our excursion in Buenos Aires in downtown where we will thank every person on the tour hoping to have you back in the future. Tango Show At night, around 8 pm, you will be picked up at your hotel to enjoy an exclusive meal, followed by a tango show with the best dancers of the City. You can enjoy an exquisite dinner of three steps with over thirty options Argentinian and international dishes. The service includes starter, main course soft drinks, mineral water, wines from winery Finca Flichman, dessert and coffee. On the menu, you will find the best Argentinian dishes like, chicken, meat, varieties of pastas and salads. Starter hot and cold -Fries empanadas. Stuffed with meat, onions, scallions, egg, peppers and olives. Main course -Bife de chorizo grille. With potatotes, onions, corn, tomatoes, green onions, red peppers. -Wok sauteed tenderloin with onions, potatoes, rice, sauce. -Veal Cutlets with mashed tricolor. Mashed potatoes, pumpkin and sweet potato. -Pope Arugula gnocchi, arugula, prosciutto and mozzarella roquefort cream. -Pollack stew shrimp cream sauce, peppers, onions, carrots, zuchinnis and shrimp. -Lamb and mushroom casserole tomatoes, carrots, eggplants, onions, pepper and potatoes. Dessert -Triffle red fruit and Chocolate Biscuit. Drinks -Malbec and Chardonnay wines (1 bottle for 2 people) -Beer (free) -Sodas and water (free) -Coffee and tea (free) 10:15 pm: After a delicious dinner the show begins. A quartet of musicians start playing the pieces of classic tango and on stage four pairs of dancers fall in love with the audience with precision and sensuality. Two singers dazzle the audience with their voices and the same will be complemented with stories of the history of tango and Buenos Aires, its charachters and circumstances from 1860 to the present. 11:30 pm: the event will finish and near and we´ll take you back to your hotel after living a great cultural and gastronomic experience.

Day 7 Tigre Delta Half Day Trip from Buenos Aires

"Watching the Delta" means appreciating the generosity of nature in this singular place of the world, which could never be invisible to your eyes. In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel where you will board a comfortable bus and head towards Tigre, up north. The first stop will be in San Isidro City, where our guides will take you to visit the beautiful Cathedral of San Isidro and popular mansions inhabited by ancient aristocratic families of Buenos Aires. Then you will continue the journey to Tigre. In Tigre we will climb aboard a catamaran where we'll enjoy a 40 minutes tour of the Delta. There, we can see the landscape of rivers and streams that cross forming numerous islands. You can see the lifestyle of the local people and how they interact with services operating on a floating way in rivers: boats, rafts, water taxis. You will also see houses built on stilts and the house-museum of president Sarmiento. At the end of the boat ride, you will return to the port to board the bus again and make your way back to Buenos Aires. On the way back to Buenos Aires we will pass by the Presidential Residence (Quinta de Olivos).

Day 8 Leaving Buenos Aires

In the morning, after breakfast, you will check out at your hotel and you will have free time until your vehicle picks you up to drive you to the airport.

Day 1 Buenos Aires

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. With Latin passion, European elegance and a distinctive cosmopolitan style, it might just steal your heart. Attend a group meeting at 2 pm where you’ll get to know your group and trip leader. The adventure begins straight after the meeting with a two-hour orientation walk that visits Avenida de Mayo, Cafe Tortoni, Florida Street, Plaza de Mayo (Casa Rosada, Cabildo, Catedral de Buenos Aires) and Plaza Dorrego (San Telmo). Continue to Palermo to participate in a tango class. In a private space, a professional tango couple will explain the dance’s origin and history and then give a sultry demonstration. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to join an hour-long beginner’s class to learn some of the basics. Following the tango class, you may want to head to one of the many parrillas (steak houses) in the area for dinner.

Day 2 El Chalten

After breakfast today, fly south from Buenos Aires to El Calafate (approximately 3 hours), then travel by van to the frontier town of El Chalten, north of Glacier National Park (approximately 3.5 hours). Hikers and climbers from all around the world congregate here in order to reach the glaciers and mountains of the park. Take it easy and drink in the views today, in preparation for your trek tomorrow. The afternoon is yours to relax, sightsee or get to know your fellow explorers.

Day 3 El Chalten

Rise and shine nice and early for your first day of trekking. After breakfast at your hotel, begin with perhaps the most famous of all Patagonia’s trails – the Laguna de los Tres. Ascend from El Calten on an approximately 9-hour trek through incredible landscapes. Walk through woodlands framed by granite cliffs, over crystal-clear streams and towards the three frosted peaks of Mt Fitz Roy. Along the way, you’ll see numerous glaciers, but the primary reward on this trek comes at the end of a steep climb - the Glacier de los Tres and the blue lagoon that lies before it, at the base of Mt Fitz Roy. Take in the gorgeous views, snap a couple of shots and take a moment to appreciate the majesty. This evening is yours to relax and recharge.

Day 4 El Chalten

This morning’s schedule is as clear as the mountain air, so you can decide whether to recuperate or tackle another trail. If you can’t wait to explore further, perhaps head out on the Laguna Torre trail. Aside from the first two kilometres, there’s very little ascent on this trail, which leads to a beautiful glacier lake at the base of Cerro Torre. Hiking there and back will take around 7 hours, depending on how many stops you make, so make sure to head out nice and early and get back to your hotel in time. This afternoon, travel to El Calafate, where you’ll spend the night. The drive takes approximately 4 hours, depending on weather and traffic.

Day 5 El Calafate

Today, visit the immense Perito Moreno Glacier. This electric-blue beauty is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world and at 3 km wide and 35 km long, it’s a spectacular sight. Watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below, creating a thunderous symphony. The glacier is the third largest reserve of fresh water in the world, after the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. You’ll also have the option to add a mini hike onto your visit, which explores part of the Moreno glacier on foot – this hike is not available without a guide, so make sure you book ahead. Once you’re finished soaking up the wonder of this natural formation, return to your El Calafate hotel for the night.

Day 6 Torres del Paine National Park

This morning after breakfast, you’ll travel to the jewel of Patagonia – Torres del Paine National Park (approximately 2.5 hours from El Calafate). Known for its soaring mountainous peaks, bright blue icebergs and glaciers and untouched grasslands (home to many wild guanacos, birdlife and the Patagonian fox), this park is a nature-lovers paradise. Once you arrive, the day is yours to explore. You might want to find a good spot to watch the sunset, gracing your visit to this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with some of the best natural entertainment.

Day 7 Torres del Paine Trekking Day

Today, head out on a full-day trek in Torres del Paine National Park. The Base Las Torres trek can be a bit of a challenge – but with high reward. Today, you’ll witness some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth, including rolling hills backdropped by snow-capped peaks and diverse flora and fauna among expansive rivers and lakes in different shades of blue and green. After hours of exploring this incredible park, you’ll arrive at the base of Torres del Pain (or The Blue Towers) – the three distinctively jagged peaks that are synonymous with Chilean Patagonia. At their base, a turquoise lake sits still, completing the scene. In the afternoon, travel to Puerto Natales and perhaps round your group to celebrate your last night of Patagonian adventure however you like.

Day 8 Puerto Natales

Today after breakfast, your trip comes to an end. If you’d to extend your stay in South America, just speak to your booking agent.