Compare Antarctica Multi-Sport Adventure by Wildland Adventures vs Deep Patagonia in 18 days by Qwerty Travel Argentina

DAY 1: BUENOS AIRES
Buenos Aires airport reception and transfer into the Own Palermo Hotel in the fashionable Palermo neighborhood.

DAY 2: USHUAIA
Fly south over the rugged Patagonian landscape to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Sitting on the shores of the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia actually means 'the bay facing westward' in the language of the original Yamana inhabitants. Once a penal colony (the presidio was disbanded in the 1940s) for political prisoners as well as hardened criminals, Ushuaia is now a major tourist attraction, particularly for those embarking on an Antarctica expedition. The town of 40,000 is also a major ski resort area for both alpine and cross-country skiers and offers magnificent hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park, the only coastal national park in Argentina.
After arrival and transfer to the hotel, in the afternoon embark on an active exploration of the city. The hike starts in the El Mirador del Beagle area, a neighborhood located in the highest point of the city and an example of the development of the city in recent years. The trail takes you along the edge of the forest, featuring amazing views of the many landmarks which played a part in Ushuaia’s interesting sea-faring history. Overnight at Tierra de Leyendas(or similar)[B]

DAY 3: USHUAIA -TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK
Today is a full day exploration of the famed Tierra del Fuego National Park. Upon arrival in the park, we start a 7 km trek (3.5 hours) to a wonderful scenic point overlooking Lake Roca, Lagunas Verde and Negra, Rivers Ovando and Lapataia and Bahía Lapataia. Hiking through this beech forest keep your eyes peeled for the incredible birdlife including the Magellanic woodpecker (the largest in South America), Austral parakeets, black-chested buzzard eagles and Andean Condors. After lunch, embark on an easy, downstream kayak trip in the crystal-clear, quiet waters of the Ovando River, and into Green Lake, one of the most beautiful places in the park. Approaching our final destination at Lapataia Bay, you may encounter sea birds flying over, looking curiously at us: sea petrels, albatross, and steamer ducks, among others. At the end of the day, take in the gorgeous southern sunset at the end of the world. Overnight at Tierra de Leyendas. [BL]

DAY 4: DEPART USHUAIA
Enjoy a free morning and early afternoon to explore Ushuaia on your own. Transfer to a pier in an afternoon for embarkation. Check-in with the Akademik Ioffe begins at 4:00 PM where you will be greeted by the Expedition Leader and staff and shown to your cabin. Overnight aboard the Akademik Ioffe [BD]

DAYS: 5&6: DRAKE PASSAGE   
Crossing the Drake Passage, there is so much excitement in the air as we make our way ever closer to the white continent. Guests eagerly soak up the friendly atmosphere onboard as our numerous Polar experts prepare us for our adventures with presentations on everything Antarctic, from wildlife to history. Eventually, we will cross the Antarctic Convergence where we will notice a distinct drop in temperature as we enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. Along the way, we will witness many spectacular sights from icebergs to an array of seabirds and even several whale species some of which are known on occasion to fully breach from the sea.Overnights aboard the Akademik Ioffe. [BLD]

DAYS:7-13: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
In the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, we make as much time as possible to explore by inflatable Zodiacs, getting close up and intimate views of nature at its most pristine.  Excursions may include Neko Harbour, Wilhelmina Bay, and Petermann Island to the south.  This is where we may observe Weddell, crabeater and elephant seals, skuas and countless other seabirds, as well as massive numbers of penguins, including a large colony of Adelie penguins.This environment offers the perfect opportunity for photography, and the specialists onboard Akademik Ioffe are there to assist you in finding the perfect angle, lighting, perspective.  Or perhaps hiking,
snow-shoeing, kayaking or ski touring appeal to you more.  Whatever the conditions allow, we endeavor to extend the adventurous spirit in all of us, to experience this magnificent landscape far from the normal limits, in all its glory.Once we arrive alongside the Peninsula, we will launch the overnight kayaking experience.  The kayaks will be packed with all necessary gear, as we set off to a chosen destination for a 2-night camping experience.  Upon landing, ascent to a summit for breathtaking views of  massive icebergs in every direction.  This is an experience-focused expedition, rather than wildlife, so there is far more flexibility in launching our kayaks for the perfect destination!  Overnight aboard the Akademik Ioffe. [BLD]

DAY:14&15: DRAKE PASSAGE   
Today, we will leave Antarctica and head north back across the Drake Passage. Now is the chance to compare and revise notes and dwell on the adventures of the past week, to take in the final lectures and to enjoy the delicious cuisine on board as you return to Ushuaia. Rounding Cape Horn and sailing up the Beagle Channel, we celebrate the conclusion of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!  Overnight Akademik Ioffe. [BLD]

DAY 16: DISEMBARK IN USHUAIA &BUENOS AIRES
After an early breakfast, arrival in Ushuaia is around 9:00 AM. Thus ends an incredible and unique expedition. You’ll be met at the dock and transferred to the airport for your afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, a transfer for overnight at Own PalermoHotel.[B]

DAY 17: BUENOS AIRES &DEPARTURE
Spend the morning and early afternoon exploring one of the most atmospheric cities in South America -Buenos Aires. In the company of a local guide, explore historical sites such as the Barrio Norte with its splendid old homes; San Telmo where the artist and musicians live and work; La Boca, a neighborhood of brightly painted Italian family homes and restaurants; and the Avenida 9 de Julio with its towering obelisk as much a symbol to Buenos Aires as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. On your own free time, you may also take in a tango show or visit some of the more than 150 art galleries and museums. In the evening, transfer to airport for your international flight home.
[B]

Day 1: Buenos Aires

Arrival at Buenos Aires airport and transfer to your accommodation.

Day 2: Buenos Aires – City tour

During the morning visit the city of Buenos Aires. This tour gives you the emotion of a multiple Buenos Aires. We will see the symbol of our city: the obelisk. We will visit different squares such as Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Congreso. Avenues like Corrientes, Mayo, 9 de Julio, among others. Historical neighbourhoods: La Boca, San Telmo, Montserrat. Elegant neighbourhoods such as Palermo and Recoleta, and the most modern: Puerto Madero. Parks such as Lezama and Tres de Febrero. We will also visit financial and commercial areas and a Football Stadium.

Day 3: Buenos Aires – Bariloche

Transfer to the airport. Flight to Bariloche. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 4: Bariloche – Short Circuit with Campanario Hill

Circuito Chico is a Scenic Tour on which to enjoy good food as well as the beautiful views. The scenery is magnificent along the whole drive, and there are several natural lookouts, such as López Bay and "Punto Panorámico" panoramic lookout. Cerro Campanario, a hill standing "in the center of the landscape" (Km 17), has a chairlift that will carry you up to "the heights of amazement" to enjoy the most beautiful view in the area.

Tasty specialties at several tea houses and restaurants along the way add flavor to the scenic tour. Hotel LlaoLlao and San Eduardo Chapel, opposite Puerto Pañuelo, are unique tourist attractions. If you have time, the easy paths through Llao Llao Municipal Park provide an opportunity for a peaceful walk through the forest. Another alternative is to drive a few more kilometers to the traditional village Colonia Suiza with its unique atmosphere of a historical old rural settlement.

Other attractions along Circuito Chico are regional craft products including knitted garments, woodwork, candles, pottery and cosmetics, among others. Don’t miss the Small Circle Scenic Tour!

Day 5: Bariloche

Today you have a free day to enjoy and spend on your own.

Day 6: Bariloche– Calafate

Transfer to the airport. Flight to Calafate. Arrival and transfer to your accommodation

Day 7: Calafate – Chaltén

Transfer to the bus station. Regular bus to Chalten. Arrival and transfer by your own to the hotel.A small population born in 1985 , located in the middle of a spectacular Andean landscape . Considered the National Capital of Trekking, proposes different routes to do walking or riding . Here stand Torre Fitz Roy and others that attract climbers from all over the world.

Day 8: El Chalten

Day at leisure to discover the different trails to go to Capri Lagoon or De los Tres Lagoon

Day 9: El Chalten

Day at leisure to discover the different trails to go to Capri Lagoon or De los Tres Lagoon

Day 10: El Chalten  - El Calafate

Return to El Calafate. Regular bus. Reception at the Calafate bus station and transfer to your accommodation.

Day 11: Perito Moreno Glacier with nautic safari

Departure from the morning to travel the 80 kms distance separating El CalafatePerito Moreno glacier, unique in the world in constant progress. During the trip you know beautiful places in the Andean foothills, along the south bank of Lake Argentino. After crossing the river Centinela and Mitre, was reached at Brazo Rico to enter the National Park Los Glaciares. Bordering the Lake Rico began to spot the icebergs floating on the water until we can finally appreciate the full extent of this natural wonder has been declared by the United Nations as World Heritage. Stay in place and return to El Calafate.

Day 12: El Calafate

Day at leisure

Day 13: El Calafate – Ushuaia

Transfer to the airport of Calafate. Flight to Ushuaia. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 14: Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego National Park

Represents the southernmost protected area, the only National Park that has coastlines, covering a stretch of 6 km. Wide over the Beagle Channel and an area of 63,000 hectares. It is reached by the National Highway No. 3 to N.A. Ushuaia, met along the way Pipo River, Monte Susana, Ensenada Bay, Redonda Island sighting, lake Roca Casita del Bosque, Laguna Verde and Negra, beaver dam, Lapataia Bay, marking the end of the route, to 3,242 km. Federal Capital. The topography of the park is extremely varied, everything is a series of craggy mountains, rivers, valleys and lakes, resulting in varied landscapes from the picturesque and lively stream to the mass of towering mountains, or the extraordinary spectacle of the majestic Canal Beagle . During the spring and summer, you can admire varied and colorful flowers: mutillas, violet, primrose, white orchids, armories, white and yellow daisies, and the various tree species: Cinnamon, Wood Dura Notros Lenga Ñire, Burgundy presenting as Misodendro parasites and the Llao Llao, observing lichens, which hang in the form of a beard. The most common mammals are foxes and rabbits, living in the Park also muskrat and beaver. Among birds, Upland Goose and gray-headed, steamer ducks and great grebe, the black carpenter and rayadito giant, as the Park presents exclusive marine birds such as albatross, the oystercatcher overo the white Cauquen and mammals such as seals and otters sea.

Day 15: Ushuaia

Day at leisure

Day 16: Ushuaia – Buenos Aires

Transfer to the airport. Flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival and transfer to the hotel

Day 17: Buenos Aires

Day at leisure

Day 18: Buenos Aires

Transfer to the airport.