Patagonian Panorama - 12 days
Patagonian Panorama - 12 days
Patagonian Panorama - 12 days
12 Days Starting in Santiago, Chile and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Visiting: Santiago, Puerto Varas, Chiloe, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, Buenos Aires
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2049/PATP
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 20
Age range:
12-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a 12-day cultural journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia, exploring the vibrant cities and natural wonders of Argentina and Chile. Begin your adventure in Santiago, Chile's bustling capital, before heading to the picturesque Chilean Lake District in Puerto Varas. Discover the mystical island of Chiloe, home to unique wildlife and traditional architecture. Journey south to the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine National Park, where you'll explore its dramatic landscapes by foot and vehicle. Cross into Argentina to marvel at the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciers National Park. Conclude your tour in Buenos Aires, the lively capital of Argentina, known for its rich culture and tango heritage. With guided city tours, scenic flights, and comfortable accommodations, this small group tour offers an unforgettable Patagonian panorama.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Santiago
Location: Santiago
Accommodation Name: hotel
Tuesday. Upon arrival at Santiago Airport you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. After some free time to check-in and freshen up we then meet the rest of the group before embarking on a walking tour of the capital. This clean, modern city is home to many fountains and parks, and is well-renowned for its markets such as the famous Mercado Central, one of the best seafood markets in the world. In the Plaza Constitucion at the Palacio de la Moneda you can see the changing of the guard on most days. For the best views of the city, take a funicular railway to the top of San Cristobal where the Statue of the Virgin overlooks the capital and the distant Andes.
Day 2 : Santiago
Location: Santiago
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free for you to independently explore Santiago at your own pace or join an optional excursion to Valaparaiso, which is a lively seaport built on a series of hills, overlooking the seaside resort of Vina del Mar. In Chile’s second city you can explore the steep, winding streets and see the brightly coloured colonial homes or take a ride in one of the wooden funiculars to one of the cliff-top communities. Time permitting you may wish to visit one of the local vineyards situated just outside of Santiago to learn about the process of making wine and sample some Chilean favourites.
Day 3 : Puerto Varas
Location: Puerto Varas
Meals Included: Breakfast
Santiago – Puerto Varas. This morning we travel to the lakeside town of Puerto Varas in the Chilean Lake District. After a short 2-hour flight we arrive at the ‘City of Roses’ where we marvel at the two snow-capped volcanoes overlooking this picturesque town. We have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to wander along the lakeside promenade and appreciate the Chilean-German architecture and traditions that still run deep through the town or take a trip to Coastal Street to sample some amazing local delicacies.
Day 4 : Chiloe
Location: Chiloe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we visit the mystical island of Chiloe which is just a short ferry ride from the mainland but feels worlds apart. We take the ferry across to Chacao where we meet our local guide to explore the island. We visit the plaza in Chacao, taking in the traditional architecture, which includes the famous stilted houses and wooden churches the island is famous for. We then continue to the Bay of Caulin which boasts a huge array of birdlife and here we taste oysters before continuing to Ancud for lunch. After lunch we travel through the ‘campo’ until we reach the desolate beaches on the Pacific Coast of the island, the only place in the world where Humboldt and Magallanic penguins live together. In the late afternoon we make our way back to Puerto Varas after stopping at a family farmhouse in Ancud for a traditional curanto, a local pitbake and uniquely authentic Chilote experience.
Day 5 : Puerto Natales
Location: Puerto Natales
Meals Included: Breakfast
Puerto Varas - Puerto Natales. We return to Puerto Montt for a flight to the port city of Punta Arenas, Chile’s most southerly town. The city is rich in history and culture and was once an important British-influenced trading port before the Panama Canal turned it to a back water. From here we continue by bus to Puerto Natales, the gateway to the famous Torres del Paine National Park and home to pelicans, black-necked swans and cormorants. We have the rest of the evening to walk around the town at our own leisure.
Day 6 - 7 : Torres Del Paine
Location: Torres del Paine
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park. Today we journey to the edge of Torres del Paine National Park, but rather than taking the road we embark on a full day’s adventure by boat. An early morning start sees us boarding a ship and beginning our journey through the fjord ‘Last hope’, sailing past colonies of sea lions and cormorants until we reach the Balmaceda glacier. We dock here for a walk to the Serrano glacier and ice-carved lake that hides below. The afternoon finds us continuing our journey by zodiacs as we venture through untouched areas of the fjord and past glaciers until we reach our hotel in Rio Serrano, on the edge of the national park. Spend the evening relaxing and admiring views of the towering granite peaks on the horizon.
Day 8 : El Calafate
Location: El Calafate
Meals Included: Breakfast
Torres del Paine - El Calafate (Argentina). This morning we travel through the park stopping at the Salto Grande and Laguna Amarga waterfalls before we cross the Patagonian steppe desert to the city of El Calafate in Argentina. Keep an eye out for the spectacular views of Lago Argentino, the largest lake in the country and for guanacos, rheas and flamingos. We reach the town of El Calafate, which is situated on the shores of the lake and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town, take a trip down to the Glaciarium Museum to get an insight into all things glacial or sit back and relax in the ice bar on the premises.
Day 9 : El Calafate
Location: Perito Moreno Glacier
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we visit the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Our morning begins with a drive through Los Glaciers National Park, along the shores of Lake Argentino until we reach Patagonia’s most famous attraction. We then have some time to walk across the wooden walk ways which lead to perfect sightseeing spots to see the front edge of the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier which is 5kms wide and towers 60 meters above the water surface.
Day 10 - 11 : Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Meals Included: Breakfast
El Calafate - Buenos Aires. On day 10 we fly to the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, known as the "Paris of South America" due to its lovely green parks, plazas and wide boulevards. After checking into our hotel, we have the rest of the afternoon at leisure to do with as we wish.
Day 12 : Buenos Aires
Location: Buenos Aires
Meals Included: Breakfast
Saturday. Our tour comes to an end today. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight or we can book post tour accommodation if you'd like to extend your stay.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 - 4 star -
11 breakfasts and 2 lunches
Enjoy 11 breakfasts and 2 lunches during your tour.
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Airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 12
Airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour.
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9 nights 3 star and 2 nights 4 star hotels
Stay in 9 nights of 3-star and 2 nights of 4-star hotels.
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Escorted by an experienced tour leader with services of local English-speaking specialist guides
The tour is escorted by an experienced tour leader and includes services of local English-speaking specialist guides.
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Transportation in private vehicles, with a public bus from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales
Travel in private vehicles, with a public bus from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales.
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3 economy class flights: Santiago - Puerto Montt, Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas, El Calafate - Buenos Aires
Includes 3 economy class flights: Santiago to Puerto Montt, Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas, and El Calafate to Buenos Aires.
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Guided tour of Santiago and Buenos Aires
Enjoy guided tours of Santiago and Buenos Aires.
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Two full days exploring Torres del Paine on foot and by vehicle.
Spend two full days exploring Torres del Paine National Park on foot and by vehicle.
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Full day excursion to Chiloe Island
Experience a full day excursion to Chiloe Island.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.
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Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
Tipping is not included and is considered a personal gesture.
Age Policy
Minimum age 12. If booking a family please contact GH to request/check triple rooms / rooms next to each other before confirming the bookingThere is no maximum age. Those 70 or over will be required to fill out a tour suitability tour.
Mode of Transport
Travel in private vehicles with a public bus from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, and enjoy three economy class flights between Santiago, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, and Buenos Aires for a seamless journey.
Accommodation
Enjoy 9 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels and 2 nights in luxurious 4-star hotels, providing a perfect blend of comfort and style throughout your Patagonian adventure.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including Humboldt and Magellanic penguins on the beaches of Chiloe, guanacos, rheas, and flamingos in the Patagonian steppe, and condors soaring high in Torres del Paine National Park.
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Are there any special activities included in the tour on Chiloe Island?
Yes, on Chiloe Island, you will explore the traditional architecture, taste oysters at the Bay of Caulin, and enjoy a traditional curanto, which is a local pitbake, at a family farmhouse in Ancud.
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What should I bring for the Torres del Paine National Park visit?
It is essential to bring water, windproof clothing, and appropriate footwear as the weather in Torres del Paine National Park can be highly unpredictable.
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Is there an opportunity to experience local culture in Buenos Aires?
Yes, in Buenos Aires, you will have the opportunity to explore the city's unique blend of European and Latin American influences on a guided city tour. Additionally, there is an optional evening visit to one of the many nightly Tango shows, as Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango.
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What is the most challenging hike in Torres del Paine National Park?
The most challenging hike in Torres del Paine National Park is the trek to the 'Base of the Towers,' which takes at least eight hours to complete. However, there are various trails available to suit different levels of fitness.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.