Patagonian Explorer by Land & Sea
Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Torres del Paine & Puerto Natales, then a 4-night cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia; optional extension in Iguazu Falls
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | |||
| Themes | Active, Grand Tours, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruises | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted tour involves a significant amount of walking or hiking, often on uneven terrain, and climbing into and out of Zodiac boats and their landings. Because of this, and the cruise ship has no elevators requiring being able to climb up and down several flights of stairs, a high level of physical fitness is necessary to enjoy the trip entirely. The Patagonia cruise portion of the tour may have up to 210 passengers. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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If you enjoy cruising, you won't want to miss this very special opportunity. Your ship provides all the modern comforts you'll need or want! Delicious and bountiful meals are served three times daily in the ship's dining room that is encircled by huge picture windows so you don't miss a single view. Hot beverages, snacks and even wine and other alcoholic beverages are served, free of charge, each day.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round trip Flights from Miami to Buenos Aires, including taxes & fees
- All intra-South America flights
- All ground transportation and transfers
- 8 nights accommodation in first class hotels
- 4 nights cruise aboard M/V Ventus Australis
- 26 meals: 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 dinners, including a welcome dinner with wine
- English-speaking local guides
- Expedition specialist on board the cruise
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Optional post-tour extension to Iguazu
Why you'll love it
- Enjoy 4 nights cruise through one of the most remote corners of planet Earth aboard the M/V Ventus Australis.
- Explore Buenos Aires, "the Paris of the South," on a guided tour, including the historic Plaza de Mayo, the Casa Rosada, Avenue 9 de Julio, and more.
- Visit an Argentinean cattle ranch and learn about Argentine cowboys (gauchos), then enjoy a sumptuous barbecue lunch and folklore show.
- Indulge in a dinner paired with an exciting performance of the tango, Argentina's passionate national dance.
- Discover Patagonia's natural history and geology at El Calafate Historical Interpretation Centre.
- Embark on a Perito Moreno glacier tour and admire the slow-moving ice mass.
- Wander Torres del Paine National Park and its snow-capped mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, and cascading rivers and waterfalls.
- Pass through "Silla del Diablo" and explore Milodón Caves, a natural monument composed of several caves.
- Hike through the wonderful sub-Antarctic Magellanic forest.
- Visit the Tuckers Islets and see Magellanic penguins and cormorants from the Zodiacs.
- Enjoy the unique diversity of Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city that was once a penal colony.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA & Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 2 Buenos Aires
- 3 Buenos Aires & Estancia Santa Susana
- 4 Buenos Aires & El Calafate
- 5 El Calafate
- 6 El Calafate to Torres del Paine, Chile
- 7 Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales
- 8 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas & Embark Ship
- 9 Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets
- 10 Pía Glacier & Glacier Alley
- 11 Cape Horn & Wulaia Bay
- 12 Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
- 13 Buenos Aires & Return to USA
- Optional Excursion: Tour the Palermo district , $95
Iguazu Falls Optional Post-Tour Extension
- 13 Buenos Aires
- Optional Excursion: Tour the Palermo district , $95
- 14 Buenos Aires and Puerto Iguazú
- 15 Iguazú Falls
- 16 Depart Iguazu & Return to USA
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA & Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Depart the USA on your flight bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 2 Buenos Aires
- Buenos Aires city tour including Plaza de Mayo & La Boca districts
- Enjoy a tango dinner show
Recoleta GrandBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3 Buenos Aires & Estancia Santa Susana
- Full day excursion Estancia Santa Susana, an Argentinean cattle ranch
Recoleta GrandBreakfast & lunch
Day 4 Buenos Aires & El Calafate
- Morning flight to El Calafate
- Afternoon tour of El Calafate and Walichu Caves
Mirador del LagoBreakfast
Day 6 El Calafate to Torres del Paine, Chile
- Transfer from El Calafate to Torres del Paine
- Cross border into Chile at Cancha Carrera
Rio Serrano Hotel + Spa, Hotel Las Torres Patagonia or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 7 Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales
- Full day tour of Torres de Paine, UNESCO a biosphere reserve
- See the majestic granite towers at Torres del Paine
- Visit the Milodón Caves
- Pass through "Silla del Diablo" rock formations
Hotel CostaustralisBreakfast & lunch
Day 8 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas & Embark Ship
- Transfer to Punta Arenas pier
- Embark M/V Ventas Australis cruise ship
- Welcome cocktail reception and dinner
- Sail through Straits of Magellan
M/V Ventus AustralisBreakfast & dinner
Day 9 Ainsworth Bay & Tuckers Islets
- Marinelli Glacier in Ainsworth Bay
- Visit the Tuckers Islets
M/V Ventus AustralisBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10 Pía Glacier & Glacier Alley
- Hike to reach a panoramic view of Pía Glacier
- Evening sail through Glacier Alley
M/V Ventus AustralisBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11 Cape Horn & Wulaia Bay
- Disembark in Cape Horn National Park, UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve
- Explore the fabled Wulaia Bay
M/V Ventus AustralisBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12 Ushuaia and Buenos Aires
- Sail to the port of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
- Visit the Prison Museum
- Transfer to the airport in Ushuaia and fly to Buenos Aires
- Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel
Recoleta GrandBreakfast & lunch
Day 13 Buenos Aires & Return to USA
- Day at leisure for independent exploration or
- Optional: Tour the Palermo district
- Transfer to international airport, check in for your flight to USA
Breakfast
This tour involves some hiking and walking, and as the ship does not have an elevator aboard, you must be able to walk up and down several flights of stairs. Patagonia is a wild, rugged region, and our tour package is designed to get you up close and personal with the glaciers, terrain, wildlife and people of this area. While the cruise and shore excursions are not particularly strenuous and are suitable for most people, they do involve uphill walking, hiking, and traveling in a zodiac boat. Travelers who have certain physical limitations may find that they cannot fully participate in the tour program aboard the cruise. All passengers boarding the Australis cruise will be required to sign a disclaimer during check-in. Please review this disclaimer in advance to be certain you accept the terms, and contact us if you have any questions.
Iguazu Falls Optional Post-Tour Extension
Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare to visit Iguazu Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 13 Buenos Aires
- Day at leisure for independent exploration or
- Optional: Tour the Palermo district
Recoleta GrandBreakfast
Day 14 Buenos Aires and Puerto Iguazú
- Fly to Puerto Iguazú
- Transfer to Foz do Iguazu
- Transfer to your hotel for check-in
Hotel Iguazú GrandBreakfast
Day 15 Iguazú Falls
- Tour the Argentinean side of the waterfalls and see Devil's Throat
- Afternoon at leisure or an optional boat ride on Iguazú River
Hotel Iguazú GrandBreakfast
Day 16 Depart Iguazu & Return to USA
- Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires
- Upon arrival, transfer to international airport, check in for your flight to USA
Breakfast
Hotels & Ship
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Cruise Ship
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Argentina?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Brazil?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Chile?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Patagonia?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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