Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Argentina – Buenos Aires – Ushuaia – El Chalten – El Calafate
100% customisable for you
It’s time for your trip to begin, so pack your bags and head to the airport for your 13-and-a-half-hour overnight flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival the following morning, a private transfer will take you from the airport to your hotel in the chic Palermo neighborhood for a two-night stay.
Once you’ve settled in and explored your trendy neighbourhood, kick off your trip in style with dinner at a traditional 20th-century milonga in the Barracas neighbourhood. It's impossible to think of Argentina without thinking of tango, and far from being a cliché, this popular dance is an integral part of daily life for Buenos Aires’ residents. Soak in its electric atmosphere and the contagious energy of the musicians and dancers as you tuck into tasty traditional dishes paired with fine Argentinian wines.
Today, experience Buenos Aires through the eyes of a local on a private guided tour. Knowing the city like the back of their hand, your guide will take you to its trendy spots, hidden gems and distinctive neighbourhoods. Sample delicious street food, peruse vibrant markets and get acquainted with the daily life of portenos, from their perspective.
For the rest of the day, you might like to stroll through the affluent Recoleta district and visit its famous cemetery – where Eva Peron rests – or shop ‘til you drop in Palermo’s designer boutiques. You could also sample famous Argentine meat in a renowned parrilla and participate in a tasting of Argentine wines. For history, art and culture, visit the formidable Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes; experience the crazy portenas nights in Palermo Hollywood; walk around the city centre and explore the Plaza de Mayo – the social and political epicentre of Buenos Aires.
It’s time to wave goodbye to Buenos Aires and continue your Argentine adventure down south. A private transfer will take you to the airport to catch your flight to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city (the journey takes around three hours and 40 minutes). Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and make your way to your accommodation for the night, on the shores of the Beagle Channel.
This afternoon, we’ve organised a cruise on the beautiful Beagle Channel: embark on a journey across the calm waters connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, weaving between islets and shoals. With Ushuaia Bay and a breathtaking view of Tierra del Fuego behind you, head south towards Bridges Islands. On this isolated archipelago, spot plant species you won’t see anywhere else in the world, including the cushion plant, Magellan's geranium, striped olsynium and notro. Your next stop is Isla de los Pajaros, a favorite habitat of the imperial cormorant, the kelp gull and the Chilean skua.
Today’s trip also includes a craft beer tasting and king crab feast on board, as the cruise passes the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the Paso Chico.
Today, hop in your rental car and head to your next stop – Estancia Rolito, located a two and a half hour drive northwest of Ushuaia. Along the way, you’ll pass plenty of picturesque panoramas, including Lakes Escondido and Fagnano, nestled in the mountains.
Upon arrival at your estancia (cattle ranch) tucked in the forest, settle in for a night of seclusion, cut off from WiFi and mobile signal. Instead, reconnect with the essentials and the history of the region, exploring the local area on foot or by 4x4.
This evening, tuck into a traditional asado, a typical Argentinian barbecue. In Argentina, asado is an art form, thanks to the quality of the local meat and the distinctive grilling technique...
Return to Ushuaia by car today and check in for the night back at your accommodation on the shores of the Beagle Channel.
Then, spend the day exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park at your own pace, on foot. Located just under an hour’s drive away, the park is crisscrossed with marked hiking trails of varying difficulty. The most popular route is the Senda Pampa Alta, which offers magnificent views of Navarino and Hostele Islands and the Beagle Channel, complete with beavers and their dams on the Pipo River.
To enjoy the ocean a little longer, take the Senda Costera, which runs along the coastline and promises wonderful encounters with seabirds. The more athletic can tackle the peaks via the Senda Guanaco, which climbs to 970 meters. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire national park and the Darwin Range.
Drive to Ushuaia airport and return your rental car before catching a flight to El Calafate (a journey of one hour and 20 minutes). Upon landing, collect your new vehicle and drive to your accommodation in El Chalten, located approximately three hours away.
You’ll spend the next two nights in this rugged mountain village known as the country’s trekking capital. Relax and soak in the mountain scenery this afternoon, before tucking into dinner at the local parrilla and getting an early night ahead of tomorrow’s activities.
Fitz Roy is a gigantic, mist-shrouded granite peak rising over 11,000ft tall. It’s also a hiker's paradise, and the village of El Chalten overlooks Los Glaciares National Park, which boasts numerous well-marked trails. While false beech trees make up the bulk of the flora, the fauna is unmistakably Andean: think rheas, guanacos, huemul deer and the elusive puma.
Today, enjoy the beauty of El Chalten National Park solo, choosing your own routes according to your desire and skill level (park rangers are always on hand to provide information and tips). Whichever route you choose, you'll encounter countless natural wonders along the way, from the Capri, Los Tres, Sucia and Torre Lagoons to the marvellous mountains of Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and Cerro Solo. Here, breathtaking landscapes unfold all around, and high in the sky, you can spot soaring condors.
If you’d rather not head out alone, there’s also the option to take a guided hike in Los Glaciares National Park (just ask).
This morning, drive back to El Calafate (around a three hour journey) and check into your next characterful estancia – home for the next three nights. Here, gauchos (South American cowboys) lovingly care for the livestock and are an integral part of estancia life. Your accommodation is rustic yet comfortable, and this evening, while away the hours over a nourishing, self-sufficient dinner.
Today is all about exploring the glorious outdoors. Located around a two-hour drive from El Calafate, the Perito Moreno Glacier encompasses two-and-a-half miles of ice cliffs towering over 500-ft high, that advance almost seven feet into Lago Argentino every day. Discover this natural phenomenon at your own pace, traversing the forest walkways to access viewpoints overlooking the glacier. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for the local wildlife, including southern Andean deer, Patagonian hares, Magellanic foxes, guanacos and armadillos (to name but a few).
Also on the itinerary over the next two days is a boat trip on Lago Argentino. At the port of Punta Bandera, embark on a peaceful crossing of the lake with the mighty Upsala Glacier looming large in the distance.. Next, head towards the Cristina Canal, which leads to the estancia of the same name. Visit its museum for a glimpse into the daily life of gauchos, followed by a 4x4 trip to the Mirador del Upsala viewpoint, where you can marvel at the immense glacier, Lake Guillermo and the Andes Mountains.
Return your rental car at El Calafate Airport and catch a three-hour flight back to Buenos Aires. On arrival, a private transfer will take you to the hotel for the final night of your trip. Back in Palermo, head out for a memorable last evening in one of the capital's most vibrant and trendy neighborhoods. Your local Concierge can help with dinner recommendations, or consult our jam-packed Dossier for a list of our tried-and-tested favourites.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Argentina today. After one last morning spent sightseeing, a private transfer will take you to the airport to catch your 13-and-a-half-hour overnight flight home. Touch down in the UK the following day, full of memories to last a lifetime (or at least until your next getaway).
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
