Patagonia’s Wild Majesty: Valdés to El Calafate

The Patagonian adventure begins! Upon landing, a private transfer will take you to your hotel. Once refreshed, explore the capital with its many faces.

Start by strolling through La Boca where the multicolored facades and the bohemian spirit create a unique atmosphere, lulled by the melodies of the tango. Continue to San Telmo and be charmed by its historic character, antique shops and picturesque market. Change your world by discovering Palermo, the epicentre of nightlife with its trendy cafes, creative spaces and lush vegetation, before heading to Puerto Madero, an ancient port transformed where contemporary architecture and fine gastronomy meet.

When evening falls, take a break on one of Palermo's bustling terraces, then conclude your day with a meal in front of the twinkling lights of Puerto Madero's docks.

This day is entirely yours to discover Buenos Aires according to your aspirations.

Don't miss a visit to the Teatro Colón, a world-renowned opera jewel, or the Casa Rosada, which stands proudly in the Plaza de Mayo. The Recoleta district is home to the National Museum of Fine Arts with its remarkable collection of European and Latin American works.

Take a detour to Belgrano with its elegant mansions and quiet squares. On Avenida 9 de Julio, measure the immensity of this unique artery dominated by its white obelisk. On Sunday, head to Mataderos to see the gaucho traditions come to life during its colorful market. Finally, the Kirchner Cultural Centre will surprise you with its metamorphosis from a former post office into a contemporary cultural setting.

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Trelew. Once there, you'll pick up your rental car, ready to start your Patagonian adventure on the road to Puerto Madryn.

Once settled into the hotel, you have the rest of the day to explore the city at your own pace. A walk along the shore allows you to appreciate the sea air and, with a bit of luck, to spot whales a few meters from the coast.

To better understand the local ecosystem, EcoCentro offers interactive exhibits on the Atlantic Ocean. Another option: the Oceanographic Museum, housed in a former castle, which traces the maritime history and the richness of the regional fauna.

After breakfast, we'll explore the UNESCO World Heritage Peninsula Valdés Nature Reserve. The track crosses the pampas, where guanacos, foxes and rheas live. Several stops allow you to observe these emblematic animals in their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, you embark on a sea trip to meet the southern right whales and their young. The choice of boat depends on your desires, whether it is a semi-rigid boat, a catamaran or a Zodiac. Throughout the tour, your guide shares their knowledge about these impressive mammals and their way of life.

Today, an unforgettable encounter with the Atlantic and its people awaits you! From Puerto Madryn, you embark on a twenty-minute sail to Punta Loma. On site, a guide will give you valuable information about the sea lion colonies and the many cormorants that nest along the cliffs.

Then comes the highlight of the excursion. You dive into the crystal clear waters for a unique encounter with these marine mammals, both curious and playful. For forty-five minutes, they swim around you with a lively and fascinating curiosity.

Head south early in the morning, along the Atlantic coast to Bahía Bustamante, an unspoiled refuge renowned for its abundant wildlife, between bird colonies and marine mammals.

Upon arrival, settle into a traditional estancia nestled in the middle of nature, between the Patagonia Austral National Park and the Patagonia Azul Reserve, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A true sanctuary of biodiversity, it is managed by passionate hosts who will make you discover the richness of this fragile ecosystem. Immerse yourself in the history of the first inhabitants, seaweed farming, and sheep farming focused on sustainable wool production.

Estancia Bahía Bustamante offers two activities included among several options. Take a boat ride along the spectacular coastline where sea lions bask and cormorants nest in the steep cliffs. Alternatively, hike the vast expanses on scenic trails, hop on a bike to explore the surrounding area, saddle up for a horseback ride, or follow in the footsteps of ancient cultures on an archaeological tour.

Whichever you choose, these two activities will allow you to immerse yourself in the unique natural splendor of this unspoiled region.

For this last day at the estancia, two activities to choose from are offered.

Make the most of these last moments in this natural sanctuary by choosing the experiences that speak to you the most. Between sky, land and sea, each option reveals a different facet of this remarkable ecosystem.

Enjoy one last morning activity at the estancia before heading north. By car, you can reach Trelew, the capital of the province of Chubut.

Along the way, take a detour to explore Punta Tombo, a nature reserve home to one of the largest colonies of Magellanic penguins, estimated at nearly one million individuals. Take the trails to observe these birds in their natural environment and see them evolve, whether nesting, moving between land and water, or diving to fish offshore.

After departing from your hotel, you'll drop off your rental car at Trelew Airport before flying to El Calafate, a cape in the south of Patagonia. Upon arrival, you will be given a new rental vehicle to continue your adventure in freedom. After about thirty minutes of travel, you reach the entrance of the famous Perito Moreno glacier, near El Calafate. This charming, quiet and picturesque little town is surrounded by wooden houses and small craft shops. There are also plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars to relax in after a day of exploring.

The Glaciarium Museum is a must-see, with exciting exhibits about glaciers and their impact on the environment. For an immersion in nature, take a walk around the Nimez Lagoon, a peaceful place home to a wide variety of birds.

In the early morning, you will reach the port of El Calafate for your excursion on Lake Argentino. The navigation takes you through the north-eastern arm of the lake, where Escuadra Bay, the impressive wall of the condors and a succession of majestic glaciers - Spegazzini, Seco and Heim pass by. A stopover at the Las Vacas site allows you to stretch your legs on a short hike.

The journey continues with spectacular views of the Upsala and Bertacchi glaciers, before entering the Los Tempanos channel that runs along the northern flank of the famous Perito Moreno glacier. Lunch is served on board as you sail through the awe-inspiring Patagonian landscape.

Get behind the wheel of your vehicle towards Los Glaciares National Park, where the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier sits. This colossus of ice stands out in the landscape with its 55 meters in height, 15 km in length and more than 5 km in width.

The spectacle is masterful when imposing glacial blocks stand out from its façade with a deafening crash before plunging into the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino. An ingenious network of wooden walkways allows you to admire this natural phenomenon from less than a hundred meters away, with privileged views of this ice cathedral in perpetual motion.

Discover the Estancia Nibepo Aike, a true refuge of tranquility nestled on the edge of the southern arm of Lake Argentino, in the heart of Los Glaciares Park. In the morning, we'll set off towards Lake Roca, admiring the changing landscapes along the way, from the open steppe to the impressive mountains. Once you arrive at the estancia, founded at the beginning of the 20th century by Croatian pioneers, you will be warmly welcomed with a hot drink, including the famous local mate.

You explore the facilities dedicated to sheep and cattle farming, and watch impressive gaucho demonstrations, including herding and wool shearing.

For an even deeper immersion in the life of the region, you can choose to go horseback riding. Before heading back to El Calafate, a typical Patagonian lunch awaits you, featuring cordero al palo, a lamb cooked on a spit over a wood fire.

After a final breakfast with Patagonian flavours, you will take the road to the airport to return your rental car and embark to return to the effervescence of the capital. Upon arrival, a private driver will take you directly to your hotel. Take a moment to relax and digest the powerful memories of your adventure in Patagonia, before resuming the bubbling energy of this vibrant city.

To top off your stay, a tango dinner show awaits you in an elegant venue with old-world accents, where dark paneling is a reminder of the city's golden age. You will taste traditional dishes accompanied by selected Argentine wines, while being carried away by the passion for tango, an art listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy a final Argentinian breakfast before heading to the international airport, depending on the time of your return flight. A private driver will take you there, the opportunity to share your last memories and reflections on this memorable adventure.

The landscapes of Patagonia will remain engraved in your mind, waiting for the call of the Andes to guide you to new horizons!