Whales and pumas: wild encounters in Patagonia

As soon as you land, a private driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the heart of the Chilean capital. Once settled, join your English-speaking guide for an immersion into the cosmopolitan city. Stroll along the Plaza de la Ciudadanía, home to the Palacio de la Moneda. Continue on to the historic Concha y Toro district, with its aristocratic mansions and cobbled passageways from another era.

The ride takes you to Cerro San Cristóbal, an emblematic hill that gives a privileged view of the city and the Andes Mountains. The descent takes you to the La Vega Central market, a true gastronomic temple where exotic scents and bright colours intermingle.

To conclude this first day of explorations, head for the Italia district, known for its trendy atmosphere and gastronomy. Between its lively alleyways lined with artisan workshops and intimate restaurants, you'll enjoy a memorable dinner of revisited Chilean specialties.

In the morning, take the bus to the Pacific coast to discover Valparaíso, a World Heritage city.

Accompanied by your English-speaking guide, you'll explore this uniquely charming city, starting at Plaza Aníbal Pinto, a historic crossroads surrounded by century-old buildings. You'll then take the legendary Artillería funicular to the heights of Cerro Alegre, where a maze of picturesque alleyways unfolds, adorned with vibrant frescoes and punctuated by belvederes offering spectacular views over the bay.

Your route takes you to emblematic sites such as Plaza Sotomayor, the port, the El Peral and Reina Victoria funiculars, and the Gervasoni and Atkinson viewpoints, veritable windows onto the city's colorful soul. Valparaíso's unique atmosphere, a blend of port authenticity and artistic effervescence, invites you to slow down and contemplate this mythical port of a thousand colors.

At the end of the day, your bus will take you back to the Chilean capital.

In the morning, a private transfer takes you to the airport, where you board a three-hour flight south to Punta Arenas. On arrival, your private driver will take you to your hotel to settle in.

Take advantage of your free time to discover this fascinating port city, one of the southernmost in continental South America.

Punta Arenas boasts a rich blend of colonial culture and maritime history, with its European-style buildings, museums recounting its commercial past and strolls along the quays, which offer superb views of the Strait of Magellan.

In the morning, embark on an unforgettable cruise through the Strait of Magellan, following the historic routes taken by explorers such as Magellan, Drake and Darwin.

Set course for Magdalena Island, a listed Natural Monument, where Chile's largest colony of Magellanic penguins awaits you, with over 60,000 nesting pairs. On arrival, a short walk plunges you into the heart of their territory. Between the nests scattered across the steppe and the incessant ballet of seabirds, you can observe these astonishing inhabitants up close.

In the afternoon, take the bus to Puerto Natales, through the landscapes of the Patagonian steppe. On arrival, a private driver will take you to your hotel. After a moment of relaxation, set off to explore this small port town with its colorful houses and peaceful streets. End the day with a visit to the Puerto Natales Museum, which traces the history of the region and the peoples who have inhabited it.

In the morning, you meet your guide for a day of discovery in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. Classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, this emblematic Patagonian park is famous for its exceptional wildlife and granite towers.

With your guide, you'll discover the fascinating history of this area while following several accessible hiking trails. You'll have the opportunity to stop at specially prepared viewpoints to admire breathtaking panoramas of mountains, lakes and glaciers.

On the way, stop off at the Grotta del Milodon, a prehistoric site where remains of an extinct animal, the Milodon, have been discovered.

Accompanied by your expert mountain lion tracking guide, you explore the areas of the park where these felines roam, learning how to spot their tracks.

The adventure takes you through the landscapes of Cerro Castillo, Lake Sarmiento and Amarga Lagoon, where you'll also encounter guanacos, Magellanic foxes, huemuls and other local inhabitants.

Go deep into the habitat of the puma, the legendary feline that reigns supreme over the Andes and Patagonia. You'll have the opportunity to follow it in its natural environment and, if you're lucky, to photograph it in all its splendor. Patagonian pumas are renowned for their stealth and agility, blending perfectly into the wild landscape.

Early morning departure for Argentina! A private transfer takes you to the bus terminal for a journey through the immensity of the pampas, where landscapes change with the light and the seasons. On arrival in El Calafate, a second transfer awaits to take you directly to your hotel to drop off your luggage.

Take your time to discover this peaceful town, known for its artisan boutiques and welcoming restaurants. Among the must-see attractions, the Glaciarium museum plunges you into the history of the region's glaciers, while the interpretation center reveals 14,000 years of human and natural history.

If you prefer to immerse yourself in nature, the Nimez lagoon to the north of the city is an ideal setting for a stroll among the local birds: Chilean flamingos, black-necked swans, ibises, teals and other species typical of Patagonia.

Let yourself be carried away by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Argentino on an intimate cruise that will reveal the secrets of this Patagonian jewel. Aboard a comfortable ship with four observation decks and air-conditioned lounges, admire the park's glacial wonders.

The route begins on the northern flank of the Perito Moreno glacier via the Los Tempanos channel. Next, the Upsala Canal reveals a privileged view of the Upsala and Bertacchi glaciers. The highlight comes in the Spegazzini Channel, where the park's highest glacier rises, accompanied by the Seco and Heim glaciers.

A stopover in Las Vacas allows you to explore the land. The journey continues through the Northeast Arm of the lake, Escuadra Bay and the impressive Condor Wall.

Enjoy lunch on board while gazing at this unique landscape from your superior cabin.

Los Glaciares Park opens its doors once again for an unforgettable encounter with the Perito Moreno, a 55-metre colossus of ice 15 km long and over 5 km wide.

Make yourself comfortable on the wooden walkways less than a hundred metres from the glacier, and watch the breathtaking spectacle of ice blocks breaking away in an impressive crash before plunging into the azure waters of Lake Argentino.

After breakfast, your private driver will take you to the airport for a flight to Trelew. On arrival, a second exclusive transfer awaits you to Puerto Madryn, the gateway to Península Valdés.

Discover the town at your own pace. If you're lucky, a stroll along the beach can bring you close to whales. Further south, a colony of sea lions can be observed from the shore. The Eco Centre and Oceanographic Museum offer fascinating exhibits on local biodiversity, to help you learn more about marine life.

Accompanied by a local expert, you leave early in the morning to explore the Peninsula Valdés Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your guide will take you to the southern part of the peninsula, via Punta Delgada, before reaching Punta Cantor.

From this coastal road, panoramic views of the Atlantic and the Caleta Valdés geological formation are impressive. A short walk then takes you to a colony of elephant seals, which can be observed all year round. During the visit, you'll embark on an outing to see southern right whales and their calves.

On the way back, stop off at the Carlos Ameghino Istmo Interpretation Centre, a must for a better understanding of the region's ecosystem.

In the early morning, you drive to one of the world's largest colonies of Magellanic penguins, where almost a million individuals nest every year. Accompanied by your guide, you cross arid landscapes before reaching the reserve.

Once there, a walk along the trails allows you to get up close and personal with these birds, observing their incessant comings and goings between land and ocean. To better understand their way of life, a visit to the interactive documentation center is a must. Find out how Magellanic penguins faithfully return to the same nest year after year, and learn more about their life cycle.

Depending on tidal conditions, a sea excursion completes this immersion in the local fauna. Sail out to meet Commerson's dolphins, these cetaceans with their characteristic black and white skin. The boat guarantees a privileged approach to these animals in their natural environment.

A gentle farewell to the peninsula's marine and land inhabitants. A private transfer takes you to Trelew airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, a private driver awaits to take you directly to your hotel.

After dropping off your luggage, you have the afternoon free to soak up the vibrant energy of Argentina's capital. Stroll through the emblematic districts of Palermo, with its many green spaces and bohemian atmosphere, and Puerto Madero, a lively modern district where contemporary architecture blends with the banks of the Río de la Plata river.

On this last day of discovery, your driver and guide will take you through the treasures of Buenos Aires.

The tour, in French, takes you to the city's must-sees: the Plaza de Mayo is surrounded by historic buildings such as the Cabildo Museum, a vestige of the colonial era, the Casa Rosada, today's presidential palace, and the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral. Continue on to Recoleta, where you'll be impressed by European architecture, and the Nuestra Señora del Pilar church awaits you. The cemetery, renowned for its sumptuous vaults, is home to the famous Eva Perón's tomb, listed as a Historic Monument.

In the afternoon, you're free to continue exploring the city at your own pace, strolling its lively streets or taking time out to do some shopping.

A final maté or café porteño to savor, and your journey draws to a close. You're still enjoying the unique atmosphere of the capital before your private transfer takes you to the international airport, depending on your flight schedule.

These last moments are an opportunity to reflect on the beauty of the Patagonian landscape, the unforgettable encounters and the memories that will remain with you long after your return!