Ultimate Patagonia Adventure: Chile and Argentina

Bienvenido a Buenos Aires! Your Patagonia trip begins among the urban bustle of Argentina’s capital city. After touching down, a private driver delivers you to Legado Mitico, a warm, art-filled boutique hotel in Palermo. Bags dropped, it’s time to see the city through the eyes (and nose and palate) of a chef, who leads you on an epicurean adventure to their favorite eateries. Sample small bites, discover new flavors, and eat your fill before retiring for the night. 

Today, it’s time to see why Buenos Aires is oft called the Paris of South America as you set off on a Buenos Aires architecture tour. A guide traces the city’s storied history through its melting pot of architectural styles, from the Greek-influenced Cathedral to Recoleta’s graceful Belle Époque buildings. Lounge in a sunny park for a gourmet picnic before enjoying an afternoon to yourselves, ending the day with a tango show. 

Wake up to an easy, unrushed morning, with nothing scheduled until later. Sleep in, go for coffee in neighboring Palermo Hollywood, and enjoy some leisurely sightseeing. Come afternoon, try your hand at Argentina’s homegrown art form with a personal tango class led by an expert instructor. Then, show off those new moves that night at a milonga dance hall. Hobnob with local porteños on the dance floor, twirling the night away together to sultry tunes. 

Fly south to El Calafate, an adventure hub sitting on the edge of Los Glaciares National Park, the crown jewel of Argentine Patagonia. A private driver fetches you from the airport for the drive to Eolo, a modern estancia set on a 10,000-acre spread of steppe wilderness. It’s the perfect place for quality time; go for a walk through the windy landscape, rest by the fire with a glass of wine, or simply admire the Andean skyline before dinner and sleep.   

Begin the day with a morning boat ride along the front wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier, an icy wonder resplendent in shimmering shades of blue. Next, follow a forest path to the glacier’s edge, where you strap on crampons and set off over the ice. Crunch across frozen fields for several hours before returning to dry land for lunch. Take a final minute to wander the walkways in front of the glacier before your driver shuttles you back to Eolo. 
 

Today, go off the map to an overlooked corner of Patagonia where some of the region’s earliest settlers first put down roots. Set sail on Lago Argentina, passing glaciers and icebergs, before landing on the remote shores of Estancia Cristina, a historic estate cut off from the world and only reachable by water. Explore this off-grid outpost on foot or horseback, glimpsing the estancia’s heritage in its old-fashioned buildings and daily routine.

Today, head to Fossil Canyon, a remote rocky ravine where few venture. Disembarking on the lake’s far shore, hop into a 4x4 to drive skyward past views of the Upsala Glacier, the Southern Ice Field, and Andean peaks. Road gives way to trail as you hike further on to Fossil Canyon, where carving glaciers reveal a wealth of marine fossils. Gaze into deep time and marvel at the surreal landscape.  

Patagonia is a place for trailblazers, so today is just that for you. Spend the day doing as you please, whether it’s soaking up El Calafate’s ambiance with its artisan shops and cozy eateries, strolling the lakefront, or arranging another adventure. Nearby Cerro Frias makes for an epic day trip, where a 4x4 drive leads to panoramic Patagonia views. Make the most of your last evening in Argentine Patagonia with a night on the town.

Drive across the border into Chile, heading to Torres del Paine National Park. It’s a long drive but a spectacular one, with vast steppe grasslands, glacial lakes, and Patagonia wildlife flitting by outside. There’s no rush, so take time to pause at lookouts. Arriving at Awasi Patagonia, settle into your private villa with its front-row views toward the Paine Massif. Unwind after the journey with a hot tub soak or glass of wine before dinner and bed. 

Accompanied by your own personal guide, the next two days are curated around you. Choose from a wealth of excursions, centered around your interests. Gallop across grasslands with local gauchos, trek to glacier-gouged lagoons hidden deep in the mountains, or seek out wildlife, from pumas to condors, with your expert guide who knows all the right places to look. After action-filled days, ease into refined and relaxed evenings of fine dining and dreamy stargazing. 

Fly north to the enchanting Lake District, where volcanoes soar above lush forests and serene lakes. A private driver takes you from the Puerto Montt airport to AWA, a design-driven stunner of a hotel on the shores of Lake Llanquihue near Puerto Varas. Instantly ease into the slow rhythms of Lake District life with a shoreline stroll, unwinding in the spa, or simply sitting out on the lawn, glass of wine in hand, for its million-dollar volcano view. 

For the following two days, the Lake District becomes an outdoor playground. Cast off from the hotel’s private dock for kayaking, cycle along country lanes, and hike up volcanic slopes in neighboring national parks. Wander arm-in-arm down the streets of Germanic towns, sip craft beer by the lakeshore, and savor local delicacies like curanto. Be as adventurous or laidback as you please, with trips to the spa and sumptuous meals wrapping up each evening. 

Enjoy one final breakfast in the shadow of a volcano before heading to the airport for your flight to Santiago to head home or onto the next stage of the journey. More than luggage, you carry with you new memories, stories, and experiences you’ll fondly reminisce over for years to come.