WELCOME TO ARGENTINA & CHILE

This trip is truly the best of two worlds: Experience the breathtaking natural splendour of Patagonia, one of the most rugged and remote places on earth that straddles two very different neighbouring countries, as well as the romance and cultural allure of two of the Southern Hemisphere’s most sophisticated capitals. Trek over mountainous ridges and along alpine paths admiring awe-inspiring views of Monte Fitz Roy, a peak dubbed ‘the King of Patagonia’ and considered one of the most beautiful on Earth. Across the border in Chile, we hike to the base of the massive, glacier-hewn granite monoliths that give Torres del Paine National Park its name, and marvel at the diverse landscapes and unique ecosystems that make it one of the finest national parks in South America. Finally, we treat ourselves to some New World chic with a sumptuous farewell dinner and overnight at a leading wine estate.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF
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Day 1 • Welcome to sexy, sultry Buenos Aires, the "Paris of South America."

Day 2 • Buenos Aires city tour; optional Tango show.

Day 3 • Fly to El Calafate, a resort town on Lake Argentino situated at the entrance to the Glacier National Park.

Day 4 • Travel to Chalten and hike to our fully-staffed base camp at Lago Capri.

Day 5 • Hike to Laguna de los Tres, one of the highlights in the National Park Los Glaciares; the views of Cerro Poincenot, Monte Fitz Roy and the other peaks surrounding these are superb.

Day 6 • Hike to the base of Cerro Torre, a truly dramatic spire, featuring a 1500 m (4,950 ft) high vertical wall looming high above Glaciar Torre.

Day 7 • Optional "Holiday on Ice," an exciting river crossing by rope and pulley, and then a steep walk up the valley's lateral moraine and a steep descent onto the glacier itself. Return to Chalten.

Day 8 • A free morning to visit the picturesque village of Chalten; afternoon bus to El Calafate.

Day 9 • Excursion to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares and its centerpiece, the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Day 10 • Drive to Chile and Torres del Paine National Park, one of the finest national parks in all of South America—turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, sprawling glaciers.

Day 11 • Hike to the base of the world famous Paine Towers (Las Torres).

Day 12 • Hike to the southern end of Lago Grey to observe the icebergs. Visit the park visitors’ centre before we walk to Salto Grande waterfall, and then on to a viewpoint of the famous peaks know as the Horns (Los Cuernos).

Day 13 • Drive to Punta Arenas on the western side of the Straits of Magellan.

Day 14 • Fly to Santiago; dinner and evening stroll in the fashionable and gay friendly district of Bellavista.

Day 15 • Travel by road to the Maipo Valley in the heart of the Chilean wine lands. Dinner and overnight at a leading wine estate.

Day 16 • Santiago and Valparaiso tour; evening departure from Santiago..

INCLUSIONS Accommodation/camping equipment Internal transportation Breakfasts and most dinners All meals while camping Sightseeing, entrance and park fees Tips for hotel, porters, drivers Transfers (Land/Air) Services of a Tour Leader

EXCLUSIONS Lunches and some dinners Drinks Items of a personal nature Air departure taxes/fuel surcharges Visa fees (if applicable) Transfers (if early/late) Transfers (if Land Only) Tour Leader gratuities

OUT FACTOR

Recent liberalization in the laws effecting gays and lesbians in Argentina, plus the devaluation of the Peso, has prompted a boom in gay tourism. In 1996 measures forbidding discrimination on the basis of, amongst other things, sexual orientation were introduced, making Buenos Aires the first Spanish-speaking city in Latin America to do so. Gay visitors to Santiago will find the scene fairly open although it is probably more conservative than Buenos Aires. That said, everyday mores and attitudes are much more modern and tolerant than a visitor might expect from a Latin American country. Over the past few years there has been a surprising opening in the Chilean mentality to the overall concept and you will find that residents accept gays and lesbians as a natural component of the urban fabric. There have been gay soap opera characters, there are presently openly-gay TV personalities, and the names of the most popular gay clubs are no longer whispered in shame, but mentioned out loud in casual conversation.

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PLEASE NOTE

This itinerary is correct at time of publishing. For a more detailed itinerary, download a PDF here. We reserve the right to make changes as necessary due to reasons beyond our control. For booking terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Terms.