Wildernis en wonderen: Een reis van Santiago naar Ushuaia

Today, we explore the vibrant capital of Chile with a guided city tour through Santiago's most iconic landmarks. We’ll begin in the historic city center, visiting emblematic sites such as Plaza de Armas, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and La Moneda Palace, the seat of the Chilean government.

Next, we’ll ascend Santa Lucía Hill—once called Huelén by the native people—an urban oasis that offers panoramic views and a deeper insight into Chile’s rich history.

We’ll continue to Barrio Lastarria, a charming district known for its cultural, architectural, and culinary offerings—perfect for soaking in the local vibe.

In the afternoon, we head to the eastern side of the city, Santiago’s modern financial district. Here, sleek skyscrapers and innovative sculptures reveal why locals have nicknamed this area “Sanhattan.” After this full immersion into the old and new Santiago, we return to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace.

Lodging in Santiago de Chile - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast 

No trip to Santiago would be complete without exploring the vibrant coastal cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

Our day begins in Viña del Mar, affectionately known as the “Garden City” for its lush urban gardens and elegant green spaces. This sophisticated seaside town charms visitors with its beautiful architecture, stately palaces, and the iconic Flower Clock, a must-see landmark captured by cameras from all around the world. Along the waterfront promenade, we’ll admire sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, with time to enjoy lunch at one of the city’s many restaurants specializing in fresh Chilean seafood.

We then continue to Valparaíso, Chile’s most important port and a city brimming with personality and history. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valpo captivates with its colorful hillside homes, bohemian atmosphere, and artistic soul. We'll explore Cerro Alegre, a neighborhood famous for its vibrant street art, picturesque alleyways, and quirky funiculars that climb steep hills offering unforgettable ocean views.

Our tour also includes a visit to Plaza Sotomayor, home to the Monument of the Heroes of Iquique. If you wish, you can opt for a short boat ride through the bay of Valparaíso, a unique way to see the painted hills from the water.

After a full day immersed in Chilean coastal culture, we return to our hotel in Santiago de Chile.

Lodging in Santiago de Chile - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

At the indicated time, we’ll transfer to Santiago de Chile Airport to board our flight to Patagonia. You may choose to fly into Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales—our team can arrange your pick-up from either location.

Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you to Puerto Natales, a picturesque town on the shores of the Última Esperanza Sound, surrounded by fjords, mountains, and pure Patagonian air.

The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore the town’s waterfront and charming streets at your own pace.

Lodging in Puerto Natales - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast 

Please note that the domestic flight from Santiago de Chile (SGO) to Punta Arenas (PUQ) or Puerto Natales (PNT) is not included in the program. 

We depart early from Puerto Natales heading towards Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most iconic natural reserves in Patagonia. On the way, we’ll stop at the Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument, a fascinating prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant herbivorous mammal (the Milodón) were discovered over a century ago. This site also offers a short interpretive walk and a chance to meet the famous life-sized replica of the Milodón itself.

We continue our journey through spectacular landscapes of vast Patagonian steppe, snow-capped peaks, and turquoise lakes. Upon entering the Torres del Paine National Park, the scenery becomes truly breathtaking. We’ll visit the most emblematic viewpoints such as:

• Lago Sarmiento and its crystalline waters
• Laguna Amarga with panoramic views of the iconic Torres
• The powerful Salto Grande waterfall connecting lakes Nordenskjöld and Pehoé
• And, depending on weather and time, we may reach Lake Grey to admire the distant icebergs of Grey Glacier

Throughout the day, we’ll enjoy short walks and photo stops to appreciate the majestic nature and diverse wildlife: guanacos, rheas, foxes, and—if lucky—even condors.

In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Natales with hearts full of wonder after a day immersed in the raw beauty of Chilean Patagonia.

Lodging in Puerto Natales - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch 

* If you’d prefer to do the Full Day Torres del Paine Tour that includes the hike to the Las Torres Base Viewpoint, just let us know and we’ll be happy to adjust the itinerary for you.

Today is a free day to enjoy Puerto Natales at your own pace. If you're up for an unforgettable experience, we highly recommend joining a full-day boat navigation through the Última Esperanza Fjord to visit two stunning glaciers: Balmaceda and Serrano.

The journey begins at the local pier, sailing through deep fjords surrounded by rugged mountains, waterfalls, and Patagonian wildlife. Along the way, it's common to spot sea lions, cormorants, and even condors.

The first stop is at the Balmaceda Glacier, hanging dramatically from the Eastern side of the mountain range. Then we continue to Puerto Toro, where a short walk through a native forest takes us to the foot of the majestic Serrano Glacier.

This is one of the most complete and scenic excursions in the region — a perfect mix of navigation, nature, and Patagonian flavors.

Lodging in Puerto Natales - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Excursion Recommended: Balmaseda y Serrano Navegation

After breakfast, we leave behind the fjords and mountains of Puerto Natales to begin our journey across the Andes towards El Calafate, gateway to the majestic Los Glaciares National Park.

The drive takes us through the vast Patagonian steppe, offering incredible panoramic views, remote estancias, and the unique feeling of traveling through one of the most untamed regions on Earth.

We’ll cross the border between Chile and Argentina at Cerro Castillo or Río Don Guillermo, depending on conditions, and continue through endless open landscapes until reaching El Calafate, located on the shores of Lago Argentino.

Upon arrival, transfer to your accommodation and free time to start discovering this charming town, famous for its cozy atmosphere, craft shops, and traditional Patagonian gastronomy.

Lodging in El Calafate - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Exccursion Recommended: Nativo Experience "Lakes and Caverns" with Dinner

It is an excursion in 4×4 along the coast of Lake Argentino. Ideal for the day of arrival or departure, it has an anthropological approach, making a tour at the time about the passing of man in these lands, rediscovering the stories of the first expeditions and daring that ventured into the unknown. Between the cliffs and overlooking the Andes Mountains, the excursion focuses on the first contacts of those expeditionaries with the natives, and then enter the Tehuelche world.

On the banks of the lake are the caves where thousands of years ago that culture left its marks on the rock and that today induce us to its interpretation. Finally, the excursion culminates in another cave where lunch or dinner is included that will transport us to those remote years. 

­

Today we dedicate the day to one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world: the Perito Moreno Glacier, located within Los Glaciares National Park.

We’ll start the journey driving along the scenic Route 11, which skirts the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino. Along the way, we’ll enjoy stunning views of the steppe, the lake, and the first glimpses of the majestic ice field in the distance.

Upon arrival at the park, we’ll explore a network of well-maintained walkways that allow us to admire the glacier from different angles and distances. The roar of the ice as it cracks and crashes into the water is an unforgettable sound, and if we're lucky, we might witness one of its famous ice calvings.

Later, we head to Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, where we’ll board a boat for a short navigation on the Rico Arm of Lago Argentino. From the water, we’ll get a close-up view of the southern face of the glacier — a towering wall of ice over 70 meters high.

In the afternoon, we return to El Calafate with our hearts full of awe and our cameras packed with memories.

Lodging in El Calafate - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Exccursion Recommended: Minitrekking - Ice Trek 

­

After breakfast, enjoy a free day to relax or continue exploring the beauty of Patagonia at your own pace.

If you're feeling adventurous, we highly recommend taking an optional full-day excursion to El Chaltén, Argentina’s trekking capital, nestled at the base of the impressive Mount Fitz Roy. The road to El Chaltén offers incredible views of Lago Argentino, Viedma Glacier, and the vast Patagonian steppe.

Once in El Chaltén, you can choose from several self-guided trails, depending on your level of fitness and interest — from the easy Chorrillo del Salto to the more challenging Laguna Capri or even part of the Laguna de los Tres trail. No matter which you choose, you'll be surrounded by dramatic mountains, lenga forests, and breathtaking landscapes.

It’s the perfect way to experience the untamed spirit of Patagonia in one of its most iconic natural settings.

At the end of the day, return to El Calafate with unforgettable memories of your adventure in the wild.

Lodging in El Calafate - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Exccursion Recommended: Full Day El Chalten with Lunch

­

At the indicated time, we transfer to El Calafate Airport to take our flight to our next destination: Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, also known as “The End of the World.

Upon arrival in Ushuaia, a transfer will be waiting to take us to our accommodation in the heart of the city. With its dramatic mountain backdrop and the Beagle Channel at your feet, Ushuaia welcomes you with the promise of pure Patagonian adventure.

Lodging  in Ushuaia - Double or Single Base 

Meals: Breakfast

Please note that the domestic flight from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia (USH) is not included in the program. 

After breakfast, we leave the city of Ushuaia heading southwest along National Route 3 to enter the Tierra del Fuego National Park, one of the most pristine protected areas in Argentina.

On the way, we make a stop at the End of the World Train Station, where we board this charming historic railway. During the short ride, we travel through the same route once used by prisoners of the old penitentiary, crossing rivers, peat bogs, and lenga forests.

Back on the road, we continue by vehicle through breathtaking landscapes until we reach Lake Acigami (formerly Lake Roca), surrounded by snow-capped peaks and native forest. From there, we head toward Bahía Lapataia, the southern end of the Pan-American Highway. Along the way, we spot native wildlife, beaver dams, and the impressive sub-Antarctic flora that makes this region unique.

Around midday, we return to Ushuaia to continue our adventure: a boat trip through the legendary Beagle Channel.

From the city’s port, we board a catamaran and begin navigating through the cold, deep waters of the channel. We visit Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), home to a great variety of seabirds, and Isla de los Lobos, where South American sea lions rest and play. We'll pass by the Lighthouse Les Éclaireurs, one of the iconic symbols of Ushuaia.

Later, we disembark on Isla Bridges for a short interpretive hike. Accompanied by our guide, we walk through this ancient Yámana territory, discovering archaeological remains like concheros (midden heaps) and learning about the indigenous heritage of the region — all while enjoying unbeatable views of the Andes and the channel.

At the end of the day, we return to the city of Ushuaia, hearts full and cameras full.

Lodging  in Ushuaia - Double or Single Base 

Included Meals: Breakfast 

Op de aangegeven tijd transfereren we naar de luchthaven van Ushuaia voor onze vlucht naar onze volgende bestemming. Einde van de diensten.

Inbegrepen maaltijden: Ontbijt