Ushuaia to El Calafate: penguins and glaciers

Itinerary in brief:

• 3 nights in Ushuaia          
• 3 nights in El Calafate     

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia        

After landing in Ushuaia, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to explore the world’s most southerly city!

Day 2: Tierra del Fuego national park

Today you’ll be exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park – the only National Park in Argentina that combines sea, mountains and forests.

We’ve included a tour that leads you deep into the park’s natural beauty; admire the glacial lakes and coppery beech forests under the Andes, with a dose of adventure on top. You’ll get to take a guided walk through wildlife-rich forests, sail out in a small Zodiac craft or paddle a canoe along the park’s beautiful rivers, with a picnic lunch included in the tour.

Day 3: Estancia Harberton, Gable Island & penguins         

With today’s tour, you’ll get to discover the history of the Yamana people who were the first dwellers here and visit the uninhabited Gable Island.

Begin your adventure at Harberton Ranch, the first estancia built in Tierra del Fuego back in 1886. From the ranch, you’ll continue to Gable Island by boat where you’ll be served lunch at another historic estancia. After lunch, you’ll go on a short trek and a take a boat ride to Hammer Island (Isla Martillo) who’s best-known residents are a colony of penguins! You’ll see many other animals and get to appreciate the Argentinean and Chilean scenery along the way.

Day 4: Fly to El Calafate        

After breakfast, you’ll be met at your hotel and accompanied to the airport to catch the short flight to El Calafate, in the glacial region of Patagonia. When you arrive, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel.    

Day 5: Perito Moreno glacier       

Today’s adventure takes you to a less-visited, untouched area of the Glaciares National Park.

Driving across pure steppes, you’ll pass some old Patagonian ranches until you reach the lovely Estancia Nibepo Aike where you’ll have a traditional barbeque. After lunch, you’ll take a boat trip out to the remarkable Perito Moreno glacier, Patagonia’s most famous. You will also walk the glacier’s paserelas – walkways that offer a fantastic view over the 70m high glacier face.                

Day 6: Optional tour to Estancia Cristina  

Today is a free day for you to relax. If you’d prefer, we can add a visit to Estancia Cristina. The journey, by land and boat, takes you across beautiful landscapes including mountains and the majestic Upsala glacier, one of the largest in the region. Lunch is included, and in the afternoon, you can choose from some activities like trekking or 4WD vehicle driving. 

Day 7: Departure   

After breakfast, you’ll be collected and driven to El Calafate airport for your next flight.