Argentine Patagonia: From Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego
Discover Patagonia on your Argentina trip. This Patagonia circuit takes you from Buenos Aires to El Chaltén, via Argentine Tierra del Fuego and El Calafate with the finest Patagonian treks along the way!
Travelling in Argentine Patagonia: Which Circuit to Choose?
Argentine Patagonia is so vast that choosing the right circuit is essential. After a brief stop in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital, we take you to Argentine Tierra del Fuego. After three and a half hours of flying, you are already at the end of the world!
Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, holds many surprises: the Tierra del Fuego National Park, sailing the Beagle Channel and watching its unique wildlife (penguins, sea lions and whales).
El Calafate is the iconic city of Argentine Patagonia and the gateway to the famous Los Glaciares National Park, where you can walk on the Perito Moreno Glacier up to 80 metres high!
Argentine Patagonia is equally celebrated for its many estancias. You have the chance to spend time with Argentine gauchos (cowboys), ride horses and savour a delicious asado (Argentine barbecue) after sharing a maté.
You finally discover the small village of El Chaltén, Patagonia’s trekking capital. This is the perfect base for hiking in the shadow of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two spectacular granite peaks rising above 3,000 metres.
Voir plusDiscover the Finest Treks in Argentine Patagonia
Make the most of your Patagonia trip in Argentina to tackle the finest treks in South America. From El Chaltén, we recommend the trail to Laguna de los Tres for the more athletic (allow 8 hours return, including 1 hour climbing 400 metres over 1 km). For less experienced hikers, the trail to Laguna Torre is less steep but equally magnificent. The Andes Cordillera offers exceptional landscapes of lagoons, forests and snow-capped mountain peaks.
In Los Glaciares National Park, live an extraordinary trekking experience: discover the Perito Moreno Glacier by walking on it with crampons!
If you wish to extend the trekking experience on the Chilean side, head to Torres del Paine National Park, widely considered one of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
Sleeping at an Estancia in El Calafate
This Argentine Patagonia circuit includes a night at a typical estancia of the region. What is an estancia? It is a ranch where gauchos and their horses live and work.
To soak up the gaucho culture even more deeply, spend the night with a local family. In the evening, share an asado at the estancia while enjoying a fine Malbec, the great Argentine red wine. The panoramic view over the surrounding snow-capped mountains from the estancia is simply breathtaking. After dinner you retire to your comfortable, no-frills room. After a night under the stars of the Patagonian southern hemisphere, the morning awakening is equally magical: you wake to views over the plains where the estancia horses run, with the Los Glaciares National Park as a backdrop.
For lovers of nature and remote places, this experience is made for you.
When Is the Best Time to Travel to Patagonia?
Planning a trip to Argentine Patagonia often raises the question: ‘When is the best time to go?’ This magnificent, wild region offers unique experiences year-round, but the ideal timing depends on your preferred activities. October to March corresponds to high season, when the climate is milder and hikers can walk the mountain trails without being daunted by the rigours of the austral winter.
For those who love tranquillity and snow-covered landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see, the winter months of June to September offer a magical experience though some areas are less accessible due to weather conditions. Whatever the season, a trip to Patagonia remains an unforgettable adventure, with every time of year revealing a unique face of this spectacular land!
How to Get to Argentine Patagonia
The most common way to reach Argentine Patagonia is to take a flight from Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital. There are several airports in Patagonia, including Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego and El Calafate, the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Once on the ground, you can opt for a hire car, offering the flexibility to explore the vast landscapes at your own pace or a private transfer with driver, which is the mode of transport we offer for this special Argentine Patagonia circuit.
Road quality in Patagonia is good: you will have no difficulties with traffic. For travellers in search of adventure, long-distance buses are also an option, allowing you to take in the changing panoramas along the way. Whatever transport you choose, a trip to Argentine Patagonia promises total immersion in breathtaking, unspoilt nature!
Is It Warm in Patagonia?
When planning a trip to Argentine Patagonia, the question of weather is entirely legitimate. The Patagonian climate is renowned for sometimes unpredictable conditions. In general, summers (December to February) are milder, with average temperatures between 15°C and 20°C: a pleasant period for exploring the breathtaking landscapes and hiking. That said, temperature swings throughout the day are frequent, and nights can be cool even in summer.
Winters (June to August) are colder, with average temperatures dropping to around 0°C, but this is also the ideal season for winter sports enthusiasts. In short, Patagonia’s changing climate requires travellers to be prepared for all eventualities, whatever the time of year, in order to make the most of their journey.
What to Wear in Ushuaia?
Nicknamed the ‘city at the end of the world’, Ushuaia is known for its changeable climate: a reflection of Patagonia as a whole. To be ready for these variations during your Argentine Patagonia trip, layered clothing is strongly recommended. Start with a thermal base layer, add mid-layers such as fleece jumpers, and finish with a windproof and waterproof jacket. In winter, don’t forget gloves, a warm hat and a scarf to ward off the biting cold. Waterproof, sturdy footwear is also essential especially if you plan to hike or take part in outdoor activities.
In summer, temperatures are more forgiving, but it is always wise to have warm clothing to hand for cooler evenings. A versatile, layered wardrobe adapted to the changing conditions will allow you to make the most of everything Ushuaia and Patagonia have to offer.
Argentine Patagonia: From Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego: What to see?
During your Argentine Patagonia trip, you will discover the following destinations:
- Ushuaia, the city at the end of the world in Tierra del Fuego
- El Calafate on the edge of Patagonia's Los Glaciares National Park and the land of the gauchos
- El Chaltén, Argentina's trekking capital at the foot of the majestic Fitz Roy
Argentine Patagonia: From Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego: Trip itinerary
BUENOS AIRES
Welcome at the airport by our team and private transfer to your hotel in the Argentine capital. Free city visit with our experts’ recommendations. Night in a boutique hotel in the charming neighbourhoods of San Telmo, Recoleta or Palermo.
BUENOS AIRES – USHUAIA
Transfer from your accommodation to Buenos Aires airport and domestic flight to Ushuaia. Welcome at Ushuaia airport with a name-sign and transfer to your accommodation. Free day and meals with our recommendations to discover Ushuaia at your own pace.
USHUAIA: Tierra del Fuego National Park
Your local guide takes you to discover the magnificent Tierra del Fuego National Park between sea, forests, lakes and mountains at the end of the world! In the evening, discover the delicious specialities of Ushuaia: giant king crab (centolla) and black hake await you!
USHUAIA: Puerto Almanza
Private transfer to Puerto Almanza, a small fishing village at the end of the world famed for its king crab fishing. Stroll peacefully along the coastline and watch the impressive physical work of the fishermen. For lunch, treat yourself to the regional speciality: king crab!
USHUAIA: Beagle Channel – Flight to EL CALAFATE
Head to the port of Ushuaia to sail to the Lighthouse of the Éclaireurs (nicknamed 'the lighthouse at the end of the world') on the Beagle Channel and watch sea lions in their natural habitat. Then, transfer to the airport and domestic flight to El Calafate, land of the Patagonian glaciers.
EL CALAFATE: Perito Moreno Glacier
Head to Los Glaciares National Park for a full day exploring the Perito Moreno Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that reaches up to 70 metres in places. Listen with a shiver as blocks of ice calve into the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino!
EL CALAFATE: Day at an Estancia and Horse Riding
Private transfer to a typical estancia south of El Calafate. After a welcome coffee and a tour of the property, set off on horseback towards the Andes Cordillera, discovering the local flora and fauna along the way. After your ride, return to the estancia for a traditional meal. Transfer back to El Calafate in the late afternoon.
EL CALAFATE – EL CHALTÉN
Morning bus to El Chaltén, a small village world-famous for its breathtaking hikes! After settling in at your hotel, check in at reception for information on available trails according to the weather and difficulty level. Free afternoon to rest or take a first gentle walk.
EL CHALTÉN: Trekking
A free trekking day around Cerro Torre and the famous Fitz Roy. The marked trail winds through forest, pretty rivers and stretches of rocky mountain. On the programme: wide open spaces, fresh air, breathtaking landscapes and, with a little luck, sightings of wildlife!
EL CHALTÉN – BUENOS AIRES
This morning, depart from your El Chaltén hotel for El Calafate. Arrive at El Calafate airport late morning, then fly to Buenos Aires.
- Accommodation
- Domestic flights
- Guide
- Meals
- Rental car (if self-drive tour)
- Repatriation insurance
- Transfer
- Additional insurance
- International fligths
- Site entry fees
