Quintessential Chile and Argentina: A Seniors Patagonia Tour

The vibrant city of Santiago spreads along the foothills of the Andes Mountains with an array of lush parks, public art, and high-rises. Your flight will land at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, where your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival and escort you to the luxuries of your centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to uncover the charms of the city at your preferred pace. The peaceful beauty of lush trees, tasteful sculptures, and flamingos as they lounge in the lake at Bicentenary Park will quickly endear you to Santiago.

After breakfast, your guide will greet you in your hotel lobby and introduce you to the unique culture of Chile’s capital city. You will begin your exploration of the city at La Vega Central Market. Here, a vast collection of vendors line the expansive aisles. The fragrant produce will fill the air with sweet scents, such as star fruit and passion fruit. In Barrio Lastarria, you will find an eclectic mixture of European-styled architecture. The tree-lined streets will provide you with a relaxing ambiance amid the outdoor seating at cafes and restaurants.

After breakfast, your private transfer will escort you to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas. The remote city will act as your gateway to Patagonia. Sophisticated mansions border the Plaza Munoz Gamero and reflect the local power and prestige. Your private transfer will meet you at President Carlos Ibanez International Airport and lead you on a scenic drive to Puerto Natales. The city of Puerto Natales is a warren of colorful tin houses. The town will connect you to the pace of the surrounding wilderness, and the remainder of the day will be at your pace to enjoy the streets of the city.

This morning, your transfer will escort you into the borders of Torres del Paine National Park to reach the shores of Lake Pehoe. Here, you will board a catamaran and venture across the lake. The shores host packs of grazing guanaco. Upon reaching the grounds of Paine Grande, you will have a stunning view of Grey Glacier. This trek will reveal some of the marvelous wildlife of the protected landscape, such as Andean condors. The intermediate hike will take you nearly seven miles along a worn trail. Eventually, you will reach Grey Lookout, where you can enjoy the reward of a pristine view of the ice sheet.

You will have an early breakfast before following your guide on a full-day trek into the French Valley. Your trek will lead you nearly 15 miles into the heart of Torres del Paine National Park on a branch of the famous W hiking circuit. You will follow your guide along the winding path that edges the shores of Skottsberg Lake. When you reach the lookout, you can relax among the majestic views of the French Glacier. In the quiet air of the valley, you will hear the ice as it vibrates with the reverberating rumble through the natural amphitheater.

You will continue your exploration of Torres del Paine National Park on a trail that leads to the rewarding panorama from the lookout Mirador las Torres. Your guide will lead you on another hike that is about 11 miles round-trip. The trail will take you along the Ascencio River Valley. When you arrive at Mirador las Torres, you will find a glacial lake in the foreground that shimmers with azure water. The surrounding boulders and slopes of the plateau will guide your eyes to the magnificent peaks of Mt. Paine Grande.

In the morning, you will trek the trail to Los Cuernos Lookout. As you travel the trail, you will pass Salto Grande Waterfall. Here, the sounds of the crashing water accompany the cloud of mist. The pathway will wind along the edge of the mountain and open to views of the Horns of Patagonia. Instead of returning to your accommodations directly, you can continue to the distinctive view of the Condor outcrop, where the high-altitude panorama frames the soaring condors against the backdrop of the bright blue sky.

Your private transfer will escort you to the town of El Calafate. The scenic drive will take on the remote road and provide you with marvelous views of jagged peaks and glassy lakes. Once in Argentina, you will arrive at your luxurious accommodation in the town of El Calafate near the shoreline of Lake Argentino. The remainder of the day will be at your preferred pace to enjoy the cozy ambiance of the town. For a remarkable introduction to the landscape, you can make your way to the shore of Lake Argentino to view a flock of Chilean flamingos.

Your guide will lead you to Los Glaciares National Park after breakfast. Here, you can find up to 356 glaciers that feed into several icy lakes. You will begin your exploration of the protected landscape by touring the walkway that offers a panoramic view of the glacial wall. If you are feeling adventurous, your guide will lead you to where the ice meets rugged rocks. After putting on special crampon footwear, you will step onto the ice for a walk on the undulating surface of the glacier.

This morning, you will fly from El Calafate to Bariloche. Upon your arrival, your private transfer will greet and escort you to your accommodation in the heart of the city. The town spreads along the shoreline of Nahuel Huapi Lake and looks out to remarkable peaks, such as Cerros Catedral. The remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy a chocolate excursion around the charming streets of the town at your preferred pace. The town is known as Argentina’s Chocolate Capital due to the overwhelming number of chocolatiers that line Mitre Avenue. You can venture into a number of stores to find artisanal desserts, including creamy chocolate ice cream.

After breakfast, you will meet your guide for a marvelous tour of the scenery that surrounds Bariloche. Boutique shops host artisan goods that provide elaborate window displays, and the charming eateries that line the streets lead to the steeple of the city’s marvelous cathedral. Outside of town, your guide will lead you on an active tour of the landscape that highlights the splendor of Nahuel Huapi National Park. The protected scenery encompasses 2,720 square miles of the Patagonian steppe, including segments of the Valdivian Rainforest.

Your private transfer will take you to the airport after breakfast. You will board a flight to Buenos Aires. You will have a private transfer to your accommodation before having time to stroll around the city at your preferred pace. You can venture to the Plaza de Mayo to find the presidential palace, cathedral, and 18th-century town hall that lines the elegant square. In the evening, you will meet with a private instructor for a glimpse into the distinctive culture of Buenos Aires through the lens of the tango. Your private tango class will teach you the rhythm and footwork of the passionate dance.

This morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel and introduce you to the culture, history, elegance, and hidden quirks of the city’s 48 neighborhoods. The La Boca district glows with colorful corrugated houses and the endless sounds of tango music. The neighborhood remains attractive for artists who linger at the cafes and paint dancing couples. Afterward, your tour will lead you through the lanes of the Recoleta cemetery. The inspiring mausoleums represent the aristocracy and elite families of Argentina, including the tomb of Eva Peron, which is often marked with an array of fresh flowers from passing admirers.

After breakfast and some time at your leisure, your private transfer will escort you to the airport to connect with your flight home.