Discover nature, fauna, and culture on an unforgettable Patagonia tour.

Begin your journey in El Calafate, where the breathtaking landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park await your exploration. Continue onwards to Torres del Paine, where the majestic pumas roam freely amidst the thriving wildlife of the National Park. Finally, your adventure concludes in Punta Arenas, the vibrant heart of Chilean Patagonia, where a blend of wildlife and culture beckons you to experience its wonders.

Itinerary

Day 1: The Adventure Starts!

Upon arrival in the morning* to El Calafate, you will be taken by your guide to have lunch and a short briefing about today/tomorrow's activities (depending on your choices).

After lunch, you will be driven towards a dock to embark on a catamaran and take a closer look at Perito Moreno glacier.

After the activity, you will be driven to Pristine Lodge to have dinner and a well deserved rest.

*We advice taking flights arriving before 11 am.

Overnight at Pristine Luxury Camp, Premium Domes, El Calafate

Day 2: Mayo Sound & Perito Moreno Glacier

Today you will have different options of activities to do like horse riding, hiking and biking from which you can choose the one that most interests you depending on the availability at Pristine Lodge.

Enjoy nature and have your camera ready in case of any interesting flora or fauna sightings!

Overnight at Pristine Luxury Camp, Premium Domes, El Calafate

Day 3: From El Calafate to Ecocamp

Los Glaciares NP, Argentina/Torres del Paine NP, Chile

 

Overnight at Ecocamp, Suite Dome.

Days 4 to 7: Puma Tracking in Torres del Paine and Wildlife Observation

Mornings at Ecocamp start watching the sunrise, featuring coffee, breakfast, and puma tracking in Torres del Paine's varied landscapes under our guide's expertise. After exploring, we lunch and unwind at Ecocamp, then venture out again in the afternoon. Evenings offer dinner and rest post-sunset. Observation runs from 6 AM to 11 AM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. While puma sightings can't be guaranteed, our efforts aim to maximize chances. The itinerary includes 3 days at Estancia Laguna Amarga for puma tracking and 1 day in Torres del Paine for general wildlife, adapted based on puma movements.

Overnight at Ecocamp Patagonia, Suite Dome.

Day 8: Birdwatching at Cerro Benítez

 Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at EcoCamp, we head south towards Puerto Natales, pausing along the way to go birdwatching at Estancia Ernesto Helmer, where we can observe species such as condors, woodpeckers, thorn-tailed rayaditos, patagonian sierra finch and chunchos among others.

After this experience, we will head to Puerto Natales for lunch and a brief briefing for the next day's activities.

We will continue the trip towards Punta Arenas, until we reach our accommodation.

Overnight at Ecocamp, Suite Dome.

Day 9: Historical Journey through Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas, Chile

AM: EXPERIENCE MAGELLAN STRAIT PARK.

Begin your day with an early morning adventure after enjoying a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel. Your journey kicks off with a visit to the captivating Magellan Strait Park, situated 50 km./31 mi. south of Punta Arenas. This historical and archaeological gem in the Magallanes region is home to significant National Historical Monuments like the Bulnes Fort and the King Don Felipe City, also known as "Port Famine". Explore archaeological sites that unveil centuries of human history, and don't miss the opportunity to stop by the visitor center with its informative museum rooms and scenic viewpoints offering stunning views of the Magellan Strait.

Next, we will return to Punta Arenas for a delightful lunch at a local restaurant.

PM: EXPLORE PUNTA ARENAS CITY.

After lunch, our historical exploration continues with a City Tour of Punta Arenas. We'll start by visiting the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), surrounded by historic buildings and the Hernando de Magallanes monument. Our next stop? The municipal cemetery, where we'll wander among the beautiful gardens and mausoleums, followed by the iconic “El Ovejero" (The Shepherd) Monument. Later, we will visit the Nao Victoria, a fascinating life-size Boat-Museum, to learn about the Hernando de Magallanes' expedition, taking us back 500 years in history. With its original blueprints and life-sized figures, you can also admire the replica of the Goleta Ancud, pivotal in claiming the Strait of Magellan and other southern lands for the Chilean government in 1843.

Finally, we'll ascend to the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint. Drink in the city's colorful rooftops, the sprawling Strait of Magellan, and the distant allure of Tierra del Fuego Island before returning to the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel La Yegua Loca, Panoramic Room (or similar).

Day 10: Penguin Colony at Magdalena Island

Punta Arenas/Magdalena Island, Chile

Get ready for an unforgettable wildlife experience on our final day of adventure!

Early in the morning (between 5:45 and 6:15 AM), you will be picked up for a short drive to the meeting point in Punta Arenas. After checking in and receiving some information, we will set off towards the dock to board our ship. After boarding, we will have a picturesque ride to Magdalena Island. Here, we will spend an hour with our guide exploring the natural habitat of the Magellanic Penguins, one of the largest colonies in South America.  We will then return to the pier and make our way back to Punta Arenas. Along the route, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of Southern Dolphins, Overas Dolphins, and Sei Whales.

Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, you will be transferred back to your hotel or the city center. Take the opportunity to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, and indulge in delicious local cuisine. Be sure to ask your guide for recommendations on the best restaurants and bars to visit.

As the afternoon winds down, we'll make our way back to the hotel for a memorable farewell dinner, where we can share our experiences with our fellow travelers.

Overnight at Hotel La Yegua Loca, Panoramic Room (or similar).

Day 11: Goodbye Patagonia!

Punta Arenas, Chile

For this last day, we understand the importance of a seamless travel experience, which is why we will ensure that you are picked up from your hotel at the perfect time to either make it to your return flight or embark on new adventures in the stunning landscapes of Chile or Argentina. Our private transfer service can be arranged in advance to accommodate any schedule you may have on this final day of your journey. Let us take care of the logistics so you can focus on making the most of your time in this beautiful region.

<< Back

Accommodation

Pristine Luxury Camps - El Calafate

Each of their 6 comfortable Premium Eco Domes, built in wood and fully equipped for guests' comfort, offers a majestic view of the Rico Arm of Lake Argentino and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Guests can enjoy a complete experience, which includes various activities, regional gastronomy, transfers, and the personalized attention of the Pristine team. They guarantee warm and exclusive attention, making each stay a truly unique experience.

Ecocamp Patagonia - Torres del Paine

La Yegua Loca Boutique Hotel - Punta Arenas

<< Back

Included

• All ground transport as indicated in the itinerary (private and semi private).
• Accommodation:
  - Hotel Posada Los Alamos (or similar): 2 nights.
  - Ecocamp Suite Dome: 5 nights.
  - Hotel Boutique La Yegua Loca (or similar): 3 nights.
• Private or shared excursions as specified in the itinerary.
• English/Spanish speaking Specialist Tour Leader throughout the trip.
• English/Spanish speaking guides on excursions.
• Entrance fees where needed.
• Meals:
  • Day 1: Lunch, Dinner.
  • Day 2: Breakfast, Box Lunch/Lunch, Dinner.
  • Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
  • Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
  • Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
  • Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
  • Day 7: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
  • Day 8: Breakfast, Lunch.
  • Day 9: Breakfast, Lunch.
  • Day 10: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner.
  • Day 11: Breakfast.
    
    

Not included

• Flight tickets.
• Insurance (appropriate Travel & Health insurance is mandatory).
• Voluntary tipping to guides and staff.
• Items of personal nature.
• Additional bus tickets or transfers/connections.

<< Back

Facts

Departures

Fixed Departures for 2025 - 2026

• November 7th to 17th, 2025.
• December 3rd to 13th, 2025.
• January 20th to 30th, 2026.
• February 3rd to 13th, 2026.
• March 4th to 14th, 2026.

Departures on specific dates. Private departures are also available upon request.

Operational Season: October 1st to March 31st.

Starting / finishing point

The trip starts in El Calafate, Argentina (airport or hotel) and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile (airport, hotel or cruise).

Physical demands

This trip does not demand a high level of physical fitness to perform well, but you need to consider that tracking wild animals can involve spending several hours outdoors either taking short walks or waiting in specific spots until the sightings occur. All trails visited in the programs are under 1,000m / 3,000ft high so travelers don’t need to worry about altitude

Weather

The vast unbroken stretch of ocean to the west and south of the South American continent leaves the Patagonian Andes very exposed to winds that circle Antarctica making the weather hard to predict. Winter’s temperature ranges between -2ºC/28ºF and 6ºC/43ºF. June, July, and August are the wettest months in Torres del Paine and sub-zero temperatures are common. Nevertheless, the winds are relatively mild in winter and visitors should come prepared for sunshine as well as the cold.

What you need to bring

Passengers to need to be prepared for summer and winter all at once. We recommend the following:

• A day backpack. (30 liters - to carry a camera, glasses, raincoat, etc).
• Water-resistant trekking or hiking boots.
• Extra shoes for evenings or in case others get wet.
• Waterproof jacket.
• 2 pairs of wool socks.
• Fleece jacket or sweater.
• Shorts or comfortable loose pants.
• Sun protection. (glasses, hat, lip balm and screen).
• Cash for buying extra drinks, snacks or souvenirs in Torres del Paine National Park.
• Optional: Capilene underwear for the upper and lower body.

Are you wondering about photography equipment? We got you! take a look at our What to bring to Patagonia for Photographers.

Please Note: This list is just to give you an idea. We will send you a detailed list prior to the departure date of the program.

Itinerary modifications

We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary under the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can also modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on these considerations.

<< Back