Santiago to Buenos Aires via Paine & Calafate

• Arrive Santiago

  Upon arrival to Santiago, you will be welcomed outside of Customs by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in. (Private Transfer)

• Santiago

  Santiago de Chile was founded in 1541 by the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia who was sent by the conqueror of the Incas, Pizzaro, to establish a new capital in the fast growing Spanish Empire in the New World. Much of the core layout as designed by the master builder Pedro de Gamboa remains to this day. During the Half day city tour you will visit key locations where the rich history of the city played out.

  The tour starts with a visit to "Forestal Park", which runs along Mapocho River - water that penetrates the land. The river itself flows from the Andes and cuts the city of Santiago in two. It is then onto Santa Lucia Hill, the actual spot on where the city was founded. A geographical high point of the area the hill is now adorned with wonderful facades, fountains and stairways, including "Neptuno Terrace" at the summit. Neptuno Terrace is reminiscent of the Trevi fountain and its surrounds are now a public park located alongside the National Library. You then travel to the heart of the city and Plaza de Armas the spot from where the city has grown throughout the centuries. Each Latin city has a plaza de Armas as when cities were founded the center was also were the armory and military base was established - hence the name Plaza de Armas (Plaza of Arms). Visit some of the more important buildings such as the Cathedral, the City Council, the Central Post Office and the National Historical Museum. Continue to the Presidential Palace "La Moneda"; the current seat of the government. You will wander the streets that were once elegant at the beginning of the 19th century and now are a commercial center. Pass by Dieciocho Street that has been deemed as "typical" example of architecture from the period as well as the Cousino Palace built around 1870 and the Basilica de los Sacramentinos, a blatant imitation of the Sacred Heart Church of Montmartre in Paris. Finally reach Bernardo O'Higgins Avenue better known as "Alameda", which is the main street of the city where the tour concludes with a visit only to the San Francisco Church, located in the heart of Santiago, built between 1586 and 1628 by the Franciscan order and is the oldest colonial era building in the country.

  Once all activities are completed we will return back to the hotel.

  Balance of day at leisure. (B.) (Private Tour)

• Santiago - Torres del Paine National Park

  This morning we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas.

  Upon arrival to Punta Arenas we will meet and transfer you to Torres Paine National Park (entrance fee included) and to the Hotel Rio Serrano where the evening is at your leisure to admire the view.

  Hotel Rio Serrano All Inclusive programs are designed to meet a diverse selection of activities and interests in Patagonia, Chile. This allows you to maximize the value of your time with us, whilst you enjoy in depth every corner and surrounding area of Torres del Paine National Park. (B. D.) (Private Transfer)

• Torres del Paine National Park

  For the next two days you have a choice of activities to choose from ranging in difficulty levels from easy sightseeing to more demanding treks.

  The choice of acitivites include the following:

  Full day Paine
  Monte Ferrier Viewpoint Trekking
  Salto Grande ‒ Mirador Cuernos Vehicle Excursion
  Laguna Amarga and Lago Sarmiento Vehicle Excursion
  Condor Viewpoint Vehicle Excursion
  Torres Base Trekking
  Los Salmones Trekking
  Grey Beach Path Vehicle Transportation
  Nutria River Horseback Riding
  Navigation Gray Glacier (Subject to availability)

  Please contact us for a full detail excursion program description. (B. L. D.)

• Torres del Paine National Park

  Choose from one of the many available excursions.

  Read below an overview of one of our favourites excursions excursions:

  Navigation Grey Glacier (subject to availability):

  Difficulty: Low
  Duration: 5hrs
  Departure: 07:30 AM, 10:30 AM or 13:30 PM

  The most incredible and intense blue you will ever see! That is what you will experience after navigating through the waters of Lake Grey and marvelling at one of Patagonia most famous natural wonders. The Grey Glacier is a must-see; southern Patagonian ice field for anyone wanting to have an unforgettable experience. (B. L. D.)

• Torres del Paine National Park - Calafate

  This morning we will transfer by land to El Calafate, a quiet and picturesque tourist village, surrounded by dense vegetation that surprises visitors who are used to the aridity of the Patagonic steppe.

  On arrival to El Calafate you will be transferred to your hotel.

  Balance of the day at leisure.

  Please ensure you have your passport and any required visas issued and available, as this transfer entails an international land border crossing from Chile to Argentina. (B.) (Private Transfer)

• Perito Moreno Glacier

  Today we will enjoy a full day tour to the magestic Perito Moreno Glacier.

  After pickup at your El Calafate hotel, travel by comfortable coach to Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and home to Perito Moreno glacier

  During the 2-hour ride, learn about the park's animal and plant life, including details about Perito Moreno. Stop along the journey at scenic alpine lookouts among the mountains and the steppes. Arrive at the 'Curve of Sighs,' a turn in the solitary road that offers visitors their first panoramic view of Perito Moreno. This gigantic ice field is one of the only advancing glaciers in the world, a 19-mile (30-km) block of ice that juts out into the milky blue water of Lago Argentino.

  Walk on the glacier using the park's wooden walkways and follow directions from your guide to some of the area's hiking trails. Visit the viewing platforms for perspectives of the immense ice field from different angles and levels. Watch for calving: chunks of ice rupturing off the face of the glacier and cascading into Lago Argentino.

  Break for lunch (own expense) in the park's restaurant or enjoy refreshments you've brought with you. Re-board your coach for the ride back to El Calafate and drop-off at your hotel. (B.) (Shared Guide)

• Calafate - Buenos Aires

  Today we will transfer you from your hotel to El Calafate airport for your flight to Buenos Aires.

  The elegant Capital of Argentina, with over 3 million Porteños – as the residents are called, is one of the largest cities in the world. This great metropolis renowned for its sophistication stands out for being the most cosmopolitan and European city in South America, displayed through its mixed architecture and diverse culture.

  Upon arrival to Buenos Aires, you will be welcomed outside of Customs by an English-speaking assistant holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in. (B.) (Private Transfer)

• Buenos Aires

  This morning enjoy a tour of the city, that portrays many faces of Buenos Aires: we will visit the symbol of our city, the Obelisk, El Cabildo, Casa Rosada (Argentinian Presidencial office) and El Congress squares such as Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martin and Plaza Alvear; Avenida De Mayo, Corrientes and 9 de Julio among other avenues; La Boca and San Telmo, historic neighborhoods, the magnificent Palermo and Recoleta areas and modern neighborhoods like Puerto Madero, Dorrego square; Lezama Park and Tres de Febrero or Palermo woods (known as Bosques de Palermo) along with the Ecologic Reserve of the ‘Costanera Sur’ and the commercial and financial areas of the city.

  This evening, you will be taken to La Ventana Dinner & Tango show, where you’ll discover why the tango became one of the most elegant and sensual dances in the world. (B. D.) (Private Tour)

• Depart Buenos Aires

  Enjoy breakfast.

  Check-out.

  One of our representatives will collect you from your hotel and drive you to the Buenos Aires airport for your next onward flight destination. (B.) (Private Transfer)

The below hand-picked properties feature good location, superior service, and all facilities necessary for a comfortable stay.

CHILE

• Santiago: Hotel Ismael 312
• Torres del Paine: Rio Serrano

ARGENTINA

• Calafate: Hotel Kosten Aike
• Buenos Aires: Argento Towers

NOTES: 

• Hotel accommodation quoted in lead-in hotel guest rooms unless specified otherwise
• Hotels can easily be changed at the customer request. We have a wide selection so you can be assured of a great place to stay
• Occasionally due to circumstances out of our control, hotels quoted may not be available at the time of booking. In these circumstances when hotels are unavailable, South America Tours Pty Ltd will provide the best possible alternative.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Accommodation with private facilities as mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary:

(B.) = Breakfast

(L.) = Lunch

(D.) = Dinner

• All transport, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary unless specified otherwise:

(Private Transfer) = Your own exclusive driver. No queuing for taxis, no stopping en route at tour booking agencies. All private transfers / transport is operated on a private basis to you or by the hotel or lodge to their guest only

(Private Tour) = Your own, personal tour guide and an exclusive vehicle

(Shared Guide) = Meet other like-minded travelers and share the services of a guide / vehicle during the plan sightseeing activity. Typical group size is around 10 travelers.

• Parks and monuments entrance fees
• Professional English speaking local guides throughout
• Service charges and taxes. 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International & internal flights.
• Internal flights needed: Santiago – Punta Arenas / Calafate – Buenos Aires.
• We can purchase these flights on your behalf.
• Tourist Visas are not included
• Travel insurance
• Any items not specifically mentioned as included, phone calls, laundry, tips, alcohol, etc.