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El Calafate & El Chaltén: Classic Argentina Patagonia Private Tour

El Calafate & El Chaltén: Classic Argentina Patagonia Private Tour

Argentina
16 Days

Overview

This 16-day private Patagonia Argentina tour covers the full range of the country in one coherent sequence, connecting Bariloche, Península Valdés, El Chaltén, El Calafate, and Ushuaia through four carefully coordinated domestic flights. The route is designed to move efficiently without feeling rushed: three days in the Lake District for Nahuel Huapi navigation and mountain trails, two days on the Atlantic coast for whale watching and sea lion encounters at Península Valdés, two days of hiking in El Chaltén beneath Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, two glacier days in El Calafate including the Big Ice trek on Perito Moreno, and three active days in Ushuaia, finishing in Tierra del Fuego National Park and Estancia Harberton. Every flight connection, private transfer, and guide handoff between regions is carefully coordinated in advance, ensuring a seamless journey across Argentina's most iconic landscapes.

  • Four Domestic Flights, Zero Coordination Gap: Bariloche → Trelew → El Calafate → Ushuaia — each connection has private transfers pre-arranged on both ends, so the days spent traveling between regions never become logistics days.

  • Península Valdés Wildlife Timing: The itinerary includes two dedicated days on the Atlantic coast — a full Península Valdés circuit with elephant seals and Southern right whale watching (June–December), and a second day for sea lion snorkelling at Punta Loma — both timed around tidal windows and current wildlife activity rather than fixed tour schedules.

  • El Chaltén — Two Full Hiking Days: Laguna de los Tres on Day 10 via the Río Eléctrico trailhead, and a second open day on Day 11 for Laguna Torre, a shorter valley walk, or rest — enough flexibility that neither day feels predetermined by the itinerary.

  • Expert Local Guides Throughout: Dedicated local specialists lead each experience, from Buenos Aires neighborhoods and Península Valdés wildlife encounters to mountain trails in El Chaltén and glacier excursions in Los Glaciares National Park, providing in-depth regional knowledge and adapting each day to local conditions.

  • Fully Customizable: This private Patagonia Argentina itinerary extends naturally to Torres del Paine across the border, Mendoza for wine country, or Iguazú Falls for a tropical addition to the circuit.

Trip Highlights

The signature moments that make this journey unforgettable.

  • Navigate Lake Nahuel Huapi to Isla Victoria and the native Arrayanes Forest in Bariloche

  • Watch Southern Right Whales in Península Valdés, the UNESCO reserve where whales nurse calves in the sheltered Golfo Nuevo bays

  • Snorkel or kayak with sea lions in the clear waters of Punta Loma

  • Hike to Laguna de los Tres beneath Fitz Roy's north face in El Chaltén

  • Trek Laguna Torre with views of Cerro Torre's spire and Glaciar Grande

  • Stand before Perito Moreno Glacier from the elevated walkways and by catamaran

  • Navigate to Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers on the Marpatag Gourmet cruise

  • Trek and canoe in Tierra del Fuego National Park to Lapataia Bay

  • Sail the Beagle Channel to Estancia Harberton and Martillo Island's penguin colony

Itinerary

Day 1

A domestic flight to Bariloche, with an afternoon private drive along the Circuito Chico — Nahuel Huapi Lake, the Llao Llao Peninsula viewpoint, the Swiss Colony, and Cerro Campanario.

Day 2

A private boat departure from Puerto Pañuelo onto Lake Nahuel Huapi, navigating to Isla Victoria and the Arrayanes Forest — one of the few native arrayán forests in the world, recognized by its distinctive cinnamon-colored bark.

Day 3

A choice between a kayak expedition along the Tronador Arm of Lake Mascardi, with views of the Tronador and Bonete peaks, or a mountain biking day at Cerro Catedral with panoramic descents over Lake Gutiérrez and Lake Moreno.

Day 4

A domestic flight to Trelew (REL), with a private transfer to Puerto Madryn on Golfo Nuevo — the gateway to Península Valdés.

Day 5

A full day inside the Península Valdés UNESCO reserve, starting with a boat excursion from Puerto Pirámides where Southern Right Whales come specifically to nurse calves in calm, shallow water. After the boat, a drive across the peninsula to Caleta Valdés for elephant seal colonies and the coastal cliffs.

Day 6

An excursion in the protected waters of Punta Loma, with snorkeling or kayaking alongside the resident sea lion colony. South American sea lions are naturally curious and approach divers rather than avoid them.

Day 7

A domestic flight to El Calafate (FTE), then a private transfer across the Patagonian steppe to El Chaltén, with Fitz Roy rising on the horizon in the final stretch.

Day 8

22 km round trip | 960m elevation gain | 8–9 hours | Challenging

A private drive to the Río Eléctrico trailhead, then a full day ascending through lenga and ñire forest past the Piedras Blancas hanging glacier to the glacial lagoon at 3,054 meters below Fitz Roy.

Day 9

~18 km round trip | 450m elevation gain | ~6 hours | Moderate

A private guided hike west through the Fitz Roy River canyon to Laguna Torre, where Cerro Torre's spire and the icebergs of Glaciar Grande are the payoff.

Day 10

20–22 km round trip | 1,100m elevation gain | 7–8 hours | Moderate–Challenging

A sustained ascent to Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, the viewpoint where Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Lake Viedma, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are simultaneously visible. After descending, a private transfer to El Calafate.

Day 11

A full day at Perito Moreno Glacier — 4.7 kilometers of elevated walkways alongside the 70-meter ice face, with a catamaran run along the southern wall adding a water-level perspective.

Day 12

A full-day cruise aboard the María Turquesa through Lake Argentino's floating icebergs to Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers — broader and more remote than Perito Moreno, reachable only by water. Gourmet lunch on board.

Day 13

A domestic flight from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia (USH), the southernmost city in the world, with a local guide meeting you at the airport for the hotel transfer.

Day 14

A coastal trek through Tierra del Fuego National Park past Yamana archaeological sites to Lake Roca, followed by a canoe descent of the Lapataia River to Lapataia Bay, where Pan-American Route 3 ends.

Day 15

A drive along the Beagle Channel coastline to Estancia Harberton, the oldest estancia in Tierra del Fuego, founded in 1886. A zodiac crossing of the channel to Martillo Island for the Magellanic penguin colony.

Day 16

A private transfer to Ushuaia Airport (USH) for your flight back to Buenos Aires and onward international connections.

Southwind Experience

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  • Transportation throughout the trip

  • Accommodation

  • Expert local guides

  • Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip

  • International or domestic flights

  • Personal expenses and optional activities

To start this journey, travelers will need to fly into Bariloche Airport  (BRC), located just outside Bariloche City. This airport receives domestic flights from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery – AEP) and international connections via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

  • Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to Bariloche (BRC)

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from Bariloche (BRC) to Trelew (REL).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from Trelew (REL) to El Calafate (FTE).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia (USH).

  • Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from Ushuaia Airport (USH) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) for onward international connections.

What our travelers say

S

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southwind from the planning stages to delivery of the trip in Patagonia were faultless and I really love the little reminders sent for each separate stage and really appreciated the added bits around passport checking and border crossing paperwork. The whole team was super friendly, and for our trip with Fernando he was great company and knew where to stop for refreshments and a view! We would strongly recommend southwind, they go the extra mile on service and have a permanent smile. Thank you guys you were faultless.

S

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great experience with Southwind. They organized a tour for us to visit Monte Leon from El Calafate. Fernando & Laura organized the logistics and were very helpful. Martin accompanied us on the tour and doubled up as driver and tour guide, which was beyond our expectations. We saw a lot of wildlife en route, as well as in the park with Martin’s help. I highly recommend Southwind for your Patagonia experience.

F

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The agency proved to be extremely professional. During the long transfer, in an impeccably clean and perfectly maintained vehicle, Mr. Fernando was very attentive to ensure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this agency for organizing your trips to South America. Only 5 stars because I can't give more!

J

Joanna Green

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maria and her team looked after us so well. I would recommend them in a flash. It was 20 years since I had been to El Calafate so I didn't know what to expect. It had changed so much! Maria was helpful, honest, well priced and a pleasure to work with. You could not ask for more. We had the best time thanks to Maria and her organisation. Fernando was our driver to a tour and a delight. Punctual, knowledgeable and all round wonderful. Gracias!!

R

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

M

Martin Bride

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

E

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

P

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muy buena la atención tanto por WhatsApp como en las excursiones. Puntuales en las búsquedas en el hotel... De las excursiones que llevo hechas (todas excelentes) la atención, la coordinación y el conocimiento de los guías es muy bueno. Un excelente servicio, lo recomiendo!

A

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

Google

Average rating

4.9 ★

Where to stay

Alvear Palace Buenos Aires

Alvear Palace Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires , Buenos Aires

Legado Mitico Buenos Aires

Legado Mitico Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires , Buenos Aires

Llao Llao Hotel

Llao Llao Hotel

Bariloche & Lake District , Bariloche

Territorio Hotel

Territorio Hotel

Puerto Madryn & Peninsula Valdes , Puerto Madryn

Chalten Suites

Chalten Suites

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

Hostería Senderos

Hostería Senderos

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

How to Customize This Itinerary

This itinerary is a foundation, not a fixed template — we shape it around what draws you to Argentina in the first place.

  • Add extra nights in El Chaltén for the Cagliero Glacier via ferrata or Viedma Glacier navigation.

  • Extend in El Calafate with a traditional Patagonian estancia overnight inside Los Glaciares National Park.

  • Add Vinciguerra Glacier trekking in Ushuaia for a second high-altitude day above the city.

  • Extend to Torres del Paine, Chile, for the W Trek before El Chaltén.

Every adjustment is shaped around what the trip means to you, then re-engineered with the same private logistics as the original route.

Let's plan your adventure!

Customize your adventure!

Share your trip plans, and we'll tailor it to your needs and budget. Our local experts are ready to craft the perfect journey for you.

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