Exploring Patagonia

Arrive at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Transfer to a hotel in the heart of the fashionable Recoleta neighborhood and explore its nearby galleries, museums and cafés. Enjoy a tango performance, followed by a welcome dinner in the evening.

Spend the morning discovering Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital, known as the Paris of South America. On a city tour, explore the cobblestone lanes of San Telmo, as well as the colorful artists’ quarter of La Boca. After lunch, fly south to Ushuaia, capital of the Tierra del Fuego province. Settle into a stunning resort within the Cerro Alarkén Nature Reserve.

Begin the day with a hike in the Cerro Alarkén Nature Reserve, named for the pointed peak that dominates the landscape. Enjoy stunning views and get a closer look at the flora and fauna of Tierra del Fuego. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Ushuaia before a walking tour of the town, including its End of the World Museum, which highlights the area’s natural history, indigenous cultures and early penal colony. Embark the ship and set sail on the famed Beagle Channel.

Weather permitting, take Zodiacs to legendary Cape Horn for a panoramic view from the southernmost tip of South America. Later, explore Wulaia Bay, where Charles Darwin landed during his voyage on the H.M.S. Beagle. Choose 1 of 2 walks to experience the spectacular beauty of the Magellanic forest.

As you navigate the Magdalena Channel, spot penguins, dolphins, albatrosses and other seabirds. After entering the Pia Fjord, board Zodiacs and head out on a shore excursion on Pia Glacier. Continue along the Beagle Channel to the Porter Glacier. The next day, cruise through majestic Agostini Sound and disembark for a closer look at Águila Glacier. During an easy walk, take in spectacular views of the brilliant blue-and-white ice offset by black mountains, and learn about the geologic forces that shaped this dramatic land.

Take a morning walk on Magdalena Island, home to a colony of more than 100,000 Magellanic penguins. Disembark in Punta Arenas and continue across the southern Pampas, looking for herds of guanacos, as well as rheas, gray foxes, Patagonian hares and black-necked swans. Then settle into your spectacular hotel, situated perfectly to allow you to explore Torres del Paine and the surrounding region.

During the next 3 days, tailor your exploration to your interests, choosing among a variety of hiking excursions in the region. Discover Lago de Grey and its incredibly blue sculpted ice; hike through beech forests along the shore of Laguna Azul; and marvel at rock paintings left by the indigenous Aonikenk people, some of the earliest inhabitants of the region. Photograph wildlife near the northern limits of the park or relax at the hotel, taking advantage of its wonderful amenities. Enjoy evening lectures and cap off your stay in the park with a festive barbecue in the company of local gauchos, getting a glimpse into traditional Patagonian cowboy culture.

Begin the day with a drive to the Puerto Natales airport and fly to Santiago, Chile's captial city. Upon arrival, travel into the Maipo Valley to your late 20th-century-style hotel, nestled amid a centennial park. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and a tour through the property. Later, enjoy a private farewell dinner paired with Chilean wines from award-winning vineyards.

Start the day with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before visiting a nearby winery, situated within a modern organic vineyard. Enjoy a wine tasting experience paired with a selection of fine cheeses and artisinal charcuterie in a spectacular tasting room located within the cellar. Enjoy lunch, then spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. This evening, transfer to the airport for flights home.