Patagonia and three capitals

Tours to Patagonia: Argentina & Chile

with optional 2 days extension to Uruguay

Patagonia is one of the most beautiful places on earth to explore and yet it is literally at the end of the world. For most of the travelers it is one in a lifetime experience. That is why our tours to Patagonia cover both Chilean and Argentinian parts of Patagonia for deep and diverse adventure. When our Patagonia tours give opportunity to opt out of any activity, Patagonia is definitely a destination for active travelers that love outdoors and hiking. We offer only 1-2 Patagonia tours per year to make sure that those are well prepared and exceptional. We stay in comfortable mid-range hotels and focus on moderate hiking trails.

Highlights of Tours to Patagonia

  • Gigantic glaciers calving off their faces with loud thunders to splash into the lakes below
  • Incredible hikes with views of high granite peaks, sapphire lakes, and blooming valleys
  • Abundance of wildlife: pumas, flamingos, guanacos, penguin colonies
  • Boat cruises via Traits of Magellan
  • Gauchos farms with delicious barbecues
  • Tasting and tour of famous Chilean and Argentinian wines
  • Historic tours of Santiago de Chile and Buenos Aires
  • Argentina tango performance
  • Day boat trip to Uruguay

Dates & Cost

DATES

DAYS

COST (double / single)

April 17th – 25th, 2022

10 days

$4295 / 5290

Now $3995 / 4595

April 17th – 27th, 2022

12 days

$4590 / 5290

Now $4290 / 4990

With 2 days extension to Uruguay

Argentina & Chile Itinerary

Day 1
Santiago/ Winery visit

Morning        Arrivals. We suggest booking an overnight flight that arrives late morning or arrive a day earlier and we will be happy to book you an additional night in the hotel.

Afternoon     City winery tour and tasting, view of Santiago from the tallest building. Welcome dinner

Meals included: dinner


Day 2
Punta Arenas

Morning        Short tour to the other part of Santiago (if times allows)

Afternoon     Flight to Punta Arenas (3.5 hours). Visit Zona Franca, a large tax-free shopping zone on the outskirts of Punta Arenas to get snacks for hiking trails.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 3
Isla Magdalena and Magellan traits

Morning        We start early in the morning as the boat leaves at 6:30 AM. With a cup of hot chocolate or aromatic coffee served on board we sail through the Strait of Magellan to Magdalena and Marta Islands and observe the abundant marine life: the Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, the Patagonian sea lions, cormorants, dolphins, and whales, and other species of marine life on Marta Island

Afternoon     Drive to Puerto Natales, where will be our base for the hikes in Torres del Paine.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 4
Torres del Paine

Morning        Dressing in layers, since the weather in Patagonia is unpredictable, we will hike and enjoy the striking views around Mirador Las Torres.

Afternoon     Free time to walk and enjoy.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 5
Torres del Paine

Morning        On the second day at this Park, we will visit Grey Lake, which is a glacially-fed lake.

Afternoon     Free time to explore the place.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 6
El Calafate

Morning        At El Calafate, we will visit the Museum and glacier Glaciarium and Historical Interpretation Center of Calafate, for natural history & dinosaur fossils

Afternoon     Watch the sunset and observe the birds at Reserva Laguna Nimez

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 7
Perito Moreno Glacier

Morning        To explore this place, no previous experience is required. We will do ice hiking in this accessible, stable, and beautiful Perito Moreno glacier.

Afternoon     After lunch, take photos and admire the viewing balconies.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 8
El Chaltén

Morning        With comfortable shoes, we visit Chorrillo del Salto waterfall and Casa Madsen Museum 

Afternoon     Walk around El Mirador De Los Condores trail  

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 9
Buenos Aires

Morning        Great intro to the city is a walking tour in the colonial heart of town. We visit Barolo Palace, 9 de Julho Avenue, Maio Square, Casa Rosada building, Obelisco de Buenos Aires monument, and Colón Theater.

Afternoon     Walk at the famous and colorful street-museum Caminito and have free time. Watch the famous Tango dance.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

Day 10 
Departures or extension to Uruguay

Morning        In Buenos Aires, we will visit the famous Recoleta Cemetery and Bosques de Palermo Park

Afternoon     Travel to Uruguay.

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

 

Day 11 
Montevideo (Uruguay)

Morning        Great intro to the city is a walking tour in the heart of town. We visit Puerta de la Ciudadela, Independência square, and Salvo Palace

Afternoon     Go to Mercado del Puerto, where we will try special foods and have free time to explore the shops. Visit the Juan Manuel Blanes Museum, which is specialized in art national history.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

 

Day 12
Montevideo

Departures.

 

Tour Operator

info@colibritraveltours.com

Sylvia  +1 617-301-1237

Emergency Telephone Numbers

Argentina – Country Code +54 | Police 101 | American Embassy: (+54) 11 5777-4533 Address: Av. Colombia 4300, C1425 GMN, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Chile – Country Code +56 | Police 133 | American Embassy: (+56) 2 2330 3000 Address: Av. Andrés Bello 2800, Las Condes, Región Metropolitana, Chile

Uruguay – Country Code +598 | Police 911 | American Embassy: (+598) 2517 0260 Address: Dr. Lauro Müller 1776, 11200 Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay

Panataxi: 7-55-5555

Accommodation

We stay in 4/5 stars boutique hotels that best reflect the local architecture and flavors.

Air condition

Towels and soap

Hair Dryer

Safe

Example from past accommodations

Inclusions

What’s included?

What’s not included

Essential Travel Information

for tours to Patagonia
visa requirements, health, currency and more

Important notice:  PERITO MORENO GLACIER MINI TREK: The maximum age limit for the optional Perito Moreno Glacier is 65 years old. 

LONG TRAVEL DAYS: This trip includes a few long travel days. See the itinerary.

WEATHER: The weather in Patagonia in unpredictable. While Colibri Travel & Tours to Patagonia only run during the warmer months, temperatures can fluctuate 35 to 85 F within a day. Please make sure to bring clothing than can be layered.

On our Patagonia trips it is best to take a backpack rather than a standard suitcase.

We recommend that you exercise regularly and do a few local hikes before this trip.

 

 

â–¹ Visa requirements for tours to Patagonia

There are no special visa requirements for US citizens entering Argentina, Chile and Uruguay for less than 90 days. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least another 6 months and has empty pages.

 

 

â–¹ Health, Vaccinations

✔︎ All travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should be able to walk at least 2-3 miles a day and be able to climb at least two sets of stairs.
✔︎ You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure.
✔︎ There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
✔︎ At least 30 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
✔︎ If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays ( we recommend additional 1-2 weeks of supply).
✔︎ If you tend to get motion sickness please travel with appropriate medication. If you have a sensitive stomach consider bringing imodium as well.

Health Insurance: international health insurance, evacuation or cancelation insurance are not included. We recommend purchasing those before the trip. See the insurance box on the sidebar of this page.

 

 

â–¹ Electricity

Argentina, Chile and Uruguay operate on 220 volts and uses Types C or I plugs with two round pins or three flat pins, respectively.

 

 

â–¹ Connectivity, Internet

✔︎ The Internet is available in all hotels although speed may vary.
✔︎ Please consult your phone plan provider for phone call and text messages, international charges and plans.

 

 

â–¹ Time zones

✔︎ Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are 2 hours ahead Eastern Time (ET).
✔︎ 12pm in New York is 2pm the same days in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

 

 

â–¹ Currency, cash, credit cards

✔︎ The currency in Chile is Chilean peso, in Argentina is Argentine peso and in Uruguay is Uruguayan peso.
✔︎ Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas.
✔︎ ATMs are  available in all major towns and cities and credit cards are generally available in tourist shops and restaurants. Visa and MasterCard are better than American Express, Diners.  Smaller venues accept cash only

 

 

â–¹ Transportation and arrival information

✔︎ If you add airport pick up our driver will meet you at the airport with a sign that says: Colibri Travel & Tours. If you do not see your driver immediately stay right by exit from the secure area for another 15 min. If you still can’t find each other please give us a call. Driver’s name and phone number will be provided within 24 hours before your departure.
✔︎ If you choose to arrange for your own transportation we will meet you at the hotel or casa. In this case please make sure that you have the address and phone number.

 

 

â–¹ Baggage allowance

✔︎ Our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights. Additional baggage can be a subject of extra fees. Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
✔︎ We recommend that you make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents and a set of clothes, pijamas and cosmetics (travel size) in your carry-on bag in case of baggage delays. ber of your first hotel printed out.

 

â–¹ Tipping

✔︎ It’s customary to offer your guide and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
✔︎ We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10 per day per person and giving the tips to tour leaders to distribute between drivers, guides etc.
✔︎ Tips can only be paid in cash.

 

â–¹ Itinerary

Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travelers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.

 

We LOVE to talk about travel. If you have any questions please give us a call: 617 301 1237 or email us: info@colibritraveltours.com.

We are always happy to talk to our travelers and answer the questions!

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Register now!

Steps to enroll:

  1. Fill up the registration form on-line here.

Or download the registration form below, fill it out and send to info@colibritraveltours.comor mail to Colibri Travel & Tours, 341 Pearl St, Cambridge, MA 02139.

2. Send us a copy of your passport and deposit check via password protected email or regular mail.

3. Pack your bags and enjoy!

Small group:

8 - 20 ppl

Physical rating:

Challenging

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Reviews

Working with Colibri Travel & Tours was absolutely the best decision we made for our trip to Patagonia. At first, I tried to plan tours to Patagonia on my own. It was the hardest travel-related thing I have ever seen. It all looks easy and compact on the map but this is an enormous area with challenging terrains, super difficult logistically and you need to have it organized to the dot to be able to do the itinerary we covered in just 10 days. The team at Colibri Travel & Tours ensured that traveling around Patagonia went as seamlessly as possible. My partner and I together with a group of 8 other travelers went from Santiago de Chile to Punta Arenas did the Chilean part of Patagonia and then we transferred to Calafate and did the Argentinian part. Each part of the trip was planned perfectly by Colibri Travel & Tours working with the local travel guides and transportation companies on the ground to provide the best services. Colibri Travel & Tours is the only tour provider we found that offered both countries with such an affordable price. All other tour providers told us to focus on one country or significantly extend the trip. We are beyond grateful! I would highly recommend booking with them!

Stacy M, Manchester, NH

First, you need to realize this is not your typical tour in the south of Europe. This is Patagonia and you will be in a wilderness, hiking, trekking and sleeping in comfy yet simple hotels. So bring proper clothing, shoes etc. Couple of travelers in our group clearly thought they were going to chill out in a resort judging by the way they packed. Fortunately the rest of the group was wonderful, easy and had a good idea on what to expect. Colibri Travel & Tours organized this tour is the best possible way. There were challenges like the weather but because they were so well prepared we just swapped the days for hiking trails and didn’t miss anything. The distances in Patagonia are huge so expect long rides but the views along the way are stunning so you would not be bored. Overall it was a trip of a lifetime.

Jim C, Bend, OR

Excellent tours to Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Santiago and Uruguay! It was better than I expected, and look forward to the next one. This Colibri Travel & Tours small group tour was my first, and it offered a great balance of hiking, culture, and a good sense of belonging. We were lucky with our group leader, and the local guides, and generally lucky with the weather. My strong advice: pay attention to the packing list: good hiking shoes, wind/waterproof clothes and travel light, as light as you can. The small group environment was ideal to travel around and do activities with. I did a large group tour before with a different tour operator and it was hell. In Patagonia it wouldn’t even be possible. At Colibri Travel & Tours they really know what they are doing. And our accommodation was extraordinary, comfy yet so unusual in a good way and I am an architect so my standards are high. Don’t hesitate - they are pros!

Thomas L., Duluth, MN