Luxury Nature & Wine Tour in Argentina: Mendoza, El Calafate & Ushuaia - 10 Days

Highlights

• Dive right into Buenos Aires' rich culture with tango shows and cocktail tastings
• Sample Mendoza's best labels and cuisine during private winery tours
• Paddle along the massive ice walls of the world-famous Perito Moreno Glacier
• Cruise along the famous Beagle Channel on your way to a penguin colony

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires, City Sightseeing & Tango Rojo

Welcome to Argentina! Buckle up because South America's second-largest country doesn't do anything at half-speed. It draws travelers from around the world looking for that perfect mix of outdoor adventures and raucous city fun. You'll find the latter in Buenos Aires, the nation's effervescent capital. Whoever coined the phrase, New York is the city that never sleeps, has not spent time in Buenos Aires.

Upon arrival at Ezeiza Airport, you'll transfer to your accommodation: the Alvear Palace. This 5-star luxury hotel in Buenos Aires' old-money Recoleta district enjoys a central location close to historic landmarks (like the famous cemetery where Evita is buried.) It's also the model of timeless elegance, mixing classic French opulence with modern city style. The grand suites feature crystal chandeliers and Argentine art hanging on the walls, and luxurious amenities include a rooftop heated pool and afternoon tea service. If you're tense after the flight, head to the spa for a massage and/or body exfoliation.

After settling in, head out on a sightseeing tour to the historic Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace.) Continue to San Telmo and La Boca—the two oldest neighborhoods in the city—and walk down colorful Caminito Street, lined with historic cafés. In the evening, don your smartest formalwear because you're off to Tango Rojo for dinner and a tango show. This music style originated in La Boca in the late 1800s, and by the early 20th century, it had become famous worldwide. Experience the passion and artistry of this genre in a cabaret-style atmosphere. 

Day 2: Buenos Aires City Tour, Speakeasy Cocktail Adventure

This morning you're off on another memorable city tour. Meet your guide in Retiro, a neighborhood near your hotel famous for its historic plazas. Do some window shopping as you stroll the boutiques on Avenida Alvear back to Recoleta and its world-famous Cemetery. Amid the grand mausoleums, which inter some of Argentina's most noteworthy historical figures, one grave stands out: Eva (Evita) Peron's. The tour finishes in the trendy Palermo neighborhood at expansive parks designed by renowned landscape architect Charles Thays.

Take some time to relax in the afternoon. Then, in the evening, meet a guide for a trip to the chic, closed-door bars that are popping up throughout the city. These watering holes recreate the atmosphere of old-time speakeasies, and, over four hours, your insider guide will lead you on a pub crawl to some of the best. At each one, you'll sample handcrafted cocktails featuring spirits beloved by locals, like Fernet and Campari. No need to worry about sober driving because when the last drink has been imbibed, you'll return to the hotel via taxi.

Day 3: Fly to Mendoza, Dinner at Los Toneles Winery

Say goodbye to Buenos Aires because this morning, you'll transfer to the airport and catch a two-hour flight west to Mendoza. Located near the border with Chile, this is the country's prized wine region. Here, the bulk of Argentina's most famous grape—malbec—is harvested. Mendoza is also a lovely city in its own right, full of tree-lined boulevards, expansive plazas, and a youthful college-town vibe.

From the airport, your driver will transfer you to the Cavas Wine Lodge. Sitting on a 54-acre (22 ha) wine estate at the foot of the Andes, this intimate retreat is a welcoming monument to the joys of wine. Featuring luxury amenities, like a wellness center, and a chic design that includes Moorish-inspired patios, the real joy here (besides the ample suites with private plunge pools) is the myriad activities right on the doorstep. Stroll through the vineyards, enjoy tastings, go horseback riding, or relax on the terrace with a glass of malbec as the sun sets over the Andes.

When the sun goes down, meet a private guide for a Mendoza city tour after dark. Over an hour or two, you'll visit Mendoza's famous parks and plazas (like Parque San Martín and Plaza Independencia), plus other highlights like Civic Center and Arístides Villanueva, a wide avenue lined with bars and cafés. The tour ends at Los Toneles, a family-owned winery that's one of the finest in Mendoza. Dinner will be at Los Toneles' equally renowned restaurant and includes choice cuts of grilled Argentine beef with locally sourced vegetables—all paired with wines from Los Toneles' world-class cellar.

Day 4: Uco Valley Wine Tour & Lunch

It's time to taste the fruits of Mendoza's world-famous terroir on a full-day wine tour. And there's no better place for such an introduction than the Uco Valley. This renowned wine region is nestled in the Andes foothills just south of Mendoza and is known for producing some of the world's finest malbecs.

The first stop on this itinerary is Atamisque. This family-run winery is known for producing premium reds like malbec and cabernet sauvignon as well as crisp whites like chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Upon arrival, you'll take a private tour of the facilities, followed by a tasting of three select wines.

Then, the adventure continues to Huentala Wines. Sitting on a gentle slope running up to the Andes, this vineyard produces some of the most forward-thinking malbecs in the region. Some are spicy, concentrated, and intense, while others are floral and imbued with various fruits. You'll have lunch at Huentala's gourmet restaurant, where you'll enjoy a themed tasting menu designed by renowned chefs paired with some of the vineyard's best pours.

Day 5: Fly to El Calafate, Dinner at Rancho Aparte

After breakfast, leave wine country behind as you transfer to the airport for a connecting flight (likely in Buenos Aires) into Patagonia and El Calafate. Sitting on the shores of Lago Argentino, El Calafate is the main base for trips into the famous Los Glaciares National Park and one of its star attractions, Perito Moreno Glacier.

Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will transfer you west of town to EOLO. Also known as "Patagonia's Spirit," this 4-star ranch-style accommodation enjoys a privileged location on the wild Patagonian frontier. EOLO is the place to come to experience Patagonia in a secluded setting, as it focuses on understated luxury and excursions/adventures into the surrounding wilderness. Rugged country aside, guests here can enjoy gourmet dining amid panoramic views and sublimely restful sleep in elegant rooms decorated with antique furniture.

After dropping off your bags, you'll return to town for a dining experience celebrating rustic yet gourmet Patagonian cuisine in all its glory. Take a seat at Rancho Aparte, a ranch home converted into a closed-door restaurant where guests are treated to home-cooked meals from fixed menus. Highlights include regional specialties like roast Patagonian lamb and goulash with gnocchi pasta, all prepared with organic ingredients from local farms. Of course, the menu is paired with some of the finest wines in Patagonia and throughout Argentina.

Day 6: Day Trip to Perito Moreno & Kayak Ride

Get ready for an adventure in Los Glaciares National Park! Meet your driver in the morning for the transfer west to Perito Moreno. It's a scenic 1.5-hour drive during which you'll pass landmarks like Redonda Bay, home to various exotic waterbirds, like black-necked swans and flamingoes.

Continue cruising across the vast Patagonian steppe until you reach the national park's entrance, surrounded by beech and oak forests. Once here, you'll have a couple of hours to explore the network of boardwalks offering prime views of Perito Moreno. This expansive glacier flows down from the Andes over the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, ending in a great wall that curves around the lake. At points, these walls reach 230 feet (70 m) high. If you're lucky, you'll witness "calving"—an event where massive portions of the glacier wall break off and crash into the icy waters below.

In the late morning, hop in a kayak and get a closer view of this marvel of Mother Nature as you paddle across the lake to Perito Moreno. You'll get within a safe distance of its massive ice walls, which reach 230 feet (70 m) high. In the mid-afternoon, you'll transfer back to El Calafate. 

Day 7: Day Trip to Estancia Cristina

After an early breakfast, a driver will pick you up at the hotel for the 28-mile (45 km) drive to the port at Punta Bandera, on Lago Argentino. There, you'll board a ferry and ride along the Upsala Channel, passing towering icebergs as you go. When you reach the northern section, you'll see the western front of the Spegazzini Glacier. At over 10 miles (16 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, this ancient ice mass is nothing short of awe-inspiring. 

After admiring Spegazzini, continue north into the Cristina Channel, arriving at the far end by late morning. You'll disembark at Estancia Cristina, one of the most impressive ranches in the region. It was founded by pioneers in 1914 and built on a valley once covered by the Upsala Glacier.

A visit to the Folkloric Museum here (located in an old sheepshearing shed) offers insight into the history of the estancia. After a walk around the property to admire the panoramic views of snowcapped mountains, running rivers, glassy lakes, and ancient glaciers, you'll transfer back to El Calafate.

Day 8: Fly to Ushuaia, Optional Activities

Pack your bags once again because, in the morning, you'll transfer to the airport for the 1.5-hour flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on a bay in the Patagonian region of Tierra del Fuego, the city lies between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the silver waters of the Beagle Channel. This is the same waterway where Charles Darwin sailed the HMS Beagle almost 200 years ago.

Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel, Los Cauquenes Resort + Spa. This 5-star gem enjoys a privileged location near Tierra del Fuego National Park on the windswept shores of the Beagle Channel. Besides the scenic channel views in your luxurious suite, you can also take advantage of the hotel's heated indoor and outdoor pools.

Feel free to spend the day relaxing or enjoy a self-guided tour around town. When you're feeling peckish, grab a table at Reinmora, the hotel's gourmet restaurant, which serves delicious classics like succulent Patagonian lamb and decadent centolla (king crab).

Day 9: Beagle Channel Boat Tour & Penguin Colony

Head to the tourist pier in the morning and board a boat for a half-day tour along the famous Beagle Channel. As you sail southwest, you'll pass Isla de los Lobos, a rocky outcrop and habitat for sea lions. Then, it's off to Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), a natural habitat for seabirds, including Magellanic cormorants. Farther out, you'll spot Les Eclaireurs, an iconic lighthouse that's over 100 years old.

Continue down the Beagle Channel and enjoy views of landmarks like Isla Gable and Puerto Williams (the southernmost settlement in the world). Eventually, you'll reach Isla Martillo, where the boat will stop. Here, you can observe sizable colonies of Gentoo and Magellanic penguins. After snapping photos, the boat will return to the port in Ushuaia.

Day 10: Tierra del Fuego Park Tour, Fly to Buenos Aires, Depart

Sadly, all great journeys must eventually end. You won't waste a second, though, as this morning, you'll enjoy one last full day of outdoor excursions. Specifically, you'll venture into the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park. Within the park's 243 square miles (630 sq km) are some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in Patagonia.

Meet your driver/guide and hop in a 4WD vehicle durable enough to handle the park's back roads. Then, drive into the park to a trailhead. There, you'll embark on a brisk hike through sub-Antarctic forests to landmarks like the Lapataia River. After a few hours of walking, you'll arrive at Lapataia Bay. Located in the Beagle Channel, this bay sits at the end of the Pan-American Highway and National Route No. 3. Here, get back in the vehicle for the ride to Ushuaia's airport, where you'll catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels!

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