Discover Los Glaciares National Park & Tierra del Fuego - 7 Days

Highlights

• Sail past magnificent glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park
• Dine on centolla (king crab) and other seafood in Ushuaia
• Walk near Magellanic penguins on a rocky island
• Discover the dramatic landscapes of Tierra del Fuego National Park

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in El Calafate & Visit the Glaciarium

Welcome to Argentina! Today you'll arrive in the Patagonian destination of El Calafate, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park. El Calafate is known for its location on Lago Argentino, Argentina's largest freshwater lake. After checking in at your hotel and getting settled, you'll have the afternoon and evening free to stroll around town and do some sightseeing.

Get ready for tomorrow's visit to the nearby glaciers by visiting the Glaciarium. This interactive museum offers hands-on displays and an ice bar where you can take a break for drinks. If you'd rather explore the outdoors, check out the birds at the Laguna Nimez Nature Preserve just outside town. Stop in the quaint cafés and shops around El Calafate, then have dinner in a local parrilla (steakhouse) before getting some rest at your hotel.

Day 2: Experience the Perito Moreno Glacier

Today's adventure takes you to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Transfer from your hotel to the port, where you'll board a boat and start your day sailing along the Témpano Canal. The journey takes you past stunning landscapes, glaciers, and mountains, and you'll disembark several times for short hikes. Walk through some of the oldest forests in the area, admire pristine waterfalls, and take in impressive panoramic views.

As you enter the park by boat, you'll catch your first glimpse of Perito Moreno. This expansive ice mass flows down from the Andes out over the turquoise waters of Lago Argentino, ending abruptly in a great wall that curves around the lake. Witness "calving," the awe-inspiring sight of ice breaking off the facade and crashing into the tranquil waters below. The boat will drop you near the visitor's center, where you'll have time to explore the boardwalks and viewing platforms offering sweeping views of the glacier. Head back to El Calafate for the evening.

Day 3: Transfer to Ushuaia, Explore

After breakfast in El Calafate, you'll pack up and transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Located on a bay in  Tierra del Fuego, the city sits between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the silver waters of the Beagle Channel, where Charles Darwin famously sailed. After dropping off your things at your hotel, take a walk along the waterfront to marvel at the mountains and scenic shoreline.

Visit Ushuaia's Maritime Museum, housed in a building that was once a prison, or the Museo del Fin del Mundo (End of the World Museum). Located on the waterfront, this small museum features fascinating exhibits on the region's natural and Indigenous history. Alternatively, take a leisurely afternoon hike at Laguna Esmeralda, a beautiful turquoise lake outside Ushuaia. Then enjoy dinner in a local seafood restaurant—be sure to try the centolla (king crab). 

Day 4: Boat to the Penguin Colony on Isla Martillo & Hike to a Waterfall

Enjoy an adventure on the water today. You'll sail across Brown Bay and the Beagle Channel, passing incredible landscapes and islands with colonies of sea lions and Magellanic penguins. Your destination is Isla Martillo, a rocky island populated by penguins. You'll be invited to hop off the boat and walk near them; though closer contact isn't allowed, you'll have fantastic photo opportunities.

Continue the boat trip to the small village of Almanza, where you'll have a seafood lunch with a local family and learn about the fishing industry in the area. Then continue on a hike to the Lasifashaj River, which features a picturesque waterfall. Sunset will be approaching slowly as you return to Ushuaia for a relaxing dinner and rest at the hotel.

Day 5: Guided Trek in Tierra del Fuego National Park

Today, you'll spend most of your time in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Your experienced guide will show you the best hikes, lakes, and lookout points, from seaside mountains to freshwater rivers to subantarctic forests and tranquil bays. Begin with a 4.3-mile (7 km) trek on a coastal path that follows the Beagle Channel. You'll have excellent views of the channel along the way and pass remnants of ancient settlements once occupied by the native Yámana people.

At the end of the hike, enjoy a delicious lunch with views of the Lapataia River and Lago Roca. After lunch, you'll begin another walk on the La Lenga Trail, reaching the southernmost point of the Pan-American Highway before returning to the city of Ushuaia for the night.

Day 6: Discover the Lakes of Carbarjal Valley 

Today's excursion takes you through Tierra del Fuego's most wild and breathtaking scenery. After a morning pickup at your hotel, you'll head out of Ushuaia on the picturesque Route 3. Your first stop takes you to the viewpoint of Carbajal Valley, where you can observe the remarkable influence of glacial movement on the landscape. After a quick visit at the Villa Las Cotorras Resort, continue to the legendary Andean mountain pass of Paso Garibaldi, where a panoramic postcard of lakes and mountains awaits.

Your 4WD journey begins here! Start descending through the forest on simple logging roads carved by the region's first lumberjacks. After a stop at Escondido Lake for some traditional Argentine drinks and snacks, continue to Fagnano Lake to see the Magallanes Fault. This continental tectonic fault line helped to form prehistoric South America. Return to Ushuaia in the afternoon and enjoy one last seafood dinner before your stay ends.

Day 7: Return to Buenos Aires, Depart

The adventure has come to an end. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and help you make your connection back to Buenos Aires to catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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