Tour Code: 28ARC
Tour Manager: Wendy Dannels
Tour Leader: Wendy Dannels
Group Size: 8 - 12
Activity level: Moderate

Experience the spectacular landscapes and wilderness of Argentina and Chile for 13 days. Begin and end your trip in Buenos Aires, the capital city, try Argentinian food and watch tango. Visit Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world showcasing the channel and ocean shoreline at Tierra del Fuego National Park. Patagonia is full of adventure as it is a vast playground for hikers and nature lovers by marveling at the amazing glaciers and the majestic granite peaks meanwhile spotting wildlife animals roam and birds forage for food. This trip features classic but graded challenging Patagonia treks in two national parks: Los Glaciares and Torres del Paine. Take pictures of yourself in front of the world’s most iconic views: Mount Fitz Roy/Cerro Torre and three towers at Mirador Base Las Torres. A reasonably very good fitness level allows you to maximize your enjoyment of the trip.

Sunday, March 5
Arrival into Buenos Aires, Argentina and transfer to the hotel. Get together for a traditional Argentina welcome dinner. Stay in Buenos Aires for 2 nights.

Monday, March 6
Spend half of the day touring the city known as the ‘Paris of South America’. The first stop’s in the Plaza de Mayo so as to visit the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Old City Hall). After that, the trip continues towards various neighborhoods of Buenos Aires such as San Telmo, LaBoca, Puerto Madero, Recoleta, and Palermo.

Tuesday, March 7
Transfer to the airport. We fly to Ushuaia known as ‘end of the world’. It is considered as the most southern city on the planet. Visit the Museum of Ushuaia Prison. Stay for 2 nights in Ushuaia.

Wednesday, March 8
Event #1: either take 1 hr. “End of the World” train (additional cost) or enjoy a walk through the Fuegian forest. Both groups meet again to continue with a few highlights of the Tierra de Fuego National Park including glacial lake shared with Chile and Lapataia Bay where they arrive at the end of all roads in the Americas. Event #2: depart dock for a navigation, enjoy views around islands, lighthouse, and the Beagle Channel. Approaching Martillo Island, the engines are shut off at the beach’s edge to observe 2 kinds of penguins in their habitat. Then sail along the coast back to the city. The order of these two events may be modified.

Thursday, March 9
Transfer to the airport. We fly to El Calafate, then travel on the road to El Chalten known as the “National Capital of Trekking in Argentina”. Explore a small quaint mountain village where about 3,000 (and growing) inhabitants live. Stay in El Chalten for 2 nights.

Friday, March 10
A full day hike to the foot of the incredible Mount Fitz Roy and glacial lake of Languna los Tres in Los Glacieres National Park. Travel by vehicle to the start of the point to point trek allowing for a more convenient hike through a variety of picturesque landscapes is 13.3 miles (21 km) /3139 ft (956 m) and the trail ends in the village.

Saturday, March 11
Day at leisure in Los Glacieres National Park: you can choose to do any of the different treks at your pace around the national park in El Chalten. Recommendations of hiking trails to be provided. Then hit the road to El Calafate. Stay in El Calafate for 2 nights.

Sunday, March 12
Travel to Bajo la Sombra wharf, 8 km before the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glacieres National Park where we embark to cross the Rico Arm. Disembarking at the opposite side of shore after a short navigation. The walking begins when we reach the glacier and the guide fits crampons on our shoes. Walking on the glacier while crevasses, drains, and small lagoons can be observed. The mini trekking is not so hard on an irregular but firm ice surface. On the way back to the wharf, the boat navigates to the ice wall.

Monday, March 13
Early in the morning, we depart from El Calafate, crossing the Patagian steppe from north to south until we reach the Canha Carrera border crossing. From there, we begin to explore the beautiful southern Chile entering Torres del Paine National Park. Within the park, we take a panoramic tour, stopping at lakes, waterfalls, and viewpoints, discovering specimens of local flora and fauna such as guanacos and foxes. Drop off in Puerto Natales. Stay in Puerto Natales for 3 nights.

Tuesday, March 14
Hike out and back Mirador Base las Torres: the early morning departure from Puerto Natales to go directly to sector. At the starting point of our 12.5 miles (20 km) /3,326 ft (1013 m) trek, we walk over an old suspension bridge above the Asceno river that leads us to Las Torres Base in Torres del Paine National Park. Eventually, the trail turns harder and we arrive at the eastern part of the lake, where we absorb a wonderful view of the three towers. After resting and lunch in this extraordinary place, we begin our return along the same path to the vehicle to take us back to Puerto Natales.

Wednesday, March 15
In Torres del Paine National Park, spend a full day hiking Porteria Lake Sarmiento to experience a full of diverse wildlife including the hunting area for the largest predator in the region, the Puma. We learn about cave paintings dating back more than +6,000 years. Visit Blanquillos Lagoon, the nesting/feedings area of different species of endemic birds of Patagonia. Enjoy box lunch in the front of the granite towers between Nirre bushes. Continue the journey towards Canadon Macho looking for various Patagonia animals. Return to Puerto Natales.

Thursday, March 16
Transfer from Puerto Natales to the airport in El Calafate (crossing the Argentina border) and fly to Buenos Aires. Attend the cultural tango show, then farewell dinner in a local cafe. Stay in Buenos Aires for 1 night.

Updated as of 03/01/2026

Wendy, a lifelong resident of western New York, grew up with 8 siblings and attended St. Mary's School for the Deaf and then RIT/NTID. She served as the college liaison for study abroad programs with RIT Global and as a faculty sponsor for three NTID education abroad programs. After 34 years of service as an engineer and professor, she retired in 2025. People know Wendy as an easy-going globetrotter, hiker, bird watcher, sailor, and skier.

• 12 nights in 3-star or 4-star accommodations.

• 16 meals: Breakfast (12), Lunch (2), Dinner (2).

• Two 12.5+ mi (20+ km) hikes.

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

  • Approximately $500+ for 3 domestic flights (Buenos Aires > Ushuaia > El Calafate > Buenos Aires)

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins and ends in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants.

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits/payments may be required.

• Significant walking expected during the tour.  Moderate physical fitness is required. All participants will be expected to be able to carry their own luggage.

• Hands on Travel recommends that you purchase a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: wendy@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.