Antarctica, Argentina, Chile

Argentina, Chile & Antarctica: A Luxury Adventure to Patagonia and Beyond

When

December-February

Price

From £34,500pp excl. flights
(based on 2 ppl sharing)

How long

14 nights ideal length

There are few landscapes on earth that can rival Patagonia. Grassy steppe that rolls into jagged peaks and intimidating glaciers that extend all the way down icy fjords – it’s arguably the world’s best adventure ground. But there is perhaps one place that could top it. A little further south, across the tempestuous waters of the Drake Passage, lies the frozen expanse of Antarctica. A place that only a lucky few have set foot on, it intrigues and mystifies in equal measure. Surrounded as it is by towering icebergs and cut through by plunging crevasses, the landscapes here make a worthy opponent for Patagonia. So why not put the two into perspective and spend two weeks working your way through two of the world’s most beguiling continents. From the tango-filled streets of Buenos Aires, through the majesty of Chile’s Torres del Paine and down to the islets, bays and caps of Antarctica, there’s not a sight to be missed.

Tango through Buenos Aires

Start your adventure in Argentina’s buzzing capital, Buenos Aires with an overnight base in the charming Palermo neighbourhood at Legado Mitico. Get to know the city as you link up with one of our expert guides for an in-depth tour through the history of Plaza de Mayo, the vibrancy of La Boca and the cuisine of San Telmo before sitting down to a traditional bodegon lunch at La Brigada. As for the evening, that calls for another Argentine tradition – tango. Leaving your hotel in signature Black Tomato style, in a vintage car, you’ll arrive at the art-deco Faena Hotel for their famous Rojo Tango show. Full of kicks and flicks and signature sensual moves, you’ll want to take a few lessons yourself.

Patagonia & Perito Moreno

The next morning, you’ll leave the city behind as you fly south to El Calafate and make your way into Argentinian Patagonia. Embodying the true spirit of the area, from the area’s indigenous roots to the blend of style between Crillo settlers and modern-day travellers, drop your bags at Eolo before diving headfirst into the staggering landscapes that sit on your backdoor.

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Sitting on the fringes of Los Glaciares National Park, El Calafate is an adventurer’s paradise and nowhere epitomises this quite like the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier. Tomorrow, you’ll trek it. Join your expert hiking guide as you sail down the Rico Arm with breathtaking views of the fjord that surrounds you, before strapping on your crampons and setting foot on the ice. Spend the next few hours trekking across streams, past lagoons, taking in gullies, crevasses and mighty ice formations that will leave you grappling for your camera time and again.

Trekking Torres del Paine

Tomorrow, it’s farewell Argentina and hello Chile as you head across the border into the jaw-dropping Torres del Paine National Park. The best place to explore it from? Awasi Patagonia. Boasting unparalleled views from its stylish villas, three nights here will have you in the lap of both luxury and adventure. Not only does your room here come with all the usual luxuries, but you’ll also have a personal guide and 4×4  at your disposal meaning you can customise your adventure down to the last detail. So spend the next few days, hiking up to Laguna Azul, glacier walking and horseback riding among the wildlife before returning each evening for a soak in the hot tub, a drink by the fire and a delicious meal.

The White Continent

From Torres del Paine, there’s only one way to go – south to Antarctica. Driving down to Punta Arenas, you’ll spend a night here getting to know your fellow expedition-goers with a welcome dinner and pre-trip briefing. The next morning the adventure begins. Long gone are the days of rocky sea voyages across the Drake Passage though, instead, you’ll travel in the utmost style with a quick flight down to King George Island – saving two days at sea in the process. On touchdown, spend some time exploring the desolate area that surrounds the Frei and Bellingshausen stations down here, before hopping aboard a RIB and being whisked out to your luxury Antarctic vessel. Stepping aboard the Magellan Explorer, it’s plain to see that the days of brutalist icebreakers are behind us that a new era of luxury has swept in. Settle down in your contemporary cabin and get to know the ship with its open-air observation deck making the bow the best place to watch the frozen continent go by.

Sailing Antarctica

For the next five days at sea, you’ll have just the icebergs, penguins, seals and whales for company as you plot a course from the South Shetland Islands along Antarctica’s western peninsula. A fragile environment where conditions can change at any moment, your expert crew will plot you a route that makes the most of this truly unique land. Spend each day heading onshore in the company of polar guides, before strapping on snowshoes or picking up a paddle to explore further. Whether it’s Paulet Island, Hope Bay or the Lemaire Channel, we can guarantee that no two days in Antarctica will be the same – nor will you be quick to forget them.

A Santiago Send-Off

Five days later, you’ll arrive back at King George Island and make your return to Punta Arenas. From there, it’s back up north, this time to the Chilean capital of Santiago where you’ll have a day to explore the city from your boutique base at Singular Lastarria. Our top tip? A culinary walking tour of the city, finishing up at the Central Market and with lunch at El Galeon. Tomorrow, it’s time to bid a final farewell to these two incredible continents. But rest assured, you’ll be flying home with an amazing tale to tell.

Where to rest your head

Legado Mítico, Buenos Aires

Set in the heart of Buenos Aires’ most vibrant and desirable neighbourhood, fall in love with Palermo’s Legado Mítico, an exclusive boutique retreat that’s perfect…
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Eolo Patagonia's Spirit Hotel, El Calafate

Embodying the true spirit of Patagonia, from the area’s indigenous roots to the experiences of the first Europeans and Crillo settlers to the modern day…
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Awasi Lodge Patagonia

For an experience like no other before Awasi Patagonia has to take the award. Protected from the harsh Patagonian winds by the native forest, these…
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Magellan Explorer

If there's one thing we've learned over the years, it's that extreme environments don't necessarily preclude extreme luxury. Sailing into Antarctic waters, nowhere has taught…
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The Singular Santiago

The Singular Santiago is a five-star property situated in downtown Santiago, in the glittering Lastarria neighbourhood. The perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of…
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