Description
Day 1:
Reception at Trelew or Puerto Madryn airport. Transfer to the hotel in Puerto Madryn and accommodation. Free time.
Day 2:
Valdes Peninsula: This full-day excursion visits one of the natural treasures designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. With its exceptional geography and biodiversity, the Valdés Peninsula shelters a unique combination of marine and terrestrial wildlife rarely found sharing the same ecosystem.
Departing around 8 a.m., the journey allows time to explore the protected reserves and key landmarks within the Valdés Peninsula. Highlights along the route include the Ameghino Isthmus Interpretation Center, Bird Island, a vibrant sea lion colony at Punta Pirámides (active during the summer months, December to March), the coastal village of Puerto Pirámides, and elephant seal rookeries at Punta Delgada, Caleta Valdés, and Punta Cantor.
Throughout the peninsula, guanacos, maras (Patagonian hares), foxes, armadillos, and choiques inhabit the steppe, appearing frequently along the route.
A specialist guide accompanies the excursion, offering insight into the Patagonian ecosystem and helping interpret the region’s rich biodiversity.
Covering approximately 250 miles (400 km), the itinerary adapts to seasonal variations in wildlife activity and is available year-round. The experience involves no physical difficulty. Recommended essentials include comfortable clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and a spirit ready to embrace Patagonia’s wild beauty.
Once the boat reaches open waters, the engine falls silent, leaving only the calls of penguins, seagulls, gulls, and cormorants echoing over the waves. It’s a moment of pure stillness, an attentive wait. A flock of birds stirs on the horizon. As the vessel draws near, a flash of silver and white bursts from the sea, followed by the thunderous splash of a whale breaching close by. Excitement ripples through the passengers — voices rise in different languages, children’s laughter mingles with gasps of wonder. To complete the spectacle, dolphins often appear, leaping and playing freely alongside the boat.
The entire experience lasts approximately 60 minutes.
Day 3:
Punta Tombo.: This full-day excursion departs from Puerto Madryn heading towards the most important continental colony of Magellanic Penguins. The route crosses the vast Patagonian steppe, shaped by relentless winds and dotted with hardy vegetation. At the end lies a sweeping beach, the Atlantic Ocean—and nearly a million penguins.
The visit begins at a modern Interpretation Center, offering insight into the behavior of Magellanic Penguins, the fragility of their ecosystem, and the importance of conservation efforts.
At Punta Tombo, thousands upon thousands of penguins nest in burrows, waddle across the paths, and interact freely in their natural habitat—an extraordinary chance to observe these iconic creatures up close, without barriers: visitors can literally walk among them!
On the return, the itinerary includes a stop at the Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum in Trelew, considered one of the most important institutions of its kind and an international benchmark in paleontological research and discovery.
The round trip covers approximately 250 miles (400 km). This excursion runs from mid-September to mid-March, during penguin season. It involves no physical difficulty. Light clothing, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended.
Day 4:
At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia. In Ushuaia, reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and free time.
Day 5:
In the morning, Tierra del Fuego National Park: This half-day excursion invites visitors to explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, the only national protected area on the island. Located just 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) west of Ushuaia, near the border with Chile, this pristine reserve showcases the untamed beauty of Patagonia at the very edge of the continent.
Leaving the city along National Route 3, the journey offers a glimpse into Ushuaia’s past and present, with the guide sharing stories that weave together its indigenous heritage, pioneer history, and life in the southernmost city on Earth.
Inside the park, the landscape is dominated by dense beech forests — lenga, ñire, and coihue — interspersed with native shrubs and wildflowers that bring seasonal bursts of color. The region’s wildlife is just as remarkable: native Fuegian red foxes roam the undergrowth, while introduced species such as beavers and rabbits have left their mark on the environment. Bird enthusiasts will find no shortage of activity, with over 90 species recorded in the area.
Among the highlights are Ensenada Bay, home to the charming “End of the World” post office where travelers can send postcards from this remote location; the tranquil Roca Lake, whose glacial waters reflect the surrounding peaks; and Lapataia Bay, where the forest meets the sea in a dramatic embrace. Short, scenic walks near the lake reveal impressive beaver dams, a testament to the impact of this non-native species.
The visit culminates at Lapataia Bay, marking the southernmost terminus of National Route 3, part of the legendary Pan-American Highway. A signpost here records the distance to Buenos Aires: 1,903 miles (3,063 kilometers) away — a symbolic endpoint for the world’s longest land route.
After approximately four hours, the excursion returns to Ushuaia, leaving visitors with lasting memories of this wild and remote landscape.
Dismantled in 1952, the train was revived in 1994 as a tourist attraction. Today, it runs part of its historic route, offering a unique journey through the region’s natural and historical landscapes.
During the ride, the train offers sweeping views of lenga and ñire forests, peat bogs in earthy tones, and the winding Pipo River. Wooden bridges and open valleys reveal the rugged Patagonian landscape, with snow-capped mountains on the horizon. Along the way, traces of old convict logging sites remain visible, and with some luck, native foxes or birds may appear among the trees.
The "Estación del Fin del Mundo" (End of the World Station) serves as the railway’s main terminal. Nestled in a valley between Mount Susana and the Le Martial mountain range, and adjacent to the Pipo River, this station marks the starting point of the historic journey. It features an ample facility that includes ticket offices, a boutique, a waiting area, restrooms, and administrative offices.
Departing from Ushuaia's port, the route first leads to Alicia Island, home to a thriving sea lion colony. From there, the boat heads towards Bird Island (Isla de los Pájaros), where royal and imperial cormorants nest and gather in large numbers. The next stop is Sea Lion Island (Isla de los Lobos), inhabited by South American sea lions and Southern elephant seals, easily distinguished by their size and fur texture.
At the farthest point of the navigation, Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse appears on the horizon — a historic beacon built in 1919 that marks one of the most iconic sites of the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia.
The return trip follows a slightly different route, allowing a stop at one of the Bridges Islands (Islas Bridges). Here, a guided walk offers insight into the region’s native flora and birdlife, while also sharing the history of the Yámana people. The island is home to ancient shell mounds, tangible traces of their ancestral way of life and among the largest in the area.
Back on board, as the boat makes its way back to Ushuaia, passengers are invited to enjoy tea, coffee, local liqueurs, or the traditional mate, accompanied by cookies. The excursion lasts approximately four hours.
Day 6:
A fun-packed adventure towards the heart of the Tierra del Fuego island crossing the Andes mountains in 4WD vehicles, known as Off road Lakes: The adventure begins around 9 a.m., departing from the hotel and heading north along National Route 3. As the Beagle Channel fades into the distance, the landscape opens up to reveal Mounts Olivia and Cinco Hermanos on the horizon, while the expansive Carbajal Valley, known for its peat bogs, dominates the foreground.
The journey continues toward the Tierra Mayor Valley, a stunning area framed by Mounts Bonete and Alvear, where glaciers and permanent snow drape down from the highest slopes, creating a breathtaking scene. Further along, the road passes through Cerro Castor, the region’s main winter sports center, where activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and dog sledding are enjoyed during the snow season.
The ascent carries on until reaching an elevation of about 1,475 feet above sea level, crossing the Andes. From the Garibaldi Pass viewpoint, sweeping panoramic views unfold over Lake Escondido and Lake Fagnano, a natural spectacle that captivates visitors year-round.
The route proceeds to the old Bronsovich sawmill, where Provincial Route 119 begins. After roughly 6 miles, the adventure takes to the Off Road circuit, following an old loggers' trail that winds through a centuries-old lenga forest, with occasional natural obstacles along the way.
The path leads to the shores of Lake Fagnano. In this deep, cinematic forest setting, a mid-morning break is taken to enjoy coffee, tea, and biscuits. The off-road journey continues for approximately one hour, tracing the lake's edge, alternating between shoreline, forest trails, and even sections where the vehicle crosses through shallow water.
After completing the Off Road segment, the excursion continues to a beautiful spot near the lake, ideal for savoring a traditional lunch while taking in the stunning surroundings. The return to Ushuaia marks the end of the day, with arrival expected around 5 p.m.
Day 7:
At the scheduled time, transfer to airport for your flight to El Calafate. In El Calafate, reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation and free time.
Day 8:
Perito Moreno Glacier: Some moments etch themselves into memory—not through words, but through silence. Among Patagonia’s most awe-inspiring excursions, the encounter with the Perito Moreno Glacier remains unequaled: towering, alive, and in constant motion, a monumental wall of ice that cracks, roars, collapses, and slowly rebuilds itself.
The full-day excursion begins in the morning, departing from El Calafate and tracing the shoreline of Bahía Redonda, the rounded bay of Lake Argentino. The journey reveals the solitary silhouette of Isla Solitaria floating in the water’s expanse. From there, the route enters the windswept Patagonian steppe, a vast landscape of ochres and silvers. Along the way, landmarks appear: Cerro Comisión (also known as Elephant Hill), the Centinela River, Cerro Frías, and traditional ranches like the well-known Estancia Alice. After crossing the Mitre River, the road enters Los Glaciares National Park.
The scenery shifts dramatically. The dry steppe gives way to lush forests of southern beech trees. In just a few miles, the environment transforms into a green, humid corridor of lengas, ñires, evergreen beech, and the brilliant red blooms of the notro.
One of the most iconic moments of the journey occurs at the Curva de los Suspiros—the “Sighs Curve”—named for the audible gasp that often escapes as the glacier appears for the first time in the distance.
Farther along, the road reaches the main viewpoint, where the entire 3-mile-wide face of the glacier comes into view. But the most intimate encounter happens at the walkways—a network of platforms and paths that bring visitors just a few hundred feet from the ice wall itself. Rising more than 200 feet above the lake’s surface, the glacier looms in silence, marked by deep blue crevices, translucent shadows, and jagged towers of frozen time. Every so often, a thunderous crack splits the air. A chunk of ice breaks free and crashes into the lake, sending ripples across the stillness.
The average time spent at the walkways is about two hours, allowing for unhurried exploration. Inside the national park, a visitor area offers food and refreshments, with privileged views of the glacier and surrounding peaks.
The experience reveals the glacier from a completely new perspective, highlighting its towering ice walls and the frequent calving of massive ice blocks, which break off with a thunderous noise and drift as deep-blue icebergs, passing just meters from the boat and coloring the water with their ancient hue.
The vessel, with a capacity of approximately 70 passengers, maintains a safe yet close distance as it navigates the entire southern front of the glacier.
Boarding takes place at Puerto Bajo de las Sombras, located 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) from the main Perito Moreno Glacier viewpoint.
Day 9:
Transfer to the private port for a full day among Glaciers and icebergs, at the splendid Gourmet Glaciers Experience: This full-day journey aboard the María Turquesa Cruise blends two of southern Patagonia’s greatest pleasures: sailing among glaciers and enjoying refined cuisine surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
The experience begins early in the morning with a transfer to Punta Bandera, where boarding from the Private Port La Soledad takes place . The navigation unfolds across the vast expanse of Lake Argentino, offering a privileged perspective on the Los Glaciares National Park—a perspective both immersive and remarkably close to the ice.
The first sights appear after crossing Escuadra Bay and the Condoreras Wall: the Seco and Heim Glaciers, suspended from mountain slopes and peaks—so-called “hanging glaciers.” The cruise continues south toward the Spegazzini Channel, leading to the glacier of the same name. This towering ice front rises between 260 and 440 feet above lake level, allowing for an awe-inspiring close-up approach.
The next stop is Puesto de las Vacas, a calm bay nestled within the channel. Here, the captain cuts the engines to allow a brief, guided walk along the shore, led by the onboard team of naturalist guides.
Later, the cruise approaches the barrier of icebergs that blocks access to the Upsala Channel. The distant outlines of the Upsala and Bertacchi Glaciers can be admired from the deck. A Gourmet boxed lunch, with non-alcoholic beverages included, is served amid this striking scenery.
The journey then continues through the Iceberg Channel toward the northern face of the Perito Moreno Glacier, where the vessel stops to observe the dramatic calving of ice blocks crashing into the lake—a spectacle of sound, movement, and stillness.
Return to port is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. followed by the transfer back to El Calafate.
Note: When booking with us, guests may request for an upgrade to the VIP Premium Deck of the María Turquesa Cruise, an exclusive area with space for just 16 passengers. This option not only offers privacy but a full lunch with alcoholic beverages, plus complimentary cafeteria service throughout the navigation.
Day 10:
At the scheduled time, transfer to El Calafate airport.
End of our services.
