Argentina and Chile tour | Exclusive Patagonia tour with Australis cruise

Torres del Paine is one of South America’s most beautiful nature reserves. During the scenic drive to Torres del Paine, you’ll travel through the pampas and along the Patagonian Andes, where you’re almost certain to spot nandus, the South American equivalent of the ostrich. Torres del Paine is a paradise for nature lovers. Pointed granite peaks, emerald-green and cobalt-blue lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and a wealth of wildlife await you.
The impressive landscape of Torres del Paine is dominated by the Paine massif, where the jagged, 2,800-metre-high granite peaks are the iconic feature of Torres del Paine.
If you visit Torres del Paine by car, you may not be able to reach every part of the park, but fortunately you can organise hikes, horse-riding tours and even boat trips to reach the more remote areas. One of the best-known hikes in the park takes you to the famous Torres Base.

Punta Arenas is a remote town with colourful houses and a rich history. It is also the southernmost town of any significance in Chile. A place with a rich history of settlers and seafarers. A great spot for a stroll.
Patagonia in general, but certainly the city of Punta Arenas in particular, is also known as the place where you can experience all four seasons in a single day. It’s a truly special experience when this happens to you!

One of the most spectacular places in Patagonia is Ainsworth Bay. It is an elongated fjord, surrounded by forests and crowned by the Marinelli Glacier, which flows down from the Darwin Ice Field. The bay lies within the protected Alberto de Agostini National Park and is home to the southern elephant seal and many different species of bird. Trails lead to flowing rivers and waterfalls, moss-covered rocks, marshes and beaver habitats.
This area can only be reached by boat. A number of cruises are available, offering excellent photographic opportunities of this unique landscape, which is also known as ‘the end of the earth’.

The group of small islets, known as the Tucker Islets, are scattered across the Strait of Magellan in Chile’s famous, breathtaking Patagonia region. The islands can be reached by boat, and various cruises are available. They are renowned for their wildlife, particularly the endemic Magellanic penguin. More than 4,000 penguins come to the islets to breed during the southern hemisphere winter. Visitors can view the penguins from a distance on cruises or take a zodiac out to the islands. Other animals living in the area include cormorants, elephant seals and dolphins. Active travellers can look forward to spectacular sea kayaking, whilst photographers have the chance to experience truly enchanting scenes up close. Those wishing to see more can take a nine-day tour of the area (starting and ending in Punta Arenas) to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin.

A trip through the Beagle Channel takes you to Pia Bay. At this bay is the magnificent Pia Glacier where a short climb can be made. The viewpoint offers spectacular views of the mountain range from which this impressive glacier originates. The entire movement of the glacier can be seen here, until it reaches the sea.

This 240-kilometre stretch of the Beagle Channel, situated on the southern tip of South America, is a remarkable passage between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Darwin Mountains in Tierra del Fuego. Towering glaciers, glistening icefalls and cascading waterfalls plunge from the snow-capped mountains. Amidst this icy wonderland, wildlife thrives, whilst elegant seabirds soar overhead, playful seals bask on ice floes and, from time to time, whales, swimming sea lions and ducks can be spotted.

Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in southern Chile. It was discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition and named after the Dutch town of Hoorn. Cape Horn is a 425-metre-high mountain peak overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years, this was the only shipping route between the Pacific and the Atlantic and was often referred to as "The End of the World". It is highly recommended to enter Cape Horn (with good weather), the island is described as a pure paradise.

Wulaia Bay, located on remote Isla Navarino in southern Chile, is characterised by extraordinary landscapes of grasslands and rocky coastline, shimmering blue waters, and layers upon layers of snow-capped mountains in the distance. This was once home to the Yaghan people, a historic indigenous tribe that settled here some 10 000 years ago and moved by canoe. The rock walls they made on the beach to catch fish can still be seen. Only one full-blooded, native speaker remains. Apart from the numerous archaeological sites of the Yaghan, the area is also famous because Charles Darwin visited it in 1833, and it is possible to take a tour of the area that retraces his steps.

Buenos Aires is undoubtedly one of South America’s most popular cities, a metropolis with a strong identity of its own and a population of over 10 million. Visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions. In the ‘Microcentro’, you’ll find stately buildings, shopping boulevards and, of course, landmarks such as ‘la Casa Rosada’ and ‘Avenida 9 de Julio’ with its towering obelisk. In the old neighbourhoods of ‘La Boca’ and ‘San Telmo’, you can soak up the atmosphere of days gone by, when Italian and Spanish immigrants in search of a better life settled here in the late 19th century. La Boca actually offers the traveller just two streets that are somewhat touristy, and yet you simply must see the colourful little houses here. Of course, Buenos Aires is also known as the birthplace of Queen Máxima and Pope Francis.
San Telmo is the neighbourhood of antique shops and tango performances. It was in these neighbourhoods that this seductive dance originated. In the upmarket ‘Recoleta’ district, alongside exclusive shops and beautiful buildings, you’ll find the spectacular Recoleta Cemetery. Among others, Evita has her mausoleum here.
Palermo is home to extensive green parks and gardens. Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood have been on the up in recent years as nightlife districts with excellent restaurants and cosy wine bars. You’ll also find luxury boutiques and designer shops there.
Buenos Aires’ newest district, Puerto Madero, is certainly worth a visit; the old warehouses now serve as shops and restaurants, and amongst the modern buildings, the city’s architects have preserved large cranes and important historic buildings from the former harbour as monuments.

Remote and stunningly beautiful, Patagonia stretches across part of both Chile and Argentina and offers some of the most awe-inspiring hiking trails in the world. It is made up of several regions, each with its own unique beauty. Southern Patagonia, with its icy landscapes and geometric granite peaks; central Patagonia, a wilderness of rainforest and coastal plain; and northern Patagonia, where the cobalt lakes and lush valleys of the Lakes District and Araucania converge.

Ushuaia is the southernmost city on Earth. Nestled between rugged, glacier-covered mountains and the Beagle Channel, it’s fair to say it enjoys a truly special location. Ushuaia used to be a penal colony, but today the streets are lined with shops and restaurants. There’s plenty to do in and around the city. Aside from the lively shopping streets, the prison museum is well worth a visit, and you should definitely take a stroll through the harbour. The vast majority of expeditions to Antarctica set off from Ushuaia, and it’s a fascinating sight to see the large icebreakers moored in the harbour.
The centre of Ushuaia is also a lovely place to wander around. At the various kiosks along the coast, you can have your passport stamped or book a boat trip up the Beagle Channel, sailing past the famous lighthouse and various small islands teeming with seabirds and sea lions.
We recommend visiting Tierra del Fuego National Park (easily accessible by bus)! Tierra del Fuego National Park is the area’s most famous attraction: the end of the world. A beautiful natural landscape offers opportunities for walks, and for those who prefer a less strenuous option, there’s even a little train.
On a clear day, enjoy views of the town, the bay and watching planes land on one of the most spectacular runways in the world. Don’t forget to try the king crab in one of the restaurants – a delicious local speciality.

Located on the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego, this world-renowned national park was the first coastal beach in Argentina. The park consists of forests close to the coast and has parallel mountain ranges that divide the park into valleys. Activities in the national park include hiking and exploring the unique animal and plant life.

Located in the southernmost tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego province is a picturesque province in the southernmost reaches of Argentina. Purportedly one of the world's last frontiers, this region offers breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife and a rich cultural heritage. This corner of Patagonia offers endless activities and attractions for thrill seekers and nature lovers. It offers an array of natural wonders, including ancient glaciers, pristine wilderness, national parks, high snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, rivers and waterways. Don't miss a visit to Ushuaia, the city at the 'end of the world', which serves as a starting point for expeditions to Antarctica.

Located in Argentina's Patagonia, the region known as 'Atlantic Patagonia' is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. The remarkable landscape is characterised by stunning fjords, glistening bays and remote coves that meet the lowlands of the Pampas. This spectacularly beautiful area is home to the famous Valdes Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its marine life, especially for the orcas that hunt sea lions on the beach itself. This wild Patagonian coastal area offers visitors plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. Don't miss the Cabo Dos Bahias nature reserve, inhabited by a huge penguin colony and countless birds, sea lions and walruses.

The Argentine part of southern Patagonia is a phenomenal place. It is known for its icy, windswept landscapes, vast remote empty Patagonian steppe and diverse wildlife. This picturesque remote landscape is home to the region's main highlights: the Torres del Paine National Park that overflows into Chile and Los Glaciares National Park, both of which contain deep fjords, snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers and ancient forests. Visitors to this area can enjoy some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the world, including: the annual whale encounter on the rugged Valdes Peninsula and the stunning Patagonian ice fields with colossal glaciers. Popular activities include hiking, camping, whale watching, mountaineering, climbing and horse riding.

Those who think of Argentina almost certainly think of the Pampa with its gauchos (South American cowboys), horses and empty plains. Just outside bustling Buenos Aires, this part of Argentina begins. Here you will find the typical Argentine gauchos and you can possibly take part in various activities such as horseback riding, carriage rides, cycling or just walking around the beautiful terrain. You will also enjoy typical Argentine meals and the sport Polo in this area.

Lago Sarmiento is one of the many lakes within Torres del Paine National Park, in the Magallanes Region of southern Chile. Unlike most of the lakes in the park, Lago Sarmiento is not fed by glaciers, which has resulted in much clearer waters characterised by a magnificent blue colour. The lake is known for its extensive calcium carbonate ‘thrombolites’ deposits, which have accumulated at its edge to form an unusual white rim that resembles a sandy beach from a distance. Visitors can look forward to exploring these unique geological formations, spotting the local wildlife, and enjoying some spectacularly scenic hiking trails. Particularly recommended is the one-hour hike to the Cuernos viewpoint, passing the Salto Grande waterfalls along the way. Finally, don’t miss the nearby Lake Amarga, which reflects the peaks of the Torres del Paine and where you are likely to see impressive numbers of flamingos wading in the shallow waters.

Set in the southernmost reaches of Chilean Patagonia, Alberto de Agostini National Park is a treasure trove of natural wonders. This park is a realm of fjords, islands, and peninsulas, where meandering channels weave through breathtaking landscapes adorned with glaciers and snowdrifts. The Darwin mountain chain graces the horizon, while glaciers like Marinelli and Agostini punctuate the terrain. Guanaco Pampa offers serene fishing spots, and Agostini Glacier welcomes exploration amidst encircling peaks. The park's wildlife is equally captivating, with Culpeo and Chilla Foxes, leopard seals, dolphins, whales, sea lions, and elephant seals adorning the coasts. The skies are alive with 49 bird species, both terrestrial and marine, crafting a symphony of life in this untamed haven.

The rugged beauty of the majestic fjords of Southern Patagonia, with their imposing snow-capped mountains, granite peaks and stunning glacial lakes, makes this region truly breathtaking. Cruising around this remote and unspoilt area is a true adventure.
The area’s main attraction is undoubtedly the opportunity to witness the southernmost landmass north of Antarctica: the spectacular dark black cliffs of Cape Horn. The area is only accessible by boat and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including seals, porpoises, whales and the graceful albatross. If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable journey to one of the most isolated and strikingly beautiful places in the world, look no further than southern Patagonia. This region is literally the end of the world!

Chile's southern Patagonia is known for its stunning blue glaciers, vibrant forests, waterfalls, aquamarine lakes, rivers and towering sharp peaks. The heart of this sparsely populated and rugged region is the Torres del Paine National Park surrounded by pristine lowlands. You can hike through the rugged landscapes, watch the many penguins, or ride horses through the breathtakingly beautiful steppe. Chilean Patagonia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable adventure.

One of the most spectacular places in Patagonia is Ainsworth Bay. It is an elongated fjord, surrounded by forests and crowned by the Marinelli Glacier, which flows down from the Darwin Ice Field. The bay lies within the protected Alberto de Agostini National Park and is home to the southern elephant seal and many different species of bird. Trails lead to flowing rivers and waterfalls, moss-covered rocks, marshes and beaver habitats.

Located in the Pampa lowlands of Argentina, Buenos Aires province, meaning 'good air', is the country's largest province. Although the province bears the same name as the city of Buenos Aires, it does not include it. The current provincial capital is La Plata, a thriving cosmopolitan city. The province offers spectacularly beautiful natural landscapes, including a stunning Atlantic coast, numerous rivers, sparkling lagoons and the Sierra de la Ventana mountain range. Visitors can explore the cities of Mar del Plata, La Costa Partido, Villa Gesell and Miramar. Sample a range of exceptional wines along Argentina's world-famous wine route; and enjoy a trip to a gaucho ranch to experience the life of the gaucho, with traditional music, dancing, delicious food and horse riding. Don't miss the chance to enjoy the world's best Argentine beef in one of the many steakhouses scattered across the province.

Chilean Patagonia, which stretches from just south of the Lake District to the southernmost tip of South America, is known for its barren seascapes, huge glaciers, vast fjords, beautiful valleys, shimmering lakes and steep, snow-capped mountains. Visitors can look forward to spotting penguins, hiking through rugged landscapes, kayaking among huge icebergs and horseback riding across the steppe. Highlights include: the remote Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael and the Parque Nacional Bernado O'Higgins and the more popular Torres del Paine National Park, as well as the southern section of the popular Carretera Austral, one of the most beautiful roads and most incredibly scenic drives in the world. Don't miss the chance to discover the sheer beauty of the southern Patagonian ice fields.

Originating from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the El Brujo Glacier is an awe-inspiring natural wonder. Located at the end of Fiordo Asia, this magnificent glacier is two kilometres wide and features magnificent blue-hued ice. Visitors can enjoy a breathtaking cruise to view the glacier and even disembark onto the rocky shores to get a closer look at this icy treasure. Sail through the Sarmiento Channel via Peel Fjord and take in the spectacularly scenic landscapes featuring rugged cliffs, snow-capped mountains and floating ice floes.

Chile's Tierra del Fuego province is situated in the southern part of the country, and incorporates western part of Tierra del Fuego island. Characterised by untouched and extreme beauty of semi Antarctic landscapes, this area primarily attracts outdoor enthusiasts. Massive snowy peaks watch over turquoise fjords, dramatic rocky coastlines, and ever-changing tundra home to guanacos, wild horses, condors and penguins, Tierra del Fuego presents a wonderland of adventure. Brave travellers can even take on the southernmost hiking trails in the world, along the Dientes de Navarino circuit. Delve into the area's fascinating past with a visit to the Fernando Cordero Rusque Provincial Museum, in Porvenir, where you'll be able to learn about the now extinct Aborigines of the island, the Selk'nam people.