Small Group Tours To South America

Located at the southern tip of South America, Southern Patagonia is a sparsely populated region that is shared by Chile and Argentina. This vast area is ruggedly beautiful and is perfect for hiking, exploring, and enjoying one of the last truly remote wilderness areas on the planet. If a 10 day trip to South America is on your bucket list, consider booking a vacation in this region!

What makes Southern Patagonia so special?

• This wild region remains as vast, remote, and untouched as it was when the first European settlers laid eyes on it 500 years ago.
• Southern Patagonia features a diverse landscape to explore with islands, glaciers, mountains, forests, lakes, and waterfalls, all within its boundaries.
• The region is the official gateway to Antarctica, the earth’s southernmost continent!

When Is The Best Time To Visit?

If you are planning an Argentina trip, or a trip to Southern Patagonia, the best time to visit is during their summer months – that is, November through mid-March. During this time, weather conditions will be the most comfortable, especially for outdoor activities. However, it can also be the busiest time of year at tourist hot spots – both international travelers and vacationing locals flock to Patagonia to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

An Ideal Trip For Outdoor Enthusiasts

If your idea of small group tours to South America includes rugged adventure, we have the perfect itinerary for you. This 10 day trip to South America includes hiking, biking, glacier climbing, and plenty of off-road adventure for all. So, get your hiking poles ready and pack your boots – we’re setting off for uncharted territory!

Getting There – Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

If you are planning an Argentina trip, the easiest way to get to the country is to fly into Buenos Aires. For this particular adventure, you will then have to travel to El Chalten, which is 7 hours away from Buenos Aires. From Buenos Aires, you will take a three-hour flight to El Calafate, and from there, you will take a three-hour ride by shuttle to El Chalten along paved roads. Once in El Chalten, you can prepare for an adventure of a lifetime – hiking Mt. Fitz Roy.

A Whirlwind Adventure

El Chalten is known as the trekking capital of Argentina, and for good reason. Each year, thousands of people flock to this tiny town to hike the trails around Mt. Fitz Roy. Most people hike to the base of the mountain, which provides them with an epic view of the mountain’s peak.

• To start this small group tour in South America, you will embark on a three-day, roundtrip trek that will take you to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Capri, which are fed by Fitz Roy’s glaciers. After a night spent camping, you will hike to Rio Blanco, where mountaineers begin their epic climb up the mountain in search of the summit. From this vantage point, you’ll be as close to Mount Fitz Roy as you can get mountaineering gear. You’ll be able to stare straight up at the towering spires that rise over 1,500 meters above the surrounding glaciers.
• The next stop on your Argentina trip is Lake Argentino. Located in Los Glaciares National Park, this is the ideal destination for mountain biking, horseback riding, and glacier hiking. Cruises are also popular because they take visitors past the Upsala Glacier, the Spegazzini Glacier, and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Travelers have even reported seeing car-sized chunks of ice splitting off one of these three glaciers and crashing into the lake below! At the end of your cruise, put on some crampons and winter gear to explore the edge of the Southern Ice Field and trek across the surface of the Perito Moreno Glacier with a guide.
• Next up is a visit to the town of El Calafate. This town features a beautiful nature reserve, Laguna Nimez, where you can see 100 different bird species, including Pink Flamingos. You could also go kayaking on the La Leona River, which allows you to explore the lower shrubland scenery and the Patagonian steppe. If you have a chance, make sure you stay at Estancia La Estela, which overlooks the mountains of El Calten and Los Glaciares National Park. This remote estancia (or farm) allows guests to explore the surrounding landscape on horseback!
• The next stop on this small group tour of South America is in Chile. Take a minibus across the Argentina/Chile border from El Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park. This national park is famous for its hiking trails, specifically the “W” circuit. The "W" route resembles the shape of the letter on the map. Start your trek at Refugio Grey, pass through the Valle de Frances, and finish your journey at Campamento Torres. The trek can be done in either direction, and will take between four to six days to complete. Previous backpacking experience is not required, but you will want to be relatively fit to enjoy the journey.

The End Of The Trail

After a whirlwind 10 day trip to South America, it’s time to reverse course and head back to Buenos Aires for your flight home. Now that you know just how easy it is to plan an Argentina trip, you can start mapping out your next adventure in this amazing country. Argentina awaits you with open arms.