Founded in 1536 by the Spaniard Pedro de Mendoza, for a century and a half Buenos Aires was cut off from the main routes of South America, only gaining importance in the 18th century. As the capital of the Viceroyalty of the RÃo de la Plata, Buenos Aires saw a large influx of European immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. With its wide tree-lined avenues, impressive buildings, and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Buenos Aires is considered one of the most beautiful cities in South America. The Argentine capital has a more European than South American atmosphere and is characterized by lively streets, luxurious boulevards, old-style cafes, and classy restaurants. Buenos Aires is rich in history, culture, and must-see attractions, starting with its colorful neighborhoods and the historic city center, which is the nerve center of the city's relationship with politics.
Flight
Day 2 — Buenos Aires → Ushuaia
Ushuaia, the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic Islands, is the southernmost city in the world. It overlooks the Beagle Channel and is surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and forests, offering a unique landscape. The word Ushuaia comes from the Yaghan language, the ancient indigenous people of the area, with the terms ush (bottom) and waia (bay), and has been translated as "Bay at the End of the World.".
Car
Day 4 — Ushuaia → Punta Arenas
In 1520, Portuguese navigator Hernando de Magallanes discovered the Strait that now bears his name, which over the years became the main maritime route between Europe and the Pacific coast. In 1843, the Chilean government organized an expedition to colonize the area, creating Fort Bulnes on the shores of the Strait. In 1848, Governor Jose Santos Mardones moved inhabitants and structures to the location where Punta Arenas now stands. Punta Arenas is now the capital of the Magallanes region and the Chilean Antarctic region. Its development was based on the importation and breeding of sheep. The expansion of this industry, along with the trade and financial activity generated by the passage of a large number of ships along the Strait, led to population growth but also caused the catastrophic decline of the local indigenous peoples, the Onas and the Yaganes, who are now extinct. The city is now the center of a thriving tourism, commercial, and cultural activity, although its economy continues to be based on livestock, mining, and fishing.
Car
Day 5 — Punta Arenas → Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is located 254 km north of Punta Arenas, a picturesque town on the shores of the Ultima Esperanza fjord, in a region of great beauty. In addition to being the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and the spectacular Balmaceda Glacier, Puerto Natales also allows for connections to Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, just across the border, with the town of Calafate as its Argentine counterpart and the Perito Moreno Glacier as its main attraction. Puerto Natales is also the terminal for ferries that navigate the channels between the islands of Patagonia all the way to Puerto Montt.
El Chalten is a small village located in Argentine Patagonia and is a privileged place for all travelers who want to discover the natural beauty of the region. El Chalten offers the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in Patagonia: from here, you can go on walks and treks immersed in incredibly beautiful scenery.
Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia in motorcoach — NAAR