VETS Patagonia/Buenos Aires 2025 Main Trip Overview
February 2025
We are delighted to announce our VETS Adventure Series expedition to Patagonia & Buenos Aires, with visits to both Chile and Argentina, hiking on foot and traveling by vans to look for pumas, condors, guanacos, rheas and much more in the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park.
We will also have an optional an optional post-trip to Iguazu Falls & Hummingbirds.
Veterinarians will be earning Continuing Education credit as they travel with their Families to an amazing and beautiful part of the world.
Main Trip Overview
The Main Trip starts with your arrival in Santiago, Chile on Friday, February 7, 2025. There will be an evening welcome dinner and drinks at the Courtyard Marriott and the morning of February 8th the group will fly a scheduled flight to Puerto Natales, then bus to Torres del Paine National Park and our hotel, the Rio Serrano.
February 8, 9 & 10— We’ll spend three nights in the park with mornings and afternoons available to enjoy hotel activities (most inclusive, no extra charge) and/or to explore the park in small groups with guides. We’ll have vehicles and guided trekking options including: finding the wild pumas and multiple tours of various areas of the park searching for guanacos, flamingos, Cara Cara birds, ibis, ducks, geese, owls, woodpeckers, rheas, red or gray foxes, condors, flamingos, swans, majestic mountains, glacial lakes and rivers; and much more.
The viewscapes of the glaciers, glacier fed lakes and rivers, the flora of Patagonia and the mountains will amaze you. You’ll need moderate ability to walk on uneven ground to do most treks, and we can create a group sightseeing experience for those that need easy walking only (not for pumas). The geography does not allow for travel by wheelchairs/walkers and/or crutches. Walking sticks are essential for hiking and will be provided. Good mobility is essential for the pre-trip, main trip and post-trip. Included activities through the hotel include use of the gym and more. Extra fees may be required for some hotel activities including spa treatments and horseback riding.
We’ll have vehicles with guides with various hiking and sightseeing opportunities.
Puma sightings are occasional on the morning treks but are generally more successful in the afternoon because our guides will have found them (we hope) while the Pumas were hunting in the morning, and then follow them to the puma’s mid-day siesta-site. Afternoon treks begin before the pumas start hunting again are our best chance to find them as they finish their naps and follow them while they hunt. We are not allowed off-road in the park, but Pumas are acclimated to the presence of people so, once they are found, they are often not too far away.
Guanacos, condors and the other wildlife are more scattered across the park and are expected to be easier to find. You’ll need moderate ability to walk on uneven ground to do most treks, and we can create a group experience for those that need easy walking only for sightseeing where that’s possible.
For half day treks, our plan is to return to the hotel each day for lunch and a break, then go trekking/sightseeing again in the afternoon. Full day treks will take . . . the full day. And lunch will be provided somewhere along the journey.
On February 11, we’ll drive to Puerto Natales (1.5 hour drive) with a stop at the Mylodon Cave to stretch our legs. Then we'll proceed to our charter flight over the Andes, arriving midday in the town of El Calafate, Argentina. We’re hoping for fantastic views of the mountains on the flight, weather permitting. After a short flight, we’ll arrive in El Calafate and head to our hotel.
Optional activities are available, for a fee, or you can relax, go for a walk around the lake (often with a variety of birds including flamingos), or visit the town on your own. Optional for-a-fee activities such as horseback riding, a zipline, visiting a Glaciarium, Cuevas Walichu, etc. are also available. Our plan will be to stay at the Xelena Hotel.
GLACIARIUM Cost: $75 per person The GLACIARIUM is a modern interpretive glaciological centre, and one of the few Glacier Museums in the world. The understanding of glaciers and environmental awareness are our main subjects.The exhibits include models, dioramas, photographs, screens, interactive representations, a 3D documentary, and other modern resources that provide an enriching experience. See below for pictures of the GlacioBar at the Glacarium! Transportation is included.
One of the highlights of the Glaciarium is likely to be the GlacioBar— the frozen bar in the basement. They’ll give you a warm coat and gloves and you’ll pony up to an ice bar made with . . . (wait for it) . . . ice! Cold drinks are their specialty :-)
Horseback Riding Cost: $165 per person
El Galpón del Glaciar is a magical place to enjoy a horse back ride. Private horseback riding with unique routes that allow us to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Argentino, the Andes, the Centinela River, the ice floes on the lake, the extensive countryside, and the incredible flora and fauna of the Patagonian steppe.
The Glaciarium
The GlacioBar at the Glacarium is worth a visit— it’s entirely made out of ice!! COATS ARE PROVIDED!!
Cuevas Walichu Cave Paintings
On February 11, our group will gather back at the hotel late afternoon to depart to Estancia (Ranch) El Galpon del Glacier for dinner. It’s about 20 minute ride to the ranch, and then our group will be welcomed with wine and cheese appetizers, followed by a dinner at the ranch with music. We will shuttle back to our hotel after dinner.
El Galpon del Glacier has beautiful views!!
El Calafate is considered by many to be the host of the most magnificent glaciers in the Western Hemisphere. Wednesday, February 12, we’ll visit the Upsala Glacier. Our trip to Upsala includes a boat ride across Lago Argentino (the largest lake in Argentina), a private trip up the mountain in 4 X 4’s for amazing views from above Upsala, lunch at a historical sheep ranch and a return across Lago Argentino. Dinner will be at our hotel.
On February 13, we’ll all visit/touch/see the Perito Moreno Glacier, and those under 65 have the option to trek on the Perito Moreno glacier. The more mature people will enjoy tours of the glacier without the trek. (This is an ‘insurance issue’ and we are working on it, but we cannot promise these treks on the glacier will be available for those over 65.)
Perito Moreno Glacier
On Friday, February 14 (Happy Valentine’s Day) we fly to Buenos Aires (~3 hour flight), referred to as “the Paris of South America.” Known for its historic architecture and delectable cuisine, we’ll enjoy our two days of touring, tasting and the tango.
Included are tours of the city, a traditional tapas lunch, and options such as wine tasting, cooking classes, cultural tours, a theater visit and more. Dinner will be on your own.
One Option for dinner this night is . . . The Argentinian Experience (Cooking class with dinner - NON PRIVATE) Cost: $145 per person 7:30pm (we will depart at 6:45pm from the hotel)
Connect with the roots of Argentina by its food! You will be received with a Patagonian trout tartar and then start with the Empanadas preparation. Learn how to use the traditional technique and fill your Empanadas with gourmet fillings! Enjoy a classic picada and steak with provoleta cheese, chorizo sausage, tender lion and more. Try Queso y Dulce and prepare your own alfajores with biscuits, dulce de leche, chocolate and coconut shavings! A different way to have dinner while learning new recipes to take home.
Saturday February 15: The Last Day of the Main Trip.
There are some tour choices for the morning/early afternoon on February 15.
Wine Tasting Cost: $132 per person Duration: 3 hours Timing: 10am
Guided by a bilingual sommelier, and snacks are paired with the wine tasting (cheese, raisins, almonds and walnuts). Argentina’s vineyards were originally established by Spanish monks in the 1500’s. Their primary wine production area is in Mendoza Valley, located on the eastern side of the Andes Mountain Range. Wine Production in Argentina rivals that of some European countries, particularly their red wines. Buyers may especially be interested in wines with a uniquely Argentinean character such as Malbec.
Biking Tour Cost: $95 per person Duration: 4 hours Timing: 9am - 1pm One of the most interesting ways to discover Buenos Aires is on a bike!
Cooking Class Cost: $188 per person Duration: 4 hours Timing: 11am
In this class, our chef will introduce clients to the art of preparing empanadas (small bites) and some traditional dishes of Argentina. You will be taught how to identify the filling inside from meat, corn, ham and cheese or many others, then you will be cooking these delicious ingredients up to fill your empanadas. Each participant of the booking class will receive an apron and chef hat, but your true prize is to have the delicious lunch you make and tasting it with a glass of wine and bring home with you all the recipes.
Tango Workshop Cost: $115 per person Duration: 1 hour Timing: 10am
A 60 minute private Tango lesson will be waiting for you in a dance Tango house, where you will learn the steps of Argentina’s traditional dance, as well as the history behind it. Experience this extraordinary passion and see how, after 1 hour, you will not only be able to dance, but to feel Tango. “Rather than with the feet, Tango is danced with the heart”. This elegant, sensual dance and its rhythms will leave a lasting impression on you!
February 15 with A Grand Finale Dinner and Show at the Café Los Angelitos Tango Show.
You may add nights on your own at the hotel we’ve reserved and with special rates either on the front end of the trip (in Santiago) or the back end (in Buenos Aires).
BUT WAIT, THAT’S NOT ALL!
CHECK OUT THE
PreTrip to see the King Penguins (or Whale Watching) and Magellanic Penguins + Condors
and/or
PostTrip to Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls & Hummingbird Sanctuary. Iguazu Falls is one of the “Wonders of South America”
POST-TRIP to Iguazu Falls and Hummingbirds is also an option, taking you to the amazing Iguazu Falls north and west of Buenos Aires. Iguazu Falls marks the area where Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina meet.
On February 16, we will Buenos Aires for the Iguazu Falls. You will have the opportunity to visit the Iguazu Falls from the Argentina side. You have the options of seeing the falls on your own or enjoying them by boat. We will provide more details as we get closer to the trip. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at the Hotel Melia.
On February 17, we will visit the Iguazu Falls. Shuttle over to Brazilian side of Falls to look at the falls for 60-90 minutes (no rafting on the Brazilian side), then lunch at Brazilian Buffet Restaurant Porto Canoas. After lunch, we shuttle back to the Argentinian side, where people can have the opportunity to do the great adventure boat ride.
The Iguazu Falls are a truly a ‘wonder of the world, and we have a great program that will allow you to visit them on the Argentine side and the Brazilian side (they provide very different perspectives), and to raft under them in a zodiac-like raft on the Argentine side (you will get wet, cameras not recommended).
After a stop at our hotel to dry off we’ll depart to visit a hummingbird garden in town with several species and a hummingbird expert. The Jardin de Los Picaflores is a hummingbird garden in Puerto Iguazu with more than 30 species of hummingbirds in residence (there are 124 known hummingbird species.)
We’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, head back to our hotel (which is in the park and walking distance from the Argentine side of the falls).
Other beautiful birds and the raccoon-like coatimundi are frequent visitors to the hotel area.
On February 18, there may be time to visit the falls again (based on your flight schedule) and then transfer to the airport for the flight back to the airport in Buenos Aires to connect with our evening/night flights home or elsewhere.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION!!
