Buenos Aires to Valparaiso Via Patagonia & the End of the World
The Patagonia Mountains
Visiting the end of the world has always been a dream of ours, and we strongly recommend beginning your journey in Buenos Aires. Stay at either the Palacio Duhau or the Alvear Palace — two magnificent 5‑star hotels in the elegant Recoleta district. If possible, arrive 3–5 days early to explore the neighborhood. You can enjoy wonderful walks or book tours through Viator for unique experiences. One especially meaningful tour we took was the Jewish History Tour, which includes a moving memorial to the terrorist attack that destroyed the main synagogue in 1994.
About our Guest Blogger:
Charlotte Tomic
Charlotte Tomic is an expert in public relations with a long career working for healthcare, tech, corporate, academic, nonprofit and author accounts. Her passion for real estate, architecture and design have led her to a second career in real estate sales focused on Miami Dade and Broward counties. As a civic activist in her neighborhood she also serves on the board of Mid Beach Neighborhood Association to improve the quality of life for the community. This June, she was appointed to work with Miami Beach Mayor Gelber and commissioners on the Committee for the Homeless.
Of course, no visit to Buenos Aires is complete without a tango show and at least one dinner at Don Julio’s — the city’s only Michelin‑starred steakhouse.
Your first stop is Puerto Madryn in Patagonia, a town settled by Scots in the mid‑18th century. You’ll hear traditional songs, learn about their history, and have the chance to see Magellanic penguins. From Puerto Madryn take a well worthwhile 2½‑hour drive to walk among the penguin colonies — utterly charming creatures who burrow into the ground to protect their eggs and seem completely indifferent to humans. Watching them in their natural habitat, against a stark windswept landscape, is both intimate and extraordinary. Their waddling is equally awe‑inspiring and comical.
Rough seas prevented us from reaching the Falklands, though the ship typically passes through them. After three days at sea, you’ll arrive in Ushuaia — El Fin del Mundo, the end of the world. The town is exotic, with unregulated architecture and a historic train from the early 1900s originally used to transport prisoners from the infamous Presidio de Ushuaia. The “Train to the End of the World” takes you into the stunning Tierra del Fuego National Park.
You can also visit the former prison, now the Museo Marítimo y del Presidio, which documents its harsh history and notorious inmates. Prisoners once paved the roads and hauled timber to heat the settlement. From Ushuaia, ships depart for Antarctica, and you can even visit the post office at the end of the world.
Do not miss the national park — its scenery is beyond description and best discovered in person.
As you leave Ushuaia through the Magellan Straits — a maze of shoals with hundreds of shipwrecks — you’ll reach the Amalia Glacier, a breathtaking wall of ancient ice. Depending on sea conditions, you may also experience the classic Patagonian passage with waves reaching 18–20 feet. Fortunately, the ship’s stabilizers make it manageable.
Arriving in Puerto Montt, continue to Puerto Varas, a charming town founded by German settlers in the mid‑1800s. On a clear day, you’ll see the Osorno Volcano rising above the lake. Don’t miss a short trip to Frutillar, a beautiful musical community where you may catch a concert and enjoy excellent German cuisine.
Your journey ends in vibrant Valparaíso, famous for its extraordinary street art created by renowned artists. A guided walking tour is the best way to appreciate it. Nearby Viña del Mar is skippable — it’s essentially Chile’s version of Miami Beach. Before your flight, the cruise line usually offers a tour of Santiago, which is well worth your time.
Enjoy every moment.
