The end of the Earth is really just the beginning. Patagonia, a rocky chunk of southern Argentina shaped by glaciers and conquered by a precious, hardy few, is where adventure goes to get away from it all. Out here, it’s all about space—vast open spaces where locals are known to drive eight hours to see a movie. Boots laced, we’ll walk wind-swept steppes to Lago Argentino as condors patrol the skies above. Crampons firmly affixed, we’ll ascend Perito Moreno Glacier to gaze 61 metres (200 feet) down at crystal-clear lakes. From the saddle, we’ll cross glacial streams to a picnic lunch and mind-blowing mountain vistas far outside cellphone range. “Remote access” has a new definition.

• Read about Patagonia from the perspective of one of our local guides, in our newsletter, the Slow Road

Day 1 Arrive by private boat for a visit to the Bosque de Arrayanes, a forest known for its rare and unusual trees with cinnamon-coloured bark
Day 2 Indulge in gourmet meals and spa treatments at a spectacular lakeside resort surrounded by rain forests and high peaks covered with eternal snow
Day 3 With a glass of great local wine in hand, take in spectacular glacier views from your room at Los Notros
Day 4 Strap on crampons and climb Perito Moreno Glacier, towering 200 feet above crystal-blue waters
Day 5 Dine on genuine asado, prepared by genuine gauchos at our genuine estancia hotel
Day 6 Hike or horseback-ride across a glacial stream to a picnic lunch in the shadow of the mountains
Day 7 Venture out by boat to Viedma Glacier, then gaze at the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre peaks
Day 8 Breakfast at Lago Viedma, then chau in El Calafate