2009 Departure: October 31
2010 Departures: January 16, February 1, February 27, March 15
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Santiago – Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas
Arrive in the port city of Puerto Montt via Santiago where we will be waiting for you for the short transfer to the starting point of our adventure, the quaint lakeside town of Puerto Varas, with its amazing view of the "Mount Fuji of South America" across Llanquihue lake. We'll take an afternoon trip along the lake to see the aqua blue waters of Petrohue Falls and/or to experience the breathtaking views from the ski center high up on the Osorno Volcano. Then we'll have a late afternoon German-style "onces" to discuss the trip, after which, if you like, you can test your luck at the beautiful casino by the shore. Overnight hotel in Puerto Varas. Meals: (D).
Day 2: Puerto Varas – Bariloche, Argentina
After an early breakfast we hit the road going north up to Lake Puyehue turning east into the National Park of the same name. We'll drive between the Puyehue and Casa Blanca Volcanoes then up and over the pass into Argentina. We begin bordering the Nahuel Huapi Lake and stop for lunch in the town of Villa La Angostura with its unique "log cabin" architecture before continuing around the eastern shores of the lake arrive at our first day's destination of San Carlos de Bariloche. You will have the rest of the afternoon free (we recommend trying the indoor/outdoor pool with a great view). Overnight hotel in Bariloche. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 3: Bariloche
This morning we will take a chairlift up Campanario Hill with its breathtaking 360-degree view of all the lakes and snow-capped peaks. We will then drive back into town for lunch, after which you can stay and stroll through the streets of Bariloche, known for its high quality leather products and of course its huge assortment of local, handmade chocolates. You should still have plenty of time before dinner to try out the spa services at the hotel, or just relax and enjoy the unforgettable view of the lake. Overnight hotel in Bariloche. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 4: Bariloche - Futaleufu, Chile
This morning we leave Bariloche and make a stop in the hippy town of El Bolson, where we can stretch our legs, have lunch and browse the local handcraft fair. Then we continue south to the end of the paved road in Trevelín to visit a museum dedicated to Welsh colonization in the area. We then make another stop at a museum established by Carlo Benetton covering indigenous life up through modern times. Then we reenter Chile and head down to the world renowned whitewater rafting village of Futaleufú. Overnight hotel in Futaleufu. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 5: Futaleufu – Puyuhuapi Fjord
This morning we make our way to the Carretera Austral, the north-south "southern highway" linking the hard-to-reach areas of southern Chile. We drive through rolling hills where local ranchers have lived and worked for generations, for the most part in geographic, political and economic isolation from the rest of the country. We will stop for lunch in the sleepy port town of Puyuhuapi at the end of the Puyuhuapi Fjord, then take a 30-minute boat ride across the water to our lodging for the next 2 nights at a location also isolated, in the middle of the Chilean temperate rain forest. Rest of afternoon free to enjoy the various onsite Hot Springs. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 6: Puyuhuapi Fjord
Today we will take a break from driving and enjoy the peaceful environment around us. We will take a hike of appromately 2 hours into the temperate rainforest and have our lunch at the end of the trail right on the fjord. In the afternoon we will return to the lodge where you will be able to relax and soak in the thermal baths near the hotel before dinner. Meals: (B), (BoxL) and (D).
Day 7: Puyuhuapi – Coyhaique
Today we take the boat back across the fjord to continue our trip down the Carretera Austral. We will pass through what many consider the most beautiful park in Chile, Queulat National Park. In this the only national park in which you can drive completely through, we can take a hike to see the Hanging Glacier. The road on this section of the trip is packed with scenic beauty so varied and breathtaking, your cameras will get a workout! After passing through the Simpson Valley with numerous waterfalls, we arrive in Coyhaique, the largest city we'll see until the end of our trip. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 8: Coyhaique – Puerto Guadal
Leaving Coyhaique, we head south around Cerro Castillo (Castle Mountain). Then we enter a valley that became a river of flowing lava after the 1991 eruption of the Hudson Volcano, leaving behind a "Rio de la Muerte" (River of the Dead), a riverbed of scorched tree trunks as a reminder of nature's power. The entire area was covered in up to a meter of ashes. The road turns south again and heads towards the western shores of General Carrera Lake, the largest in Chile. We will make a stop and take a boat ride to see some amazing Marble Caves, then cross a beautiful bridge to spend the night at a cozy, well-equipped complex on the south shore of the lake. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 9: Puerto Guadal
Today is another day to relax in the middle of a majestic environment: on the shores of Chile's largest, bluest lake, with a view of Patagonia's highest peak, San Valentín, on the other side. After breakfast we will take a full day hiking excursion up to a lookout point over the entire valley. Thousands of years ago this area was all covered by ice, then water, and is replete with marine fossils. The area, with astounding views of the lake and ice fields from here is a perfect place for our lunch. Then we return to the lodge for dinner and a pisco sour. Meals: (B), (BoxL) and (D).
Day 10: Puerto Guadal – Lago Posada, Argentina
This morning we head south and drive along the incredible glacier-blue waters of the Baker River. Then we make a turn east into the Chacabuco Valley and follow the river of the same name. Today's drive will be a Patagonian safari, where you will most likely get to see more wildlife than on any other part of the trip, including guanacos, rheas, foxes, and hopefully some condors. We cross into Argentina again and the scenery changes as we enter the pampa, or steppes. Then we make our way into the small dusty town of Lago Posada for our comfortable accommodations for the night at our most remote destination during the trip. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 11: Lago Posada – El Chalten
Today's trip will be our longest, so we'll need to get an early start. We enter Argentina’s famous Route 40 at the crossroads town of Bajo Caracoles and head south through wide open landscapes. Just before getting to Lake Viedma we turn back west and drive along the northern shores of the lake. The unparalleled beauty in front of us grabs our attention and pulls us in to our destination for the day of El Chalten, where trekkers and climbers from around the world come to tackle the immense Mount Fitz Roy and numerous other mountains, and enjoy the vast glaciers in Glacier National Park. After a long drive, it's good to stroll through this unique town, built around backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 12: El Chalten
Today you can either relax around El Chalten or choose between various activities, such as: 1) Mountain and Ice Trekking for those prepared for a full day hike to and from Tower Lagoon, including ice-trekking on the Tower Glacier, 2) Day cruise and Ice Trekking on Lake Viedma and the Viedma Glacier, or 3) Day trip to the Laguna del Desierto for a hike to visit a glacier followed by a typical Argentinean lunch. Whatever you decide, we're sure the combination of tired muscles, clean mountain air, and a good hot meal will help us all sleep like babies! Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 13: El Chalten – El Calafate
Our drive will be relatively short today, with most of the road paved. We return along Lake Viedma, down to the south shore of Lake Argentino and into the tourist town of El Calafate for an early lunch. Then you will take an afternoon tour for a close-up view of the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most active glaciers on the planet, often with sections of ice calving off every few minutes. The almost constant sound of ice cracking and shifting inside the glacier is something you will never forget. You'll have the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to enjoy the inviting shops and bookstores. Overnight hotel in El Calafate. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 14: El Calafate – Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
This morning you will be able to visit a nature sanctuary, and take a couple of hours to stroll around the lagoons, the home of hundreds of birds and ducks. Then we will leave El Calafate heading south to cross the border into Chile for the last time. After lunch we will make our way to our working ranch just outside of Torres del Paine National Park. Meals: (B), (L) and (D).
Day 15: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
Today we enter Chile's most visited park, Torres del Paine National Park. The park was designated a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve in 1978, being the home to at least 25 species of mammals, including guanacos, pumas and foxes, as well as more than 115 species of birds. We will see various lakes (Sarmiento, del Toro, Nordenskjold, Pehoe, Grey), the famous North and South Towers and the more photographed Paine "Cuernos", or Horns. We will take an easy 1-hour hike to reach the best view of the Horns in the park. Then we will have a box lunch before taking another hike to the Condor's Lookout, offering us unbeatable views of the park. After making our way back down, we will continue driving through the park, taking a different route back down to Puerto Natales, where we will have our farewell dinner. Meals: (B), (BoxL) and (D).
Day 16: Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas – Santiago
This morning you will be transferred to Punta Arenas either for your flight back to Santiago or to continue your vacation. We hope you had a great adventure!
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Internal airfare from Santiago
- Airport transfers
- Luxury transportation
- All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, including soft drinks
- Lodging in 3-4 star accommodations
- Numerous daily easy-to-moderate eco-activities
- All park entrance fees.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Argentina
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Cultural Journey
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