PATAGONIAN NATURE TOUR - CHILE AND
ARGENTINA
Chile shares
borders with Peru in the North, Bolivia and Argentina in the East, and is
bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south and west. It is one of the longest
countires on earth, with a
length of approximately 4,270 km, and an average width of less than
180 km
ITINERARY
Day 1: Santiago de
Chile
Upon arrival at the international airport in Santiago, our guide will be
waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Santiago. After check in
and some time to relax, we will explore the Chilean capital in the
afternoon, including a visit to the Plaza de Armas and the local market.
Santiago.
Day 2: From Santiago
to the Lake District
After breakfast we will drive to the airport to board our one-hour
flight to Temuco. This city is known as the capital of the Araucania
Region, home to the indigenous Mapuche. After a short tour around the
city, which includes the colorful fruit and vegetable market, we will
drive to the resort town of Pucón which was founded by German immigrants
in the 19th century. Due to its picturesque setting on the shore of the
Lake Villarrica, by the imposing Villarrica Volcano and the surrounding
national parks, Pucón attracts visitors from all over the world. In the
afternoon we will take a gentle walk and visit the falls of Caburga. We
will have dinner and stay close to Pucón. (B, D)
Day 3: Hiking in
Huerquehue National Park & Hot Springs
After breakfast we will go on our first full day excursion,
into one of the oldest and most beautiful national parks in Chile:
Huerquehue. A short drive will take us to the starting point of our
hike, from where we will enjoy a nice halfday hike in the national park.
Walking through a dense native forest of Coigue, Lenga and Araucaria
trees, we will have good views of the smoking Villarrica Volcano and the
extinguished Choshuenco Volcano during our hike. After two hours, we will arrive
at three pristine lagoons, hidden among immense Araucaria trees at 1100 meters
/3.609 feet above sea level. After our hike we will have time for a relaxing
bath in one of the natural hot springs outside the national park. (B, BL,D)
Day 4: Crossing the
Andes to San Martín de los Andes (Argentina)
Today we will experience the natural contrasts between the Chilean and
Argentinean slopes of the Andes. Crossing the mountains at 1,207 m /
3,960 ft, the countryside will change dramatically. Green rolling
farmland and lush native forests in the Villarrica National Park will be
replaced by the dry but very colorful Pampa of the Lanín National Park.
The immense 3,747 m / 12,293 ft high Lanín Volcano will be a constant
point of reference during the trip. On the pass we will drive through a
spectacular forest of ancient Araucaria trees growing at the base of the
volcano. In the afternoon we will reach San Martín de Los Andes situated
at 700 m / 2,297 ft on Lake Lacar. San Martín
de Los Andes. (B, BL)
Day 5: Crossing 3
National Parks to Hot Springs at Puyehue (Chile)
Today we will first travel through the two famous national parks Lanín
and Nahuel Huapi in Argentina during our scenic drive through the Seven
Lake District. Next, we will cross the Andes at an altitude of 1,308 m /
4,291 ft back into Chile. The famous Hotel & Hot Springs Puyehue in the
Puyehue National Park on the border with Argentina will be our
accommodation for the night. (B)
Day 6: From Puyehue
National Park to Vicente Pérez Rosales N.P.
We will drive around the Lake Llanquihue today, which is the third
biggest in South America. On our way to the Hotel Petrohué in the
Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, we will stop in Frutillar, a
charming town on the banks of the lake, celebrated for its architecture
of the 19th century homes of the German immigrants. We will continue
driving around the Lake Llanquihue accompanied by constant views of the
perfectly cone-shaped Osorno Volcano. Dinner and overnight in the
Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park on the shores of Lake Todos los
Santos. (B, D)
Day 7: Hiking in
Vicente Pérez Rosales N.P.
We will discover Chile's oldest national park today and hike on the Paso
de la Desolacion that will take us to Cerro La Picada at an altitude of
1710 m / 5.610 ft. During the ascent we will enjoy fantastic views of
Lake Todos Los Santos and the volcanoes Osorno, Tronador, Calbuco and
Puntiagudo. We will also have the opportunity to observe local trees and
wildlife. The descent takes us to Playa Larga where a swim in the lake
will be a refreshing reward. Dinner and overnight in the national park.
(B,BL, D)
Day 8: Flight from
Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas
Early transfer to the airport in Puerto Montt, the flight will leave at
around 10:00 a.m. After 2½ hours we will arrive in Punta Arenas, the
southernmost town of the continent. It will be our starting point for
our tour into the heart of Patagonia. Upon arrival, we will drive into
town for a short city tour, which will include views of the famous
Strait of Magellan that separates the continent from the island Tierra
del Fuego. On our drive to the hotel, we will stop at the Penguin colony
at the Otway Sound. The visit will be well worth your while as you will
not only see the colony of Magallan penguins but may also spot other
animals such as the Patagonian fox, ñandús (South American ostrich) and
condors. We will spend the night at an estancia. (B, D)
Day 9: Torres del
Paine National Park
After breakfast we will make our way to one of the most spectacular
national parks in the world, Torres del Paine. We will pass through the
typical Pampa steppes of the Magellan Region scattered with various old
estancias (sheep farms). Before we will arrive at the internationally
renowned Torres del Paine National Park in the late afternoon, we will
visit the Milodón Cave where scientists have discovered the remains of a giant
sloth. Hostería in the park. (B)
Day 10: Hiking in
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is without doubt a must-see for every
traveler in Chile. It is one of the most beautiful and awesome places in
America. Our full day excursion will include visits to Lago Grey with
its imposing glacier, the Salto Grande ("big waterfall"), Salto Chico
and the administration center. Short hiking excursions will allow us to
observe various kinds of animals: guanacos, flamingos, ñandús, condors,
among others. A filling picnic lunch will be served on our way.
Overnight in the park. (B,BL)
Day 11: Crossing the
Patagonian Steppe to El Calafate
(Argentina) After breakfast we will drive to the border village
and estancia Cerro Castillo. We will cross into Argentina and continue
on through a deserted Patagonian landscape until we arrive at the town
of El Calafate on the shores of the immense Lake Argentina. Overnight in
or close to El Calafate. (B)
Day 12: Los Glaciares
National Park
On a full day excursion into the Los Glaciares National Park, we will
have the opportunity to see various spectacular sceneries. A visit to
the Perito Moreno Glacier will be the highlight of our day. This glacier
with its 60 m / 197 ft wall of ice is one of the few in the world that
are still growing. Approaching as close as possible, we will take our
time to observe it from all angles. After a nice picnic with great views
of the glacier we will go on a hike in the national park. We will also
be able to organize an optional short hike on the glacier with an expert
local guide. Return to El Calafate in the afternoon and overnight at the
hotel. (B, BL)
Day 13: From El
Calafate to Puerto Natales (Chile)
Crossing the flat and widespread Pampa, we will start our trip back to
Chile and enjoy a nice picnic on the way. Occasionally, we may see
guanacos, ñandús or even flamingos. Arrival at Puerto Natales on the
shores of Ultima Esperanza Fjord ("Last Hope Fjord"). We will stay in
Puerto Natales over night. (B)
Day 14: Flight back
to Santiago de Chile
Drive to the airport in Punta Arenas and flight back to Santiago
(approx. 4 hours). Transfer to our hotel in Santiago and overnight. (B)
Day 15: Departure
Transfer to the international airport in Santiago and end of our tour
through Patagonia. (B)
End of
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