Patagonian Fjords, Forests and Glaciers

 

Day 1: Your Santiago airport transfer will take you directly to our joining hotel, ready for the early start tomorrow. Today you will meet your crew for your tour briefing and welcome dinner.
Day 2: We take a short, early morning, flight south to Puerto Montt, the gateway to Patagonia and the mighty Andes. We shall take possession of our vehicles and depart Puerto Montt it isn’t long before we are into the wilderness and catching our first ferry across the Relocncavi Estuary offering superb views of the wooded coastline of this beautiful fjord. Tonight, we stay in Hornopiren spectacularly located on the edge of the Hornopiren National Park.
Day 3: It’s a short drive today as we spend some time on ferries that form part of the Carretera Austral Road network, sailing between majestic fjords lined with forest. We exit the ferry at Caleta Gonzalo, beautifully located on the Reñihue fjord and the gateway to the Pumalin National Park, home to some of the most pristine wilderness areas left on earth, before arriving at Chaiten.
Day 4: Today's drive is yet more breathtaking than the last. We continue through Pumalin National Park, a landscape of lush forests, waterfalls, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and jaw dropping beauty. We eventually reach Futaleufu located on the shore of the turquoise waters of the Rio Espolon.
Day 5: Today we continue south along the Carretera Austral through a landscape of endless forests and fjords. Tonight, will be spent at the wonderful Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa wonderfully located on an island in a fjord and can only be accessed by a boat, it’s a real wilderness treat far from any settlement.
Day 6: Leaving the lodge behind we enter the rainforests of the Queulat National Park before a 3-hour return trek in to see the amazing Ventisquero Hanging Glacier, a glacier that towers above a rocky cliff and calves into the valley below. We spend the night at Coyhaique located in the shadow of Cerro McKay.
Day 7: Continuing along the Carretera Austral on a mix of paved and dirt roads we eventually reach the beautiful village of Puerto Rio Tranquillo beautifully located on the shores of the majestic Lago General Carrera, South Americas second largest lake. We spend the next two nights here allowing us to explore this breathtaking region.
Day 8: A day out of the vehicles we will take a journey out onto Lago General Carrera to visit the remarkable rock formations and caves known as Capillas de Mármol or Marble Chapels. We can also drive the incredibly scenic Camino Exploradores out the UNESCO listed San Rafael National Park or perhaps simply relax in the village for the day.
Day 9: Our first border crossing today as we cross the Andes into Argentina. The drive is yet another scenic overload that will see us endlessly stopping for photos and to take it all in. We are on the eastern, and much drier, side of the Andes now and hit the legendary Ruta 40 as we turn south before reaching the wonderful Telken Estancia, a still working sheep station in Argentinean Patagonia.
Day 10: The scenery now is utterly different from the “other” side of the Andes; we are now in a vast desertscape of yawning valleys dotted with remote estancias. It’s a big drive today as we travel due north through vast empty Patagonia along the renown Ruta 40 to Esquel a town made famous by Bruce Chatwins “in Patagonia” book.
Day 11: Further north on Ruta 40 we reach the famous Bariloche known as the Switzerland of Patagonia complete with its chocolate shops and St Bernard dogs in the main square. Bariloche has a jaw dropping location surrounded by 1000-year-old forests, crystal clear lakes and the snowcapped Andes, it's quintessentially Patagonia.
Day 12: We spend a full day in Bariloche where we can explore this extraordinary area. We can drive the stunning Circuito Chico visiting the luxurious Llao Llao Resort for a snack or lunch. Perhaps take a chairlift up to Cerro Campanario for epic views of the lakes and mountains or explore the Swiss architecture, and chocolate shops, downtown.
Day 13: Today is another breathtaking day as we drive along the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi heading north. We then drive what is regarded as Argentina’s finest road trip Ruta de los Siete Lagos or 7 Lakes Drive. It’s a spectacular day of paved & dirt driving amongst the forests and lakes of the Argentinean Lakes District. We overnight at the wonderful village of San Martin de Los Andes on the shores of the blue waters of Lago Lacara.
Day 14: returning south a little we cross back into Chile and enter a region of volcanos and lakes in what is known as the Chilean Lakes District before arriving back at Puerto Montt after being immersed in some of the most spectacular scenery and wonderful isolation on earth.
Day 15: Our final day will see us take the short flight back north to Santiago where will have our last group dinner together and where we can reminisce over the last two weeks.
Departure Day: Spend a couple more days in Santiago or depart to your next destination, the choice is yours.