Wild Patagonia

Tour Itinerary: From Santiago 

Days 1 to 5:                    Accommodation:

We leave Santiago and take a short drive south into the Maipu and Colchagua Valleys, famous for producing some of the countries finest wines. We will take the opportunity to tour a local vineyard and sample some of the great wines on offer, in particular the Cabernet Sauvignon variety which thrives during the grape growing season due to the hot sunny climate in this part of Chile. Journeying south we pass through small villages and past picturesque lakes and mountains to arrive into Pucon, located in the heart of Chiles Lake District. Here we will enjoy a days walking through the Huerqueheue National Park that protects 12500 hectares of rivers, waterfalls, alpine lakes and forest. We also have a day at leisure here where it is possible to organize numerous outdoor activities such as a one day hike up the Villarica Volcano to reach the fiery crater, kayaking, mountain biking, horse riding, whitewater rafting and even sky diving, or simply relaxing by the lake admiring the beauty of your surroundings. In the evening enjoy a relaxing soak in one of the many natural hot springs scattered through out the area.

Days 6 to 10:                 Accommodation:    + 

West of Pucon we cross into Argentina and travel through the Lake District enjoying the spectacular mountain scenery and numerous glacially formed lakes for which the region is named. Arriving in the resort town of Bariloche, nestled peacefully on the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake, we will take time to explore the scenic circuito chico taking in panoramic views of the lake and the national park as well as enjoying the opportunity to stroll through the grounds of Argentina’s most famous resort, Llao Llao. A day at leisure here gives you time to pursue interests such as fishing, horse riding on a local estancia, playing golf, paragliding or walking one of the many great walking tracks available in the area. A little further south we arrive at Los Alerces National Park home to the ancient Alerce tree and a region of contrasting beauty. Here we will meet our support crew and vehicle and will enjoy our first night camping in this peaceful landscape before crossing the mighty Futeleufu river into Chiles remote southern region, the Carretera Austral.

Days 11 to 15:               Accommodation:   + 

The Carretera Austral (Southern Road) is a remote, unspoiled region of intense natural beauty and is often referred to as one of South America’s best road trips. Here we have many walks to enjoy such as a hike along the raging Futaleufu River. Alternatively enjoy some top class fishing in the many lakes and rivers or horse riding through the valley. For adventure seekers there are opportunities to raft some of the many rivers in the region including the Grade 5 Futeleufu. We also get up close to a spectacular hanging Glacier in the Quelat National Park. (Please note that travel along the Carretera Austral is subject to road and weather conditions at the time of travel) We pass back into Argentina and onto the infamous Route 40, paralleling the remarkable Andean mountain range we travel through the vast Patagonian plains stopping overnight at a remote Estancia that still remains a working sheep and horse ranch. Further on we will arrive in El Chalten, and the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. This ice field is the worlds 3rd largest reserve of fresh water. Here we will leave our support crew and camping vehicle and enjoy lodgings in our hotel nestled quietly under the imposing peaks of Mount Fitzroy, named after the captain of the Beagle, who navigated Darwin’s Expedition of the area in 1834. We will take a boat trip here across the lake to the Viedma Glacier, the largest in Argentina, where we will have the opportunity to explore ice caves and take a walk atop this mighty ice sheet.

Days 16 to 20:               Accommodation:   + 

After some time at leisure to explore the El Chalten region and its many walking tracks we take a short drive around Lake Argentina to the town of El Calafate, our base to visit the impressive Perito Moreno glacier, one of the earths most dynamic and accessible ice fields. Visiting the glacier we can witness from a series of walkways huge chucks of ice breaking free from the face of the glacier and crashing with a mighty roar into the water. A boat trip along the face of the glacier gives us the opportunity to admire its impressive height that reaches at points to 100 meters from the water level and stretches 5 kilometers from edge to edge. Crossing again into Chile we arrive at Torres Del Paine National Park where our support crew and vehicle await us once again. Camping on the edge of the picturesque Lake Pehoe under the constant watch of the towering granite peaks and circling condors this will be our base to explore what is to many South Americas finest national park. Enjoy day hikes through emerald forests, to magnificent glaciers, along alpine rivers and lakes, with picturesque mountain vistas while in this area of unparalleled beauty. Each day returning to comfort of our camp and a freshly prepared meal.

Days 21 to 26:               Accommodation:

Having spent four nights inside Torres Del Paine National Park we drive south to Punta Arenas stopping on the way to visit Seno Otway penguin colony, home to approximately 6000 breeding pairs. Continuing across the Straights of Magellan we will arrive into the most southerly city in the world, Ushuaia, and our final destination. Enjoy an afternoon boat trip on the Beagle Channel and a days walking in the Tierra Del Fuego National Park finally ending the tour with a meal at one of Ushuaia’s great port side seafood restaurants.

Tour Itinerary: From Ushuaia 

Days 1 to 6:                    Accommodation:

Beginning in Ushuaia, the most southern city in the world, we explore the Beagle channel and the Tierra del Fuego national park before crossing the straights of Magellan and heading to Punta Arenas in Chile. Visit the Seno Otway Penguin Colony, home to approximately 6000 breeding pairs before we arrive at Torres Del Paine National Park where we camp on the edge of the picturesque Lake Pehoe and enjoy day hikes to explore what is to many, South Americas finest national park.

Days 7 to 11:                  Accommodation:    + 

From the wonderful Torres Del Paine we head back into Argentina to El Calafate, and the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. This will be our base to visit the impressive Perito Moreno glacier, one of the earths most dynamic and accessible ice fields. A short drive around Lake Argentina brings us to El Chalten, nestled quietly under the imposing Mt Fitzroy.

Days 12 to 16:                Accommodation:   + 

We will take a boat trip here across the lake to the Viedma Glacier, the largest in Argentina, where we will have the opportunity to explore ice caves and take a gentle walk atop this mighty ice sheet. We travel up Route 40, paralleling the remarkable Andean range, through the vast Patagonia plains stopping overnight at a remote Patagonian Estancia before crossing into Chiles remote southern region, the Carretera Austral. Referred to as one of South Americas best road trips the Carretera Austral (southern road) provides us with the opportunity to get up close to a spectacular hanging Glacier in the Queulat National Park

Days 17 to 21:                Accommodation:    + 

Crossing the mighty Futaleufu river into Argentina we arrive at Los Alerces National Park. From here a short trip north brings us to Bariloche, nestled peacefully on the shore Nahuel Huapi Lake. Explore the scenic circuito chico taking in panoramic views of the lake and the national park and some leisure time to pursue interests such as fishing, golf, horse riding on a local estancia, paragliding or walking. of

Days 22 to 26:                Accommodation:

A scenic drive north brings us to Pucon located in the heart of Chiles Lake District. Enjoy walks through the Huerqueheue National Park that protects 12,500 hectares of rivers, waterfalls, alpine lakes and forest, a soak in natural outdoor thermal springs and a day at leisure to hike up the Villarica Volcano or enjoy some of the numerous outdoor activities on offer. We will visit the Colchagua and Maipu Valleys, famous for producing some of the countries finest wines before arriving into Santiago, our final destination.

**Note about Tour Itinerary: It is important that you bear in mind that there is always a certain amount of unpredictability when traveling through a foreign country. Local circumstances can change which may result in your crew making a decision to amend the itinerary. These decisions are never taken lightly and changes made are made with the best interests of the passengers in mind. Please remember that such events occur outside our control and we will always strive to minimize any disruption to the tour.