Great Northern Patagonia Overland

Arrive at the Santiago Airport and transfer to your hotel. Then take a half-day city tour and explore the main attractions of Santiago. Visit the regal La Moneda Presidential Palace, the bustling main square, Santa Lucia Hill, the Metropolitan Park and the affluent residential districts of Vitacura and Las Condes. Learn about the history of Santiago and stare in awe at the impressive modern buildings. Afterward, return to your hotel and unwind after seeing the sights and sounds of this colorful city.

Board a flight to Puerto Montt this morning. Transfer from the airport in Puerto Montt to the hotel in Puerto Varas located 30kms away. Explore these two Patagonian towns on a city tour. Discover why Puerto Varas is nicknamed the “City of Roses” when you visit its beautiful gardens, pass by the center and Llanquihue Lake before a visit to the church of Puerto Varas. Pause for a moment or two to take in expansive views of this gorgeous port city, then make your way to Puerto Montt and visit the historic Plaza de Armas and the magnificent Cathedral. Climb the Melipulli Hill for scenic views of the city, Tenglo Island, and the small bay of Reloncavi. Cap off the day with some shopping at the handicraft and seafood market of Angelmo. Feel like a local and haggle for a bargain on some fresh fish or purchase some souvenirs for loved ones back home. Return to your hotel in Puerto Varas.

Journey south this morning. Coast along Route 7 also known as Carretera Austral or the Southern Highway. The Puerto Montt/Hornopirén stretch connects to a ferry service providing regular routes from Caleta La Arena to Caleta Puelche. Upon arrival in Hornopiren, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner.

Board a boat from Hornopiren Pier at 9:30am and cruise through Largo Fjord this morning. After arriving in Caleta Gonzalo, continue down the Carretera Austral road to Yelcho Lake approximately 100kms away. On the way, hike the trail known as Los Alerces and admire the untouched endemic forests. At the lodge, feast on a delicious Patagonian dinner after working up a healthy appetite.

Wake up to a new day and breathe in the crisp air with a morning hike through the natural surrounds of the lodge area. Lunch is included. In the afternoon, visit Carretera Austral and check into your hotel in the town of La Junta. After settling in, visit Santa Lucia Village and absorb the breathtaking views of the Palena River. Head back to the hotel and sit down to a delicious dinner ready and waiting on your return, included in the tour.

Head to the Rosselot River from La Junta a mere kilometer away, and prepare to get wet during a 3 hour river-rafting adventure. On your way downriver, look out for the confluence with the Palena River, one of the three most important tributaries in Aysen. Get lost in the wild, natural beauty of the Patagonian landscapes filled with unique wildlife and listen to the songs of countless birds. After drying off from the rafting adventure, enjoy lunch and take a transfer to Puerto Raul Marin Balmaceda. Arrive at El Sauce hot springs and sink into the natural warm waters for an invigorating bath. Return to La Junta for dinner and relax after an active day in nature.

Take a short one-hour trip south along Carretera Austral towards the village of Puyuhuapi and the Queulat National Park. Travel through the remote, stunning wilderness of the area and stop to experience the splendor of the Queulat Hanging Glacier, the centerpiece of the park. This truly awe-inspiring natural feature is a river of frozen ice suspended from a cliff, with masses of ice occasionally breaking off to impressively crash into the moraine below. Hike through the woods of the reserve and stop to enjoy lunch in the fresh air. Continue even further south and journey 222kms to arrive at Coyahique before checking into your accommodation for the night.

Transfer to Bonanza on the slope of Los Franciscanos Hill, and choose a gentle mare or a fast steed for a horseback ride depending on your experience. The horses are tamed and accustomed to people and all the necessary equipment is provided. Ride through native forests, through streams and on the trails until finally reaching a viewpoint to contemplate the gorgeous Coyhaique Valley. Relax and enjoy the scenery with an outdoor barbecue and after a lovely break, return to your hotel in Bonanza.

This morning, transfer to Balmaceda airport and take a flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the lively and cosmopolitan Chilean capital. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the town and acclimatizing to city life after the tranquility of the rural areas.

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to bid farewell to Chile. Transfer to the airport to catch a flight to your next destination in South America.