Bariloche and Carretera Austral Patagonia Tour

Arrive in Bariloche, the gateway to Argentina's Lake District. Transfer to your Bariloche hotel. Situated next to the scenic Nahuel Huapi Lake and snow-capped mountains, Bariloche is a skiing and outdoors sports destination.

Transfer to the West of the city to take a half-day tour to Small Circuit. Border Nahuel Huapi Lake, until arriving at the Llao Llao Municipal Park. Visit the wooden San Eduardo Chapel, located on top of a hill that provides panoramic views of the mighty mountains and the majestuous Llao Llao Hotel. Continue to another viewpoint from where Moreno Lake can be appreciated, creating a picture-perfect natural scenery.

On the road, drive Bustillo Avenue until reaching Campanario Hill, to board an air-chair transports towards the Café located on top of the hill. Contemplate the breath-taking Patagonian landscape before returning to your hotel in Bariloche.

NOTE: This tour is subject to wheather conditions. Last minute changes might occur.

Transfer to Puerto Pañuelos, in the Llao Llao Peninsula. During the 30-minute trip sailing Nahuel Huapi Lake to arrive in Victoria Island, it is very frequent to find seagulls, who are very used to people. Upon arrival at Puerto Anchorena, walk across the island, touring the former conifer nursery. The summit of 900-meter-high Bella Vista Mount can be accessed through a chairlift that goes up along a narrow path of ancient and local cypresses. On the way down, visit a series of spectacular natural vantage points.

Afterwards, head to Puerto Quetrihue, on the Peninsula bearing the same name, and visit the world-famous Bosque de Arrayanes (Myrtle Forest). The tree bark is cold, completely smooth and cinnamon-colored,  the flowers are white and resemble orange blossoms. and the fruits are purple and delicious! Learn about the local flora and fauna, which includes native and introduced deer species. This forest has been declared a natural monument and human activities have been restricted in the area.

Take a boat back to Puerto Pañuelos and transfer back to your hotel in Bariloche.

Note: Entrance fee and harbor fee are to be paid directly on the spot.

Set out this morning from Puerto Panuelo, the port neighboring the capital of Argentina's Lake District: Bariloche. Take a combination of boat and coach rides to Puerto Blest across Nahuel Huapi Lake. Continue your Patagonia Lake District tour over the Andes path towards the Frias Lagoon on the Argentina side of the mountains.

Cross the Andes, the largest Mountain Chain in the world, to arrive in Chile. Arrive in Peulla and enjoy lunch at the port. Sail the Todos los Santos Lake and stop at the Petrohué Falls to contemplate these spectacular waterfalls. Enjoy views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, as well as the snow-capped Andes mountains, alpine lakes, and stunning meadows on a Llanquihue Lake Cruise, passing the gorgeous Patagonian landscapes on your way to Puerto Varas.

Check in at your hotel in Puerto Varas.

Transfer from your hotel to explore Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, two charming cities founded in the late-nineteenth-century by the German settlers that took part in the colonization of Patagonia.

Start in Puerto Varas, known as ‘the city of roses,’ and visit the Main Square, the beautiful gardens ornamented with roses, the Casino, the emblematic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the 19th-century wooden buildings built by the Germans, some of them declared National Monuments! Go on top of the Philippi Hill to gain panoramic views of the city, Llanquihue Lake, and the volcanoes.

Then, transfer to Puerto Montt and visit the Main Square or ‘Plaza de Armas,’ the Cathedral, the German settlers monument, and the gothic-influenced San Francisco de Sales Chapel. Go to the seashore and discover the beach resorts of Pelluco and Chinquihue. At low tide, it is possible to see the fossil forest of Punta Pelluco, where there are 31,800-year-old fossil birches. Finish off the excursion at the colorful handicraft and seafood Angelmo market.
Return to your hotel in Puerto Varas.

Departing from Puerto Montt, this tour heading southwest towards the Pargua-Chacao Channel to arrive at Chiloé Island, one of the largest islands in South America. Steeped in Chilean mythology, this island harbors a rich history and colorful reputation. Many locals love to share stories of legendary shipwrecks, lost fishermen, and strange monsters. Enjoy fresh seafood and explore the picturesque ‘palafitos’ (stilt houses) along the seashore in Castro, the capital of the island. Declared UNESCO World Heritage sites, the churches on the island are made from local alerces wood. Visit some of them and learn about the influence of the Jesuits in Chiloe. Return to Puerto Montt in the afternoon and spend the night in the city.

After breakfast, transfer to the Puerto Montt airport for a short flight to Balmaceda. This small town near the border of Chile and Argentina is a good spot for beginning the journey along Chile's Carretera Austral on Ruta 7. Travel along this scenic route southwest to one of the biggest lakes in the continent: General Carrera/Buenos Aires Lake, shared by both Chile and Argentina, and lodge in the small lakeside town of Bahia Murta.

Continue on the Carretera Austral, winding along the lakeshore of Buenos Aires Lake (Argentine side) / General Carrera Lake (Chilean side), and head to Tranquilo River Port. This lake's emerald and turquoise waters are breathtakingly beautiful. Explore the nearby Marble Caves: subterranean lakes that feature unique marble formations called La Capilla, El Catedral, and La Cueva. After exploring the caves, continue on your journey to Puerto Guadal, where you will spend the night.

Transfer from Puerto Guadal to Los Antiguos, crossing the Argentina-Chile border. On the route, contemplate the beautiful General Carrera Lake Reservior.

Check in at Hostería Los Antiguos and rest for your Route 40 tour, starting tomorrow.

In the morning, follow Ruta 40 to the Pinturas Valley, where the famous Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands) lies. Here you can see 8,000 year-old hand paintings, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Learn about the techniques used by the Tehuelches to create these paitnings, and the theories surrounded their meaning. Take in unforgettable views of the valley before return to Hosteria Los Antiguos.

Box lunch is included. Entrance fee is to be paid directly on the spot, in local currency.

Today, take a regular bus from Los Antiguos to El Chalten, going from the North to the South of Santa Cruz Province.

Upon your arrival at the Argentine Capital of trekking, transfer to your hotel.

This journey is one of the major trekking area in El Chaltén, Argentina's Trekking Capital. At the end, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the world's most difficult mountain: Cerro Torre (Tower Hill).

The trail starts from the village, walking along the Fitz Roy Canyon’s river. On the first track, contemplate beautiful waterfalls. After walking for one and a half hour, make your first stop and admire Cerro Torre and its glaciers.

The second track consists on a walk through an alluring valley until arriving at De Agostini Base Camp, the meeting point for travelers from all over the world who want to climb the hill. Reach Laguna Torre (Tower Lagoon) and the other rock formations surrounding the area, before returning by the same path. If the group feels energetic, a 45-minute hike to Maestri Viewpoing will take place, which is a natural balcony on the glacier and the Tower Lagoon.

Return to El Chalten at around 4 pm.

Note: This excursion operates from October to April.

Continue this Carretera Austral tour on Route 40 towards El Calafate, located on the shores of Argentino Lake. This Patagonian city is one of the most touristic places in Argentina, beucause it's the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Relax in El Calafate for the evening and check-in at your hotel.

Begin the day early in order to see the Perito Moreno Glacier up close, located in Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explore the area where the glacier meets Argentino Lake, following a series of walkways that provide multiple angles for viewing the glacier. You may see the glacier breaking off in chunks and falling into the lake. Take a short nautical safari boat trip across Argentino Lake, or 'Lago Argentino,' and get even closer to the glacier's ice wall, standing up to 70 m / 300 ft tall.

Return to the port and transfer back to your hotel in El Calafate in the late afternoon.

After breakfast in your hotel, transfer to the El Calafate airport for the flight to your next South America travel destination.