Argentina and Chile Patagonia Railway Tour

Arrive at the Buenos Aires airport, where your guide will greet you and take you to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a night out at a tango club, including a 3-course steak dinner, wine, and a professional tango dance show. Transfers to and from the tango club and your hotel are included. The next day, take a Buenos Aires city tour including a visit to the historic Town Hall, the Plaza de Mayo, the port district of La Boca and the cemetery of Recoleta, with the grave of Evita Perón. In the afternoon excursion to El Tigre on the Parana River Delta. Aboard the Tren de la Costa, you'll ride along the Rio de la Plata to the Parana Delta, and then take a motorboat cruise along the delta, passing mansions and summer homes of the porteñoelite.

Enjoy two excursions from Buenos Aires. The first is to Lujan, a quiet town where the Basilica of the Virgin of Luján is located. The basilica is the destination for many pilgrims each year. After lunch, return to Buenos Aires. The following day, a visit to La Plata, about 60 km away from Buenos Aires. Take a guided city tour, including a visit to the cathedral, the government building and the Natural History Museum. Then transfer to the train station back to Buenos Aires, and take the nighttime Pullman train southwards to Bahia Blanca.

In the morning, arrive in Bahia Blanca. Ride on a scenic bus route past rocky cliffs to Viedma, on the banks of the Rio Negro. Check in to your hotel, rest, and then head out on a city tour of Carmen de Patagones, on the opposite river bank. In the evening, you can expect a typical Patagonian dinner (included). The next morning, travel to Punta Bermeja, to visit a sea lion colony. Then continue by bus to Puerto Madryn, arriving in the evening. Check in to your hotel and rest.

Today's tour is to the Peninsula Valdés, where wildlife abounds. See sea elephants, sea lions, marine birds, and maybe even whales at close range. Lunch is included during this excursion. In the afternoon, return to the hotel in Puerto Madryn.

The next day, take the scenic bus trip from Puerto Madryn along the Gulf of San Matías to Viedma. In the evening, take the night train (Sleeper compartment) to San Carlos de Bariloche.

In the late morning, you will reach San Carlos de Bariloche, situated on the picturesque shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake surrounded by a magnificent scenery. After resting in the hotel, take an afternoon city tour with a visit to the main attractions in this typical Patagonian city. Finally, ride on the chairlift to Campanario Hill, from where you have a breathtaking view of the Andes and Nahuel Huapi Lake.

Known as the 'Seven Lakes Route,' go along the section of National Route 231 that joins the districts of Bariloche, Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes. Look at the main tourist corridor in the area, famous world-wide for the matchless beauty of its landscapes, with panoramic natural vantage points, lakes, rivers and countless attractions opening up in front of those who are willing to discover the real seven lakes route.

Note: Tour schedule subject to change without prior notice.

Fantastic landscapes are waiting for you at the Lake Crossing from Argentina over the Andes to Chile. From Puerto Panuelo you will cross by catamaran the Nuhuel Huapi Lake and then the Frias-lake. You will pass the Andean rain forest. Continuation of the lakes crossing through the passage of Todos Los Santos Lake. It offers terrific views of the volcanoes Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador. After a trip to the Petrohué Waterfalls, arrive in Puerto Varas. Check in to a hotel in this Chilean city on the shores of Lake Llanquihue.

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel and then get ready for a full day tour of Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt, and Frutillar. Begin in Puerto Varas, a picturesque town on the shore of Llanquihue Lake with the majestic backdrop of the Osorno Volcano. Stroll along San Francisco Street to the Main Square and pass by the iconic Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus built in 1915. Admire the German style architecture and climb to the top of Philippi Hill for breathtaking views of the city and volcanoes.

Next, visit the capital of the Lake District, Puerto Montt. Visit the main attractions in town, including the government buildings, the Main Square, the Cathedral of Puerto Montt, and the Colonization Monument for the German Settlers. Walk along Urmeneta Street and Antonio Varas Street towards the lake. Then walk through the town of Chinquihue and browse the fish and seafood market of Angelmó with its colorful craftsmanship fair.

Finish the day with a drive along the Pan-American Highway towards the city of Llanquihue. Take in the vast lake and continue to Frutillar. While here, visit the German Colonization Museum and the craftsmanship fair. In the evening, return to the hotel in Puerto Varas.

Today, visit the Chiloe Islands, famous for warmth and hospitality of the locals. Start by enjoying a 30-minute ferry ride from Pargua to Chacao, a small village known as the gateway to the island. Then arrive in Dalcahue and visit the traditional crafts markets and Dalchahue church, a declared national monument. Next, visit Castro, the capital of the archipelago. Wool, wooden and stone articles are sold here. Later, visit the beautiful San Francisco Church, known for its detailed woodwork and size.

Finally travel north towards Ancud, a city with the classic architecture. There are plenty of beautiful parks and promenades that embellish the surroundings of this city. Visit the 18th-century San Antonio Fort and then visit Huaiquén Hill. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city before heading back to Puerto Montt. Have lunch at a local restaurant to finish this cultural experience before returning back to the hotel in Puerto Varas.

After breakfast, take in this verdant Patagonian landscape one last time before transferring to Puerto Montt to catch a flight to Santiago, the splendorous Chilean capital.

After your first night in Santiago, enjoy your second day with a half-day panoramic city tour of Santiago’s main attractions, rich history and modern, impressive buildings. La Moneda presidential palace, Plaza de Armas main square, Santa Lucía Hill, the Metropolitan Park, and the affluent residential districts of Vitacura and Las Condes are part of this unforgettable ride.

Return to your hotel and overnight.

Your last two days in Santiago are to be spent at your leisure so that you can talk to your SouthAmerica.travel assistant to add custom-made excursions. You can visit the wine region of the Colchagua Valley, home of many world-renowned wineries and excellent wines. You will find not only wineries but also a Museum where you can gain insight into the vineyards and its history.

Another option you might find interesting is a tour of the railway museum Quinta Normal. This museum exhibits collector's items which have been stored by workers of the Maestranza Central de San Bernardo. It shows 15 locomotives, paintings, photographs and miscellaneous items, in connection with the railway.

In the afternoon, transfer to the Santiago airport for your flight home or to your next destination in South America.