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Days
11
Price from
$6,620USD
Map of Explore Patagonia including Argentina and Chile

Adventure across Patagonia, the glacial world of Chile and Argentina's southern fringes

Adventure across Chile and Argentina's southern fringes, a world ruled by breathtaking blue-tinted scenery and stunning ice formations that stretch as far as the eye can see. Discover the Lake District, hike to glacial lagoons dotted with flamingoes, drive up into white-tipped hills for superb views of winding rivers and wooded valleys, and cruise across mirrored lakes where Andean condors soar above. A combination of adventure and comfort, this trip gives you the best of both worlds, from world-class trails and glacier scenery to heartwarming, hand-made cacao. Welcome to Patagonia.

Start
Bariloche, Argentina
Finish
El Calafate, Argentina
Destinations
Argentina, Chile
Style
Peregrine
Code
PSPL
Physical rating
Traveller’s rating
6 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Bariloche is a wonderland of outdoor delights. A leisurely three-night stay gives you time to cruise Nahuel Hapi Lake, soak up Andean scenery and sample artesan chocolate - especially during a high tea in Hotel Llao Llao

  • Learn more about the rapid growth of the microbrewery industry from a passionate and knowledgeable brew master in the region

  • Bask in the splendour of Argentina's Lakes District en route to Puerto Varas, Chile. A full day of cruising and sightseeing reveals lush forests, misty Andean giants and snow-capped volcanoes

  • Enjoy a 2 night 'feature stay' in Torres del Paine National Park

  • Discover the best of Torres del Paine National Park's glacial landscapes, with an in-depth day trip to its hidden lagoons and lakes – plus a morning cruise to the Grey Glacier

  • Step into the world of the Perito Merino Glacier. This extraordinary, 35-kilometre-long ice mass is one of the few glaciers in the world that's advancing rather than melting away

Is this trip right for you?

  • Weather in Patagonia is an important factor to consider. Be prepared for all elements – rain, wind and extreme cold.

Itinerary
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Welcome to Bariloche. This Argentinian resort town has a picture-perfect setting – on the shores of Nahuel Hapi Lake, flanked by Andean peaks. There will be a welcome meeting at 6pm; please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. While you're here, take a stroll through town and perhaps sample some of the town's famed artesan chocolate. This city is also an excellent chance to try some of Argentina's first-rate steak.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Cacique Inacayal or Similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

This morning you will leave the hotel at approximately 10 am. Take a morning chairlift up Cerro Campanario. The scenery here is truly stunning, so it's a must to get out and explore and take in all the amazing views.

In the afternoon, the group will be taken to the Hotel Llao Llao for high tea. Fill yourself with such delights as cakes, muffins, scones and sandwhiches filled with local specialities such as smoked salmon. You may be quite comfortable settling in for the afternoon in this cosy winter garden room gazing out the huge windows to the lake or you may also wish to stroll around the hotel grounds, either way the tea and treats will be flowing.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Cacique Inacayal or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bariloche - Campanario Chairlift
  • Bariloche - High Tea at LLao LLao Hotel
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Visit a brew master who will share with you his knowledge and passion for micro-brewing. Experience firsthand the reason behind the rapid growth of this industry in a culinary landscape normally dominated by chocolate and smoked goods producers.
Enjoy further free time in Bariloche. Consider the scenic two-hour drive along Circuito Chico. This route begins on the fringes of town and culminates at Llao Llao, a resort area. A map of this can be found at the local tourism office. If you're feeling active, perhaps cycle some of the circuit instead of driving.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Cacique Inacayal or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bariloche - Microbrewery visit
  • Bariloche - Chocolate store visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Cross the Andes via a series of beautiful lakes, finishing in Puerto Varas in Chile. Depart at 8.30am, enjoying scenes of Swiss architecture and beautiful gardens. Arrive in Puerto Pañuelo and board your catamaran. Cruise around Lago Nahuel Huapi (approximately 1 hour) until your arrival in Puerto Pañuelo. Then set sail for Puerto Blest, taking in green forest scenery and spotting birds. Arrive at Puerto Blest and transfer to a bus, in which you will skirt the border the Rio Frias for around 3 km. Arrive in Puerto Alegre, then continue on the 'Ciudad de la Fe' in order to navigate Lago Frias and its tranquil waters, headed for Puerto Frias. On this route you will catch sight of Cerro Tronador (3,491 m). After a short trip (approximately 20 minutes), arrive at the tiny pier at Puerto Frias which is nestled among gorgeous vegetation. After finishing up at the Argentine Border in Puerto Frias, continue by bus until Peulla. You will be in the midst of Cerro Tronador and its nine glaciers. At around 2pm, enter Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales where Peulla is located. Soon after you finish your entry to Chile through the Chilean Border located in Peulla, visit the Hotel Peulla and Hotel Natura Patagonia. There's time to get some lunch here. At 4pm, sail to towards Petrohué, navigating Lago Todos los Santos. Weather permitting, take in incredible views of the Osorno Volcano and Puntiagudo Volcano and Cerro Tronador.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Cabaña del Lago or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bariloche - Bariloche to Puerto Varas ferry & bus lake crossing
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today's included tour will begin shortly after breakfast. You will be picked up in a private vehicle from the hotel and taken to Chiloe. The journey is approximately 4 hours including time on the ferry! The afternoon will be spent exploring the unique culture of Chiloe. In the morning we will visit a penguin colony on the coast. Later in the afternoon, you will explore the interactive and handicraft museum of Ancud, Municipal Market, downtown and Costanera avenue (promenade). In the evening we will start our drive back to Puerto Montt.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Cabaña del Lago or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Puerto Varas - Chiloe Excursion (Full day)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Fly to Punta Arenas and transfer to your hotel. Founded in 1848, Punta Arenas became the urban, commercial, cultural and social center that spread all over Magallanes. Located on the edge of The Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is the perfect base to load-up on any necessary supplies before embarking on a 2 day exploration of Torres del Paine National Park.

Depending on your flight schedule the afternoon may be free to explore town and visit some local museums such as the Regional Museum of Magallanes, a perfect stop to understand the wealth and power of pioneer sheep farmers in the late 19th century.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Cabo de Hornos or Similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Museo Regional de Magallanes - CLP1000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Leave Punta Arenas early for the drive to Torres del Paine (approximately 4 hours). As you enter the realm of Chilean Patagonia you will be faced with breathtaking views of the Paine massif! Soon after you will arrive at the hotel just in time for lunch. This afternoon, embark on a cruise to the incredible Grey Glacier. You will set off from the Rio Serrano hotel, heading southwest. During the journey you will be able to see Nothofagus forests and wild fauna. On your way, head to the accommodation to check in for the sailing trip. Board your vessel to set off on a your sailing journey (approximately 3 hours return). You will visit the east and west faces of the Grey glacier, with the boat getting as near as possible to the glacier, depending on the ice slides of the glacier. Sometimes icebergs will be seen floating in the lake, and they might even reach the shore. A vehicle from the hotel will be waiting for you at the car park.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Rio Serrano / Hotel Las Torres or Similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Torres del Paine - Grey Glacier Cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Take a full-day vehicle tour around the national park today (approximately 8 hours). We will stop for views of the Serrano and its winding rivern
Continuing on be struck by the view of Pehoe lake, then arrive at Pudeto shelter, where after a 30-minute walk you will hear the loud discharge of the famous 'Salto Grande' into the Nordenskjold lake. Enjoy amazing views of Cuernos del Paine, then head to Sarmiento Lake. Keep watch for condors, guanacos and grey foxes. After some curves, arrive at the Amarga Lagoon where flamingoes might be feeding. If weather's clear, see Torres del Paine above – and its reflection in the water. Finally, visit the Paine cascade, then the radiant Azul blue lagoon.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Rio Serrano / Hotel Las Torres or Similar, Feature Stay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Torres del Paine - Full-day tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Private transfer across the border to Argentina and on to El Calafate (approximately 5 hours). This is your gateway to the Glacier National Park. Being a major hub for adventurers headed for Perito Moreno, El Calafate has undergone a lot of development in recent decades, but retains plenty of charm. In the evening, perhaps take the opportunity to try some world-famous Argentinian steak or some fresh-caught local trout.
Accommodation
  • Hotel La Cantera or Similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Spend some time exploring the awe-inspiring Perito Merino Glacier. This is one of the few glaciers in the world that's actually advancing rather than melting away. At 3 kilometres wide and 35 kilometres long, it's an incredibly massive icescape. Watch and listen to the crack of the ice as it plunges into the waters below. Interestingly, massive ruptures occur to the glacier every four to five years as part of cyclical ice bridge formations. In the evening, return to El Calafate and relax for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel La Cantera or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park
  • El Calafate - Visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
Optional Activities
  • Perito Moreno - Mini-trek on the glacier including short cruise to glacier base (65 yrs old is the maximum age permitted) - ARS2700
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
PERITO MORENO GLACIER - MIN TREK
Please note the maximum age limit for this activity is 65yrs old.

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast. You can book a flight to Buenos Aires or to Ushuaia if you'd like to continue travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights)

Included Activities

  • Bariloche - Campanario Chairlift
  • Bariloche - High Tea at LLao LLao Hotel
  • Bariloche - Microbrewery visit
  • Bariloche - Chocolate store visit
  • Bariloche - Bariloche to Puerto Varas ferry & bus lake crossing
  • Puerto Varas - Chiloe Excursion (Full day)
  • Torres del Paine - Grey Glacier Cruise
  • Torres del Paine - Full-day tour
  • Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park
  • El Calafate - Visit to Perito Moreno Glacier

Reviews

Our Explore Patagonia trips score an average of 5 out of 5 based on 6 reviews in the last year.

Explore Patagonia, December 2017

Leon Pietsch

Review submitted 25 Feb 2018

Explore Patagonia, December 2017

Astley Packer

Review submitted 30 Jan 2018

Dates & availability

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Important notes

PASSPORT DETAILS REQUIRED
Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase Entrance fees to certain sites. Additionally on certain trips it's needed to book bus, train or flight tickets. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.

PERITO MORENO GLACIER - MIN TREK
Please note the maximum age limit for this activity is 65yrs old.

START/FINISH TIMES:
This trip starts with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm. If you are unable to find a suitable flight it is possible to book additional nights at the joining accommodation.
There are no activities on the final day and you are free to depart anytime.

ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
An airport arrival transfer is included. Please provide your flight details at time of booking.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
A Single Supplement is available on this trip.

Essential trip information

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