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Tour Description

On this epic journey we will travel from Santiago, the vibrant cosmopolitan capital of Chile, south through the heart of the wine region and through the natural splendor of the lush green forest and sparkling blue lakes of the Chilean and Argentinean lakes districts. Discover the Carretera Austral and explore the stunning landscapes of the Futaleufu Valley and the majestic Queulat Hanging Glacier. Finally discover the vast Patagonian steppe as we travel down Argentina's infamous Route 40. Arriving into the remote Patagonian expanse we explore the southern ice fields, breathtaking glaciers and the magnificent snow capped Andes mountain range before arriving in Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world. This is a voyage of intense natural beauty and a chance to be at one with the great outdoors.

Tour Itinerary

From Santiago to Ushuaia

Day 1 Santiago
Your tour begins with a bang in Santiago, Chile's cosmopolitan capital city. Enjoy a welcome dinner with the group this evening

Day 2 Santiago -> Santa Cruz
An early departure from Santiago towards the south via the Panamerican Highway, we arriving into the wine region. Once we arrive you will visit the Colchagua Museum, known today as one the most complete Museums in South America. The Colchagua Valley, famous for producing some of Chile’s finest wines, in particular Carmenere, a grape that was thought to be extinct until rediscovered in Chile in 1994. Their Cabernet Sauvignon variety also thrives during the grape growing season due to the hot sunny climate in this part of Chile During this day, you will visit the winery, with wine tasting and wine making included.

Day 3 Santa Cruz -> Pucon
Settle into our comfortable custom built truck as we journey south along the highway. Passing orchards and plantations of fruits and vegetables, as well as a big timber industry. We’ll pass picturesque lakes and mountains to arrive into Pucon, located in the heart of Chile’s Lakes District. On the way we will stop from lunch at the impressive Salto del Lajas waterfalls.

Day 4-5 Pucon
Today we combine a wonderful natural environment with a cultural experience unique to this area. In the morning, we will visit either the Villarrica National Park or one of the surrounding national reserve parks, all of which protect thousands of hectares of rivers, waterfalls, alpine lakes and forest. In the afternoon, we visit a traditional Mapuche family and enjoy a traditional meal. Enjoy some free time in Pucon to explore the beauty of your surroundings.

Day 6 Pucon -> Bariloche
Sit back and marvel along the scenic seven lakes drive to Bariloche, Argentina. Its location is stunning, surrounded by the Nahuel Huapi National Park, the oldest National Park in Argentina.

Day 7-8 Bariloche
We head out to discover the Nahuel Huapi National Park and you have some free time to enjoy any of the activities on offer including hiking, biking, kayaking and much more!

Day 9 Bariloche -> Futaleufu
Cross into Chile and hit the Carretera Austral ’Southern Road’, with its reputation as South America’s best road trip. Enroute we pass through the town of Esquel where the “Old Patagonian Express” still runs. We have a short stop in Trevellin, a small town with links to Welsh immigrants. In the late afternoon, we cross into Chile and the scenery will immediately change as we arrive into the quaint town of Futaleufu.

Day 10 Futaleufu -> Queulat National Park
Enjoy extraordinary scenery and visit the fishing village of Puyuhuapi on the edge of the Chilean Fiords.

Day 11 Queulat National Park
Get up close and personal to a spectacular hanging glacier in the Queulat National Park. Nature at its finest!

Day 12 Queulat National Park -> Coyhaique
Hike in the enchanted forest as we continue our journey to Coyhaique.

Day 13 Coyhaique -> Route 40
Cross back into Argentina and on to the famous Ruta 40 (Route 40). Travelling south through the vast Patagonian plains keep your eyes peeled for armadillos, rheas and guanacos.

Day 14 Route 40
Visit Cuevas de Las Manos (Caves of Hands) the most ancient native artistic expressions of the subcontinent.

Day 15 Route 40 -> El Chalten
Enjoy the landscapes of the Patagonian Steppe as we head south to El Chalten. El Chaltén is a small mountain village that lies within the magnificent World Heritage Listed Parque NacionalLos Glaciares at the base of Cerro Torre and Cerro Fitz Roy mountains.

Day 16 El Chalten
A full day hiking today, we meet our local guides and set off on one of the main hiking trails in the wonderful Los Glaciares National Park, (the Lago Torre* hike is our usual option). Enjoy spectacular scenery and obtain views of the magical Cerro Torre or the wonderful Mount Fitzroy. Keep your eyes peeled to spot regional birds including woodpeckers, caracaras and condors.

Day 17 El Chalten -> El Calafate
Spend the morning exploring some of the other great walking trails El Chalten is famous for. In the mid-afternoon, we will continue by road to El Calafate. Enroute we will stop at a historic homestead saloon with some famous outlaw visitors.

Day 18 El Calafate
Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the earths most dynamic and accessible ice fields.

Day 19 El Calafate -> Torres Del Paine
Head back into Chile to Torres Del Paine, South Americas finest National Park and a trekker's paradise.

Day 20-22 Torres Del Paine
Breath-taking vistas await you on hikes to the Greys Glacier, French Valley and Las Torres. For non-trekkers we offer a fantastic “Torres Light” programme, please just ask for more details.

Day 23 Torres Del Paine -> Punta Arenas
We arrive to Punta Arenas. Enjoy a special meal that includes tasters of regional wild game.

Day 24 Punta Arenas -> Cerro Sombrero
Enjoy your morning exploring Punta Arenas before crossing the Straights of Magellan onto the island of Tierra Del Fuego.

Day 25 Cerro Sombrero -> Ushuaia
Visit a King Penguin colony on the way to Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world.

Day 26 Ushuaia
Explore Tierra Del Fuego National Park and arrive at ’the end of the road’: Lapatia Bay. Take a cruise on the Beagle Channel to view wildlife and learn of the regions history.

Day 27 Ushuaia -> Depart
Depart Ushuaia with wonderful memories, and a new respect of our wonderful planet courtesy of Patagonia.

Note: The information regarding itinerary is given in good faith and is subject to change and /or cancellation, due to weather / political and / or country instabilities and general safety / road conditions etc. Any such changes and/or cancellations which are in our control will be decided by the crew and will be discussed with the group beforehand whenever possible.

From Ushuaia to Santiago

Day 1 Ushuaia
Your tour begins with a bang in Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your group.

Day 2 Ushuaia
Explore Tierra Del Fuego National Park and arrive at ’the end of the road’: Lapatia Bay. Take a cruise on the Beagle Channel to view wildlife and learn of the regions history.

Day 3 Ushuaia -> Cerro Sombrero
Visit a King Penguin colony on the way to Cerro Sombrero.

Day 4 Cerro Sombrero -> Punta Arenas
Crossing the Straits of Magellan, we arrive into Punta Arenas, a place of historical riches; see the mansions and museums of the wealthy wool barons who lived the high life during the boom of the 1890s.

Day 5 Punta Arenas -> Torres Del Paine
Enjoy some time in Puerto Natales before we continue on to Torres Del Paine, South Americas finest National Park.

Day 6-8 Torres Del Paine
Be amazed by Torres Del Paine's breath-taking vistas as we take on the hiking the trails of Greys Glacier, French Valley and Las Torres. For non-trekkers we offer a fantastic “Torres Light” programme, please just ask for more info.

Day 9 Torres Del Paine -> El Calafate
We cross back into Argentina and continue through the steppe before seeing the beautiful Lake Argentina, the biggest freshwater lake in Argentina. We arrive into El Calafate, our base to visit the impressive Perito Moreno glacier.

Day 10 El Calafate
Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the earths most dynamic and accessible ice fields.

Day 11 El Calafate -> El Chalten
We will arrive to El Chalten, a small town nestled quietly under the imposing peak of Chalten (also known as Mount Fitzroy). Explore some of the great walking trails El Chalten is famous for. Discover great views of the peaks of Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy as well as spectacular rivers, lakes and forests, and if you lucky watch condors circling high above.

Day 12 El Chalten
A full day hiking in the wonderful Los Glaciares National Park. Enjoy spectacular scenery and obtain views of the magical Cerro Torre or the wonderful Mount Fitzroy. Keep your eyes peeled to spot regional birds including woodpeckers, caracaras and condors.

Day 13 El Chalten -> Route 40
Enjoy the landscapes of the Patagonian Steppe as we head north on the famous Ruta 40 (Route 40).

Day 14 Route 40
Visit Cuevas de Las Manos (Caves of Hands) the most ancient native artistic expressions of the subcontinent.

Day 15 Route 40 -> Coyahique
Cross into Chile and hit the Carretera Austral ’Southern Road’, with a reputation as South Americas best road trip.

Day 16 Coyahique -> Queulat National Park
Hike in the enchanted forest on our way to Queulat where we spend the night on the edge of the Fiords.

Day 17 Queulat National Park
Get up close and personal to a spectacular hanging glacier in the Queulat National Park. Nature at its finest!

Day 18 Queulat National Park -> Futaleufu
Enjoy the fabulous scenery of the Carretera Austral and visit the fishing village of Puyuhuapi on the edge of the Chilean Fiords.

Day 19 Futaleufu -> Bariloche
Cross back into Argentina and arrive in Bariloche, located on the shores of the Nahuel Huapi lake.

Day 20-21 Bariloche
We head out to discover the Nahuel Huapi National Park and you have some free time to enjoy any of the activities on offer including hiking, biking, kayaking and much more!

Day 22 Bariloche
Pucon Sit back and marvel along the scenic seven lakes drive to Pucon, Chile.

Day 23-24 Pucon
Lace up your boots to enjoy some spectacular walks and interact with the native Mapuche people. Take some free time to hike Villarica volcano.

Day 25 Pucon -> Santa Cruz
Head north to Santa Cruz, located in the heart of Chiles famous Colchagua Valley wine region.

Day 26 Santa Cruz -> Santiago
Wine tasting and wine making on the Colchagua Valley including a special visit to the Colchagua museum.

Day 27 Santiago -> Depart
Depart Santiago with wonderful memories, and a new respect of our wonderful planet courtesy of Patagonia.

Note: The information regarding itinerary is given in good faith and is subject to change and /or cancellation, due to weather / political and / or country instabilities and general safety / road conditions etc. Any such changes and/or cancellations which are in our control will be decided by the crew and will be discussed with the group beforehand whenever possible.

What’s Included

Accommodation

• 22 nights accommodation in standard hotels and guesthouses
• 3 nights in comfortable cabins
• 1 night in a hiking lodge with shared bunk beds

Food

• 26 breakfasts
• 18 lunches
• 19 dinners

Fees & Services

• Experienced tour leader as well as local guides
• Experienced Driver/Mechanic
• All National Park Entrance fees
• Fully escorted in South America
• Fully escorted in South America in our custom built all-terrain expedition vehicles

Note: The tour departing on 26 November 2018, will be "Exploring Patagonia, Pumalin & Chiloe"

Activities

• Vineyard tour & wine making,Colchagua Valley
• Colchagua Museum, Santa Cruz
• Hiking in Pucon region with visit to Mapuche family, Pucon
• 7 Lakes Drive from Pucon to Bariloche
• Scenic Circuito Chico tour, Bariloche
• High Tea at Llao Llao resort, Bariloche
• South Americas Best Road Trip, the Carretera Austral
• Queulat National Park & Queulat Hanging, Glacier Carretera Austral
• Enchanted forest hike,Carretera Austral
• Cuevas De Los Manos, Argentinean Patagonia
• Hiking in El Chalten
• Moreno Glacier day trip including Nautical Safari, El Calafate
• Day Hikes/Excursions, Torres Del Paine National Park
• Useless Bay King Penguin Colony, Tierra Del Fuego
• Crossing the Straights of Magellan
• Beagle Channel Boat trip, Ushuaia
• Tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia

From Santiago to Ushuaia OR From Ushuaia to Santiago
27 days from	Twin
From Santiago to Ushuaia 26 Feb 19 - 24 Mar 19, 25 Oct 19 - 20 Nov 19, 29 Dec 19 - 24 Jan 20, 21 Feb 20 - 18 Mar 20 From Ushuaia to Santiago 26 Mar 19 - 21 Apr 19, 26 Jan 20 - 21 Feb 20	$11,209