Itinerary

Day 1: Bariloche

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.

Day 2: Bariloche
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 winter, the town is a popular centre for skiing and in summer the focus shifts to walking, mountain-biking, horse-riding and kayaking and canoeing on the lakes – and if all that sounds too much like hard work, you can sit back and enjoy the view on a leisurely boat trip across to Victoria Island.

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

Day 3: Bariloche
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

Day 4: Lake Crossing/Puerto Varas

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)

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 5: Puerto Varas

Enjoy free time in Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas, also known as “La ciudad de las rosas” or “the city of roses” and has a strong German influence. Ask your leader about water sports or get exploring yourself.

Accommodation
Hotel Cabaña del Lago or Similar (1 night)

Meals Included
Breakfast

Day 6: Puntas Arenas

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

Day 7: Torres del Paine NP

Leave Punta Arenas early for the drive to Torres del Paine (approximately 4 hours). As you enter the realm of Chilean Patagonia, you will most likely be greeted by a herd of guanacos (lama-like camelids). These strange creatures provide great photo opportunities, but it’s best you keep your distance from them. The park is also home to some impressive birds such as nandues, condors and pink flamingos. The real star of the show, however, is the landscape – glaciers, mountains, lakes and waterfalls.

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 or Similar (1 night)

Included Activities
Torres del Paine – Grey Glacier Cruise

Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 8: Torres del Paine NP

Take a full-day vehicle tour around the national park today (approximately 8 hours). Set off for the beach by Grey Lake, stopping for views of the Serrano and its winding river. Continue through the Grey Bridge in order to enter forest areas which are spaces that allow for the huemul (a southern Andean deer) and puma (a mountain lion) to camouflage. Here your journey will look like a safari at times, and will be interrupted by a magnificent ravine, and following a wooded valley the landscape will be broken by impressive ice masses. Begin your hike through the trail that was left by this monumental glacier. Witness the huge ice blocks that rest on the lake. Back in the vehicle, rest your legs as the route connects with the Paine River and the rest of the lake system. 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 or Similar (1 night)

Included Activities
Torres del Paine – Full-day tour

Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 9: El Calafate

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

Day 10: El Calafate

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) – ARS1800

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 11: El Calafate

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