On our Cordillera Lake District Crossing from Chile into Argentina we encounter a little bit of everything… The contrasts are simply mind-boggling: all the things absent in the arid plateaus are crammed into the transitional zone of the Cordillera foothills.
Our journey takes you from the desert into the indigo and turquoise-colored lakes of the mountain area Patagonia's sheer size gives the impression that it is a continent by itself, not the southern half of Argentina and Chile.
Whichever way we look at it, it is a place unlike any other. A seemingly never-ending collection of mountains, forests, valleys, lakes, rivers, streams, volcanoes, more forests, more valleys, more mountains, more lakes and glaciers. And we want to keep it that way for future generations to admire!
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Santiago de Chile
After our reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel, we have time to relax and at leisure. Overnight: Hotel Fundador or Novotel, Santiago (2 nights). Included: D.
Day 2: Santiago de Chile
Today we’ll tour the bustling city of Santiago de Chile. We start with the downtown area, driving down Alameda Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago's main avenue. First stop will be at Santa Lucia Hill, where the capital was founded in 1541, which also offers a beautiful view of the city center.
Part of the historic city center is now a pedestrian area containing the city’s main commercial activity. On the Plaza de Armas, the main square, we will see young couples next to old men playing chess and businessmen having their shoes polished. The square it is surrounded by important buildings such as the Cathedral and the main Post Office, but it has the charm of a village square and will give us an idea of the local society.
We will visit Plaza de Constitucion with La Moneda, the Government Palace. Our guide will explain here the important role this building has played in the past and the present of Chile. Crossing the Mapocho River we will visit Bellavista, a neighborhood with many cultural and artistic activities. Bellavista lies at the foot of the Metropolitan Park's San Cristóbal, the highest hill within Santiago.
We will drive to the top from where will have a view of the whole city and the majestic, snowcapped Andes. Finally, a visit will be paid to Providencia, the new nucleus of the city, and the residential areas of Las Condes and Vitacura. Included: B, D.
Day 3: Santiago / San Pedro de Atacama & Valle de la Luna (fly & drive)
This morning after a short flight we arrive at the El Loa Airport in Calama, from where we are transferred to our hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon we will explore the silent Valle de la Luna (moon valley), an incredible sunset spot.
This eerie valley is reminiscent of a lunar landscape with scurrile stone formations and huge sand dunes. Following the Sunset we drive back to San Pedro de Atacama for overnight. Overnight: Hotel Altiplanico, San Pedro (2 nights). Included: B, D.
Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama / Salar de Atacama (drive)
In the morning our visit in the village includes the Father Le Paige Museum, a well-organized repository of artifacts showing the development of the Atacameño Society. There is an impressive display of mummies, which includes indigenous female with intact hair and dress. We will leave the village and drive to the nearby pre-hyspanic fortress, Pukara de Quitor, which was restored in 1981.
It is located in a canyon on a hill close to the San Pedro River. For lunch we will drive back into the village. After a relaxing break we will leave San Pedro again and make our way via Toconao to the Salar (salt flat) de Atacama. Toconao is a small village well known for its fruit orchards and artistic work with Liparita, a white volcanic stone.
Just in time for Sunset view we will go to Laguna Chaxa, the salt lake, surrounded by the world’s driest desert with the fabulous Licancabur Volcano in the background. Imagine this landscape painted in all shades of red. We will return to San Pedro de Atacama for the overnight stay. Included: B, L.
Day 5: San Pedro / El Tatio Geysers & Highland Villages / Calama (drive)
Today we will visit the world’s highest geyser field (4,300 m) at El Tatio. We leave around 04:30 in the morning to ensure our arrival before daybreak. With the first rays of Sun, the geysers start to produce powerful spurts up to 8 m high. Columns of steam give the whole landscape a mystical touch.
After this incredible start, we continue through the highlands to Caspana, one of the most beautiful Atacameñan Villages. A small museum explains their customs and ceremonies. We will continue to Chiu Chiu (the oldest church in Chile) and Pukara de Lasana, a fortress strategically located in the middle of the valley. At the end of the day we will drive to our hotel in Calama. Overnight: Hotel Park Calama (1 night). Included: B, L.
Day 6: Calama / Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas (fly & drive)
After we check out from hotel we’re taken to the Calama airport for our flight along the coastline, south to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival, we’re welcome at the Puerto Montt airport and we will shortly visit the capital of the 10th Region of Chile before we are transferred to Puerto Varas.
The City of Roses, Puerto Varas, it is located on the beautiful shores of the Lake Llanquihue with a panoramic view of the Andes Mountain range. On our way from Puerto Montt we’ll have a stop at a small nature reserve to observe native Alerce trees. Overnight: Hotel Puelche, Puerto Varas (1 night). Included: B.
Day 7: Puerto Varas / Petrohue: Vicente Perez National Park
Rosales is Chile’s oldest protected wilderness. Today we will see a large part of this beautiful park. In the morning we will drive first along the shores of the Lake Llanquihue and up to the Volcano Osorno. We will drive up to an altitude of approximately 1,600 m to enjoy the stunning view of the Pacific Ocean.
Next we will drive down into the volcano crater and then to another sector of the park: Petrohue. En route we will stop by the famous waterfalls of the same name, where a short hike/walk takes us close to the falls. After this break it is only 20 more minutes drive to our Hotel in Petrohue. Overnight: Hotel Petrohue (1 night). Included: B, D.
Day 8: Petrohue / Peulla (cruise & drive)
Today we will undertake the first part of the Lake Crossing service between Chile and Argentina. A catamaran takes us across the beautiful Lake Todos los Santos to the small but superb settlement of Peulla in the middle of the Andes close to the Chilean border.
Here will observe the wonderful views of the surrounding volcanoes and mountains and have some free time to mingle with the locals. Overnight: Hotel Natura, Peulla (1 night). Included: B, D.
Day 9: Peulla / San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina) (drive & cruise)
A full day of ‘Lake Crossings’ ahead… We we’ll first cross the second part of the Lake Todos los Santos and after checking out with the Chilean border and custom office, we enter Argentina. From here the bus takes us through an amazing Andean landscape to the lake docks and the second short boat ride across Lake Frias will prompt us to Puerto Blest.
After another short bus ride we’ll board our third Catamaran today, to cross the Lake Nahuel Huapi into Puerto Pañuelo, where – again - buses await to take us to the hotel in Bariloche. Overnight: Hotel Nevada, Bariloche (2 nights). Included: B, L.
Day 10: San Carlos de Bariloche
The "queen" of the Andean Lakes District is, undoubtedly, the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. Located on the South margin of Lake Nahuel Huapi, it unfolds its beauty throughout its shore, along one long coastal avenue named Exequiel Bustillo, which extends up to Hotel Llao Llao, approximately 25 km away from downtown.
A first, mandatory visit consists of a relaxed stroll across its streets packed with old and charming stone and wood houses where, at each corner, beautiful sights and landscapes abound. We won't be able to refrain from taking many, many unforgettable pictures here in Bariloche.
For many, Bariloche is synonymous of winter, snow and skiing. But there's more: also known as the "South American Switzerland", this city and its surrounding mountains and lakes are unquestionably the most beautiful places in northern Patagonia. Afternoon will have time at leisure. Included: B.
Day 11: Bariloche / Buenos Aires (fly)
In the morning we bid farewell to the Andes Mountains as we are transferred to the airport in Bariloche to board our flight to Buenos Aires. We arrive to Buenos Aires, where we’re welcome by our guide and driver and transferred to our hotel. The balance of the day is free. Overnight: Hotel Aspen, Buenos Aires (2 nights). Included: B.
Day 12: Buenos Aires
This complex, energetic, and seductive port city, which stretches south-to-north along the Rio de la Plata, has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries. Portenos, as the multinational people of Buenos Aires are known, possess an elaborate and rich cultural identity.
They value their European heritage highly, and the lifestyle and architecture are markedly more European than any other in South America. One of the world's finest opera houses, the Teatro Colon, flourishes here on the plains alongside the river. Portenos are intensely involved in the life and culture of their city, and they will gladly share the secrets of Buenos Aires if we lend an ear and relate your own stories in return.
After breakfast we’ll go for a city tour starting with “Plaza de Mayo” where the Government Hose (Pink House) is located, the Cathedral, the City Hall, San Telmo, where the city was born 425 years ago, Puerto Madero, the neighborhood recovered from the 19th Century and which became the most exclusive and upper class residential area today, La Boca, where Tango was born, a colorful area from where the poor immigrants, mostly from Italy, build the Nation.
We’ll also see Recoleta, the high-class residential area, plenty of very good and elegant hotels and restaurants and finally Palermo, with wonderful parks and avenues. In the evening we’ll have a farewell Dinner ‘spiced’ with a ‘Tango Show’. Included: B, D.
Day 13: Buenos Aires / Homebound
After what was an outstanding Cultural and Natural exploratory tour of the ‘Andean Crossing’, we leave with our hearts and minds filled with long-lasting memories, as we are taken to the airport for our flight back home. Included: B.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
USD: 2,245.00 / CAD: 2,360.00 - per person in double occupancy.
Single supplement USD: 630.00 / CAD: 660.00
Price includes:
- Hotel accommodation as mentioned or similar
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- All transfers, tours and sightseeing by private AC car, minivan or bus
- All the boat/catamaran/ferry rides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to all Sites, Museums and Performances as mentioned
- Services of local English speaking guides
- Road taxes, parking fees, drivers’ wages
Price does not include:
- International flight tickets and airport taxes
- Excursions not included in the itinerary
- Visa fees and any kind of insurance
- All Domestic flights (est. USD: 500.00 / CAD: 600.00)
- Personal expenses, such as bar, laundry or phone bills
- Any drinks or beverages with meals
- Tips or other such costs
- All other services not mentioned
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Argentina
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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