Southbound Odyssey 16 days / 15 nights (Northbound Tour also available)
Trip highlights: Puerto Varas, Lake Llanquihue, the Osorno Volcano, Petrohue Falls, Bariloche, Futaleufú, Parque Pumalín, the Carretera Austral, Queulat National Park, Chacabuco Valley, the Perito Moreno Glacier, Mount Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine National Park.
Extensions available in Santiago, Puerto Varas and the Lakes Region, Torres del Paine, San Pedro de Atacama, Rio de Janiero, Iguassu Falls, Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and more.
2008 Departure Dates:
Southbound: November 2
Northbound: November 19
2009 Departure Dates:
Southbound: January 11
Northbound: January 28
(H=Hotel, B&B=Bed & Breakfast, Lod=Lodge, C=Cabin, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BoxL=Box Lunch, D=Dinner)
Itinerary:
Day 1: Santiago – Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas
Arrive in the port city of Puerto Montt via Santiago where we will be waiting for you for the short transfer to the starting point of our adventure, the quaint lakeside town of Puerto Varas, with its amazing view of the “Mount Fuji of South America” (the Osorno Volcano) across Llanquihue lake. We’ll take an afternoon trip along the lake to see the aqua blue waters of Petrohue Falls and/or to experience the breathtaking views from the ski center high up on the Osorno Volcano. Then we’ll have a late afternoon German-style “onces” to discuss the trip, after which, if you like, you can test your luck at the beautiful casino by the shore. Overnight (H) in Puerto Varas. (D)
Day 2: Puerto Varas – Bariloche, Argentina [370 km (230 mi.)]
After an early breakfast we hit the road going north up to Lake Puyehue turning east into the National Park of the same name. We’ll drive between the Puyehue and Casa Blanca Volcanoes then up and over the pass into Argentina. We begin bordering the Nahuel Huapi Lake and stop for lunch in the town of Villa La Angostura with its unique “log cabin” architecture before continuing around the eastern shores of the lake arrive at our first day’s destination of San Carlos de Bariloche. This afternoon we’ll have time to walk around the downtown area and visit a chocolate factory before checking into our hotel for the night. Overnight (H) in Bariloche. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Bariloche – Futaleufú, Chile [370 km (230 mi.)]
This morning we can take a chairlift up Campanario Hill to experience an amazing 360° view of the area. Then we leave Bariloche with a stop in the town of El Bolsón, made famous when in 1969 a group of Hippies settled here to escape the progressive industrialization of the cities. Then we continue south until we reach the end of the paved road in Trevelín, where we’ll have lunch. After about an hour’s drive we reach the border with Chile and head down to the world renowned whitewater rafting village of Futaleufú along the ice-blue river of the same name which beckons rafters to test their skills on its level III-V rapids. Overnight (H) in Futaleufú. (B, BoxL, D)
Day 4: Futaleufú – Chaitén (and Parque Pumalín) [310 km (195 mi.)]
We drive along the Futaleufú River, around Lake Yelcho until we reach the “Carretera Austral”, or Southern Highway, which is the extension of the Pan-American Highway connecting Alaska with Southern Chile. Here we turn north for the scenic drive up to the port town of Chaitén. This afternoon you can relax in the city and enjoy the view of the pointed Corcovado Volcano, take a walk into Parque Palena and visit a museum dedicated to the planning and construction of the Carretera Austral, or join us on a day trip into Parque Pumalín, a natural reserve created by Douglas Tompkins (founder of The North Face Company and Esprit), modeled after Yosemite National Park in California. There are numerous hiking trails leading to hidden treasures in the middle of the forest. Overnight (H) back in Chaitén. (B, BoxL, D)
Day 5: Chaitén – Lake Risopatrón [180 km (115 mi.)]
This morning we head back down the Carretera Austral where hopefully we will get to see the Nevado Volcano. We continue south through a wide open valley, and as the scenery begins to get more close and personal, we arrive at our cabins in the middle of the forest, on the northern shores of the Risopatrón lake. Today will be a fairly short day, giving you time to relax in a beautiful environment, hiking along some of the spectacular trails close by. Whatever you decide to do today, it will be capped off by an outdoor Patagonian style lamb barbecue. (C) (B, BoxL, D)
Day 6: Lake Risopatron
Optional activities for the day or just relax
Day 7: Lake Risopatrón – Coyhaique [260 km (165 mi.)]
Today we continue south, returning to the sea in the sleepy port town of Puyuhuapi, first made famous by its high quality, handmade rugs, then by the discovery of hot springs in the area. Then we pass through what many consider the most beautiful park in Chile, Queulat National Park. Weather permitting, we can take a short hike to see the Hanging Glacier. The road on this section of the trip, although bumpy, is packed with scenic beauty so varied and breathtaking, your cameras will get a workout! Overnight (C) in Coyhaique, the largest city we’ll see until the end of our trip. (B, BoxL, D)
Day 8: Coyhaique – Puerto Guadal [275 km (175 mi.)]
Leaving the metropolis of Coyhaique (pop. 42,000), we head south again around the magnificent Cerro Castillo (Castle Mountain). Then we enter a valley that became a river of flowing lava after the 1991 eruption of the Hudson Volcano, leaving behind a “Rio de la Muerte” (River of the Dead), a riverbed of scorched tree trunks as a reminder of nature’s power. The road turns south again and heads towards the western shores of General Carrera Lake, the largest in Chile. We cross a beautiful bridge to spend the night (Lod) at a cozy, well-equipped complex on the south shore of the lake. (B, BoxL, D)
Day 9: Puerto Guadal
Today is another day to relax and recharge our batteries in the middle of a majestic environment. A multitude of optional activities (some at extra charge) include boat excursions, day hikes and climbs, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, even float-plane flights over the world famous Laguna San Rafael with its unique glacier. Weather permitting, we can take a boat trip to visit the natural “Marble Chapel”. Then, put the perfect touch on the end of your day with an optional long soak at sunset in the wood-heated hot tub with a spectacular view of the lake. (Lod) (B, BoxL, D)
Day 10: Puerto Guadal – Lago Posada, Argentina [225 km (140 mi.)]
After breakfast in the lodge, we leave the largest lake in Chile and head south and drive along the incredible glacier-blue waters of the Baker River. Then we make a turn east into the Chacabuco Valley and follow the river of the same name. Douglas Tompkins recently purchased this entire valley and is converting it into a nature preserve. During today’s drive you will probably get to see more wildlife than on any other part of the trip. We cross into Argentina again and the scenery changes as we enter the “pampa”, or steppes. Then we make our way into the small dusty town of Lago Posada for our comfortable accommodations for the night. (H) (B, BoxL, D)
Day 11: Lago Posada – El Chaltén [570 km (355 mi.)]
Today’s trip will be our longest, so we’ll need to get an early start. We return to Route 40 at the crossroads town of Bajo Caracoles and head south through wide open landscapes. Just before getting to Lake Viedma we turn back west and drive along the northern shores of the lake. The unparalleled beauty in front of us grabs our attention and pulls us in to our destination for the day of El Chaltén, where trekkers and climbers from around the world come to tackle the immense Mount Fitz Roy, Las Torres and numerous other mountains, and enjoy the vast glaciers in Glacier National Park. (B&B) (B, BoxL, D)
Day 12: El Chaltén
Today you can either relax around El Chaltén or choose between two unforgettable activities: 1) Mountain and Ice Trekking for those prepared for a full day hike to and from Tower Lagoon, including ice-trekking on the Tower Glacier, or 2) Day cruise and Ice Cave Trekking on Lake Viedma and the Viedma Glacier. Whatever you decide, we’re sure the combination of tired muscles, clean mountain air, and a good hot meal will help us all sleep like babies! Overnight (B&B) in El Chaltén. (B, BoxL, D)
Day 13: El Chaltén – El Calafate [250 km (155 mi.)]
Our drive will be relatively short today, with most of the road paved. We return along Lake Viedma, down to the south shore of Lake Argentino and into the tourist town of El Calafate for an early lunch. Then we will take a drive of approximately one hour for a close-up view of the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most active glaciers on the planet, often with sections of ice calving off every few minutes. The almost constant sound of ice cracking and shifting inside the glacier is something you will never forget. We’ll have the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to enjoy the inviting shops and bookstores. Overnight (H) in El Calafate. (B, BoxL, D)
Day 14: El Calafate – Torres del Paine National Park, Chile [290 km (180 mi.)]
After an early breakfast we will return to Route 40, say goodbye to Argentina as we re-enter Chile, and make our way into its most visited park, Torres del Paine National Park. The park was designated a Unesco World Biosphere Reserve in 1978, being the home to at least 25 species of mammals, including guanacos, pumas and foxes, as well as more than 115 species of birds. We will see various lakes (Sarmiento, del Toro, Nordenskjold, Pehoé, Grey) and the famous North and South Towers and probably the more photographed Paine “Cuernos”, or Horns. We will board the Patagonian Ice Catamaran for a short trip across Lake Pehoé and check into a new lodge where you can relax and enjoy the incredible scenery. Overnight (Lod) in the park. (B, BoxL, D)
Day 15: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales [250 km (155 mi.)]
Today we can take an easy 3-hour hike for a breathtaking view of Glacier Grey. After lunch we will return to the catamaran and drive through more of the park before beginning the final leg of our southerly adventure. We’ll make a visit to the Milodón Cave to see evidence of prehistoric inhabitants of this savage land, then head down for our overnight stay (H) in the beautiful port town of Puerto Natales, on the Last Hope Sound, where we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner. (H) (B, L, D)
Day 16: Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas – Santiago [250 km (155 mi.)]
Breakfast, then transfer to the airport just outside Punta Arenas for your flight back to Santiago. End of odyssey. [3,600 km (2,250 mi.)]
Includes: All meals, snacks, lodging in 3- to 4-star Hotels, Cabins or Bed & Breakfasts (no camping), bilingual guide and driver in Mercedes Benz Sprinter, park entrance fees and numerous activities (small group - max 8 people); US$ - 4,290 per person, double occupancy.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Operating season from November through March. Cost includes internal airfare from Santiago, airport transfers, luxury transportation, all breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, including soft drinks, lodging in 3-4 star accommodations (no camping), bilingual Tour Hosts (English-Spanish), numerous daily easy-to-moderate eco-activities, all park entrance fees, and more. US$600 single occupancy supplement. Optional pre- and post-tour stays in Santiago, Chile, as well as extensions to various South American destinations.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Argentina
Ecotourism
Cultural Journey
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