Value Patagonia: Journey to the glaciers
14 days from £4,000
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
Transfer from the airport to you hotel in Santiago. It’s in an agreeable and up and coming residential quarter, Lastarria. Santiago is set in a broad valley between ranges of the Andes, with majestic snow-capped peaks, and a smaller coastal range with a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Santiago is a huge metropolis, a mix of the old and the contemporary, with quarters of tree-lined avenues and affluent tranquillity and others full of commercial bustle.
Imaginative, top quality accommodation is on the up and up in Chile: nowadays you can choose to stay in a place where the whole experience is enhanced with imaginative décor, facilities and top-notch service.
The concept is one where you are made to feel you are in a home from home, without sacrificing all the comforts and facilities of a high end hotel. The Altiplanico Bellas Artes is situated in an arty district (The Fine Arts Museum is opposite) between the once Bohemian Italian quarter Bellavista with its trendy nightlife and the up-and-coming chic residential district Lastarria, with plenty of good restaurants, galleries, craft shops and bars nearby.
The Altiplanico group prides itself on creating properties which blends into to their environment; this one occupies a converted residence. But inside the décor is contemporary minimalist, capturing the luminosity of daylight in this sunny city.
In the morning, take a guided tour by bike of the old centre. Cycle through the quiet back streets, plazas and hidden corners of picturesque Barrio Yungay, in downtown Santiago. Moving towards Old Santiago cycle over old streets lined with stately palm trees, through parks and following the city’s numerous bike lanes.
After a brief pause for some refreshments in one of the many outdoor cafés in Plaza Brazil you will continue towards the Quinta Normal Park and observe the impressive architecture of the Central train station. Soon you will be passing by the La Moneda Presidential Palace, seat of the Chilean government and one of the most interesting colonial buildings in the city.
Imaginative, top quality accommodation is on the up and up in Chile: nowadays you can choose to stay in a place where the whole experience is enhanced with imaginative décor, facilities and top-notch service.
The concept is one where you are made to feel you are in a home from home, without sacrificing all the comforts and facilities of a high end hotel. The Altiplanico Bellas Artes is situated in an arty district (The Fine Arts Museum is opposite) between the once Bohemian Italian quarter Bellavista with its trendy nightlife and the up-and-coming chic residential district Lastarria, with plenty of good restaurants, galleries, craft shops and bars nearby.
The Altiplanico group prides itself on creating properties which blends into to their environment; this one occupies a converted residence. But inside the décor is contemporary minimalist, capturing the luminosity of daylight in this sunny city.
Transfer to Santiago airport and fly to Puerto Montt in the lake district, northern Patagonia (2hrs). It seems that each of the royal blue lakes in this region of chocolate-box prettiness is overlooked by its own snow-dipped volcano. On the lake shores are resort towns with an Alpine flavour and traditional villages of neat wooden cottages. The region is carpeted with pine forests and studded with youthful streams. Short drive to Alpine-style Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue.
This modern mid-range hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Puerto Varas, close to the town centre. The exterior is a modern take on the traditional architectural style while the interior is bright and contemporary with local stone and wood furnishings, decorated in earthy colours.
The guest rooms and suites have views over Lake Llanquihue, the town itself with its striking red and white church or the neighbouring volcanoes Osorno and Cabulco. The rooms are provided with floor to ceiling windows and some of them also have Juliet balconies. Catering for both business and leisure travellers, the hotel ensures that guests have a full range of amenities in their rooms, such as Wifi, minibar, personal safe, TV and air-conditioning.
Facilities include a large restaurant serving from a menu of local fare, a bar and lounge.
Take a guided excursion to the Osorno volcano and Petrohue Falls. From Puerto Varas the road takes you east along the edge of Lake Llanquihue, to the small and picturesque village of Ensenada. Set in the shadows of the Osorno Volcano, and surrounded on three sides by forest and overlooking the lake, it looks like a sleepy rural backwater. As the forest becomes increasingly dense, continue to the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, to visit the Petrohue waterfalls. Formed by a lava flow of volcanic rock and set in a 1,000 year-old forest, the falls make an impressive sight. The drive continues towards the almost perfectly conical shaped Osorno volcano. As the road climbs, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the crisp air and wonderful views. Lunch is taken at the ski centre on the volcano before you return to Puerto Varas.
This modern mid-range hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Puerto Varas, close to the town centre. The exterior is a modern take on the traditional architectural style while the interior is bright and contemporary with local stone and wood furnishings, decorated in earthy colours.
The guest rooms and suites have views over Lake Llanquihue, the town itself with its striking red and white church or the neighbouring volcanoes Osorno and Cabulco. The rooms are provided with floor to ceiling windows and some of them also have Juliet balconies. Catering for both business and leisure travellers, the hotel ensures that guests have a full range of amenities in their rooms, such as Wifi, minibar, personal safe, TV and air-conditioning.
Facilities include a large restaurant serving from a menu of local fare, a bar and lounge.
At leisure in Puerto Varas. The town was colonised by Germans at the turn of the 20th century and its architecture and sedate style reflects this, but it is now a fast-growing tourist resort. Its main attraction is an alpine green lake framed by tree-clad hills and beyond, one of the most perfectly shaped snow-capped volcanoes in the world – Osorno. If you’re lucky enough to be in Puerto Varas on a clear and still evening, the sunsets over Osorno’s snowy mantle can be magical.
This modern mid-range hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Puerto Varas, close to the town centre. The exterior is a modern take on the traditional architectural style while the interior is bright and contemporary with local stone and wood furnishings, decorated in earthy colours.
The guest rooms and suites have views over Lake Llanquihue, the town itself with its striking red and white church or the neighbouring volcanoes Osorno and Cabulco. The rooms are provided with floor to ceiling windows and some of them also have Juliet balconies. Catering for both business and leisure travellers, the hotel ensures that guests have a full range of amenities in their rooms, such as Wifi, minibar, personal safe, TV and air-conditioning.
Facilities include a large restaurant serving from a menu of local fare, a bar and lounge.
Transfer to Puerto Montt and fly to Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia (2 hrs). On a clear day you have other-worldly views of the swirling meringue of the southern icecap, its fjords, volcanoes and glaciers.
Approaching Punta Arenas you see the rust-brown stain of the Patagonian steppes, pitted with small lagoons stretching out towards the Straits of Magellan. The region’s fortunes were only briefly revived during a short-lived gold rush, and to add to its woes, the sheep-rearing business has never really recovered from the collapse of the price of meat and wool.
From the airport, drive into the awesome Torres del Paine National Park (5 hrs-ish, a wonderful wilderness where you’ll see silvery iceberg-dotted rivers, aquamarine lagoons and savagely wind-carved rocks, cliffs and ice-clad mountains. Guanacos (camelids) graze peacefully while ostriches scamper across the plains and condors soar above.
The road takes you across inhospitable plains, battered by perpetual winds. The scenery becomes more dramatic as you approach the towering massif which looms up on the horizon. You’ll be staying in fixed dome tents with proper beds and shared bathroom facilities.
In a magnificent Patagonian setting, accommodation at the EcoCamp is in tented domes, inspired by native Kaweskar dwellings with minimal environmental impact in an efficient thermal and wind resistant unit.
The snug standard domes are heated and offer value for money for guests who don’t mind a walk to the communal bathrooms with hot showers. For more comfort we particularly recommend the superior and suite domes which have private facilities. Composting devices are used to process waste and a solar panel to provide energy. Décor makes use of fallen trees or branches, collected leaves and feathers, bringing the surrounding nature indoors.
The superior domes are located in a beech forest, close to the main camp while allowing enough distance to create a separate and independent atmosphere. There are two communal domes that house a dining area, kitchen and lounge.
Using the site as a base, there are a number of guided excursions and treks to undertake in the surrounding landscape, carved by sinuous rivers and glaciers and overlooked by thrusting granite peaks.
EcoCamp Patagonia is completely carbon neutral. About 95% of the energy for its domes comes from micro-hydro turbines and photovoltaic panels, while any remaining carbon emissions are offset. Skylights provide much of the heating and solar panels provide hot water for showers. There are composting toilets, biofiltration to replenish soil and biodegradable bathroom products.
Choose from a menu of guided excursions and adventure activities from the camp. There is a programme of activities divided into ‘easy’ or ‘active’ tours, which have fixed schedules and are shared with other guests. The excursions included during your stay will vary depending on your arrival day, but the emphasis is on exploring these wonderful surroundings on foot. Typically, there is a choice of easy trails to the western lakes, Laguna Azul and the Mirador del Toro viewpoint.
More active guests may enjoy the day-long trek to the base of Torres del Paine or a hike in the French Valley. Excursions to Glacier Grey are offered twice-a-week (usually Tuesday and Friday) subject to local conditions and minimum numbers being reached. It might be possible to organise a private excursion locally at additional cost. Horse riding may also be arranged locally at extra cost.
In a magnificent Patagonian setting, accommodation at the EcoCamp is in tented domes, inspired by native Kaweskar dwellings with minimal environmental impact in an efficient thermal and wind resistant unit.
The snug standard domes are heated and offer value for money for guests who don’t mind a walk to the communal bathrooms with hot showers. For more comfort we particularly recommend the superior and suite domes which have private facilities. Composting devices are used to process waste and a solar panel to provide energy. Décor makes use of fallen trees or branches, collected leaves and feathers, bringing the surrounding nature indoors.
The superior domes are located in a beech forest, close to the main camp while allowing enough distance to create a separate and independent atmosphere. There are two communal domes that house a dining area, kitchen and lounge.
Using the site as a base, there are a number of guided excursions and treks to undertake in the surrounding landscape, carved by sinuous rivers and glaciers and overlooked by thrusting granite peaks.
EcoCamp Patagonia is completely carbon neutral. About 95% of the energy for its domes comes from micro-hydro turbines and photovoltaic panels, while any remaining carbon emissions are offset. Skylights provide much of the heating and solar panels provide hot water for showers. There are composting toilets, biofiltration to replenish soil and biodegradable bathroom products.
It’s an all-day public coach journey towards and over the frontier to Argentina across the bleak and scantily-populated Patagonian steppe, but the beauty of the mountainous scenery is staggering. In the afternoon you reach the shores of the milky turquoise Lago Argentina, and the little town of El Calafate, where you are based for the coming days.
This resort town is on the southern shore of Lago Argentino. Tourism in the last twenty years has transformed it into a bustling entrepôt for access to the nearby scenery of glaciers, lakes and impossibly steep peaks. It still has a bit of a frontier feel, though it is very busy in summer. Your hotel is a brisk walk along the lakeside, out of town.
The chalet-style Sierra Nevada Hotel is a good affordable choice at a tranquil edge of El Calafate, with a pretty garden and views towards Lake Argentino. Rooms are simply furnished but spacious, and handcrafted local textiles lend a warm Andean feel. There are pleasant relaxation areas in which to unwind with a book, as well as a restaurant, bar and small gym.
Guided excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier. It’s an early morning departure from El Calafate to Los Glaciares National Park, a 90 min drive to the walkways and viewing platform overlooking the glacier. The thundering shards of falling ice are a breathtaking spectacle as you pass at a safe distance along the walkway in front of the Canal de los Tempanos, which separates Brazo Rico from the main part of the lake. The Glacier is five kilometres wide and stands 60m above the surface of the lake. Its ice masses are fed by the southern continental ice field from the west, and from other smaller surrounding glaciers.
After lunch (not included) in the nearby cafeteria, board the Safari Nautico or Moreno Fiesta for an hour-long cruise on the lake beneath the glacier, with a commentary. Alternatively, you can just walk and contemplate, away from the other visitors.
The chalet-style Sierra Nevada Hotel is a good affordable choice at a tranquil edge of El Calafate, with a pretty garden and views towards Lake Argentino. Rooms are simply furnished but spacious, and handcrafted local textiles lend a warm Andean feel. There are pleasant relaxation areas in which to unwind with a book, as well as a restaurant, bar and small gym.
Transfer to airport and fly to Buenos Aires (3hrs). This is an elegant, cultured and cosmopolitan city famed for its interesting museums and the fascinating port district of La Boca, with its cobbled streets and brightly painted houses. It was here where the tango was born, and where Diego Maradona honed his footballing skills. The centre of town is home to the colonial heartland, government buildings and churches as well as chic shopping districts, which have a nostalgic Parisian feel. Slightly further out of the centre is the Recoleta district, even more evocative of the French influence, where Evita Perón was laid to rest.
This modern property boasts stylishly eclectic décor and personalised service. Kenton Palace’s 80 rooms and public areas are light and uncluttered, with furnishings conveying a contemporary urban feel. Guestrooms have city or courtyard views and are equipped with super-sleek bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs and rain showers.
One of the hotel’s greatest assets is its location; slap bang in the centre of town, a stroll away from the main sights, restaurants and bars. Radiating outwards from the vicinity of the hotel are a broad array of attractive and lively areas, such as the Plaza de Mayo, the bohemian San Telmo district, the new port development at Puerto Madero and the boutiques and eateries of Recoleta.
Hotel amenities include an impressive range of facilities for children. It also has a spa, with spotless heated pool, Jacuzzi, gym, sauna and massage services.
Take a guided culinary-themed lunchtime walking tour, guiding you and the other participants around Buenos Aires’ best off-the-beaten-track eats tasting authentic Argentine dishes, including from the city’s traditional hole-in-the-wall parrillas. Learn about culture and cuisine on this relaxed, sociable tour with up to 12 participants. Visiting several venues, sample traditional street foods choripan, provoleta and empanadas; a variety of classic parrilla cuts of meat; wines; and artisanal ‘heladeria’ ice creams.
Tours are conducted in the company of an English-speaking expert and last just under 3 hrs. You need to make your own way to and from the meeting point (to be advised before departure), in San Telmo neighbourhood to join your guide. Food and wine is included.
This modern property boasts stylishly eclectic décor and personalised service. Kenton Palace’s 80 rooms and public areas are light and uncluttered, with furnishings conveying a contemporary urban feel. Guestrooms have city or courtyard views and are equipped with super-sleek bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs and rain showers.
One of the hotel’s greatest assets is its location; slap bang in the centre of town, a stroll away from the main sights, restaurants and bars. Radiating outwards from the vicinity of the hotel are a broad array of attractive and lively areas, such as the Plaza de Mayo, the bohemian San Telmo district, the new port development at Puerto Madero and the boutiques and eateries of Recoleta.
Hotel amenities include an impressive range of facilities for children. It also has a spa, with spotless heated pool, Jacuzzi, gym, sauna and massage services.
At leisure. Make the most of your free time to shop, have a drink and a pastry in an enticing coffee bar or peruse the items on display in one of the many markets. Take a stroll round Puerto Madero, the refurbished port district where former dock installations and features have been preserved alongside a string of excellent restaurants and loft conversions.
This modern property boasts stylishly eclectic décor and personalised service. Kenton Palace’s 80 rooms and public areas are light and uncluttered, with furnishings conveying a contemporary urban feel. Guestrooms have city or courtyard views and are equipped with super-sleek bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs and rain showers.
One of the hotel’s greatest assets is its location; slap bang in the centre of town, a stroll away from the main sights, restaurants and bars. Radiating outwards from the vicinity of the hotel are a broad array of attractive and lively areas, such as the Plaza de Mayo, the bohemian San Telmo district, the new port development at Puerto Madero and the boutiques and eateries of Recoleta.
Hotel amenities include an impressive range of facilities for children. It also has a spa, with spotless heated pool, Jacuzzi, gym, sauna and massage services.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Chile - Torres del Paine National Park
Spiralling granite towers, serrated massifs and turquoise lakes define one of the most spectacular national parks, where grasslands give way to glacial valleys, rivers and glassy lagoons. Torres del Paine is Chile’s flagship natural destination, and Torres del Paine holidays remain one of South America’s finest options for hiking, wildlife watching and immersive wilderness experiences.
Chile - Santiago and the vineyards
Snow-capped Andean peaks overlook cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, historic plazas and sun-drenched vineyards in Santiago Chile – the country’s sophisticated capital and its surrounding wine country. Combining urban culture with world-class wineries, Santiago and vineyards nearby give you the perfect introduction to Chile.
Chile - Chilean Lake District (south)
Snow-capped volcanoes, blue lakes, ancient forests and lakeside towns with a distinct Bavarian streak: the southern Chilean Lake District is one of the country’s most beautiful regions, and one of the most rewarding to explore. Chilean Lake District holidays combine spectacular scenery with outdoor adventure, and local culture.
Patagonia is a vast and scarcely-populated wilderness of outstanding natural beauty which straddles the Andean border of southern Chile and Argentina. It is a primeval land of towering granite peaks, frontier-bending expanses of windswept pampa pitted with sparkling glacial lakes, and a huge domed sky which can be egg-shell blue calm or torn apart by angry clouds.
This adventurous and economical private holiday will introduce you to this most extraordinary landscape. It’s a trip where you get under the skin of the countries: in Torres del Paine you sleep in fixed tented domes. The trip is book-ended by a few days in the two cosmopolitan capitals, Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Chris Rendell-Dunn
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
Three flights (longest 3.5hrs); 2 scenic road journeys (longest 6hrs).
- Accommodation
This holiday offers economical modest mid-range accommodation, from functional, modern and well-equipped hotels in the cities to small and homely lakeside properties. You’ll be camping in eco-domes in Torres del Paine, but there are proper beds and (shared) bathroom facilities.
- Meals
Breakfast daily, lunch day 12; dinner day 6; full board days 7, 8.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.
- Summary Of Nights
13 days, 12 nights: Santiago 1; Puerto Varas 3, Torres del Paine 3, El Calafate 2; Buenos Aires 3.
- Currency
The unit of currency in Chile is the Chilean peso; in Argentina it is the Argentine peso.
- How To Take It
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds. We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency, and possibly some travellers’ cheques (American Express are the most widely accepted), though these are gradually falling out of use. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.
For our latest currency advice for Argentina please see our FAQs section.
- Daily Spend
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$35-50 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.
- Tipping
Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
- Insurance
Travel insurance is essential.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
- Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
- Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- Trip Suitability
In Torres del Paine National Park all walks are optional. Hikes vary in length (between 2 and 8 hours) and difficulty (most are easily followed and relatively flat). If you find time to walk around Bariloche, trails are undulating but not strenuous.
Be prepared for some early mornings, and for extreme weather conditions (mainly down South). However, throughout the holiday, there is time to relax and explore on your own if you wish.
- Climate
Winter in the Southern Hemisphere is between May and September. In Santiago and Buenos Aires, temperatures can be cool (5°C to 15°C). While sunshine is possible, so is rain. Spring temperatures, October to November and March to April are between 15 and 25°C and there is a good deal of pleasant sunshine. January and February are hot, around 30°C.
The lake district has weather not dissimilar to our own, but a bit sunnier in summer and rather rainier in the winter months.
The weather in the far south is notoriously unpredictable throughout the year. During the southern hemisphere summer (October to March) there can be blizzards or heat waves. The adage “four seasons in a day” is very apt here. In winter days are short and snow is not uncommon but it is rarely much below freezing, because of the moderating influence of the sea.
- Clothing And Special Equipment
A day pack is essential for carrying rainwear, snacks, books and a water bottle. Outside summer, those who feel the cold might take thermals. To ensure your comfort while walking in Patagonia, you should bring a good waterproof, walking boots (tried and tested so you don’t get blisters!) as well as a good waterproof top, trousers and a warm hat and a scarf.
That said the sun in summer can be strong so take a hat with a visor, sunglasses and sunblock. Some walkers find hiking poles helpful and binoculars are useful for bird spotting.
Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.
- Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Do I need a visa to visit Chile?
British passport holders don’t need a visa for tourist visits. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the start of your trip. If you’re routing through the US, you’ll need an ESTA in advance. Always check the latest entry requirements before you travel, as rules can change.
- How do I get to Chile from the UK?
British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Santiago, taking around 14.5 hours. There are also connecting routes via Madrid, Paris and other European hubs. We arrange all flights and transfers, and can quote them separately based on your dates.
- What's the best way to travel around Chile?
The country’s length makes domestic flights the most practical way to cover long distances, with most routes connecting through Santiago. Within regions, we arrange private transfers and guided excursions. For scenic stretches like the Lake District or the Carretera Austral, overland travel is part of the experience.
- What currency does Chile use?
The official currency is the Chilean peso. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, and ATMs are available in most towns. Carry some cash for tips, smaller purchases and rural areas. We’ll advise on the latest currency situation before you travel.
- What's the altitude like in Chile?
Most of Chile sits at low to moderate altitude, but parts of the Atacama, including Lauca National Park and areas around San Pedro, reach over 3,000m. Altitude can cause headaches, dizziness and breathlessness, so it’s important to acclimatise gradually, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol on arrival. We plan all itineraries with altitude in mind.
- How long should I spend in Chile?
Two weeks works well for a single focus, such as the Atacama with a few days in Santiago, or Torres del Paine with time in the lake district. To cover Chile’s full range, from desert to Patagonia, allow three weeks or more. We’ll help you build an itinerary that makes the most of your time.
- Do I need vaccinations for Chile?
There are currently no mandatory vaccines for UK travellers visiting Chile, but we always recommend checking the most up-to-date requirements well before travelling. You can do this by visiting TravelHealthPro and FCDO travel pages. Alternatively, you can contact us and speak to one of our experts who can advise on any current considerations for the areas you’re visiting.
- What countries can I combine with Chile?
Chile pairs naturally with Argentina, crossing the Andes from Santiago to Mendoza, or the lakes from Puerto Varas to Bariloche. Bolivia is an easy add-on from the Atacama, with routes through the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country trip around you.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Get under the skin of Santiago by exploring its most atmospheric neighbourhoods by bike.
A day trek in the foothills of Osorno volcano offering a variety of terrain and spectacular views.
Breathe in the majesty of Patagonia on foot on a choice of rewarding hikes to natural beauty spots.
Admire a true marvel of nature from panoramic viewing platforms and up close on a short lake cruise.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
This unique award-winning camp of private tented domes offers a comfortable haven in the stunning wilderness of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park.
Altiplanico Bellas Artes is an upmarket, innovative property in an arty neighbourhood close to the centre of Santiago.
Solace Hotel is is a modern mid-range, medium-sized hotel in the centre of Puerto Varas in Chile’s lake district.
If there’s somewhere you particularly want to go that isn’t included in this tour, we can add on an extension to take you there.
Iguazu from Buenos Aires
One of the continent’s most awe-inspiring attractions, the Iguazú Falls – which straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil – is a vast basalt amphitheatre veiled by a curtain of foaming water which crashes through tangled sub-tropical jungle. This is one of the great must-see highlights of Latin America, indeed the world. Day 1: Fly…
Atacama
The Atacama’s inhospitable desert landscape is harsh and rugged, but it echoes the legacy of its pre-Columbian inhabitants, while the volcanoes and geysers hiss into life. Oases splash the tawny landscape with vigorous vegetation. A few days here will give you a surprisingly varied experience of desert life. Day 1: Fly from Santiago to Calama…
Easter Island
Polynesian Easter Island (Rapa Nui) lies 3,790km off the Chilean coast in the remote sub-tropical South Pacific. Windswept and grassy on one side, lushly vegetated on the other, and with a benign climate, it is famous for the clusters of huge enigmatic stone heads standing starkly against an azure skyline. Experience the unique atmosphere and…
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Papagaio
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
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