Signature Patagonia: Highlights of Patagonia

Day 1

Arrive in Santiago. Transfer to Valparaiso on the coast.

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. Upon arrival at the airport our local representatives will meet you for the onward 2-hour transfer to the Pacific port of Valparaiso.

Chile’s principal port is in effect two towns. The cramped lower part, with narrow streets facing the bay, with heavy, Victorian architecture reflecting its past importance, acts as the business centre. Above, covering the hills, there is an agglomeration of fine mansions, tattered and multicoloured houses and shacks reached by a combination of steps, funicular railways and winding lanes. Galleried walkways and look-out points provide panoramic views of the city.

Stay at - Zero Hotel

Day 2

Half day walking tour of Valparaiso.

There’s a guided walking tour of the city so you can understand its multi-layered character. It begins at the pier continuing to the adjacent Plaza Sotomayor with its historical buildings and the Monumento a los Héroes de Iquique, an underground mausoleum paying tribute to Chile’s naval martyrs. Go up the El Peral funicular elevator, just one of 15 ascensores which lead up the hills to the meandering little streets of upper Valparaiso.

Continue to Cerro Concepcíon, one of the city’s most lovely neighbourhoods with its colourful corrugated iron buildings with pitched roofs. After further explorations take the Artilleria elevator, which enjoys outstanding views over the city, back down to sea level and numerous arts and handicraft shops.

Stay at - Zero Hotel

Day 3

Fly to Puerto Montt, by road to Puerto Varas.

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.

A short drive to Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. 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.

Stay at - Pettra Puerto Varas by Wyndham

Day 4

Full day excursion to Chiloé Island, visit the Puñihuil penguin colony.

Full day guided discovery of Chiloe Island. Drive via Puerto Montt (1hr) for the ferry ride through the Chacao Channel to the emerald isle of Chiloé.  Ancud is a lively fishing port which was the Spanish Crown’s last possession in South America. Here you visit the fortress of San Antonio, where the treaty was signed for the withdrawal of the Spanish from Latin America. From Huaihuén Hill there are sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

Drive inland, through a landscape of valleys and rolling green pastures towards the island’s rugged west coast with its deserted beaches, quiet farmlands and coastal forest. Visit the penguin colony of Puñihuíl, the only place in the world where Humbolt and Magellanic penguins nest side by side. Stops are also made at the sweepingly beautiful bay at Mar Brava, on the extreme north of the island and Caulin, a small village of colourful fishermen’s’ houses which is known for its oysters.

Stay at - Pettra Puerto Varas by Wyndham

Day 5

Picturesque full day Andean boat crossing to Bariloche, via Petrohue waterfalls.

Travel through the most scenic Andean pass of them all to Argentina’s lake district. It’s a stunning 12hr journey with plenty of variety and stops to transfer between forms of transport.

Travel along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue until you reach Petrohue river and take the 2hr ferry journey to Peulla. Lago Todos los Santos, also known as the Emerald Lake, lives up to its name with its almost preternatural colour contrasting with darker hues of the tree clad hills. Marking the horizon is the snow-capped peak of Osorno Volcano and the Puntiagudo and Tronador mountains. From Peulla, continue by bus to Puerto Frias. Cross the border and continue by boat.  A comfortable catamaran makes the final crossing to Puerto Pañuelo, a 30min drive along the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi to Bariloche.

Stay at - La Cascada Casa Patagonica

Day 6

Full day excursion in Nahuel Huapi National Park; visit Tronador mountain.

The lake district is a popular yet unspoilt region of sleeping snow-stifled volcanoes, dark sapphire lakes fringed by dense forests, small Alpine-style towns and scenic drives. Its multitude of national parks offer outdoor activities from hiking to fishing and cycling to horse riding. There’s a European-style cuisine of fondues, creamy cakes and cool blond Bavarian-inspired beers.

San Carlos de Bariloche is the main town in Argentina’s lake district, on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The town is a centre for skiing in winter (July and August), and walking in summer – set against a stunning backdrop of glacial green-blue lakes framed by the mountains of the Andes.

Set out on a guided adventure to Tronador mountain and the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Follow the road along the lakeshores of Lago Gutierrez and Lago Mascardi, the so-called ‘Lake of the Seven Colours’. Beyond, the road emerges from a dark forest to reach Ventisquero Negro composed of black rock and ice. The cacophony of sound that accompanies ice and rockslides is where the ‘Thunderer’ (Cerro Tronador) gets its name.

Continue to the base of the mountain, the highest peak in the Nahuel Huapi National Park at 3,554m. Head past scenic lakes, waterfalls and rushing rivers, culminating in an uphill walk to reach the viewpoint of the Cascada La Alerces.

Stay at - La Cascada Casa Patagonica

Day 7

Fly to El Calafate.

Transfer to airport to fly to El Calafate in southern Patagonia. Transfer to your hotel in this resort town on the southern shore of turquoise 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.

Stay at - Esplendor El Calafate

Day 8

Visit Los Glaciares National Park and Perito Moreno Glacier.

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.

Stay at - Esplendor El Calafate

Day 9

Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park.

It’s a wonderful scenic drive on a lonely road across the border to Chile and Torres del Paine National park. The drive to the border crossing at Cancha Carrera takes about four hours across the vast Patagonian grasslands, remote and sparsely populated. Wildlife to look out for includes guanaco and the ostrich-like rhea. Pass immigration and drive into Chile. Continue to majestic Torres del Paine National Park, a further two hours along an unpaved road.

The park is dominated by a granite massif of smooth rock towers and icy pinnacles. Milky blue and gem-sharp emerald lakes, sinuous rivers, glaciers and wind-scoured steppes have created a remarkable and unique environment. Declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the area is a natural habitat of over 150 species of birds (flamingos, condors, eagles and ostriches) and 25 species of mammal (including guanacos, armadillos, silver foxes and pumas).

Stay at - Hotel Las Torres

Days 10, 11

Outdoor activities in Torres del Paine National Park.

You have a choice of guided excursions to explore this wonderful wilderness environment from the camp. Some are more energetic than others, but all are immensely rewarding. You might choose to walk uphill to the base of the dizzying perpendicular “torres” or towers, hike to the jade green Laguna Verde or to one of a number of scenic look-out points.  You might visit the beach at Lago Grey and survey the steep walls of the Grey Glacier, from which blue-tinged icebergs the size of motor launches break off and drift around in the icy waters.

Stay at - Hotel Las Torres

Day 12

Transfer to Punta Arenas, fly to Santiago.

Transfer back to Punta Arenas airport (5hrs) and fly to Santiago (4hrs).

Stay at - Holiday Inn Santiago Airport

Day 13

Depart Santiago

Breakfast is included this morning before check out and making your own way to the international departures terminal.