This 20 day self-drive itinerary offers a more in-depth exploration Patagonia, both the Chilean and Argentinean side - starting in Puerto Montt you will travel all the way to down south, through some of Chile's and Argentina's wildest and remotest landscapes to finally arrive at the famous Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 1: Puerto Montt - Petrohué (90 km / 56 mi)

Pick up your car at the airport or downtown office. Today you will only drive a short distance but on a beautiful stretch of road to Lake Llanquihue, one of the largest lakes in South America. Delight in the stunning views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as you ride along the shoreline. Petrohué is beautifully situated on the shores of Lago Todos Los Santos in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. Overnight in Petrohue.(D)

Day 2: Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

You will have an entire day to discover this National Park with its fantastic hiking trails and wide variety of outdoor activities like rafting, kayaking, trekking or fishing. (B,D)

Day 3: Petrohué - Bariloche (410 km / 255 mi)

Enjoy your breakfast and then depart to explore the Argentinean Lake District on the eastern side of the Andes. Passing through the marvelous Puyehué National Park, you will reach the border with Argentina and continue on to the city of Bariloche, located on Lake Nahuel Huapi and the national park of the same name. Overnight in or close to Bariloche. (B)

Day 4: Bariloche - Cholila (136 km / 84 mi)

Continue your drive south, passing through the town of El Bolson, until you reach Cholila the former hideaway of the legendary American outlaws "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", where you will spend the night. Overnight at a hostería close to Cholila. (B)

Day 5: Cholila - Futaleufú (238 km / 148 mi)

From Cholila you continue driving south, passing through Los Alerces National Park. Take your time for a short exploration of one of the most beautiful national parks of Argentina. You will cross the border into Chile at Los Cipreses and reach Futaleufú in the afternoon. Overnight in Futaleufú. (B)

Day 6: Futaleufú

Today you will have the whole day to discover Futaleufú and its surroundings or to book optional activities like whitewater rafting on the Futaleufú River, which is considered the best river for rafting in Chile. Overnight in Futaleufú. (B)

Day 7: Futaleufú - El Pangue (180 km/112 mi)

From Futaleufú you will pass the crystal clear Lago Yelcho and reach the Pacific Ocean. South of La Junta you will enter Queulat National Park with its beautiful, dense native forests. Spend the night on the border of the park in the cabins of El Pangue. (B)

Day 8: El Pangue and Surroundings

Visit the village of Puyuhuapi with its carpet factory and spend time hiking in the Queulat National Park to visit the Hanging Glacier. Overnight in El Pangue. (B)

Day 9: El Pangue - Coyhaique (240 km / 149 mi)

For the first few miles of your trip today, the road will continue through the Queulat National Park before it climbs the Cuesta Queulat, offering spectacular views of the forests and the valley. Shortly before reaching the capital of the Aysén region, Coyhaique, you will pass through Simpson National Reserve. Overnight in Coyhaique. (B)

Day 10: Coyhaique - Lake General Carrera (265 km / 124 mi)

A beautiful, but long drive will call for an early start. Your trip today leads you to the immense Lago General Carrera. Stop for magnificent views from the various lookouts along a lengthy and virtually uninhabited stretch of the Carretera Austral. Be sure to visit the Marble Caves close to Puerto Tranquilo - ask for a boat ride at the gas station. You will spend the night right on Lake General Carrera. (B)

Day 11: Lake General Carrera

You have the whole day to explore the spectacular landscape around the Lake, with the snow covered Andes as a backdrop to the sparkling lake. Overnight on Lake General Carrera. (B)

Day 12: Lake General Carrera - Estancia in Argentina (290 km / 180 mi)

After breakfast, you will start to drive east towards the border town of Chile Chico. The views of the lake are beautiful, but the road has many curves, so drive carefully. Once you have entered Argentina, the landscape changes to the typical pampa that is so characteristic of Argentinean Patagonia. Visit the small town Perito Moreno. From there it will be a short drive south to the Estancia Telken, which is run by a family of British and Dutch descent. (B)

Day 13: Estancia Telken - El Chaltén (535 km / 335 mi)

Today, you will set out for an especially long trip to El Chaltén, following almost all the way on the Route 40, the "Patagonian Highway". Chaltén is situated at the foot of Fitz Roy Mountain Range. Overnight at a hostería. (B)

Day 14: Los Glaciares National Park - Fitz Roy

Arrange to join one of the hikes that start from El Chaltén to visit the stunning Los Glaciares National Park and the Southern Ice Field. You can also join a boat trip to the Viedma Glacier in the morning. Overnight at a hostería. (B)

Day 15: El Chaltén - El Calafate (250 km / 155 mi)

Drive around Lago Viedma today to reach another huge glacial lake called Lago Argentino. You will spend the night on the shores of the lake in the village of El Calafate. Overnight in El Calafate. (B)

Day 16: Los Glaciares National Park - Perito Moreno

Visit the magnificent glacier Perito Moreno, a truly spectacular sight. A trek on the ice can be organized. Overnight in El Calafate. (B)

Day 17: El Calafate - Torres del Paine National Park (348 km / 216 mi)

Today you will drive through the vast steppe or Pampa into Chile via Cerro Castillo and reach one of the most beautiful national parks of the American continent - Torres del Paine. Enjoy the view of the Torres as you drive to the hostería where you will spend the night. Overnight in or close to Torres del Paine National Park. (B)

Day 18: Torres del Paine National Park

Start early to make the most of this day. There are numerous hikes and sights in this spectacular park - you can explore it on foot, on horseback or take a ride on a boat on one of the glacial lakes. Overnight in or close to National Park Torres del Paine. (B)

Day 19: Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas (410 km / 255 mi)

On this approx. 4 to 6 hour drive to Punta Arenas, you can visit Milodón Cave, where scientists have discovered the remains of a gigantic prehistoric sloth. To experience Patagonian wildlife, visit the Penguin Colony at the Otway Sound before heading for Punta Arenas. Overnight in Punta Arenas. (B)

Day 20: Punta Arenas - Car Drop off

Your long Patagonian Adventure ends in Punta Arenas; where you will return your car at the airport or the downtown rental office. (B)

Please note that all our itineraries can be customized and modified to suit your wishes.

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.

Hotels used with OPTION 1)

Hotel Petrohué**** Hotel Petrohué is located within Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, between the towering silhuette of Volcano Osorno and the blue-green waters of Todos Los Santos Lake. Built entirely of wood and stone, the hotel has the ambiance of an Alpine chalet that found its way to Chilean Patagonia. It features 13 rooms with views of the lake, volcano or river. General facilities include: room service, parking, bar, coffee shop and restaurant, pool, sauna and gym, meeting and conference halls, central heating, storage, laundry service as well as activities such as Trekking, Canyoning, Rafting and Fly Fishing.

Hotel Sol de Nahuel:
Stylish boutique hotel with lake view. 12 spacious rooms with all comforts expected from a first class hotel. No further information available.

Hosteria Canela A very cozy bed and breakfast with a personal touch. It offers 5 spacious rooms with en suite bathrooms and delicious home cooked food.

Hosteria El Barranco Constructed from native woods of the region hotel El Barranco has a rustic mountain style. The hotel overlooks the Espolón River and native forests. It has 10 double rooms (queen beds) with central heating, private bathroom and telephone. One of the rooms has facilities for disabled guests. Bilingual reception, parking, living room, lockers, restaurant, bar, laundry, tour, recreational area, swimming pool, fax and other services are available.

Cabañas El Pangue Cabañas El Pangue are located on the northern bank of the Lake Risopatrón 18 km / 11 mi north of Puyuhuapi. The hotel offers all amenities of a modern hotel. The cabins are comfortable and homely with capacities for 2 to 7 people. The complex can accommodate 55 people in total. All the cabins are fully equipped and have heating, en suite bathroom with a tub and hot water, intercom, telephone, furniture out of native woods, and some include covered parking.

Hosteria Coyhaique*** Hostería Coyhaique, located in a beautiful park near Coyhaique, has 40 rooms (2 suites) decorated in classic style, equipped with telephone, TV, safe deposit box, central heating. All rooms offer a fabulous view, whether of the park or the mountains. General facilities include 2 restaurants for 210 guests serving international cuisine, cozy bar, 3 meeting rooms for up to 200 people, outdoor swimming-pool, games room, room service, laundry service

Estancia Telken
A kind of home-stay experience on a a real working patagonian sheep ranch. This Estancia is located in the middle of nowhere. The hosts offer a warm, homely welcome and traditional argentinean home cooked farm food to weary travelers. A great opportunity to get a real insight into this outback lifestyle.

Hosteria El Puma Hostería El Puma, set in the heart of Argentina's Glacier National Park at the foot of Monte Fitzroy and Cerro Torre, offers 8 rooms (2 deluxe, 2 twins and 4 triples) with private bath. The charming lodge, with its comfortable lounge, is a place for visitors who wish to relax and enjoy a comfortable stay in Argentina's Patagonia. Transfers and assistance for excursions and treks in the surrounding area can be arranged.

Hotel Los Alamos**** Hotel Posada Los Alamos, surrounded by organic gardens and cottonwoods, features 144 exclusively decorated rooms with views of the gardens and mountains, equipped with cable TV, mini bar, and telephone. General facilities include: restaurant, providing regional dishes, bar, Spa-centre offering massage, body aesthetics, hydro massages, and golf course, as well as meeting facilities.

Hostería Lago Grey*** Hostería Lago Grey is situated in the lush, green western region of Torres del Paine National Park. Surrounded by dense southern beech forest, the hostería offers views of the Paine horns and its glacier landscape. It is built in modern Patagonian style, offering 30 comfortable rooms, all equipped with heating and private bathroom. Additional facilities include a restaurant, bar, cafeteria, laundry, lounge area, conference hall, photocopy, fax, Internet access (front desk), and room service.

Hotel Cabo de Hornos**** Hotel Cabo de Hornos is a very modern, European style hotel located in downtown Punta Arenas. It features 91 comfortable rooms, equipped with cable TV, telephone, safe deposit box, mini-bar. General facilities include: sauna, laundry facilities, parking, internet access, conference facilities (saloons with a capacity for up to 300 persons). The hotel's restaurant and bar offer national and international cuisine and specialties in an exclusive environment.

Hotels with OPTION 2)

Hotel Petrohué**** Hotel Petrohué is located within Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, between the towering silhuette of Volcano Osorno and the blue-green waters of Todos Los Santos Lake. Built entirely of wood and stone, the hotel has the ambiance of an Alpine chalet that found its way to Chilean Patagonia. It features 13 rooms with views of the lake, volcano or river. General facilities include: room service, parking, bar, coffee shop and restaurant, pool, sauna and gym, meeting and conference halls, central heating, storage, laundry service as well as activities such as Trekking, Canyoning, Rafting and Fly Fishing.

Ayres de Nahuel*** Hotel Ayres de Nahuel is located only a few steps from Nahuel Huapi lake, yet also just a few meters away from Mitre, the main street of Bariloche. The hotel has only 12 exclusive rooms, but each is spacious and comfortable and offers either lake or mountain view. All the rooms are equipped with digital safety box, minibar, TV, telephone, internet access. General services and facilities include a café, snack bar, mini library, laundry service, parking, among others.

Hosteria Canela A very cozy bed and breakfast with a personal touch. It offers 5 spacious rooms with en suite bathrooms and delicious home cooked food.

Hosteria El Barranco Constructed from native woods of the region hotel El Barranco has a rustic mountain style. The hotel overlooks the Espolón River and native forests. It has 10 double rooms (queen beds) with central heating, private bathroom and telephone. One of the rooms has facilities for disabled guests. Bilingual reception, parking, living room, lockers, restaurant, bar, laundry, tour, recreational area, swimming pool, fax and other services are available.

Cabañas El Pangue Cabañas El Pangue are located on the northern bank of the Lake Risopatrón 18 km / 11 mi north of Puyuhuapi. The hotel offers all amenities of a modern hotel. The cabins are comfortable and homely with capacities for 2 to 7 people. The complex can accommodate 55 people in total. All the cabins are fully equipped and have heating, en suite bathroom with a tub and hot water, intercom, telephone, furniture out of native woods, and some include covered parking.

Hotel Belisario Jara*** Hotel Belisario Jara has a style that combines flagstone, native woods, cozy nooks and local crafts. It is situated in the center of Coyhaique, near the main square. The hotel features 2 single bedrooms, 4 double bedrooms, a 2-bedroom apartment, and also the option of an independent, six-bed apartment with living room, dining room and kitchen. Guests have full access to the building's foyer / living room, a dining room, a snack bar, and a living / dining room on the third floor.

Estancia Telken
A kind of home-stay experience on a a real working patagonian sheep ranch. This Estancia is located in the middle of nowhere. The hosts offer a warm, homely welcome and traditional argentinean home cooked farm food to weary travelers. A great opportunity to get a real insight into this outback lifestyle.

Hosteria Posada Lunajuim Hostería Posada Lunajuim, located at a few meters off the main street, offers 20 cozy and comfortable rooms, living room with fireplace, private bath, central heating, safe deposit box. The general facilities include: room service, restaurant, bar with variety of Argentine wines, laundry service, parking. Further-more the hostel provides a comfortable salon, a library, a fire place as well as assistance for excursions and treks in the area.

Hotel Patagon A nice, small hotel with 31 elegantly decorated comfortable roomswith private bath, cable TV, security boxes, telephone and internet, hairdrier and individual heating regulation. There is also a restaurant. The hotel has internet access.

Hostería Mirador del Paine*** Mirador del Paine is part of a cattle farm, which dates to the late XIX Century. It is situated outside the park, some 52 km / 32 mi from the Sarmiento National Park entrance. The Hostería offers wonderful views of Laguna Verde and the Paine mountains. This hostería was built in the style of the old estancia, respecting the Patagonian architecture. It is equipped with 20 simple, but comfortable guest rooms, all of them with private bathroom and central heating. General facilities include: dining room connected to the living room with a fireplace and bar in the main house, parking, laundry service and safe deposit box upon request.

Estancia Rio Verde Estancia Rio Verde, located on the shore of Skyring Sound, is part of an old “estancia”, dating from the late 1800 (most of the original buildings are still there). It features 9 rooms in a familiar and relaxed atmosphere, designed in the style of the estancia in its old days with private bathroom, central heating, and some even have big old bathtubs. The general facilities include a restaurant, a pub reminding of an old ship as well as a warm and comfortable sitting room with fire place. The ranch organizes daily activities, like Horse-back Riding, Sheep and Cattle Gathering ,lamb marking and Shear-ing. |