Highlights of Chile and Argentina
with a short visit to Uruguay

Independent pre-planned 23-day Journey
Starts in Santiago on any day

Visiting Santiago, Rosario & Casablanca wine regions, Viña del Mar, Valparaiso,
Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, Peulla, Bariloche, El Calafate, Torres del Paine National Park,
Ushuaia, Colonia and Buenos Aires
including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites

 

Your Trip, Your Way

The trip described below is one which we have previously offered as one of our own Private Journeys. We have also made it available as a custom-designed itinerary.

We can start this trip on any date and can accommodate any number of travellers. The itinerary can be followed exactly as shown or we can add or subtract days as required to suit your exact needs.

Along the way we will provide expert guides and private air-conditioned vehicles in all locations.  We'll pre-arrange all breakfasts and any other meals that you require. We have suggested meals in the itinerary below, but we can adjust this to suit your tastes.

And while we show recommended hotel names in many of the locations on the itinerary as well, we can also adjust the hotels to suit whatever comfort level you prefer.

In short, we'll start with this itinerary and modify it in any way you like.

We'll take care of the details. Then all you have to do is arrive and enjoy your journey.

 

Introduction

The countries of Chile and Argentina make up almost all of the South American territory situated to the south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Chile, a skinny string-bean stretching north to south and Argentina, a wedge-shaped land tapering toward its southern extremities combine to offer the visitor a huge selection of options for superb travel experiences.

Beautiful cities, spectacular scenery, deserts, seaside towns and beaches, wineries, hot springs, countless lakes, rivers and fjords, immense mountains, comfortable hotels, great restaurants, spectacular food and wine and much more combine to make this a wonderful tourist destination.

In this itinerary you'll travel on modern aircraft, private vehicles, boats and other craft, sample local food and wine, watch the sunset, share special moments and do scores of things you'll love.

Let us share some of our favourite and very special places with you. Come in and talk to us or call us soon.

 

The Journey

Our 23-day journey follows a counter-clockwise route starting in Santiago, Chile and finishing in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

You'll spend the first two days in Santiago where you can take time to rejuvenate after your long journey from Canada and to leisurely explore the beautiful sites of the Chilean capital. From here, head into the Rosario and Casablanca Valleys, the birthplace of some of the world's best Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay wines and to the towns of Isla Negra, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

Next fly southward to Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas to explore the interesting history of the German settlements in this area including the storybook town of Frutillar.

Next comes the two-day Lakes Crossing into Argentina, ending at San Carlos de Bariloche.

Next, head south to Patagonia, a magical land of forests and glaciers. Spend time in the town of El Calafate, a day at Perito Moreno Glacier and three fantastic days in Torres del Paine National Park before returning to Argentina and southward to the very tip of South America and the town of Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego.

Complete the journey in the beautiful, cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires and also visit the World Heritage town of Colonia in Uruguay.

And, if this itinerary is not exactly what you need, of course we can adjust it according to your wishes. Longer? Shorter? In different places? In different hotels? Whatever...

 

Pre-tour and Post-tour Extensions

For those wishing to extend their stay in South America either before or after the tour, we can offer custom-designed itineraries to such locations as Atacama desert, Iguassu Falls, Mendoza or many other locations.

For those of you who may be interested in visiting Antarctica we can also discuss possibilities of combining an expedition cruise with this tour.

Let us create a special journey just for you. Come in and talk to us or call us soon. We can be reached at 613-789-1900 in Ottawa or Toll-free at 888-765-7662. Alternately, you can click here to send us e-mail.

The Recommended Itinerary (for a map of this journey click here)
 

TUESDAY (suggested start day)	SANTIAGO, CHILE (-) Upon your arrival today at Santiago Airport you will be met by a TrailFinders’ representative and transferred downtown to the hotel. Your hotel is located downtown, in the Providencia area of Santiago. Free for dinner at whatever time suits you best. There are many types of restaurants near the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Santiago Park Plaza or equivalent.
WEDNESDAY	SANTIAGO (B, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Full day Santiago city tour. Today you tour the most interesting parts of Santiago. While the exact order of events will be decided by the guide, you will likely begin by driving from east to west across the city seeing parts of Providencia, Centro, Av. O’Higgins, Santa Lucia, Club Hipico and the Cousiño Palace, built between 1870 and 1878 for the wealthy Cousiño family. You’ll also see the famous Alameda, Santiago’s colourful main avenue, the Chilean University, San Francisco Church and the Santa Lucia Hill, site of Santiago’s beginning in 1541. You’ll also visit the Plaza de la Constitution with its changing of the guard, the pedestrian mall and the Pre-Colombian Art Museum which houses a collection of ceramics, ancient textiles and relics. As well, you'll stop at Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and will drive through the bohemian Bella Vista district on the way to the San Cristóbal Hill, where you have the best views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains. At an appropriate time today you’ll visit the famous Central Market. This is an interesting building which dates back to the end of the 19th century, made of metal, built in London and brought by ship to Chile. You can grab a quick lunch here if you wish. There are many small cafes serving a variety of Chilean favourites. Afterwards you'll have some free time to get organized and do a bit of exploring before dinner. Dinner at Como Agua Para Chocolate. Overnight at Hotel Santiago Park Plaza or equivalent.
THURSDAY	SANTIAGO - ISLA NEGRA - ROSARIO VALLEY - VINA DEL MAR (B, L) Breakfast at the hotel. Today you leave Santiago and head westward toward the coast, arriving at the seaside village of Isla Negra well before noon. This small town is a place of pilgrimage in literature because Chile’s poet Pablo Neruda’s house is located here. You’ll inspect the Nobel Prize winner’s bizarre collection of treasures from his numerous voyages. In the garden, Neruda and his last wife, Matilde Urrutia, are buried. Next you move on to Matetic vineyards in a glorious setting in Rosario Valley, a stretch of land blessed with a promising climate and equally favourable soils. In contrast to the huge companies of the famous Casablanca Valley, the family Matetic specializes in cultivating wines in accordance with organic production principles. Upon arrival you’ll tour the winery and have a wonderful lunch at their restaurant. After lunch you drive to the seaside resort of Viña del Mar and check in to your hotel. Viña del Mar is one of Chile's most fashionable beach resorts. The town, part of the greater Valparaiso area, was founded in 1874 as a weekend retreat and garden residence for the wealthy elite from Valparaíso and Santiago and it has remained a top beach destination ever since. The sight of “Viña’s” attractive homes, manicured lawns and golden beaches dotted with colourful surfboards is a contrast to the ramshackle streets of Valparaíso. Free for dinner. Overnight at Hotel del Mar.
FRIDAY	VINA DEL MAR - VALPARAISO - CASABLANCA VALLEY - SANTIAGO (B, L) Breakfast at the hotel.  This morning you begin by driving about 15 Km north to take a look at some of the coastal scenery and some of the beach resorts in the area. Near Concon, you'll turn back toward the south and drive to the World Heritage port city of Valparaiso. Built upon dozens of steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the city boasts a labyrinth of streets and cobblestone alleyways embodying a rich architectural and cultural legacy. Immortalized in the words of Pablo Neruda as the city that ‘goes to Paradise’ ("Va al paraíso"), it is one of Chile’s most charismatic and historic ports with its charming funiculars and colourful hillside houses.  You'll explore the most interesting parts of the town on foot. At an appropriate time you'll stop for lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the city. You then begin the drive back to Santiago. You'll stop along the way at the Casablanca Valley, an important wine-producing region which combines all the necessary conditions to create the best white wine varieties of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Here, you'll visit one of the region’s best-known wineries, “William Cole” with its 7200 m2 cellar containing Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenére. You sample some excellent wines before returning to Santiago. Upon arrival you check in to your hotel. Free for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Santiago Park Plaza or equivalent.
SATURDAY	SANTIAGO - PUERTO MONTT - PUERTO VARAS (B) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you drive to Santiago airport for the noon flight to Puerto Montt. After arriving in Puerto Montt  you'll enjoy a tour of the town en-route to Puerto Varas, your base for the next few days. Puerto Montt was founded by German settlers in 1852 and their influence still remains in the style of the wooden houses.  You'll pass along the "Costanera“ Avenue and continue to the observation point for a view of the city, Reloncavi Bay, Tenglo Island and channels. Afterwards,  you'll pass through the town center and main square. You'll also visit Angelmó, the traditional fish and seafood market in the port. While walking through the market you can grab an informal lunch of empanadas and other local snacks. You then drive to Puerto Varas and check in for a two-night stay. Free for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Puelche.
SUNDAY	PUERTO VARAS (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Your day begins with a drive along the Llanquihue Lake to the village of Frutillar. Here, you'll see historical German settlements where houses and beautiful gardens have been built similar to those of the German Black Forest region. You'll pass by the Lutheran and Catholic Churches and visit the Edmundo Winkler forest reserve. Here, you'll see the Valdivian Rainforest, typical of Southern Chile. A trekking path will lead you through the forest of native trees such as Arrayan, Coligüe, Coigüe, Araucarias and ferns. You also visit the wonderful outdoor Settler's Museum in Frutillar. Free for lunch. There are many small restaurants and cafes. After lunch you head back towards Puerto Varas enjoying views of the lake and the volcanoes Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo in the background. Free for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Puelche.
MONDAY	THE LAKES CROSSING - DAY ONE PUERTO VARAS TO PEULLA (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Today you begin the two-day “Lakes Crossing” into Argentina. You start this extraordinary journey with a beautiful scenic drive through the lush green countryside, past weather-beaten clapboard barns and churches surrounding Lake Llanquihue. You proceed to little Ensenada village to reach the Petrohué Rapids, a gleaming succession of azure blue cascades against a backdrop of majestic mountains. You then enter the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park which has been a Chilean natural reserve since its foundation in 1926. Then you reach Petrohué, the eastern port of spectacular Lago Todos los Santos, also called "Emerald" for its vivid green colour. Here you take a boat-trip on a catamaran enjoying breathtaking views of the majestic volcanoes in the background. At the end of the lake you disembark and take a short walk to the little village of Peulla, where you check in for an overnight stay. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon you'll have the opportunity to do some optional hiking to a waterfall or walking along the lake or even try more strenuous activities such as zip-lining through the surrounding forest. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Natura.
TUESDAY	THE LAKES CROSSING - DAY TWO PEULLA, CHILE TO SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE, ARGENTINA (B) Breakfast at the hotel. The Lakes Crossing continues by bus across the border into Argentina over the Perez Rosales path and into Puerto Frias. Once Argentine immigration and customs formalities are over, you cross Lago Frias up to Puerto Alegre and proceed by bus for a short ride to Puerto Blest. Lunch can be purchased at the hotel at Puerto Blest. Afterwards, you have an opportunity to do a forest walk before continuing by catamaran across beautiful Nahuel Huapi Lake for about an hour and a half, ending at Puerto Pañuelo. From here you continue by bus to San Carlos de Bariloche, where you arrive about 7 pm. Free for dinner. Overnight at Edelweiss Hotel.
WEDNESDAY	SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE (B) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning is all about spectacular scenery as you drive among the forests, lakes and mountains which surround Bariloche. An expert guide will accompany you through this amazing area. At one point you'll have an opportunity to take a chair-lift to the summit of Campanario mountain - 3400 feet (1050 meters) where you can see lakes Nahuel Huapi and Moreno, the Trebol pond, St. Peter’s Peninsula, Llao Llao, Victoria Island and Otto, Lopez, Goye and Catedral Mountains, as well as the city of Bariloche. After coming down, you'll continue on to Llao Llao Peninsula where you'll see the small and delicate St Edwards Chapel. Then you move on to Angostura Bridge crossing the river of the same name which joins Lakes Moreno, Nahuel Huapi and Lopez Bay at the foot of Lopez Mountain. You continue to El Trebol and three miles ahead, Ezequiel Bustillo Avenue will take you back to the city. Here you’ll visit a local chocolate factory to see why Bariloche is the chocolate capital of South America. Visit Fenoglio Chocolate Museum. Rest of the afternoon free to explore the town on your own. Free for dinner. Overnight at Edelweiss Hotel.
THURSDAY	SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE - EL CALAFATE (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Free time this morning until you transfer to the airport for the two-hour flight to El Calafate, where you arrive in the late afternoon. El Calafate is a small city with about 8000 inhabitants and a significant tourist population. It is the entrance to Southern Patagonia and the Los Glaciers National Park. With easy access to the Perito Moreno glacier and within driving distance of Chile's beautiful Torres del Paine National Park, there is no better place to hang your hat for a few nights. Upon arrival, you check in to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Free for dinner. There are many good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Overnight at Los Sauces Casa Patagonia.
FRIDAY	EL CALAFATE - PERITO MORENO GLACIER - EL CALAFATE (B, L) Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast you visit the Glaciarium museum, a twenty-minute drive from town. From here you drive to Los Glaciares National Park, a vast collection of mountains, lakes and woods including a large portion of the Andes essentially under ice and snow to the west, and the arid Patagonian steppe to the east. The park’s name refers to the glaciers that are born on the ice caps; the largest continental ice extension after Antarctica. There are 47 big glaciers, 13 of which flow westward to the Atlantic. There are also more than 200 smaller glaciers. The glacial activities today will be determined en route and will depend on the local weather forecast. Box lunch at the balconies overlooking the Perito Moreno glacier. You'll return to El Calafate in time for dinner. Evening free. Overnight at Los Sauces Casa Patagonia.
SATURDAY	EL CALAFATE - TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you begin your drive at 7 am and arrive at the Chilean border about four hours later. After clearing customs you continue onward to the famous Torres del Paine National Park where you check in to the hotel Las Torres Patagonia, your home for the next three nights. The hotel is the closest accommodation to the towers – only ten kilometres away – making it a natural location for the start of all visits to the mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers in the park. The hotel has an excellent restaurant, where guests can enjoy typical regional dishes prepared using fresh produce from the hotel’s own organic vegetable garden. As well, it has its own horses, vehicles and guides at the disposal of the guests during their stay. While you are in the park, all meals and excursions are included. Torres del Paine is South America's most famous national park, renowned for its geographical diversity and its unique beauty. A stay in the park offers the visitor a large variety of nature excursions through golden grasslands and mountain forests past turquoise lakes, waterfalls, massive glaciers & soaring peaks including the granite towers that give the park its name. While a tentative list of activities appears in the itinerary below, you sometimes have to stay flexible and adjust for weather and local conditions. It is not unusual to have four seasons in one day in this part of the world. After checking in and enjoying lunch at the hotel, you head out for an afternoon visit to a nearby forest of Lenga (Beech) trees. This 3-hour excursion by bus and on foot will lead you north from the hotel where you will pass on the south side of the Paine Hill and enter the beautiful forest where we’ll have a chance to observe its flora as well as a wide range of birds including Magellanic woodpeckers and Chilean flickers. While here, you’ll also enjoy a great view of the Laguna Azul. Afterwards you return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Las Torres Patagonia.
SUNDAY	TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Today you spend the entire day getting a general overview of what the entire park has to offer by visiting its most famous attractions and enjoying some beautiful walks to learn more about the flora and fauna of the marvelous mountains that form part of the Paine Massif. After a morning of exploring, you’ll enjoy a well-deserved box lunch in the outdoors and afterwards proceed to Lago Grey where you’ll have an opportunity to walk around the lake shore or to head out onto the lake to get up close to Grey Glacier. You return to the hotel in the late afternoon in time for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Las Torres Patagonia.
MONDAY	TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK (B, L, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Today’s morning and afternoon excursions will include drives, walks and, if you wish, horseback riding in and around Nordenskjold and Pehoe Lakes and the Laguna Azul area. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Las Torres Patagonia.
TUESDAY	TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK - EL CALAFATE (B) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you depart about 9 am and drive to the border, arriving there about 11 am. After crossing back into Argentina, you continue on to El Calafate, arriving about 15:30. There will be a chance for you to pick up a snack along the way at the cafe and gift shop near the border. Free for dinner. Overnight at Los Sauces Casa Patagonia.
WEDNESDAY	EL CALAFATE (B) Breakfast at the hotel. After the long drive back to El Calafate and the several days of outdoor activities in the park, you deserve a day off. So, today is an entirely free day in El Calafate to do whatever you wish. Have fun! Overnight at Los Sauces Casa Patagonia.
THURSDAY	EL CALAFATE - USHUAIA (B, D) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you catch a flight to Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city in the world located on the shores of the Beagle Channel. After arrival, you'll spend part of the day exploring the town and surroundings including La Mission neighbourhood, the Brown and Solier, the old houses, the Provincial Legislature and the End of the World Museum. You'll have some free time to explore the downtown on your own as well during your stay in Ushuaia. Afterwards you check in to the hotel for a two-night stay. Dinner in the dining room at the hotel. Overnight at Los Cauquenes.
FRIDAY	USHUAIA (B, L) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you depart for the Penguin Rookery at Isla Martillo and the Estancia Harberton. Our drive to Estancia Harberton will take about two hours. The roads are generally smooth however some sections may be unpaved. Upon arrival at Harberton you can take a look around the ranch and explore its historic origins. The estancia belongs to the Bridges family and contains the oldest building on the island. Afterwards, you'll board a small boat for about 15 minutes and cross to Isla Martillo. Here, you'll have the opportunity to visit colonies of Magellan and Gentoo penguins and walk close to them. You then return to the estancia by boat and head back to Ushuaia, stopping for lunch along the way. Remainder of afternoon at leisure. Free for dinner. Overnight at Los Cauquenes.
SATURDAY	USHUAIA - BUENOS AIRES (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Today you spend part of the day flying to the capital, Buenos Aires. You’ll need to remain flexible due to the potential for weather delays and changes in air schedules. Upon arrival, you transfer to the hotel - well-located within walking distance of downtown attractions including Plaza San Martin and Florida Street. Free for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Melia Buenos Aires.
SUNDAY	BUENOS AIRES (B, L) Breakfast at the hotel. This morning you enjoy a visit to San Telmo to enjoy the antiques market and the lively Sunday morning atmosphere of street musicians and tango. Afterwards, you drive to the famous Estancia Santa Susana, where you'll spend the afternoon. The estancia covers an area of 1200 hectares and is a popular attraction for visitors to Buenos Aires. Although the ranch will most certainly be busy with international visitors, you believe it's well worth a visit. Here, you'll enjoy a typical and substantial “criollas” meal and a show of tango and folk dances as well as a visit to the Spanish-colonial style “casco” which is now an authentic museum for that period. You'll also witness the amazing riding skills of the gauchos - something that is now difficult to see elsewhere. After returning to the hotel there is time to relax before you depart later in the evening for El Viejo Almacen, the most famous location in Buenos Aires for performances of the Tango and Argentinian classical songs. Overnight at Hotel Melia Buenos Aires.
MONDAY	BUENOS AIRES - COLONIA, URUGUAY - BUENOS AIRES (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Today you take the morning fast ferry across the Rio de la Plata to Uruguay and land at the historic city of Colonia del Sacramento. Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, the city was of strategic importance in resisting the Spanish. After being disputed for a century, it was finally lost by its founders and served as a port for contraband for a number of years. Now Colonia is a quiet resort town of narrow cobblestoned streets and colonial buildings. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. It has a good selection of restaurants, coffee shops, art and craft shops and museums as well as a lighthouse, El Faro, which was constructed in 1857 and the local museum on Plaza Mayor which contains Portuguese architecture, furnishings and military uniforms and other items from the period. Later in the day you return to Buenos Aires. Free for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Melia Buenos Aires.
TUESDAY	BUENOS AIRES (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Today you spend a full day exploring other parts of the town where the Tango was born! You begin with a brief visit to Avenida de Mayo, Plaza de Mayo and the surrounding Casa Rosada (Government House), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo, the first City Hall, built during Spanish rule. The next stop is La Boca, the oldest and most colourful neighbourhood in Buenos Aires - a working-class enclave and artist colony. The area was settled and built by Italian immigrants that worked in the surrounding warehouses and meat-packing plants. The most famous street in La Boca is called Caminito (little path) and is the center of activity in the area. The street is commonly included on postcards for its multi-coloured houses. Many artists show off their work along the street. Around lunch time, you’ll arrive in Recoleta, the quarter of the rich and one of the city’s most glamorous spots. Here, you'll find the Municipal Cultural Center, elegant boutiques and many excellent restaurants. You can take time to enjoy a quick lunch or snack. Recoleta is also well-known for its cemetery, the centre of this aristocratic neighbourhood, where famous politicians, explorers, priests, leaders, writers and poets have found their final resting place. The mausoleums reflect the architectural diversity emerging from the different cultural tendencies Argentina incorporated in its formation as a nation. The cemetery is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments in the entire country. Take time for a leisurely walk through the cemetery and visit the tomb of Eva Duarte, who became famous as Eva Perón (Evita). Later you drive through other parts of the city, visiting the Colon Theatre, one of the world's best known opera houses and the cultural pride of the "porteños" (as the inhabitants of Buenos Aires are commonly called). You continue to Palermo with its beautiful parks, artificial lakes, the City Zoo, Botanical Garden, Argentine Horse Track and National Polo Fields. Free for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Melia Buenos Aires.
WEDNESDAY	BUENOS AIRES - HOME (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Today is entirely free to allow you to prepare for the trip home. You may wish to do some last-minute shopping or explore other parts of town on your own or visit museums or galleries. Or you may simply wish to relax at the hotel. At an appropriate time today, transfer to the airport for your flight home. For those who wish to stay a bit longer in Argentina we can offer a pre-packaged trip to Iguazu Falls. We would be pleased to discuss details of the various options available.

Price

The price will be determined after the trip is designed the way you want it. We can change any aspect of the trip to meet your needs.

 

Accommodation

The accommodation recommended in the itinerary has been selected to meet the needs of the experienced Canadian traveller. Of course, we can adjust specific properties according to your wishes.

We have suggested hotels with high standards for cleanliness and comfort. At the same time we have attempted to make use of several styles of properties including modern city hotels, resort properties and more rustic forest hotels and inns.

We would estimate that our accommodation is in the 4-star category on average.