Chile and Argentina Self-drive Tour - 8 days
DAY 1: FREIRE AIRPORT – PUCÓN (112 KM / 70 MI)
Pick up your car at the airport or city car rental office in Temuco. Your destination for today will be the town of Pucón located at the foot of the Villarrica Volcano and at the eastern end of the Villarrica Lake surrounded by extensive native forests. This town will be a good base for visits to the nearby national parks, hot springs, waterfalls and lakes. Overnight in or close to Pucón.
DAY 2: PUCÓN
For this day, we recommend a combination of hiking in the Huerquehue National Park (which will offer you the experience to see the famous Araucaria trees close-up) with a visit to one of the many relaxing thermal springs. Overnight in or near Pucón. (B)
DAY 3: PUCÓN – SAN MARTÍN DE LOS ANDES (192 KM / 120 MI)
Today you will experience the natural contrasts between the Chilean and Argentinean slopes of the Andes. Crossing the mountains at 1,207 m / 3,960 ft., the country side will change dramatically. Green rolling farmland and lush native forests of the Villarrica National Park will be replaced by the dry but very colorful Pampa of the Lanín National Park. The immense Lanín Volcano will be a constant point of reference during the trip as you drive through spectacular forest of ancient Araucaria trees growing at the base of the volcano. In the afternoon you will reach San Martín de Los Andes situated at 700 m / 2,297 ft. on Lacar Lake. Overnight in the center of San Martín De Los Andes. (B)
DAY 4: SAN MARTÍN – VILLA LA ANGOSTURA (105 KM / 66 MI)
Explore 7 beautiful lakes on the route to Villa La Angostura and pass through 2 different national parks; Lanin and Nahuel Huapi. The (unpaved) Seven Lake Route will take you to the tranquil village of Villa Angostura. From there drive along the Nahuel Huapi Lake to your hotel in Villa La Angostura where we highly recommend visiting the world famous peninsula Quetrihué known for its beauty and Myrtles trees. Overnight in or close to Villa La Angostura. (B)
DAY 5: VILLA LA ANGOSTURA – PUYEHUE (114 KM / 72 MI)
Today you will drive back to Chile over the Cardenal Antonio Samoré pass at an altitude of 1,308 m /4,291 ft. above sea level. Here, you will cross from Nahuel Huapi National Park into the Chilean Puyehue National Park. Overnight at or close to Puyehue Lake. (B)
DAY 6: PUYEHUE AND SURROUNDINGS
You will have all day to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of the Puyehue Lake and National Park where there are several attractive hiking trails. In addition, the park boasts 220,000 acres of natural thermal springs, volcanoes, and evergreen forests. Overnight at or close to Puyehue Lake. (B)
DAY 7: PUYEHUE – PUERTO VARAS (140 KM / 88 MI)
After a brief journey inland past Lago Rupanco drive along the border of the Llanquihue Lake: the third largest lake in South America. On your way to Puerto Varas stop and visit the lakefront town of Puerto Octay known for its German influences. From there head towards the charming town of Frutillar recognized for its 19th century architecture, famous theater and local museum. Afterwards continue your drive around the lakefront where the perfectly cone shaped Osorno Volcano will be continually seen. This is the same route that German colonists embarked on centuries ago. Overnight in Puerto Varas (B)
DAY 8: PUERTO VARAS – PUERTO MONTT (19 KM / 12 MI)
Return your car at the Puerto Montt airport or the downtown car rental office. (B)
Pick up your car at the airport or city car rental office in Temuco. Your destination for today will be the town of Pucón located at the foot of the Villarrica Volcano and at the eastern end of the Villarrica Lake surrounded by extensive native forests. This town will be a good base for visits to the nearby national parks, hot springs, waterfalls and lakes. Overnight in or close to Pucón.
DAY 2: PUCÓN
For this day, we recommend a combination of hiking in the Huerquehue National Park (which will offer you the experience to see the famous Araucaria trees close-up) with a visit to one of the many relaxing thermal springs. Overnight in or near Pucón. (B)
DAY 3: PUCÓN – SAN MARTÍN DE LOS ANDES (192 KM / 120 MI)
Today you will experience the natural contrasts between the Chilean and Argentinean slopes of the Andes. Crossing the mountains at 1,207 m / 3,960 ft., the country side will change dramatically. Green rolling farmland and lush native forests of the Villarrica National Park will be replaced by the dry but very colorful Pampa of the Lanín National Park. The immense Lanín Volcano will be a constant point of reference during the trip as you drive through spectacular forest of ancient Araucaria trees growing at the base of the volcano. In the afternoon you will reach San Martín de Los Andes situated at 700 m / 2,297 ft. on Lacar Lake. Overnight in the center of San Martín De Los Andes. (B)
DAY 4: SAN MARTÍN – VILLA LA ANGOSTURA (105 KM / 66 MI)
Explore 7 beautiful lakes on the route to Villa La Angostura and pass through 2 different national parks; Lanin and Nahuel Huapi. The (unpaved) Seven Lake Route will take you to the tranquil village of Villa Angostura. From there drive along the Nahuel Huapi Lake to your hotel in Villa La Angostura where we highly recommend visiting the world famous peninsula Quetrihué known for its beauty and Myrtles trees. Overnight in or close to Villa La Angostura. (B)
DAY 5: VILLA LA ANGOSTURA – PUYEHUE (114 KM / 72 MI)
Today you will drive back to Chile over the Cardenal Antonio Samoré pass at an altitude of 1,308 m /4,291 ft. above sea level. Here, you will cross from Nahuel Huapi National Park into the Chilean Puyehue National Park. Overnight at or close to Puyehue Lake. (B)
DAY 6: PUYEHUE AND SURROUNDINGS
You will have all day to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of the Puyehue Lake and National Park where there are several attractive hiking trails. In addition, the park boasts 220,000 acres of natural thermal springs, volcanoes, and evergreen forests. Overnight at or close to Puyehue Lake. (B)
DAY 7: PUYEHUE – PUERTO VARAS (140 KM / 88 MI)
After a brief journey inland past Lago Rupanco drive along the border of the Llanquihue Lake: the third largest lake in South America. On your way to Puerto Varas stop and visit the lakefront town of Puerto Octay known for its German influences. From there head towards the charming town of Frutillar recognized for its 19th century architecture, famous theater and local museum. Afterwards continue your drive around the lakefront where the perfectly cone shaped Osorno Volcano will be continually seen. This is the same route that German colonists embarked on centuries ago. Overnight in Puerto Varas (B)
DAY 8: PUERTO VARAS – PUERTO MONTT (19 KM / 12 MI)
Return your car at the Puerto Montt airport or the downtown car rental office. (B)
price per person in US$ :
hotel/car types |
1 person |
2 people |
3 people |
4 people |
sgl supp |
standard/Hertz C - Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa or Hyundai Accent or similar - till April 30, 2021 |
$1530 |
$1162 |
$1040 |
$979 |
$768 |
May 1-Dec. 31, 2021 |
$1549 |
$1150 |
$1016 |
$950 |
$700 |
standard/Hertz J - Toyota Hi Lux or Mitsubishi L200 or Nissan NP300 or similar - till April 30, 2021 |
$1702 |
$1248 |
$1097 |
$1022 |
$707 |
May 1-Dec. 31, 2021 |
$1724 |
$1237 |
$1076 |
$996 |
$676 |
superior/Hertz C - Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa or Hyundai Accent or similar - till April 30, 2021 |
$2017 |
$1631 |
$1501 |
$1436 |
$1030 |
May 1-Dec. 31, 2021 |
$2078 |
$1679 |
$1545 |
$1479 |
$964 |
superior/ Hertz J - Toyota Hi Lux or Mitsubishi L200 or Nissan NP300 or similar - till April 30, 2021 |
$2188 |
$1716 |
$1558 |
$1480 |
$971 |
May 1-Dec. 31, 2021 |
$2254 |
$1768 |
$1605 |
$1525 |
$999 |
Notes: Based on Half Twin. The single supplement also applies for 1 person.
Hotels we use in this program: Standard: Landhaus San Sebastian (superior Room), Patagonia Plaza (standard Room), Hotel Sol de Arrayan (Lago classic Room), El Lodge Taique (Standard Room) and Hotel Casa Kalfu (standard room) Superior: Hotel Monteverde (Standard room), Hotel Antares Patagonia (Suite Superior room), Hotel Puerto Sur (Suite room), Hotel Puyehue (superior room) y Hotel Puelche (executive room). Program includes: - 7 nights including breakfast. - 8 days car rental (Hertz category C) including unlimited free mileage - Local tax. - Full CDW coverage with deductible (for details see rental contract). - Drop off charge. - International permission to cross into Argentina. - Roadmap and descriptions. Note: Another option to get to San Martín is across the Huahum Pass. Follow the road south of Pucón to Panguipulli and the Huilo Huilo preserve. From there you will board a small ferry on Lake Piriheuico for a 90 minute crossing on the quiet and peaceful lake. Upon arrival continue your trip to the Argentinean border and nearby San Martín (prior reservations are recommended to guarantee space on the ferry and can be made by phone).We recommend an additional day in Huilo Huilo to do this border crossing. "Just to let you know that we really enjoyed our Lake District tour. The scenery was spectacular the hotels were good and the pickup truck was a must on some of the roads. Everything went smoothly and we had no logistical or idea any other problems. So many thanks for the organisation. Next year we are thinking about Peru or maybe USA national parks so maybe in touch again. Once again many thanks." Steve |
|