Nature Contacts in Patagonia's National Parks

Amazon Adventures

Chile Tours and Travel

Nature Contact in Patagonia's National Parks (15 days / 14 nights)

This comfortable tour guarantees close contact with Patagonia's spectacular nature which we will experience on our numerous hikes and walks. We will get to know the 8 most interesting and diverse national parks of Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia and stay mainly in cosy lodges and small hotels surrounded by nature's untouched beauty.

Day 1: Santiago de Chile
Upon arrival at the international airport in santiago, our guide will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in santiago. after check-in and some time to relax, we will explore the chilean capital in the afternoon, including a visit to the Plaza de armas and the local market. overnight in santiago.

Day 2: From Santiago to the Lake District
after breakfast we will drive to the airport to board our onehour flight to Temuco. This city is known as the capital of the araucanía Region, home to
the indigenous mapuche. after a short tour around the city, which includes the colourful fruit and vegetable market, we will drive to the resort town of Pucón which was founded by german immigrants in the 19th century. Due to its picturesque setting on the shore of the lake Villarrica and the imposing Villarrica Volcano and the surrounding national parks, Pucón attracts visitors from all over the world. in the afternoon we will take a gentle walk and visit the falls of caburga. We will have dinner and stay overnight close to Pucón. (B, D)

Day 3: Hiking in Huerquehue National Park
after breakfast we will go on our first full day excursion into one of the oldest and most beautiful national parks in chile: huerquehue. a short drive will take us to the starting point of our hike, from where we will enjoy a nice half-day hike in the national park. Walking through a dense native forest of coigüe, lenga and araucaria trees, we will have good views of the smoking Villarrica Volcano and the extinguished choshuenco Volcano. after two hours we will arrive at three pristine lagoons, hidden among immense araucaria trees at 1100 meters /3.609 feet above sea level. overnight and
dinner close to Pucón. (B, Bl, D)

Day 4: Crossing the Andes to San Martín de los Andes (Argentina)
Today we 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 countryside will change dramatically. green rolling farmland and lush native forests in the Villarrica National Park will be replaced by the dry but very colourful Pampa of the Lanín National Park. The immense 3,747 m / 12,293 ft high Lanín Volcano will be a constant point of reference during the trip. We will pass through a spectacular forest of ancient araucaria trees growing at the base of the volcano. in the afternoon we will reach San Martín de Los Andes situated at 700 m / 2,297 ft on Lake Lacar. overnight in the centre of San Martín de Los Andes. B, Bl)

Day 5: Crossing 3 National Parks to Villa La Angostura (Chile)
During our scenic drive through the seven lake District, we will first travel through the two famous national parks lanín and Nahuel Huapi in Argentina. We will spend the night at a friendly hotel in Villa la Angostura near the argentinean and chilean border. (B)

Day 6: Villa La Angostura to Vicente Pérez Rosales N.P.
Today we will cross the andes at an altitude of 1,308 m / 4,291 ft back into chile. on our way to the hotel Petrohué in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park we will stop in Frutillar, a charming town on the banks of the lake, celebrated for its architecture of the 19th century german colonial style houses. We will continue driving around the Lake Llanquihue accompanied by the background of the perfectly cone-shaped osorno Volcano. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park on the shores of lake Todos los Santos. (B, D)

Day 7: Hiking in Vicente Pérez Rosales N.P.
Today we will discover Chile's oldest national park and hike on the Paso de la Desolación that will take us to cerro la Picada at an altitude of 1710
m / 5.610 ft. During the ascent we will enjoy fantastic views of lake Todos los Santos and the volcanoes Osorno, Tronador, Calbuco and Puntiagudo. We will also have the opportunity to observe local trees and wildlife. The descent takes us to Playa larga where a swim in the lake will be a refreshing reward. Dinner and overnight in the national park. (B, Bl, D)

Day 8: From Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales
early transfer to the airport in Puerto montt, the flight will leave at around 10:00 a.m. after 2½ hours we will arrive in Punta Arenas, the southernmost town of the continent. it will be the starting point for our tour into the heart of Patagonia. Upon arrival, we will drive into town for a short city tour which will include views of the famous Strait of Magellan that separates the continent from the island Tierra del Fuego. on our drive to the hotel we will stop at the Penguin colony at the Otway Sound. The visit will be worthwhile as you will not only see the colony of magellan penguins but may also spot other animals such as the Patagonian foxes, ñandús (south american ostrich) and condors. We will spend the night in Puerto Natales. (B)

Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park
after breakfast we will make our way to one of the most spectacular national parks in the world, Torres del Paine. We will pass through the typical Pampa steppes of the magellan Region, scattered with various old estancias (sheep farms). Before we will arrive at the internationally renowned Torres del Paine National Park in the late afternoon, we will visit the milodón cave where scientists have discovered the remains of a giant sloth. overnight in a hostería in the park. (B)

Day 10: Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is without doubt a must-see for every traveller in chile. it is one of the most beautiful and awesome places in america. our full day excursion will include visits to Lago Grey with its imposing glacier, the salto grande, the salto chico and the administration centre. short hiking excursions will allow us to observe various kinds of animals: guanacos, flamingos, ñandús, and condors, among others. a filling picnic lunch will be served on our way. overnight in the park. (B, Bl)

Day 11: Crossing the Patagonian Steppe to El Calafate (Argentina)
after breakfast we will drive to the border village and estancia Cerro Castillo. We will cross into Argentina and continue through a deserted Patagonian landscape until we arrive at the town of El Calafate on the shores of the immense Lake Argentina. overnight in or close to El Calafate. (B)

Day 12: Los Glaciares National Park
on a full day excursion into the Los Glaciares National Park, we will witness various spectacular sceneries. a visit to the Perito Moreno glacier will be the highlight of the day. This glacier with its 60 m / 197 ft wall of ice is one of the few in the world that are still growing. We will try to see it close-up and from all sides. after a nice picnic with a great view onto the glacier we will be able to organize an optional short hike on the glacier with an expert local guide or take a one our navigation tour in to the lake we will go on a hike in the national park. Return to El Calafate in the afternoon and overnight at the hotel. (B, Bl)

Day 13: El Calafate – Punta Arenas
crossing the flat and widespread Pampa, we will start our trip back to Chile and enjoy a nice picnic on the way. occasionally, we may see guanacos, ñandús or even flamingos. We will then arrive to Punta Arenas to enjoy a city tour. overnight in Punta Arenas. (B, Bl, D)

Day 14: Flight back to Santiago de Chile
Drive to the airport in Punta Arenas and flight back to Santiago (approx. 4 hours). Transfer to our hotel in santiago and overnight. (B)

Day 15: Departure
Transfer to the international airport in santiago and end of our tour through Patagonia. (B)

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2011-2012 Price per person, double occupancy: US$3669. Single supplement = $989

2011-2012 dates: October: 30 , November: 20 , December: 11 , January: 08 , February: 12

Minimum of 2 passengers and maximum of 14.

Program includes: 14 overnights with breakfast (sometimes at rustic National Park Lodges), 6 lunch boxes and 5 dinners, transfers and excursions with driver and English speaking guide from/to Santiago de Chile, entrance fees, surprise gift.

Not included: National flights, meals other than above mentioned, wine, beer or liquor with meals, porter, all other expenses.

Activities/Fitness: This tour was especially designed for nature lovers; during several days (see itinerary) tourists are free to participate in exciting hiking 'excursions of medium length (half day) and fitness level.

Please remember: Many National Parks are off main roads and access ways are not always paved. Road conditions are weather dependent. 'Depending on the size of group minivans or small buses are used.

**Please Note:Groups with only 2 - 3 pax travel with local guide in Santiago and driver guide in Lake District. Groups with 4 pax has local guides.

National flights: Client must book the following flights: Santiago - Temuco on Day 2, Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas on Day 8 and Punta Arenas - Santiago on Day 14.

Hour flights recommended
Santiago - Temuco: 11:15 - 12:35
Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas: 08:40 - 10:50
Punta Arenas - Santiago: 12:15 - 15:40

Hotels for this program:
Santiago: Hotel Plaza San Francisco
Pucón area: Hotel Landhaus San Sebastián
San Martín de los Andes (Argentina): Hotel Le Chatelet
Villa La Angostura: Hostería La Escondida
Petrohué: Hotel Petrohué
Puerto Natales: Costaustralis
Torres del Paine: Hostería Mirador del Paine
El Calafate (Argentina): Hotel Sierra Nevada
Punta Arenas: Cabo de Hornos

Booked hotels may vary in each tour depending on availiability or size of group. The hotel may be changed in case group is too big and more rooms are needed.