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Patagonia Lakes Crossing, vacation in some of the most scenic locales in Patagonia travel
Vacation in some of the most scenic locales in Patagonia travel
Duration: 8 days
2+ Travelers: $2,495 per person
This idyllic South America vacation takes you to some of the most scenic locales of Patagonia travel, starting in Argentina and ending in Chile. This Patagonia hiking odyssey is interspersed with boating and kayaking excursions across the pristine lakes that have made the region a magnet for travelers seeking the solitude of wilderness. No matter how many photos you take, the panoramic vistas and aromatic forest air of Patagonia may only be captured fully in your memory. In just eight days, you'll visit two national parks: Nahuel Huapi, Argentina's first and largest national park, and Alerce Andino across the border in Chile. You'll travel across the Lakes Region from one country to the other by boat and have some flexibility to fit in a visit to a penguin colony or keep hiking. To experience Argentina Patagonia and Chile Patagonia all in one trip makes this the perfect South America hiking adventure for travelers with a tight schedule.
The Patagonia Lakes Crossing tour can also be arranged on a private departure basis. Please so we may explain details and costs.
Patagonia Lakes Crossing Vacation Itinerary
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Day 1 (Thu): ARRIVE BUENOS AIRES
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At the international airport in Buenos Aires, you'll meet a Southern Explorations representative who will get you to your hotel so you can enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure in this world-class city. Buenos Aires is a thriving capital with cosmopolitan sights and fascinating neighborhoods to explore. Our popular Four Balconies Tour of Buenos Aires is one way to become familiar with the rich history of this sophisticated metropolis. Overnight at your convenient hotel in an interesting Buenos Aires neighborhood.
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 (Fri): BUENOS AIRES - BARILOCHE
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After breakfast, you'll be transferred from your hotel to the domestic airport for your flight to Bariloche, Argentina, a picturesque resort town on the shores of serene Lake Nahuel Huapi. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, getting acquainted with this idyllic mountain town. (B)
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Day 3 (Sat): HIKING NEAR BARILOCHE
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After breakfast, you'll be transferred from your hotel to the trailhead to begin your Patagonia hiking. According to your pace, you'll hike for two to three hours into the alpine zone, stopping to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch amidst pristine lakes, glaciated summits, forests and Andean peaks. Replenished, you'll complete the final three to four hours of Patagonia hiking. You'll be brought back to your hotel in time to prepare for an enjoyable evening on your own at one of the city's fine restaurants. (B,L)
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Day 4 (Sun): NAHUEL HUAPI LAKE - KAYAKING
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This peaceful day of kayaking may be enjoyed by all, regardless of fitness level. After breakfast, you'll be taken from the hotel to a boat-launching beach. Accompanied by guides, today's full day of paddling will be divided by a lakeside picnic in an idyllic setting. The trip ends at the landmark Llao-Llao Hotel where you will be transferred back to your Bariloche accommodations in time to enjoy a last evening in this heavenly part of the Lakes District. (B,L)
Patagonia Hike & Kayak Option
If your group prefers to pair gentle trekking with kayaking today, a full day of both may be arranged. Begin by driving to Lopez Bay in the morning and hiking the well-traveled trail to the Tristeza lookout point. Atop this granite dome with breathtaking views, you will enjoy a scenic lunch. After returning to the trailhead and receiving a safety briefing, you will paddle the Moreno Lake for the remainder of the afternoon before returning to your Bariloche hotel. (B,L)
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Day 5 (Mon): BARILOCHE - LAKES CROSSING - PUERTO VARAS
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Cruise vast Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest
After breakfast, you board a catamaran at the Puerto Panuelo pier near Bariloche to cruise vast Lake Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Blest. From here, a bus will take you to Puerto Alegre via an Andean larch forest. You'll have superb cloud forest views as you cross Lake Frias on the way to Puerto Frias and the border to start your Chile Patagonia vacation. From there, a quick bus ride gets you to the village of Peulla for a delicious lunch. From there, you'll cruise the emerald waters of Todos los Santos Lake to the Petrohue River. The volcanoes from this vantage point are stunning with 11,453-ft Tronador, famous for the thunderous sounds of ice falling from its summit; 7,185-ft Puntiagudo and 8,530-ft Osorno all in view. Reaching the pier on the Petrohue River, you will travel to today's final destination, the quaint town of Puerto Varas and your comfortable hotel for the night. (B)
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Day 6 (Tue): OSORNO VOLCANO - PETROHUE - PUERTO VARAS
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In the morning you'll set out on a full-day Patagonia tour to the Osorno Volcano, traveling first along the shore of Lago Llanquihue where views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoe are breathtaking. At the Saltos de Petrohue (Petrohue Rapids), you'll stop to see this series of rapids and waterfalls that resulted from the cooling lava. The lava now forms an unusual sculpture of extruded rock, shaped by thousands of years of thundering water flow. From here, a gravel road takes you to an altitude of 4,265 feet onto the lower reaches of vast Osorno, making the volcano seems very, very large. You'll also have views of the volcanoes Calbuco, Antillanca and Tronador with the Andes towering in the background. You return to Puerto Varas and your hotel in the afternoon. (B)
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Day 7 (Wed): FULL DAY ACTIVITY
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On your last day in the Puerto Varas region, you have your choice of activity and then return to your hotel for a final free evening here in Chile Patagonia. (B)
OPTION I: LOS ALERCE ANDINO NATIONAL PARK
This visit to Alerce Andino National Park takes you part way by canoe and part way on foot to stand among the towering redwoods. The Alerce is a giant coniferous tree distantly related to the California redwood, and Alerce Andino National Park protects the largest surviving Valdivian Rainforest. Excessive walking is not involved on this excursion, so everyone can enjoy this unforgettable experience.
After breakfast you'll set out for the park, located southeast of Puerto Montt, near where the Austral highway begins. In canoes, you'll cross the Sargazo Lagoon, paddling about one hour to reach the trail to some of the oldest Alerces in the park. At this natural monument, you will stop for a snack before returning to the canoes to paddle back to the other side of the river and complete the final walk of the excursion before reaching the vehicles.
OPTION II: ANCUD - PENGUIN COLONIES
This trip to the island of Chiloé off the Chile Patagonia coast is for penguin lovers. Chiloé is an island full of fishing legends and superstitions about old monsters who roam the night seas on elaborately painted ghost ships. The stop in the quaint former capital of Ancud is full of great photographic subjects.
You'll start out early, driving south toward the Pacific, crossing the Straights of Pargua by ferry to the island of Chiloé. You'll drive first to the Bay of Caulin to experience the solitude of this untouched place. It is an ideal spot to observe swans and other species. When the tide is out, you may go beachcombing as the local residents do. You'll continue on to Ancud, where there will be time to enjoy the picturesque surroundings of rustic homes and traditional fishing boats. You'll visit the historic Spanish forts and local market of traders and artisans. When you reach the northern coast of the island, you visit the World Wildlife Fund sponsored penguin colony, one of the few places where Magellanic and Humboldt penguins live together. A small zodiac boat will transport you around the small islands of penguin rookeries. Under the right weather conditions, you may also observe a sea lion colony as well. You'll enjoy a picnic on the beach. Head back to Puerto Varas and arrive at your hotel in the evening in time for a final dinner.
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Day 8 (Thu): PUERTO VARAS - PUERTO MONTT - SANTIAGO - HOME
After breakfast, you are transferred to the Puerto Montt Airport, marking the end of your Patagonia trip. From here, you'll fly to Santiago, Chile to make your connecting international flight home or to continue on the next leg of your South America tour. (B)
View Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
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More information about Traveling in Patagonia
KEY TO MAP
Itinerary Map
CHILE EXTENSIONS
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT ARGENTINA
TOURS AND TRAVEL
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CALL
1.877.784.5400
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2012 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Saturday Departures
2 person minimum / 8 maximum
Feb
04-11
18-25
Mar
03-10
Private Departures can be arranged. Please regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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Professional, English-speaking local guides
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All hotel accommodations (twin shared basis including continental breakfast)
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Meals as indicated
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All transfers in private van
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Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks, archaeological sites and boats
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Southern Explorations pre departure services
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Excluded in tour cost
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International round-trip airfare to Buenos aires
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$300 Airfare (Buenos Aires / Bariloche), subject to change
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$290 Airfare (Puerto Montt / Santiago), subject to change
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Reciprocity Fee $141
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Lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise noted)
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Hiking boots and other personal gear
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Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).
PHYSICAL RATING
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Moderate - Difficult
CHILE / ARG ACCOMMODATION
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Patagonia Lakes Crossing:
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7 nights hotel
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $550
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Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3.5% cash discount
