South Americas Best Road trip

Things you'll see

El Chalten to Bariloche
6 Days

(see this tour in reverse)

Day 1.

Departing El Chalten and the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares we head up the infamous Route 40. Paralleling the remarkable Andean mountain range we travel through the vast Patagonian plains stopping overnight at a remote Estancia that still remains a working sheep and horse ranch today.

Day 2 & 3.

We continue up Route 40 and cross the border into Chile where we join the Carretera Austral. The Carretera Austral (Southern Road) is a remote, unspoiled region of intense natural beauty and is often referred to as one of South America’s best road trips.
We pass through farm land before entering dense sub-tropical rainforest as we make our way to the Queulat National Park. Enjoy a hike to the spectacular Enchanted Forest, a walk which will take us through a luxuriant and magical wood of exotic trees, where we’ll have the chance to watch various birds and an opportunity to enjoy this wonderful place. You will also have the opportunity to get up close to a spectacular hanging glacier. The Queulat National Park is a wild and pristine territory where the evergreen forest is topped with the glaciers and ice fields of the Austral Andes, and complemented with the rich bio diversity of the fjords and channels of the Austral Pacific. Before being a park this land was never inhabited by anyone or any road or path ever crossed it, it is the only national park in Chile with virgin land that can be reached by car. It is the forest mentioned by Nobel price Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, in his memoirs. Walk through dense evergreen forest, and cross a raging glacier river before hiking up for great views of the glacier.

Day 4 & 5.

We continue along the Carretera Austral and the Chilean fiords, past the quaint fishing village of Puyuhuapi, and arrive in the Valley of Futaleufu. Here we have walks to enjoy such as a hike along the raging Futaleufu River. Alternatively enjoy horse riding through the valley or for the adventure seekers there are opportunities to raft some of the many rivers in the region including the Grade 5 Futaleufu (optional). Here we stay on a working farm in the Futaleufu valley, situated eight on the edge of the Futaleufu River. Watch condors soaring overhead, relax in the hot tub and try and find the face of the Indian in the steep rock cliff for which the farm is named.

Day 6.

We cross crossing the mighty Futaleufu River back into Argentina. The trip takes us north past a series of lakes and through forested hills to arrive in Bariloche, which lies at the centre of the Nahual Huapi National Park. Your tour ends after lunch upon arrival in Bariloche.

Note: The information regarding itinerary is given in good faith and is subject to change and /or cancellation, due to weather / political and / or country instabilities and general safety / road conditions etc. Any such changes and/or cancellations which are in our control will be decided by the crew and will be discussed with the group beforehand whenever possible.

Please download theRoute 40 and the Carretera Austral Tour Dossier for more detailed information.

What's Included?

• 5 nights accommodation - 1 nights in comfortable tourist class hotel or guesthouse, 3 nights in cabins, 1 night Estancia (Ranch).
• Transport in our custom built all-terrain expedition vehicles
• Approximately 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
• Service of an experienced western tour leader as well as local guides
• Experienced Driver/Mechanic 
• All National Park Entrance fees
• Rates valid from October 2012 until April 2013

Please download the Route 40 and the Carretera Austral Tour Dossier for more detailed information.

Activites (Included)

• Hiking in Futaleufu region – Carretera Austral
• Queulat National Park & Queulat Hanging Glacier – Carretera Austral
• Overnight at a Patagonian Estancia – Route 40

Tour Notes

• This tour joins with our Lakes District Discovery & our Southern Explorer tours.
• You need to arrive in El Chalten atleast 1 day prior to the tour beginning. Pre-departure meeting will be held at 7 pm the evening prior to departure.
• The tour finishes on arrival into Bariloche, accommodation in Bariloche is not included.
• We can help you with pre and post tour arrangements, contact us for more information 
• Please note that travel along the Carretera Austral & Route 40  is subject to road and weather conditions at the time of travel

  Please download theRoute 40 and the Carretera Austral Tour Dossier for more detailed information.

Booking Route 40 + Carretera Austral

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Tour Options

The following options are available on this tour:
(you can select these during the booking process)

	MV Australis Cruise - 5 Day - Punta Arenas to Ushuaia	$3125.00 AUD Per Person (Twin Share)
	LOW SEASON 1 September - 31 October 2009 Cruise the Southern Fiords in style on board the wonderful MV Mare or MV Via Australis cruise vessels. Based on B type cabin.
	More on MV Australis Cruise - 5 Day - Punta Arenas to Ushuaia

	MV Australis Cruise - 5 Days - Punta Arenas to Ushuaia	$3795.00 AUD Per Person (Twin Share)
	HIGH SEASON 1 November - 31 December 2009 Cruise the Southern Fiords in style on board the wonderful MV Mare or MV Via Australis cruise vessels. Based on B Type Cabin ***Xmas & New Year supplements apply***
	More on MV Australis Cruise - 5 Days - Punta Arenas to Ushuaia

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