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A Civilized Walking Adventure in Northern Patagonia
Type of Trip: Hiking Length: 11 days Season: October-April Rating: Grade I
This exciting adventure features the best of Chile and Argentina’s Patagonia Lake District, one of the most arrestingly beautiful destinations in the world! Quaint farms and villages, with strong northern European influences, are carved out of dense, temperate rainforest, lush with bamboo, rhubarb and fuchsia. Dazzling blue lakes and snow-glazed volcanoes embrace tracts of unspoiled forest, rich river estuaries and flower-strewn alpine meadows, all showcased in some of South America’s oldest national parks.
On the Patagonia Lake District Odyssey, active days are complimented by nights at fine hotels and lodges, offering luxurious amenities, gourmet meals and excellent Chilean and Argentine wine.
Trip Highlights:
- Amble along the perfectly conical white-peaked Osorno Volcano
- Stretch your legs on a walk within Chile’s most popular national park, Puyehue
- Rejuvenate in a thermal spa that is fed by natural hot springs
- Arrive by catamaran to explore the famed Arrayanes Forest, or El Bosque
- Hike in Nahuel Huapi National Park, based at the luxurious alpine-style Llao Llao Resort
- Experience a traditional dinner and tango show in pulsating Buenos Aires
Brief Itinerary
DAY 1: HOME
Depart home on an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile’s cosmopolitan capital.DAY 2: SANTIAGO / PUERTO MONTT / PUERTO VARAS
Arrival in Santiago and connection to Puerto Montt. Drive to Puerto Varas and visit Frutillar on the shores of Lake Llanquihue.DAY 3: LAKE LLANQUIHUE / OSORNO / PUERTO VARAS
Hike on the slopes of Osorno Volcano, view the Petrohue Falls and tour Todos los Santos Lake.DAY 4: PUYEHUE NATIONAL PARK
Overland to Puyehue National Park for scenic hikes and hot springs.DAY 5: INTERNATIONAL LAND CROSSING
Hike to the Princess Falls and drive across the Chilean border to Villa Angostura, Argentina.DAY 6: VILLA LA ANGOSTURA
Catch a ferry to Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes. Walk the trail to the Coihue tree called “Abuelo”.DAY 7: BARILOCHE / LLAO LLAO
Belvedere lookout hike, drive by Nahuel Huapi Lake and reach the Argentinian resort town of Bariloche.DAY 8: NAHUEL HUAPI PARK
Walking and sightseeing around Cerro Otto and Nahuel Huapi National Park.DAY 9: BARILOCHE / BUENOS AIRES
Scenic walk to Brazo Tristeza and chairlift to the top of Cerro Campanario. Flight to Buenos Aires, dinner and a tango show.DAY 10: BUENOS AIRES / USA
Day tour of the highlights of Buenos Aires, board overnight flight home.DAY 11: ARRIVE HOME
Arrive back in your gateway city this morning and make onward connections home.
All Southwind itineraries are fully customizable to your personal interests and travel dates. Please contact us for firsthand knowledge and help with your travel plans.
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF for the 2024/25 season)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.Departures
On request any week throughout the October-April season
You can pick your own dates and have Southwind design a custom itinerary anytime during the season for a minimum of four participants. Please contact our Travel Specialists.
2024/2025 Land Cost
4-5 participants: from $8,500 p.p.d.
6-9 participants: from $7,900 p.p.d.
10-12 participants: from $7,400 p.p.d.
Single Supplement: from $2,200p.p.d. = per person based on double occupancy. Price does not include international or local flights. Southwind ticketing affiliate helps coordinate flights to match your itinerary.
Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF for the 2024/25 season)
With full trip profile, inclusions/exclusions, estimated airfare, and other info.Radisson Puerto Varas Hotel
The 4-star Radisson Hotel (formerly Gran Hotel Colonos del Sur) opened in 2009 and was designed by some of the country’s most prominent architects and interior decorators. Its style is meant to evoke the area’s German colonization in the mid-1800s. Located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue.
Termas de Puyehue Hotel
As one of Chile’s finest all-inclusive resorts, Termas de Puyehue Hotel has a variety of first-class amenities and activities for guests to enjoy. Hours can be spent relaxing at the pool bar, family lounge bar, or the piano bar. Full spa services are complemented by three indoor and outdoor thermal pools.
Hosteria las Balsas
Tucked into a bay on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Hostería Las Balsas is one of only two Relais & Chateaux properties in Argentina, known for their dedication to French style living in country lodgings. The intimate property has only 15 rooms, each individually decorated and with beautiful views of the lake.
Villa La Angostura: Correntoso
A member of the distinguished Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the history of Correntoso Lake & River Hotel began when pioneer Primo Capraro built a small cabin in the remote Patagonian wilderness in 1917. Overlooking Nahuel Huapi Lake, the property has gradually transformed into the award-winning masterpiece it is today.
Llao Llao Resort & Spa
Visible cypress timber blends with regional green stones to make the Llao Llao Resort & Spa one of the most striking properties in South America. The resort’s combination of amenities, recreation and 5-star service has earned it the distinction as one of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Emperador Hotel
The modern architecture, classic details, and natural lighting of the Emperador Hotel make it one of Buenos Aires’ finest properties. Situated in the chic Recoleta neighborhood, the 5-star hotel’s well-appointed rooms feature views of the city, river or hotel garden.
Testimonials
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“The entire itinerary worked out extremely well. We couldn’t be more pleased. Both the wine country in Chile and our stay in Puerto Varas were wonderful. Mendoza and the Uco Valley were also terrific. Thank you and great job!”
Paul Markovich – Oakland, CA
★★★★★ -
“You should emphasize the very nice accommodations and food…was pleasantly surprised by the luxury.”
Marc Key – Ojai, CA
★★★★★ -
“I wanted to let you know what an extraordinary experience this trip was! Thank you. I took an African trip to Kenya with A&K and you are both equally excellent; however, I felt Southwind was the better choice for South America. Your articles & maps were appreciated and you have excellent background material.”
Loretta Klassen – Slinger, WI
★★★★★