Lake District Odyssey

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

Lake District Odyssey

Trip 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.

Lake District Odyssey

Dates & Rates

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 $2,200

p.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.

Lake District Odyssey

Accommodations

PUERTO VARAS: RADISSON 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.

PUYEHUE: 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.

LAKE NAHUEL HUAPI: 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.

BARILOCHE: 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.

BUENOS AIRES: 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.

Lake District Odyssey

Extensions

EASTER ISLAND
Length: 5 Days/4 Nights from Santiago
Season: October – April
One of the most isolated islands in the world, with enormous stone figures erected hundreds of years ago, Easter Island is a land shrouded in enigma in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Spend 3 full days to explore this fascinating island.

IGUAZU FALLS
Length: 3 days/2 nights from Buenos Aires
Season: Year-round
Iguazú Falls, one of the world’s most famed waterfalls, is located in a dense tropical forest along the Brazilian border in northern Argentina. At 230 feet in height and a-mile-and-a-half-wide, the falls are higher than Niagara!

extend your patagonia lake district odyssey

ATACAMA DESERT
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights
Season: Year-round
The driest desert on the planet, the starkly desolate, but unique, Atacama Desert in northern Chile, with its canyons, salt lakes, geysers, hot springs, and volcanic peaks, make it ideal for active nature lovers.

MENDOZA WINE REGION
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Buenos Aires
Season: October – April
Refine your connoisseur palette in Mendoza, South America’s premiere wine region famous for its varieties of Malbec. During this 4-day cultural and gourmet experience, you’ll visit several top wineries.

SALTA AND CAYAFATE
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Buenos Aires
Season: April – November
The colonial city of Salta, called Salta la Linda or “Salta the beautiful”, is home to Argentina’s best-preserved colonial architecture. This is the place to enjoy nature, learn about the local Spanish and Gaucho culture, and taste delicious wines and traditional dishes.