Itinerary
- Day 1
Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas
Start by picking up your rental car at Puerto Montt airport, then drive to Puerto Varas. This town has quite a bit of history, founded back in 1854 by German immigrants, so you'll notice that heritage in the architecture and layout. Spend time walking the pleasant streets, poking into cozy cafés, and browsing the colorful shops. From the lake promenade, you can take in views across Lake Llanquihue with Osorno volcano rising in the distance.
Optional Activities
- Explore Puerto Varas town center
- Walk along lake promenade
- Visit cafés and shops
Landmarks/POIs Lake Llanquihue Osorno Volcano - Day 2
Puerto Varas
Head to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, where you'll find some really diverse activities. Check out Lake Todos Los Santos and the Petrohue river with its waterfall, then drive up Osorno volcano to about 1,250 meters. If hiking appeals to you, several trails are available at different difficulty levels. A chairlift is also there if you prefer not to hike the whole way. Local operators can arrange rafting, horse riding, fishing, or bicycle rentals if you want to try something different.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park
- Hike on various trails
- Use chairlift on Osorno volcano
- Rafting
- Horse riding
- Fishing
- Bicycle rental
Landmarks/POIs Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park Lake Todos Los Santos Petrohue Waterfall Osorno Volcano - Day 3
Puerto Varas to Hornopirén
Drive south past Alerce Andino National Park toward Hornopirén. Once you arrive, you have a few options to choose from. The Termas de Pichicolo thermal springs are nearby if you want to relax. If you're up for a longer hike, Lake Cabrera is about 6 hours round trip. Alternatively, try a horseback riding tour to the lake for a different pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Alerce Andino National Park
- Visit Termas de Pichicolo thermal springs
- Hike to Lake Cabrera (approximately 6 hours round trip)
- Horseback riding tour to Lake Cabrera
Landmarks/POIs Alerce Andino National Park Termas de Pichicolo Lake Cabrera - Day 4
Hornopirén to Chaitén
Take the ferry from Hornopirén to Caleta Gonzalo, which is a nice transition in your journey. Plan to arrive at the departure point about an hour before the ferry leaves. Your ferry ticket gets issued on site with your passport number, so bring it with you. After crossing, continue driving on to Chaitén.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry from Hornopirén to Caleta Gonzalo
- Day 5
Chaitén
Spend the day exploring Pumalin National Park, which has untouched rainforest and giant trees spread throughout. Various hiking trails let you get into these landscapes at your own pace. One interesting option is climbing the old crater rim of Chaitén volcano to see the new dome that formed between 2008 and 2010, which is still smoking today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike in Pumalin National Park
- Climb Chaitén volcano crater rim
Landmarks/POIs Pumalin National Park Chaitén Volcano - Day 6
Chaitén to Puyuhuapi
Head south on the Carretera Austral, first back to Santa Lucia then on to La Junta. From here, you get to pick your route. One option goes east to Lago Verde through a narrow gravel road with scenic stops at Rosselot river and Figueroa river valley. The other option heads west along the Palena River to the coast and Puerto Raul Marin Balmaceda on a sand island (ferry required to reach it).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Drive to Lago Verde via gravel road
- Drive west along Palena River to Puerto Raul Marin Balmaceda
Landmarks/POIs Lago Verde Rosselot River Figueroa River Palena River Puerto Raul Marin Balmaceda - Day 7
Puyuhuapi
Visit Queulat National Park to see the Hanging Glacier, called Ventisquero Colgante locally. Various hikes are available depending on your fitness level. The more strenuous options lead to viewpoints where you can really take in the glacier views from different angles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Queulat National Park
- Hike to Hanging Glacier viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Queulat National Park Hanging Glacier (Ventisquero Colgante) - Day 8
Puyuhuapi to Coyhaique
Drive through deep rainforest for most of the day, crossing a pass and descending into the Cisnes river valley. As you travel, you'll notice the landscape and vegetation gradually changing character. Eventually you'll arrive in Coyhaique, the regional capital, which sits at the entrance to the huge eastern pampas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Cisnes River Valley - Day 9
Coyhaique to Puerto Tranquilo
Stop at Cerro Castillo to visit a museum housed in an old school building with insights into the area's history, geography, and settlement. Or, if you prefer something different, take boat tours from Puerto Tranquilo to the Marble Caves. Fair warning: the second part of today's route has very curvy roads with vehicles sometimes coming at excessive speed, so take your time and stay alert.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Cerro Castillo museum
- Boat tours to Marble Caves from Puerto Tranquilo
Landmarks/POIs Marble Caves - Day 10
Puerto Tranquilo
Explore the pristine Valle Exploradores valley on a hike through the area. You can also take a boat excursion to San Rafael Glacier, which is known for its enormous size and bright blue colors. The full trip involves driving through Valle Exploradores (2.5 hours) and then a 1.5-hour boat journey to the glacier bay. A transfer vehicle can pick you up from Puerto Tranquilo if you'd prefer not to drive yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike in Valle Exploradores valley
- Boat excursion to San Rafael Glacier (€220 per person; transfer €25 per person)
Landmarks/POIs Valle Exploradores San Rafael Glacier - Day 11
Puerto Tranquilo to Lake Posadas
Continue to Lago General Carrera, the second largest lake in South America. A little south, the Rio Nef connects with the Rio Baker, Chile's most water-rich river. The spot where these two rivers meet, known as Confluencia, ranks among the trip's top scenic highlights. Travel through Valle Chacabuco and Parque Nacional Patagonia via the Paso Roballos border crossing for added views on the Argentine side.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Lago General Carrera Rio Nef Rio Baker Confluencia Valle Chacabuco Parque Nacional Patagonia - Day 12
Lake Posadas to Estancia La Angostura
Return on Ruta 39 and continue to Ruta 40 at Bajo Caracoles. Follow Ruta 40 south for about 155 kilometers to the turnoff for Piedra Buena or Puerto San Juan. Stay on Ruta 40 until you reach Estancia La Angostura entrance after roughly 29 kilometers. Once there, you can participate in bird watching, fishing, horse riding, hiking, or visiting Laguna Tonchi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bird watching
- Fishing
- Horse riding
- Hiking
- Visit Laguna Tonchi
Landmarks/POIs Laguna Tonchi - Day 13
Estancia La Angostura to El Chaltén
Drive to El Chaltén, a mountaineering village at the foot of Fitz Roy on the northern shore of Lake Viedma, roughly 220 kilometers from El Calafate. The region within Los Glaciares National Park draws people with its glacial landscapes, hidden lagoons, cozy estancias, and the majestic Fitz Roy. The area earned the title of national hiking capital because of all the activities available for hikers and climbers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Fitz Roy Lake Viedma - Day 14
El Chaltén
Take a free day for independent hiking around El Chaltén. Head to the tourist information office to grab hiking maps. A solid option is the Capri Lagoon trail (5 hours), a classic trek with impressive landscapes and forests leading to a beautiful lagoon. From there, you get great views of the Fitz Roy summit, with the trail also passing viewpoints, beech forests, a campsite, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Trekking Tour Capri Lagoon (5 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Capri Lagoon - Day 15
El Chaltén
Another free day for hiking in Los Glaciares National Park. Try trekking to Laguna Torre at the foot of Cerro Torre if you're fit and have good footing. Alternatively, take a boat trip on Lago del Desierto with a hike to Huemul Glacier. The Salto El Chorillo waterfall is just 500 meters from town if you want something shorter.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike to Laguna Torre at Cerro Torre
- Boat trip on Lago del Desierto
- Hike to Huemul Glacier
- Visit Salto El Chorillo waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Los Glaciares National Park Laguna Torre Cerro Torre Lago del Desierto Huemul Glacier Salto El Chorillo - Day 16
El Chaltén to El Calafate
Drive to El Calafate, the southern entrance to Los Glaciares National Park on the southern shore of Lago Argentino. You can stop at archaeological sites near La Leona along the way. In town, visit the Santa Teresa chapel and walk Perito Moreno Street, which climbs the high hill south of the city with views of the Andes foothills, Lake Redonda, and Isla Soledad.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit archaeological sites near La Leona
- Visit Santa Teresa chapel
- Walk Perito Moreno Street
Landmarks/POIs Lago Argentino Los Glaciares National Park Santa Teresa Chapel Lake Redonda Isla Soledad - Day 17
El Calafate
Visit the Perito Moreno Glacier about 80 kilometers away in Los Glaciares National Park. This glacier stretches 5 kilometers long and towers up to 80 meters above Lake Argentino. You can view it from multiple viewing platforms and balconies opposite the glacier face. It's one of the few calving glaciers worldwide, forming a dam that blocks water in the Brazo Rico river. Every 4 to 5 years the water pressure breaks the ice dam apart, and you can watch ice chunks fall year-round. Optional glacier navigation tours are available if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Half-day boat excursion Lago Grey with English-speaking tour guide
Optional Activities
- Glacier navigation excursion
Landmarks/POIs Perito Moreno Glacier Los Glaciares National Park Lake Argentino - Day 18
El Calafate to Torres del Paine
Drive 300 kilometers through the pampas toward the Chilean border. Stop in the border town of Cerro Castillo for lunch at El Ovejero restaurant. After eating, continue another 30 kilometers to the entrance of Torres del Paine National Park. This park has rugged mountains, blue lakes, and connections to the southern Patagonian ice field. Explore the southeastern entrance gates and look for guanacos grazing in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Lunch at El Ovejero restaurant in Cerro Castillo
Landmarks/POIs Torres del Paine National Park Torres del Paine - Day 19
Torres del Paine
Travel about 20 kilometers from your hotel to Lake Gray and check in for a boat tour (roughly 4 hours) at the lodge there. The boat takes you impressively close to the Gray Glacier, which can only be reached by water. From the boat, you experience the raw power of the glacier up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Half-day boat excursion Lago Grey with English-speaking tour guide
Landmarks/POIs Gray Glacier Lake Gray - Day 20
Torres del Paine
Enjoy another day of activities in Torres del Paine with several solid options. Hike to the Las Torres viewpoint through steppe terrain, cross the Ascencio River, climb steeply past the Wind mountain pass, reach the El Chileno mountain hut, and continue through southern beech forest to the granite tower viewpoints. Or try hiking or horseback riding to Cerro Almirante Nieto, hiking to Valle Francés (which requires a catamaran crossing on Lake Pehoe), or taking shorter walks to Salto Grande waterfall or Mirador de los Cuernos viewpoint.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike to Las Torres viewpoint
- Hike or horseback ride to Cerro Almirante Nieto
- Hike to Valle Francés
- Hike to Salto Grande waterfall
- Hike to Mirador de los Cuernos viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Las Torres Viewpoint Ascencio River El Chileno Mountain Hut Cerro Almirante Nieto Valle Francés Lake Pehoe Salto Grande Mirador de los Cuernos - Day 21
Torres del Paine to Puerto Natales
Drive from Torres del Paine National Park to Puerto Natales, the gateway to the Fjord of Last Hope. Stop at the Milodon Cave on the way, which is well-developed and worth the time to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Milodon Cave
Landmarks/POIs Milodon Cave - Day 22
Puerto Natales
Take a full-day boat trip through the Bay of Last Hope to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Start with a catamaran from Puerto Natales heading to the mouth of the Serrano River, where you'll observe southern beech forests, cormorants, and possibly seals approaching the impressive Balmaceda glacier (cascading from Cerro Balmaceda at 2,250 meters). You'll disembark at Puerto Toro and hike through southern beech forest to a lagoon with views of the calving Serrano glacier. On the return to Puerto Natales, enjoy whiskey served on millennia-old glacier ice.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Full-day boat excursion Fjord of Last Hope with English-speaking tour guide
- Entry to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
- Coffee & tea on board
- Whiskey on glacier ice
Landmarks/POIs Bay of Last Hope Balmaceda Glacier Serrano Glacier Cerro Balmaceda Bernardo O'Higgins National Park Puerto Toro Serrano River - Day 23
Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
Drive 250 kilometers from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas, located at the end of the South American continent on the Strait of Magellan. Founded in 1845, the city has a very European feel throughout. Visit the ship museum with replicas of Magellan's Nao Victoria and Captain Fitzroy's Beagle, the large cemetery with white mausoleums donated by Sarah Braun, walk the wide well-maintained streets, or check out the regional museum, Cerveza Austral brewery, and Bulnes Fortress.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit ship museum
- Visit cemetery
- Stroll city streets
- Visit regional museum
- Visit Cerveza Austral brewery
- Visit Bulnes Fortress
- Day 24
Punta Arenas
Drop off the rental car at the airport and fly back to Europe via Santiago.
