Andes Cross – Argentina & Chile
Arrival. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast. In the morning City tour. This tour gives you the emotion of a multiple Buenos Aires. We will visit the most characteristic places of the “Paris of America”. The Obelisk, Colon Theatre, Recoleta Cemetery, May square (surrounded by the cathedral, the Cabildo, and the pink house where the president works) are some of the highlights that we will include in the tour. We will also visit La Boca neighbourhood which was seat of immigrants – mainly Italians – and now home of some artists; San Telmo, traditional neighbourhood where Tango performances can be seen in many bars and restaurants; the elegant Recoleta, and the most modern: Puerto Madero.
Breakfast. Day at leisure. We suggest Gaucho Party Tour. In this tour we will find the gauchos county side life and the peaceful and kind town where he lives. That is why the argentinean Pampa is part of our tradition. The asado (barbecue), gaucho´s activities and abilities, dances, and folk games are some of the options to enjoy. Pampa is like this, gauchos, fields, traditions, crafts, a tour to learn and enjoy. This fullday tour includes lunch.
Breakfast. Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport for flight to Bariloche (BRC). Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast. Full day Tour Small Circuit. This circuit is a traditional option that takes only half a day. Generally it is the first excursion one does and thus, the first contact with the landscape of the region. It is approximately 60 kilometers long and it begins and ends in San Carlos de Bariloche, following lake Nahuel Huapi’s waterfront along a paved road called Avenida Ezequiel Bustillo. Lake Nahuel Huapi is the biggest lake of the whole region. It has a surface of 55.700 hectares. All along the way, you will be accompanied by it as well as by the Andean peaks and the opposite shores in the distance.
As we begin this circuit you will notice well-kept gardens and the typical construction style consisting mainly of wood and local stone. Some belong to pioneers and some to institutions such as the nautical club. As we go along, the landscape offers different aspects of the lake, the type of forest begins to vary intermingled with cypress and maitén trees and in the summer time these colors are accentuated by the flowers of wild rose, wild berries, Spanish broom and other wild species.
At kilometer 17 we will make a stop at the chairlift of Cerro Campanario, which will let us have a magnificent view from 1050 m.a.s.l. As we continue we will reach the entrance to the San Pedro Peninsula and at kilometer 24, we will be at the Llao Llao peninsula. Here our attention will be drawn to the St. Eduard’s Chapel, Puerto Pañuelo and the link grounds of the Llao Llao Hotel strategically located between lakes Moreno and Nahuel Huapi. At this point the landscape is a conjunction of colors and shapes that give the Nahuel Huapi National Park its well-deserved fame. .
Then comes the orchards of the Swiss settlers, the panoramic or lookout point on lake Moreno, and Laguna El Trebol. A few kilometers further the road links again with Avenida Bustillo and we will be heading back to the city of San Carlos de Bariloche.
Breakfast. In the morning excursion Lake Crossing (2 days and 1 night). The excursion starts at Puerto Pañuelo, where we will embark to sail across Lake Nahuel Huapi up to the Blest arm of the lake. At Puerto Blest we will disembark. Then, a bus will take us to Puerto Alegre (a short trip indeed) and once again we will set sail on a catamaran across the greenish waters of Lake FrÃas to reach Puerto Frias 20 minutes later.
Here we will do a quick Customs check and continue by bus. At 976 meters above sea level, surrounded by lush vegetation, we will arrive at Peulla, at around 5pm.
This German-style hotel built of local wood offers full facilities. After checking in, you will have some free time to go for a walk around the place and get to the “Cascada Velo de la Novia” (Bride’s Veil Cascade), where you can enjoy the landscape and commune with the magic beauty of the place.
Breakfast. On the second day, we will be taken by bus to Puerto Peulla, where we will embark again and sail across Todos los Santos lake, also known as Lake Esmeralda. After two hours you we get to Petrohué.
Petrohué is a town located on the slopes of the Osorno volcano, by the lakeshore.
The trip continues by bus, skirting a great part of Lake Llanquihue, one of the largest lakes in South America. Then, we will arrive in Puerto Varas, the “City of Roses”.
Breakfast. Day at leisure. We suggest tour to Ancud in Chiloe Island. Departure from the hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt, and then towards Chiloé Island; this island is rich in traditions and myths that survived thanks to the isolation from the continent, and is famous for the local’s warmth and hospitality. The ferry to Chiloé Island sets sail from Pargua, town located in the continental limit of Chile. Sailing through the Chacao Canal. After 30 minutes of sailing arrival to Chacao, a small town that is the doorway to the island. When passing by Caulín, the broad variety of flamingos, swans, and herons inhabiting here amazes visitors. The city of Ancud is famous for its market. Afterwards, visit to the Regional Museum to learn more about the history of the island. Then, visit to Fort San Antonio, where the Spanish departure from American territory was signed. Hiking up the Huaihuén Hill, will provide a fantastic view of the land. Return to Puerto Montt and then to the hotel in Puerto Varas.
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for flight to Santiago. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast. In the morning City tour with visit to Santa Lucia Mount. Departure from hotel in Santiago. The tour begins at Santa Lucía Hill; it was here that Santiago was founded. Afterwards, Plaza de Armas, where are some historical buildings such as City hall of Santiago, National Historical Museum, Central Post Office and the Cathedral. After traveling for the main roads of Santiago and the cities of Providencia and Vitacura, the trip ends with the visit to a handicraft shop, specialized in lapis lazuli jewelry, stone found only in Chile and Afghanistan. Return to the hotel in Santiago.
Brakfast. Day at leisure. We suggest Excursion to Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. Departure from Santiago to the Pacific coast, crossing the Coastal Mountain Range and the Casablanca and Curacaví Valleys. Arrival to Valparaíso, city where the main commercial port and the Congress of Chile are located. During the tour, visitors are greeted by the multicoloured houses on the hills, parks and diverse historic monuments, traditional bars and restaurants. Visit to “La Sebastiana,” one of the houses of the Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda that today is a museum. Later, the tour follows to Viña del Mar, also known as the Garden City because of the great amount of parks and nice gardens that it has. The Casino somehow reflects the aristocratic character that the founder, José Francisco Vergara, tried to bestow upon this city. The tour continues by Reñaca, one of the most exclusive beaches of the central coast of Chile that has prestigious restaurants and modern buildings. By the afternoon, return to Santiago.
Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport of Santiago (SCL) for International flight.
END OF TOUR
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