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25-Nights Lando South America: Ushuaia to Santiago - Classic from $3,999
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1699759
Patagonia Overland: Ushuaia to Santiago
Most road trips start somewhere familiar and head into the unknown. This one starts at the bottom of the world and works its way back. From Ushuaia — as far south as the road goes — the Lando rolls north through Patagonia's raw wilderness, past glaciers and granite towers and skies that refuse to be ordinary. By the time Santiago appears on the horizon, you'll have earned every kilometre of it.
Highlights
Begin in Ushuaia — the end of the road and the most dramatic starting point imaginable, Watch Perito Moreno Glacier calve walls of ice into bright blue water, Hike beneath the towers of Torres del Paine in one of the world's last true wildernesses, Drive north along the legendary Carretera Austral through remote and roadless Patagonia, Sleep under Patagonian skies and wake up ready for another day of adventure, Roll into the volcanic lakes and lush forests of the Lake District as the continent opens up again
Accomodation
Camping in South America is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful nature. While camping, we stay at designated campsites and outside towns. Campsite facilities can be basic in certain places. The camps have flush toilets (with some exceptions). Additionally, warm water might be available, but it is not guaranteed to always be warm when you take your shower; the warm water may be used up by others who also use the camp. We usually set-up camp within close proximity to the toilet facilities, though occasionally to reach them you may to walk a short distance. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag, sleeping mats, and pillow) is supplied. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly will take you only 5 minutes. They are good quality, durable, industry-standard 2-person tents. Please note that most adults will not be able to fully stand up inside the tents, though most travellers find these more than adequate. We travel with our own portable camp chairs with a comfortable back-rest, and we utilize our own cooking equipment to provide the group good quality camp meals. Camps are open to the natural environment – care must be taken, especially at night, when a torch/flashlight is recommended when walking around the camp area. Despite the challenge that a few days “roughing it” may pose to some, the experience of being that close to nature, camping under the stars is not just gratifying but ultimately an experience of a lifetime. Please be note that where we use multi-share accommodations, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. For private accommodation please see tours in our Classic Travel Style.
Group Leader
On this tour, you will be accompanied by two Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) will be the group manager and leader, cook and driver. They will provide information on the places where we are travelling, offer suggestions for things to do and see, and introduce you to our local friends. They will take care of the small things so you can concentrate on enjoying your adventure. All of our CEOs in South America are experienced group leaders, with a broad knowledge base of the region’s history, cultures, and wildlife. All of our overland adventure vehicle (OAV) drivers are experienced in the routes travelled, and highly skilled in dealing with different terrains. Cooks will organize and lead the meal preparation, and have experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups. We also use local guides for some included activities where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting.
Group Size Notes
Max 24, Avg. 16
Meals Included
24 breakfasts, 22 lunches, 22 dinners
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group.
Free time in Ushuaia, El Calafate, El Chaltén, Coyhaique and Futalefú for optional activities. 2 full days of exploration in Torres del Paine National Park. Visit Perito Moreno Glacier. 3-day entrance ticket to Los Glaciares National Park. Drive along Argentina's famed Ruta 40 deep into the Patagonian wilderness. Visit the Cueva de las Manos UNESCO Heritage site. Travel along the Carretera Austral through Chile's pristine wilderness. Free time for optional activities in Puerto Varas, San Martín de los Andes and Pucón, Drive along the "Seven Lakes Route" with multiple scenic viewpoint stops, Visit and entrance fee to Los Pozones hot springs from Pucón. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
25 nights from $3,999 per person
G Adventures: Patagonia Overland: Ushuaia to Santiago
Day 1: Ushuaia
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Ushuaia
Perched at the southern tip of South America, Ushuaia sits on the Beagle Channel and is flanked by the mountain range of the Martial Glacier. Take advantage of a free day to explore the city, set off on an excursion into Tierra del Fuego National Park or take a boat cruise.
Day 3: Ushuaia/Torres del Paine National Park
Set off northbound from Ushuaia on the Lando, crossing into Chile and leaving the island of Tierra del Fuego, reaching Punta Arenas in the evening. Continue the following day to the port city of Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Spend two full days in the park exploring amongst the stunning natural scenery, stopping at viewpoints and camping under the starts. Hike up to base of the iconic basalt towers and keep an eye out for roaming guanacos, pumas and condors who call this place home.
Day 4: Ushuaia/Torres del Paine National Park
Set off northbound from Ushuaia on the Lando, crossing into Chile and leaving the island of Tierra del Fuego, reaching Punta Arenas in the evening. Continue the following day to the port city of Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Spend two full days in the park exploring amongst the stunning natural scenery, stopping at viewpoints and camping under the starts. Hike up to base of the iconic basalt towers and keep an eye out for roaming guanacos, pumas and condors who call this place home.
Day 5: Ushuaia/Torres del Paine National Park
Set off northbound from Ushuaia on the Lando, crossing into Chile and leaving the island of Tierra del Fuego, reaching Punta Arenas in the evening. Continue the following day to the port city of Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Spend two full days in the park exploring amongst the stunning natural scenery, stopping at viewpoints and camping under the starts. Hike up to base of the iconic basalt towers and keep an eye out for roaming guanacos, pumas and condors who call this place home.
Day 6: Ushuaia/Torres del Paine National Park
Set off northbound from Ushuaia on the Lando, crossing into Chile and leaving the island of Tierra del Fuego, reaching Punta Arenas in the evening. Continue the following day to the port city of Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Spend two full days in the park exploring amongst the stunning natural scenery, stopping at viewpoints and camping under the starts. Hike up to base of the iconic basalt towers and keep an eye out for roaming guanacos, pumas and condors who call this place home.
Day 7: Torres del Paine National Park/El Chaltén
As Torres del Paine disappears in the rearview mirror, cross the border again and head to the city of El Calafate on the edge of the blue glacial lake of Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina. Wander the boardwalks in front of the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier and witness giant chunks of ice calve off of the face and crash into the water below. Spend free time with an optional boat trip, a kayak excursion, or explore the city on foot before re-grouping at the campsite in the evening. Continue driving north along Ruta 40 to the hamlet of El Chaltén, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and home to the iconic Mount FItz Roy. Take advantage of a free day in El Chaltén to hike some of the nearby trails, visit a nearby waterfall or go mountain biking.
Day 8: Torres del Paine National Park/El Chaltén
As Torres del Paine disappears in the rearview mirror, cross the border again and head to the city of El Calafate on the edge of the blue glacial lake of Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina. Wander the boardwalks in front of the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier and witness giant chunks of ice calve off of the face and crash into the water below. Spend free time with an optional boat trip, a kayak excursion, or explore the city on foot before re-grouping at the campsite in the evening. Continue driving north along Ruta 40 to the hamlet of El Chaltén, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and home to the iconic Mount FItz Roy. Take advantage of a free day in El Chaltén to hike some of the nearby trails, visit a nearby waterfall or go mountain biking.
Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park/El Chaltén
As Torres del Paine disappears in the rearview mirror, cross the border again and head to the city of El Calafate on the edge of the blue glacial lake of Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina. Wander the boardwalks in front of the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier and witness giant chunks of ice calve off of the face and crash into the water below. Spend free time with an optional boat trip, a kayak excursion, or explore the city on foot before re-grouping at the campsite in the evening. Continue driving north along Ruta 40 to the hamlet of El Chaltén, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and home to the iconic Mount FItz Roy. Take advantage of a free day in El Chaltén to hike some of the nearby trails, visit a nearby waterfall or go mountain biking.
Day 10: Torres del Paine National Park/El Chaltén
As Torres del Paine disappears in the rearview mirror, cross the border again and head to the city of El Calafate on the edge of the blue glacial lake of Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina. Wander the boardwalks in front of the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier and witness giant chunks of ice calve off of the face and crash into the water below. Spend free time with an optional boat trip, a kayak excursion, or explore the city on foot before re-grouping at the campsite in the evening. Continue driving north along Ruta 40 to the hamlet of El Chaltén, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and home to the iconic Mount FItz Roy. Take advantage of a free day in El Chaltén to hike some of the nearby trails, visit a nearby waterfall or go mountain biking.
Day 11: El Chaltén/Futalefú
Drive north from El Chaltén and embark on one of the most remote and inhospitable stretches of road in the heart of the Patagonian steppe, along Argentina's mythic Ruta 40. Stop at the "Cueva de las Manos" UNESCO Heritage site to see prehistoric handprints left on the walls over 9000 years ago, before arriving to the town of Los Antiguos for the night and setting up camp. Cross back into Chile and take a car ferry across to join up with the Carretera Austral, Chile's southern scenic highway that offers incredible views in all directions of fjords, mountains, and glaciers. Stop in the town of Cohaique for a free day before reaching Futalefú, located in a remote valley at the confluence of the Espolon and Futaleufú rivers. Spend another free day to relax or choose from some of the many optional activities available in the area like horseback riding, canyoning or mountain biking.
Day 12: El Chaltén/Futalefú
Drive north from El Chaltén and embark on one of the most remote and inhospitable stretches of road in the heart of the Patagonian steppe, along Argentina's mythic Ruta 40. Stop at the "Cueva de las Manos" UNESCO Heritage site to see prehistoric handprints left on the walls over 9000 years ago, before arriving to the town of Los Antiguos for the night and setting up camp. Cross back into Chile and take a car ferry across to join up with the Carretera Austral, Chile's southern scenic highway that offers incredible views in all directions of fjords, mountains, and glaciers. Stop in the town of Cohaique for a free day before reaching Futalefú, located in a remote valley at the confluence of the Espolon and Futaleufú rivers. Spend another free day to relax or choose from some of the many optional activities available in the area like horseback riding, canyoning or mountain biking.
Day 13: El Chaltén/Futalefú
Drive north from El Chaltén and embark on one of the most remote and inhospitable stretches of road in the heart of the Patagonian steppe, along Argentina's mythic Ruta 40. Stop at the "Cueva de las Manos" UNESCO Heritage site to see prehistoric handprints left on the walls over 9000 years ago, before arriving to the town of Los Antiguos for the night and setting up camp. Cross back into Chile and take a car ferry across to join up with the Carretera Austral, Chile's southern scenic highway that offers incredible views in all directions of fjords, mountains, and glaciers. Stop in the town of Cohaique for a free day before reaching Futalefú, located in a remote valley at the confluence of the Espolon and Futaleufú rivers. Spend another free day to relax or choose from some of the many optional activities available in the area like horseback riding, canyoning or mountain biking.
Day 14: El Chaltén/Futalefú
Drive north from El Chaltén and embark on one of the most remote and inhospitable stretches of road in the heart of the Patagonian steppe, along Argentina's mythic Ruta 40. Stop at the "Cueva de las Manos" UNESCO Heritage site to see prehistoric handprints left on the walls over 9000 years ago, before arriving to the town of Los Antiguos for the night and setting up camp. Cross back into Chile and take a car ferry across to join up with the Carretera Austral, Chile's southern scenic highway that offers incredible views in all directions of fjords, mountains, and glaciers. Stop in the town of Cohaique for a free day before reaching Futalefú, located in a remote valley at the confluence of the Espolon and Futaleufú rivers. Spend another free day to relax or choose from some of the many optional activities available in the area like horseback riding, canyoning or mountain biking.
Day 15: El Chaltén/Futalefú
Drive north from El Chaltén and embark on one of the most remote and inhospitable stretches of road in the heart of the Patagonian steppe, along Argentina's mythic Ruta 40. Stop at the "Cueva de las Manos" UNESCO Heritage site to see prehistoric handprints left on the walls over 9000 years ago, before arriving to the town of Los Antiguos for the night and setting up camp. Cross back into Chile and take a car ferry across to join up with the Carretera Austral, Chile's southern scenic highway that offers incredible views in all directions of fjords, mountains, and glaciers. Stop in the town of Cohaique for a free day before reaching Futalefú, located in a remote valley at the confluence of the Espolon and Futaleufú rivers. Spend another free day to relax or choose from some of the many optional activities available in the area like horseback riding, canyoning or mountain biking.
Day 16: Futalefú/Puerto Varas
Continue north along the Carretera Austral, driving on-and-off of car ferries where the road ends in order to follow the next stretch, surrounded at all times by spectacular mountain scenery, lush forests and rugged coastline. Set up camp in Chaiten before reaching Puerto Varas, perched on the shorts of Lago Llanquihue, with views to the majestic snow-capped Osorno Volcano.
Day 17: Futalefú/Puerto Varas
Continue north along the Carretera Austral, driving on-and-off of car ferries where the road ends in order to follow the next stretch, surrounded at all times by spectacular mountain scenery, lush forests and rugged coastline. Set up camp in Chaiten before reaching Puerto Varas, perched on the shorts of Lago Llanquihue, with views to the majestic snow-capped Osorno Volcano.
Day 18: Puerto Varas
Enjoy a free day in Puerto Varas to choose from many different optional activities to discover the beautiful surroundings. Visit the nearby waterfalls of Petrohue with views of the iconic Osorno Volcano, take an excursion to Chiloé Island or visit the fish market in Puerto Montt, just to name a few.
Day 19: Puerto Varas/San Martín de los Andes
Depart Puerto Varas heading north with a stop in Frutillar to walk along the iconic pier with great views of the Osorno Volcano. Cross into Argentina and continue along the spectacular "Seven Lakes Route," stopping frequently at viewpoints for photos and to soak in the natural beauty before arriving to San Martín de los Andes in the evening. The next day is free to explore and to choose from some of the many optional activities available. The nearby Lanín National Park offers hiking options, lookout points and incredible views of glacial lakes, forests and the ice-clad Lanín Volcano for which the park is named.
Day 20: Puerto Varas/San Martín de los Andes
Depart Puerto Varas heading north with a stop in Frutillar to walk along the iconic pier with great views of the Osorno Volcano. Cross into Argentina and continue along the spectacular "Seven Lakes Route," stopping frequently at viewpoints for photos and to soak in the natural beauty before arriving to San Martín de los Andes in the evening. The next day is free to explore and to choose from some of the many optional activities available. The nearby Lanín National Park offers hiking options, lookout points and incredible views of glacial lakes, forests and the ice-clad Lanín Volcano for which the park is named.
Day 21: San Martín de los Andes/Pucón
The road leads through the mountains back into Chile and to the town of Pucón, in Chile's beautiful Lake District. The next two days are free to choose from an abundance of optional activities like hiking up the VIllarica Volcano, whitewater rafting, and biking. On one of the evenings, drive to some nearby natural hot springs so soak the muscles after a day of adventure.
Day 22: San Martín de los Andes/Pucón
The road leads through the mountains back into Chile and to the town of Pucón, in Chile's beautiful Lake District. The next two days are free to choose from an abundance of optional activities like hiking up the VIllarica Volcano, whitewater rafting, and biking. On one of the evenings, drive to some nearby natural hot springs so soak the muscles after a day of adventure.
Day 23: San Martín de los Andes/Pucón
The road leads through the mountains back into Chile and to the town of Pucón, in Chile's beautiful Lake District. The next two days are free to choose from an abundance of optional activities like hiking up the VIllarica Volcano, whitewater rafting, and biking. On one of the evenings, drive to some nearby natural hot springs so soak the muscles after a day of adventure.
Day 24: Pucón/Santiago
Drive north from Pucón around Villarica Lake to the waterfall of Saltos del Laja, and set up camp nearby for the night. Continue the following day along the Pan-American Highway until reaching Santiago, Chile's capital city surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range. Head out in the evening for a final night out with the group.
Day 25: Pucón/Santiago
Drive north from Pucón around Villarica Lake to the waterfall of Saltos del Laja, and set up camp nearby for the night. Continue the following day along the Pan-American Highway until reaching Santiago, Chile's capital city surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range. Head out in the evening for a final night out with the group.
Day 26: Santiago
Depart at any time.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you view a final copy of your Trip Details a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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