SOUTHERN CARRETERA AUSTRAL WITH EL CHALTEN & EL CALAFATE – 12 DAYS 11 NIGHTS

Travel Program

9 to 15 days

Moderate

Chile

Overview

Suggested season: October to March. Important notes: – This trip is available as a fly & car or combining with private transfers – For the crossing between Candelario Mansilla and Gendarmería Argentina, horses can be hired to transport luggage. They must be booked in advance – Extra days are suggested in Villa O´Higgins and/or El Chaltén for more beautiful hikings – The boat crossing from Candelario Mansilla to Gendarmería Argentina is heavily dependent on the weather and is often cancelled due to strong winds so we suggest you to have extra days before your following flight andelario Mansilla and Gendarmería Argentina, horses can be hired to transport luggage. They must be booked in advance – Extra days are suggested in Villa O´Higgins and/or El Chaltén for more beautiful hikings – The boat crossing from Candelario Mansilla to Gendarmería Argentina is heavily dependent on the weather and is often cancelled due to strong winds so we suggest you to have extra days before your following flight

What's included in this tour?

All services, excursions and transfers detailed on the programme
Meals mentioned (B: breakfast, BXL: box lunch, L: lunch, D: dinner)
24hs assistance through our mobile phone
3 nights’ accommodation in Puerto Tranquilo with breakfast as its described in the itinerary in the mentioned hotels or in similar, according to availability at the moment of the booking request
1-night accommodation in Caleta Tortel with breakfast as its described in the itinerary in the mentioned hotels or in similar, according to availability at the moment of the booking request
2 nights’ accommodation in Villa O´Higgins with breakfast as its described in the itinerary in the mentioned hotels or in similar, according to availability at the moment of the booking request
1-night accommodation at Candelario Mansilla Farm with breakfast as its described in the itinerary in the mentioned hotels or in similar, according to availability at the moment of the booking request
2 nights’ accommodation in El Chaltén with breakfast as its described in the itinerary in the mentioned hotels or in similar, according to availability at the moment of the booking request
2 nights’ accommodation in El Calafate with breakfast as its described in the itinerary in the mentioned hotels or in similar, according to availability at the moment of the booking request
OPTIONAL: Transfer out (day 12) to Puerto Natales or Torres del Paine (if your interested, please ask)

What's not included in this tour?

International flights
Early check in/Late check out at hotels
Meals and services not mentioned
Optional and suggested services
Insurances
Personal expenses and tips

Itinerary

DAY 1

BALMACEDA/PUERTO TRANQUILO

Arrival Puerto Tranquilo, from Balmaceda Airport (Chile) or from Los Antiguos (Argentina), crossing via Chile Chico. Overnight in Puerto Tranquilo.
DAY 2

PUERTO TRANQUILO: MARBLE CHAPELS TOUR

We can visit these interesting geological formations by boat or kayak. The kayak option, which takes half a day, can be done in the morning or afternoon, based on the weather forecast. The rest of the day is free to rest or take a stroll along the seafront. Overnight in Puerto Tranquilo. (B)
DAY 3

PUERTO TRANQUILO: GUIDED TREKKING IN VALLE EXPLORADORES

After breakfast, we depart with our guide towards Valle Exploradores, where we venture into the forest up a steep hill until reaching a lookout point offering marvellous views of the Glacier and Monte San Valentín, the highest peak in Chilean Patagonia. Continuing a little further, we’ll enter a valley flanked by narrow, vertical walls, and get closer to the Glaciers jutting from the Northern Ice Field. We’ll choose a spot with a fine view for lunch, before retracing our steps back to our vehicle and return to our hostel for a well-earned rest. Overnight in Puerto Tranquilo. (B, BL)
DAY 4

PUERTO TRANQUILO/CALETA TORTEL

Today, we travel down another section of the Carretera Austral to the picturesque town of Caleta Tortel, nestled in a zone of archipelagos with endless islands, channels and estuaries, and rugged mountain ranges crowned by glaciers. In the afternoon, we visit Isla de los Muertos (the Island of the Dead), which can also be visited by boat or kayak. Overnight in Caleta Tortel. (B)
DAY 5

CALETA TORTEL/VILLA O'HIGGINS

We have a free morning, with an optional short walk in the surrounding area and a small ascent (rewarding us with nice views). Our journey continues to Villa O’Higgins, where the Carretera Austral comes to an end. Overnight in Villa O´Higgins. (B)
DAY 6

VILLA O´HIGGINS: FULL DAY GUIDED TREKKING IN THE SURROUNDINGS

There are several routes available, all with stunning views and very rugged paths like Submarine hill, Río Mosco refuge or Tigre glacier lookout. Overnight in Villa O´Higgins. (B)
DAY 7

VILLA O'HIGGHINS/CALENDARIO MANSILLA

Today, we embark on the lake transfer that connects the different towns of the southern region of Aysén and arrive in the beautiful spot of Candelario Mansilla. If time allows, we can go on a small walk in the area surrounding the farm, to marvel at the views or even visit a border marker. Candelario Mansilla is still today an operating farm, inhabited and run by the direct descendants of the founder. Overnight in Candelario Mansilla Farm, basic facilities (private room with shared bathroom). (B, BL, D)
DAY 8

CALENDARIO MANSILLA/EL CHALTEN

After breakfast, and completing the border formalities at the Carabineros detachment, we set out on a 24-km hike from Candelario Mansilla to Gendarmería Argentina (Argentinian border police), in Punta Norte, Lago del Desierto (Del Desierto Lake). Upon arrival, we’ll register our entry into Argentina and then take a boat across the lake. In Punta Sur, a driver will be waiting to take us to El Chaltén through a picturesque, scenic route along a gravel road. Overnight in El Chaltén. (B, BL)
DAY 9

EL CHALTEN: FULL DAY SELF-HIKING TO LAGUNA DE LOS TRES

El Chaltén is the National Trekking Capital of Argentina. The most emblematic, spectacular and unforgettable trek of the region is Laguna de los Tres. A trek that takes you past some impressive scenery and through forests until you arrive at the mystical Mount Fitz Roy; admiring lagoons of different shades of blue, imposing glaciers and campgrounds visited by famous international climbers. Enjoy incredible views of the iconic Fitz Roy mount. We include a transfer from El Chaltén to El Pilar area to start the trekking. Overnight in El Chaltén. (B)
DAY 10

EL CHALTEN/EL CALAFATE

Today, we have the chance to enjoy another day of self-trekking in El Chaltén before departing to El Calafate. We suggest the Laguna Torre trail, where we find an impressive view of the Torre massif, the Adela range, Mount Solo and their respective glaciers. The footpath will take us through a wide range of landscapes, ranging from wide glacially formed valleys to dense forests. We stop at great panoramic spots and visit famous base camps that are used by famous climbers. PM The regular bus to El Calafate takes about 3 hours. Overnight in El Calafate. (B)
DAY 11

EL CALAFATE: PERITO MORENO GLACIER

It is possible to visit this astonishing highlight waking along the walkways, navigating in boat or kayak or including an ice trekking on the glacier with grampons. Also it is possible to combine it with a typical Patagonian ranch. Overngiht in El Calafate. (B)
DAY 12

EL CALAFATE - DEPARTURE

Farewell transfer from the hotel to El Calafate airport (or to Puerto Natales or Torres del Paine). (B)