Legendary Route 40

El Calafate · Torres del Paine · El Chaltén · Cueva de las Manos · Los Antiguos · Marble Caves · Bariloche

Day 1

Buenos Aires · El Calafate · Perito Moreno Glacier · El Calafate

Departure on a JetSMART flight to the city of El Calafate. Upon arrival, we will be met at the airport and transferred to the selected hotel to drop off our luggage. From there, we will set out with our local guide on the excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier. As we leave the steppe behind, the scenery gradually changes until we enter the area of higher rainfall, where lenga, ñire, coihue, and notro trees grow together into a forest that tempers the winds and creates milder climate conditions. During the drive, we will make a few stops before arriving at the boardwalks, where our guide will give a glaciological explanation of the origins of the imposing Perito Moreno Glacier, whose surface area of 195 km² is almost equal to that of the city of Buenos Aires. We will walk along the boardwalks, and once we have visited their viewing balconies, we will have free time to take in the magnificent setting that nature offers us and to have lunch (not included). Return to El Calafate and accommodation at the selected hotel. Dinner. Overnight in El Calafate.

Day 2 · 610 km

El Calafate · Torres del Paine · El Calafate

Breakfast. Today we will take the excursion to Torres del Paine National Park by Overland 4x4; the park lies about 300 km south of El Calafate. Crossing the Patagonian steppe from north to south, we will reach the Cancha Carrera border crossing after a three-and-a-half-hour drive. From there we will begin to travel through Chilean territory, and once in the park, we will make several stops, some with a chance to get out of the vehicle and others from on board, to take in lakes and waterfalls and even spot foxes and guanacos. Leaving the Cerro Castillo border post, we will take the road toward Laguna Amarga, a viewpoint overlooking the Torres del Paine. We will continue aboard the vehicle, stopping at several viewpoints such as Laguna de los Cisnes and the Mirador Superior del Nordenskjöld, until we reach Puerto Pudeto, the starting point of the trail to Salto Grande. Weather permitting, we will walk along the shore of Lago Pehoé to the Mirador Inferior de los Cuernos del Paine viewpoint. The walk is technically easy and requires minimal physical effort. We will then continue by vehicle to another viewpoint, this time near Lago Pehoé, which offers one of the most famous views in the National Park: the Cuernos del Paine and the Valle del Francés in the background, framed by Lakes Pehoé and Nordenskjöld, Mount Paine Grande, and Almirante Nieto. From this point we will begin our return to El Calafate, arriving at approximately 22:00. At the guide's discretion or due to restrictions imposed by the park authorities, the order of the stops may vary, and the route may be modified or shortened due to weather conditions and/or border-crossing times. The arrival time in El Calafate will depend on border formalities. Accommodation at the selected hotel. Dinner. Overnight in El Calafate.

Day 3 · 94 km

El Calafate · Punta Bandera · El Calafate

Breakfast. Today we will enjoy one of El Calafate's most iconic excursions: the Todo Glaciares cruise. A 47 km transfer will take us to Punta Bandera, where we will set sail at 09:00 to cruise the North Arm of Lago Argentino. We will approach to within about 10 km of the face of Upsala Glacier, a spectacular wall of ice, for a panoramic view. We will then sail through the Spegazzini Channel, viewing Seco Glacier and finally Spegazzini Glacier, the highest in the National Park at 130 m above sea level; we will also take in the Heim Sur and Peineta Glaciers. We then prepare to disembark at Base Spegazzini and begin our visit to the area, walking along the forest trail to the lodge. This 300-meter trail is accessible, and along the way we will pause at stations and viewpoints overlooking the whole of Bahía de los Glaciares. Free time for lunch at the lodge. From there we will sail back to Punta Bandera, arriving at 16:00. Return to El Calafate and accommodation at the selected hotel. Dinner. Overnight in El Calafate.

Day 4 · 215 km

El Calafate · El Chaltén

Breakfast. We will head northwest on a three-hour drive along RP 11, RN 40, and RP 41, with a stop along the way at the Parador y Hotel de Campo La Leona, which has witnessed and played a part in the legendary history of our Patagonia for more than 110 years. Following the La Leona River, flanked by Lago Argentino, Lago Viedma, and Viedma Glacier, and with the Andean range always in view, we will reach this magnificent tourist town. Arrival in El Chaltén and accommodation at the selected hotel (rooms available from 14:00). Those who wish to make the most of the free afternoon can hike to the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall or to the Mirador de los Cóndores viewpoint. Accommodation at the selected hotel. Overnight in El Chaltén.

Day 5 · 74 km

El Chaltén · Lago del Desierto · El Chaltén

Breakfast. In the morning, we will take the excursion to Lago del Desierto, tracing the history of this corner of Patagonia amid a unique natural setting. The tour includes a visit to Lago del Desierto with stops along the way, and there is the option of a 45-minute boat trip on the lake (subject to availability), with free time to enjoy this beautiful scenery. We leave El Chaltén to cover the 37 km to Lago del Desierto on a beautiful gravel road that follows the Las Vueltas River. Along the way, our guide will share information about the area and its history, particularly the border dispute with Chile, and we will stop to get out at scenic viewpoints. Return to El Chaltén and afternoon at leisure. Accommodation at the selected hotel. Overnight in El Chaltén.

Day 6 · 680 km

El Chaltén · Cueva de las Manos · Los Antiguos

Breakfast. We will set out very early heading south until we reach RN 40, where we will turn north, with a packed lunch on board (included). We will pass through the small settlements of Tres Lagos, Las Horquetas, and Bajo Caracoles, the last of which is strategically located at the junction of RN 40 and RP 39, the road that leads toward the Andes to the village of Lago Posadas. Bajo Caracoles is notable for the stone building of the Hotel Bajo Caracoles, commissioned in 1943 by Francisco José Folch, one of the three founders of the hamlet, and built by the Yugoslav stonemason Mateo Barak. A few kilometers farther on, we will take the RP 101 gravel road, which leads to Cueva de las Manos Provincial Park, in the Alto Río Pinturas area. Cueva de las Manos is an archaeological site of worldwide significance, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. It preserves and protects a complex of archaeological sites that were occupied intermittently by human groups over a period of 8,000 years. The remains, which include artifacts, landscapes, and rock art, are up to nearly 10,000 years old and stand as key evidence of the life and culture of the ancient peoples of Patagonia. We will walk among the rock paintings, passing caves, rock shelters, and cliffs where paintings more than 9,000 years old can be seen. After the visit, we will continue to our final destination, Los Antiguos, arriving at night. Accommodation at the selected hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Los Antiguos.

Day 7 · 180 km

Los Antiguos · Marble Caves · Los Antiguos

Breakfast. Today we will enjoy one of the must-see excursions of this program: the Marble Caves. We will head west to cross the border, passing through the town of Chile Chico, and from there begin driving the incredible cliffside road that skirts the southern shore of Lago Buenos Aires (General Carrera in Chile), the largest lake in Patagonia. We will be on the road for about two hours, making several stops at photo viewpoints to appreciate the area's distinctive geography until we reach Mallín Grande. There we will be welcomed with a snack and a hot drink. We will then board small, open boats with outboard motors to sail the lake and discover the famous Marble Caves. The boat trip will last about 2.5 hours, and we will be able to admire the marble formations rising from the water: Chapels, Cathedrals, and Caves. We will return to port, where lunch awaits us, and then set off back to Los Antiguos, arriving at around 19:00. Accommodation at the selected hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Los Antiguos.

Day 8 · 500 km

Los Antiguos · Lago Posadas · Los Antiguos

Breakfast. Today we can enjoy an excursion by 4x4 vehicle along Scenic Route 41, which will take us to Lakes Posadas and Pueyrredón. Setting out early in the morning, we will pass from the Patagonian steppe into the mountain forest. This is a 100% scenic drive along the most beautiful and surprising scenic route in Santa Cruz Province, with postcard views of the Andes, Cerro San Lorenzo, and the Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires. We will climb from 400 m to 1,500 m above sea level and see the traces of thousands of years of volcanic activity, as well as the erosion left by the last glaciation. After covering 160 km on Route 41, we will reach Estancia Suyai, on the shores of Lago Pueyrredón, almost at the border with Chile. We will have time for a box lunch with a soft drink. We will then continue to the Arco de Piedra (Stone Arch) on Lago Posadas, taking Route 39 to Bajo Caracoles and then joining RN 40 to our final destination. Accommodation at the selected hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Los Antiguos.

Day 9 · 860 km

Los Antiguos · Bariloche

Breakfast. Today we will cover the longest stretch of our journey, departing at 08:30 on a shared tourist bus bound for the city of Bariloche. Traveling along RN 40, we will make intermediate stops in the towns of Perito Moreno, Río Mayo, Gobernador Costa, Esquel, and El Bolsón, and we will have a box lunch on board (included). Arrival in Bariloche at night and accommodation at the selected hotel. Overnight in Bariloche.

Day 10 · 60 km

Bariloche · Circuito Chico · Bariloche

Breakfast. Bariloche is one of Argentina's quintessential tourist destinations. Thanks to its strategic location facing Lago Nahuel Huapi, it is the gateway to countless activities, both conventional and adventurous. As an introduction to the area, the famous Circuito Chico (Small Circuit) is almost a must as the first excursion, not only because it showcases representative sites of the Andean landscape, but also because it offers a chance to get to know the city in half a day. The route follows Avenida Ezequiel Bustillo along the shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi, and as we move away from town, the landscape begins to change, with forests of cypress, maitén, coihue, and ñire. At km 17 lies the base of Cerro Campanario (1,050 m above sea level), which we can ascend by chairlift (optional). From its summit, we will enjoy one of the eight most impressive panoramic views in the world. Near km 24, San Eduardo Chapel, Puerto Pañuelo, and the Llao Llao Hotel come into view. After passing Villa Tacul and Lago Escondido, we reach the meeting point of Lakes Nahuel Huapi and Perito Moreno, which is crossed by the Angostura Bridge, set over the river of the same name. The circuit also includes the Punto Panorámico, also known as the Lago Moreno viewpoint (Mirador del Lago Moreno). We will return past Laguna El Trébol to the junction with Avenida Bustillo, which leads back to downtown. In this way, in just 60 km, we will be able to admire lakes, mountains, and native forests of singular beauty. Accommodation at the selected hotel. Overnight in Bariloche.

Day 11

Bariloche · Buenos Aires

Breakfast. At the agreed time, transfer to Teniente Luis Candelaria Airport in Bariloche to board the scheduled JetSMART flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival and end of services.