Patagonia's Lake District & Beyond: Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazú, Lake District & Santiago - 21 Days

Day 2: Buenos Aires Walking Tour

Now that you're rested, it's time for an official guided tour of the beguiling metropolis that is Buenos Aires. Your local guide will meet you at the hotel after breakfast for the transfer to the starting point in Plaza San Martín, located at the end of downtown's commercial pedestrian thruway, Florida Street. This leafy plaza, anchored by an iconic ombú tree, is named after one of the heroes of Argentina's independence movement, General José de San Martín.

From the plaza, walk amid the historic architecture of the Retiro neighborhood and Avenida 9 de Julio. Highlights include the Congress Building, Plaza de Mayo, and the pink-hued Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace). Then, walk along the upscale waterfront promenades of Puerto Madero before heading to the oldest neighborhood in the city, San Telmo. Afterward, you'll stop by La Boca, the city's original port, where you'll find La Bombonera, the most famous futból (soccer) stadium in the country.

Another highlight is a visit to Recoleta, an old-money neighborhood defined by its Baroque buildings and famous cemetery. It's the final resting place of some of the country's most prominent historical figures, including Eva Perón. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel and have the evening free.

Day 4: Fly to Puerto Iguazú, Gateway to Iguazú Falls

Say farewell to Buenos Aires as you catch a flight to the far north and Puerto Iguazú, located at the tri-borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. This city is the gateway to Iguazú Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest waterfall system in the world after Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls. 

At the airport, a driver will pick you up to transfer you to your hotel. Then you'll have the rest of the day free. If you like, you can visit the Three Borders Landmark, situated at the confluence of the Iguazú and Parana. There are three obelisks here denoting the meeting point of the three countries—which make a great spot for selfies.

Day 5: Explore Iguazú Falls (Argentine Side)

Today, you'll experience the Argentine side of Iguazú Falls National Park on a guided tour. Stretching almost 2 miles (3 km) along the border of Argentina and Brazil, the falls are made up of roughly 275 different cascades, with heights up to 270 feet (82 m). Start at the park's Lower Circuit, which has elevated walkways directly below the base of the falls and features crashing torrents of water (don't forget your rain gear!).

Continue to the Upper Circuit along more elevated walkways featuring dozens of panoramic views of the falls. Follow the last trail to the incredible Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), the largest of the park's cascades. From a viewing area, you can peer over the edge and see the thundering falls plunge 262 feet (89 m) to the river below (an experience not for the faint of heart). At the end of the tour, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel.

Day 8: Cerro Catedral Half-Day Tour

You're in for a treat as you embark on one of the most scenic half-day excursions in the region: a guided ascent up the Cerro Catedral massif. Your guide will pick you up for the transfer to a ski resort at the base of the mountain, where you'll hop on a chairlift for the ride up to a station at 6,561 feet (2,000 m) above sea level. From the top, you can look out to dazzling panoramic views of the Lake District. Also, there are eateries where you can grab a bite and shops to browse for souvenirs. After time spent enjoying the fresh air and the views, you'll return to Bariloche.

Day 9: Day Trip to San Martín de los Andes

In the morning, you'll meet your driver for a full-day road trip to experience the majesty of the Lake District. You'll follow the scenic Seven Lakes Road, a 66-mile (107 km) highway that connects the lake towns of San Martin de Los Andes and Villa La Angostura. On this jaw-dropping route, you'll see magnificent landscapes as you pass through two national parks. These include rich coihue forests and azure lakes like Falkner, Escondido, and Nahuel Huapi.

As you pass one such lake, Correntoso, you'll arrive in the small town of Ruca Malén. Then, continue on to San Martín de los Andes, a charming town located on the shores of Lago Lacar. After visiting the town and snapping photos around the impressive waterfront, you'll return to Bariloche in the afternoon.

Days 10-11: Free Time in Bariloche: Lake District Hikes & Culture

The next few days are yours to discover more of Bariloche and its surrounding nature. For city highlights, head to the central plaza, home to the historic Civic Center with its beautiful clock tower. While here, be sure to stop in at local shops to sample decadent chocolates (this is the "chocolate capital" of Argentina, after all). You can also visit the Museo del Chocolate. It showcases the history and culture of this tasty treat, which was brought by German-Swiss immigrants when they founded Bariloche in 1902.

You can also embark on one of the region's famous half-day hikes, like the Circuito Chico (Short Circuit). You'll follow the lakeshore west from the city to Playa Bonita, a tranquil pebble beach that looks out to Isla Huemul. Then continue to some of the area's most famous viewpoints, like Cerro Campanario and the Llao Llao Peninsula. The former is a mountain offering panoramic views of Lago Nahuel Huapi from its summit, while the latter is the site of the most impressive hotel in the country, Hotel Llao Llao.

Day 12: Lakes Crossing to Puerto Varas (Chile)

It's time to leave Argentina behind and make your way to Chile—but today's journey is far more than a simple border crossing. Over a full day of boat and bus travel, you'll traverse the Cruce Andino, a scenic route that crosses three lakes and passes dramatic volcanoes, mountains, and waterfalls. The Indigenous Huilliche and Mapuche people have made this crossing for over four centuries, leaving their mark on the legends of this area.

Start with a bus ride to Puerto Pañuelo, where you'll board a catamaran for the hourlong cruise across Nahuel Huapi. Disembark at Puerto Blest, then take a short bus ride to the nearby port of Puerto Alegre, where another boat takes you across Lago Frías. After completing the official customs stop at the border, you'll enter Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and take a lunch break.

A final boat trip takes you across Lago Todos los Santos in the shadow of the Osorno and El Tronador volcanoes before another short bus ride ends in Puerto Varas, a lovely colonial town on the shores of Lago Llanquihue that serves as your base for the next three nights.

Day 14: Kayaking Tour of the Reloncaví Estuary

More adventures await today as your driver picks you up for the ride east along the shore of Lago Llanquihue for a kayaking excursion. You'll stop in the town of Ensenada to pick up your gear, then hop back in the car for a quick drive to the village of Ralún, at the mouth of Patagonia's northernmost fjord: the Reloncaví Estuary, which lies off the Reloncaví Sound.

You'll put in on the shores of Ralún and begin your kayaking journey through the fjord. Glide across the water's surface, surrounded by the snowcapped Andes, including the Yate and Hornopirén volcanoes. Spot pelicans or cormorants flying above and sea lions, dolphins, or penguins frolicking in the water. At lunchtime, you'll step ashore at a small family farm to enjoy traditional maté (tea) and a homemade meal, followed by a short tour of the farm and surrounding woods.

Then it's back to the kayaks for more paddling on Reloncaví, ending at Cochamó, a small village on the coast between the Andes and the Pacific. Leave the water behind, change your clothes, drop off your gear, and hop in a van back to Puerto Varas.

Day 16: Transfer to Chiloé, Towns of the Island Tour 

Meet your driver early for the ride south of Puerto Varas to the port town of Pargua. There, you'll board a ferry for the 30-minute ride to the northern tip of Isla Chiloé. Both geographically and culturally, this is one of the most distinctive areas of the country. Chiloé is an archipelago comprised of many little islands and one main one, Isla Grande, which abounds with myths and legends. Supposedly the island is inhabited by witches who fly from the caves after dark and can be seen as lights zipping across the night sky.

Your first destination on the island is the northern coastal town of Ancud. During a stop, you can hike up Cerro Huaihuen for stunning views of Ancud's many landmarks. These include the Fuerte San Antonio, an early 19th-century Spanish fort that played a significant role in the wars for independence. From Ancud, continue south with your driver on a scenic ride amid rolling green hills south to Quinchao, an islet in the Chiloé archipelago. It's a great place to stop and browse its municipal market for fresh produce and traditional island eats.

Afterward, continue to the middle of Chiloé and Castro. This colorful port city is famous for its waterfront stilt houses (known locally as the palafitos de Gamboa) and brightly painted old churches. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day free. In the evening, you can sample some delicious local cuisine. One dish, curanto, is a rich seafood stew prepared by burying shellfish, meat, and potatoes in the ground and cooking it over hot rocks.

Day 17: Day Trip to Chonchi & Chiloé National Park

Discover the Chiloé landscapes that captivated famed naturalist Charles Darwin when he visited the archipelago in 1834. This day tour begins in Chonchi, known as "The City of Three Floors," as it's built on three terraced slopes. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Church of Chonchi, the Museum of Traditions, and a bustling waterfront crafts market.

Next, you'll visit the town of Huillinco, where you'll find a traditional Chiloé cemetery filled with tiny houses that serve as tombs. Another tour highlight is a trip to Chiloé National Park for a walk along the path of El Tepual, which leads through biodiverse rainforests. The day ends on the Pacific coast with a walk along the beach before returning to Castro.

Day 18: Fly to Santiago, Explore the Chilean Capital

Transfer to the airport in Castro this morning, where you'll catch a two-hour flight north to Santiago. Chile's sprawling capital sits at 1,700 feet (518 m) above sea level and is surrounded by snowcapped Andean peaks. Lining its wide boulevards are a mix of modern skyscrapers and historical landmarks dating back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up at the terminal and transfer you to your hotel in the city. You'll have the rest of the day free to relax.

Day 20: Day Trip to Valparaíso & Wine Tour

For your penultimate day in Chile, you'll meet a local guide and hit the road. It's a 1.5-hour drive west from Santiago to Valparaíso, one of the most unique cities in the world. During this scenic journey, you'll pass the hills and vineyards of the fertile Casablanca Valley, home to many top wineries. During a stop here, you'll tour a vineyard and sample a few Chilean wines, like the famous carménère varietal.

Eventually, you'll reach the coast and the historic port city of Valparaíso. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its colorful hillside neighborhoods, winding stairways, and abundance of street art. It's a well-preserved snapshot of a time when electric trolleys coasted through downtown in front of Art Nouveau buildings.

On tour, you'll visit famous landmarks, such as Plaza de la Victoria and the Naval Academy, and ride a funicular elevator up into the hills to enjoy panoramic vistas of the Pacific. A real highlight is visiting La Sebastiana, the coastal home (now a museum) of Pablo Neruda. Afterward, you'll return to Santiago.

Day 21: Depart Santiago

You've experienced some highlight locales and hidden corners of both Argentina and Chile, making for the trip of a lifetime. Hopefully, you return in the future to discover even more of these country's wonders. For now, enjoy one more leisurely breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Santiago's airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Until next time!

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