Duration of journey: 18 days, 17 nights (with options of 7 or 8 days extension)

Total drive distance: about 3800 km

Best months to travel: October to April

Price: U$D 3565 (SGL base) / U$D 2635 (DBL base) / U$D 2430 (TPL base)

Includes: 17 nights of lodging in 3* hotels/estancias with private bath and breakfast. Transfers from/towards terminal/airports in private service.
City Tour in Buenos Aires in private service with bilingual guide.
Trip from Comodoro Rivadavia along route 40 to the estancia La Leona in comfortable Van Mercedes Benz Sprinter, custom design interior, 08 reclined sits, extra place to carry all our guests luggage inside the vehicle, snacks and refreshments, panoramic windows, air conditioners and heating, GPS (global positional system), satellite phone, detailed maps and fauna/flora guides, binoculars.
Excursions in regular service to Psla.Valdés, whale watching, Punta Tombo and Perito Moreno Glaciar.
Entrances to the natural reserves and parks in Puerto Deseado, cave paintings and Perito Moreno National Park.
6 dinners (drinks not included) and 7 box Lunch during the route segment from Puerto Deseado to the estancia Cóndor inclusively. Nautical safari at Ría del Deseado. Regular bus from Puerto Madryn to Commodore Rivadavia, transfer from La Leona to Chaltén and to Calafate.

Day 1 - Buenos Aires:
Arrival at Buenos Aires airport, private transfer to hotel.
1 overnight at San Antonio Hotel in the city of Buenos Aires.

Optional: in the evening Tango Show in San Telmo.


Day 2 - Buenos Aires – Trelew – Puerto Madryn:
In the morning (starting from the hotel 09:00 am) 3 hours City Tour with bilingual guide. In the afternoon transfer to national airport (from hotel 1, 5 hour before flight depart), flight to Trelew. Meeting with the private guide and driver. Drive to Puerto Madryn.
3 overnights at Hosteria Gran Madryn.
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Drive distance: 60 km on paved road.


Day 3 - Peninsula Valdes:
Full day tour around Península Valdés, visiting the most important sea elephant colony at the east cost, than, in the north a fur seal colony and marine birth reserve. Along our drive we will see a lot of other animals as Guanacos, Nandues, Maras and an endless number of birds in the steppe. From May to December this is the place where the southern right whale arrives and remains to mate and give birth. A boat cruise allows us to enjoy those animals from a very short distance. Overnight as day before.

Drive distance: 360 km (190 on gravel road).


Day 4 - Punta Tombo:
Visit to Punta Tombo where you found one of the biggest penguin colony of the Patagonia. You will be able to observe the rich bird life of the Patagonian coast.
Overnight as day before.

Drive distance: 360 km (190 on gravel road).


Day 5 - Puerto Madryn - Comodoro Rivadavia:
Transfer to the bus terminal and regular bus (08:15 - 15:15) toward South to Comodoro Rivadavia, meeting with our english guide, transfer to the hotel,
1 overnight stay ate the Austral hotel.

Drive distance: 460 km paved road.


Day 6 - Comodoro Rivadavia - Puerto Deseado:
Transfer to Pto. Deseado. The first 80 km the road goes along the coast of San Jorge Gulf. Bays, gulfs and cliffs form a shore, which leads the traveler into Caleta Olivia, Santa Cruz Province. Later on, through the steppe we arrive in Pto. Deseado, a fishing port whose deep estuary was first explored by Magellan and Cavendish in 1520 and 1586.
In the afternoon, on board on a Zodiac boat (semi rigid) we will observe different points at "Ria del Deseado". This area is a wildlife Reserve where seals and dolphins are close to the coast. As well as seabirds like Imperial Cormorants, Magellan Penguin, Magellan oystercatcher and the rare Gray Cormorant. It is also possible to visit Los Pajaros island, a place where the Yellow Crested Penguin mate and nest every summer.
Lodge at Hotel Los Acantilados, dinner.

Drive distance: 270 km. (paved road).


Day 7 Puerto Deseado - Los Antiguos:
The journey today leads us across Patagonia from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes.
Lunch at an authentic bar/restaurant Patagonico “El Pluma”, located nearby the great valley of Rio Deseado. Then we follow the mythical Route 40, the most extensive one in the country (4600 km.). After passing Perito Moreno town, we arrive in Los Antiguos, which is located on the foot of Meseta Buenos Aires and on the coast of the great Buenos Aires lake.
Lodge in Hosteria Antigua Patagonia. Dinner.

Drive distance: 560 km gravel road.



Day 8 Los Antiguos – Cave Paintings – National Park Perito Moreno:
The adventure starts with a drive south along the Route 40. Firstly we visit the Cuevas de las Manos. A narrow path from the ranger's house parallel to the river allows the access to the different shelters and caves. According to experts, the splendid cave paintings belong to at least three different periods of styles on this archeological site, from 7300 B.C. to 1000 A.C. Motives are easy to recognize due to their different techniques and colors. After a nutritious box Lunch drive towards the National Park Perito Moreno, one of the remotest sites of Ruta 40 and less visited areas.
The Park protects the fauna and flora patagonica as well as several lakes and rivers. Hundreds of guanacos (lama guanicoe) can be seen there.
Lodge and dinner at Estancia La Oriental. Home cooked meals are shared with the owners and other guests.

Drive distance: 450 km (330 gravel road, 120 paved road).



Day 9 - National Park Perito Moreno:
An exciting full day wildlife safari through the Park. We go deep into the park's wilderness. You can easily observe guanacos, choiques (rhea americana), red and gray fox, patagonian hare, flamingos, Magellan Geese, Condors, allthough puma (felis concolor) and huemul (American deer) are very difficult to see. During the rounttrip we will see the Cordillera de los Andes and a complex lake system, which includes Lake Belgrano, Azara, Burmeister, and Lake Nansen. Visit to the Belgrano Peninsula, where we learn about Guanacos lives behavior, there are hundreds of them hanging around the hilly peninsula. Box lunch.
In the afternoon we follow up Lacteo river, the river that brings glacier sediments from the San Lorenzo Mount (3740 m.)
For trekkers: Cerro Leon and Condorera trail.
Lodge and Dinner at Estancia La Oriental.

Drive distance: 70 km (gravel road)
.



Day 10 Perito Moreno NP – Lago San Martin – Estancia El Cóndor:
Long day drive to Estancia El Condor. The journey crosses the Patagonian vastness, interrupted only by the lonely Lago Cardiel. The big sky and the infinitive horizon can stimulate the appreciation of the area. Lunch at Estancia La Siberia. On the road there are great opportunities to observe diverse land mammals like Guanacos, hares, red and gray foxes, armadillos and skunks. Birds of prey like falcons or eagles. Estancia El Condor is located in the imposing Andes Range, on the shore of the turquoise waters of Lake San Martin.

Drive distance: 440 km gravel road



Day 11 Estancia El Condor:
At the Estancia there are several opportunities for walks through woods of local species (Nothofagus subantartica), for horseback rides to the great natural viewpoints of San Martin Lake, the Peninsula Avellaneda and the ranch headquarters. Box lunch.
Lodge and dinner at Estancia El Condor. .

Drive distance: 30 km gravel road



Day 12 El Condor - El Chaltén:
Drive along Ruta 40 to estancia La Leona, located at the east end of Viedma lake, farewell to our Ruta 40-guide and transfer to El Chaltén, where the legendary Mount Fitz Roy and Mount Torre are part of one of the most amazing mountain regions in the world.
2 overnight stays at Hostería Fitz Roy Inn.

Drive distance: 240 km (150 paved road, 120 gravel road).



Day 13 El Chaltén - Fitz Roy:
Hike to Laguna de los Tres, enjoying an incredible view of Mount Fitz Roy along the whole trek. After 3 to 4 hours you reach the lagoon, which lies at the feet of Mount Fitz Roy, offering a breathtaking close up view of huge granite peaks soaring above you.
Overnight as before.



Day 14 - El Chalten – Cerro Torre – El Calafate:
Hike to Laguna Torre, the base camp for the ascents to Mount Torre, one of the most difficult summits in the world. The view you get while having lunch is just overwhelming over all those ice covered peaks and huge glaciers.
Late afternoon drive in regular service to Calafate, located on huge Argentino lake.
3 overnight stays at Hostería Kau Kaleshen

Drive distance: 220 km paved road.
.


Day 15 - El Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier:
Full day excursion to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the highlights in Southern Patagonia. Being the only glacier in the world, which is permanently advancing, it has been declared by UNESCO a world heritage.
Overnight as before.

Drive distance: 85 km, mostly on gravel road. .



Day 16 El Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier:
Optional (!): Full day boat excursion to the Upsala, Onelli and Spegazzini Glaciers, on Argentino Lake (to be booked on day before at hotel, aprox. U$D 95). Hundreds of floating icebergs can be seen around the boat.
Overnight as before.

Instead of flying to Buenos Aires you can continue with an additional modules to Paine Towers and Ushuaia, check it bellow!



Day 17 - Calafate – Buenos Aires:
In the morning transfer to the local airport and flight to Buenos Aires, private transfer into town and 1 overnight at hotel San Antonio.



Day 18 Buenos Aires:
Private transfer to the International airport and departure flight. End of our services.

Price: U$D 3565 (SGL base) / U$D 2635 (DBL base) / U$D 2430 (TPL base)

Includes: 17 nights of lodging in 3* hotels/estancias with private bath and breakfast.
Transfers from/towards terminal/airports in private service.
City Tour in Buenos Aires in private service with bilingual guide.
Trip from Comodoro Rivadavia along route 40 to the estancia La Leona in comfortable Van Mercedes Benz Sprinter, custom design interior, 08 reclined sits, extra place to carry all our guests luggage inside the vehicle, snacks and refreshments, panoramic windows, air conditioners and heating, GPS (global positional system), satellite phone, detailed maps and fauna/flora guides, binoculars.
Excursions in regular service to Psla.Valdés, whale watching, Punta Tombo and Perito Moreno Glaciar.
Entrances to the natural reserves and parks in Puerto Deseado, cave paintings and Perito Moreno National Park.
6 dinners (drinks not included) and 7 box Lunch during the route segment from Puerto Deseado to the estancia Cóndor inclusively.
Nautical safari at Ría del Deseado.
Regular bus from Puerto Madryn to Commodore Rivadavia, transfer from La Leona to Chaltén and to Calafate.


Not Included: Airport tax in Calafate (U$D 6) and Ezeiza (U$D 18).
Meals in cities (approximately 20 U$D c/u).
Gratuities.
Entrance fee to the National Park Los Glaciares (U$D 20).
Navigation on Argentino Lake to visit the Glaciers.
Trip insurance (we can offer one with the French company Coris).
Internal flight costs: U$D 325



Possible additional modules with the basic program of Route 40

1. Torres del Payne – Punta Arenas – Ushuaia

Day 17 - Calafate – Torres Del Payne:
Trip in regular bus crossing the border toward Chile at Paso Cerro Castillo – Cancha Carreras until the National Park Torres del Paine. As the region of the Fitz Roy, this park belongs to the culminate points, that Patagonia can offer you. The Paine massif is the most impressive mountain wilderness region in the Patagonian Andes, breathtaking rock spires, tumbling glaciers, milky green lakes, beech forest and windswept grasslands, which supports an amazing variety of geese, ducks and black necked swans, guanacos, foxes and nandús, and everywhere in mountains an incredible variety of birds. Lodging at the refuge of Las Torres for 2 nights, in 6-bed rooms with shared bath and breakfast.

Drive distance: 360 Kms, paved and gravel road..




Day 18 - Torres Del Paine:
Trekking by your own to the base of the “Torres” along the valley of Ascencio river until the base camp, then a last section upwards until the lagoon located on the towers´feet. 6-8 hours walk of intermediate level, on well marked and frequented footpaths.
Lodging at the refuge of Las Torres.



Day 19 - Torres Del Paine – Puerto Natales:
Private day excursion through the park to Grey lake, with unforgettable views of the Paine Horns (Cuernos del Paine) and the Paine Massif, as well as Lago Pehoé, Nordenskjöld and Laguna Azul. At the end of the roundtrip private transfer to Puerto Nalates.
1 overnight stay at hotel Charles Darwin.

Drive distance: 65 Kms, paved and gravel road..



Day 20 - Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas:
Regular bus to Punta Arenas, crossing the steppe from the Pacific Ocean to the Strait of Magellan.
1 night of lodging at the Plaza hotel..

Drive distance: 225 Kms, paved and gravel road..



Day 21: Punta Arenas - Ushuaia
Trip in bus towards Argentina crossing the Strait of Magellan until San Sebastián, after the border drive until Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. The region of Tierra del Fuego is mainly steppy, but in the neighborhood of Ushuaia, located next to the Beagle Channel, there are forests of old Southern beeches (nothofagus), snow covered peaks and deep green valleys.
Lodging for 3 nights at the Los Canelos hotel with a nice view to Beagle Channel.

Drive distance: 360 Kms, paved and gravel road..


Day 22: Ushuaia
In the morning excursion and short hikes through Lapataia bay and Tierra del Fuego National park. At the afternoon boat excursion on Beagle Channel (duration: 4 hours), visiting the Isla de los Pájaros with colonies of cormorants and other sea birds, the Isla de los Lobos crowded with sea lions.
Overnight as before.

Drive distance: 45 Kms, paved road..


Day 23: Ushuaia
Visit to the Fagnano and Escondido lakes; starting along Route N° 3 and crossing the valleys of Carbajal, de los Huskies, Tierra Mayor and de las Cotorras, we reach a panoramic point at paso Garibaldi, from where can be appreciated both lakes. From here we descend to the Escondido and than the Fagnano lake.
Overnight as before.

Drive distance: 100 Kms, paved road..



Day 24: Ushuaia– Buenos Aires
In the morning transfer to the local airport and flight to Buenos Aires.

• Price of this optional module: U$D 1400 (SGL base) / U$D 955 (DBL base) / U$D 835 (TPL base) plus internal flights (U$D 335 Buenos Aires – Trelew & Ushuaia – Buenos Aires)

Included services:
7 nights of lodging in 3* hotels with private bath and breakfast, in Torres del Paine in 6-bed rooms with shared bathroom and breakfast.
Regular bus from Calafate to Torres del Paine and from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas.
Regular bus from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia.
Private excursion in Torres del Payne and private transfer to Puerto Natales.
Excursions and transfers in Ushuaia in regular service.
Boat excursion in Ushuaia.

It does not include:
Airport tax in Ushuaia (U$D 4).
Meals (approximately 25 U$D each).
Gratuities.
Entrances to the National parks (U$D 40).

Optional Module:

2. Torres del Payne – Calafate – Ushuaia

Day 17: Calfate – Torres del Paine
Trip in regaular bus crossing the border toward Chile at Paso Cerro Castillo – Cancha Carreras until the National Park Torres del Paine. As the region of the Fitz Roy, this park belongs to the culminate points that Patagonia can offer you. The Paine massif is the most impressive mountain wilderness region in the Patagonian Andes, breathtaking rock spires, tumbling glaciers, milky green lakes, beech forest and windswept grasslands, which supports an amazing variety of geese, ducks and black necked swans, guanacos, foxes and nandús and everywhere in mountains an incredible variety of birds. Excursion through the park to Grey lake, with unforgettable views of the Paine Horns (Cuernos del Paine) and the Paine Massif, as well as Lago Pehoé and Nordenskjöld
Lodging in the refuge of Las Torres for 2 nights, in 6-bed rooms with shared bath and breakfast.

Drive distance: 360 Kms, paved and gravel road.



Day 18: Torres del Paine
Trekking on your own to the base of the “Torres”, following the valley of the Ascencio river until the base camp, then a last section upwards until the lagoon located on the foot of the towers. 6-8 hours walk of intermediate level, on well marked and frequented footpaths.



Day 19: Torres del Paine – Calafate
Morning free for some hike in the surroundings, in the afternoon regular bus back to Calafate, 1 overnight stay at hostería Kau Kaleshen.

Drive distance: 360 Kms, paved and gravel road.



Day 20: Calafate- Ushuaia
Transfer to the local airport and flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. The region of Tierra del Fuego is mainly steppy, but in the neighborhood of Ushuaia, located next to the Beagle Channel, there are forests of old Southern beeches (nothofagus), snow covered peaks and deep green valleys.
Lodging for 3 nights at the Los Canelos hostería with a nice view to Beagle Channel.



Day 21: Ushuaia
In the morning excursion and short hikes through Lapataia bay and Tierra del Fuego National park. At the afternoon boat excursion on Beagle Channel (duration: 4 hours), visiting the Isla de los Pájaros with colonies of cormorants and other sea birds, the Isla de los Lobos, crowded with sea lions.
Overnight as before.



Day 22: Ushuaia
Visit to the Fagnano and Escondido lakes; starting along Route N° 3 and crossing the valleys of Carbajal, de los Huskies, Tierra Mayor and de las Cotorras, we reach a panoramic point at paso Garibaldi, from where can be appreciated both lakes. From here we descend to the Escondido and than the Fagnano lake.



Day 23: Ushuaia – Buenos Aires
In the morning transfer to the local airport and flight to Buenos Aires.

• Price: U$D 900 (SGL base) / U$D 685 (DBL base) / U$D 650 (TPL base)
• Internal flights: U$D 465 (Buenos Aires – Trelew / Calafate – Ushuaia / Ushuaia - Buenos Aires)


Includes:
6 nights of lodging in 3* hotels with private bath and breakfast, in Torres del Paine in 6-bed rooms with shared bath and breakfast.
Regular bus from Calafate to Torres del Paine and back.
Excursion in Torres del Payne.
Excursions and transfers in Ushuaia in regular service.
Boat excursion in Ushuaia.

Not Included: Airport tax in Ushuaia (U$D 4).
Meals (approximately 25 U$D each).
Gratuities.
Entrances to the National parks (U$D 40).

Luggage suggestions
Comfortable informal clothes, wind jacket, sweat or polar, Trekking boots, solar protection, sunglasses, hut and gloves.

Communications
Cellular phones do not have signal during the tour. There are public phones at Comodoro Rivadavia, Perito Moreno , El Chalten and El Calafate.

If this tour is not what you expected and you are looking for a different itinerary or activities, please check our tailor-made trip offer, clicking here

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