The Coast of Chile
to the Coast of Argentina

Itinerary:

Synopsis:
Travel from the coast of Chile to the coast of Argentina on an overland journey. Walk through the cities, mountains and sea kayak (no experience necessary) the coast of Patagonia. Ride the overnight train of Patagonia, stay in hotels and hosterias.

Possible Fauna:
Southern Right Whales: June - December
Magellan Penguins: September - March
Sea Lions: Year-round
Elephant Seals: Year-round
Orcas: September - March
Commerson's Dophins: Year-round
Dolphins: Year-round
Cormorants, Guanacos, Armadillo: Year-round

Day 1:
Arrival:
Arrive to Santiago, the capital of Chile. Upon arrival, drive 2 hours to the coastal town of Valparaiso – passing through Viña del Mar. Have time to relax and recover from traveling. In the afternoon, wander around the famous cerros, or hills often described as the San Francisco of South America. Stay the evening in Cerro Concepcion.

Day 2:
Explore Valparaiso:
Go to the museum/house of Chile’s famous poet, Pablo Neruda. Discover the hills of Valparaiso on a full-day walking tour of the city. Dine at one of the best ‘marisco’ restaurants in this shellfish-lover’s paradise. Stay the night on the Cerro Concepcion.

Day 3:
The Coast to the Andes:
Taking an early flight from Viña del Mar, arrive to mountain town of San Carlos de Bariloche, on the Argentina side of the Andes. Spend the afternoon wandering around downtown Bariloche. Buy chocolates and ice cream. In the evening dine at El Boliche de Alberto, one of the best steak houses in Argentina. Stay the evening in Bariloche, Argentina.

Day 4:
Llao Llao:
Begin the day on a tour of the Llao Llao peninsula. Hike the Cerro Llao Llao in the morning and stop at Cerveceria Blest in the afternoon for a round of Bariloche’s first microbrewery. Later, explore the center of Bariloche or go on another hike. In the evening dine at Cassis on Lago Gutierrez.

Day 5:
Pampa Linda:
Departing in the morning from San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, drive around the edge of Lago Gutierrez and Mascardi en route to Pampa Linda, set in the heart of Nahuel Huapi National Park. In the afternoon, visit the Garganta del Diablo and the Glacier at the base of Cerro Tronador, the tallest peak in the region. Hike to the valley’s lookout in the late afternoon. If the weather permits, enjoy wine at the lookout before descending to the Hosteria Pampa Linda for the dinner before retiring.

Day 6:
Tren Patagonico:
Departing in the morning, drive to the other side of Nahuel Huapi’s park to see the Los Alerces waterfall. In the afternoon, return to Bariloche and board the Tren Patagonico. Ride in style on the train in Camarote (your own private bedroom on the train! – better than first class.) from the middle of the Andes, across the desert and to the coast of Argentina. Enjoy views of the desert as well as the comforts of the train’s cinema car and the full service dining car.

Day 7:
Puerto Madryn:
Arriving to San Antonio del Oeste at 7 a.m., ride in the ATAC Patagonia van for a two-hour drive to Puerto Madryn. Stop at different beaches along the way. Dine and stay in Puerto Madryn in the evening.

Day 8:
Sea Kayaking and Seals:
In the morning, sea kayak along the coast to view sea lion colonies and cormorants. In the afternoon, depart for Puerto Piramides. If the weather is permits, board a launch to see whales. It is possible to see whales breach and slap their tails as they play. In the late afternoon, continue the drive to the Estancia Faro Punta Delgado. In the evening visit the Valdes Peninsula’s lighthouse and walk among elephant seals on the beach. Dine at the restaurant of the estancia before retiring for the evening.

Day 9:
Caleta Valdes:
Spend the afternoon at Caleta Valdes in hopes of seeing Orcas. When the conditions permit, often the Orcas enter the Caleta – or inlet - as they hunt young sea lions and elephant seals. In the afternoon see penguins and Guanacos. Return to the Faro in the evening.

Day 10:
Punta Tombo:
In the morning, drive along the coast and through the desert to Punta Tombo. The desert isolated coastal beach of Punta Tombo is the home of the largest known penguin colony. Walk among and observe the Magellan Penguins in their natural habitat. Later drive to the historic town of Gaiman, known for its Welsh influence and traditional tea houses.

Day 11:
Patagonia to the Buenos Aires:
In the morning visit the famous fantasy-like tea house of Gaiman and then drive to Trelew. Fly to Buenos Aires in the afternoon. After leaving bags at the hotel in Recoleta, go to San Telmo for dinner and a then attend a Tango show.

Day 12:
Buenos Aires:
Visit the cemetery and Eva Peron tomb, Caminito and the famous spots of Buenos Aires on a city tour. Have a farewell steak dinner before retiring for the evening in Recoleta.

Day 13:
Departure:
Return home.

Notes: Though we try our best to follow the above itinerary, all trips have factors that may not allow for all events to occur. Most of the time the unplanned experiences are even better!

We do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, however this itinerary is subject to change. All itineraries can be customized.

Download the Coast to Coast Itinerary.
(may differ slightly from the one online.)

1. Trip Cost Inclusions and Exclusions. The cost of the Coast to Coast trip from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina includes: accommodations, food (up to 32 meals), equipment, transportation, and guides. The hiking tour price does not include: airfare and travel expenses to Santiago, Chile and from Buenos Aires, Argentina; government tourist taxes; additional meals; alcoholic beverages with some dinner(s); optional activities; and individual costs not provided to the rest of the clients.

2. Trip Cost, Deposit & Cancellation. The full balance of the trip cost is due 60 days before the trip departure date. If this balance is not paid 60 days prior to departure, ATAC reserves the right to cancel the client’s reservation. If a reservation is made less than 60 days prior to departure, the full balance of the trip is due at that time. A client’s cancellation is effective on the date ATAC receives written notice of the cancellation. $200.00 of each deposit is nonrefundable, regardless of when cancellation notice is given. If cancellation notice is received over 120 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $300 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 90 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $200 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 60 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $100 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 30 days before departure, one-half of the trip cost will be refunded; and if received less than 30 days, there will be no refund. Note: ATAC recommends that all clients purchase traveler’s insurance and can help clients locate an agent. If a client is prevented from traveling due to serious illness, death in the immediate family or a similar catastrophe, at ATAC’s sole discretion, the client may transfer to another trip or locate another qualified individual to take client’s space subject to the replacement client executing the required documents.

3. ATAC reserves the right to cancel a trip up to 30 days prior to departure on the condition that 100% of the trip cost payment and deposit be returned to the client. ATAC may cancel a trip within 30 days of departure for reasons of force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the company's control. When a trip is canceled by ATAC, the client may choose between a full refund of all monies paid and any alternative trip with open reservation space offered by ATAC, subject to an adjustment for any difference in costs.
Please download and review the complete reservation packet from the DOWNLOAD INFO section in the left column to understand all terms and conditions before making a deposit.

This is the best new trip that we've created. I am still reeling from it! Perfect for those who want to see both Chile and Argentina in style, who don't want to follow the typical routes, yet want to have it all. This is the least difficult trip ATAC Patagonia offers.

Saludos,
Zach
[ATAC Patagonia founder]

For more information on the Fauna of the area, visit these sites:

Puerto Piramides Tourism Site

Puerto Madryn Tourism Site

Frequently Asked Questions and more information about this trip will be added. Check back soon!