UK clients fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina, arriving the following morning.

Day 1

Day at leisure to rest, explore or take an optional excursion.

Those passengers arriving on an international flight will be met by the tour leader or a local representative and transported to the group hotel.

The day is then free to rest, explore the city or take an optional excursion.

Day 2

City tour of Buenos Aires.

Today you have a guided city tour. Buenos Aires is an elegant city famed for its museums and the arty port district of La Boca with its cobbled streets and brightly-painted houses. It was here that the tango was born, and that Diego Maradona honed his footballing skills. The historic centre is home to the colonial heartland, government buildings and churches as well as chic shopping districts, which have a nostalgic, Parisian feel.

The Bohemian district of San Telmo is full of quaint old houses interspersed with antiques shops, tango bars and extravagant restaurants. Adjacent to the centre is the Gallic influenced Recoleta district where Evita Perón was laid to rest.

After the tour, you have free time to shop, have a drink and a pastry in a salon de thé, peruse the items on display in one of the many markets and boutiques or visit one of the city’s museums.

Day 3

Fly to Esquel in Argentine Patagonia.

A southbound flight (2.5 hours) takes you to the beginning of your journey through Patagonia. Arrive at Esquel in the foothills of the Andes. The backdrop of the town is starkly beautiful with dramatic mountains to one side and open grasslands to the other. Flight time permitting, there will be a chance to explore the sleepy settlement.

Day 4

Board the Old Patagonian Express or visit Los Alerces National Park.

La Trochita, the Old Patagonian Express, no longer crosses the continent. Nowadays there is just a short journey north along the narrow gauge tracks. The train runs a very infrequent program that changes from month to month so in the increasing likelihood the train journey is not possible, or for those who prefer not to ride, we will organise a visit to the Los Alerces National Park, which has countless beautiful lakes and lagoons, which can be seen from beautiful walks and various view points. The park was established to protect the alerce conifer tree, which can grow to over 60m and survive for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Day 5

Cross into Chile to Futaleufú. Walking or white-water rafting.

Today we travel by private vehicle across the Andean range to the Chilean town of Futaleufú, in the remote Aisén region of Chile. This is a fractured territory of islands and fjords. The mainland here is covered by snowy volcanoes and sapphire-tinted glaciers. Out of these, vivacious rivers tumble and crash through deep valleys fringed by ancient temperate rainforests; 73% of the territory is now protected land.

Border formalities permitting, it is around a 2 hour journey along a beautiful valley hemmed in by towering mountains on either side. Close to the town of Futaleufú is a raging river where the foaming rapids and white water attract rafters from all over the world. If you fancy a paddle yourself (more gentle floating options and hike combinations are available), this can be arranged locally for the following morning. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing afternoon and leisurely morning, including a stroll along the river bank.

Days 6-7

Drive down the Carretera Austral to Puerto Puyuhuapi. Visit the Queulat National Park.

In the early afternoon we continue west and join the Carretera Austral (4hrs with stops). This isolated road winds its way from Puerto Montt in the north to its southerly limit at Villa O’Higgins, carving its way through a variety of breath-taking landscapes, fording rivers and almost slicing glaciers in two. In the early 20th century there were attempts to colonise this rugged region, however the road was only constructed much later by General Pinochet in a bid to increase the population and to safeguard Chilean territory.

Nowadays, in the Chilean summer months (January and February), more adventurous Chilean families may come here, but otherwise tourists are confined to adventure-seekers, back-packers and enthusiastic, curious travellers like us. Public transport along the road is still very scarce and so you’ll travel by private minibus. We’ll be able to stop along the way to drink in the views of the awe-inspiring scenery.

The northern part of the road (predominantly unpaved) passes settlements nestled in the thick temperate rainforest, fast flowing rivers and lakes. We stop near one such village, Puerto Puyuhuapi sitting at the head of a fjord. There are thermal springs nearby which you can visit in the evening and soak your rattled bones while enjoying the peaceful setting.

A short distance from the village of Puerto Puyuhuapi is the Queulat National Park, famed for the hanging glacier beyond. There is a 3 hour return walk through the forest to a vantage point of the glacier, where you can watch glacial waterfalls tumble onto the rocks below and form a river which meanders through the valley.

Day 8

Travel on down 'the southern highway' to Coyhaique.

Today we continue south to Coyhaique, stopping on the way to take photos, stretch our legs on short walks and eat lunch. Coyhaique is the capital of the Aisén region, a modern, planned town, set against a backdrop of snowy peaks. This pleasant town has a large central plaza and is a good place to change money and pick up any supplies.

Day 9

Venture further south through glacial valleys and across Lago General Carrera to stay on the shores of the lake.

Today, the scenery of the Carretera Austral changes dramatically. We leave behind the damp, evergreen forest and the scenery is transformed into sweeping open valleys, with snow-capped mountains, fast flowing rivers and forests of deciduous beech trees.

After a few hours you reach the expanse of Lago General Carrera, which you will cross on a small car ferry to reach the southern shore at Chile Chico. We continue alongside the shimmering waters before spending the night in a lakeside lodge.

Day 10

Day at leisure to relax, stroll along the lake shore or nearby rivers or fish, kayak or raft.

The nearby towns of Puerto Bertrand and Puerto Guadal and the Rio Baker river are the bases for plenty of activities including fly-fishing, kayaking, zip-lining, white-water rafting, horse riding and trekking – or like many before you, you may wish just to enjoy the vistas with a leisurely stroll along the river or lake.

(Please check you are insured for any of the activities you wish to do, before advising your tour leader in time to put your name down for those which need pre-booking).

Day 11

Continue north to Puerto Rio Tranquilo on the shores of a glacial lake.

Continuing a short distance north along the edge of General Carrera with its shimmering turquoise waters is the small town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo where tourism is in its infancy and accommodation is relatively basic.

Day 12

View Exploradores glacier and visit the Capillas de Marmol by boat.

Driving though the Exploradores valley you travel through the Andean mountains towards the glacier. Take a walk through the forest and up wooden walkways to a vantage point over the ice, one of the few glaciers which are accessible – an expanse of some 4,200km of ice. The most famous of the glaciers in this region is the vast San Rafael Glacier, although due to limited road access, a visit cannot be guaranteed.

For the more adventurous of you (who are relatively fit), there is an option to trek on the glacier; though this must be booked in advance. After returning to Puerto Rio Tranquilo, you’ll have a guided excursion on Lake General Carrera. After navigating across the cobalt blue waters in a small motor boat, you reach the Capillas de Marmol, a series of rocks which have formed and eroded over time to resemble ‘marble caves’ rising out of the water.

Day 13

Return north to Balmaceda and fly to Santiago.

We return north to the airport (at Balmaceda, 1hr south of Coyhaique) and take the 3.5 hour flight to Santiago, arriving late afternoon/evening. The busy, sprawling capital is set in a broad valley between the snow-mantled range of the Andes and a smaller coastal range with a distinctly Mediterranean feel.

Day 14

Optional visit to a vineyard or the port city Valparaíso.

Whilst in Santiago you can choose to visit one or two of the small museums; or, for a panoramic view of the city, head to the central hilltop park of Cerro Santa Lucía. For even more dramatic views, take a cable car to the summit of San Cristóbal, where you can join Chilean families wandering along the leafy paths. We recommend a coffee, beer or glass of wine at one of the pavement cafés in Bellavista. This is the bohemian district: an Italian quarter of narrow streets peppered with bars and shops selling local semi-precious lapis lazuli at reasonable prices. The museum and house of Chilean poet laureate Pablo Neruda is close by, and its unusual interior with an eclectic collection of paintings and bric-a-brac is well worth a visit.

Alternatively, you can visit Valparaíso, Chile’s second city which is only 2 hours away by bus. This lively seaport is built on a series of hills which form a backdrop to the wide bay, with views over the seaside resort of Viña del Mar. You can wander along the sombre streets behind the port, and among the residences and office buildings built for British and German merchants, or take a ride in one of the wooden funiculars which link the cliff-top communities. These have been recently enlivened with brightly coloured façades, new boutique hotels and chic restaurants.

You may also choose to take a leisurely visit to one of the wineries located in the fertile valleys close to Santiago. The region’s viticulture has gained an excellent reputation and you can sample some of the wines and take a tour of the cellars and bottling plants.

Day 15

Depart for international flight or extension.

UK clients arrive home the following day.