Chile Road Trip and Argentina: Carretera Austral and Ruta 40

Date

January to January

Trip length

Tour itinerary

View

Call our team

+5411 4766-8255

Enquire

SEND US AN EMAIL

Argentina and Chile Road Trip

Combine two of the most famous routes of south America

Argentina and Chile count with many wild roads to discover, that go around through different National Parks and allow the traveler to witness many different landscapes. It’s difficult to say which are the best roads to drive through, but it would be accurate to say that the Ruta 40 in Argentina and the Carretera Austral in Chile, are the most popular ones. During this trip, we propose to combine both of them. Naturally, it will be just a small part of each one, because doing both in full length would take over two months. This trip includes great attractions and is focused on Patagonia. Is a flexible circuit, that can be adapted to your needs and preferences. If you’d like to see some other tours, you can check our Chile and Argentina road trips page.

GALLERY VIDEO

Bernardita – Beyond BA LATAM Team

Can’t you decide if doing a Chile road trip or driving across Argentina? What if you combine both of them? We invite you to take a look at this itinerary and to write to us with your thoughts and travel plans. Let’s plan an epic trip!

Destinations

Los Alerces Nat. Park
Ruta 40
Carretera Austral
Marble Cathedrals
Perito Moreno Glacier

Activities

Road trip
Nature
Hiking
Local cuisine

Budget

Standard ?
Premium ?
Deluxe ?
Black Label ?

Holiday Types

Custom ?
Escorted ?
Self-drive ?
MICE & Groups ?

VACATION PROGRAM

Day 1 View more

ARRIVAL IN ESQUEL (Argentina)

Today you will arrive at Esquel Airport, where you will pick up your 4×4.
You will have a free day to buy everything you need to hit the road. If you have spare time and like learning about history, we recommend visiting “La Trochita” also known as “The Patagonic Express”.

Day 2 View more

Esquel: Parque Nacional Los Alerces

Today you will have free time to enjoy Parque Nacional Los Alerces, near Esquel. In this region, successive glaciations have molded the landscape creating spectacular features such as moraines, glacial cirques, and clear-water lakes.
A highly distinctive and emblematic feature is its Alerce forest; the globally threatened Alerce tree is the second-longest living tree species in the world (>3,600 years). This is just one of the reasons why this place is World Heritage by UNESCO.

Day 3 View more

First border crossing: Esquel – Futalefu – La Junta (beginning of the Chile road trip)

Today the first border crossing awaits. Driving the national route 259, Trevelin is the first stop. It is a beautiful mountain village with Welsh inheritance.
As the road continues there is a bridge that crosses the Futalefú River, which takes you to the international pass, gate to the starting point of your Chile road trip.
After crossing the next stop should be Futalefú, the first town in the Chilean Side and means “Big River” in Mapuche language.
The road continues to border Futalefú River until reaching the famous Carretera Austral – Chiles National Route 7. We will enjoy beautiful views of the Yelcho River. The road to La Junta continues surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, forests and waterfalls.

Day 4 View more

La Junta – Valle de Mirta – Lago Rossellot – Port R.M. Balmaceda

We will leave the Carretera Austral for two days to enjoy the Pacific Coast in Raul Balmaceda Port. To reach that small maritime town you will drive through Mirta Valley and following the Palena River. Raúl Marín Balmaceda is surrounded by gorgeous landscapes with striking natural beauty. Due to the town’s geography––on an island at a river delta––sandy sediment accumulates in the area, forming long, beautiful beaches and attracting wildlife. The town is surrounded by large slopes, exuberant vegetation, and rocky, stark cliffs.

Day 5 View more

Balmaceda: free day

Today you will have a free day to enjoy Port R.M. Balmaceda. Hiking, navigation, kayaking and many other activities are available in this region.

Day 6 View more

Balmaceda – La Junta- – Parque Queulat – Villa Ortega – Coyhaique

The Chile road trip continues and we part from the see to continue the Carretera Austral. Between La Junta and Coyhaique, we recommend making two stops. Puyuhuapi is a picturesque German-influenced town well known for its hot springs and handmade weaving work.
Also, you can’t miss Queualt National Park. Queulat means «Sound of Waterfalls» in the Chono people’s language. You will be amazed by its beautiful evergreen and Andean Patagonian forests, its waterfalls, fjords, jagged rock walls, abundant rivers, and famous hanging glacier or «Ventisquero Colgante,» which can be spotted from the Carretera Austral.
Once back on the road, on your way to Coyhaique, you can also visit Puerto Cisnes, Villa Mañihuales and Villa Ortega.

Day 7 View more

Coyhaique – Cerro Castillo – Chile Chico

In the morning you will have free time to explore the area of Coyhaique and Puerto Aysen.
In the afternoon you will drive through Cerro Castillo National Park one of the most beautiful in all Chile. The Lenga and Ñirre forests are home to Huemules (South Andean Deer) and it’s not uncommon to spot one near the Ibáñez park entrance, just next to the Carretera Austral. The hanging glaciers from lagoons with bright turquoise waters, giving even more colour and life to a unique landscape that already captivates visitors from around the world.
From Puerto Ibañez you will need to take the ferry that crosses Lago General Carrera and disembarks in Chile Chico.

Day 8 View more

Second border crossing: Chile Chico – Marble Chapel- Los Antiguos

In the morning you will experience one of the most beautiful excursions in Chile. Embarking at the Port of Río Tranquilo, head first to the incredible Marble Chapel Nature Sanctuary to visit its network of caves, especially the famous ‘Chapel’ and ‘Cathedral’ caverns. Get ready to kayak through the many tunnels whose unique colours, textures and volumes make for an amazing photographic record. This natural wonder is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Chilean Patagonia.
In the afternoon your Chile road trip ends and you will cross back to Argentina, to Los Antiguos in Santa Cruz.

Day 9 View more

LOS ANTIGUOS – CUEVA DE LAS MANOS – RIO PINTURAS – LAGO POSADAS

Today the adventure continues through the mystical Argentinan National Route 40. If you like exploring ancient cultures and tribes, your next stop is 176 kilometers away at Cueva de las Manos. Here old rock paintings are basically everywhere, and by foot, you can reach Río Pinturas, a quiet river that crosses this canyon-like valley. Once your adventure day is over, a new night awaits at Lago Posadas, on the Southeast of Santa Cruz. But if you are feeling excited, we recommend you to spend an extra night so you can visit de marble chapels (on the Chilean side of the border), and the Lago Pueyrredón its 150 meters high cascade.

Day 10 View more

LAGO POSADAS – EL CHALTEN

Lago Posadas has a big surface, and it’s optimal for water sport as well as for fishing.
The weather is usually cold but good, meaning there’s sun practically throughout the entire year.
Once this part of the journey ends, you’ll have to travel about 530 kilometers West to El Chaltén. In this city is where you’ll spend the night and also, where you’ll find a whole variety of activities to do.

Day 11 View more

EL CHALTEN

Walking amount mountains, forests, plants, being in touch with the wildlife and behold nature, are key factors when we discuss trekking in El Chaltén. This town is in fact considered the ‘national capital’ of trekking.
Rock climbing, kayak, rafting, horse riding and biking, are some of the things we recommend you to practice here.

Day 12 View more

EL CHALTEN – CALAFATE

After an intense day of walking non-stop, you better jump in the car and keep moving down South until you reach this Patagonian gem: El Calafate. This trendy, yet humble, the city is home of the ever wonderful Perito Moreno glacier

Day 13 View more

PERITO MORENO GLACIER

About 75 kilometers West this humongous block of ice that attracts tourist and locals awaits. Take pictures on the glacier, walk on it, climb it or kayak through it, and once you’re done, return to El Calafate for some hot chocolate and get some rest.

Day 14 View more

UPSALLA AND SPEGAZZINI GLACIERS

Every day more adventure and glaciers are waiting to be discovered. Now we’re talking about the Upsala and Spegazzini, these two are located in a national park dedicated especially to glaciers and is very common to cruise this area on specific tours that sail from El Calafate Port. During this trip, you’ll see waterfalls, wild animals (like horses living in ice islands) and of course, huge walls of blue ice.

Day 15 View more

DEPARTURE

At an agreed-upon time, drop off of the vehicle at the airport, in order to board your corresponding flight. The Argentina and Chile road trip reaches the end, but it can be extended in case you want it. For instance, you can get inspired by checking our Ruta 40 Argentina road trip.

Included

Rented vehicle
Accommodation
Domestic flights

Not Included

Non specified services

START CREATING YOUR CUSTOM TRIP TODAY!

Tell us about your travel idea

Custom must always be personal. Tell us your style and requirements and we will manage the rest. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, Beyond BA can make it happen in style.

Tell us!

Let’s work on it!

We count with privileged access to live authentic and unique experiences. Would you like to fish and cook your own Crab at a remote village? Would you like to see the falls from the sky? Let’s work together!

Ask us!

Live the experience

Our service is based on relationships, we live in Argentina, we know locals, we are locals. We like to treat our clients as if they were our close friends guests in our countries. Get ready to enjoy!

Meet us!

GALLERY & VIDEO

WE LOVE OUR PASSENGERS…AND THEY LOVE US!

Brenda Caizza of Beyond BA did an extraordinary job of making our vacation successful despite our knowing very little about Patagonia in general and Bariloche in particular. She identified an exceptional place to stay and knew just the right itineraries for outdoor activities including hiking, boating and white water rafting along with the best places to eat along the way. The guides she used were warm and friendly and accommodated our family’s various needs with ease. We would highly recommend a trip to Bariloche and would highly recommend using Brenda to arrange it.
Stewart K.P. Gross
Managing Director
-
Lightyear Capital
Beyond BA is a high-end travel company. From the beginning we knew we had partnered with an extraordinary destination management company who really knows its destination beyond standard programs and who fully understands the needs of international groups…Thanks to Beyond BA ability to think out of the box our VIP clients experience a unique private event at Mendoza, Argentina, combining wine, golf and exceptional culinary experiences. I would definitely recommend Beyond BA if you are planning an incentive trip to Latin America.
Juan Manuel Meryn
Latam Managing Director
-
Cardplayer
Have booked 2 tailor-made trips with Beyond BA to Latin America. First Class Service, if you want everything sorted by experts who have been to the destination you are planning, if you want the best use Beyond BA.
Maximiliano Garay
Franchise Leader
-
The Coca Cola Company

BOOK THIS TOUR