PATAGONIA TOUR RUTA 40



Want more pictures? Get to our picture galleries.

4-days tour to the highlights of Patagonias Ruta 40 and much more. We drive through the southern lake district; come to huge turquiose-coloured glacial lakes; more than 9000 years old prehistoric cave paintings; we will stay on Estancias (sheep ranches) and drive through the immensity of the Patagonian Steppe along Route 40 and see the most impressive mountains of Patagonia.

Itinerary


Day 1

We drive through the most beautiful part of the national park "Nahuel Huapi" and enjoy the panoramic stretch going south. We stop in the hippy town of El Bolson for lunch, visit the famous handicraft market, and take a short walk to admire the surrounding area. Continuing south, we visit the Mapuche museum of Leleque and the southern-most town of the Lake District, Esquel. Accommodation in a Hosteria in Esquel. Lunch not included.

Day 2

We continue westwards on Route 40. It is the only road which was built North to South along the Andes. This dirt road takes us to the small village in the Steppe called Perito Moreno. We make a detour to the village of Los Antiguos with its numerous cherry plantations and go to a viewpoint of Lake Buenos Aires (the second biggest lake in South America). In the afternoon we continue along Route 40 to a typical Estancia. Dinner and accommodation on the Estancia (farm with accommodation). Lunch not included.

Day 3

We visit one of the most important cultural monuments of Patagonia, the "Cueva de las manos" (cave of hands), taking a picnic with us. The paintings are up to 9,000 years old. We see the magnificent canyon "Rio Pinturas", with its 250 metre-high stone walls. When you have had time to look around the area we drive to the typical Steppe setlement of Bajo Caracoles. Later we drive another 190 km along Route 40 (partly dirt road). We enjoy the beautiful evening atmostphere of the Patagonian Steppe. Accommodation and dinner on an Estancia.

Day 4>

You have the option to make some horse back riding or a walk around the area. Afterwards we drive back along the famous Route 40 and experience the loneliness and the freedom of Patagonia. Different landscapes in combination with clouds and turquoise-coloured lakes will fascinate us all day long. If we are in luck we will see guanacos, reahs (small ostriches), armadillos and hares (Steppenhasen**). With a bit of luck we can see the Fitz Roy and Torre mountains from the viewpoint of lake Viedma. We visit to the small restaurant "La Leona". Come to lake Argentino with the first icebergs and enjoy by a couple of stops on the view points the view to the Anden range and El Calafate. Accomodation and dinner not included.



Services included:
  • All accommodation includes breakfast: up to 4-star hotels, small family guest houses and ranches (double room with private bathroom)
  • Half board
  • All transfers und transportation
  • All excursions
  • All entrance fees for museums, national parks and nature reserves
  • English speaking guides
  • A lot of fun
    • Services not included:
  • International flight to Buenos Aires
  • Two domestic flights: Buenos Aires - San Carlos de Bariloche, El Calafate - Buenos Aires
  • Airport tax
  • health insurance
  • beverages
  • tips

    • Price:
     US$ / per person based on double occupancy, in a group of at least 6 people
    (extra charge of US$ for single rooms)

    Information:
     - Combination with all other tours of the Lake District or individual tours organized.
    - Optional tour to Ushuaia and national park "Tierra del fuego".
    - Depending on season times the tour can be organised in the opposite direction (from south to north)
    - Rooms with more than two beds can be booked in the hostels on demand to reduce costs