Chile to Argentina: Patagonia Peaks & Campfire Nights

Arrive at any time. Santiago is special for its unique blend of lively city life and easy access to nearby natural wonders. Get to know the area on your own and simply enjoy being nestled between the towering Andes and mighty Pacific Ocean. Later attend a Welcome Meeting to mingle with your fellow travellers and grow excited for the adventures to come. Snap some photos and get those playlists queued up.

Enjoy the day in Santiago, Chile’s capital. From delicious local cuisines to interactive museums and cable car rides, this is a wonderful city to get lost in for the day. Choose to check out the street art in Barrio Bellavista, explore the city by bike, enjoy historic parks with gardens, pathways, and viewpoints, or perhaps book a day trip to Valparaíso for a visit to the nearby cold-climate wineries. Later meet back up with the group for a quick briefing and time to grab dinner on your own and buy some snacks before your overnight bus ride to Pucón. Get ready to fully embrace South American local transportation and enjoy the company of your new travel family.

Arrive to Pucón as the day begins to shed its light on this quaint, adventure town in central Chile’s Lake District near Lake Villarrica and the snow-capped Villarrica volcano. Walk from the bus station to the nearby hostel and get settled. Then, it’s time to enjoy yourselves in a place renowned for its access to hiking trails, water sports, and natural hot springs. Choose to go for a soak and sooth those muscles after the long bus ride, or perhaps try rafting on the Trancura River. From laid back vibes to adrenaline pumping adventure, the day belongs to you.

Take advantage of another free day in Pucón to try one of the many different optional activities available in the area. Head out onto the lake for a kayak ride, chill out down town with stunning views of the snow-capped volcano in the distance, or if you’re seeking out more of a challenge, consider the Villarrica Hike to the top of the volcano for epic vistas of the surrounding landscape and lakes. It’s the perfect reel in the making.

Hit the road today to Puerto Varas. Opt to grab one final breakfast in Pucón with your travel pals and then walk to the bus station in town to board the local bus. Then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery as you travel further south through Chile. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy free time to get settled before choosing to find a cool spot to share some appetizers with the group.

Another beautiful day to explore on your own. Think stunning natural landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. Located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, you will be able to enjoy views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. It’s a place that offers a unique blend of European charm and Chilean culture. Options to choose from during your time here include, a visit to Chiloe Island and its colourful stilt houses known as palafitos, or its UNESCO Churches. You could also challenge yourself and trek the Osorno volcano for some bragging rights upon returning home. Later, opt to reconvene with the group and pick a place for an optional dinner together.

Travel by private vehicle to Puerto Montt and hop on a flight to Puerto Natales, gateway to Torres del Paine. Arrive in the afternoon and get settled. Perhaps find a fun, local spot to grab a drink and hangout before the adventures ahead.

Prepare for epic views and life-changing scenery during today’s transfer into Torres del Paine NP. Your first exposure to the untamed beauty of the area will be on a trek to the Serrano River Lookout. Prepare to be amazed as you hike to the viewpoint and witness the mountain range spread across the national park with the contrasting greens and greys of the landscape. Arrive at Serrano Campsite in the evening just in time for a group dinner together before the light fades beyond the horizon. Your body may be tired, but your mind will be working in overdrive to take it all in. Sweet dreams!

Enjoy breakfast at camp surrounded by Patagonia’s beauty before heading out to trek to the base of Las Torres to see a closer view of the dramatic three towers, and the practically irresistible turquoise lagoon below. Share a packed lunch in the splendour of the natural landscape (try to stop yourself from making too many reels & just enjoy it). Later, return along the same trail and meet your driver to transfer to Laguna Azul Campsite. Relax amid your surroundings and have dinner together at camp before sleeping in your tents under the vast Patagonian sky. Today checks all of the boxes!

Wake to the sounds of nature in Torres del Paine before a short one hour trek to the Sierra Masle lookout. Search for animals such as guanacos and birds as you walk before catching a gorgeous view of the granite towers. Transfer back to Puerto Natales for a free afternoon to hangout with your newest travel pals and explore the area. Some local bar hopping, anyone?

Ready for the next adventure?! Grab some breakfast at the hotel and hop in a taxi to the bus terminal in Puerto Natales. Travel along roads featuring views of endless plains and towering mountains as the group crosses from Chile to Argentina. Play games with your travel mates, throw on that downloaded Spotify roadtrip playlist, and enjoy the ride. Arrive to the town of El Calafate in the late afternoon and spend time on your own to get settled. Walk around the tiny town, choose to find a spot for some dinner together, and maybe set out on a sunset walk to Lake Nimez in search of some noteworthy views for that Instagram Story you’ll want to post later. It might mainly be a day of travel, but the sights along the way make the journey worth the effort.

It’s time to set those eyes on the best glacier you’ll likely ever see. It’s big, it’s bright, and it’s 70 metres high and over 30km long! Enter Los Glaciares National Park in the morning and visit Perito Moreno, one of the few glaciers in the world that are said to be growing. You’ll have the option to make the visit even more epic with an optional boat tour to get closer to the glacier, but otherwise the group will enjoy a walking tour along the platforms of Perito Moreno. Sit down for a packed lunch with a view and gather for some photos before heading back to El Calafate. Spend an early evening exploring the views around town before opting to grab dinner with the group. Tonight’s challenge will be to find a cozy bar with some local beers and music for dancing. Why not embrace the bizarre?

Lace up those hiking boots folks because today you’re traveling to Argentina’s “National Capital of Trekking” – El Chaltén! Board the bus and wind deeper into the untamed, gorgeous landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park. Find yourself surrounded by mountains that are part of the larger Patagonian Andes. This paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts is waiting for you to enjoy. Take advantage of free time to relax amid the wild beauty, or choose to head out on an optional trekking excursion to Condores Sightseeing Point or Chorrillo del Salto Waterfall. Gather later this evening to swap stories during an optional group dinner in town.

Enjoy some breakfast at the hotel before getting out there into the bliss of the great outdoors. Choose from a variety of trekking options that suit many different activity levels and have those phones at the ready to document the amazing views. Options include the Condores Sightseeing Point and Chorillo del Salto Waterfall (if you didn’t do either yesterday) or the more challenging Laguna de los Tres hike which will take most of the day. And what sounds more perfect than choosing to find a local spot for a nice cold drink after a day of exercise through the most inspiring landscapes at “The Edge of the World”?

Jump aboard a public bus from El Chalten to El Calafate. Transfer from the bus station to the airport and fly to Buenos Aires. After getting settled, opt to enjoy dinner and a tango show for a memorable night out in Argentina’s capital city.

Depart at anytime. Or perhaps consider spending a few extra days in the lovely Buenos Aires. Before you go make sure you swap information with your newest travel family because someday maybe you'll meet up in another part of the world.