Ruta
40 Light
Itinerary
Day 1.
Pick up from airport in Comodoro Rivadavia.
Accommodation at Hotel.
Day 2.
Breakfast. Today, take a most spectacular drive
along
the south Atlantic coast. Wide beaches of amazing
colours and gorgeous landscapes await you. After
some 75 km, turn west to cross southern Patagonia.
After lunch, drive past river Deseado, famous
for the numbers of Indian camping sites and
stone tools, apart from its endless rocky landscapes.
By the end of the day, reach Los Antiguos, a
cute little town sitting with the awesome background
of the Andes. Dinner
Day 3.
Breakfast. Head west for a view of the spectacular
Chilean side of the Andes and the waving river
Jainimeni deep down the impressive valley. Lunch
en route. Travel south, parallel to the peaks
while approaching Monte Zeballos (an extinguished
volcano), whose outstanding silhouette may be
seen from afar. Quite often, some condors are
spotted high up, hovering above our heads. Overnight
at Lago Posadas or return to Los Antiguos (DEPENDING
ON THE ROAD SITUATION). Dinner.
Day 4.
Breakfast. Depart for the canyon of Rio Pinturas,
the world-famous caverns where ancient dwellers
left their message shaped as paintings on the
bare rock. Numbers of different shapes decorate
the caves where thousands of years ago the early
American man represented the world as he knew
it. Here again, you will have your chance to
reflect about these images and frame your own
theory, just like the many famous explorers
who are still trying to explain the mystery
of the paintings. Box lunch en route. At dusk,
return to point of departure. Dinner.
Day 5 .
Breakfast. This day we are all set for an exploration
of lakes Posadas and Pueyrredón. Drive
along a road that winds between hills with views
of lagoons, marshes, wild horses and finally
the glittering blue waters of the lakes, separated
only by a narrow isthmus. On the way back, stop
for a walk among all colours of clay, down to
the lake. (Medium difficulty) Box lunch en route.
Return to lodging. Dinner.
Day 6.
Breakfast. Depart for Bajo Caracoles, along
Ruta 40 toward our next stop. Now and then we
stop for a stretch and a couple of pictures,
and depending on the season, a chat about indigenous
plants and flowers. As we go past a grassy marsh,
a flock of birds flutters away against the purple
sky. As the sun falls behind the horizon, we
arrive at the farm where a lamb stands tilting
towards the flames, just waiting for us. Dinner.
Day 7.
After a hearty breakfast, drive some 35 km.
to reach an altitude of 2700 feet above sea
level at Mirador Bernd, for a unique view of
Lake Cardiel (renown for trout fishing) mirroring
the vastness of the clear sky and the Andes.
Some 10 km away, by a rocky wall, lagoon Desiree
comes to view like a haven for numbers of birds,
among which the Silvery grebe stands out as
one of the species most threatened to extinction.
On the way back, weather permitting, stop at
Las Coloradas for a lamb barbecue. Lunch. Dinner.
Day 8.
Breakfast. Early morning departure. Continue
along Ruta 40, past Lake Cardiel. (Box lunch)
In the afternoon, the landscape turns into a
diversity of hills, topped by a layer of basaltic
lava and a flat plateau, carpeted by the typical
Patagonian xerophytes struggling to survive
in the gravel. At Tres Lagose turn west toward
the Andes and soon have a view of Lake Viedma,
often crowded by birds of all kinds. We end
the day at El Chalten (Formerly Fitz Roy). Dinner.
Day 9.
Breakfast. We take this day for a break. However,
if we still got some stamina, we can try any
of the several self-guided trails and explore
the area. Today you can choose a restaurant
for lunch and dinner. (Not included).
Day 10.
Breakfast. Full day boat ride across Lago Viedma.
Quite an experience to move gently near the
shore and have an unforgettable view of the
hills (Cerro Huemul and Cordón Mascarelo).
As we approach Cabo de Hornos we get an impressive
sight of Glacier Viedma. Within a few minutes,
land on a rocky platform right in front of the
glacier. After a short walk, listen to our guide's
lecture on glaciers. By midday we reach the
best of our tour: a two-hour trek on the ice
itself! At about 2:30 we start sailing back.
Box lunch en-route.
Day 11.
Breakfast. Transfer to El Calafate airport for
your flight to Buenos Aires.
Included: Services as stated in itinerary
Remarks
Depending
on availability at the time of booking,
accommodation may be at a combination of the
following places or similar:
| Comodoro
Hotel |
Posada
del Posadas |
| Posada Antigua Patagonia |
Estancia Suyay |
| Hosteria El Puma |
Posada Casa de Piedra |
Fitz
Roy Inn |
| Departures |
| December |
5 and
19 |
| January |
2 and
16 |
| February |
6 and
20 |
March |
05 |
Important
notes
Guides
and TC
Local English-speaking
(other languages on request ) tour guides/trackers
are included at the following areas:
1. Rio Zeballos
2. Lago Posadas
3. Río
Pinturas (Manos Pintadas)
English-speaking
tour conductor is included only as from four
passengers.
For groups of
two and three people, a TC is available con
request. (other languages on request at a daily
rate of E 20 additional per group)
REMARKS
Optional: tours
in Calafate upon request.
Although quite
neat, accommodation provided by Estancias is
far from five-star hotels.
Maximum number
of travelers: eight.
Vehicle: private
car, 4 x 4 or eleven - seater van.
NOTE
This product
has been designed so as to be sold to anybody
who is prepared to travel under these conditions:
several days mostly along gravel roads, sleeping
at inns or sheep farms or tent, sharing a vehicle,
and in close contact with Nature. We impose
no limitations of age or physical conditions.
However, if in doubt, please inquire before
taking the tour.
Bookings
must be made far in advance, as at some places,
accommodation may be tight.
Should camping
be necessary due to lack of accommodation at
a specific ranch, suitable tents with light
will be provided at no extra cost.
Note:
Please read our General Conditions.
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