Ruta 40 Plus
Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival in Trelew. Transfer to your accommodation. Dinner (Included).

Day 2. Breakfast. Full day. PalaeontologicalMuseum (MEF), one of the scientific “jewels” of the region. ”The place” to learn about the geological history of Patagonia. On to Bryn Gwyn Palaeontological Park for an “in situ” lecture about fossils. Drive around the Chubut River Valley for a glimpse of birds or just the local farming life. Welsh tea or Box Lunch. Return to your accommodation. Dinner (Included)

Day 3. Breakfast. Full day tour to Valdes Peninsula. A land of grandeur for a view of two of the largest mammals in the world: whales and elephant - seals. In fact, the only continental southern elephants seal colony in the world. Boat ride (marine fossil caves + whales if in season or sea lions + bird colonies) + lunch. (All the above Included) (Entrance fee included) Return to your accommodation. Dinner.

Day 4. Breakfast. This morning you drive south toward one of the loneliest spots on the shores of the South Atlantic: Bay Camarones. Just a few miles away from this cute little village, tucked up into a massif of porphyry, together with numbers of avian species, enjoy the company of a colony of Magellanic penguins. After lunch, drive on to Comodoro Rivadavia, the first ever oil field in the country. Dinner on you.

Day 5. 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 native camps 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 6. 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. Run south parallel to the peaks while approaching Monte Zeballos (an extinguished volcano) which may be seen from the road. Quite often, some condors are spotted high up, hovering above our heads. Return to Los Antiguos. Dinner.

Day 7. 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 8. Breakfast. This day we are all set for an exploration of the gorge of Río Oro (Gold River). Keep your eyes alert as you may stumble into archaeological sites (Indian rock working spots). Have a look at some rock paintings and issue your own theories about important deposits of Tertiary fossils. Box lunch en route. Return to lodging. Dinner.

Day 9. Breakfast. Depart for Bajo Caracoles, along Ruta 40 toward our next destination. Lake San Martín, one of the most striking spots in Patagonian Andes. 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 for a nice typical dish and a comfortable bed. Lunch en route. Dinner.

Day 10. 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 and dinner.

Day 11. Breakfast. Late departure. 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 Lagos we 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). Box lunch and Dinner.

Day 12. 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: hills, lakes, glaciers, or moraines are some of the attractions that will spur your curiosity. Today you can choose a restaurant for lunch and dinner. (Not included).

Day 13. 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). Approach Cabo de Hornos to 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 the guide’s lecture on glaciers. By midday, reach the best of the tour: a two-hour trek on the ice itself! At about 2:30, start sailing back. Box lunch en - route.

Day 14. Breakfast. Transfer to El Calafate airport for your flight to your next destination.

Included: Services as stated in itinerary

Important notes
Guides and TC

Local English-speaking (other languages on request ) tour guides/trackers are included at the following areas:

1. Valdes Peninsula

2. Rio Zeballos

3. Lago Posadas

4. 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 have been made in advance, but at some places, accommodation may be tight, in which case the customer will be advised before purchasing the tour. Please enquire.

Should camping be necessary due to lack of accommodation at a specific ranch, suitable tents with light will be provided at no extra cost.

Bookings must be made far in advance, as at some places, accommodation may be tight.

Depending on availability at the time of booking, accommodation may be at a combination of the following places or similar: