Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

Explore the famous Route 40 and Patagonia Best Attracctions!

Lakes District

Esquel

Los Antiguos

Cueva de Las Manos

El Chalten

El Calafate

Ushuaia

Explore the Mythical 40 Route in Patagonia, from Bariloche and the Lake District in Northern Patagonia to the Beagle Channel in Ushuaia passing through Los Antiguos and the Marbe Cathedrals, the historic rock paintings in Cueva de Las Manos, El Calafate’s amazing glaciers and El Chalten and Fitz Roy best trekking trails.

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Itinerary Highlights

What's Included

Use this itinerary as a guide to inspire your coustom trip

AT A GLANCE

Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary is an adventure through the incredible landscapes of Patagonia from north to south discovering its best attractions. Enjoy Bariloche and the charming lake district, with its wonderful landscapes resulting from the mixture of huge forests, turquoise lakes and emblematic mountains. After the Lakes Distric visit Los Antiguos and the Marbel Cathedrals, and the most important archeological site in Patagonia, Cueva de Las Manos and its historic rock paintings with more than 9000 years old.

Then travel south to discover the Argentina’s best trekking trails in El Chalten immersed in a landscape of mountains and forest, and the incredible Glaciers tours in El Calafate. Continue traveling even more south until reach the End of The World in Ushuaia and navigate The Beagle Channel. Dare to discover this Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary!

All travel ideas are fully customizable, so we make travel proposals adapted to your interests, activities you enjoy, travel dates and destinations you want to visit.

Example Trip Itinerary

DAYS 1 - 3

Bariloche & The Lake District

Transfer

Private transfer to your hotel in the Bariloche

Accommodation in The Lake District
Alma del Lgo

The Alma Del Lago Suite offers modern accommodation with panoramic views of Lake Nahuel Huapi. It has an excellent restaurant and wine bar and extensive spa facilities.

UP GRADE : Llao Llao
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

On the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche is the gateway to one of the most beautiful regions of Argentina, The Lakes District, where you can find  lakes, rivers, snowy peaks and lush vegetation. As a result of its location, is the the ideal base for exploring picturesque landscapes, hiking trails and taste some of the best chocolate in South America, because of that, that is considered one of the most important tourist centers in Argentina. The buildings are distinguished because of its architectural features, stone and wood constructions, with slate roof, similar to the style of traditional alpine villas. In the city center there are varied shops and commercial galleries, confectionery and restaurants and can buy regional chocolates and jams of fine fruits grown in the area. Let’s explore more of this Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary!

Day 1: Arriving to Bariloche and Circuito Chico
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Start the Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary in Bariloche where your private guide will be waiting for you to take you to your first class hotel, which offers magnificent views because of its location  right on the shore of the lake. During the afternoon we invite you to discover the charms of this place with your private local guide by getting to know the Circuito Chico in which you will border the Nahuel Huapi Lake and visiting the Llao Llao peninsula viewpoint, the Swiss Colony and Cerro Campanario. You can combine the main attractions of the area with less visited places and trekking trails. The tour is total flexible so you can make stops, suggestions to the guide, and detours according to your interests. In the enevening you can relax, discover the city center and enjoy a delicious local chocolate.

Day 2: Victoria Island and Arrayanes Forest
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

The second day of this Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary in Bariloche is ideal to navigate and know Isla Victoria and its incredible Arrayanes Forest. 25 km from Bariloche is Puerto Pañuelo, from where depart the boats that sail the crystalline waters of Nahuel Huapi Lake to the ancient Victoria Island and the famous Arrayanes Forest, probably one of the best tours in the area. During navigation you will  be able to admire the intense color of the water, the vegetation that is reflected in the lake, and as a backdrop and the mountains of eternal snows, immersed in a breathtaking landscape. The beauty of every corner of the island, and its stunning natural environment, make this trip an experience to enjoy fully.

Day 3: Bariloche Adventure Day

For the tird day of the Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary, we propose an active day in which you can choose between two options, kayaking in Lago Mascardi, or Mountain Bike in Cerro Catedral, so you decide which is the best option for you . If you don’t want to spend an active day, of course, you can also choose a quieter activity.

Check the options:
kayak-bariloche-argentina

Kayaking in Lago Mascardi: This is a intense full day kayak excursion topped along the Tronador Arm of Lake Mascardi, located in the heart of Nahuel Huapi National Park. With turquoise water, always green Patagonian forest and incredible views of the Tronador and Bonete Hills, the landscape acquires a unique drama. You’ll stop in a remote beach so you can have lunch and relax before paddling back. In all excursions the basic notions of kayaking will be explained.

Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Cerro Catedral Bike Park: You can reach magnificent places by bike, and challenge the mountain in the fast descents. Therefore departures are guided by expert cyclists, knowledgeable about the terrain. The best place to practice this sport is the Bike Park of Cerro Catedral. Just as during the winter the mountain is the meeting point for all skiers, in contrast in summer the Bike Park opens its doors to adventure and excitement, so you can enjoy a wide variety of circuits with difficulty levels appropriate to each stage of learning. Starting from the hotel you will be transfer to the base of Catedral Ski Resort to start the bike ride. Along the way you will enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Lake Gutierrez and the Lake Moreno as well as the surrounding mountains.

Transfer

Private transfer to Esquel

DAY 4

Esquel
Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

Located in the foothills of the Andes, 300 kilometers south of Bariloche, Esquel is an Argentine city known for being the southernmost stop of La Trochita, a narrow-gauge steam train that used to travel over 400 km through Patagonia. This mountain town is a starting point for the green and Welsh Trevelin and Los Alerces National Park, with beautiful trekking trails and excellent fishing from spring to autumn, and offers the possibility of skiing in winter. P

Day 4: Arrive to Esquel and Visit Los Alerces Nationl Park
Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

Is time to start rolling the Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary. You will leave the city of Bariloche to travel by land to Esquel the next point of this exciting trip. After travel for around three hours you will arrive to Esquel. In the afternoon you will visit Los Alerces National Park with your local guide. The tour is flexible so you can make stops, suggestions to the guide, and detours according to your interests.

Transfer

Private transfer to Los Antiguos

DAYS 5 - 7

Los Antiguos

Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

Los Antiguos, is a picturesque city located on the southern margin of the imposing Lake Buenos Aires surrounded by the Andes Mountains and its eternal snows. This large water mirror also belongs to Chile, where it receives the name of General Carrera Lake, with an area of 2240 km2, or more than 10 times that of the city of Buenos Aires, is the second largest lake in South America, after the Lake Titicaca. Los Antiguos is a tourist and agricultural city and has become the leading southernmost producer and exporter of the red fruits in the world and becoming the current National Capital of Cherry. Let’s explore this this part of our Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary!

Day 5: Arriving to Los Antiguos
Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

Travel south from Esquel to Los Antiguos for around seven hours. Take the rest of the day to enjoy the city by yourself trying local food.

Day 6: Cross The Andes and Navigate to Marbel Cathedrals
Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

Enjoy an incredible adventure to the Marble Cathedrals Crossing the Andes Mountain Range. You will travel a beautiful way along the southern coast of the lake and at the foot of the highest peaks of Southern Patagonia, next to the Northern Ice Field. Moving west, you will cross the Chilean border and enter into areas of higher rainfall where you will appreciate forest vegetation.

The views of this road are really impressive, winding cornice road that takes you to the Austral Road and after 2 hours of travel you arrive at Puerto Río Tranquilo from where the boats that take you to visit this Chilean Nature Sanctuary , the Marble Cathedrals, impressive formations of calcium carbonate, eroded and polished by the waters of the lake forming caves of capricious forms and unique appeal, similar to man-made religious constructions. The size of the boats allows us to navigate the lake and visit several of these formations and even enter several of these marble caverns.

Day 7: Explore Cueva de Las Manos and Travel to El Chalten
Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

Continue this Patagonia & Mythical Route 40 itinerary, south to the Cuevas de las Manos (Hands Cave) through the RN40, enjoying its striking colors, local fauna like guanacos and choiques, until connecting the beautiful access road to the archeological site, crossing the Caracoles Canyon to finally arrive at the Visitors and Interpretation Center Cueva de las Manos. The deep canyon of the Pinturas River is where is loocated the most important archeological site in Patagonia.

The Cueva de las Manos is about 88 meters high above the upper course of the Pinturas River and is difficult to access. It is about 20 meters deep, about 10 meters high and 15 meters wide and it has recorded the passage of man through the area, embodied in cave paintings, over a period of almost ten thousand years. Once there and following the traces of our ancestors, you will carry out a walking tour with a guide ready to appreciate different caves and eaves with a wide variety of cave paintings, hands in positive and negative, animals and symbols of more than 9,000 years of antiquity in a route of 2000 meters round trip. ending the same at noon. Once the visit is over you will resume our route to El Chalten where you will arrive at approximately 9:00 p.m.

DAYS 8 - 9

El Chalten

Accommodation in El Chalten
Chalten Suites

Chalten Suites offers a personalized service in very comfortable facilities, designed exclusively for those who like peace, tranquility, comfort, good food and the unsurpassed view of the Andean mountains.

UP GRADE : Don Los Cerros
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

This magic mountain town is located in the southern Andes, within the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz Province), in a valley where the rivers De las Vueltas and Fitz Roy meet, as a result, Chlten is enclosed between rivers and mountains. Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are a challenge for climbers around the world, consequently, mountains are the predominant figures in the landscape of El Chalten, which offers many trekking options among lengas and ñires forests, beautiful lakes, rivers and hanging glaciers that you can explore with your local guide. Get to know the trekking destination of our Buenos Aires and Patagonia Argentina itinerary. 

Day 8: Fitz Roy Trekking Day
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Arrive to the base of Mount Fitz Roy, walking into the lengas and ñires forest, crossing streams and rivers, watching hanging glaciers immersed in a surprising landscape. First of all, you will go by car accompanied by the local guide to the starting point of the trail at El Pilar Hotel, and from this point you will start an 8-hour hike into the forest, during which you will watch the Piedras Blancas Hanging Glacier, a great variety of typical flora and fauna, and you will cross streams and rivers, always accompanied by the impressive view of Monte Fitz Roy wich will be getting closer and closer until we reach the its base in Laguna de Los Tres.

The last hour of the hike is very intense and with a steep slope, so you will be able to decide with your guide which part of the path to cross. Finally, you will descend from Laguna de los Tres and return to El Chalten by foot along the Laguna Capri Trail.

Day 9: Explore More of El Chalten
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Spend another day hikking and discover this amazing area, probably you would like to take one more of the many trekking trails. You can take a self-guided path by your own, hiking trails are well-marked and easy to follow, or if you prefer, arrange another day with your local guide. Of course, if you don’t want to spend an active day, you can also choose to spend the day at town or relaxing at hotel.

Transfer

Private Transfer from El Chalten to El Calafate

DAYS 10 - 12

El Calafate

Accommodation in El Calafate
Alto Calafate

The Alto Calafate Hotel is located on the side of a hill that will allow you to enjoy the wonderful views of Lake Argentino, Calafate Hill and the lush Patagonian landscapes. 

Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Located on the shore of Lake Argentino, in the middle of the Patagonian Steppe, El Calafate is one of the most important tourist centers in Argentina, because this picturesque tourist village is the gateway to the Southern Section of Los Glaciares National Park and its most famous attraction, the Perito Moreno Glacier. In addition to the Continental Ice and its various glaciers, you can enjoy other activities such as trekking, 4×4, horseback riding, kayaking, rating, fishing, sailing among others. Also, from the city you can visit a wide variety of Patagonian Estancias, where it is possible to stay or spend a country day and appreciate the typical rural activities of the area, taste a roast of lamb and enjoy the peace and vastness of Patagonia.

Day 10: Arrive to El Calafate

Take the transfer from El Chalten to El Calafate while you enjoy the spectacular Patagonian landscape. Once in the city you can enjoy it by your own and visit one of the typical restaurants to taste local food.

Day 11: Discover the Perito Moreno Glacier
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Go to visit one of the World’s Natural Wonder, the Perito Moreno Glacier which flows down from the Southern Patagonian Icefield, a big sheet of ice, is the third largest glacier area over the world. The road leads to the very front of the glacier, which will be only meters away from your eyes and you also will take a catamaran to navigate in front of its 70 meters high ice walls. The private guide will accompany you during your visit to the national park and the tour is flexible so you can make stops, suggestions to the guide, and detours according to your interests. Once back in Calafate you will came back to the hotel to enjoy a typical Patagonian dinner.

Day 12: Let's Navigate
Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

​Enjoy MarPatag Gourmmet Glaciers excursion, the most exclusive full day navigation in the Los Glaciares National Park, offering saling through the waters of Argentino Lake on the ship Maria Turquesa, visiting Upsala and Spegazzini Glacier, navigating between huge ice floes, in it exclusive Cruise.

Transfer

Private transfer to El Calafate Airport

Flight

Flight from El Calafate to Ushuaia

DAYS 13 - 15

Ushuaia

Transfer

Private transfer from Ushuaia Airport to your hotel

Accommodation in Ushuaia
Los Cauquenes

The only high-end Resort & Spa located in Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel beach, behind the snow-capped peaks of the imposing Andes Mountains and only 4 km from the city of Ushuaia.

UP GRADE : Arakur
ushuaia-patagonia-argentina5

Ushuaia is southernmost city in the world, and the last destination in our Buenos Aires and Patagonia Argentina itinerary. It is located on the banks of the Beagle Channel, over a bay of unique beauty which form the closest deep water natural port to Antarctica, reason for what Ushuaia is known as the gateway to the Ice Continent. The combination of mountains, glaciers, sea, forests and snow offers a unique landscape that makes Ushuaia one of the most beautiful cities in Argentina, offering multiple activities in both summer and winter. Winter is ideal for skiing and other snow sportsand and in contrast, in summer, tourist can enjoy attractions such as the Tierra del Fuego National Park, trekking trails, lakes, glaciers, wildlife, navigations and more. Let’s take a look to this stunning landscape.

Day 13: Arriving to Ushuaia
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Take your flight to Ushuaia Airport where the local guide will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel while you take some time to see to the city during the way. So once you arrive you can enjoy the rest of the day by your own, visiting the downtown or relaxing at the hotel.

Day 14: Trekking and Canoeing at Tierra del Fuego National Park
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Visit Tierra del Fuego National Park in an unconventional way, and combine two activities inside an amazing natural environment. It includes a trekking through the coastal path, ideal for watching wildlife, and a canoeing tour down the Lapataia River up to the Lapataia Bay, the endpoint of the National Route Nº 3. While the journey you will probably see aquatic birds and sometimes, even sea mammals. Once the trekking starts, you walk through archaeological sites, the famous shellfish fossils piles-souvenirs from the old inhabitants of the region, the Yamanas. These were sea nomads who are almost entirely gone today. After 3-4 hours trekking you will reach Lake Roca, where you will stop to enjoy a country style lunch and then, start the canoe/ duckies trip down the Lapataia River.

Day 15: Estancia Harberton, Beagle Channel and Penguins
Buenos Aires & Patagonia Argentina

Combine the visit to the historic Estancia Harberton with the navigation through the Beagle Channel to the see a penguins colony. This Ranch, considered of high historical value, was founded in 1886 by the Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges and his wife Mary Ann Varder. It is the oldest “estancia” of Tierra del Fuego, and keeps its original construction of wood and corrugated sheet, it quay and terraces of native stone. There you can visit the museum “ACATUSHUN” of birds and marine mammals. From the estancia you will cross the Beagle Channel in zoodiac to the Martillo island or Yecapasela. During the navigation we can see typical seabirds such as petrels, skuas, cormorants, seagulls and albatrosses. Once in Martillo Island you will make a short walk to the colony of penguins where you share with these birds in their natural habitat.

Transfer

Private transfer to Ushuaia Airport

Flight

Flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires

argentina travel agency

Talk to a local travel specialist

(+54)-9-2966218693

Contact a destination specialist, who will take the time to fully understand your preferences and ideas and turn them into the perfect itinerary for you according to your budget. The itinerary can be modified as many times as you want until you are completely happy with the result.

Patagonia & Mythical Route 40

What's Your Dream Trip?

We dedicate to design custom trips for people who wish to live a special lifetime experience. As a result our professional team of travel designers and excellent local guides work together to create the best itineraries based on your interests.

How to Customize This Itinerary

Add an extra night in El Chalten to discover one more of its incredible trekking trails. You can also extend the itinerary by adding one more night in El Calafate to spend one night in a typical Patagonian Estancia (Ranch), enjoy demonstrations of equestrian activities, go hiking with your guide, take a horseback ride and taste an exquisite lamb barbecue.

Add some days in Torres del Paine in Chile, considered one of the most beautiful places on the world and one of the best trekking areas.

Include some time to relax! After a few days traveling you probably would enjoy some free time to relax or receive a massage that will you feel renew and energized for the rest of your trip. Most of the hotels have SPA services or wellness center.

Contact us to help you to design and customize your trip.

All travel ideas are fully customizable. We make travel proposals adapted to your interests, activities you enjoy, travel dates and destinations you want to visit.

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local team

Talk to a local travel specialist

(+54)-9-2966539220

Contact a destination specialist, who will take the time to fully understand your preferences and ideas and turn them into the perfect itinerary for you according to your budget. The itinerary can be modified as many times as you want until you are completely happy with the result.

Contact Us

Send us some details so we can create your 100% tailor-made trip.