DAY 1. SANTIAGO
Discover the wonders of Santiago and get acquainted with the sights on a panoramic city tour. The gourmet delights in Bellavista and Providencia are the perfect way to round out the day.
We tailor-make every itinerary for our clients… and when it comes to creating the perfect Patagonia itinerary, this is where we start.
We have captured all of the main highlights of this phenomenal destination and can easily tailor the itinerary to suit your budget and interests.
Most Australian travellers to Patagonia fly in to Santiago so that is the starting point of this itinerary. We have another popular itinerary for Patagonia that starts in Buenos Aires and follows a similar path south to Patagonia.
If you have more than 12 days, Antarctica is an obvious destination for onward travel or we can suggest other amazing spots in Patagonia and beyond!
Discover the wonders of Santiago and get acquainted with the sights on a panoramic city tour. The gourmet delights in Bellavista and Providencia are the perfect way to round out the day.
Tour to the World Heritage city of Valparaiso, where you will find a steep and bustling maze of lanes and alleys hiding fabulous architecture and the finest street art. Ride a funicular to the top and admire the view from the other side of the Pacific. You will also visit a winery to taste some famous Chilean wine.
Fly to Puerto Montt and be driven to the lakeside village of Puerto Varas along the shores of Lake Llanquihue, framed by four beautiful volcanoes. Our preferred hotel gives you ponchos to keep you warm while watching the view from the terrace.
The spectacular 12-hour Lakes Crossing transfers you between Chile and Argentina via a series of boats and buses. The trip starts by passing close to the perfectly conical Osorno volcano and a visit to Petrohue Falls. The cruise takes you across Andean lakes surrounded by snow-covered peaks and drives you through thick forests with superb views. At the end of the crossing you will be dropped off at your hotel in Bariloche.
This morning you will tour along the picturesque ‘Circuito Chico’, probably the world’s most scenic city tour. National Geographic justifiably regards the view from Campanero Hill over lake Nahuel Huapi and the Andes as one of the finest on the planet.
Fly south to El Calafate, the Glacier Capital of Patagonia. It’s a lovely little town on the shores of Lago Argentina, where you might be lucky to spot one of the local flamingos. If you have time and are keen for walking, we can add a few days in El Chalten, Argentina’s top hiking destination.
Tour to the colossal Perito Moreno Glacier – the most accessible advancing glacier in the world, it creaks and groans as it pushes forward. Stroll along the walkways and take a front row seat to watch and listen to the magical show that is calving ice dropping into the water below.
Today is an early start as you cross the border to your chosen lodge near the breathtaking Torres Del Paine National Park for your three-night all-inclusive stay. There are many options for accommodation and activities in Torres Del Paine and we can talk you through each of them while planning your itinerary.
Choose from the wide range of guided excursions in and around the park. There are short walks and long treks, horses and bikes to ride, or spa treatments if you want to simply unwind.
Be driven south to Punta Arenas for a final night before your next adventure begins. If the timing is right you can also fly to Santiago from Puerto Natales to take your adventure north.
After breakfast, your time in Patagonia comes to an end… but that doesn’t have to be the end of the road! We can organise airport transfers if you are continuing south to Antarctica or extend the itinerary to wherever your fancy takes you.
Patagonia is off the tourist trail travel at its finest… and our travellers love it. We use our knowledge, expertise and relationships with local guides to tailor-make Patagonia itineraries for our clients. Get in touch with any questions you have about Patagonia… we would love to plan you the trip of a lifetime!
Every adventure we send our clients on is unique… but that doesn’t mean you can’t be inspired by the amazing journeys we have created in the past.
The Carretera Austral is wild and remote… and in our opinion the world’s best road trip! Here are the best stops along the way for this self drive adventure.
Patagonia offers some of the best hiking and natural wonders in the world… this itinerary takes you to the most iconic and spectacular treks in the region.
Testimonials
Jocelyn MatthewsFrom the moment I contacted Forward Travel, I knew I was in good hands.
The attention and warm welcome I received made me feel that deciding to travel with Forward Travel was without doubt the right choice.
Rose and David got to know what I was looking for in my travel experience and nailed the itinerary first go.
Nepal turned out to be everything that I imagined.
I know where I’ll be booking my travel arrangements moving forward.
Testimonials
Kristen BlundyStanding on the bow as we glided through the serenely beautiful, and calm Lemaire Channel on a perfect, sun filled day, was the realisation of my travel dreams.
To be there, amongst the ice, surrounded by soaring peaks and passing wildlife, was the experience I had been hoping for, but even I didn’t dare to dream it would be that amazing.
The ‘Kodak Gap’ lived up to its name and gave me wonderful memories and photos to treasure forever.
I dreamed, we planned, you excelled.
Thank you so much! K Blundy Antarctica, Arctic, South Georgia.
Testimonials
Stacey & ChrisHi Rose, Would just like to thank you for the help you gave us with our trip to South America.
We had a great time and all the local operators that assisted us were very helpful and professional. It’s hard to pick standouts but the train from Cusco to Puno was amazing as were the treks out of El Chalten (probably as the weather was perfect).
The hotels were just what we after, even the slightly eccentric Las Piedras in El Chalten.
Had all sorts of weather on the W walk but a couple of reasonable days. Have some great photos and even better memories, so all our mates are keen to go now.
Testimonials
RakheeI wanted to visit Antarctica but I had no idea about how I would do that!
When I talked to Forward Travel I was so blown away with the information I was getting.
It was first hand, not like going through a brochure…
I could live through the experiences they had already lived through.
They helped me to live my dreams…
It was much more than I had ever anticipated.
It was a surreal experience and I am so grateful.
Testimonials
A & W RooneyWe had been looking for a reputable travel company for a while to arrange our family trip to Norway, and we were struggling to find somebody that could talk to us about Norway with confidence.
Finally a friend recommended that we give Forward Travel a call, and after speaking with David there, there was an immediate sense of relief to finally be speaking to somebody that knew what they were talking about.
Norway was our first trip through Forward Travel, and I know who our future trips will be arranged through.
Well done you guys at Forward, exceptional work.
Testimonials
Tracey & KristenI just wanted to say once again Thank Goodness!
THANK GOODNESS, YOU talked us into South Georgia over the Weddell Sea!!!
For this l/we will be TRULY THANKFUL and to use Tracey’s words, FOREVER BLESSED!!!!
Rose can’t thank you enough, everything was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, and it was such an amazing experience.
One to be cherished forever, actually that’s two for us to be treasured forever….. blessed.
Blessed that YOU (Forward Travel) organised both!! THANK YOU!