Lakes and Fjords

Explore areas unreachable by road. Cross the Andes by boat from Argentina into Chile's Lake District and cruise Patagonia's fjords: sheltered, comfortable and awesome.

from £5375


'Lakes and Fjords'

What makes this trip special?

Seafood and stilts

Seafood and stilts

Chiloé Island

Chiloé's isolation from mainland Chile has preserved its long standing air of mystery and tradition. The island has some of the country's best seafood, and perhaps its most unique architecture in the form of its wooden churches and stilted houses on the sea front. There are large colonies of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins towards the beaches of Puñihuil, and this is the only known place in the world where both species exisit toegther.

Chile's southernmost city

Chile's southernmost city

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is a colourful relaxed town full of curiosities and tales to tell. Drive north to see Torres del Paine, board a cruise south into the fjords and channels that lead to Cape Horn, or take the ferry across the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego. There are good wildlife opportunities nearby, including the only King Penguin colony in South America.

City life beside the Andes

City life beside the Andes

Santiago

Set against the backdrop of a long line of Andean peaks, Santiago is a colonial city, turned republican capital, turned modern metropolis. There's a lot to do, with good art galleries, unmissable museums, lovely parks, and a great range of shops, restaurants and hotels. Step outside the city and you are in some of Chile's most notable wine valleys.

Itinerary map for Chile 'Lakes and Fjords' holiday

Day-by-day itinerary for 'Lakes and Fjords'

DAY 1

Buenos Aires

Fly to Buenos Aires in Argentina for a three night stay.

DAY 2
B

City Tour

Your local guide takes you for an introductory tour of the city, with the afternoon free to explore by yourself.

DAY 3
B

Free day in Buenos Aires

Free in Buenos Aires.

DAY 4
B

Argentine Lake District

Fly to Bariloche in the Argentine Lake District. Your hotel is set by the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi.

DAY 5
B

Seven Lakes tour to San Martin de los Andes

Your guide in this region takes you on the stunning ‘Seven Lakes’ road to San Martín de los Andes. Return to Bariloche late.

DAY 6
B

Cerro Campanario chair lift and boat trip to Victoria Island

Catch the chair lift (not Mondays) to a mountain top (1050m) with stunning views across Lake Nahuel Huapi, then join a boat across the lake to Victoria Island and Bosque de Arrayanes to walk in myrtle woods.

DAY 7
BL

Lake Crossing to Chile

By special bus to Puerto Pañuelo to board a catamaran across Lake Nahuel Huapi to the dock at Puerto Blest where a bus is waiting to drive you the few kilometres to Puerto Alegre on Lake Frías. Another boat is waiting to take you across the lake, with vivid emerald water against a backdrop of huge volcanoes. Dock and take the waiting bus over the border into Chile and stop for lunch at Peulla, an eco-village in stunning countryside. Continue and board your third boat to cross the beautiful Lake Todos los Santos below snow-capped Osorno and Tronador volcanoes. Disembark at Petrohué, pause at the beautiful Petrohué Falls, and continue by bus skirting Lake Llanquihue to Puerto Varas. Arrive, all being well, in time for dinner. We loved this trip–and so will you!

DAY 8
B

Chilean Lakes and Chiloé

Your local guide collects you for a morning’s tour in the area, including a visit to Frutillar. The afternoon is free.

DAY 9
B

Your guide takes you by ferry to Chiloé Island, where you visit Dalcahue, Castro, Gamboa, and the church at Nercón, one of the finest of the many wooden churches that dot the island.

DAY 10
B

Southern Patagonia cruise

Either take a Skorpios cruise from Puerto Montt to the remote Glacier San Rafael (a very good option) or, as suggested here, fly south to Punta Arenas and overnight in Puerto Natales.

DAY 11
BLD

Join a bus tour in Torres del Paine NP before later boarding your Skorpios cruise in channels and fjords below the Southern Ice Field. Up to fifteen glaciers are visited or seen.

DAY 12
BLD

Aboard your cruise.

DAY 13
BLD

DAY 14
B

Santiago

Disembark at Puerto Natales after breakfast, then by bus to Punta Arenas. Fly to Santiago to stay at a hotel in the city.

DAY 15
B

A morning’s private tour with a local guide to introduce you to Santiago. The afternoon is free to explore by yourself.

DAY 16
B

Morning free, before you are taken to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

Guide prices for 'Lakes and Fjords'

options based on all year low season mid season high season peak season other season
Mid-range hotels, mix of shared and private tours 2 people sharing £5,375
Upper range hotels, mix of shared and private tours 2 people sharing £5,775
Top range hotels, mainly private tours 2 people sharing £8,785
Prices are per person and include:
  • all travel within Argentina and Chile
  • all accommodation
  • 3 nights on board Skorpios III on the "Kaweskar south icefield cruise"
  • all excursions as described below
Prices do not include:
  • international flights
  • travel insurance
  • items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc

Customer reviews for 'Lakes and Fjords'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average

Seasonal information for 'Lakes and Fjords'

Along this route in January

Day Location Max °C Monthly rainfall

Typical weather for January

rainchart

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'Lakes and Fjords'

Days 1 - 3

Carles Hotel

Retiro (Barrio Norte)

The Carles Hotel is well located in the Retiro district of Recoleta in central Buenos Aires, opposite the fine beaux-arts Palacio Estrugamou. It is one of our favourite places for a short stay in the city, with many of the must-see city sights in easy reach. Rooms are comfortable, modern and well appointed, with king size or twin beds, and wifi, ac, tv etc. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast and has a lounge bar and a fitness room. There is a choice of neighbourhood restaurants for dinner and many others a short taxi or Uber ride away. A good practical comfortable choice.

Carles Hotel
Executive Room
Days 7 - 9

Casa Kalfu

Puerto Varas
rating

Average rating 5.0 (1 ratings)

Casa Kalfu (‘kalfu’ means ‘blue’ in the Mapudungun language of the Mapuche), is a characterful hotel in Puerto Varas. The hotel has 19 comfortable rooms, 6 with views of Lake Llanquihue and the Osorno Volcano. All are nicely decorated with local handicrafts and wooden furniture made with reused timber from native trees. The friendly hotel is run by English-speaking owners who are knowledgeable about the local area. There is a small lounge and bar area.

Casa Kalfu
Hotel exterior
Day 10

Remota

Puerto Bories
rating

Average rating 5.0 (2 ratings)

Architecturally very impressive, with progressive 1970s influences reflecting its Patagonian surroundings, this beautiful 'expedition lodge' hotel features large floor to ceiling windows that give wide panoramic views and bring the Patagonian landscape into the hotel spaces. The 72 rooms are spacious and decorated with wooden features and regional textiles. There are plenty of large, bright communal areas to relax as well as a swimming pool and spa. Guests can stay on a bed and breakfast basis or on an all-inclusive expedition lodge basis that includes a menu of activities including easy and moderate walks, more rugged expeditions and low-key excursions.

Remota
Lodge exterior
Days 14 - 15

NovaPark

Santiago

Attractively priced, no frills, Novapark Hotel is a functional modern hotel located in downtown Santiago near Santa Lucia hill and Santa Lucia metro station.  All of the 156 standard rooms (twin or double) are have air conditioning and heating, wifi, a hair dryer, safe and TV. There is a cafeteria, restaurant and bar.

NovaPark
Hotel Exterior