Annual Leave Explorers

Embark on a thrilling adventure through Argentina and Chile! with an epic drive across the Andes to Mendoza, Food and wine you will never forget and of course the unparalleled beauty of Patagonia. I have written this itinerary out as stops, it can be done in two weeks, or longer if you want to extend your stay in each place. Or partake in each country separately as part of two different trips.

Adventure awaits!

Stop 1: Arrival in Santiago Upon arrival in Santiago, Chile, pick up your rental car and transfer to your hotel. Spend the day exploring Santiago’s historic center and enjoying a traditional Chilean dinner.

Stop 2: Santiago to Mendoza Embark on an epic road trip from Santiago to Mendoza, Argentina, crossing the stunning Andes Mountains. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the way. Check into your accommodation in Mendoza and unwind. Or you can break up this drive by staying in Uspallata on the way. The border crossing into Argentina is relatively quick, however the border crossing the other way can have long queues so maybe better on your return.

Stop 3: Mendoza Spend two days in Mendoza indulging in wine country delights. Bike around the vineyards, partake in wine tastings, and savour delicious Argentine steaks at local restaurants.

Stop 4: Mendoza to Uspallata We definitely recommend staying in the Cinco Cumbres domes for the night. They are on a magical ranch, and offer you the opportunity to go horse riding. You will wake up to wild horses running around, with beautiful mountains in the background.

Stop 5: Drive back from Uspallata to Santiago and return your rental car. If you have a 4×4 car we 100% recommend taking the route via Christ the Redeemer, this happens near the border, you will see on a map, and is a breath taking route. You will still be able to do the border crossing, this was the old road. Take a flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. These flights all leave late at night so you will have time to get to where you are staying. Check in to your hotel in Punta Arenas.

Stop 6: Punta Arenas Spend a couple of days here, one day can be spent exploring the city, it may sound strange but the cemetery is a must. Then embark on a guided tour to witness king penguins on Isla Magdalena and go whale watching in the Strait of Magellan. You really feel like you are on the edge of the world in this town. We did a full-day tour to see the emperor penguins, The price also covers the ferry across the Strait of Magellan, where we were lucky enough to spot whales (a fairly common sight, I believe). We booked all our tours through Denomades.com, which offers a comprehensive guide to available options.

If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, head down to the port and see if you can catch a boat to Isla Magdalena. It’s home to South America’s second-largest Magellanic penguin colony, and you can walk among the homes of these cheeky little animals.

Stop 7: Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales We picked up a car Punta Arenas and drive to Puerto Natales. I really recommend doing this drive yourself. It was about a 2-and-a-half-hour drive to Puerta Natalas, we then drove straight on to Torres Del Paine national park, it was around another 1 hours’ drive. Make sure you do this in the light, mainly because the scenery is breathtaking and keep an eye out for Pumas. As you approach the national park, the mountains seem to appear out of nowhere. Catch your first glimpse of the three famous pillars about 30 minutes out. We stayed at a campsite near the base of the iconic Torres (“spikes”), the campsite is called ‘Camping Torres’. The view at this campsite was incredible. There are different accommodation options: 1. A tent pitch spot (the most cost-effective option), 2. ‘Camping Premium Simple,’ which includes a tent and high-density foam mat, and 3. ‘Camping Premium Fully Equipped,’ which comes with a tent, sleeping bag, high-density foam mat, pillow, and a welcome drink
voucher. Both premium options are in spacious, raised tents. Additionally, there are bunkhouses, and next door, a lovely hotel also offers accommodation.

Be sure to pay the park entry fee before entering the park—it’s about £40 and is essential for maintaining the park’s stunning environment.
It’s important to book campsites in advance, as they fill up quickly. We booked about three months ahead and had limited options. The campsite websites can be a bit confusing, but it’s worth booking directly through them. Don’t pay extra for third-party bookings, and remember that different campsites in Torres del Paine have separate websites, so you’ll need to navigate between them when booking

Stop 8: Torres Del Paine Hike the amazing Torres Del Paine spike walk. Although it is a long and challenging hike it is very easy to do self guided, there are clearly marked paths, often lots of people, but the views are totally worth it. Stay a second night at the bottom of the spikes.

Stop 9: Torres Del Paine continues: There is plenty more to see in the national park other than the famous Mirador Del Torres. You can either do the famous W or O trek, we sadly didn’t have enough time so we picked the highlights in the park that are easy to visit by road and short hikes. Here is a list of places we went:

• Lake Pehoé This beautiful lake which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You can also take short hikes along the shoreline or opt for a boat ride for an even better view.
• Cascada del Río Paine (Paine Waterfall) A short walk from the parking area offers views of the beautiful waterfall.
• Salto Grande: This impressive waterfall can be reached via a short, well-marked trail from the main road.
• Mirador Cuernos: This viewpoint, located near the parking lot, provides a great view of the Cuernos del Paine, the iconic peaks that resemble horns. It’s a quick stop and a great photo opportunity.
• Laguna Amarga: A stunning viewpoint with a panoramic view of the Torres del Paine massif and the surrounding lakes. This is actually a great spot for when you are driving up from Puerto
  Natales to stop and take in your first views of the park.
• Wildlife: There is wildlife all around, you will definitely see guanacos (which are similar to llamas or alpaca), flamingos and Rhea, we spotted them in abundance. We were lucky enough to see Pumas on a kill (people stopped with binos gave away their location, we would not have spotted them otherwise). We sadly didn’t see any Andean Condors.

Stop 9: Torres Del Paine – Grey Glacier Tour Embark on a guided tour to visit the impressive Grey Glacier. Experience the glacier up close by boat and on foot. Return to Puerto Natales and visit a local gin distillery.

Stop 10: Puerto Natales to Santiago Spend the morning relaxing in Puerto Nataes, especially if you have been at the gin distillery the night before and fly back from Punta Arenas to Santiago. Check in to your hotel in Santiago and relax.

Stop 11: Santiago and Valparaiso (Optional) Spend your last days in Santiago exploring the city’s attractions, such as Plaza de Armas and Cerro San Cristóbal. Consider a day trip to Valparaiso to admire its colourful streets and vibrant art scene.

Travel Tips:

• Book accommodations and tours in advance, especially during peak season.
• It is always easier if you have a local sim, for maps, directions and just messaging ahead if your plan changes. I usually use Airalo as it enables you to buy sims which cover several countries at once, for easy change when your crossing borders. Use the code APR15 to get 15% off Please click here to use
• Rent a car for flexibility, as roads in Argentina and Chile are generally good.
• Pack layers for varying weather conditions, especially in Patagonia.
• Respect local wildlife and follow park regulations in Torres Del Paine.
• Embrace the local culture and cuisine throughout your journey.

Enjoy your incredible journey through Argentina and Chile, filled with unforgettable landscapes, adventure, and cultural experiences!

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