RIO - USHUAIA Self Driving Tour

Summary

Route Map

Gastronomy

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Rio de Janeiro "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Brazil)

Even when the sky suddenly covers and darkens, Rio can have beautiful colors and contrasts...

Rio de Janeiro "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Brazil)

The world postcard of Rio, with the Redeemer Christ overhanging the bay of Guanabará and the Sugar Loaf

Rio de Janeiro "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Brazil)

Built on a foundation of sixteen hundred wooden stakes embedded in the water table, the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro was opened in 1909, and today has a capacity for 2,360 people. It boasts works by the most renowned Brazilian artists at the time of its construction : paintings by Eliseu Visconti, Henrique Bernardelli and Rodolfo Amoedo and sculptures by Rodolfo Bernardelli.

Rio de Janeiro "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Brazil)

An example of the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora, with about 6,500 species on 54 hectares (including outdoor areas and greenhouses), the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro also houses monuments of historical, artistic and archaeological value and the most complete botanical library in the country (32,000 volumes and the largest herbarium in Brazil, with 600,000 dehydrated samples).

Foz de Iguaçu (Brazil & Argentina)

Natural Heritage of Humanity. 2nd highest annual flow (after Niagara Falls). 2nd most visited place by foreigners in Brazil. By helicopter, it is even more stunning (option in our itinerary)...

Foz de Iguaçu (Brazil & Argentina)

The walk along the catwalks, both on Brazilian and Argentinian sides, is essential and part of our itinerary. But tourists can also get very close to the falls with the macuco boat tour (option in our itinerary). Guaranteed to return wet but with images recorded forever ...

Foz de Iguaçu (Brazil & Argentina)

The Parque das Aves de Iguaçu is the largest of its kind in Latin America, with 16 hectares of restored Atlantic forest, thousands of native trees planted, more than 1300 birds from more than 130 species. A charming visit in our itinerary...

Buenos Aires (Argentina)

3rd largest urban agglomeration in Latin America (13 million people), the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires has some other names : Baires, the Paris of Latin America, the Goliat Head, the Prata Queen,...

Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Tango is omnipresent in the culture of Buenos Aires. In cabarets, in the squares of La Boca or San Telmo, in traditional houses,... Everywhere, portenhos dance tango !

Self driving tour in Patagonia (Chile & Argentina)

Driving across the Andes in Patagonia, a must !

Nahuel Huapi Lake (Argentina)

Lake of glacial origin, 550 km², 700 m altitude. The changing colors of its waters are amazing : from an intense turquoise blue on sunny days, to a silvery tone on cloudy days and almost black on rainy days. With no wind, its waters are like a huge mirror that reflects the contrasts of nature that surrounds it.

San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina)

Founded in 1895 on the banks of Nahuel Huapi Lake, Bariloche offers all the infrastructure and services for hiking and skiing in the nearby mountains and exploring the surrounding lakes.

Lanín Volcano (Argentina)

Symbol of the Argentine province of Neuquén, part of its flag and its anthem.

Pucón (Chile)

Pucón has a good climate, unsurpassed beauty, and great ecotourism sports and activities : sailing and water skiing on the huge Villarica lake, winter snowboarding or summer hiking on the Vilarica volcano, rafting, in beautiful waterfalls,..

Puyehue National Park (Chile)

This park and its beautiful and wild nature are a real invitation to relax, to disconnect,...

Puyehue National Park (Chile)

Explore the coigue forests, observe the more than 100 species of birds that inhabit the area and trek along the slopes of Puyehue Volcano... Amazing !

Osorno Volcano (Chile)

Known worldwide as a symbol of the local landscape and for its resemblance to Monte Fuji in Japan.

El Calafate (Argentina)

Charming town on the south shore of Lake Argentino, invaded all year round by tourists exploring the Los Glaciares National Park.

Balcones del Calafate (Argentina)

Perched mountain just 20 km from the city center, offering breathtaking views of the Andes, the glacier area and, if the day is clear, on the Fitz Roy and the Cerro Torre in El Chalten.

Spegazzini Glacier (Argentina)

Located at the far west of Lake Argentino, it has the largest detachment wall in Los Glaciares National Park with peaks between 80 and 130 meters, while those of the other glaciers in the park are around 60 meters.

Upsala Glacier (Argentina)

Its ice fields cover a length of 765 km². The glacier has a length of 53.7 km, being the 3rd longest in South America, and its walls reach an average height of 40 meters.

Glaciobar (El Calafate, Argentina)

A bar entirely made of ice, -9ºC inside where you can only stay 20 minutes. A great experience with fresh or hot cocktails !

Perito Moreno Glacier (Argentina)

This glacier is considered one of the most important freshwater reserves in the world and has been named "8th wonder of the world".

Perito Moreno Glacier (Argentina)

The pressure of the water causes the edge of the glacier to collapse, offering an incredible and deafening spectacle, that can be observed from the walkways facing it.

Ruta 40 (Argentina)

This highway extends from north to south of Argentina for 5,200 km and runs parallel to the Andes.

Puerto Natales (Chile)

Quiet town on the edge of Seno Última Esperanza, ideal place for bird watching (seagulls, skuas, condors, cormorants), or for a catamaran trip to take a closer look at the many waterfalls and animal life of the region.

Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)

Named after these amazing 3 granite towers.

Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)

Covering an area of 242,000 hectares, it is home to rare fauna, including llama-like guanacos.

Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)

One of the 10 favorite destinations of hikers in the world, who can discover it in all its extension by the W circuit (5 days, bypassing the massif from east to west by the south) or by the O circuit (8 days, full tour of the massif)

Torres del Paine National Park (Chile)

Well known for its pointed mountains such as the Cuernos del Paine, its golden pampas, its bright blue lakes and its icebergs that stand out from the glaciers.

Grey Glacier (Chile)

Before dividing in two at its front end, the glacier is 6 km wide and over 30 m high.

Grey Glacier (Chile)

Hiking on the glacier is one of the many great activities inside the Torres del Paine National Park...

Grey Glacier (Chile)

A boat tour seems also like a great idea to get to know the glacier up close...

Mylodon Cave (Chile)

Named after the extinct giant ground sloth that more resembles a giant bear. Numerous fossils of the mammal have been found in the cave and surrounding area where the animal lived up to 10.000 years ago.

Punta Arenas (Chile)

The southernmost city in Chile, on the edge of the Strait of Magellan, a must for travelers and sailors of the extreme...

Strait of Magellan (Chile)

The largest and most important natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Approximately 600 kms long.

Paso Garibaldi (Argentina)

The highest point of our self driving tour in the Southern Andes.

Ushuaia (Argentina)

The "End of the world" city is the southernmost city in the planet and the gateway to Tierra del Fuego National Park and Antarctic.

Ushuaia (Argentina)

Rich in beautiful scenery, windy winters and some glaciers, Ushuaia offers many options for adventure and outdoor activities.

Beagle Channel (Argentina/Chile border)

This strait separates the islands of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, and links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Beagle Channel (Argentina/Chile border)

Penguins live on "Isla Martillo", in the middle of the Beagle Channel, and can be seen between mid-October and April.

Ushuaia (Argentina)

This former prison colony is now a large tourist town, with a particular atmosphere and many excursions, like hiking (in summer), snow activities (in winter) and boat trips.

Ruta 3 (Argentina)

This highway pervades Argentina from the province of Buenos Aires until the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Tierra del Fuego National Park (Argentina)

The End of the World Train crosses the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

RIO - USHUAIA 16 days, 15 nights

Rio de Janeiro ↠ Foz de Iguaçu ↠ Buenos Aires (2 nights) ↠ Bariloche

Bariloche ↠ San Martin de los Andes ↠ Pucón ↠ Puyehue ↠ Bariloche

Bariloche ↠ El Calafate

El Calafate (2 nights) ↠ Puerto Natales (2 nights) ↠ Punta Arenas ↠ Ushuaia (2 nights)

Discount on package price for extension : +2 days for return Ushuaia ↠ Río Gallegos ↠ El Calafate

Traveling the southern half of the South American continent by visiting its most attractive metropolises but also its most beautiful natural sites, discovering the human, cultural and gastronomic specificities of each country, this is the concept of this 16-day self driving tour in Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

4 days of guided tours in executive vans to discover Rio de Janeiro the Cidade Maravilhosa, the extraordinary Iguazu waterfalls on both the Brazilian side and the Argentine side, and the charming Buenos Aires, the most european capital of South America…

4 days of self driving tour in Northern Patagonia, straddling Argentina and Chile, 900 km in the beautiful Lakes & Volcanoes region, with great stops in famous resorts and charming little villages...

7 days of self driving tour in Southern Patagonia, also straddling Argentina and Chile, 1400 km discovering the imposing glaciers and icebergs, the majestic peaks of the Andean Cordillera, recorded among the “50 Best places to see” in the world (by National Geographic)...

HIGHLIGHTS

* Rio de Janeiro as a whole, but the must remains the dominant view from the Redeemer Christ and the sunset from the top of the Sugar Loaf

* Foz de Iguaçu waterfalls, a breathtaking spectacle of nature

* Buenos Aires also as a whole, but ending with Tango dinner-show makes it unique

* San Carlos de Bariloche, the most famous ski resort in South America, and Pucón, the most charming resort in Chile, dominated by the smoking Villarica volcano…

* Driving along beautiful lakes at the foot of volcanoes, inside National Parks and Reserves, observing the specific fauna and flora

* Perito Moreno, the glacier that goes forward and shatters under your eyes…

* Full day boat excursion on Lake Argentino in the midst of giant icebergs to huge glaciers Upsala & Spegazzini

* Sporty off-road excursion to Balcones de El Calafate, offering a great panoramic view to Cerro Huyliche and El Calafate

* Torres del Paine National Park, a paradise for trekking, fauna and flora observation and photography.

* Walk on the Costanera, in Punta Arenas, at the edge of the Strait of Magellan, which the greatest navigators challenged with their boats to access posterity

* Fantastic drive in a no man´s land to the “end of world city” Ushuaia

* Tierra del Fuego National park, the most southern park on the planet and the only one in Argentina with a combination of mountains, forest and sea.

Forget the stress of everyday life, take a little break to spend a few days in fabulous landscapes !

Route Map

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Arrival in Rio de Janeiro

Full day in Rio + Transfer to Foz de Iguaçu (by plane)

Foz de Iguazu + Transfer to Buenos Aires (by plane)

Full day in Buenos Aires

Transfer to Bariloche A (by plane)

+ Bariloche - San Martin B (205 km)

San Martin de los Andes - Pucón C (185 km)

Pucón - Puyehue D (330 km)

Puyehue - Bariloche A (101 km)

Transfer to El Calafate E (by plane)

Full day around El Calafate (101 km)

El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier O - P. Natales F (430 km)

Full day in the Torres del Paine National Park (200 km)

Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas G (295 km)

Punta Arenas - Ushuaia H (440 km)

Full day around Ushuaia (25 km)

Leaving Ushuaia

OR Ushuaia - Río Gallegos I (580 km)

Río Gallegos - El Calafate E (305 km)

GUIDE AND ASSISTANCE VEHICLE

* The guide is permanently at the disposition of the group.

* The guide speaks several languages, including necessarily English and the language of the country, this can be useful if you do not master it enough.
* The guide knows the route and opens the convoy with the assistance vehicle, stopping at the best points of view. You are then free to follow him or go solo, to meet the group later in the day or in the evening at the hotel.

* The assistance vehicle carries the first aid kit, any excess baggage, a container of fuel, engine oil,...
* If necessary, the guide activates external services (insurance, mechanical repair, rescue,...).
* The guide takes care of check-in and check-out in hotels, restaurant orders, border crossing procedures, access to national parks, tourist sites and any other means of transport (local taxis, boat, plane),...
* Last but not least... the guide tells you about the country, the regions crossed, or even the places visited (when there is no local professional guide).

Note : For any convoy of 6 or more vehicles (excluding assistance vehicle opening the convoy), another assistance vehicle is included, which closes the convoy.

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