Self-drive Trip to Classic Patagonia

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Enjoy the best self-drive tours to Patagonia and explore its classic destinations like the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Drive through the Argentinean steppe and reach the mountaineering village of El Chaltén, a hikers paradise.
Best time to travel: From October to April

Enjoy a 6-day self-drive travel experience in Patagonia and explore El Calafate, the Argentine capital of glaciers. Drive through Glaciers National Park to reach the boardwalks facing the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier and enjoy some quality hiking time in El Chaltén. This is not just a self-drive trip, we’ll share with you our insider tips to discover Patagonia and you’ll receive 24/7 assistance from our local experts!

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Your Patagonia Self-Drive Trip

Transfer from the airport to your hotel in El Calafate

Upon arrival at El Calafate, we’ll meet and drive you to your hotel. El Calafate is located in the Patagonian steppe, dry and dramatic. It is on the border of Lago Argentino (Argentina’s biggest lake) and is considered the capital of the glaciers. It is the gateway to visit the world-renowned Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the only glaciers in the world that is still advancing.

Meet our local guide and pick up your car

At the appropriate time, you’ll meet our local guide who will brief and share all the information you need for your self-drive trip in Patagonia. Then you’ll pick up your car at the car rental’s downtown office.

Optional self-drive to the Glaciarium Interpretation Center

For your first day in El Calafate, we recommend that you visit the Glaciarium, a glacier’s interpretation center. It is a modern center where you learn about the Patagonian Ice and its glaciers. It’s one of the few glaciological interpretation centers in the world!

To reach the Glaciarium:

Take PR11 and drive along km 6 until reaching the Glaciarium

This optional self-drive trip will take you to travel along 6 km of paved road and for 30 min (plus the time spent on-site).

Optional Self-Drive Trip to Glaciers National Park

Optional self-drive trip to Glaciers National Park

If you decide to take this Patagonia self-drive optional tour, drive west on Avenida Libertador General San Martin / Provincial Route 11 towards Los Glaciares National Park.

Glaciers National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 and is home to about 200 glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno!

Half of this park is occupied by the campo de Hielo Patagónico (Patagonian ice field), the largest ice field after Antarctica. Once inside the park, explore the different viewpoints. If you’re lucky, you may get to see a piece of ice calving into the lake!

Today’s self-drive adventure will take you to travel 75 km of paved road for 4 hours (plus the time spent on-site).

Drive from El Calafate to El Chaltén

You will travel along the famous Route 40 from El Calafate to El Chaltén, surrounded by the Patagonian steppe, pass through La Leona River, which connects Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma and stands La Leona Roadhouse where the famous thieves Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid hid for a while. We recommend that you make a stop in La Leona so you can enjoy the bar and see the historical center.

Directions for today:

Take Provincial Route 11 from the airport and continue along this Provincial Route up to the intersection with National Route 40.
Turn left onto National Route 40 towards El Chaltén.
Drive north along NR 40 for about 95 km.
Turn right onto Provincial Route 23 towards El Chaltén (about 80 km).

This road adventure will take you to travel along 215 km of paved road and for 3 hours.

If this trip doesn’t meet your expectations we can tailor it to your needs and budget.

Prices per person

INN & B&B

From

USD 1065

Comfort

From

USD 1200

Superior

From

USD 1380

Luxury

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PRICING

Prices in US Dollars.
Valid until April 2024 (ask for prices at Christmas and New Year).
Prices are per person, based on 2 people in double occupancy. Single rates are available on request.
Flights are not included in the price but can be arranged on request.

PEACE OF MIND: THIS IS A REGENERATIVE TRIP

We deeply care about our planet, just like you do. When you book with us, you’re not only fulfilling your travel dreams but also leaving a positive impact on the destination you’re about to discover. We are proud to plant 10 trees in damaged zones of Patagonia for every traveler. It feels good to do it right. Let’s move beyond sustainable! Learn more here

INCLUDED

2-night accommodation in El Calafate
3-night accommodation in El Chaltén
Daily Breakfast
Transfer as mentioned in the itinerary
Car rental vehicle as detailed in the itinerary
Days of rental: 6 days
GPS device
Roadmap
Self-drive kit
Check the coverages and credit card hold here
Check the policies here
Bilingual English / Spanish speaking guide for self-drive briefing

NOT INCLUDED

International or domestic flights or buses
Any services or meals not detailed in this itinerary
Optional tours
Entrance fees to museums, natural reserves, national parks, etc.
Tips and personal expenses
Travel / Medical Insurance

FLIGHTS NEEDED
FOR THIS ITINERARY

No flights needed for this trip. Trip starts and finishes at El Calafate.

ESTIMATED COST FOR THE FLIGHTS ON THIS TRIP: Local flights cost from $150 per person per segment. We offer special rates on flights for this tailor-made itinerary.

Self-drive Trip to Classic Patagonia

Itinerary

Welcome to Your Patagonia Self-Drive Trip

Welcome to Your Patagonia Self-Drive Trip

Optional Self-Drive Trip to Glaciers National Park