Patagonia Overland: Ushuaia to Santiago

Arrive at any time.

Perched at the southern tip of South America, Ushuaia sits on the Beagle Channel and is flanked by the mountain range of the Martial Glacier. Take advantage of a free day to explore the city, set off on an excursion into Tierra del Fuego National Park or take a boat cruise.

Set off northbound from Ushuaia on the Lando, crossing into Chile and leaving the island of Tierra del Fuego, reaching Punta Arenas in the evening. Continue the following day to the port city of Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Spend two full days in the park exploring amongst the stunning natural scenery, stopping at viewpoints and camping under the starts. Hike up to base of the iconic basalt towers and keep an eye out for roaming guanacos, pumas and condors who call this place home.

As Torres del Paine disappears in the rearview mirror, cross the border again and head to the city of El Calafate on the edge of the blue glacial lake of Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina. Wander the boardwalks in front of the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier and witness giant chunks of ice calve off of the face and crash into the water below. Spend free time with an optional boat trip, a kayak excursion, or explore the city on foot before re-grouping at the campsite in the evening. Continue driving north along Ruta 40 to the hamlet of El Chaltén, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and home to the iconic Mount FItz Roy. Take advantage of a free day in El Chaltén to hike some of the nearby trails, visit a nearby waterfall or go mountain biking.

Drive north from El Chaltén and embark on one of the most remote and inhospitable stretches of road in the heart of the Patagonian steppe, along Argentina's mythic Ruta 40. Stop at the "Cueva de las Manos" UNESCO Heritage site to see prehistoric handprints left on the walls over 9000 years ago, before arriving to the town of Los Antiguos for the night and setting up camp. Cross back into Chile and take a car ferry across to join up with the Carretera Austral, Chile's southern scenic highway that offers incredible views in all directions of fjords, mountains, and glaciers. Stop in the town of Cohaique for a free day before reaching Futalefú, located in a remote valley at the confluence of the Espolon and Futaleufú rivers. Spend another free day to relax or choose from some of the many optional activities available in the area like horseback riding, canyoning or mountain biking.

Continue north along the Carretera Austral, driving on-and-off of car ferries where the road ends in order to follow the next stretch, surrounded at all times by spectacular mountain scenery, lush forests and rugged coastline. Set up camp in Chaiten before reaching Puerto Varas, perched on the shorts of Lago Llanquihue, with views to the majestic snow-capped Osorno Volcano.

Enjoy a free day in Puerto Varas to choose from many different optional activities to discover the beautiful surroundings. Visit the nearby waterfalls of Petrohue with views of the iconic Osorno Volcano, take an excursion to Chiloé Island or visit the fish market in Puerto Montt, just to name a few.

Depart Puerto Varas heading north with a stop in Frutillar to walk along the iconic pier with great views of the Osorno Volcano. Cross into Argentina and continue along the spectacular "Seven Lakes Route," stopping frequently at viewpoints for photos and to soak in the natural beauty before arriving to San Martín de los Andes in the evening. The next day is free to explore and to choose from some of the many optional activities available. The nearby Lanín National Park offers hiking options, lookout points and incredible views of glacial lakes, forests and the ice-clad Lanín Volcano for which the park is named.

The road leads through the mountains back into Chile and to the town of Pucón, in Chile's beautiful Lake District. The next two days are free to choose from an abundance of optional activities like hiking up the VIllarica Volcano, whitewater rafting, and biking. On one of the evenings, drive to some nearby natural hot springs so soak the muscles after a day of adventure.

Drive north from Pucón around Villarica Lake to the waterfall of Saltos del Laja, and set up camp nearby for the night. Continue the following day along the Pan-American Highway until reaching Santiago, Chile's capital city surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range. Head out in the evening for a final night out with the group.

Depart at any time.