Patagonia Highlights Drive tour, (4 days / 3 nts), Chile

The perfect circuit from Punta Arenas: a visit to the surroundings and Puerto Natales, and several days in the awesome Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 1:Arrive in Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales (250 km / 155 mi)

Day 2: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine (150 km / 94mi)

Day 3:Torres del Paine

Day 4:Torres del Paine- Fly out from Punta Arenas (400 km /245mi)

Hotels used in this tour
(hotels can be changed on request for most tours)

Standard

Superior

Puerto Natales

Temauken

11 rooms

hotel site

Costaustralis

74 rooms

hotel site

Torres del Paine

Cabanas del Paine

23 rooms

hotel site

Rio Serrano

hotel site

Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales (250 km / 155 mi)
Pick up your car at the airport or d

owntown rental office. Punta Arenas is the largest and most important city of Chilean Patagonia. It is located on the western side of the Strait of Magellan and its inhabitants come from a mix of cultural backgrounds; English sheep ranchers as well as Portuguese sailors settled here. On the way to Puerto Natales you should stop at the penguin colony of Seno Otway. Overnight in Puerto Natales.

Day 2: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine (150 km / 94mi)
The drive to Torres del Paine National Park will show us true Patagonia; do not forget to visit the Milodón Cave where scientists discovered the remains of a gigantic sloth. The main road to Puerto Natales is paved and in good conditions. Torres del Paine National Park will welcome you from far with its gigantic granite towers. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 3: Torres del Paine
The National Park Torres del Paine is one of the most impressive parks in Chile because of its unique wildlife and dramatic scenery. The park is best known for its steep granite towers (Torres), the unique horns (Cuernos) and the Big Paine Mountain. The massif is crowned by glaciers and surrounded by cascading rivers and beautiful e Torres del Paine - View of the Torres

merald lakes. The park was designated World Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO in 1978. Within this gorgeous park, there are many hiking trails to choose from. Overnight in Torres del Paine National Park.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Day 4: Torres del Paine- Fly out from Punta Arenas (400 km /245mi)
Drive back to Punta Arenas to drop off the car and continue your travels.

(Included meals: breakfast)

Some comments by past clients

Dorothy Hartley (from USA)

I wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful trip to Chile and all of your arrangements were good for us. One car broke down, but Hertz gave us another right away. A flight had to be changed and that was done quickly. All the hotels were nice and the people helpful and pleasant. Thank you so much for doing all the work on our trip. Chile is beautiful and we have many pictures to show it. The food was good. We have given your business name to others. Sincerely, Dot

Ulrich M (from USA)

Laura, We finally got back from our long trip, of which our Patagonia tour was just the beginning. The self-drive part to Torres del Paine certainly was one of the main highlights and your arrangements served us very well. The Hertz people could not have been nicer; we got a brand new Montero (which we returned totally dirty inside and out after driving through mud for two days) and both checkout and return were easy. The hotels in Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales were fine. OK, that is a summary. Congratulations to you for making this a special part of our trip. Happy Holidays and all the best for the New Year 2008, Ulrich

Vernon Steger (from USA)

Laura Montero did a great job customizing the trip for our needs. We highly recommend the company.

Andrew B (from South Africa)

Laura, thanks very much for organizing a great trip! All the arrangements worked out as planned - not one problem! All the hotels were fine. The only comment we would make in that regard is that the restaurant at Hosteria las Torres was very expensive! But the location at Hosteria las Torres is, I think, the best in the park, so wouldn't change that.

The car hire worked well. The directions were good. There was only one place where we found the instructions a little ambiguous and took the wrong road. We soon realized our mistake and didn't lose much time. The map which Hertz gave us was not detailed enough, but we had obtained another map in advance, so we were fine, but it would help to recommend that specifically to people in advance. The other information which would be very helpful is to know exactly where gasoline is available, during which hours of the day, days of the week and the relative cost. Overall we had a great time and only wish it could have been longer!

Argentina and Chile are beautiful countries with friendly people and fascinating history. We definitely want to travel to South America again and will have no hesitation in recommending you and Latin Discover to others who are planning to travel to that part of the world! Thank you once again for making all our arrangements. Kind regards, Andrew B. and Janine K.

Patagonia Highlights Drive (4 days / 3 nts)