acktom

Hi all.

I am working on a six (6) week trip (mid February to end March) to Argentina and Chile and would be grateful for some feedback on my itinerary thusfar.

Arrive - 3 week apartment rental in Recoleta
city life, museums, dining, etc
(side trips to Colonia and Mendoza)

Fly to El Calafate for seven (7) nights
Glacier National Park, Hosteria Helsingfors (2 nights) excursions

Fly to Bariloche for 3 nights
Relax, explore

Boat/Bus lakes crossing to Puerto Montt for five (6) nights
Cruise to Laguna San Rafael - stop at Castro on Chiloe

Fly to Santiago and onto Easter Island for three (4) nights
Tour the island and snorkle/scuba

Return to Santiago for one (1) night

Take train down the Central Valley/Wineries four (4) nights

Santiago for one (1) night

Fly home

Any suggestions - the end is still a little iffy.

Thanks!

soulskier

Mendoza is a pretty far side trip from BA unless you plan on flying.

I would spend way more time in Bariloche and way less time in Puerto Montt.

Huentetu

If the 5 nights include staying in nearby Puerto Varas and exploring the areas national parks plus Chiloe and the cruise, then that is a good time frame. You would be going in high season, so you will want to book things soon.
Is it the wine train you were thinking of? It only goes on Saturdays, but you can get a normal train to San Fernando and other transport from there.
Flights to Easter Island are very expensive in high season and heavily booked, so look into those before you finalize your itinerary.

acktom

thanks!

yes souldskier - I would fly to Mendoza

Why more time in Bariloche - it seems very touristy??

and yes Huentetu, I was planning on the entire Puerto Montt region - i am trying to book the things I need to soon - and will likely wing the rest. I'm not familiar with the wine train, I was planning on using the normal train.

Would very late March still be high season on Easter Island?

Huentetu

The Tren del Vino is a bus and train combination. You start out in Santiago (very early!) and go by bus to San Fernando. That is where the normal train goes to anyway. But then you get a special train with a steam locomotive to Santa Cruz (Paniahue station). You have wine and nibbles on board. You are greeted at the station by dancers, have lunch in Santa Cruz, visit a vineyard or two, and see a sort of outdoor museum. Then you are bussed back to Santiago. Whew! The whole thing is about 12 hours long.
You can also do a horseback tour from Hacienda Lolol, but it starts at 9 am, do a walking tour through Viña Montes from 9.30 am, or bike it. Bikes and Wine does a few trips closer to Santiago as well.
http://www.trendelvinochile.cl/
http://www.bikesandwinechile.com/

HappyTrvlr

I would stay in Puerto Varas instead of Puerto Montt.
You have enough time in Bariloche; take day trips to Villa la Angostura and around the LlaoLlao peninsula.
You've swohrtchanged Santiago and left out Valparaiso which was a highlight of our trip to Chile and ARGENTINA.

acktom

Thanks again for all the great advise.

I will definately spend more time in Puerto Varas instead of Puerto Montt. And based on Huentetu's suggestion of the Tren del Vino, that should give me much more time in Santiago and possibly Valparaiso. Is it possible to book the train but spend the night in Santa Cruz and take to bus back the next day?

I would love some feedback on Laguna San Rafael. I'm not big on the cruise bit but I want to get out on the water and see the glaciers etc. (ps I'm 47M experienced solo traveller). Is the Catamaran a good option or should I look at the ferry?

Finally beside Easter island, anything else I should get cracking on as far as reservations? I just booked my apartment and will book my flight soon - I will likley book Easter Island into my departure from Santiago as I understand you can save a few $$ that way.

owlwoman

Wow, six weeks...you're itinerary looks good, I would just add a couple of days from BA to Iguazu Falls. It's amazing. Mendoza just needs 3 days or so and depending on how much sightseeing you wish to do in Bariloche, 3 or 4 days there is good too.

We loved the lake crossing, we were lucky enough to have one of those perfect fall days, clear, sunny and in the 70s or so.

acktom

I am slowly refining my itinerary, based on some very helpful suggestions and a lot of research (changes are in italics). Trip is total of six weeks.

(I have changed Mendoza for Salta
Changed the Wine Train to Bike and Wine Chile
Eliminated Easter Island)


Arrive - 3 week apartment rental in Recoleta
city life, museums, dining, etc
(side trips to Colonia and <i>Salta - fly for three/four nights)</i>

Fly to El Calafate for five (5) nights
at Hosteria Helsingfors in Glacier National Park
(excursions)

Fly to Bariloche for (4) four nights
Relax, explore

Boat/Bus lakes crossing to Puerto Varas for three (3) nights

<i>Fly to Laguna San Rafael - Catamaran trip from Puerto Chacabuca - day trip to Aikens Park

Overnight ferry to Quellon and bus to Castro on Chiloe and finally to Puerto Montt</i>

Fly to Santiago for (2) two nights

<i>Overnight Bike and Wine tour and (2) two nights in Valparaiso</i>

Bus to Santiago for flight home.

I am much more of a slow traveller - so I like this pace better.

Does anyone have any advise on LAN OneWorld pass - with a American Airlines flight - in country flights for Argentina and Chile are pre-booked by distance but are open seating to allow for changes to itinerary.

Thanks

mlgb

I used Lan South America Airpass which I think is similar but is available if you can fly LAN into South America instead of a OneWorld partner, & it gives a better discount. I flew along the west coast of N/S America though so maybe it doesn't work out if you are going to Argentina first.

But it worked out quite well for me instead of booking all the second-tier less expensive carriers I got an equivalent discount on LAN (great airline as far as operations).

jelangman

re: cruises to Laguna San Rafael, the best way to go is with Skorpios imho