Need help finalizing a 3 week Chile/Argentina trip in Feb/Mar 2010
 

Three friends are flying from the east coast of Canada (and one from California) and arriving in Santiago and departing from Buenos Aires.

Feb 20 & 21 - Santiago
Feb 22 - Valipriso
Feb 23 & 24- Central Valley (maybe Santa Cruz)
Feb 25 to 27 Baliroche
Feb 28 - Mar 3 - Mendoza
Mar 4 & 5- Igazzu
Mar 6 to 12 - Buenos Aires

Is this doable? Is it too much?

I suspect that 1/2 day city tours are about as much organized touring we'd do in Santiago and BA since we are not much into museums, monuments or churches but more into experiencing the city/cities, shopping, sharing good food and wine. We added Baliroche and days in Mendoza to do outdoor activities like whitewater rafting, kayaking, biking, etc.

Is it possible to fly directly from Santiago to Baliroche without first going to BA? Is it possible to fly directly from Baliroche to Mendoza or the falls?

Thanks.

From Bariloche to Mendoza, it is an overnight bus ride or you need to fly thru BA. I would spend more time in Bari and less time in Mendoza, as there are lots more outdoor activities in the Lakes District. Here is a list http://livinginpatagonia.com/?page_id=1001

Take the Lakes Crossing from Bariloche to Puerto Varas, Chile, a beautiful trip that can be done in one day. The next day you can fly directly from Puerto Montt to Santiago, a 1 hour flight.

Or do the above in reverse!

One of the first plans was to fly to Puerto Varas from Santiago and do the lake crossing. Is that a practical drive? Approx how long would it take to drive from Santiago? Is the Lake Crossing worth it? I know it is doable in a day but it seems like a pretty long day on/off boats and buses?

I like the idea of doing the lake crossing but wonder if after 2 or 3 hours I'd be ready for it to be over and still be facing another 7-8 hrs of on/off the boat/bus.

Is there anyone out there who has actually done the crossing in a day?

We stayed overnight in Peulla at Hotel Natura ( very nice, excellent dining room) but most of the passengers went through in one day. It wasn't boring at all as the scenery changes. Reminded us of the Adirondacks-with volcanoes.

Here's a post I did on the Lakes Crossing. http://livinginpatagonia.com/?p=755

You would fly into Puerto Montt and start the lakes crossing there.

Suerte!