Connecting the arid high altitude deserts of northern Chile with the wild fjords, temperate rainforests, and granitic spires of southern Patagonia, this four week expedition spanned over 40 days of travel across Chile and Argentina. The route linked major trekking hubs, glaciated volcanic peaks, remote waterways, and coastal wildlife reserves.
Below is the complete route map, video overview, and detailed chronological itinerary linking to every individual excursion report across the journey.
| Destinations | Chile and Argentina |
| Trip Type | 4 Week Overland Journey |
| Duration | 40 Days (December 4, 2021 to January 12, 2022) |
| Key Regions | Atacama Desert, Chilean Lake District, Carretera Austral, Southern Patagonia |
| Total Destinations | 14 distinct hubs and trekking bases |
| Activities | High altitude volcano climbing, glacier trekking, river kayaking, white water rafting |
| Best Season | December to March |
EXPEDITION ROUTE MAP
CHRONOLOGICAL ITINERARY AND DESTINATIONS
1. Santiago de Chile (14 nights, December 4 to December 18, 2021): Intensive language study combined with regional excursions to Cajón del Maipo hot springs, Cerro San Cristóbal, coastal day trips to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, and city vistas from Gran Torre Santiago.
2. San Pedro de Atacama (4 nights, December 18 to December 22, 2021): Exploration of the high desert Altiplano, floating in the turquoise waters of the Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache, navigating the high elevation Salt Flats Route to Monjes de la Pacana and Quisquiro, waking before dawn for the boiling El Tatio Geysers, visiting Cejar Lagoon, and summiting active Volcán Láscar at 5592 meters during a summer solstice snowstorm.
3. Puerto Varas (2 nights, December 22 to December 24, 2021): Base for climbing the glaciated cone of Volcán Osorno high above a morning sea of clouds, followed by scenic exploration around Lake Llanquihue and Lake Tagua Tagua.
4. Puerto Octay (2 nights, December 24 to December 26, 2021): Christmas in the Chilean Lake District, highlighted by white water rafting through Class III rapids on the crystalline waters of the Petrohué River.
5. Coyhaique (2 nights, December 26 to December 28, 2021): Entering the northern reaches of the Carretera Austral to complete the demanding day hike to the alpine moraine and glacial tarn of Cerro Castillo, accompanied by close encounters with an Andean Condor.
6. Puerto Río Tranquilo (2 nights, December 28 to December 30, 2021): Kayaking inside the water sculpted arches of the Marble Caves on Lake General Carrera, followed by an expedition deep into the wilderness to visit the calving terminus of San Rafael Glacier on the Northern Patagonian Icefield.
7. Punta Arenas (2 nights, December 30, 2021 to January 1, 2022): New Year along the Strait of Magellan, including a boat expedition to Magdalena and Marta Islands to observe 60000 pairs of nesting Magellanic penguins and sea lion colonies.
8. Puerto Natales (1 night, January 1 to January 2, 2022): Gear staging and final preparations for backcountry trekking.
9. Torres del Paine National Park (4 nights, January 2 to January 6, 2022): Completing the clockwise 5 Day W Trek, spanning Base Las Torres, Lake Nordenskjöld, the hanging glaciers of the French Valley, Grey Glacier, and the panoramic summit of Ferrier Lookout.
10. Puerto Natales (1 night, January 6 to January 7, 2022): Relaxed afternoon of horseback riding at Laguna Sofia across open steppe and limestone bluffs.
11. Punta Arenas (1 night, January 7 to January 8, 2022): Transit stopover before crossing into Argentine Patagonia.
12. El Calafate (2 nights, January 8 to January 10, 2022): Marveling at the massive ice balconies and walking with crampons on Perito Moreno Glacier, followed by an adventurous stormy catamaran voyage on Lake Argentino to Glaciar Upsala and Glaciar Spegazzini.
13. El Chaltén (1 night, January 10 to January 11, 2022): An unforgettable blue sky day hike to Laguna de los Tres beneath Mount Fitz Roy, completing a 36 kilometer trekking loop.
14. El Calafate (2 nights, January 11 to January 12, 2022): Concluding the journey with a 16 kilometer river kayak descent along Río La Leona and an archaeological trek among 70 million year old petrified forests and dinosaur bones.
PRACTICAL EXPEDITION ADVICE
Seasonal Planning: December and January offer the warmest weather and longest daylight in southern South America, but advance reservations are mandatory for Torres del Paine campsites and popular glacier boats.
Border Crossings: Crossing between Chilean and Argentine Patagonia by bus is straightforward via Paso Río Don Guillermo, but travelers must allow extra transit time for customs and ensure all agricultural restrictions are respected.
