Footprint Expeditions in South America

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Day 01, 02. – Santiago

Arrive in Santiago at anytime during the day. Transportation is included from the airport to the corresponding hotel. There are no activities planned for this day until our first welcome meeting in the late afternoon, most likely located in the hotel lobby.

Located on the foothills of the Andes, this city is the seventh biggest city in South America and is a modern metropolis; it was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia.

Explore the many parks, museums, and plazas. Visit the neighborhood of Brazil with its bohemian buzz, or Bellavista with delicious street lined cafes, innovative restaurants, and bars. Visit the Central Market to try some samples of great seafood.

Santiago is known world-wide for its vineyards. Brands such as Cousiño Macul, Undurraga, and Concha y Toro are the vineyards most closely located to the city.

We will visit Concha y Toro Winery to learn about the process to obtain wine and a great chance to sample the variety and quality of the Chilean wines.

The great location of this city permits visits to the nearest sky resorts of Valle Nevado, El Colorado, Farallones and La Parva. All are just one hour away from Santiago. The best season to ski and snowboard are between the months of June to October.

There are no planed activities for these days. You have enough time to explore it and get a good taste of the city.

Meals Included: (01) Breakfast

Day 03-06.- Pucon.

Travel by night bus to the Chilean Lake District located between the IX and X region. It is in the Province of Cautín, in the Araucanía Region, and is 780 km to the south of Santiago.

Pucon has great local cuisine, the specialty is sea food. Also, due to its German immigrants you will find cream-laden (kuchen) on each menu. The party scene and night life here is great. We will take one cooking lesson.

Pucon is located between a lake and an impressive active volcano. Due to its privileged natural surroundings, Pucon offers a large variety of outdoor sports and adventure activities year round such as skiing during the winter on Villarica Volcano or water skiing on the lake during the summer. In this region, it is possible to find almost everything from forests, glaciers, emerald lakes, snow capped mountains, green valleys, etc… where it is possible to hike, climb active volcanoes, kayak, do canopy zip lines, bird watch, go white water rafting, etc… This is a paradise for adventurous and intrepid travelers. At the same time, it is a place to just relax marveling the landscape or soak in hot springs.

During the 19th Century there were a significant number of immigrations coming to this area from Europe, most specifically from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and the architecture here reflects its European influence in its churches and homes.

Visit the closest town of Villarrica, located on the southwest side of the Lake close to the volcano ski center of the same name. From this town it is also possible to do the same outdoor activities as in Pucon and it is just another location option that you can visit.

Meals Included: (03) Breakfasts (01) The lunch you cooked

Day 07-08.- Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas.

Heading south, arrive to the port town of Puerto Montt, named after Manuel Montt ( the President of Chile between 1851 and 1861) who encouraged the German immigration in the area. This town is the gateway to visit the Chiloe Island and Archipelagoes in the southern part of the Lake District. It is also the entrance for the Chilean side of Patagonia.

This area has well-preserved middle European architecture, brought mainly by the German immigrants. The economy in this region has recently grown very quickly, mostly for the salmon aquaculture and the forestry done here.

Meals Included: (02) Breakfast.

Day 09-10 – Bariloche

Embark on an incredible bus journey through the amazing snow peaks and lakes of the upper Patagonian territory. Arrive to the town of Bariloche, located in the center of the Lake District of Argentina.

Bariloche is situated in the foothills of the Andes Mountains and is surrounded by lakes (Lakes Nahuel Huapi, Gutiérrez, Moreno, and Mascardi ). This town is famous for skiing but is also known for sight-seeing, water sports, trekking, and climbing. Cerro Catedral is one of the main ski centers in South America. Because of its European immigrants, San Carlos de Bariloche has many chocolate and jam shops. Enjoy a taste!

The main activities here are camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing (seasonal) around Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Bariloche has great food options. Do not miss the Argentinean Asado (loads of great quality beef).

Also try the salmon and the trout.

Meals Included: (02) Breakfast

Day 11.- Neuquen

A bus ride will lead us to the city of Neuquen, this is considered mostly a resting night stop, before heading north to Mendoza city.

Neuquen is located between the rivers Limay and Neuquen, it has more less 390,000 inhabitants is considered a commercial and agricultural spot.

Meals Included: Breakfast (01)

Day 12-14.- Night Bus / Mendoza.

Travel in a comfortable night bus to Mendoza city, Visit the local wineries and learn how to make a traditional Argentinean Asado (barbecue) with a local Argentinean family. Enjoy a great lunch sampling wines. Mendoza produces 70% of the country’s wine and the biggest olive oil productions of the Argentina.

Founded on 1561 by Pedro del Castillo, named the city Ciudad de Mendoza del Nuevo Valle de la Rioja, before the Spaniards arrived, the area was populated by the Inca Civilization. In 1813 Jose de San Martin create the state of Cuyo were he organized the army which he won the independence of Chile and Peru.

It is located in a region of high plains on the eastern side of the Andes, Mendoza has wet summers with drier winters, and the area is considered a semi-desert and the average altitude is 760 meters above sea level.

The city has beautiful plazas, parks, side walks, good restaurants and bars, it is possible to do different optional outdoor activities like mountaineering, cycling and white water rafting.

Last year National Geographic listed Mendoza in the top ten historic destinations of the world.

Meals Included: Breakfast (02) Argentinean Barbecue Lunch (01)

Day 15. - Santiago.

The main road between Argentina and Chile runs from Mendoza to Santiago de Chile, the highest pass is called the Christ Redeemer pass at 3832 meter above sea level (12568f.) Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere). Travel by bus for more less six hours to Santiago.

There are no planed activities, enjoy our last farewell dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast (01)

Day 16. - Departure day.

There are no planned activities for today. Have a safe journey whether you are headed home or to explore another destination!

Meals Included: (01) Breakfast