The Pioneer’s Route (AR 036)
Following Butch Cassidy’s footsteps

Departures: Mondays from December to March
Guide: Spanish and bilingual (English - German - Italian - French)
Meals: according to itinerary. Air Fare: not included.

An incredible combination that mingles diverse destinations: Valdés Peninsula and Punta Tombo Roockery, the biggest concentration of sea fauna in the country including whales, sealions, penguins, and many other sea bird species; the splendour of mythical nature at Los Alerces National Park with its millenary larches; some typical Patagonic 'estancias' with their homemade products and untouched traditions; and the city of Bariloche, set within the beautiful natural surroundings such as lakes, rivers and dense woods.

Day 1 - Trelew / Puerto Madryn
Reception at Trelew airport and transfer to Punta Tombo Rookery to admire a magnificent colony of Maguellan penguins. Accommodation. Dinner at restaurant.
Note: an early flight is necessary for this excursion, if not it can be done on day 3 according to the regular bus lines departure schedule.

Day 2 - Puerto Madryn
Continental breakfast. Full day tour to Península Valdés, passing by Ameghino Isthmus, located between the Nuevo and the San Jose Gulfs. Visit Puerto Piramide, where there is a sea lion rookery and it's a great opportunity to take the optional boat excursion for an outstanding whale watch you cannot miss (available from October to November). Continue to Punta Delgada for a view of its important colony of sea lions and Caleta Valdés where sea elephants seem to have found their ideal natural habitat. Lunch included. Return to Puerto Madryn.

Day 3 - Puerto Madryn / Esquel
Continental breakfast. Transfer along the plateau by regular bus line to Esquel, passing by Dolavon town, founded by Welsh families; Ameghino Dam, The Altars (old rock formations that have achieved the shape of altars due to wind erosion). Then continue to Esquel passing by Tecka, a typical Patagonic settlement. Accommodation.. Important note: the daily buses are not available all year round. In case of not operating, the day will be at leisure and the departure will be at night on a regular bus line to Esquel.

Day 4 - Esquel
Continental breakfast. Half day excursion to Trevelin Valley, visit to the Nant and Fall cascade, the Historic Flour Mill and later Welsh tea in Trevelin. Return to Esquel.

Day 5 - Esquel
Continental breakfast. Full day excursion to Los Alerces National Park passing by Futalaufquen Lake, Arrayanes River, Verde and Menéndez Lakes. Border Menéndez River until Chucao Pier, in Menéndez Lake. Take a 2 hour walk within a dense forest to appreciate the most important varieties of the Park's autoctonous flora. Optional: embark to visit the majestic 'Alerzal Milenario' (Millenary Larch Wood) formed by ancient trees that are more than 3000 years old, 60 meters high and 2,60 meters in diameter. The circuit allows to appreciate big coihues, lakes, the beautiful cascade and Cisne River and the Torrecillas glacier. On the way back to Esquel, we will stop at other lookouts and panoramic view points to observe the different colors of the mountain's lakes and rivers.

Day 6 – Esquel / Bariloche
Continental breakfast. Early departure to Bariloche, passing by El Bolsón. After 90 km of journey we will stop at Leleque Station to visit its museum, located in a traditional patagonic estancia (ranch), 100 mts from the railway track. Leleque used to be one of the stations of La Trochita train. This museum tells the story of the native and immigrants towns of Patagonia, from the tehuelches tolderías, the guanaco hunting, the sheep breeding, the different ethnic groups, the conflicts, the religious beliefs, etc. Then we continue travelling around the valley of Epuyen, el Hoyo, until we reach Esquel. This journey of unique beauty also shows the different activities that are practised in the area, with their abundant production of fine fruit with the highest quality recognized in the whole world, as well as different farms dedicated to the cultivation of hop, to later produce the traditional beer. All the valley has a special microclimate, allowing this area to start producing different craft products. These products may be seen at the traditional craft fair as well as agricultural and farm products from El Bolsón, which can be visited on Tu/Thu/Sat. Optional: La Trochita (this service may be included according to the train's operational conditions). From El Bolsón we continue towards the north until we arrive at Bariloche, travelling across the impressive Cañadon de la Mosca.

Day 7 - Bariloche
Continental breakfast. Full day excursion to Mt. Tronador. We cross the Pampa de Huenuleo, passing by Lake Gutierrez, arriving at Lake Mascardi where we embark to navigate along the beautiful Lake of the Seven Colors (Mascardi), which will take us to the heart of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Lunch at the Tronador hotel. Here we start a terrestrial trip along the Vuriloches Valley, ascending to the Ventisquero Negro and the base of Mt. Tronador where you may take an ascending walk to the Mount. On the way back we make a stop in the area of Pampa Linda, to walk through the woods until we reach the Saltillo de las Nalcas, a waterfall that allows us to go behind it. The return trip may be done either by water or by land. Return to the hotel.

Day 8 - Bariloche
Continental breakfast. According to departure, Small Circuit excursion, visiting the Campanario Hill; Virgen de las Nieves; Trebol Lake; Playa Bonita (Beautiful Beach); the Panoramic View Point (945 metres high) to admire a fantastic scenery; Lopez Bay, Llao-Llao and Victoria Island.Return to the hotel and transfer to the local airport.

Optional tours:
Route N° 40 Circuit

Departures: Saturdays from December to March
Guide: Spanish and bilingual (English - German - Italian - French)
Meals: according to itinerary. Air Fare: not included

Day 1- Esquel / Los Antiguos
Full day excursion to Los Antiguos, passing by Trevelín and Corcovado, finally arriving at Los Antiguos in the afternoon.

Day 2- Patagonic Estancia
Departure to a Patagonic Estancia (ranch), visiting the Cañadón del Río Pinturas and Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands), where we will have a box lunch. Then continue to the Patagonic Estancia. Accommodation.

Day 3- Patagonic Estancia / El Calafate
Breakfast. Departure towards El Calafate, always on Route N° 40, where we will arrive in the afternoon.

Southern Crossing

Departures: Saturdyas from December to March
Guide: Spanish and bilingual (English - German - Italian - French)
Meals: according to itinerary. Air Fare: not included

Day 1- Esquel / El Pangue
Breakfast. We cross the border by the Rio Grande pass and arrive at Futaleufu (Chile) to start our trip of the Southern Crossing visiting the Queulat National Park, with the main attractions of the glaciers, fiords and its virgin forest. We continue towards the south passing by Puyuhuapi and observing the Hanging Ventisquero. Later we continue to the sea to arrive at Puerto Cisne (Swan Port). Accommodation.

Day 2- El Pangue / Puerto Aysen
Breakfast. We continue travelling the Southern Crossing to arrive at Puerto Chacabuco, where we can take a catamaran to visit San Rafael Lagoon for the day (optional).
Accommodation in Puerto Aysen or Coyhaique.

Day 3- Coyhaique / Los Antiguos
Breakfast. We continue travelling by the Southern Crossing towards the south, visiting Lake Elizalde. In the afternoon we will border Lake General Carrera (Lake Buenos Aires) and cross the border by Chile Chico to arrive at Los Antiguos. Accommodation.

Day 4- Patagonic Estancia
Breakfast. Excursion to a Patagonic Estancia, visiting Cañadon del Rio Pinturas / Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands). Accommodation.

Day 5- Patagonic Estancia / El Calafate
Breakfast. Departure to El Calafate.