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Bariloche to El Calafate: Route 40 Private Patagonia Road Journey

Bariloche to El Calafate: Route 40 Private Patagonia Road Journey

Argentina
16 Days

Overview

Route 40 is the longest road in Argentina — 5,000 kilometers from the Bolivian border to the Strait of Magellan — but its most compelling section runs through Patagonia, where the landscape shifts every few hours: the Andean lakes of Bariloche, the ancient araucaria forests of Los Alerces National Park, the turquoise waters of Lake Buenos Aires and the Marble Cathedrals across the Chilean border, the 9,000-year-old cave paintings of the Cueva de las Manos above the Pinturas River, the granite spires of El Chaltén, the ice walls of Perito Moreno, and the subantarctic channels of Ushuaia. This 16-day private Route 40 itinerary covers that entire southern arc, with every gravel road transfer, park permit, and cross-border day trip coordinated in advance by our team based in El Calafate — the geographic center of the route.

  • Route 40 covers over 5,000 kilometers of Argentina: this itinerary traces the most historically and scenically significant sections, from the lake district to the Fuegian channels, in a single continuous arc

  • Cueva de las Manos — Guided Access: The UNESCO-listed cave paintings above the Pinturas River canyon require a licensed guide and advance coordination — we arrange both as part of the Route 40 sequence, not as an add-on.

  • A genuinely complex overland route: with gravel road sections, a border crossing into Chile for the Marble Cathedrals, and a flight south from El Calafate to Ushuaia, all coordinated in advance

  • Local expert guides at each major stop: throughout the journey, ensuring seamless logistics, personalized service, and authentic insight at every destination

  • Fully Customizable: This private Patagonia Route 40 itinerary extends naturally to Torres del Paine, a Patagonian estancia night near El Calafate, or an Antarctica cruise from Ushuaia.

Trip Highlights

The signature moments that make this journey unforgettable.

  • Navigate Lake Nahuel Huapi to Isla Victoria and the ancient Arrayanes Forest

  • Explore Los Alerces National Park near Esquel, with its millennia-old alerce trees

  • Cross into Chile for the Marble Cathedrals, calcium carbonate formations sculpted by Lake General Carrera's turquoise waters

  • Walk through Cueva de las Manos, the UNESCO site with 9,000 years of rock paintings above the Pinturas River canyon

  • Trek to Laguna de los Tres and the base of Fitz Roy in El Chaltén

  • Stand before Perito Moreno Glacier and navigate Lago Argentino to Upsala and Spegazzini

  • Trek and canoe in Tierra del Fuego National Park, following the Lapataia River to the bay where Route 3 ends

  • Sail the Beagle Channel to Estancia Harberton and cross to Martillo Island's penguin colony

Itinerary

Day 1

A private transfer from the airport to your lakefront hotel, followed by an afternoon on the Circuito Chico — Nahuel Huapi Lake, the Llao Llao Peninsula viewpoint, the Swiss Colony, and Cerro Campanario's panorama over the lake district. The tour adjusts to your pace, with stops and detours based on what catches your eye.

Day 2

A private boat departure from Puerto Pañuelo onto the clear waters of Nahuel Huapi Lake, navigating to Isla Victoria and its Arrayanes Forest — one of the few native arrayán forests in the world, recognizable by its reddish-cinnamon bark and twisted form.

Day 3

A choice between two active formats: a kayak expedition along the Tronador Arm of Lake Mascardi, with views of the Tronador and Bonete peaks, or a mountain bike day at Cerro Catedral, with descents overlooking Lake Gutiérrez and Lake Moreno. Both include guide, equipment, and transfer.

Day 4

A three-hour drive south from Bariloche to Esquel, followed by an afternoon in Los Alerces National Park with a local guide. The park's ancient alerce trees — some over 2,600 years old — are among the longest-lived organisms in the Southern Hemisphere.

Day 5

Seven-hour drive south to Los Antiguos, a small town on the southern shore of Lake Buenos Aires — a body of water covering 2,240 km², South America's second-largest lake after Titicaca, shared with Chile where it is known as General Carrera Lake. Los Antiguos is known as Argentina's southernmost cherry-producing region.

Day 6

Border crossing into Chile along the southern shore of the lake, arriving at Puerto Río Tranquilo for a boat navigation to the Marble Cathedrals — calcium carbonate formations sculpted over thousands of years by wave action, with caverns accessible from the water. Light reflection inside the formations changes constantly depending on lake level and time of day.

Day 7

South along Route 40 to the Cueva de las Manos, 88 meters above the Pinturas River canyon, with a guided walk through a 2 km circuit of caves containing over 9,000 years of paintings — hands, animals, and geometric symbols. The site receives a fraction of the visitors of other UNESCO sites of equivalent age and significance. After the visit, the drive continues to El Chaltén, arriving around 9 PM.

Day 8

22 km round trip | 960m elevation gain | 8–9 hours | Challenging

The classic El Chaltén day, departing from the Río Eléctrico trailhead through lenga and ñire forest. The trail passes the Piedras Blancas hanging glacier before the final ascent to Laguna de los Tres at the base of Fitz Roy. Your guide decides how far to push based on conditions and how your legs feel.

Day 9

A second day on the El Chaltén trail network — options include Laguna Torre (21 km, views of Cerro Torre and floating icebergs), Loma del Pliegue Tumbado (360-degree views over Fitz Roy and the steppe), or a shorter self-guided walk if the legs need recovery. Your guide helps choose based on the previous day.

Day 10

Private comfort drive from El Chaltén across open Patagonian steppe to El Calafate, with the afternoon free in town.

Day 11

Private full day at Perito Moreno Glacier, where a 4.7-kilometer elevated walkway delivers the 70-meter ice wall from multiple angles, calving events audible throughout. A catamaran run along the southern wall adds a water-level perspective.

Day 12

A full-day navigation aboard the María Turquesa through Lago Argentino's floating ice to Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers — broader and more remote than Perito Moreno, reachable only by water.

Day 13

Domestic flight from El Calafate to Ushuaia, with a local guide waiting at the airport for the transfer to your hotel.

Day 14

A coastal trek through Tierra del Fuego National Park past archaeological remains of the Yamana people — shellfish midden piles that mark settlement sites along the coast — to Lake Roca, followed by a canoe descent of the Lapataia River to Lapataia Bay, where Pan-American Route 3 ends.

Day 15

A drive along the Beagle Channel coastline to Estancia Harberton, founded in 1886 by Anglican missionary Thomas Bridges and still operated by his descendants. From the estancia, a zodiac crossing of the channel to Martillo Island for the Magellanic penguin colony, with seabirds visible throughout the navigation.

Day 16

Private transfer to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires and onward international connections.

Southwind Experience

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  • Transportation throughout the trip

  • Accommodation

  • Expert local guides

  • Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip

  • International or domestic flights

  • Personal expenses and optional activities

To start this journey, travelers will need to fly into El Calafate Airport Aeropuerto Internacional Comandante Tola (FTE), located just outside El Calafate City. This airport receives domestic flights from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery – AEP) and international connections via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

  • Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to El Calafate Airport (FTE).

  • Domestic Flight: Traveler flies from El Calafate (FTE) to Ushuaia Airport Aeropuerto Internacional Malvinas Argentinas (USH)

  • Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from Ushuaia Airport (USH) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) for onward international connections.

What our travelers say

S

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southwind from the planning stages to delivery of the trip in Patagonia were faultless and I really love the little reminders sent for each separate stage and really appreciated the added bits around passport checking and border crossing paperwork. The whole team was super friendly, and for our trip with Fernando he was great company and knew where to stop for refreshments and a view! We would strongly recommend southwind, they go the extra mile on service and have a permanent smile. Thank you guys you were faultless.

S

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great experience with Southwind. They organized a tour for us to visit Monte Leon from El Calafate. Fernando & Laura organized the logistics and were very helpful. Martin accompanied us on the tour and doubled up as driver and tour guide, which was beyond our expectations. We saw a lot of wildlife en route, as well as in the park with Martin’s help. I highly recommend Southwind for your Patagonia experience.

F

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The agency proved to be extremely professional. During the long transfer, in an impeccably clean and perfectly maintained vehicle, Mr. Fernando was very attentive to ensure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this agency for organizing your trips to South America. Only 5 stars because I can't give more!

J

Joanna Green

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maria and her team looked after us so well. I would recommend them in a flash. It was 20 years since I had been to El Calafate so I didn't know what to expect. It had changed so much! Maria was helpful, honest, well priced and a pleasure to work with. You could not ask for more. We had the best time thanks to Maria and her organisation. Fernando was our driver to a tour and a delight. Punctual, knowledgeable and all round wonderful. Gracias!!

R

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

M

Martin Bride

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

E

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

P

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muy buena la atención tanto por WhatsApp como en las excursiones. Puntuales en las búsquedas en el hotel... De las excursiones que llevo hechas (todas excelentes) la atención, la coordinación y el conocimiento de los guías es muy bueno. Un excelente servicio, lo recomiendo!

A

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

Google

Average rating

4.9 ★

Where to stay

Alma del Lago Suites

Alma del Lago Suites

Bariloche & Lake District , Bariloche

Aldebaran Hotel

Aldebaran Hotel

Bariloche & Lake District , Bariloche

Hosteria El Pilar

Hosteria El Pilar

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

Poincenot Hotel

Poincenot Hotel

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

Pudu Lodge

Pudu Lodge

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

Estancia Helsingfors

Estancia Helsingfors

Perito Moreno & Los Glaciares National Park , El Chalten

How to Customize This Itinerary

All Southwind Experience journeys are 100% tailor-made.

  • Add an extra night in El Chaltén for Laguna Torre or Loma del Pliegue Tumbado if Day 9 wasn't enough.

  • Extend in El Calafate with a night at a traditional Patagonian estancia, including horseback riding and an asado.

  • Cross into Torres del Paine, Chile, for the W Trek's three main circuits.

  • Add recovery or spa days at any point in the route.

Your dedicated travel specialist will help you adapt the itinerary according to your interests, travel style, and preferred dates, ensuring your Patagonia journey is exactly as you imagine it.

Let's plan your adventure!

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