Patagonia: Travel to the most remote hiking trails in a rental car
from/to Balmaceda
8 days (7 nights)
8 days / 7 nights rental car tour from / to Balmaceda
If you simply can't get enough of Patagonia, this rental car tour allows you to visit regions that lie off the beaten track of the usual Patagonia routes.
With your own rental car and on your own, you can drive around Lake General Carrera, visit idyllic villages, and hike through several national parks. You can explore the local flora and fauna or simply relax and unwind at the edge of the lake.
Why not combine this trip with one of our other Patagonia tours? Our program offers you many possibilities.
This rental car tour is for advanced travelers.
Stephanie Gräf
Travel expert, inventia | Travel beyond the ordinary
Specialist in personalized and exciting trips around the globe.
I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.
You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de
Good to know
This trip is a customized trip that we plan just for you. We are happy to adjust the rental car category, accommodations, route, and duration to suit your needs.
Arrival: We will be happy to provide you with a personalized quote including flight arrival and departure.
Pre- and post-program: Extend your trip a little longer, e.g. to Southern Patagonia!
Entry requirements: Hereyou will find the entry requirements for German citizens traveling toArgentina and Chile.
The trip is not recommended for people with limited mobility.
HIGHLIGHTS
- On the road on theCarretera Austral– this scenic route takes you through the unspoiled landscape of Patagonia in your rental car, past countless national parks and lakes.
- General Carrera, Chile's largest lake – surrounded by an impressive mountain panorama, you can explore the famous marble caves here during a boat tour.
- Cerro Castillo, the "Castle of Patagonia" – From this 2,675 m high, jet-black mountain, you have a wonderful view of turquoise blue lagoons and the home of the rare South Andean deer.
- Among the lenga forests , you will find numerous hiking trails and rare animal species in Patagonia National Park, such as dwarf parrots, Andean condors, guanacos, and pumas.
- Piedra Clavada – in the 40-meter-high freestanding rock, you can viewthe 13,000-year-old murals of the Cueva de las Manoscave.
itinerary
8-day rental car tour from/to Balmaceda
Day 1: Balmaceda – Villa Cerro Castillo (approx. 72 km, approx. 1 hour)
After arriving at Balmaceda Airport, pick up your rental car and drive south on the famous Carretera Austral. Shortly before arriving, you will have a wonderful view of the Cerro Castillo mountain range, weather permitting.
Day 2: Cerro Castillo National Park
Spend the day hiking in Cerro Castillo National Park. We recommend a 7-hour hike with an ascent to the lagoon of the Cerro Castillo mountain range.
(B)
Day 3: Villa Cerro Castillo – Puerto Guadal (approx. 112 miles, approx. 4 hours)
You will drive south through the Simpson Valley. Soon you will reach Lake General Carrera. On the way, we recommend taking a boat trip to the impressive marble caves.
(B)
Day 4: Puerto Guadal – Chile Chico (approx. 106 km, approx. 2–3 hours)
Today's journey takes you along the southern shore of Lake General Carrera on a winding road to Chile Chico, the city of the sun, as the indigenous people called it.
(B)
Day 5: Patagonia National Park
Today, take a 4-5 hour hike through the breathtaking landscape of Patagonia National Park. Marvel at the 40-meter-high freestanding rock Piedra Clavada and the murals in the Cueva de las Manos cave.
(B)
Day 6: Chile Chico – Puerto Bertrand (approx. 131 km, approx. 3–4 hours)
Back on the southern shore of the lake, today's route takes you to the village of Puerto Bertrand. Afterwards, we recommend visiting the confluence of the Rio Nef and the Rio Baker, located approximately 30 km south of Puerto Bertrand. A spectacular sight!
(B)
Day 7: Puerto Bertrand – Coyhaique (approx. 283 km, approx. 5–6 hours)
You will drive north to Coyhaique, the largest city in the region.
(B)
Day 8: Coyhaique – Balmaceda (approx. 57 km, approx. 1 hour)
Today you will return to the airport in Balmaceda, where you will end your Patagonia round trip and return your rental car.
(B)
(B) = Breakfast
Dates & Prices
We plan this trip individually for you. The price depends on the season and the booking date.
Prices and dates are subject to confirmation by the local partner agencies. Surcharges may apply for New Year's Eve, Easter, and local holidays.
| date | Price per person | further information |
|---|---|---|
| April – October |
starting at 2.162 € Single room supplement: €861 |
Arrival is possible every day. |
Information
Included services:
- Scheduled flight (economy) with Brussels Airlines from Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, or Munich via Brussels to Entebbe and return from Kigali via Brussels. If flights with Brussels Airlines are not available, they will be booked with another IATA airline.
- Airport taxes and fees currently amounting to €372 per person included
- Quarantine travel protection and hygiene equipment
- 12 nights' accommodation in the listed or equivalent accommodations in the
Double room with bath/shower and toilet - Meals: daily breakfast, 9x dinner
- Full-time, knowledgeable German-speaking tour guide from day 2 to day 13
- Breakfast boat trip on Lake Victoria, sundowner boat trip on Lake Mutanda, visit to the Batwa pygmies
- Chimpanzee and primate trekking with an English-speaking ranger, one boat trip on the Victoria Nile and one on the Kazinga Channel in an international group
- All trips in a comfortable, typical off-road vehicle with a safari pop-up roof and individual seats by the window
- All national park entrance fees and admission fees as per itinerary
- Detailed travel documents and one Uganda/Rwanda travel guide per room
- travel price insurance certificate
Additional costs:
- Visa fees (online e-visa) approx. US$100
- Fees for the use of cameras/video on buildings
- meals not mentioned
- beverages
- tips
- Desired excursions
Not included in the price:
- Rail & Fly ICE shuttle from €69 in 2nd class, €149 in 1st class
- Gorilla permit in Uganda US$700
- Gorilla permit in Rwanda US$1,500
- Golden monkey permit in Rwanda US$100
Number of participants: max. 7 people (also available as a private tour for 2 people at an additional cost)
Information about your trip:
- Minimum number of participants: 4, maximum number of participants: 7
- The number of places available for gorilla trekking is strictly limited and often fully booked. Therefore, please let us know which permits you would like to order when you register for your trip. We will request these immediately. The costs will be invoiced to you at the current price and exchange rate, plus the deposit for the round trip.
- Once booked, permits cannot be returned or exchanged. In the event of cancellation, we will have to charge these costs in addition to the cancellation fees specified in the Terms and Conditions.
- Participants in the gorilla hike must not suffer from any infectious diseases so as not to endanger the gorillas.
- The probability of seeing gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys is very high, but not guaranteed. Your German-speaking tour guide is not allowed to accompany you on these activities. You will be accompanied by English-speaking nature guides.
- You will receive your estimated flight times well in advance of your departure.
- Luggage limit 23 kg, no hard-shell suitcases
- Prices for travel in 2023 are valid for bookings made by July 1, 2022.
Our premium partner (your contractual partner): Taruk-Reisen
Unexpected Patagonia_chile_patagonia_cerro-castillo_mountain © Adobe Stock
Cerro Castillo mountain in Chile
Unexpected Patagonia_argentina_patagonia_cueva-de-las-manos © Adobe Stock
13,000-year-old cave paintings in the Cueva de Las Manos cave in the province of Santa Cruz, Patagonia
Unexpected Patagonia_chile_patagonia_lake-general-carrera © Adobe Stock
Lake General Carrera with mountain landscape in the background in Chile, Patagonia
Unexpected Patagonia_chile_patagonia_carretera-austral_cerro-castillo-national-park © Adobe Stock
Winding stretch of the Carretera Austral near Cerro Castillo National Park in Chile
Unexpected Patagonia_chile_patagonia_marble caves_lake general carrera © Adobe Stock
Marble caves in Lake General Carrera in Chile, Patagonia
Unexpected Patagonia_chile_patagonia_chile-chico_ferry © Adobe Stock
Ferry on Lake General Carrera in Chile Chico, Patagonia
Unexpected Patagonia_chile_patagonia_villa-cerro-castro_tal © Adobe Stock
Road through the village of Villa Cerro Castillo along the Carretera Austral in Chile, Patagonia
Unexpected Patagonia_chile_patagonia_confluence_rio-neff_rio-baker © Adobe Stock
Confluence of the Rio Baker and Rio Neu near the Carretera Austral in Chile, Patagonia
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