Ruta 40 Road Movie

General Description

Route 40 is the ideal way of approaching southern Patagonia if you really wish to realize what the destination means. It starts at the airport of the main city of Comodoro Rivadavia, in the Gulf de San Jorge, in the Atlantic coast, crosses Patagonia from east to west, and follows the legendary route 40, which runs all from north to south of Argentina at the foot of the Andes, something like 5000 km of road. We'll travel the southernmost section of this famous route, all gravel road across the Patagonian steppe, to arrive to Fitz Roy area from the north.

The highlights of the trip are visiting the Cuevas de las Manos (literally Cave of Hands - ancient paintings), lakes Buenos Aires, Pueyrredon and Posadas, we will have the chance in good weather conditions to see mounts San Lorenzo and San Valentin (the two giants of Southern Patagonia) and feel what the Patagonian plains and solitude means. The tour ends upon arrival to El Chalten.

Itinerary

Day 01: (Wednesday) Comodoro Rivadavia – Los Antiguos
Our trip begins 2 pm at the restaurant of Comodoro Rivadavia airport, which will be our meeting point. We travel southbound along the Atlantic coast skirting the Gulf San Jorge for 70 km to enter Caleta Olivia, main oil producing city in Patagonia. From here we turn west to leave the Atlantic behind and start our approach to the Andes. After 350 km (paved road) we reach Los Antiguos, on the shores of Lago Buenos Aires, the second largest lake in America after Titicaca. We are 2 km away from the Chilean border.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double room with private bathroom or Single room with private bathroom.
Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Los Antiguos – Lago Posadas
From Los Antiguos (famous for its cherry production) we travel south along route 40 to get to the Pinturas River Canyon and visit the "Cueva de las Manos" (Cave of the Hands, literally), ancient paintings 10,000 years old. We travel then west to Lago Posadas, small and picturesque town and gateway to Lakes Posadas and Pueyrredon on the argentinean side. We drive this day approximately 360 km, 60 of them paved.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double room with private bathroom or Single room with private bathroom.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Day 03: River Oro Canyon – Lake Pueyrredon
Lakes Posadas (blue) and Pueyrredon (green), separated by a narrow stripe of land, are probably two of the most beautiful lakes of southern Patagonia. They lay in a large glacier valley, separating the Highlands of Lake Buenos Aires from Cerro San Lorenzo massif. We use this day to visit this beautiful valley and the surroundings of both lakes. We'll see strange and colourful rock formations, wetlands and birds. We also visit the River Oro Canyon, which comes from Cerro San Lorenzo to Lake Pueyrredon.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double room with private bathroom or Single room with private bathroom.
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner.

Day 04: Lago Posadas – El Chalten
After breakfast we get on the bus for the final sprint to El Chalten, 550 km south. On our way, different birds and flowers will give life to the desert-type landscape. We have lunch in a Patagonian style stop-over place. The final 100 km westbound features lake and glacier Viedma and the spires of Fitz Roy massif and Cerro Torre group. Arrival to Chalten is scheduled around 7 pm.
Meals: Breakfast.

Extensions This itinerary is a natural pre-tour for the hiking in Patagonia Journey. The following day, hikers will start with day 3 of the hiking in Patagonia program.

General Information and Price

Rated: Easy. There are long and uncomfortable drives (1210 km / 750 miles) at a slow pace on dirt road.

Private departures upon request



Fixed Departure dates
Guaranteed departure every Wednesday from October 11, 2006 to April 11, 2007
There are departures every 3 weeks with French, Italian or German speaking guides

Private departure:
Any day between end of October and beginning of April

Tour Tariff
	Fixed Departure	Private Departure				SGL Supp.
N° of participants	1	1	2	3	4
USD	$ 550	$ 1656	$ 990	$ 826	$ 719	$ 61
EUR	457	1374	822	685	596	50
GBP	308	927	554	462	402	34

(*) Price last updated on 24 October 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a
quotation request .


Included:
Bilingual tour leader during all the trip
All transfers Comodoro Rivadavia airport – Los Antiguos – Cueva de las Manos - Lago Posadas - El Chalten
Lodging
3 breakfasts, 2 box lunch y 3 dinners

Not included:
Entrance fees to Cueva de las Manos
Entrance fees to National Parks
Medical and life insurance
Tips
Drinks and beverages (all foods are without alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks)
Flights or airport taxes
Optional excursions
Services not shown or detailed in the program.