Overlanding expeditions

Patagonia 4x4 Adventure

February 20 to March 1, 2027. Ten days at the end of the world, in your own truck.

10 daysPuerto Montt loop
Feb 20Arrive in Chile
$8,495Driver
$3,995One passenger

Patagonia. The word alone evokes an image of adventure, and Patagonia is quite literally the end of the world. It is a place where the South American continent peters out into islands, canals, inlets, and fjords, at the point where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. The region is vast, more than 60,000 square miles of southern Chile and Argentina, most of it too wild to be inhabited. Untamed open plains, dramatic mountains, active volcanoes, and colossal glaciers line the horizon.

The itinerary runs through parts of Argentina and Chile so remote you won’t see a car, or another person, for hours.

Ten days on the road

  1. Feb 20

    Arrive in Puerto Montt, Chile

    We meet in Puerto Montt and assign the vehicles.

  2. Feb 21

    Puerto Montt to Chaitén

    The drive starts on the Carretera Austral, crossing a few fjords by boat and taking in this stretch of coast. Search the road before you come. Plenty of films and trip notes call it the most beautiful road in the world, and a couple of them are enough to see why.

  3. Feb 22

    Chaitén to Puyuhuapi

    South again on the Carretera Austral to Puyuhuapi, and a night at Puyuhuapi Lodge. Jim rates it one of the most remarkable hotels he has stayed in.

  4. Feb 23

    Puyuhuapi to Coyhaique

    Continuing south on the Carretera Austral to Coyhaique.

  5. Feb 24

    Coyhaique to Esquel, Argentina

    Across the border from Chile into Esquel.

  6. Feb 25

    Esquel to Bariloche, on Ruta 40

    Ruta 40 is to Argentina what Route 66 is to the United States: the mother road. Bariloche has a distinctly Alpine feel. That is one reason a number of Nazis settled there after the Second World War.

  7. Feb 26

    Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes

    The Seven Lakes Road, through the volcano country, to San Martín de los Andes.

  8. Feb 27

    San Martín de los Andes to Huilo Huilo

    Back into Chile for the night at Huilo Huilo, another place Jim is fond of: Hotel Nothofagus.

  9. Feb 28

    Huilo Huilo to Frutillar

    The last full day of driving, west to the lakeside town of Frutillar.

  10. Mar 1

    Frutillar to Puerto Montt

    A short drive back to Puerto Montt. Return the trucks and fly home, or stay on for a few extra days.

The driving

About half the miles are dirt, and nothing on the planned route is meant to be frightening. The rest is back-country two-lane pavement. A couple of more adventurous side trips are in the works. Those will be optional.

Each person, or each couple, has a late-model 4x4 pickup, a Toyota Hilux or something like it. Rooms are booked double occupancy, and a single supplement is available. Hotels and meals are included. Airfare, fuel, and alcohol are not.

The price is $8,495 for the driver and $3,995 for one passenger. If more than one passenger is coming, ask Jim for a price.