A unique safari combining Argentina and Chile presented by Tim Lapage and Safari Experts

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Day 1 & 2     Isla Victoria Lodge - Bariloche - Patagonia

Fly to Buenos Aires and enjoy a couple of nights in fabulous cosmopolitan Buenos Aires.

Days 3 & 4     Fly to Bariloche and transfer by boat to the Isla Victoria Lodge for a 2-night stay here.

The original National Lodge Isla Victoria, set on top of a cliff overlooking Anchorena Bay, has been for years the ideal retreat in Argentina for romantic getaways or honeymoons. The wooden lodge burned down in 1982, and the new Victoria Island National Lodge was rebuilt in the same architectural style, on the same foundations, in 2002. Facing the afternoon sun, the bay, the lake and the Andean peaks, the terrace offers a spectacular view. The large windows in the dining and living rooms extend almost to the height of flying seagulls.

There are 20 bedrooms with private bathrooms and two suites with balconies, decorated by Delia Tedin's studio with local style touches and a smart boutique-hotel look. Rooms overlook either the bay, lake and mountain range, one of the most beautiful places in Patagonia, or the forests and gardens designed by landscape architect Juan Grimm.

The lodge is surrounded by pristine wilderness. Inside you will find wonderful roaring fireplaces, intimate corners, such as the wine cellar where you can taste the finest Argentine wines, or you might seak retreat in the Andean Bar. The Patagonian-Mediterranean cuisine itself is worth the trip to the island. In addition, there is a small spa and sun deck with sauna and heated swimming-pool. It is a secluded world on an island in the far south.

The resort is surrounded by a captivating wild and desolate landscape. Those who love quietness will find solace; those who need action even in the mist of breathtaking nature will enjoy the guided walks, mountian biking, and horseback rides designed to make the most of the stay at the island. There are also other activities such as kayaking and canoeing, diving and windsurfing. Victoria Island is a wooded landmass surrounded by unspoiled waters and coasts.

Days 5 & 6     Arroyo Verde Lodge - Bariloche

Morning transfer to the dock where you will be collected and driven to the Limay River for the float trip to just before the junction with the Traful River. Met here and driven on to Arroyo Verde Lodge.

Arroyo Verde is perhaps one of the most beautiful estancias in southern Argentina, and one of those truly special places in the world. The remote ranch is embedded in an enchanted valley of wind-and-water sculpted rock spires, minarets, and chimneys, with the scenic Traful River flowing through it. At the western end there are breath-taking views of the crystal clear Lake Traful with its backdrop of lush forests and the white-capped Andes.

The main house is lovely, elegantly appointed and very comfortable, with open views of its manicured gardens and the Patagonian countryside beyond. There is also a remote, romantic guest cabin perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Traful, with one of the most wonderful views imaginable, across the lake to the Andes beyond.

Arroyo Verde, apart from its world famous fly-fishing, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers a perfect setting for horseback riding across the open valley, up the mountains through forests to hidden lakes and caves with Indian paintings, viewing the amazing flight of condors. There are superb walks or hikes to a crystal lake for water-sports or a lovely beach for relaxing or taking a cold swim. Trout and landlocked salmon fly-fishing is in one of the best rivers in the world: the Traful. Enjoy a sundowner with the magnificent views from the cabin's terrace, savouring a delicious asado, the typical Argentine barbecue. Unwind in this paradise while sharing the lifestyle of true Argentine ranchers, your elegant and charming host, Meme Lariviere.

Days 7 & 8     Lake Crossing to Chile - Bella Vista Hotel - Puerto Varas

Very early start at 5:30am to cross the lakes into Chile to Puerto Varas - check in to Hotel Bella Vista in Puerto Varas - which as you may assume, has a nice view!!

The Lake Crossing to Chile is a unique excursion by land and lakes that began in the 1930's when ox carts were used to haul people. You will set out from Puerto Pañuelo at the Llao Llao hotel, Bariloche on a catamaran along the Brest Branch of Lake Nahuel Huapi, to Puerto Blest, where you board a bus to Puerto Frías on Lake Frías.

Here you clear Argentine customs, ride another bus climbing through lush rainforest over a pass, then descending to Peulla, where Chilean customs are cleared. A little further on, is a comfortable old lodge, the Hotel Peulla by Lake Todos los Santos, where you stop for lunch. A catamaran then takes you across the lake, providing wonderful views of the volcanoes Puntiagudo (which lost its peak in an earthquake) and Osorno. The boat trip ends at the port of Petrohué. Your final bus skirts Lago Llanquihue, stopping for a visit at the rockbound Petrohué waterfalls, passing though the town of Puerto Varas (famous for its roses) and arriving, at last, at the Chilean port town of Puerto Montt.

Days 9 & 10     Cumilahue Lodge - Lake Ranco

Pick up your hire car - a mid size 4-door car and self-drive to Cumilahu Lodge where you will be guests of well-known fishing guide Adrian and Pat Du Flocq. Adrian is the grandson of a Frenchman who brought the Cabernet grape vine to Chile in the late 1800's. The enchanting stories of Chilean angling by noted author Ernest Schwiebert are replete with tales of this remarkable man's angling prowess. He certainly is Chile's most known and respected fly fisher.

In 1962, Adrian and his wife Pat opened the Cumilahue Lodge, and since then, over the years, they have hosted hundreds of fly fishermen from all over the world. The walls of their lodge are filled with photos of many fly fishing legends plying their skills on the beautiful local rivers and streams. The lodge is charming, the food and wine excellent, and the Cumilahue River is 50 yards from the guest rooms.

For the non-fishermen, sightseeing and other outdoor activities between October to April are hiking, exploring, bird watching, river floats, etc.

In a remote valley of the Andes, where time stopped, it is described in National Geographic's book "Excursion to Enchantment.…. A Journey to the World's Most Beautiful Places" (1988).

The lodge is located in one of the most spectacular river and lake systems in the country - the Lake Ranco drainage, which has unique conditions for outdoor recreation, without parallel. A variety of outstanding natural resources: lakes, islands, rivers, streams and springs, some of them with hot water, two volcanoes, and pastoral valleys crossed by pristine rivers which provide excellent trout fishing, are all surrounded by snow capped mountains and virgin woods. The snow of the Andes Mountains melt through creeks, to feed a chain of lakes that empty into each other through several rivers. Lake Ranco, the second largest lake in Chile, gathers all of these waters; it's outlet, the "Río Bueno" flows free for over 120 miles to finally reach the Pacific Ocean.

Day 11     Villarica Lake Park Hotel - Lake Ranco

Drive leisurely on to Pucon to the Villarica Hotel.

The Villarrica Park Lake Hotel is a luxury hotel located in Chile´s ninth Region, the Araucania Region. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens and boasts spectacular panoramic views from all of its facilities. Includes 24 hour room service, spa and fine dining facilities.

Day 12     Drive to Temuco airport for your flight home to Santiago, connecting on to Houston.