Patagonia Overland: Santiago to Ushuaia with Rio Carnival — Self-Launched

Land at SCL and take the Turbus/Centropuerto airport bus (~CLP 2,000 / £1.70) or an official taxi (~£18) into the centre. Base yourself in Barrio Lastarria or Bellavista — hostels with dorms run £14-20/night. Spend the afternoon acclimatising: walk Cerro San Cristóbal, eat a completo, and stock up on a sleeping bag liner and any cold-weather kit you still need at a Patagonia shop on Avenida Providencia. Buy your first bus ticket tonight (Pullman Bus or Tur Bus, Santiago → Los Ángeles/Pucón) for tomorrow.

🚌Airport bus or shared taxi from SCL

🛏Hostel dorm, Lastarria/Bellavista (£15-20)

• →Cerro San Cristóbal walk
• →Barrio Lastarria food wander

Take a morning Pullman or Tur Bus south down the Panamericana to Los Ángeles (~6.5 hrs, ~£18-22), then a local colectivo or short taxi to the Saltos del Laja waterfalls (~£4). Camp or take a cabin at one of the riverside campsites (£8-12). Sunset at the falls is the reward for a travel day.

🚌Pullman/Tur Bus Santiago–Los Ángeles ~£20 + colectivo ~£4

🛏Campsite or basic cabin near Saltos del Laja (£9)

• →Saltos del Laja waterfall walk

Bus back to Los Ángeles then onward to Temuco, and connect to Pucón (~2 hrs, total ~£14-18). Pucón sits on Lago Villarrica under the volcano. Check into a hostel dorm (£12-16/night) and sort tomorrow's activities — book the Villarrica volcano guided ascent or rafting direct with an operator on Avenida O'Higgins, or pre-book via GetYourGuide/Klook.

🚌Local buses Los Ángeles–Temuco–Pucón ~£16

🛏Hostel dorm, Pucón (£14)

• →Lakeside evening walk
• →Book volcano hike / rafting

Pick your adventure: guided ascent of Villarrica (~£90-110 including gear and lift) with volcano views and steam vents at the crater, or half-day whitewater rafting on the Trancura (~£28-35). Either way, spend the afternoon at Playa Grande on the lake.

🚌Walking / local taxi to trailhead (~£5)

🛏Hostel dorm, Pucón (£14)

• →Guided Villarrica volcano ascent
• →or Trancura river rafting

Hire a bike (~£12/day) or take a local bus to the nearby hot springs — Termas Los Pozones is the classic budget option (~£15 entry) or geometric Termas Geométricas for a splurge (~£28). Take a shared van out in the late afternoon and soak until dark.

🚌Shared van to hot springs ~£8 return

🛏Hostel dorm, Pucón (£14)

• →Termas Los Pozones hot springs
• →Cycling the lake road

The scenic crossing: take the early Andesmar/Igi-Llaima bus over the Paso Cardenal Samoré or Mamuil Malal pass to San Martín (~5-6 hrs, ~£22-28) — book 2-3 days ahead in high season. Argentina uses a separate currency; bring USD cash for the best exchange rate. Settle into a hostel in this lakeside alpine town (£13-18).

🚌Andesmar/Igi-Llaima border bus ~£25

🛏Hostel dorm, San Martín de los Andes (£15)

• →Andes border crossing
• →Lago Lácar lakeshore walk

Take a local bus or shuttle (~£6) to Lago Huechulafquen in Lanín National Park (entrance ~£6) for day hikes with views of snow-capped Volcán Lanín, araucaria forests and black-sand lakeshores. Or rent a bike and ride the Circuito Chico lakes loop. Back in town, dinner is bife de chorizo and Malbec for £12-15.

🚌Local bus/shuttle to park ~£8

🛏Hostel dorm, San Martín de los Andes (£15)

• →Hike Lago Huechulafquen
• →Araucaria forest viewpoints

Do the famous Seven Lakes Route on the regular Villa La Angostura-bound and Bariloche-bound buses, or better, book a Ruta de los Siete Lagos day transfer/tour (~£30-40) that stops at the miradors. Cross back into Chile via Paso Cardenal Samoré and continue to Puerto Varas on the shore of Lago Llanquihue with Osorno volcano looming. Hostel dorm from £13.

🚌Bus/transfer via Villa La Angostura + border ~£38

🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Varas (£15)

• →Seven Lakes scenic route
• →Frutillar pier stop
• →Osorno volcano viewpoints

Two strong options: a local bus to Petrohué (~£5) for the emerald Petrohué waterfalls and Vicente Pérez Rosales park trails under Osorno, or a full-day tour to Chiloé Island (~£35-45) for palafitos, curanto and the Unesco churches. Cheap DIY: Puerto Montt's Angelmó fish market by local bus is £2 round trip.

🚌Local buses ~£10

🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Varas (£15)

• →Petrohué waterfalls
• →Vicente Pérez Rosales NP
• →or Chiloé Island day trip

This is the wild stretch. Take the bus to Hornopirén (~4 hrs, £8), then the ferry/Bimodal route across the fjords to Caleta Gonzalo and bus on to Chaitén (combined Bimodal ticket ~£25-35) — book online in advance in season. Camp or hostel in Chaitén (£10). Very limited ATMs south of Puerto Montt: carry cash (CLP).

🚌Bus + Bimodal fjord ferry ~£30

🛏Cabin or campsite, Chaitén (£10)

• →Carretera Austral fjord crossings
• →Chaitén volcano viewpoint

Local bus to Futaleufú (~3-4 hrs, £8-12), a remote valley where the turquoise Espolón and Futaleufú rivers meet — world-class rafting country. Camp or hostel (£10-14) and walk to the river viewpoints in the afternoon.

🚌Local bus Chaitén–Futaleufú ~£10

🛏Hostel/campsite, Futaleufú (£12)

• →River viewpoint hike
• →Village wander

Book a half- or full-day guided rafting trip on the Futaleufú (~£45-70) — one of the world's great whitewater rivers — or horseriding (~£35) and canyoning (~£40) alternatives. Cheaper option: a guided kayak/packraft intro for £35.

🚌Walking / operator pickup

🛏Hostel/campsite, Futaleufú (£12)

• →Futaleufú river rafting
• →or horseriding & canyoning

A long but beautiful travel day: bus back toward the Austral spine and onward to Coyhaique (~8-9 hrs including connections, ~£18-25). Coyhaique is the regional hub — hit an ATM, do laundry, and restock in the market. Hostel dorm ~£13.

🚌Local buses Futaleufú–Coyhaique ~£22

🛏Hostel dorm, Coyhaique (£14)

• →Carretera Austral scenery
• →Coyhaique market

Day trip (or overnight) to Puerto Río Tranquilo for the Capillas de Mármol — a one-hour boat trip into the azure marble caves (~£28-35, weather-dependent). Also possible: a day hike to the Glaciar Exploradores (~£60) for ice views without the El Calafate price. Return to Coyhaique in the evening.

🚌Local bus/shared van to Río Tranquilo + boat ~£35

🛏Hostel dorm, Coyhaique (£14)

• →Marble Caves boat trip
• →optional Glaciar Exploradores hike

Bus to Chile Chico along Lago General Carrera (~4 hrs, £10) — sit on the left for the lake views — then cross the border on foot/short transfer into Los Antiguos, Argentina. A small fruit-growing oasis on the lake. Hostel or campsite £10-14. Note: Argentina's Ruta 40 stretch ahead is remote, so buy snacks and top up cash here.

🚌Local bus + border crossing ~£14

🛏Hostel/campsite, Los Antiguos (£12)

• →Lago General Carrera
• →Border crossing into Argentina

This is the 'nobody talks about it' stretch: shared minibus/taxi (or hitching, if you've got patience) east along Ruta 40 through the empty Patagonian steppe (~4 hrs, ~£15-20 shared). Stop at the Unesco Cueva de las Manos (entrance ~£10) for 9,000-year-old hand stencils in a canyon — arrange with your driver or a local tour from Perito Moreno town. Overnight hostel £12.

🚌Shared minibus Ruta 40 ~£18

🛏Hostel, Perito Moreno town (£12)

• →Cueva de las Manos Unesco site
• →Patagonian steppe drive

Continue south on Ruta 40 to El Chaltén (~5-6 hrs, shared transfer ~£22-28), the trailhead capital for Mount Fitz Roy. Late-afternoon arrival — check into a hostel (£14-18) and do the short Mirador de los Cóndores / Mirador Águilas sunset loop from town (free).

🚌Shared transfer on Ruta 40 ~£25

🛏Hostel dorm, El Chaltén (£16)

• →Mirador de los Cóndores sunset hike

The big one: the free 20km Laguna de los Tres trail, ~8-9 hrs return, with the payoff view of Fitz Roy's granite spires reflected in the glacial lagoon. No guide needed — the trail is well marked and busy. Start early (7am), carry water, lunch and layers. Alternative: shorter Laguna Torre (6 hrs) if weather closes in.

🚌Walk from town

🛏Hostel dorm, El Chaltén (£16)

• →Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy) trek
• →Laguna Torre alternative

Morning bus to El Calafate (~3 hrs, £18-22), the staging town for Los Glaciares NP. Afternoon: walk the town, look out over Lago Argentino, and book your Perito Moreno transport for tomorrow (shared shuttle ~£20 return, park entrance ~£25). Hostel dorm £14-18.

🚌Bus El Chaltén–El Calafate ~£20

🛏Hostel dorm, El Calafate (£16)

• →Lago Argentino shoreline
• →Book glacier transport

Shared shuttle to the glacier (~1.5 hrs), then the network of boardwalks front-row for calving ice — it's genuinely one of the world's great natural spectacles. Add the one-hour boat trip to the glacier face (~£28-35) or a mini-trekking on the ice (~£140) if budget allows. Same shuttle back to El Calafate.

🚌Shared glacier shuttle ~£20

🛏Hostel dorm, El Calafate (£16)

• →Perito Moreno boardwalks
• →Glacier boat trip

Cross back into Chile: daily bus El Calafate → Puerto Natales (~5 hrs, £22-28) via Cerro Castillo. Puerto Natales is the gateway to Torres del Paine — from here buy park entry online (CONAF, ~£25) and reserve campsites if you're doing the W, or book a day tour. Hostel dorm £12-16.

🚌Bus El Calafate–Puerto Natales ~£25

🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Natales (£14)

• →Chilean border crossing
• →Puerto Natales waterfront

Take the 6:30am early bus into the park (~£10 return) to Hotel Las Torres, then hike the Base de las Torres trail (~18km return, 7-8 hrs) up past Refugio Chileno to the moraine and the three granite towers. Long but entirely self-guided. Return to Puerto Natales in the evening, or camp at Chileno/Cuernos if you want the sunrise.

🚌Park bus return ~£10 + park entry

🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Natales (£14)

• →Base de las Torres hike
• →Guanaco and condor spotting

Second park day — pick a short trail near Lago Grey for glacier views and a boat across to see floating icebergs (~£55), or a guided wildlife day focused on pumas and guanacos (~£60-90, book in Puerto Natales). Cheaper self-launched option: the Salto Grande and Cuernos viewpoint walks plus the ride between sectors.

🚌Park bus / local tour ~£12

🛏Hostel dorm, Puerto Natales (£14)

• →Lago Grey glacier boat
• →or guided puma day
• →Cuernos viewpoint

Morning bus down the Strait of Magellan coast to Punta Arenas (~3 hrs, £10-14). Spend the afternoon at the free municipal cemetery, the Plaza Muñoz Gamero and the waterfront, and eat a centolla (king crab) lunch if your budget allows (~£18). Hostel dorm £13-16.

🚌Bus Puerto Natales–Punta Arenas ~£12

🛏Hostel dorm, Punta Arenas (£14)

• →Municipal cemetery
• →Plaza Muñoz Gamero
• →Strait of Magellan waterfront

Cross into Argentina and Tierra del Fuego on the daily bus (Bus Sur/Tecni Austral, ~10-11 hrs incl. Primera Angostura ferry, ~£30-38) or a shorter flight if you'd rather save a day. Ushuaia at dusk — the end of the road. Hostel dorm £16-20.

🚌Bus + Strait of Magellan ferry ~£34

🛏Hostel dorm, Ushuaia (£18)

• →Tierra del Fuego crossing
• →End of the road photo stop

Take the park shuttle or local bus (~£10) to Tierra del Fuego NP (entrance ~£10) for the Pampa Alta and Mirador Lapataia trails through beech forest to the end of Ruta 3. Book ahead for tonight's Beagle Channel cruise (~£90-125) or keep it cheap with the Maritime Museum in the former prison (~£14).

🚌Park shuttle ~£10

🛏Hostel dorm, Ushuaia (£18)

• →Tierra del Fuego NP trails
• →Maritime & Prison Museum
• →optional Beagle Channel cruise

Free morning for the cable car to Martial Glacier or last souvenir shopping on Calle San Martín. Evening: fly Ushuaia → Buenos Aires → Rio (or book a JetSMART/Flybondi via Buenos Aires, ~£280-420 total). Land in Rio, transfer by Uber/99 (~£4-6) to your Carnival-week base — a hostel dorm or Airbnb in Botafogo, Flamengo or Lapa. Book Carnival accommodation months ahead.

🚌Flight Ushuaia–Buenos Aires–Rio ~£350 + airport transfer

🛏Hostel dorm or Airbnb, Rio (Carnival pricing £30-45/night)

• →Martial Glacier walk
• →Calcall San Martín shopping

Rio's Carnival is a free street party network first and a stadium event second. Get a Metro card (RioCard, top up £10-15) and join a daytime bloco in Centro, Lapa or Santa Teresa — completely free with a caipirinha in hand. Pre-book Sambadrome tickets for the main parade nights via the official LIESA/rioturismo channels or GetYourGuide (~£55-160 depending on sector).

🚌Metro ~£3

🛏Hostel dorm, Rio (£35)

• →Centro/Lapa bloco street parties
• →Sambadrome ticket pickup

Cheapest way to Christ the Redeemer: take the Corcovado train from Cosme Velho (~£22-28 with park entry) or the official van (~£20) — avoid unlicensed touts. Pre-book a GetYourGuide/Klook ticket to skip queues. Afternoon: the Santa Teresa tram (~£3) and Selarón Steps, plus a sunset from Parque das Ruínas. Evening bloco in Santa Teresa or Lapa.

🚌Metro + tram + Corcovado train ~£28

🛏Hostel dorm, Rio (£35)

• →Christ the Redeemer
• →Santa Teresa tram
• →Selarón Steps
• →Evening bloco

Morning hike the Morro da Urca trail (free, 30-40 mins) and take the cable car up to Sugarloaf (~£22) for the best view in Rio. Afternoon: Copacabana or Ipanema beach; a cheap beach-based bloco usually rolls past. Sunset caipirinhas at Arpoador (~£4).

🚌Metro ~£3

🛏Hostel dorm, Rio (£35)

• →Morro da Urca hike
• →Sugarloaf cable car
• →Copacabana beach

Sleep in — the parade starts late and runs past dawn. Late afternoon bloco, then head to the Sambadrome for the big samba school procession (tickets pre-booked, £55-160, sector 5-ish for a good value view). Take the Metro to Praça Onze; carry only cash for the night and leave your passport at the hostel. Come back via Uber at 4am.

🚌Metro + Uber home ~£8

🛏Hostel dorm, Rio (£35)

• →Sambadrome parade
• →Samba school procession
• →Bloco hopping

Slow morning — a juice at a botecos in Botafogo, a last beach plonk at Ipanema, or the free Museu de Arte do Rio if it's raining. Fly out of Galeão (GIG) or connect onwards. If you're building a bigger South America trip, Rio is an easy jump-off to Salvador, Iguaçu or the Pantanal.

🚌Metro + airport bus ~£3

🛏Departure day (no night)

• →Botafogo food wander
• →Ipanema beach
• →Museu de Arte do Rio