u/kristineyr

Hi! My partner and I will be going to Chile and Argentina for our first overseas trip together. I've been doing so much reading and am completely overwhelmed.. sorry I'm going to sound completely inexperienced !!

Flying Jan 2027 into Santiago, Chile and spending 30 days. We are keen hikers and anglers.

So far these are the places/activities of interest:

General notes:

• Trying to do most activities not with a tour guide. On a budget.
• We enjoy hiking and fishing, and would be interested in doing less popular walks.
• Interested in camping
• Hiring a car seems essential ~ any recommendations with companies / road trips? recs on places where it's worth just flying into?
• Any places where going on a tour guide would just be easier?

Road trips:

• Carretera Austral ~ concerns: it's long, hiring a car, road troubles. Has anyone rented a car in Puerto Mont and returned it elsewhere?
• Ruta 40 ~ where would we start and end?
• The Seven Lakes Route
• A drive from Santiago into Bariloche ~ anyone experienced a border crossing?

Places:

• Salta Province??
• Mendoza
• Bariloche
• Villa La Angostura
• El Bolson
• El Chalten
• El Calafate
• Torres Del Paine ~ O circuit and w trek sound incredible but they're $$ over 3k aud? very much out of our budget
• Finishing up in BsAs

Random q: has anyone travelled with an oversize case e.g. fishing rods?

I would deeply appreciate any advice. There just seems to be so much to do and the region is so large. Would love some help narrowing our itinerary down 😭 Thanks so much in advance!!!