The Old Patagonian Express
Friday 14th November to Monday 1st December 2008
Starting in the exciting city of Buenos Aires, this tour visits both Argentina and Chile. The highlight of the tour is the Old Patagonian Express, now operating the full length from Ingeniero Jacobacci through the wilderness to Esquel, deep in Patagonia. The famous Lake Crossing takes us through the Andes from Argentina into Chile, cruising across bewitching lakes, past giant mountains, high waterfalls, active volcanoes and magnificent glaciers. In Chile, we travel on a special steam charter from Valdivia to Temuco, eventually arriving in the beautiful city of Santiago. We spend a wonderful day sampling the local wine on the ‘Wine Train’.
Friday 14th November
Fly to Buenos Aires
We take a morning scheduled flight from London to Buenos Aires via Madrid.
On arrival we transfer to the four star El Conquistador hotel for four nights.
Saturday 15th November
See Buenos Aires
After breakfast enjoy a free morning.
Following lunch there is a tour of the city including a vintage tram ride. (B L D)
Sunday 16th November
Special Steam Charter
We go to San Miguel station where we take a British built 0-6-0 steam locomotive along with the Tren Historico to Capilla del Senor, a Gaucho town in the Pampas. A superb barbecue will be provided for us on arrival, with folk dancing and music. Our special train returns us to Buenos Aires for dinner. (B L D)
Monday 17th November
Visit a Steam Depot
After breakfast we visit the Ferro Club Steam Depot in Escalda with all available locomotives in steam. Lunch at the Ferro Club, vintage coaches. Dinner and Tango show in Buenos Aires. Overnight accommodation in Buenos Aires.
(B L D)
Tuesday 18th November
Rail To Patagonia
Breakfast in the hotel. Internal flight to Bariloche, followed by lunch. Overnight charter train from Bariloche to Ingeniero Jacobacci. (B L D)
Wednesday 19th November
The Old Patagonian Express
After an early breakfast we arrive at Ingeniero Jacobacci where the steam hauled Old Patagonian Express will be waiting for us, hauled by a narrow gauge Mikado. Around 07:30 our train will steam out into the Patagonian wilderness of moors, mountains and forests. Despite its narrow gauge it carries a restaurant car. During the journey we will be served coffee, tea, light refreshments and lunch. We will see for ourselves how difficult this country is for railways as we experience an exhilarating ride, battling against the force of gravity up though the mountains. After several photographic opportunities we are due to arrive at El Maiten by 16:00. A coach will be waiting to transfer us to El Bolson, where we check into our three star hotel. (B L D)
Thursday 20th November
La Trochita to Esquel
After breakfast we transfer to El Maiten Station and step back on board the Old Patagonian Express. Refreshed with hot coffee and snacks we set off on La Trochita, a local word for The Little Train. This is a wild and remote line which is still totally steam operated. Our ride will be extremely exciting as the train tackles severe gradients through the mountains with the high Andes always in sight. Lunch is served on board and we arrive in Esquel at around 17:00. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (B L D)
Friday 21st November
Steam Esquel to El Maiten
Today there are two choices: the first option is to transfer to Esquel Station where La Trochita waits for us. We travel steam-hauled to El Maiten (with two locomotives to Nahuel Pan), calling at Lepá for a barbecue lunch beside the line. For the second option we enjoy a morning tour of the Esquel area to visit some early Welsh settlements where, unusually, only Welsh and Spanish are spoken. Later we rejoin the rest of the group at the barbecue at Lepá.
Returning to El Maiten we will have time to visit the locomotive depot before departing by coach back for San Carlos de Bariloche. Here we stay for three nights with dinner each evening in a four star hotel. (B L D)
Saturday 22nd November
Enjoy the Lakeside Town of Bariloche
In the morning we have a sightseeing tour of the town, situated on the side of Lake Bariloche, followed by a leisurely lunch and a free afternoon to relax. (B L D)
Sunday 23rd November
Steam Charter Train
We go to Bariloche railway station and board our train of three superbly restored vintage coaches hauled by British built 1912 2-8-0 No. 121.
We enjoy a full day on the train travelling through the splendid mountains. There will be many opportunities to take photos of the stunning scenery. Lunch is on the train in the vintage restaurant car. We return to Bariloche in the afternoon. (B L D)
Monday 24th November
Argentinean Lake Crossing
Leaving early by coach for the lake (Our luggage being taken separately), we board our vessel to begin the famous Argentinean Lake crossing to Puerto Montt in Chile. We cruise three beautiful lakes, interspersed with short road journeys on unmarked roads. We pass active volcanoes, spectacular glaciers and majestic mountains always covered in snow. It must be one of the top five scenic journeys in the world! On arrival in Puerto Montt, we check into our three star hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (B L D)
Tuesday 25th November
Steam Train from Valdivia to Antilhue
We enjoy a scenic ride by coach to Valdivia.
At Valdivia we board our special steam hauled train hauled by a Beyer Peacock 2-6-0 along the scenic branch line to Antilhue. Lunch will be served in the restaurant car. We enjoy several runpasts, including one on a magnificent viaduct. We return to Valdivia on board our special train.
Dinner and overnight accommodation is in Valdivia. (B L D)
Wednesday 26th November
“Tren de la Araucania” to Temuco
Our special steam hauled train awaits us at Valdivia station. This takes us back to the junction at Antilhue. Here our powerful Baldwin designed (1953) 4-8-2 will be waiting with special 1930 Linke Hoffman coaches and an Argentinean Fiat dining car in which we enjoy lunch. During the journey we enjoy some photo run-pasts in glorious scenery. All too soon our steam journey of over hundred miles comes to an end as we arrive in Temuco. We visit the railway museum in an old roundhouse, containing a collection of twenty locomotives, mainly steam. Dinner and overnight accommodation is at the Holiday Inn.
(B L D)
Thursday 27th November
To Santiago
After breakfast we go to Temuco station where our special train will be waiting for us. Lunch will be served in the restaurant car. At Chillian we change to a regular train for the fast journey to Santiago where we check into our hotel. (B D)
Friday 28th November
Day Trip to Los Andes
We visit the railway works and museum in Los Andes before riding the Flying Goose Railcar to Rio Blanco, on the last surviving section of the famous Trans-Andean Railway. After a barbecue lunch we return to our hotel. Alternatively spend a free day in lovely Santiago. (B L D)
Saturday 29th November
A Day on the “Wine Train”
Today we join the Wine Train hauled by a Beyer Peacock 2-6-0, with three Linke Hoffman balcony coaches. A fantastic way to end our epic journey. It is a thirty mile ride to the terminus at Santa Anna. We spend most of the day relaxing on the wine train visiting several wine lodges and tasting the superb wines produced in this area. We have lunch in the famous Viu Manent, a restored manor house. After lunch we visit the Colchagua Museum designed to incorporate the concept of a journey through the history of Chile with a fantastic collection of weapons, old carriages and automobiles, including a Beyer Peacock 2-6-0 similar to our wine train locomotive. A truly fantastic and unforgettable journey! We return by train to San Fernando and by coach to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)
Sunday 30th November
Railway Museum
In the morning we visit Quinta National Railway Museum, with its large collection of locomotives before transferring to the airport for our afternoon flight to London Heathrow via Madrid. (B)
Monday 1st December
Arrival London
We have a late morning arrival at London Heathrow.
Fly to Buenos Aires
We take a morning scheduled flight from London to Buenos Aires via Madrid.
On arrival we transfer to the four star El Conquistador hotel for four nights.
Saturday 15th November
See Buenos Aires
After breakfast enjoy a free morning.
Following lunch there is a tour of the city including a vintage tram ride. (B L D)
Sunday 16th November
Special Steam Charter
We go to San Miguel station where we take a British built 0-6-0 steam locomotive along with the Tren Historico to Capilla del Senor, a Gaucho town in the Pampas. A superb barbecue will be provided for us on arrival, with folk dancing and music. Our special train returns us to Buenos Aires for dinner. (B L D)
Monday 17th November
Visit a Steam Depot
After breakfast we visit the Ferro Club Steam Depot in Escalda with all available locomotives in steam. Lunch at the Ferro Club, vintage coaches. Dinner and Tango show in Buenos Aires. Overnight accommodation in Buenos Aires.
(B L D)
Tuesday 18th November
Rail To Patagonia
Breakfast in the hotel. Internal flight to Bariloche, followed by lunch. Overnight charter train from Bariloche to Ingeniero Jacobacci. (B L D)
Wednesday 19th November
The Old Patagonian Express
After an early breakfast we arrive at Ingeniero Jacobacci where the steam hauled Old Patagonian Express will be waiting for us, hauled by a narrow gauge Mikado. Around 07:30 our train will steam out into the Patagonian wilderness of moors, mountains and forests. Despite its narrow gauge it carries a restaurant car. During the journey we will be served coffee, tea, light refreshments and lunch. We will see for ourselves how difficult this country is for railways as we experience an exhilarating ride, battling against the force of gravity up though the mountains. After several photographic opportunities we are due to arrive at El Maiten by 16:00. A coach will be waiting to transfer us to El Bolson, where we check into our three star hotel. (B L D)
Thursday 20th November
La Trochita to Esquel
After breakfast we transfer to El Maiten Station and step back on board the Old Patagonian Express. Refreshed with hot coffee and snacks we set off on La Trochita, a local word for The Little Train. This is a wild and remote line which is still totally steam operated. Our ride will be extremely exciting as the train tackles severe gradients through the mountains with the high Andes always in sight. Lunch is served on board and we arrive in Esquel at around 17:00. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (B L D)
Friday 21st November
Steam Esquel to El Maiten
Today there are two choices: the first option is to transfer to Esquel Station where La Trochita waits for us. We travel steam-hauled to El Maiten (with two locomotives to Nahuel Pan), calling at Lepá for a barbecue lunch beside the line. For the second option we enjoy a morning tour of the Esquel area to visit some early Welsh settlements where, unusually, only Welsh and Spanish are spoken. Later we rejoin the rest of the group at the barbecue at Lepá.
Returning to El Maiten we will have time to visit the locomotive depot before departing by coach back for San Carlos de Bariloche. Here we stay for three nights with dinner each evening in a four star hotel. (B L D)
Saturday 22nd November
Enjoy the Lakeside Town of Bariloche
In the morning we have a sightseeing tour of the town, situated on the side of Lake Bariloche, followed by a leisurely lunch and a free afternoon to relax. (B L D)
Sunday 23rd November
Steam Charter Train
We go to Bariloche railway station and board our train of three superbly restored vintage coaches hauled by British built 1912 2-8-0 No. 121.
We enjoy a full day on the train travelling through the splendid mountains. There will be many opportunities to take photos of the stunning scenery. Lunch is on the train in the vintage restaurant car. We return to Bariloche in the afternoon. (B L D)
Monday 24th November
Argentinean Lake Crossing
Leaving early by coach for the lake (Our luggage being taken separately), we board our vessel to begin the famous Argentinean Lake crossing to Puerto Montt in Chile. We cruise three beautiful lakes, interspersed with short road journeys on unmarked roads. We pass active volcanoes, spectacular glaciers and majestic mountains always covered in snow. It must be one of the top five scenic journeys in the world! On arrival in Puerto Montt, we check into our three star hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (B L D)
Tuesday 25th November
Steam Train from Valdivia to Antilhue
We enjoy a scenic ride by coach to Valdivia.
At Valdivia we board our special steam hauled train hauled by a Beyer Peacock 2-6-0 along the scenic branch line to Antilhue. Lunch will be served in the restaurant car. We enjoy several runpasts, including one on a magnificent viaduct. We return to Valdivia on board our special train.
Dinner and overnight accommodation is in Valdivia. (B L D)
Wednesday 26th November
“Tren de la Araucania” to Temuco
Our special steam hauled train awaits us at Valdivia station. This takes us back to the junction at Antilhue. Here our powerful Baldwin designed (1953) 4-8-2 will be waiting with special 1930 Linke Hoffman coaches and an Argentinean Fiat dining car in which we enjoy lunch. During the journey we enjoy some photo run-pasts in glorious scenery. All too soon our steam journey of over hundred miles comes to an end as we arrive in Temuco. We visit the railway museum in an old roundhouse, containing a collection of twenty locomotives, mainly steam. Dinner and overnight accommodation is at the Holiday Inn.
(B L D)
Thursday 27th November
To Santiago
After breakfast we go to Temuco station where our special train will be waiting for us. Lunch will be served in the restaurant car. At Chillian we change to a regular train for the fast journey to Santiago where we check into our hotel. (B D)
Friday 28th November
Day Trip to Los Andes
We visit the railway works and museum in Los Andes before riding the Flying Goose Railcar to Rio Blanco, on the last surviving section of the famous Trans-Andean Railway. After a barbecue lunch we return to our hotel. Alternatively spend a free day in lovely Santiago. (B L D)
Saturday 29th November
A Day on the “Wine Train”
Today we join the Wine Train hauled by a Beyer Peacock 2-6-0, with three Linke Hoffman balcony coaches. A fantastic way to end our epic journey. It is a thirty mile ride to the terminus at Santa Anna. We spend most of the day relaxing on the wine train visiting several wine lodges and tasting the superb wines produced in this area. We have lunch in the famous Viu Manent, a restored manor house. After lunch we visit the Colchagua Museum designed to incorporate the concept of a journey through the history of Chile with a fantastic collection of weapons, old carriages and automobiles, including a Beyer Peacock 2-6-0 similar to our wine train locomotive. A truly fantastic and unforgettable journey! We return by train to San Fernando and by coach to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)
Sunday 30th November
Railway Museum
In the morning we visit Quinta National Railway Museum, with its large collection of locomotives before transferring to the airport for our afternoon flight to London Heathrow via Madrid. (B)
Monday 1st December
Arrival London
We have a late morning arrival at London Heathrow.
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Price
| Price per person | £3995 |
| Single supplement | £350 |
Price includes:
- Return flights from London
- Internal flights as shown
- 16 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
- 14 lunches and 14 dinners
- All rail travel shown
- All visits and coach journeys shown
- The services of a tour manager
Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner