Crossing the Andes
When Simon Bolivar crossed the Andes in 1819 from Argentina to liberate Chile from the Spanish, it took him twenty one days by horse and canoe. When President Theodore Roosevelt crossed the Andes by steamship, ox drawn rail cars and motor car in 1916, it took him four days. When we crossed the Andes, it took us two days by luxury catamaran, spacious coaches and idyllic mountain inns. The Andean crossing from Puerto Varas in Chile to Bariloche in Argentina is an ecological adventure through snowcapped mountains, mirror lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and volcanoes of the longest mountain range in the world.
Getting to the Andes starts with a flight on American Airlines. With the most flights to Latin America of any carrier, you may travel to Chile or Argentina, depending on whether you cross the mountains to the east or west. For Santiago, you can connect through Dallas or Miami and for Buenos Aires; you can connect through Miami, Dallas or New York.
American Airlines recently placed the largest order for new aircraft in history, so when you travel you are likely to fly on either the luxurious Boeing 777 or 767 Dreamliner, or their fleet of new Airbus 319 and 320. This new fleet of airplanes, complete with new logos and shiny metallic paint schemes is the key to American Airlines being the leading airline for international and global travel.
On the Boeing 777, the ultimate First Class experience awaits you with swivel seats, fully flat beds and privacy dividers; you will arrive more refreshed than when you departed.
Chile
Santiago, Chile, is a city of crystal skyscrapers surrounded by snowcapped mountain peaks. The foothills of those mountains are perfect for growing grapes. Concha y Toro, the most famous Chilean Winery, makes for an unforgettable tour.
Travelling south you come to Puerto Varas, a beautiful European colony on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. From here, you depart on the Cruce Andino (Andean Crossing), a combination of boat and coach through the heart of the Andes. The traverse takes places through the connection of several lakes, valleys and mountain passes so the elevation is never more than 3,200 feet above sea level, allowing the crossing to take place every day of the year.
Halfway through the mountains lays the isolated town of Peulla, only accessible by boat. Once here, you overnight at the beautiful Hotel Natura whose location is ideal for Horseback riding, hiking and fly fishing as you spend the night ready to continue the crossing in the morning.
The termination of the crossing is Bariloche in the mountains of Argentina. Known for its mountain resorts, ski slopes and chocolate shops, Bariloche’s restaurants are home to some of the best meals on the planet, complimented by the best views; Cerro Campanario was voted one of the Top 10 Views in the World by National Geographic.
Argentina
Buenos Aires is an amazing city of thirteen million people. With most porteños (people from Buenos Aires) having descendants from Italy, Spain and Germany, the population and the city, is an amazing mixture of the best of Latin America and Europe in one lively, cultural phenomenon.
As you visit the Teatro Colon, the 2,978 person Opera House built in 1908, the Cementerio de la Recoleta, where since 1732 notables such as Evita Peron have found eternal peace, the Obelisk of Buenos Aires on the 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest avenue in the world, you will see that Buenos Aires is a never-ending pleasure to explore where every turn, corner and neighborhood is more delightful than the last. Take time to enjoy the asado, Helados Freddo and the famous Alfajores Havanna.
With daily and convenient flights to South America on American Airlines, Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina are your gateway to discovery and make a perfect ESCAPADITA.
