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Patagonia. Best of Patagonia

Day 1: Arrival In Santiago

Morning airport reception and transfer to Le Reve Hotel, a stylish new boutique hotel in the pedestrian- friendly neighborhood of Providencia. In the afternoon take a historic tour of Santiago including the Presidential Palace once the National Mint and thus called "La Moneda", the historic main square or "Plaza de Armas", the Cathedral, the National History Museum, and "Casa Colorado" the historic residence of the Governor. Continue on to Santa Lucia the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. Overnight at the Le Reve Hotel.


Le Reve Hotel

Day 2: Fly to Punta Arenas & Transfer to Torres Del Paine

Transfer out for early morning flight to Punta Arenas, gateway to Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. Airport reception and travel north through the vast Patagonian Steppe, following the coastal route along the Straits of Magellan across the cold Antarctic waters of Tierra del Fuego. Late afternoon arrival at the border of Torres del Paine National Park. Overnight at Patagonia Camp, composed of luxurious, yurt-style accommodations with heat, private bath and all the amenities of a fine hotel including fine dining and a wine bar.

Note: Lunch is not included today, though a stop will be made in Puerto Natales with the opportunity to purchase snacks.

Consider an optional 4-night upgrade to the luxury explora Hotel Salto Chico, situated at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park with stunning views of the Paine Massif and Lago Grey. Upgrade cost begins at $950 per person for a Salto Chico room. Subject to room availability and explora arrival schedule.

Explora Lodge Patagonia, Patagonia Camp

Breakfast, Dinner
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Days 3 - 5: Exploring Torres del Paine

Three full days of exploration in Torres del Paine National Park with your Patagonia Camp guides. Each day offers a choice between easier or more active treks and excursions through the park. Hike off the beaten path within the national park to the Salto del Toro waterfall to view the rushing glacial waters of Lago Pehoe pouring into Lago del Toro. Trek to Mirador del Toro, a lookout point with a spectacular view of Lago del Toro and the Paine Massif. Drive to the western side of the park to enjoy an easy-going walk with a splendid view over the lake and massive icebergs broken off the giant glacier at the headwaters of Lago Grey. Explore beech forests and flat glacial deposits forming the Grey Peninsula on a walk to a spectacular lookout point over the lake. On a clear day, an ambitious hike (6 mi/8 hours) to Valle Ascencio takes us to the base of the impressive granite massif where the iconic Towers of Paine rise from a glacial lake. The famous Torres del Paine (9400’) consist of 3 granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice over the millennia. If weather is poor with no visibility, we will hike in the beech forest at Laguna Azul trekking across the lush green “pampa” or steppe terrain. Watch for guanacos, fox and many birds.  Optional fishing, horseback riding and boat trips to the Grey and Balmaceda Glaciers can be arranged for an additional cost.  Ask for a description if interested.  All meals are included while at Patagonia Camp and one night will feature a festive “asado” or typical Patagonian lamb barbecue. Overnight Patagonia Camp.

Patagonia Camp

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6: Torres Del Paine to El Calafate

Drive 4-5 hours to El Calafate. This morning depart Patagonia Camp and drive across the pampas to El Calafate in Argentina. (Vehicle Change required at Cerro Castillo. Have Passports available for international border crossing.) El Calafate is the base for explorations of the Patagonian Continental Ice Cap and Los Glaciares National Park. The ice cap runs 560 miles from North to South between the 48 and 51 parallels. It is the origin of 47 major glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Your accommodations for the next three nights are at Eolo Lodge, strategically located on a vast Patagonian landscape from which one can observe Lake Argentina towards the north, La Anita Valley towards the east, and the massif of Torres del Paine to the south. Overnight at the luxury boutique Eolo Lodge.


Eolo Lodge

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Perito Moreno Glacier Walk

Transfer into town to meet your trekking outfitter then drive to a spectacular lookout of Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. Permanently advancing along its 3-mile-front, columns of ice over 20 stories high peel off the face and crash into Lago Argentino creating massive icebergs. We cross Lago Argentino by zodiac along the front wall of the glacier to the edge of the Patagonian Ice Cap to hike through the beech forest and up onto the ice pack! Don crampons and trek across the ice field, exploring blue caves and hidden tunnels. Watch for Andean condor and Buff-necked Ibis while you listen to the glacier crack and calve giant icebergs into the lake. Overnight at Eolo Lodge.

Note: The “Moreno Glacier Walk” is a group excursion of up to 20 persons conducted by a local park concession for ages 10-65 (exceptions may be granted in Calafate). Ask about our “Big Ice Exploration,” an alternative, longer, 6-hour hike with a smaller group that ventures deeper into the depths of the glacier for ages 18-50.

Eolo Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Horseback Riding at Nibepo Aike or Paddle Upsala

Choose your own adventure today with either a day of horseback riding and hiking at a historical estancia or quietly kayaking along the vivid blue ‘bergy bits’ calved by the Upsala Glacier. Activity must be selected and confirmed upon trip registration.
Riding Option: Drive along a winding gravel road, passing Patagonian estancias and massive mountains till you reach Nibepo Aike. Set within Los Glaciares National Park and dating from the beginning of the 20th century - this estancia overlooks the south margin of the Lake Argentino. Observe the activities of cattle handling and herding or simply enjoy how the specialty of the area lamb roasted on a stake is being prepared. After a delicious and traditional lunch we will be able to hike along the coast of the lake, opt for a horseback ride through the vast property, climb the Crystal Mount lookout point and visit the organic garden.
Kayaking Option: Explore Patagonia from the water with a half-day kayaking trip on Lago Argentina to Upsala Glacier. You’ll be collected from the lodge in the morning and meet your guides and fellow kayakers for a safety briefing and gear demonstration. (Gortex suits, boots, lifejackets and kayak skirts are all provided) Launch into the milky turquoise waters of Lago Argentina and paddle in close proximity to a variety of ice bergs, ranging from grayish-white to electric blue. Depending on visibility and amount of ice in the water, you may be able to approach the actual face of Upsala. You paddle for about three hours then return to Eolo by mid to late afternoon for overnight. Overnight at Eolo Lodge.

Eolo Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: El Calafate to Buenos Aires, Tango Show

Transfer to the Calafate airport for your early afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, you’ll be escorted to the Hotel Mio, an iconic Buenos Aires property in the Recoleta Neighborhood. Evening transfer to Esquina Carlos Gardel tango show at a restored theater reminiscent of 1950’s Buenos Aires tango ballrooms. Our VIP service includes reserved seating with a guaranteed excellent view of the stage and gourmet dinner with select wines of South America. Overnight at the luxury Hotel Mio.


Hotel Mio

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Buenos Aires City Tour & Departure

Enjoy a privately guided Four Balconies tour of Buenos Aires for an in-depth look at the city with a local expert who will introduce us to the city, its history, its style, and the peculiar psychology of “Porteño” residents. You visit historical sites such as the Barrio Norte with its splendid old homes; San Telmo where the artist and musicians live and work; La Boca, a neighborhood of brightly painted Italian family homes and restaurants; and the Avenida 9 de Julio with its towering obelisk as much a symbol to Buenos Aires as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Your hotel room is available for day use until evening transfer to airport for onward flight.

Note: Consider adding an extra day to enjoy the beautiful city with free time for walking and shopping or a variety of other half day tours exploring by bike or kayak, or visit some of the more than 150 art galleries and museums.


Breakfast
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Scheduled Departure Dates
Ask about your dates!

Departures available on request
Call 1.800.345.4453 or click here to request more information.

    9/29 - 10/8/2013

    10/13 - 10/22/2013

    10/27 - 11/5/2013

    11/10 - 11/19/2013

    11/24 - 12/3/2013

    12/8 - 12/17/2013

    12/22 - 12/31/2013

    12/29 - 1/7/2014

    1/5 - 1/14/2014

    1/19 - 1/28/2014

    2/2 - 2/11/2014

    2/16 - 2/25/2014

    3/2 - 3/11/2014

    3/16 - 3/25/2014

    3/23 - 4/1/2014

Dates listed are current scheduled departures only, other departure dates are available.

Contact us for details!