|
|
Home > Destinations > South
America > Chile > Best of Patagonia
Best of Patagonia
This active luxury Patagonia adventure circumnavigates the tip of South America starting in Santiago, Chile, traveling in Patagonia through Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks, and ending in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Strategically based from the luxury Patagonia Camp and Eolo Lodge enjoy easy walks, moderate day hikes, and optional horseback rides among spectacular mountain formations of glaciers, lakes, fjords, ancient forests and grassland habitat. Accompanied by professional Patagonia guides, choose from a variety of day hikes with plenty of wildlife such as guanacos, flamingos, and condors, and spectacular photography while enjoying gourmet picnic lunches and luxury accommodations. Popular trip extensions include Iguazu Falls, Mendoza wine country, and extra days in Buenos Aires.
DAY 1 : SANTIAGO Morning airport reception and transfer to the boutique Le Reve Hotel. 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.
DAY 2 : TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK Transfer out for early morning flight to Punta Arenas, gateway to Torres del Paine 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 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. Each day offers a choice between easier or more active treks and excursions through the park. [BD]
DAYS 3-5 : EXPLORE TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK 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. All meals are included while at Patagonia Camp and one night will feature a festive ?asado? or typical Patagonian lamb barbecue.Overnight at Patagonia Camp. [BLD]
DAY 6 : EL CALAFATE
DAY 7 : PERITO MORENO GLACIER WALK 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. [BLD]
Note: The glacier walk is a local group excursion of up to 20 persons operated by a specialized outfitter. Alternatively ask about our Big Ice Exploration, a 6-hour hike with a smaller group that ventures deeper into the depths of the glacier. Must be between the ages of 18 and 50 for Big Ice.
DAY 8 : ESTANCIA NIBEPO AIKE 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 XXth 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. Overnight at Eolo Lodge. [BLD]
DAY 9 : BUENOS AIRES AND TANGO SHOW Transfer to the Calafate airport for your early afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, you're escorted to the luxury El Mio Buenos Aires in the Recoleta neighborhood. Evening VIP transfer to Esquina Carlos Gardel tango show at a restored theater reminiscent of 1950s Buenos Aires tango ballrooms. VIP Service includes reserved seating and gourmet dinner with select wines of South America. Overnight at El Mio. [BD]
DAY 10 : BUENOS AIRES Enjoy our special city tour - The Four Balconies of Buenos Aires in which a local guide uses four parks and plazas to introduce visitors to the city, its history, its style, and the peculiar psychology of the Porteno (inhabitant of Buenos Aires). Transfer to airport for your flight home. [B]
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, take in a tango show or visit some of the more than 150 art galleries and museums.
| - Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - | Days: 10 | Grade: I-II (click for grades definition) | 2012 Price: From $5195 per person. Land cost based on Group Size | Group Size | 2-3 | 4-5 | 6+ | Land cost per person | $5775 | $5475 | $5195 | Internal airfare | $700 | $700 | $700 |
|
| Single Supplement: $1550 (click for info) | *Internal airfare approximately $700.Airfare cost subject to change based on availability. | | | | | 2012 Departure Dates | 2013 Departure Dates | | | Feb 13 - Feb 22, 2012 Feb 27 - Mar 7, 2012 Mar 12 - Mar 21, 2012 Mar 26 - Apr 4, 2012 Apr 9 - Apr 18, 2012 (and on request) | (Available upon request) |
|
| | | Included: Services as specified in the itinerary above include luxury (where available) accommodations; English-speaking certified naturalist guides; guided tours and excursions; airport-hotel transfers and land transportation; meals as specified [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner]; services of in-bound land operator offices for airline reconfirmation; Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services. | | | Not Included: Services unless specified otherwise in the itinerary above such as international air transportation; local airfare Santiago-Punta Arenas, Calafate-Buenos Aires (listed separately - approximately $700); airport taxes and reciprocity fees ($140 arriving in Santiago and $29 departing Buenos Aires - subject to change); tips and gratuities; optional or suggested services that are on your own; insurance of any kind; personal expenses; extra beverages and alcoholic drinks; medical costs; and hospitalization and evacuation and any other extra expenses due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond control. You will need to carry about $300-$500 extra cash (must be in local currency or US dollars cash, not travelers checks nor credit cards) to cover the fees, taxes, tips and meals not included in your itinerary. Meals, souvenirs and other local and personal expenses not specified in the above itinerary are also not included. | | |