Travel to Argentina, Chile, Patagonia: Best of Patagonia

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Best of Patagonia

			DAYS: 10 GRADE: I-II define PRICE: From $4550 per person * Internal airfare $520 additional * HIGHLIGHTS: Torres del Paine National Park Calafate Buenos Aires ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Deluxe Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

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.

	Explore Chile's dramatic architecture such as the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on The Historical Tour of Santigao.

DAY 1 :  SANTIAGO
Morning airport reception and transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco.  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 Hotel Plaza San Francisco. 

Enjoy your unobstructed view of Torres Del Paine National Park from your balcony at Patagonia Camp.

DAY 2 :  TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
Transfer out for flight to Punta Arenas, 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.  Upon our arrival at the Estancia El Palenque join in with preparation of the Quincho, a traditional Chilean barbeque.  After lunch at the estancia, drive into Paine National Park.  Overnight at Patagonia Camp, a luxurious camp with heat, private bath and all the amenities of a fine hotel including fine dining and a wine bar. [BLD]

	Spectacular views of Los Cuernos, The Horns, welcome you as you enter Torres Del Paine National Park.

DAY 3 :  LAGO DEL TORO
Our Torres del Paine tour  begins with a pleasant half day 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.  After lunch we trek to the little known Laguna Bonita, whose dark, calm waters provide an astonishing reflection of the snow-capped peaks and beech forests.  Dinner and overnight at Patagonia Camp.  [BLD]

DAY 4 :  LOS CUERNOS
Today's excursion on our Patagonia tour begins at the Mirador del Toro, a look out point with a spectacular view of Lago del Toro and the Paine Massif.  Transfer 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. Walk through beech forests and over flat glacial deposits forming the Grey Peninsula to a spectacular lookout point over the lake.  We then continue to Salto Grande, the largest falls in the park and trek to the Mirador Cuernos for a close-up view of the black striped spires of the Cuernos, or Horns of Paine.  Dinner and overnight at Patagonia Camp.  [BLD]

On a clear day, this ambitious hike (6 mi/8 hours) to Valle Ascencio takes us to the base of the impressive granite massif of Torres Del Paine.

DAY 5 :  LAGUNA AZUL LOS TORRES
On a clear day, this 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') consists of three 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.  The final night will feature a festive farewell asado or typical Patagonian lamb barbecue.  Overnight Patagonia Camp. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  EL CALAFATE

This morning we depart Patagonia Camp and drive across the pampas to El Calafate in Argentina. This mountain town 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. After our reception in town transfer 30 minutes to the luxurious 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. [BLD]

The glacier walk on Perito Moreno Glacier is an unforgettable trek on a wall of ice.

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! Watch for Andean condor and Buff-necked Ibis. 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.

	Visit Estancia Alta Vista, an original Argentinean working ranch in a vast grassland valley below Mount Frias.

DAY 8 :  ESTANCIA ALTA VISTA MT. FRIAS

Drive to Estancia Alta Vista, an original Argentinean working ranch in a vast grassland valley below Mount Frias. Take a trail ride on horseback or by foot on the private property of this exclusive estancia to a high promontory where condor nest and soar overhead in the vast space overlooking the La Anita Valley.  Lunch is a traditional Argentinean quincho barbeque at Estancia Alta Vista before returning to enjoy the expansive grounds, spa, and pool at Eolo. Overnight at Eolo Lodge. [BLD]

Explore the neighhborhood of La Boca, where Tango was born in Buenos Aires.

DAY 9 :  BUENOS AIRES AND TANGO SHOW

Transfer to the Calafate airport for your early afternoon flight to Buenos Aires. Transfer to overnight at the luxury Loi Suites. In your free time 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. 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. [BD]

DAY 10 :  BUENOS AIRES
Enjoy our special city tour - The Four Balconies of Buenos Aires in which a University scholar uses four parks and plazas to introduce visitors to the city, its history, its style, and the peculiar psychology of the Porteo (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.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Kurt Kutay 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Gregg Burke 1(800)345-4453