Patagonia Delights Group Tour
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A classic 8 day itinerary that includes Santiago, the Lake
District and Torres del Paine in Patagonia, with an option to cruise through the fiords to Cape Horn and Ushuaia. |
DAY 1: SANTIAGO
We will arrive to the Santiago Airport and then we will be transferred to our hotel. Afterwards we will get to know the major highlights of the Chilean capital. The tour includes visits to the city’s civic center and a stop at the traditional handcraft market; Pueblito Los Dominicos. Overnight in Santiago. DAY 2: NATIONAL PARK LA CAMPANA & VALPARAISO This is one of the most attractive day excursions from Santiago, combining nature and culture. In the morning, we will be picked up from our hotel and then travel north to the La Campana National Park. There we will witness one of the last remaining habitats of the Chilean palm tree, an endangered species. Next, we will explore Palmar the Ocoa, a northern section of the park where the main attraction is the “Kan Kan” or palm tree forest. There we will hike an easy trail along the Rabuco stream where we can observe the full magnificence of these palm trees measuring up to 38m / 98ft and are thousands of years old. With luck, we also might see wildcats, skunks, eagles, chinchillas and other local wildlife. The day tour then continues with a visit to Valparaíso, the oldest and most important port city of Chile. We will visit the old town and the harbor before returning to the hotel. (B) DAY 3: SANTIAGO – PUERTO MONTT – PUERTO VARAS On this day, we will travel to the Santiago Airport for our flight to Puerto Montt. After our arrival, we will visit the most important sights of Puerto Montt. This city is the capital of the 10th region and it is the main gateway to the Lake District and Patagonia. The first site we will visit will be the fish and crafts market known as Angelmó. The tour will then continue along the coast as we arrive to the town square and eventually to the neighboring city of Puerto Varas. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B) DAY 4: CHILOÉ ISLAND Today we will embark on a ferry to cross the mythical island of Chiloé, the second largest island in Chile and South America. On this island, Darwin discovered the unique Fox of Chiloé and the famous Darwin Frog endemic to the Chilean Patagonia region. This beautiful archipelago is situated south of Puerto Montt and is linked to the mainland by ferries that cross the Chacao Channel. Chiloé islanders are known to honor the sea and have several fascinating legends and myths about the ocean and its creatures. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B) DAY 5: PUERTO VARAS – PUERTO MONTT – PUNTA ARENAS – PUERTO NATALES Pick you up from your hotel in Puerto Varas and drive along the Llanquihue Lake, the second largest in Chile. We will enjoy gorgeous views of the Osorno, Calbuco, Puntiagudo and Tronador volcanoes while driving towards Frutillar, a charming village on the bank of the huge Llanquihue Lake. The village is noted for the German influence on the architecture developed by the immigrants who arrived around 1853. Afterwards our travel willl lead us to the Patagonia. Upon arrival to Punta Arenas, we will stop at the Nao Victoria Museum known for its replica of ships that contributed to the discovery of the area. Subsequently we will continue our journey and drive to the city of Puerto Natales located at the opening of the Última Esperanza Sound. Overnight in Puerto Natales. (B) DAY 6: PUERTO NATALES - TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK The drive to Torres del Paine National Park will take us deep into the Patagonia countryside. On our way, we will visit the Mylodon Cave where scientists discovered the remains of a gigantic sloth. Afterwards we will continue on to the Torres del Paine National Park, filled with unique wildlife and dramatic scenery encompassing mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. Its main attraction is the Torres Del Paine peaks of the mountain range, Cerro Paine. They extend 3,050 m.a.s.l., and are joined by the Cuernos Del Paine, making for a breathtaking sight. While visiting the grounds, we may choose an optional excursion at an additional cost that will take us navigating to the Grey Glacier for an up-close experience. Overnight in or near the Torres del Paine National Park. (B, BL) DAY 7: TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK – PUNTA ARENAS We will have the entire day to explore the imposing Torres del Paine National Park. We will visit the Pehoé, Nordenskjöld and Sarmiento lakes and also the Salto Grande Waterfall, all offering beautiful views of the Paine Mountain Range and Torres del Paine. In the afternoon, we will pack our bags and return to Punta Arenas for our overnight. (B) DAY 8: PUNTA ARENAS DEPARTURE After a nice breakfast, we enjoy a private city tour of Punta Arenas where we will begin with a stop at the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum home to ethnic aboriginal artifacts, examples of regional flora and fauna and historic information. Afterwards we will continue our journey exploring a variety of landmarks and highlights such as the Main Square and the statue of Ferdinand Magellan. Last but not least we will make our way to the lookout point known as Cerro de la Cruz boasting panoramic views of the city, the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego Island. After this experience, we will either take a flight to Santiago where our adventures will come to an end or we will extend our trip with an optional cruise package and be dropped off at the Punta Arenas port. (B) 2020-2021 Prices per person: US$2179 in double. Single room supplement = US$880 Departure Dates: 2020 - Oct. 16 2021 - Feb. 9, Feb. 21, March 5 |
Min/max : 2 / 16 people.
Included: - 7 overnights with daily breakfast. - Transfers and excursions with driver and bilingual English/German guide - Meals according to itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BL=Box Lunch, D=DInner) - Entrance fees parks Hotels we use in this program- SUBJECT TO CHANGE Hotels we use for Departure October 16 and Nov. 13 2020: - Santiago: Hotel Galerias (Standard Room) - Puerto Varas: Cabaña del Lago (Superior Room) - Puerto Natales: Hotel Costaustralis (Std Room with city view) - Torres del Paine: Hotel Lago Grey (Superior Room) - Punta Arenas: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (Standard Room) Hotels we use for Departure November 25, 2020 : - Santiago: Hotel Galerias (Standard Room) - Puerto Varas: Bellavista (Standard Room) - Puerto Natales: Hotel Costaustralis (Std Room with city view) - Torres del Paine: Pampa Lodge (Standard Room) - Punta Arenas: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (Standard Room) Hotels we use for Departure February 9, 2021: - Santiago: Hotel Galerias (Standard Room) - Puerto Varas: Cabaña del Lago (Standard Room) - Puerto Natales: Hotel Costaustralis (Std Room with city view) - Torres del Paine: Estancia Ovejero (Standard Room) - Punta Arenas: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (Standard Room) Hotels we use for Departure February 25, 2021: - Santiago: Hotel Galerias (Standard Room) - Puerto Varas: Cabaña del Lago (Superior Room) - Puerto Natales: Hotel Costaustralis (Std Room with city view) - Torres del Paine: Pampa Lodge (Standard Room) - Punta Arenas: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (Standard Room) Hotels we use for Departure March 5, 2021: - Santiago: Hotel Galerias (Standard Room) - Puerto Varas: Cabaña del Lago (Standard Room) - Puerto Natales: Hotel Costaustralis (Std Room with city view) - Torres del Paine: Hotel del Paine (Standard Room) - Punta Arenas: Hotel Cabo de Hornos (Standard Room) Not Included: Flights, Laundry service, Telephone calls, Tips, Other meals Please Note: - ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE - ACCOMMODATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE, indicated hotels are merely references and only to be confirmed at the time of booking OPTIONAL EXTENSION
DAY 1: CRUISE NAVIGATION PUNTA ARENAS (CHILE) - USHUAIA (ARGENTINA) From Punta Arenas we can continue our travels and experience an unforgettable Australis cruise. Mid to late afternoon, we will reach the harbor to embark on our navigation adventure to Cape Horn. We will be welcomed aboard the ship with a cocktail and reception hosted by the Captain. The excursion will take us through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel. (B, D) DAY 2: CRUISE NAVIGATION AINSWORTH BAY – TUCKER ISLET The ship continues the navigation through Almirantazgo sound arriving near Marinelli Glacier in Ainsworth Bay located in the Darwin mountain range. Here we will enjoy a walk to a beaver dam hidden in the midst of a marvelous Magallanes forest. The tour will then continue back to the beach to observe colonies of elephant seals. Afterwards we will re-board the zodiac boats and arrive to Tucker Islet. Here we will be able to view colonies of Magellan Penguins and Cormorant birds. Please note the islet’s penguins migrate in April; as replacement we can visit Brookes Bay for a short walk to see an impressive glacier. (B, L, D) DAY 3: CRUISE NAVIGATION PIA GLACIER – ALLEY GLACIER Today we will navigate through the main part of the Beagle Channel and reach Pía Bay where we will disembark. After a short hike we will arrive at a breathtaking lookout point of the Pía Glacier that stems from the tip of the mountains all the way to the sea. After this unforgettable experience, we will continue sailing along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel through the majestic Alley Glacier. (B, L, D) DAY 4: CRUISE NAVIGATION CAPE HORN – WULAIA BAY We will navigate through the Beagle and Murria channels to reach Cape Horn National Park (weather permitting). The park is located on Hornos Island; a high rocky promontory where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean meet. This mythical place is known as the “end of the world” and a chance to visit it is considered privileged. In the afternoon, we will go ashore and visit the historic Wulaia Bay. This site was once part of the region’s largest aboriginal settlements. We will then continue the tour and explore the Magellan forest that is full of native flora and fauna. The path will eventually lead us to a spectacular lookout point. (B, L, D) DAY 5: CRUISE ARRIVAL TO USHUAIA – DEPARTURE Our journey ends as we arrive to Ushuaia, Argentina’s most important city in Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city of the world. (B) Price for extension depends on cabin category and date. Stella Australis - Punta Arenas to Ushuaia 4 night dates: High : Ventus Australis - Punta Arenas to Ushuaia 4 night dates: Low : Oct. 23 High : Feb. 28 Stella and Ventus 2020-2021 Rates per person, double occupancy in US$ for 4 nights B cabin = 1990 low, 2590 high A cabin = 2670 low, 3499 high AA cabin = 2790 low, 3720 high AAA cabin = 2990 low, 3989 high AA Superior = 3474 low, 4485 high AAA Superior = 3628 low, 4750 high |