Charles Darwin's Patagonia Tour
DAY 1: SANTIAGO
We will arrive to the Santiago airport and then be transferred to our hotel. Afterward 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, we will get to experience firsthand the same views and sceneries that Charles Darwin saw during his visit to Chile in 1834. In the morning we will be picked up from our hotel and then travel north towards La Campana National Park. Here we will reach one of the last remaining habitats of the Chilean palm tree, a species in danger of extinction. Continuing on we will arrive at Palmar the Ocoa, a northern edge section of the park where the main attraction is the “Kan Kan” or palm tree forest. Here we will hike an easy trail along the Rabuco stream where we can observe the full magnificence of these palm trees measuring up to38 m / 98 ft. 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 on 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 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 cost 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 which 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 After being picked up at our hotel we will fly to Punta Arenas. Depending on the time of arrival we will visit either the Nao Victoria Museum or Fort Bulnes. The Nao Victoria Museum boasts a replica of the ship used by Hernando de Magallanes to explore this very region centuries ago. Fort Bulnes is located at about an hour drive from Punta Arenas and is the first Chilean outpost of the Magellan Region. Overnight in Punta Arenas. (B) DAY 6: CRUISE FROM PUNTA ARENAS (CHILE) TO USHUAIA (ARGENTINA)
Depending on our arrival time the previous day we will either start today with a city tour of Punta Arenas and then a visit to the Nao Victoria Museum or we will start with Fort Bulnes in the morning and the city tour in the afternoon. Mid to late afternoon, we will reach the harbor to embark on our adventure to the Cape Horn. We will be welcomed 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 7: 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 8: PIA GLACIER – GLACIER ALLEY Today we will navigate through the main part of Beagle channel and reach Pia Bay where we will disembark. After a short hike we will arrive at breathtaking lookout point of the Pia 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 Beagle Channel through the majestic Glacier Alley. (B,L,D) DAY 9: 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 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 10: USHUAIA We will arrive to Ushuaia; Argentina’s most important city in Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city of the world. Here the Martial mountain range is extremely prominent and caused the city to be built on different levels facing the bay. Today’s tour will show us the magic of the town and will take us to the historical center and harbor. The excursion will conclude by visiting the End of the World Museum. (B) DAY 11: USHUAIA – BUENOS AIRES Our transfer will pick us up from our hotel and take us to the airport of Ushuaia where we will fly to the spectacular city of Buenos Aires, famously known for its architecture and night life. (B) DAY 12: BUENOS AIRES CITY TOUR Today’s agenda features a visit to the most famous and interesting districts of Buenos Aires, discovering the historic and present day charms of the iconic city. (B) DAY 13: BUENOS AIRES Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport for our flight out. (B) |
Price per person in US$ for 2018-2019 season: Ask for quote. Price will depend on number of people, cabin type and date. Can customize itinerary other than the cruise part.
Included:
- 8 overnights with breakfast. - Transfers and excursions with German speaking guide. - Entrance fees. - Meals according itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, LB= Lunch Box). Cruise - 4 nights accommodation in cabin category AA or single. - All meals. - Open bar when on duty (without additional cost for wines, beverages, and liquors). - Shore excursions and on-board entertainment. - English speaking guides. Not Included: - Flights. - Beverages. - Porter. - All other expenses. - Boarding fee Punta Arenas. Hotel we use in this program: - Santiago: Hotel Galerias - Puerto Varas: Hotel Cabaña de Lago - Punta Arenas: Hotel Cabo de Hornos - Ushuaia: Hotel Albatros - Buenos Aires: Hotel Amerian Buenos Aires PLEASE ASK FOR FLIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS AS SOME FLIGHTS ARE NOT SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE, indicated hotels are merely references and only to be confirmed at the time of booking |