PATAGONIAN PEARLS - SANTIAGO, ATACAMA, USHUAIA, BARILOCHE, PUERTO
MONTT, CHILOE
Peru
is a land of geographical complexity and striking beauty, with the
marked contrast between the Andes Mountains, the arid Atacama Desert
in the east, and the lush forests of the Amazon.
ITINERARY
Day 1. Santiago
(B)
Arrival in Santiago de Chile, reception and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2. Santiago (B)
After breakfast, a half day city tour of Santiago including a visit to the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. A visit to Cerro Santa Lucia, where Santiago was founded in 1541. After lunch, a visit to the Aquitania winery. The tour will end with some wine tasting before returning to Santiago.
Day 3. Santiago - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales
(B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Punta Arenas, located on the very tip of the continent. We continue our trip to the Penguin Sanctuary at Seno Otway. The Magellanic Penguins here return annually between the months of October and March to lay eggs and raise their young.
Arrival to Puerto Natales and transfer to your hotel for accommodation.
Day 4. Balmaceda - Serrano Glacier
(BL)
After breakfast, full
day excursion by boat to the beautiful Balmaceda and Serrano
glaciers. Boxed lunch is included. Return to Puerto Natales and
transfer to your hotel.
Day 5. Torres del Paine
(B)
After breakfast, we travel into the Torres del Paine National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978). This park is Chile's showpiece: a world biosphere reserve with all the diverse scenery of Alaska in only 180,000ha (444,600ac). The Torres Del Paine are spectacular granite pillars which soar almost vertically for more than 2000m (6560ft) above the Patagonian steppe.
A visit to the Milodon cave; where in 1896 the scientific world was
fascinated by the
discovery of skin, bones and other parts of an extinct animal, the
Milodon (Mylodon Darwini). The tour continues with visits to Lake
Sarmiento, Nordennskjold, Pehoe, and Lago Grey; site of the Grey
Glacier (BL).
Day 6. Torres del Paine
(B)
A day of tour options ranging from easy to moderate treks. For the more adventurous, choose from mountain biking in the park to some difficult treks. Accommodation in the National Park.
Day 7. Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas
(B)
Transfer back to Punta Arenas. Accommodation in Punta Arenas.
Day 8. Punta Arenas – Ushuaia
(B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and capital of the province of Tierra del Fuego. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 9. Ushuaia
(B)
After breakfast, excursion to the Tierra del Fuego National Park. This
sub-Antarctic forest covers the entire region and is located up to 600m above sea level. The tour will end with a one and a half hour round trip tour in first class on the 'end of the world' train travelling through the National Park itself.
Return to your hotel.
Day 10. Ushuaia
(B)
Choice of excursions may include a boat trip through the Beagle Channel or a visit to Sea Lion Island and the southernmost Argentinean lighthouse.
Day 11. Ushuaia -El Calafate
(B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Calafate. El Calafate is the site of the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most dramatic natural sites left on earth. Two night´s accommodation at your hotel. The Perito Moreno Glacier of Santa Cruz is a 60m (197ft) high river of rising, toppling and exploding ice, though it has not advanced for several years.
Day 12. Perito Moreno Glacier
(B)
After breakfast, opportunity to walk on the glacier or for a selection of other activities including other treks, 4x4 trips and boat trips to other glaciers in the area such as Upsala, Onelli and Spegazzini.
Day 13. El Calafate - Bariloche
(B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bariloche. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 14. Bariloche
(B)
Free day in Bariloche, the ski capital of Argentina. Choose from fishing, trekking, tennis, walking, archery or perhaps even condor watching. Take a cable car ride for tremendous views of the area or for the more adventurous, perhaps some mountain biking.
Day 15: Bariloche - Villa la Angostura- Buenos Aires
(B)
After breakfast, we shall take a fabulous scenic route around the beautiful Nahuel Huapi. Along the journey we shall pass several lakes including the Espejo or Mirror Lake which is one of the 7 lakes of the famous 7 Lakes route of Argentina. Return to Bariloche airport for the flight to Buenos Aires. Reception and transfer to your hotel for two night´s accommodation.
Day 16. Buenos Aires
(BD)
After breakfast, a private city tour of perhaps the most cosmopolitan
metropolis in South America. A visit to La Boca, Buenos Aires' most
colourful neighbourhood. In the evening, dinner & tango Show in La Esquina Carlos Gardel, the foremost tango house in Buenos Aires.
Day 17. Buenos Aires
(B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Buenos Aires and your return flight home.
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