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10-Nights Wonders of Patagonia from $6,875
Trafalgar
OFFER ID 1508199
Wonders Of Patagonia
Travel to the ends of the earth, from the flamboyant capital of Buenos Aires to the land of giants, roaming solitary steppes, the rugged Andes, and glacial lakes. Insider experiences including dinner with a Buenos Aires family and Patagonian cowboy cultural visit in Torres Del Paine enrich your Patagonia tour.
Dining Summary
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
- Buenos Aires: Dine at the home of a local family in the bohemian neighborhood of Palermo Soho with its European-style homes and hip attitude.
- Ushuaia: Tour Ushuaia including a visit to the Museo Maritimo y Del Presidio, where you'll explore the history of the Prison at the End of the World and learn about the famous prisoners who were incarcerated there.
- Torres del Paine National Park: Learn the Patagonian cowboy way with the baqueanos, who lead the Hotel Las Torres horseback rides and look after the horses and stables of Estancia Cerro Paine. Learn from these local vaqueros - the descendants of horsemen who came to work ranches in this remote region more than a century ago - about their special clothing, saddles and other horse tack and get a chance to share a mate (an herbal tea made from yerba mate leaves). Try a typical breakfast made of "sopaipillas" (type of bread) with "pebre" (Chilean condiment) while chatting about the Patagonian culture. See how to properly saddle a horse, nail a horseshoe and even how to ride. You can even join the crew and go looking for the "tropilla" (horse herd).
- Buenos Aires: Embark on a Buenos Aires City Tour with a Local Specialist. Walk through the wide boulevards of this beautiful capital admiring the spirit of a city whose European and Latin American influences can be seen around every turn. See the pink palace, the seat of the Argentine national government and president's office whose balcony Juan and "Evita" Perón addressed the people in the 1940s and 1950s. Visit the cathedral and wander through the lively and colorful La Boca neighborhood lined with restaurants, street artists and local art around every corner.
- Tierra del Fuego National Park: Join a Local Specialist to delve deep into Tierra Del Fuego National park's natural splendor. Admire its beautiful waterfalls, forests and snow-capped mountains in which the wildlife of this area find sanctuary. Keep a keen eye out for red foxes, condors, eagles and beavers.
- Parque Nacional Los Glaciares: Join a Local Specialist for a deep exploration of the striking UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park. Within Argentina’s largest and most famous national park, you'll come face-to-face with its arctic blue and white glaciers that are fed by the massive South Patagonian Ice Field, milky colored glacial lakes and towering snowcapped peaks. Be amazed at this landscape of 356 glaciers starting at 4,900 feet (1,500 m) above sea level that reach into icy blue lakes. Discover the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier, which towers above the icy waters of Lake Argentino, accessible by a short hike.
- Torres del Paine National Park: Admire the cerulean blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. The lake’s high salt content concentrated by evaporation leaves a soft white layer of calcium carbonate stromatolites rock formations on the riverbank in contrast to the blue waters. It’s a stunning, rare sight made even more striking should you spot a colony of flamingos that make their home there in the summer. Laguna Amarga is also home to one of largest concentrations of pumas in Chilean Patagonia as well as Guanaco, Hare, Haired-Armadillo, Hong-Nosed Skunk, Grey Fox and over 40 types of birds, including the Andean Condor and Lesser Rhea.
- Torres del Paine National Park: Enjoy an in-depth exploration of Torres Del Paine, venturing deep into the heart of the park with a Local Specialist. Embark on a short hike to see natural landmarks up close and view stunning landscapes from scenic outlooks especially chosen to showcase the surrounding beauty of the area.
- Mirador Serrano Glacier: Travel by boat up the Rio Serrano, passing the Southern icefield (campo de Hielo sur) toward the icy turquoise sheets of the Serrano Glacier. With a Local Specialist, explore the impressive glacier with a hike through unspoiled, cool rainforest landscapes to Seno Ultima Esperanza (Fjord of the Last Hope) where you will see the rest of the Southern Patagonian Icefield. Mostly untouched by people, the unspoiled nature is home to colonies of cormorants, sea lions and condors.
- Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, Ushuaia, Los Glaciares National Park, Torres del Paine National Park and learn about the Patagonian culture from local vaqueros.
- Visit Museo Maritimo y del Presidio
- Scenic Cruise Cruise to the Balmaceda Glacier and Serrano Glacier
- Scenic Cruise upon a boat ride up the Rio Serrano toward the Serrano Glacier
- Scenic Drive from El Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park and from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
- Puerto Natales: Enjoy modern accommodation in perfect harmony with the natural environment of Puerto Natales with this Stays With Stories.
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- A Trafa
10 nights from $6,875 per person
Trafalgar Tours: Wonders of Patagonia
Day 1 - Welcome to Buenos Aires
It's time to Tango your way through beautiful Buenos Aires - your launch pad to the other-worldly southern frontier of Patagonia. On arrival, your local host will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Relax or explore the grand boulevards and colorful barrios of Argentina's vibrant capital on your own. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for a Welcome Reception.
Accommodations: Alvear Art Hotel
Meals: Welcome Reception
Day 2 - Buenos Aires Sightseeing Connect with Locals
Walk in the footsteps of the porteños on your exploration of the exquisite sights of the 'Paris of South America' with your Local Specialist. Wind your way through the city, past the grand pink Casa Rosada, and bold, bright La Boca. View the ornate Teatro Colon and pay homage to Eva (Evita) Peron in the final resting place of Buenos Aires' most noteworthy residents, Recoleta Cemetery. Embrace Argentinian culture at a Be My Guest experience this evening as you Connect With Locals, joining a local family in Palermo Soho who'll share their homemade family recipes, the secrets of kneading bread and the art of the passionate Tango.
Accommodations: Alvear Art Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Admire Tierra del Fuego National Park and Continue to Ushuaia
An expedition through the extraordinary landscapes of Patagonia begins today as you fly to the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia. On arrival, explore the dramatic landscapes of Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentinian’s southern-most national park on the border of Chile. Join a Local Specialist to delve deep into its natural splendor. Admire its beautiful waterfalls, forests and snow-capped mountains in which the wildlife of this area find sanctuary. Keep a keen eye out for red foxes, condors, eagles and beavers. Come face to face with the biological richness of Tierra del Fuego Island and its incredible scenic beauty, enjoying views over the Beagle Channel at Ensenada Bay, the glacial waters of Roca Lake and the deep Bay of Lapataia Bay. This evening, dinner is served at your hotel on the Beagle Channel, so named for the famous HMS Beagle on which Charles Darwin once sailed the southern seas and saw glaciers for the first time.
Accommodations: Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Uncover Ushuaia Dive Into Culture
This morning, join a Local Specialist and your fellow travelers for a tour of Ushuaia including a visit to the Museo Maritimo y Del Presidio, where you’ll explore the history of the Prison at the End of the World and learn about the famous prisoners who were incarcerated there. Later, delve into its history as a former penal colony and missionary base on your own, or consider joining an optional cruise excursion on the Beagle Channel focusing on the scenic archipelago, wildlife and history. Learn about the great shipwrecks of the region, as well as the dogged determination of the first European explorers, who in the 19th century navigated this inhospitable region which has since had a turbulent history. Consider taking a longer excursion that includes views of lazy colonies of sea lions and Magellanic penguins, which Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan first saw in the early 16th century.
Accommodations: Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Off to El Calafate
Leave the 'end of the world' and fly to El Calafate on the shores of Lake Argentino, the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park with its spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. You'll have a rare opportunity to explore the otherworldly landscape of massive glaciers, interconnected fjords and mountainside glacial lakes over the next few days, but not before perhaps tucking into the Calafate berry after which the town is named to secure your return to this mystical region.
Accommodations: Kosten Aike
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Los Glaciares National Park Excursion
The day is dedicated to a deep exploration of the striking UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park. Touring with a Local Specialist, you'll come face-to-face with its arctic blue and white glaciers that are fed by the massive South Patagonian Ice Field. Discover the magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier, which towers above the icy waters of Lake Argentino. You could perhaps witness massive igloo icebergs plunging into the lake with thunderous force. Experience the rugged solitude of the windswept steppe and the quiet southern beach forests, before heading back to El Calafate for an evening spent at leisure. Consider indulging all your senses savoring the town’s famous Patagonian lamb paired with a delectable glass of Argentina’s Malbec, or pop into the glaciarium for a chilly encounter that will warm your polar heart.
Accommodations: Kosten Aike
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Adventure Through Torres del Paine National Park
The Patagonian Steppes give way to the granite spires of Paine, otherwise known as Cleopatra’s Needles, the main features of the UNESCO-listed Torres del Paine National Park. We'll join a Local Specialist to delve behind the scenes of this extraordinary frontier land that few have explored. Connect with the inspiring natural landscape, celebrating one of the world’s last true wilderness areas. Wander past cascading waterfalls, roaring creeks, shimmering lakes and jagged mountain spires. Your afternoon in the park will feature the Torres towers seen from the eastern region. Observe cyanobacteria with stromatolites formations at the Laguna Amarga caldera before stopping at Blue Lagoon with its distinct cerulean blue waters. Dinner with wine awaits at your hotel.
Accommodations: Hosteria Las Torres
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Torres Del Paine National Park Sightseeing
Continue your in-depth exploration of Torres Del Paine, venturing deep into the heart of the park with a Local Specialist. Embark on a short hike to see natural landmarks up close and view stunning landscapes from scenic outlooks especially chosen to showcase the surrounding beauty of the area. See Puente Negro (Black Bridge) crossing the Paine River, Nordenskjöld Lookout, Sarmiento Lookout, Lake Pehoé and Salto Grande waterfall. After enjoying an alfresco box lunch, this evening is yours to relax and enjoy dinner with wine served at the hotel.
Accommodations: Hosteria Las Torres
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Admire the Local Culture of Torres Del Paine and Puerto Natales Stays With Stories Dive Into Culture
Dive Into Culture and learn the Patagonian cowboy way during your morning with the baqueanos. Learn about their gear and sit down for a traditional mate herbal tea and a typical breakfast. Enjoy a lively demonstration by the baqueanos showing off Patagonian culture before you have the chance to join the team and go looking for the horse herd. Your base is the colorful fishing town of Pueto Natales where one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories?is your home-away-from-home for the next two nights. This warm, ecologically sound building lets the rugged outdoors Patagonian landscape inside.
Accommodations: Remota Patagonia Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 - Puerto Natales, Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Excursion
Today's exploration takes you by boat up the Rio Serrano, passing the Southern Icefield (Campo de Hielo Sur) toward the icy turquoise sheets of the Serrano Glacier. Take some time with a Local Specialist to explore the impressive glacier with a hike through unspoiled, cool rainforest landscapes to Seno Ultima Esperanza ('Fjord of the Last Hope') where you will see the rest of the Southern Patagonian Icefield. Continue through the fjord by boat with views of the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers in the background. This evening, join your Travel Director and new friends for a Farewell Dinner and toast to an unforgettable expedition to the ends of the earth.
Accommodations: Remota Patagonia Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Day 11 - Depart Santiago
Depart this morning for the peninsula town of Punta Arenas to board your flight to Santiago International Airport, where your Patagonia adventure ends. Airport arrival will be at 8 p.m., please be aware when booking your onward flights.
Meals: Breakfast
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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North Bay Travel Group
(707) 484-3836