Patagonia
- The Grand Tour
21 Days
/ 20 Nights
Buenos Aires, Trelew (Peninsula Valdes and Punta
Tombo), Ushuaia,
El Calafate, Torres del Paine, Puerto Montt and Bariloche
Explore
the highlights of Argentina's claim to the wild and wondrous region
of Patagonia. Abundant in wildlife, Argentine Patagonia boasts
a colony of three-quarter million Magellan Penguins and is the
only continental breeding area of the incredible Sea Elephant.
It is also the site of the only growing glacier in the world,
the Perito Moreno, and the magical land of Tierra Del Fuego. Experience
a superlative land of exotic beauty, sophisticated charm, and
wondrous flora and fauna, and the ecological purity of Chile's
Torres del Paine National Park - a member of the UN's International
Network of Biosphere Reserves.
This itinerary
is flexible, you can add or delete days to any destination in
Patagonia, you can also skip a destination. You can depart any
day of the week. The most popular tour of Patagonia is a 12 day
tour that includes Trelew, El Calafate, Torres del Paine and Puerto
Montt. Travelers can arrive in Buenos Aires and Retrun from Santiago,
or vice verse
Day
1 Saturday
Arrival in Buenos Aires. Afternoon Tour of Buenos Aires City
- In this tour of Argentina's cultural and political capital,
you will get a sampling glimpse of the diverse districts that
make up this grand city. Visit the colorful "Boca" district
and the elegant North Quarter and Palermo Park. See the government
"Casa Rosada" - pink house, the Colon Theater, May Square
and drive down the famous 9th of July Avenue. Tango show at "Casa
Blanca".
Day 2 Sunday
Full Day Estancia and Fiesta Gaucha Excursion - In today's excursion
you get the chance to learn about and admire the traditional dances,
songs, and meals of the Argentine gaucho by taking part in a real
Gaucho Festival. The party is held at a beautiful country residence,
in an old ranch situated on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. (B,L)
Day 3 Monday
Transfer to airport for flight to Trelew. Transfer
to Punta Tombo rookery to admire a magnificent colony of millions
of Magellan penguins. (B)
Day 4 Tuesday
Full Day Excursion to Valdes Peninsula - Morning departure
to Punta Norte Wildlife Reservation, the only continental breeding
place of enormous herds of seals and sea elephants. Next, visit
the sea lions' habitat at Puerto Piramide. On your way back stop
at Isla de los Pajaros (Birds' Island) to see a wide variety of
marine birds: cormorants, gulls, Antarctic pigeons, Herons, and
Albatross among others. The bird-nesting season is September through
May.
Note: In October and November it is also possible to take an optional
whale watching boat trip. (B)
Day 5 Wednesday
Transfer to the airport in Trelew for a flight to Ushuaia
in remote Tierra del Fuego. Upon arrival at the airport a host
will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.
Free afternoon to visit the End of the World Museum. (B)
Day 6 Thursday
Morning Excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park - today
set out for a drive to the National Park of Tierra del Fuego known
for its lichen covered forests. You will also cross the Pipo River
and visit Ensenada, Roca Lake, and Lapataia Bay. Afternoon boat
excursion to Isla de Los Lobos - sail through Ushuaia Bay and
admire the beautiful city of Ushuaia, continue to Estancia Tunel
and the historic Lighthouse Les Eclaireurs. Brief stops at the
Sea Lions Island and Birds Island on your way back to Ushuaia.
(B)
Day 7 Friday
Full day excursion to Lago Fagnano and Lago Escondido and
enjoy a savory roast-lamb lunch in the Andes. (AB,L)
Day 8 Saturday
Flight to El Calafate a developing town located on
the shore of Lake Argentino and the southern gateway to The Glaciers
National Park. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Enjoy the serenity of this lake's wide stretch of blue-grey waters
reflecting the beauty of surrounding forests and snowcapped peaks.
(B)
Day 9 Sunday
Full Day Excursion to Upsala Glacier and Onelli Bay - Travel
to Punta Bandera to enjoy a launch sightseeing trip to the Upsala
Glacier sailing among icebergs that have broken off. In case that
this excursion cannot be done, you will have an alternative tour.
(B)
Day 10 Monday
Full Day Excursion to Perito Moreno Glacier - Today you'll
visit one of the world's largest continental glaciers that are
continually expanding, the so-called Continental Ice Block of
Patagonia. Surrounded by the towering Andes peaks you can feel
the magic isolation of these gigantic masses of ice. Every three
to four years a worldwide renowned event takes place: the fascinating
crash of Perito Moreno Glacier's ice wall. The deep silence of
this imposing scenery is broken when huge blocks of ice fall away
from the main wall and into the lake with thunder-like sounds.
You can also opt to do the mini-trekking at no extra cost if you
request it when you make your reservation. (B)
Day 11 Tuesday
Free day in El Calafate for an optional mini-trekking adventure
to Perito Moreno Glacier, visit a local estancia or take the day
to relax and walk around town. A two-day excursion to Fitz Roy
Mountain is also suggested. (B)
Day 12 Wednesday
Travel across the Patagonian Steppes, home to rheas and pink
flamingoes, to Torres del Paine National Park, where herds
of guanaco (the local llama) graze amidst vibrant blue and vivid
green lakes towered over by jagged, snowcapped peaks soaring up
to 3,000 meters. (B)
Day 13 Thursday
Morning visit to the national park's Administration Center
for an orientation overview of the park's topography and recreational
offerings and then on to view the beauty of the Salto Chico ("Small
Waterfall"). Afternoon excursion to the Salto Grande ("Large
Waterfall") and a short walk to the panoramic overlook at
Lago Nordenskjold. (B)
Day 14 Friday
Choice of a 3-hour trek (level: leisure) or a 10-hour trek
(level: moderate to difficult). The former begins at the emerald-green
Laguna Verde and ends at the Administration Center. The latter
sets out from the vivid blue Laguna Amarga to reach the base of
the Torres del Paine, the three peaks that dominate the park.
(B)
Day 15 Saturday
Morning excursion to Lago Grey. Morning photo safari to Laguna
Amarga in search of guanacos, foxes, rheas, pink flamingoes, condors,
and some 100 other species of birds. Afternoon excursion to Laguna
Azul ("Blue Lagoon") in search of more wildlife. (B)
Day 16 Sunday
En route to Punta Arenas stop at the Milodon Cave where the
remains of the giant Milodon sloth that roamed the Patagonian
plains some 11,000 years ago were discovered in 1896 by the German
settler, Herman Eberhard. Flight to Puerto Montt. (B)
Day 17 Monday
Full Day excursion to Frutillar - Located by the Llanquihue
Lake and with a spectacular view of the Osorno volcano, Frutillar
is a charming German style village, housing the most complete
museum in the area, which exhibits samples and relics from the
German pioneers who colonized the region. (B)
Day 18 Tuesday
Lake Crossing - Scenic drive skirting Llanquihue Lake
to Petrohue Falls. View of Osorno Volcano, motor ship crossing
Todos Los Santos Lake to Peulla. Continue on motor coach &
motor ship crossing Frias & Nahuel-Huapi Lakes to Puerto Panuelo
and on to Bariloche. (B)
Day 19 Wednesday
Short circuit tour to admire this beautiful city with deep
blue lakes, towering mountains, colorful flowers and unbelievable
scenery. (B)
Day 20 Thursday
Free day in Bariloche for leisure activities. Hiking, biking,
and horseback riding are available. An optional full day excursion
to San Martin de Los Andes is also available ($50). (B)
Day 21 Friday
Transfer to airport for flight Home. (AB)
***
End Of Our Services ***
Departures:
Every Saturday.
Hotels to use:
Hotel De Las Americas in Buenos Aires, Hotel Rayentray in
Trelew, Hotel Ushuaia in Ushuaia, Hotel Posada Los Alamos
in El Calafate, four nights at Hosteria Las Torres or similar
in Torres del Paine National Park,
Hotel Viento Sur in Puerto Montt, Hotel Edelweiss
in Bariloche.
Important:
Itineraries are flexible. You can add or skip days in any
city, you can also skip a destination.
Prices
available upon request.
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