| |
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival in Santiago
Today you will arrive in one of the biggest cities of South America - Santiago. The capital of Chile was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia and is situated in a wide plane from where you have a wonderful view on the chain of the Andes with its snow-covered peaks which is about 100 km away from Santiago. Some of those peaks are higher than 6000 m. From the East to the West of the city the Rio Mapocho runs through the city passing public parks which are famous for its countless flowers. After we pick you up from the airport, you will stat your city tour in which you will learn more about the sights and the four million inhabitants of Santiago. Afterwards we will bring you to your hotel where we will discuss the details of your journey while eating diner. -/-/-
Day 02: Excursion to Valparaiso
Valparaiso is not only the second biggest city of Chile and seat of the national congress, but also the most important harbor of the country. The districts of city were built on huge hills which are connected by 16 cable railways. Here you will visit the impressive harbor and the house of the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, whose furnishing reflects the extraordinary taste of the poet. Afterwards you will continue your excursion to Viña del Mar, a small village with in famous for its wonderful parks and beaches. In the afternoon, you will return to Santiago. B/L/-
Day 03: Camino Austral - Puerto Guadal- Lodge Terra Luna
Today we will bring you to the airport from where you will fly to Balmaceda, closed to the argentine border in the south of Chile. You will be picked up at the airport and from there you will drive south to the little village Puerto Guadal which is situated at the south shore of the huge lake General Carrera (2240 km²). Taking the country road "Camino Austral" you will have the opportunity to admire the fascinating and varied landscape of this region. If weather conditions are good you will go by boat to the rock "chapel of marble" - famous for its extraordinary shape. Afterwards you will continue your journey to the Lodge Terra Luna at the shore of the lake General Carrera, where a welcome cocktail is already waiting for you. Here you will have dinner and spend the night. From the Lodge you have a wonderful view on the mountain San Valentin (4.057 m), which is the highest mountain of Patagonia. B/L/D
Day 04: Puerto Guadal
After the breakfast you will have the opportunity to explore the region of Puerto Guadal on your own. You might visit an antique mine, hike to a waterfall, explore the region by horse or by mountain bike, go fishing or simply relax in the Jacuzzi. It is as well possible to go by plane to the north side of San Valentin and to the lagoon San Rafael. In the afternoon you will return to the Lodge. B/L/D
Day 05: Argentine Pampa - Estancia La Angostura
Following the lake Baker you will continue your journey to the East. You will cross the border between Chile and Argentine at the pass Roballos. As you will see, the climate and the landscape of this region will get drier as you reach the argentine Pampa. After driving through this countryside, where there seems to be nothing but Grass, you will reach the Estancia La Angostura. You will spend the night in this typical argentine farm. B/L/D
Day 06: National Park "Los Glaciares"
Driving through the wide argentine Pampa direction south you will reach the small village EL Chalten which is situated north of the "Laguna Viedma". This lagoon is part of the National Park "Los Glaciares" and from here you will have a wonderful view on the Cerro Fitz Roy (3.406 m) B/L/-
 Day 07: Fitz Roy - Rio Blanco - Laguna de los Tres
After the breakfast you will explore the plane and the foot of the Fritz Roy during a hike. The goal of the hike is the Rio Blanco, starting point for everyone who wants to climb the Fitz Roy or who wants to go to the Languna de los Tres. This mountain lake was named after three French mountaineers who were the first to climb Fitz Roy. In the afternoon you will return to your hotel El Chalten. B/L/-
Day 08: Lagune Torre
After hiking for about 6 hours through the impressive landscape of the Fitz Roy, you will reach the Lagune Torre from where you have a wonderful view on this region. Afterwards you will return to your hotel El Chalten. B/L/-
Day 09: National Park "Los Glaciares" - Glacier "Moreno"
You will leave El Chalten today to drive south to the National Park "Los Glaciares". In this National Park, the snow-fields of the Andes condensed to huge glaciers. You will visit the glacier "Moreno", one of the rare glaciers in the world that is still growing. Therefore every once in a while new icebergs plunge down the iceberg-canal (Canal de los tempanos) with a tremendous noise. Afterwards you will drive to El Calafate, a small town with about 3000 inhabitants located on the south shore of the lake Argentino, where you will spend the night in a small hotel. B/L/D
Day 10: National Park "Torres del Paine"
Today you will leave the National Park "Los Glaciares", to drive west back to Chile. Your goal is the National Park "Torres del Paine" which was founded in 1959 - a true paradise for nature lovers. Here you will find columns of granite, turquoise lakes and rivers full of cascades and waterfalls. In addition to that, this National Park is the biggest American reservation for condors. In the afternoon you will reach the lake Pehoe, which you will cross by boat to get to the camp Pehoe where you will spend the night. B/L/D
Day 11: Cerro Paine Grande - Glacier "Grey"
Starting from the hut Pehoe in the south of the "Cerro Paine Grande" you will pass the lake Grey to reach the Refugio Grey after a hike of about 3-4 hours. The Refugio is located at the north shore of the lake and during a hike to the lagoon you will see huge pieces of ice which swim on the water. Those pieces of ice come from the glacier "Grey" in the north-west of the lagoon. You will spend the night at the lagoon. B/L/D
 Day 12: Glacier "Grey" - Lake Pehoe
Today you will hike to the still growing glacier "Grey", where you will have a wonderful view on the tremendous masses of ice of the Patagonian ice-fields which sparkle in the sun. In the afternoon you will hike back to the Refugio in about 4 hours. This is where you will spend the night. B/L/D
Day 13: Rio del Frances - Cerro Paine Grande - Cuernos del Paine
After the breakfast you will make an excursion to the western shore of the lake Skottbert, following the river "Del Frances" through the valley with the same name, with its impressive granite walls. You will pass by the mountains of "Cerro Paine Grande" and "Cuernos del paine" before you reach after 6-8 hours the Refugio Cuernos, where you will spend the night. B/L/D
Day 14: Lake Nordenskjoeld - Refugio Torres
After a trekking of about 4 hours along the shore of the lake Nordenskjoeld you will reach the Refugio Torres. Your luggage will be brought to the Refugio by boat and car. Here you will spend the night and get ready for the trekking to the Torres del Paine, which will start the following day. B/L/D
Day 15: Torres del Paine
The goal of your trekking today is the foot of the Torres del Paine. These are granite columns that are more than 2.600 m high and raise almost vertical in the Patagonian steppe. You might explore the flora and fauna of this park where more than 105 species of birds, 25 species of mammals and 200 species of plants can be found. After about 8 hours we will return to the Refugio. B/L/D
Day 16: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas
Today you will leave the National Park "Torres del Paine" to drive to Punta Arenas, the capital of the province Magellanes (XII. Region), which includes the Chilean part of Fireland. You will pass Puerto Natales which is located closed to the argentine border at the Rio Turbio. Punta Arenas is located at the strait Magellan, which was named after the explorer and seafarer Magellan. This town is located in the very south of Chile and is the centre of sheep farms and fishing. On your way you will visit the cave of Milodón, where the people of Patagonia lived 11.000 years ago. The name comes from the remains of the almost 4 meters long Milodón (sloth) which were found in these caves by Colonel Hermann Eberhard in 1895. Apart from that you will visit Otway Sound where colonies of penguins can be found. You will spend the night in a hotel in Punta Arenas. B/L/-
Day 17: Fireland - Ushuaia.
From Punta Arenas you will go by ferry to Provenir in Fireland. On your way south you will cross the border of Chile and Argentina. While driving through Fireland you will reach Ushuaia, this famous town in the South of Fireland, where you will spend the night in hotel. B/L/-
Day 18: Fireland National Park - Beagle canal
After the breakfast you will make an excursion to the Fireland National Park (63.000 ha) full of mountains, lakes, rivers and deep valleys. During this excursion you will visit the Lapataia Bay which is famous for the various species of birds that can be found there. In the afternoon you will go by boat to the beagle canal. Afterwards you will return to your hotel in Ushuaia, where you will spend the night. B/L/-
 Day 19: Ushuaia-Buenos Aires.
We will bring you to the airport today, from where you will fly to Buenos Aires - the capital of Argentina and the biggest city of this country. The name of the city, original "Santa Maria of the good winds", refers to the winds that brought Pedro de Mendoza and his companions in 1536 over the ocean to Argentina. You will be picked up at the airport and brought to your hotel. B/L/-
Day 20: Buenos Aires
Today you will have the possibility to explore Buenos Aires with its 3 million inhabitants, its museum, theaters, parks and shopping malls on your own. At night we will have a good bye dinner and a tango performance. B/-/-
Day 21: Transfer Out
After the breakfast we will bring you to the airport from where you will fly back home.
B/-/-
Prices 2008:
USD 3.642.- per person
Single Supplement: USD 660.- per person
Minimum 2 People.
In the price included:
• Private transportation for the entire journey
• Bilingual guide and aid
• Driver
• Entrance fees for the National Parks
• Meals as mentioned in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Accommodation in hotels, lodges and Refugio
• Boat at the lake Pehoe
• Ferry from Punta Arenas to Porvenir
• All excursions, visits and the tango performance
Not included in the price:
• Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
• Flights and airport fees
• Travel insurance
If you need any additional information please write us:
- Travel in Patagonia from Valdes Peninsula -
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
