Patagonia Remote Wilderness of Chile & Argentina
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PATAGONIA REMOTE WILDERNESS OF CHILE & ARGENTINA OVERLAND ADVENTURE 9 DAYS | 14 GUESTS CHILE ARGENTINA Itinerary Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be ongoing Los Glaciares ARGENTINA enhancements to this itinerary. National Park CHILE El Calafate Day 1 ARRIVE PUNTA ARENAS Fly independently to Punta Arenas. Enjoy great views of the Torres del Paine mountains as you soar over the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. Puerto Natales Spend two nights at the Hotel Diego de Almagro. (D) Magdalena Island Day 2 PORVENIR / PARQUE PINGUINO REY / Punta Arenas Parque Pinguino Rey Porvenir PUNTA ARENAS Fly to Porvenir in Tierra del Fuego. Drive along the shores of Bahia Inutil — “Useless Bay” — watching for an array of wildlife including guanaco, southern grey fox, upland goose and Chilean flamingo. JOURNEY BY LAND JOURNEY BY AIR Arrive at the private Parque Pinguino Rey, where we visit the world’s most accessible colony of king penguins. Fly back to Punta Arenas late this afternoon. (B,L,D) Experience the southernmost reach of the Andes on a Patagonia adventure spanning both Chile and Argentina. Days 3 & 4 MAGDALENA ISLAND / PUERTO NATALES Enjoy a rare opportunity to visit Tierra del Fuego’s Porvenir, Take a boat to Magdalena Island to visit the famous Magellanic home to the world’s most accessible colony of wild king penguin rookery, learning about their ecology. While visiting penguins. Hike the tundra of Torres del Paine, and travel to Estancia Cerro Negro, a typical working sheep-farming station, see El Calafate in Argentina for a full-day exploration of Los a shearing and sheep dog demonstration, followed by a delicious Glaciares National Park. Patagonian-style barbecue. Depart for the picturesque coastal town of Puerto Natales, where there are gorgeous vistas of the fjord Ultima Esperanza (the Last Hope). Venture out to Mylodon Cave EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS Nature Reserve, an outstanding natural formation that sheltered a large number of Pleistocene mammal species, including the Walk among two species of penguins with a rare encounter Giant Ground-Sloth or Mylodon, about 12,000 years ago. At Cerro at a king penguin colony & visit to a bustling Magellanic Benitez, hike through the forest of ñirres (nothofagus antarctica) and penguin colony on Magdalena Island. lengas (nothofagus pumilio) where you may have up-close views of condors. Spend two nights at Hotel Remota. (B,L,D daily) Explore a rich array of wildlife & scenery on excursions including hiking, boating & penguin watching. Days 5 & 6 TORRES DEL PAINE Enjoy insight from Patagonia’s premier naturalist Expedition Sunrise often paints the park’s granite towers red — a great start to Leaders. nature hikes in this secluded area. Hike through the Nothofagus forest, Survey Patagonia’s culture & cuisine with a traditional lunch watching for fox, Magellanic woodpecker, Chilean flicker and Austral at a historic sheep farm. parakeet. Cruise along Grey Lake before exploring the area on foot. Grey Glacier is one ofthe nearly 50 outlet glaciers originating from Get up close to Grey & Perito Moreno Glaciers. the massive Southern Patagonian Ice Field.Continue exploring the alkaline ponds and reed-fringed lagoons. As we explore, watch for KING PENGUINS TORRES DEL PAINE INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS | PATAGONIA: REMOTE WILDERNESS OF CHILE & ARGENTINA PERITO MORENO GLACIER herds of guanaco, lesser rhea and soaring Andean condor. Spend two nights at Rio Serrano Hotel. (B,L,D daily) Day 7 EL CALAFATE Travel across the mountains to El Calafate today. At the eastern corner of Sarmiento Lake, we reach a location that commands the most incredible views of the towering peaks of Las Torres. Along the way, watch for herds of guanaco, the curious-looking lesser rhea and impressive Andean condors. Continue to the picturesque town of El Calafate in time for check in and dinner at Hotel Kau Yatun. (B,L,D) Day 8 LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK: PERITO MORENO GLACIER Discover the wonders of Los Glaciares National Park. Designated as a park in 1937 and declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, this spectacular park’s three major features are its majestic mountains, immense lakes and of course, the glaciers themselves. The most celebrated of these is the famed Perito Moreno Glacier. This breathtaking cathedral of ice is still advancing, with MAGELLANIC WOODPECKER a three-mile wall plunging into the Channel of Icebergs. The area is astonishing, with Magellanic forests and orchids growing so close they seem to touch the face of the glacier. Search for Andean condor and buff-necked ibis while you listen to this 2020 DEPARTURES December 20 massive glacier crack and calve giant icebergs into the lake. The 2021 DEPARTURES January 17 wind-swept steppes, temperate forests and emerald lakes of Los Glaciares are also home to Magellanic woodpecker, Magellanic 2020 PRICE PER PERSON plover and other birdlife of the sub-Antarctic woodlands. (B,L) Double Occupancy $8,898 Single Occupancy $11,298 Day 9 EL CALAFATE / DEPART Depart on your independent homeward flight. (B) 2021 PRICE PER PERSON Double Occupancy $8,998 You will need to purchase airfare from your home city/Punta Arenas Single Occupancy $9,990 and El Calafate/home city. Our in-house Air Department can make Dates and rates are subject to change. your reservation for a $50 per person fee. INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS | PATAGONIA: REMOTE WILDERNESS OF CHILE & ARGENTINA Know Before You Go This expedition requires a moderate level of exertion. To best enjoy your experiences in Patagonia, you should be in good physical condition and be able to participate on nature hikes of one to five miles over rough or uneven trails. There will be opportunities for hikes of varied lengths. The weather in Patagonia is notoriously changeable; the Andes bisect the region and create a dramatic rain shadow effect to the east, with dry cold winds often sweeping down from the mountains. Along the coast temperatures will range between 40ºF and 70ºF, depending on the latitude. In the higher elevations, temperatures can dip below freezing at night and tend to climb into the 50sºF and 60sºF during the day. Be prepared for strong sun and high winds; even in the drier areas, rain should be expected at any time. By packing clothing that can be layered, you can ensure you will be prepared for the various conditions you may encounter on any given day. Several days will entail long drives to reach remote wilderness areas; however the vehicles used are modern and comfortable and the roads are mostly paved and well-maintained. INCLUDED: NOT INCLUDED: • Intra-tour airfare • Airfare from your home city/Punta Arenas and • Accommodations on group dates El Calafate/home city • Excursions, activities, and meals as listed in the itinerary • Excess baggage charges • Services of experienced English-speaking guides • Airport arrival and departure taxes • Arrival and departure transfers between the group hotel and • Gratuities airport regardless of day or time • Transfers for non-group arrivals and departures • Selected beverages included with lunch and dinner • Passport, visa, and/or airline change fees • Potable water • Travel insurance • Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, and other incidentals • Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges A $600 per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, quoted in US dollars, and must be paid in US dollars. Rates and itineraries are subject to change. Please review our Terms & Conditions online at www.ietravel.com/terms, or call our office for a printed copy. HOTEL REMOTA HOTEL KAU YATUN 800.628.8747 | 206.285.4000 | FAX 206.285.5037 3131 Elliott Avenue | Suite 250 | Seattle, WA 98121 www.ietravel.com | [email protected] To reserve, visit www.ietravel.com/Patagonia or contact your travel consultant..