The Association of Former Students, Texas A&M CRUISING PATAGONIA’S CHILEAN FJORDS C APE H ORN u G LA C IER A LLEY u T ORRES D EL P AINE N AT IONAL P ARK u S T RAI T OF M A G ELLAN u B EA G LE C H ANNEL u S AN T IA G O October 14 to 25, 2018 BY APRIL E 11 RV , E 2 S 0 E EARLY 1 8 R BOOKING N N N N S SAVINGS A ! E V L E P $ 2 O U ,000 PE R C Howdy, Ags! “It is scarcely possible to imagine anything more beautiful than the beryl-like blue of these glaciers,” wrote Charles Darwin, awed by the striking iridescent blue-green ice while cruising southern Argentina and Chile in 1833. From the legendary Tierra del Fuego archipelago to magnificent glacier-studded fjords and sweeping pampas grasslands, you too can experience the extremes and contrasts of Patagonia—the tip of South America—which crosses the Andes Mountains from the Pacific to the Atlantic. On this exclusive land and sea journey, assume the role of natural explorer, retracing the bold travels of Darwin and Ferdinand Magellan in southern Chile, a wild landscape still virtually untouched even more than a century after the first European settlers. Discover Santiago and the extraordinary diversity of Patagonia; travel through the crystalline wonders of Glacier Alley to Cape Horn, the “edge of the world.” Visit an award-winning winery in Santiago and walk Punta Arenas’s main square, Plaza de Armas, lined with 19th-century mansions. Then, venture into the vast expanse of Patagonia to see sparkling glaciers, unique wildlife and the iconic peaks of Torres del Paine National Park. Cruise aboard the expedition ship Ventus Australis, launching in 2018 and designed specifically for navigating the rich waterways of southern Patagonia, where mountains meet the seemingly endless ocean. The Chilean fjords offer, among their hidden islands and narrow channels, some of the world’s best viewing of tidewater glaciers, subantarctic woodlands and marine wildlife—Andean condors, humpback whales, Peale’s dolphins and rare Chilean dolphins. Cruise through two of the most historically significant, awe-inspiring passages in world exploration—Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan—accompanied by an onboard team of multilingual expert naturalists, who will enrich your expedition with their in-depth knowledge of the region’s history, natural wonders and wildlife. The ship is equipped with Zodiac landing craft for excursions to observe glaciers up close as they crack and calve; distinctive species, including elephant seals, cormorants and endemic Magellanic penguins; and traces of the Yámanas, the original settlers of Wulaia Bay. Join us for this incredible voyage of a lifetime. Book now while Early Booking Savings and space are still available! Gig ’em! Jennifer Bohac ’87, Ph.D. Director of Travel Programs Traveling Aggies Phone: (979) 845-7514 or (800) 633-7514 Fax: (979) 845-9263 No funds donated to The Association of Former Students or to Texas A&M University have been used in the production or mailing of this travel brochure; all such costs are covered by our tour supplier. UNESCO Torres del Paine World Heritage Site National Park Cruise Itinerary Exploring the Puerto Air Routing Natales Land Routing “ of the ” Edge Earth Atlantic Iguazú Easter Ocean Island Falls While sailing toward Indonesia’s fabled Punta Buenos Spice Islands in 1520, Portuguese explorer Santiago Aires Arenas Ferdinand Magellan became the first European to enter the channel that Strait of Tierra del Fu would later bear his name. Along the Magellan ego CHILE south side of the strait, amid Tucker Islets Torres del ARGENTINA the world’s southernmost Paine Ainsworth Punta Bay Pia forests, smoke rose from Arenas Ushuaia Glacier Ushuaia numerous native Selk’nam Beagle Channel Glacier Wulaia Bay campfires, leading Magellan to name Pacific Ocean Alley this island Tierra del Humo, “land of smoke,” which Spain’s King Charles V changed to the more poetic Cape Horn Tierra del Fuego, “land of fire.” The northern side of the strait came to be known as Patagonia, “land of giants,” for Magellan and his men’s impression of the tall, indigenous inhabitants. Three centuries later, HMS Beagle, under the command of Admiral Robert FitzRoy and with young naturalist Charles Darwin on board, became the first ship to sail east to west through its namesake channel, which separates the Tierra del Fuego from the smaller islands that stretch down to Cape Horn. Experience the same wonderment of these intrepid explorers as you cruise through these mesmerizing landscapes almost untouched since Magellan explored them nearly 500 years ago. So as not to spoil Patagonia’s unsurpassed beauty, the Ventus Australis is fitted with the latest technology to meet environmental regulations and leave minimal impact on the navigation routes. Your crew and naturalist guides ensure that the group’s carbon footprint is neutral, both on board and ashore. Santiago, Chile Punta Arenas Explore Santiago, Chile’s vibrant and modern The capital of Chile’s Magallanes province, capital in the foothills of the snowcapped historic Punta Arenas overlooks the Andes Mountains. Tour the highlights of the Strait of Magellan and is the gateway city’s indigenous and European‑influenced to Patagonia. During the city tour, admire architecture and culture, including the the Napoleonic architecture and 19th‑century outstanding collections in the Museo Chileno mansions lining the Plaza de Armas. de Arte Precolombino. Take in the stunning views of the city and surrounding Puerto Natales mountains from atop San Cristóbal Hill. The heart of Patagonia unfolds before you En route to the famous, 130‑year‑old in rugged visions of vast, rolling countryside Santa Rita Winery, enjoy views of the scenic against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains, Maipo Valley. A local expert will guide your where sheep, guanacos and the endangered vineyard tour and wine tasting. lesser rhea roam. Photo this page: Secluded Ainsworth Bay is fed by meltwater of Marinelli Glacier. Cover photo: The iconic Cuernos (horns) del Paine tower over Lake Pehoé in Torres del Paine National Park. Originally inhabited by the Tehuelche people for thousands of years, the town of Puerto Natales later served as a major transit Atlantic point for the sheep and coal industries of Ocean 20th‑century Patagonia. Delight in this region’s charms at the Hostería Estancia Río Penitente Patagonian sheep ranch, today a preserved Victorian farmhouse owned by descendants of Scottish pioneers. Here, enjoy a traditional Tierra del Fu ego lunch and a sheep herding demonstration. Your unique, Five‑Star accommodations are in The Singular Patagonia, Ushuaia where historic, industrial Beagle Channel Magdalena Island in the Strait of Magellan is an Wulaia Bay architecture has been important Magellanic penguin breeding site. transformed into one of South America’s finest hotels and Torres del Paine National Park Cape Horn is a recognized National Monument South America’s finest national of Chile. park and a UNESCO Biosphere Nearby in Milodón Cave, 1890s German Reserve, Torres Del Paines is one of pioneer Herman Eberhard discovered the National Geographic’s most beautiful prehistoric remains of a 13‑foot giant sloth. places in the world. Observe its pristine landscape of magnificent glaciers, lakes, Itinerary dramatic mountain ranges and its abundance Day of distinctive wildlife—ostrich‑like rheas, EASTER ISLAND Pre-Program Option pumas, the endangered South Andean 1 Depart the U.S. deer and guanacos, the predecessor to 2 San tiago, Chile llamas and alpacas. From the shores of Grey Lake, admire the inspiring 3 Santiago Torres del Paine Massif and Grey Glacier. 4 Santiago/Fly to Punta Arenas Enjoy lunch in the park and survey its 5 Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales spectacular views of signature mountaintops— 6 Torres del Paine National Park the massive, three‑peaked Cordillera del Paine. 7 Pue rto Natales/Punta Arenas/ Cruising the Chilean Fjords Embark Ventus Australis On board the small expedition ship 8 Ainsworth Bay/Tucker Islets Ventus Australis, cruise the channels and 9 Pia Glacier/Glacier Alley/ straits of Tierra del Fuego amid vivid, Beagle Channel up‑close blue tidewater glaciers. Formed by 10 Wulaia Bay/Cape Horn the Andes mountain range’s southern end, these waterways are home to diverse species 11 Ushuaia, Argentina/Disembark ship/ including elephant seals, cormorants, Fly to Buenos Aires/Depart for the U.S. skua birds and Magellanic penguins. 12 Arrive in the U.S. Ainsworth Bay, the coastal BUENOS AIRES and IGUAZÚ FALLS inlet in the seldom‑visited Post-Program Option Alberto de Agostini National Park, A gaucho, or Patagonian cowboy, herds sheep near Hostería Estancia Río Penitente. Experience the grandeur of Chile’s tidewater Pia Glacier up close. is fed by the retreating tidewater to stand at the “edge of the world” Marinelli Glacier and shelters an elephant overlooking legendary Drake Passage, seal colony. Board a Zodiac for a shore weather permitting. Walk across the landing and walk among the subantarctic low‑lying, fragile tundra vegetation for an Magellanic forest’s broadleaf trees. unmatched panoramic view of ships passing See the dramatic environmental effects of around the tip of the New World between the tens of thousands of beavers, descendants Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. of the original 20 that were imported from Cruise into Wulaia Bay, and make North America in 1946. a Zodiac landing on Isla Navarino. During a Zodiac excursion in neighboring Birdlife, including the unusual Magellanic Admiralty Sound, observe the Tucker Islets’ oystercatcher, is abundant along the shore, unusual birds—rock cormorants, while a hike to 700 feet above sea level offers dolphin gulls, Magellanic penguins and a staggering view of the bay. Visit the former chimango caracaras.