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Patagonia Explorer Highlighting Peninsula Valdes Parque Nacional Los Glaciares Patagonia Cruise Paine Towers National Park Lake District crossing and Bariloche 22 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Travel period: September - April Suggested day of departure: Sunday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Day 1 - Sunday -  Depart USA: Depart Miami, New York or Los Angeles on overnight flight

Day 2 - Monday - Arrive Buenos Aires: Morning arrival in Buenos Aires. Meet and transfer to the Four Seasons Buenos Aires for 2 night stay with buffet breakfast daily. Your room is paid for immediate check-in. Day at leisure to explore at your own pace. This evening you'll enjoy the Rojo Tango Experience, a cabaret designed by Phillippe Starck, with the city's best tango show accompanied by dinner. It's small, sexy, sensual and delightful. (B/D)

Day 3 - Tuesday - Buenos Aires :   Morning visit to the main points of interest in this sophisticaed, European style city often called "The Paris of South America" including historic San Telmo, colorful La Boca, Plaza de Mayo with Casa Rosada, Catheral and Cabildo, fashionable Recoleta among other places of interest. Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace. (B)

Day 4 - Wednesday  - Buenos Aires / Trelew / Punta Ninfas:  Early morning transfer to the airport for flight south to Trelew, gateway to Peninsula Valdes, a UNESCO designated Natural World Heritage site.  Drive south past Gaiman to the Punta Tombo penguin rookery, one of the largest continental rookeries in the Western Hemisphere.  This five hundred acre wildlife reserve is the world's largest colony of Magellan penguins. Punta Tombo is a narrow and stony strip of land penetrating some 3 ˝ kilometers into the ocean; its ample beaches offer a gentle slope where penguins can easily build their nests. In 1979 Chubut province declared it a Fauna Reserve to protect the colony of Magellan penguins and the other species that share this habitat with them. The road to the preserve is bumpy, and within the preserve wire fences protect the penguin burrows from human intrusion. In addition to penguins, though, there are impressive numbers of other seabirds, including giant petrels, kelp and dolphin gulls, king and rock cormorants, and shorebirds including oystercatchers and flightless steamer ducks. As you head north en route to your hotel, make a stop at Gainman, a Welsh community with a rich history.  Box lunch is included en route today. Enjoy a 3-night stay at El Pedral on Punta Ninfas. (B/L/D)

Day 5 - Thursday - Punta Ninfas: Today visit Peninsula Valdes, an "open air zoo" and unique wildlife sanctuary, The coastline is inhabited by marine mammals, like sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals. Southern right whales can be found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José, protected bodies of water located between the peninsula and the Patagonian mainland. These baleen whales come here between May and December, for mating and giving birth, because the water in the gulf is quieter and warmer than in the open sea. Orcas can be found off the coast, in the open sea off the peninsula. In this area, they are known to beach themselves on shore to capture sea lions and elephant seals. The inner part of the peninsula is inhabited by rheas, guanacos and maras. A high diversity and range of birds live in the peninsula as well; at least 181 bird species, 66 of which migratory, live in the area, including the Antarctic Pigeon. Visit a nearby sea lion nesting ground and Punta Norte, with another sea lion colony. You’ll also have a view of Bird’s Island with a big quantity of gulls, cormorants, herons and other marine birds can be admired.  You’ll also view the Salina Grande, a natural 126 foot depression considered one of the deepest in the world. Lunch is included en route today. (B/L/D)

Day 6 - Friday - Punta Ninfas: Today enjoy activities as offered by El Pedral, such as navigation along the coast, visits to a penguin rookery, elephant seal colony, drives along the peninsula and rural activities depending on the season.  (B/L/D)

Day 7 - Saturday - Punta Ninfas / Trelew / El Calafate: Morning transfer back to the airport at Trelew for flight to El Calafate, gateway to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, the second largest in Argentina, extending some 170 km along the Chilean frontier and covering some 759,000 hectares. It was declared a World Heritage region by UNESCO in 1987. Some 40% of the park is covered by giant ice fields, with 47 major glaciers of which 13 flow east descending into the park to feed the two big lakes, Lake Viedma in the north and Lago Argentino in the south. There are also about 190 smaller glaciers that are not connected to the ice fields. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to Eolo, a Relais & Chateau property majesticaly perched atop a Patagionian steppe crest offering sweeping vistas. Afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities. (B)

Day 8 - Sunday - El Calafate: Today you will drive into the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares to the south arm of Lago Argentino facing Peninsula Magallanes to view Perito Moreno Glacier - standing 240 feet above sea level, it is the only growing glacier in the world. Your guide will take you on a walking tour along the boardwalks in front of the massive glacier, and then on a motorlaunch that cruises along the face of the glacier, offering spectacular views of this huge mass of blue ice. Plenty of time to explore at your own pace before return transfer to your hotel. (B).

Day 9 - Monday - El Calafate: Morning transfer to Puerto Punta Bandera, for two hour scenic cruise sailing amid icebergs until reaching the west front of the Upsala Glaciar, towards Avellaneda Peninsula. Cruise pass several important points (such as Boca del Diablo or La Olla and Cristina Arm) in order to get to the Upsala Galcier. It’s here where you can enjoy the gorgeous glacier. The Upsala Glacier is between 5 km and 7 km wide with a "snout" some 60 meters high and a length of 60 km, South America's longest glacier.  Then  continue cruising up the Cristina arm of the lake to the remote and historic Estancia Cristina. Debark and short walk to the estancia for a visit to the Costumbrista Museum in the old shearing shed where you will learn about the pioneering family who built the original estancia. You will also enjoy an excursion by all-terrain vehicles, travel 9.5 km through the mountainous roads in the area, ascending up to the Continental ice shelter where a 30 minute walk will bring you to exquisite vistas of the front of Upsala Glacier, Lake Guillermo and the Andeas.  Enjoy a box lunch and late afternoon return cruise to Puerto Bandera and transfer to your hotel. (B/L)

Day 10 - Tuesday - El Calafate / Ushuaia: Morning transfer to the El Calafate airport for flight south to Ushuaia, southernmost city on earth. Transfer to the Hotel Los Cauquenes, with privileged chnnel.  Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace. (B)

Day 11 - Wednesday - Embarkation on M/V Stella Australis and depart Ushuaia: Morning excursionon the Train at the End of the World, a historic and scenic journey, and on to Lapataia Bay in Tierra del Fuego National park, with lunch and eventual late afternoon transfer to the port for 5PM embarkation on the M/V Stella Australis. (B/L/D)

Day 12 - Thursday - Cruising Patagonia: Morning navigation through the Beagle Channel and Murray Channel to Cape Horn National Park for debarkation and visit. Cape Horn is and island with a natural sea wall of almost 425 meters high. It's beaches and steep cliffs support a variety of birds, including kelp gees, steamer ducks and blac-browned albatros. It marks the southernmost point of South America and extends into Drake Passage, the antarctic strait connecting the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans. Later in the day visit the historic Walaia Bay, one of the most important indigenous sites of the region.

Day 13 - Friday - Cruising Patagonia: Morning cruise to the Bay of the Gunter Plushow Glacier where you will disembark for a hike near the glacier. Then continue cruising through channels of O'Brian and Ballenero, Desolada Bay, Paso Aguirre and Breakneck Channel. (B/L/D)

Day 14 - Saturday - Debarkation / Punta Arenas / Puerto Bories: Early morning visit to Magdalena Island with an enormous Magellan penguin colony with over 120,000 in different stages of breeding and historic San Isidro Lighthouse. Return cruise to Punta Arenas.  Meeting upon debarkation by staff from Hotel Singular Patagonia for three hour transfer north just a few minutes past Puerto Natales, to Puerto Bories and the Hotel Singular Patagonia. You'll enjoy a four-night stay with all meals, activities and excursions included. (B/L/D)

Day 15 - Sunday - Puerto Bories: During your stay at Puerto Bories you are very close to Paine Towers National Park  and you will have a variety of activities to choose from, exploring both inside and outside the park. The Singular Patagonia offers two private reserves of 15.350 hectares, dedicated to the conservation of natural species of flora and fauna at the disposal of our guests, to be visited and admired in exclusive private expeditions. Among the options are exclusive trips to the hotel's private reserves: Punta Jamón and Estancia La Cumbre at Sierra Baguales Ranch. (B/L/D)

Day 16 - Monday - Puerto Bories: Today select from the excursions as offered by the hotel. In addition to having active excursions you can also explore the history of the pioneers and Patagonia. (B/L/D)

Day 17 - Tuesday - Puerto Bories: One last day to explore the exquisite beauty of the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine and the surrounding area. (B/L/D)

Day 18 - Wednesday - Puerto Bories / Punta Arenas / Puerto Montt: Morning departure by Hotel Singular van for three hour drive south along the rolling steppes of Patagonia to Punta Arenas airport where you catch your flight north along the Andes to Puerto Montt, gateway to the scenic Lake District of Chile and Argentina. Meeting and transfer to Hotel Colonos del Sur for overnight. (B)

Day 19 - Thursday - Puerto Montt - Bariloche: Morning transfer to begin the Lake District crossing. Drive to Petrohue to visit the scenic "rapids" referred to as "waterfalls" and then board your motorlaunch for cruise across spectacular Lake Todos Los Santos, also known as Lake Emerald due to its vivid blue-green coloured waters. The pleasant atmosphere and its natural beauty will impress you. After a two hour journey, arrival in Peulla for motorcoach crossing over the Perez Rosales pass to reach Puerto Frias for Argentine immigration and custom formalities. Then board a launch to cross Lake Frias up to Puerto Alegre for a short bus ride to Puerto Blest where you once again board a launch and cross the beautiful Lake Nahuel Huapi, and Puerto Panuelo for transfer to the El Casco Art Hotel for three night stay. (B)

Day 20 - Friday - Bariloche:   This morning enjoy a scenic 50 km drive skirting Lake Nahuel Huapi and climbing through a forest of coihue trees, a native evergreen, offering views of the Andean peaks. The road then winds along Lake Moreno to a panoramic point which offers breathtaking views of Lakes Moreno & Nahuel Huapi, Victoria Island and the Andes in all their splendor.  You'll also take the chair lift up to the summit of Cerro Campanario for spectacular vistas of the lakes and surrounding forests.  Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace. Many activities exist, such as horseback riding, hiking, biking, rafting and cooking lessons. (B)

Day 21 - Saturday - Bariloche: Day at leisure to explore at your own pace.

Day 22 - Sunday - Bariloche / Buenos Aires / depart to USA: Morning at leisure to explore this charming Alpine-style summer and winter resort town at your own pace or arrange for golf or a spa visit at the hotel. Early afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires where you will change airports and take your international flight back to the US. (B)

Day 23 - Sunday - Arrive USA: Morning arrival in the USA and connect to your home flight.

RATES and DETAILS: