Cruising Antarctica, Chile & Argentina

Transcription

1 Cruising Antarctica, Chile & Argentina January 7 31, 2020 Tour Includes: Escorted sightseeing by cruise ship and luxury coach Webb Tours Director throughout and local guides along the way 1 night in Santiago, Chile before the cruise and a chance to see Buenos Aires, Argentina after the cruise 22-day cruise on Holland America Zaandam ALL meals on the ship plus breakfast daily when not on the ship. Sightseeing Highlights: 8 days and 4 Ports of Call in Chile: o Santiago/Vina del Mar o Puerto Montt o Castro, Isle Chiloe o Puerto Chacabuco PLUS, cruising Glaciers and Fjords Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn 4 days Cruising in Antarctica Wildlife: Whales, Penguins, Seals Ports of Call in Falkland Islands, Argentina (3 Ports) and Uruguay Time to enjoy Buenos Aires after the cruise Tips for baggage handling, taxes and hotel gratuities except gratuity to your local guides A valid passport is required for this tour Glacier in the Chilean Fjords Featuring places like Antarctica (above), Chilean Fjords, Amalia or Bruno Glacier, Falkland Islands, Buenos Aires, Santiago & More! Pricing Information (Prices are per person based on number of persons sharing a cabin on the ship)* Two in a Room (cruise only)..$4,585 Three in a Room (cruise only)... $4,095 *The above prices do not include international airfare and air taxes. Air will be reserved by Spring, We anticipate the airfare to be about $1,700 each. The tour will be fully escorted. We ll enjoy time in Santiago, Chile before the cruise and Buenos Aires after the cruise. We ll offer private excursions in each of the ports and a guide will be along to make sure you get the most out of your cruise. Prices vary depending on stateroom category and are included in this brochure. BOOK EARLY for best stateroom locations. Deposits are fully refundable until September 15, We hope you can join us.

2 The Dream of Antarctica Antarctica is on the bucket list for many people. This cruise is an opportunity to not only visit Antarctica but to also experience the wild untamed beauty of the Chilean coast. Dazzling natural beauty that is best seen by ship: spectacular Fjords (similar to Norway), incredible Glaciers, snowcapped peaks, Dolphins and Sea Lions in the water. Whales will be spotted throughout the trip. There are two different ways to tour Antarctica: by cruise ship or by a much smaller boat. Webb Tours has chosen to do a cruise ship for primarily because of comfort (sailing the Drake Passage in a smaller boat can be very unsettling). In addition, it gives us the opportunity to also visit Chile, Falkland Islands and some highlights in Argentina. AND it is more affordable as the smaller ships are very expensive. While we don t exit the ship in Antarctica, we get to spend four days cruising in Antarctica (details on those days later in the brochure). The beauty of this region is easily enjoyed from the comfort (and warmth) of our luxurious cruise ship and we have naturalists on board that will make the experience education and rewarding. Why do we go in January? During January it is the middle of summer in Antarctica: days are longer, the temperatures are at their warmest and the wildlife is active everywhere: penguins, seals, and seabirds. We know it s a big investment. We pledge to do all we can to make it the trip of a lifetime We hope you can join us. Daily Itinerary: January 7: This afternoon, we gather at the Salt Lake Airport (or other gateway cities) for our flight to Dallas/Fort Worth. In the evening, we ll board our flight from Dallas to San Antonio (Santiago) Chile. Those joining us from other cities will meet us in Dallas and fly with us to Chile. January 8: Welcome to Santiago de Chile! Our flight arrives in the morning hours today and it will be important that we stay awake. A local guide and luxury coach will meet us to show us around as there are many interesting things to see in this important South American capitol. We ll then have a nice welcome dinner together this evening. January 9: This morning we ll drive out to the port town of Vina del Mar where we ll take in the beautiful scenery and give you time for lunch along the waterfront. It s a charming area. We ll then transfer to the pier where we ll board Holland America s Zaandam to begin our memorable cruise. The Zaandam is a 781-foot-long ship with about 1,400 passengers. This is significantly smaller than most cruise ships, the largest ship sailing today is 1188 feet long and carries 6,680 passengers. Holland America is famous for unmatched service, excellent cuisine and creative itineraries with stops at more ports. It will be our floating resort for 22 days. We sail out of San Antonio tonight enjoying a delicious dinner. The Zaandam has naturalists on board who will be speaking during the four days in Antarctica. Besides the naturalists, the Zaandam has a couple of unique free programs on board that are worth mentioning: Explorations Central Transform Your Travel Experience: Discover the connections that unite us across borders and cultures. Explorations Central (EXC ) is immersive onboard programing designed to make your journey more engaging, vivid and meaningful. From EXC Talks, to EXC Encounters to a chat with your EXC Guide, you ll feel the spirit of a region come to life. America's Test Kitchen Holland America Line guests can experience America s Test Kitchen s enticing array of live onboard cooking shows and hands-on workshops. NOTE: We recommend that you see Santiago and Vina del Mar. However, if you choose NOT to see these areas, you can depart the USA on January 8 and go straight to the ship on January 9).

3 January 10: At sea today along the west coast of Chile as we become familiar with our ship and enjoy the scenery. January 11: Today we spend all day in Puerto Montt, Chile. At each of the ports, you can do your own thing, chose an excursion offered by the ship or join us on our private Webb Tours excursion. Puerto Montt is a port city in southern Chile s Lake District, known as a gateway to the Andes mountains, beautiful lakes and the Patagonian fjords. Our excursion today will focus on the NATURE in this area including snow-capped volcanoes, stunning green landscapes and beautiful lakes and waterfalls. January 12: Today dawns in Castro, Ilsa Chiloe, Chile. Castro is a city on Chiloé Island in Chile's Lake District. Colorful wooden stilt houses line the waterfront. On Plaza de Armas, the yellow, early-20th-century San Francisco Church has 2 steeples and a distinctive wooden interior. Nearby, woven baskets are sold at the craft fair. The Museum of Modern Art Chiloé displays works by Chilean artists. To the west, Chiloé National Park is home to sea lions and other treasures in the area. January 13: Today you wake up in Puerto Chacabuco, Chile! Puerto Chacabuco is a town in Patagonia, southern Chile, known as a jumping-off point for the Aysén fjords. To the northeast is Lake Los Palos, with views of snowy mountains. The forested Simpson River National Reserve, home to cougars, is in the southeast. The nearby town of Coyhaique has a craft market selling handmade items. We ll enjoy some of the variety in the area today. Castro, Chile January 14: An at Sea Day - - Enjoy a relaxing day cruising the Chilean Fjords. Much like the Norwegian coastline, the west coast of Chile is sliced by dramatic inlets, or fjords, lined with rugged mountains and glaciercovered valleys. This spectacular stretch of coastline starts roughly halfway down the long spine of Chile and extends south to the very end of the continent, at Tierra del Fuego. It's a distance of some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles), as the crow flies. Travel here, however, is never in a straight line instead ships follow meandering paths along the many fjords and channels. The area is known for its desolate beauty and the stunning scenery of this windswept, dramatic land and its unusual animal residents. It s one of the highlights of the cruise. January 15: At Sea cruising the Amalia or Brujo Glacier and then following the Canal Sarmiento. Amalia or Bruno Glacier: Ice and weather determine where the boat will sail. That s what it all comes down to as ships make their way through this part of the world. On Chile s coast along the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, ice buildup and weather conditions heavily dictate which routes ships can take. Snug in a parka, and from the comfort of your ship deck, you marvel at the different appearances of the glaciers, from fields pocked with lumps of ice to smooth watery rivulets, all in hues of blue too numerous to describe. But any time of the day, you re guaranteed a backdrop of snowcapped peaks while you observe small Peale s dolphins and sea lions as well as terns, albatrosses and other seabirds going about their daily business around you. Canal Sarmiento: One of the main channels in Patagonia, the Sarmiento Channel runs in a north-south direction, starting at the Guía Narrows and finishing at the southern edge of Victoria Pass, where it joins the Smyth Channel. In many places, massive glaciers run down to the sea. All kinds of marine animals, including Magellanic penguins, southern elephant seals, dolphins and orcas, can be seen along these shores. January 16: An action-packed day: Cruising the Strait of Magellan, docking for 12 hours in Punta Arenas and cruising both the Cockburn Channel and the Beagle Channel. Strait of Magellan: Before the Panama Canal, there was the Strait of Magellan. This cinematic channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans cuts between the mainland tip of South America and Tierra del Fuego island. It was the passage of choice for seafaring transport between these Canal Sarmiento

4 two oceans until the Panama Canal shortened the distance by thousands of miles in Impressive glacial and mountainous scenery, the colonies of Magellanic penguins, pods of humpback whales and schools of Commerson s and Peale s dolphins all surely as equally agog with the presence of man in this Patagonian paradise. With photogenic Punta Arenas as its main port, the Strait of Magellan is a bucket-list voyage for intrepid adventurers the world over. Punta Arenas is a city near the tip of Chile's southernmost Patagonia region. Located on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it's often used as base for excursions to the surrounding wilderness and Antarctica. The Plaza Muñoz Gamero has a memorial to explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and the Museo Nao Victoria features a replica of one of his galleons. Cockburn Channel: The channel is part of the route that connects the Strait of Magellan to the Beagle Channel, while along both sides of the waterway is one of the crown jewels of Chile s network of parks: Alberto de Agostini National Park. The coastline here is rich in fjords and glaciers. The Pia Fjord is especially beautiful, as dozens of waterfalls cascade down the slopes into its waters. If you watch long enough, you may see huge chunks of ice calve off Pia Glacier and fall into the sea. Beagle Channel/Glacier Alley: As alleys go, this one is mighty long. Glacier Alley or, as it s more elegantly known, Avenue of the Glaciers stretches along a good portion of the celebrated 240- kilometer-long (150-mile-long) Beagle Channel in the vast territory of Tierra del Fuego. You will be treated to one stunning glacier after another, each flowing down from massive mountain ranges and peaks. Along with all these natural wonders, a visit to Glacier Alley comes with opportunities to see penguin rookeries, humpback whales and seals. January 17: Today we spend the morning cruising Glacier Alley before arriving in Ushuaia, Argentina in the early afternoon. Ushuaia is a resort town in Argentina. It's located on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the southernmost tip of South America, nicknamed the End of the World. The windswept town, perched on a steep hill, is surrounded by the Martial Mountains and the Beagle Channel. It's the gateway to Antarctica cruises by smaller boats. January 18 &19: Today we set sail for Antarctica. Two days at Sea. We round Cape Horn and follow the Drake Passage. Cape Horn and Drake Passage: Thanks to its location on one of the southernmost points in South America Cape Horn has played a major role in navigational history. The Strait of Magellan to the north was discovered first, but that route s narrow width was challenging to navigate. Cape Horn, discovered by the Dutch in 1615, became the primary route for trade ships traveling from Europe or the east side of the Americas to the American West Coast. Cape Horn marks the entrance to the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Until the Panama Canal opened in 1914, this was one of the planet s major shipping routes. Strong winds, currents, waves and icebergs made the passage fairly treacherous in the days of sailing ships. Even today, rounding the Horn remains a challenge for the many yacht races that pass through its icy waters.

5 January 20, 21, 22, & 23: This is what we came for: Antarctica! We spend four days at Sea sailing through Antarctica. After a day and a half crossing the Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica, your Holland America ship will arrive at the White Continent. You ll begin your Antarctic Expedition sailing through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here. January 24: A day at Sea as we head North to the Falkland Islands. Not much to see, but a great day to enjoy all of the amenities on the boat. January 25: Today we are docked in Stanley, Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a remote South Atlantic archipelago. With rugged terrain and cliff-lined coasts, its hundreds of islands and islets are home to sheep farms and abundant birdlife. The capital, Stanley, sits on East Falkland, the largest island. The town's Falkland Islands Museum has themed galleries devoted to maritime exploration, natural history, the 1982 Falklands War and other subjects. January 26: Another relaxing day at sea as we head North to Argentina. January 27: Today, you wake up in Puerto Madryn, Argentina. Puerto Madryn is an Argentine city on the coast of northern Patagonia. Its sandy beaches and restaurant-lined promenade face Golfo Nuevo bay, where southern right whales breed from May to December. Ecocentro is a clifftop museum with exhibits on Patagonian nature, and a lighthouse-style tower for ocean views. Across the bay, rocky Valdes Peninsula is home to penguins and elephant seals, which are preyed on by orcas.

6 January 28: The last day at Sea. We are sailing along the east coast of Argentina. January 29: Today, we arrive in Montevideo, Uruguay Montevideo, Uruguay s capital, is a major city along Montevideo Bay. It revolves around the Plaza de la Independencia, once home to a Spanish citadel. This plaza leads to Ciudad Vieja (the old town), with art deco buildings, colonial homes and landmarks including the towering Palacio Salvo and neoclassical performance hall Solís Theatre. Mercado del Puerto is an old port market filled with many steakhouses. January 30-31: Today, we arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We spend the night of the 30 th on the boat and debark on the 31 st. Buenos Aires is Argentina s big, cosmopolitan capital city. Its center is the Plaza de Mayo, lined with stately 19th-century buildings including Casa Rosada, the iconic, balconied presidential palace. Other major attractions include Teatro Colón, a grand 1908 opera house with nearly 2,500 seats, and the modern MALBA museum, displaying Latin American art. Tour Pricing (per person) based on different stateroom categories: Stateroom Category Price for 1 st & 2 nd passengers Price for 3 rd passenger Category L Inside lower decks $4,585 $3,115 Category K/J Inside upper decks $4.645 $3,115 Category F/FF: Ocean View $4,995 $3,115 Category E/EE: Ocean View (higher on ship) $5,175 $3,115 Category B/BB Verandah Stateroom $8,895 $3,195 Above prices include 22-day cruise on the Zaandam, all port charges, taxes and government fees Price per person for Santiago ADD ON (1-night hotel, 2 meals, Santiago/Vina Del Mar): $295 Airfare and Shore Excursions are additional Shore excursions and air prices available in the spring of 2019.

7 Registration Information: To make a reservation, simply fill out the attached reservation form and send it to us with a deposit of $400 per person. When we receive your deposit, we will mail you a receipt confirming that you are registered for the tour. A letter with instructions, hotel itinerary flight information (if applicable) and luggage tags will be sent 90 days prior to departure at which time the balance will be due. You do not need to pay the balance until after you receive that packet. We require final payments in the form of a check. If that is not possible, arrangements can be made to use a credit card. Webb Tours accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover. A 2% surcharge will be added for credit card payments. Cancellation Penalties We understand that you may need to cancel your trip for whatever reason. If it is 95 days or more before departure, all money will be refunded. If it is within 95 days, the following schedule applies (subject to change without notice): days prior $400 per person + insurance + any applicable airline fees days prior $700 per person + insurance + any applicable airline fees days prior 50% of total cost + insurance + any applicable airline fees 30 7 days prior 85% of total cost + insurance + any applicable airline fees Less than 7 days prior 100% of total cost + insurance + any applicable airline fees For airlines, specifically, tickets are generally non refundable when purchased. However, most airlines will allow the value of the canceled tickets to be reused for future travel, though a penalty may be assessed to reuse the tickets. If you have to cancel, Webb Tours will work with other providers to obtain as much refund as possible for our travelers. Our travelers know us to be very fair in this regard. Cancellation Insurance: To avoid cancellation penalties, cancellation insurance may be purchased. Insurance will reimburse you for the nonrefundable cancellation penalties imposed if you must cancel your trip for a covered reason like illness, injury or death to you, a traveling companion or an immediate family member. Other reasons for cancellation include Common Carrier-caused delays due to inclement weather, jury duty, or a documented traffic accident en route to departure. Price of the insurance depends on your stateroom category as follows: Categories J, K, L (Inside Staterooms): Categories E, EE, F, FF (Ocean View): Categories B, BB Balcony: $319 per person $389 per person $649 per person Insurance may be purchased any time up to the point you make your final payment. Insurance cannot be purchased after your final payment is made. Webb Tours is not the insurer and acts as agent for the insurance company. To activate your insurance, we need your premium and your birth date. Currency Fluctuation: Webb Tours reserves the right to adjust the rates if necessary, in order to reflect currency fluctuations larger than 10% from those used in our tour price. This is not likely to happen, but we must protect against it. A shift of that magnitude would quickly erase our tour profits. Of course, if the fluctuation moves in the opposite direction, we will reduce your tour price. Mail deposit and enclosed reservation form to: WEBB TOURS 2378 Evergreen Avenue Salt Lake City, UT Tel. (801) or Toll Free