Argentina Itineraries

Transcription

1 Argentina Itineraries PURE PATAGONIA The best of Argentina & Chile with Australis Cruise 14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS Best season: October to March ITINERARY Valid from Oct 2018 to Mar 2019 VAT REFUNDED Except Christmas & New Year DAY 01- BUENOS AIRES (-/-/D) Meet and greet at Ezeiza International Airport. Transfer to selected hotel. Arrival, check-in and 1 night accommodation, including breakfast. Afternoon you will visit the most important sites of the city during a city tour (3 hours). This sightseeing will allow you to discover the magic of this cosmopolitan city, capital of Argentina. The magnificence of the Northern Quarters, Palermo and the beauty of its parks and buildings, Recoleta with its French style architecture, bars and cafes; the imposing Colon Theater, one of the five most important opera houses in the world; Plaza de Mayo (May Square) surrounded by the Government's House (The Pink House), The Old Cabildo (Town Hall) and the Metropolitan Cathedral; San Telmo, residence of the aristocracy until the turn of the XIX century. The colors of La Boca, picturesque quarter of Italian immigrants; and the fashion area of Port Madero with its many bars &

2 restaurants round off this excursion. PM at leisure to walk around the city. A visit to our emblematic Café Tortoni is a must!! Buenos Aires nightlife provides its own inhabitants and visitors with numerous entertainment possibilities. This evening you will attend an unforgettable tango show performed by the best dancers and singers, while enjoying a delicious meal. This is the perfect way to live Buenos Aires, the city of tango. Return to the hotel. DAY 02 - BUENOS AIRES / USHUAIA (B/-/-) Morning transfer from the hotel to the Domestic Airport to board flight to Ushuaia, the southernmost city of the world. Arrival at Ushuaia Airport. Reception and transfer to selected hotel. Check-in and 1 night accommodation with breakfast. DAY 03 - USHUAIA / AUSTRALIS CRUISE (B/-/D) AM Half day tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park, the only one with maritime coast in the country. Within its 63,000 hectares, we'll find firebushes, beech trees, ñires, box-leafed barberries and flowers such as orchids, violets and other species. Bordering the mountains we'll follow a road were peat bogs and beaver dams can be appreciated. After crossing the Lapataia River, we' ll have a magnificent view of Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) and the upland geese and ibis that come here every summer. A walk along the path up to Laguna Negra (Black Lagoon) or the Beavers' Path will be suggested at that point. At Lapataia Bay (end of National Route Nr.3) we'll appreciate the testimony of the original inhabitants of the Island (the Yamanas) in an interesting archaeological place: the "concheros". On the way back to Ushuaia, we'll make a brief stop at Lake Roca, whose colour varies according to the weather. Afternoon transfer to Australis Cruise office to do check in. Time at leisure till you board the AUSTRALIS CRUISE, the Great Adventure starts today!! After a welcoming toast and introduction of captain and crew, the ship departs for one of the most remote corners of planet Earth. During the night we traverse the Beagle Channel and cross from Argentine into Chilean territorial waters. The lights of Ushuaia disappear as we turn into the narrow Murray Channel between Navarino and Hoste islands. DAY 04 - ON BOARD AUSTRALIS CRUISE CAPE D HORN WULAIA BAY (B/L/D) By early morning, Ventus Australis is cruising across Nassau Bay into the remote archipelago that includes Cape Horn National Park. Weather and sea conditions permitting, we shall go ashore on the windswept island that harbors legendary Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos). Discovered in 1616 by a Dutch maritime expedition -- and named after the town of Hoorn in West Friesland -- Cape Horn is a sheer 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic, and was often referred to as the "End of the Earth." The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in The Chilean navy maintains a permanent lighthouse on the island, staffed by a lightkeeper and his family, as well as the tiny Stella Maris Chapel and modern Cape Horn Monument. Sailing back across Nassau Bay, we anchor at fabled Wulaia Bay, one of the few places in the archipelago where the human history is just as compelling as the natural environment. Originally the site of one of the region s largest Yámana aboriginal settlements, the bay was described by Charles Darwin and sketched by Captain FitzRoy in the 1830s during their voyages on the HMS Beagle. This area is also renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and dramatic geography. After a visit to the Australis-sponsored museum in the old radio station -- which is especially strong on the Yámana people and European missionaries in the area -- passengers have a choice of three hikes (of increasing degrees of difficulty) that ascend the heavily wooden mountain behind the bay. On all of these you will be strolling through an enchanted Magellan forest of lengas, coigües, canelos, ferns, and other endemic fauna to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. Before leaving Wulaia Bay, drop something into the wooden mail barrel inside the museum letters or postcards meant to be hand delivered by future travelers an ancient mariner tradition revived by Australis. DAY 05 ON BOARD AUSTRALIS CRUISE PIA GLACIER & GARIBALDI GLACIER (B/L/D) Casting off from Wulaia Bay, we retrace our route to the Beagle Channel and sail westward along the southern edge of Tierra del Fuego into a section of Alberto de Agostini National Park called Glacier Alley or Avenue of the Glaciers. Flowing down from the Darwin Mountains and Darwin Ice Sheet are a number of impressive tidewater glaciers, most of them named after European countries -- Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain and France. In amongst this frozen league of nations we enter the narrow Pia Fjord and board the Zodiacs for a shore excursion to Pia Glacier. No one knows for certain how the hulking glacier got its feminine moniker, but one theory says it was named for princess Maria Pia of Savoy ( ), daughter of the Italian king. After

3 disembarking we take a hort hike to gain a panoramic view of the spectacular glacier, which extends from the mountaintops down to the sea or a longer much more difficult walk up a lateral moraine of the old Pia Glacier. Making our way further west along the Beagle Channel, we enter another long fjord and drop anchor near Garibaldi Glacier for another shore excursion. Garibaldi is one of only three glaciers in Patagonia gaining mass rather than staying the same or slowly shrinking. This time we hike through virgin Magellanic forest to a glacial waterfall, a towering wall of ferns and moss, and spectacular viewpoints looking down on the glacier and fjord. The walk is demanding -- very steep, negligible trail, rough footing -- and not for everyone. For those who choose to stay onboard, our captain will point the bow towards the beautiful sky blue Garibaldi Glacier so everyone can enjoy the panoramic view from the upper decks. DAY 06 ON BOARD AUSTRALIS CRUISE AGOSTINI SOUND AGUILA GLACIER CONDOR GLACIER (B/L/D) Early in the morning, we will sail through the Cockburn Channel and enter Agostini Sound. From there it is possible to see the glaciers that descend from the middle of the Darwin Mountain Range -- some of them reaching the water. This morning, we will disembark and go for an easy walk around a lagoon, which was formed by the melting of the Águila Glacier. We will reach a spot right in front of that glacier with stunning views. In the afternoon, we will approach the Condor Glacier via Zodiac -- and hopefully see some of the abundant Andean Condors in the area. DAY 07 ON BOARD AUSTRALIS CRUISE MAGDALENA ISLAND - PUNTA ARENAS / PUERTO NATALES (B/-/-) After an overnight cruise that takes us back into the Strait of Magellan, we anchor off Magdalena Island, which lies about halfway between Tierra del Fuego and the Chilean mainland. Crowned by a distinctive lighthouse, the island used to be an essential source of supplies for navigators and explorers and is inhabited by an immense colony of Magellanic penguins. At the break of dawn, weather permitting, we go ashore and hike a path that leads through thousands of penguins to a small museum lodged inside the vintage 1902 lighthouse. Many other bird species are also found on the island. In September and April -- when the penguins dwell elsewhere this excursion is replaced by a ride aboard Zodiacs to Marta Island to observe South American sea lions. After a short sail south along the strait, disembarkation at Punta Arenas is scheduled for around 11:30 AM. Meet & greet at Punta Arenas Pier and transfer to Puerto Natales. Arrival at Puerto Natales and 2 night accommodation at selected hotel, including breakfast. Evening at leisure DAY 08 - PUERTO NATALES / TORRES DEL PAINE / PUERTO NATALES (B/-/-) Visiting the Patagonia without going to Torres del Paine National Park is almost a sin. This tour departs at 8 AM from your lodging place in Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park. The first stop will be the millenary Milodon Cave, a huge natural ground accident with an incalculable anthropological value, which is believed to have been inhabited by the primitive Patagonian man, and the Milodon, an extinct herbivorous animal. Once 30 minutes have elapsed and 36 km have been traveled, the second stop will be made: Cerro Castillo, where passengers will be able to enjoy cafeteria services. A perfect preamble to later arrive to Torres del Paine National Park through the Amarga Lagoon area, a stunning scenery where you can enjoy watching red foxes and condors which usually are part of the beautiful panoramic views of the Paine mountain range. What comes next is even more impressive. Following the route, you can see the Nordenskjold and Pehoé lakes, together with groups of guanacos and lesser rheas or ñandúes. The journey continues with a 10 minute hike, where it is possible to discover the astonishing Salto Grande (Large waterfall) to continue through the front of the imposing horns towards the Grey lake area. A stop will be made at the Grey inn to have lunch. During the afternoon, the tour continues towards the glacier area, where an approximate one-and-a-half-hour stop will be made, as well as a beautiful hike among forests of lengas and breathtaking ice floes of the Grey glacier. Return to the hotel by late afternoon. Evening at leisure. DAY 09 PUERTO NATALES / EL CALAFATE (B/-/-) Early transfer from Puerto Natales Bus Station to El Calafate, on a 5 hours trip through the magnificent Patagonian Steppe. Arrival at El Calafate, check-in at selected hotel and 2 night accommodation with breakfast.

4 DAY 10 EL CALAFATE (B/-/-) Morning visit to Perito Moreno Glacier, located within the Glaciers National Park, 80 kms from El Calafate. The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the main natural beauties of Argentina. Due to its wonder it has been declared by UNESCO a World Natural Heritage in Arriving at the Glaciers' balconies, visitors will spend about 4 hours walking along pathways and admiring it from different viewpoints. Framed by a beautiful landscape of mountains, lakes and forests, the Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the most spectacular scenes of nature. It owes its fame to its continuous movement, which produces a cyclical phenomenon of advance and backward motion with amazing ice toppling. Return to the hotel by late afternoon. DAY 11 EL CALAFATE / EL CHALTEN (B/-/-) Early transfer from El Calafate Bus Station to El Chalten on a 3 hours trip (220kms). El Chalten is located in Lake Argentino Department, on the northern margin of Lake Viedma within Los Glaciares National Park. It was founded in this place for geopolitical reasons. The town was set inside the one hundred hectares of protected area assigned to this issue. Originally, the name of Chaltén which means blue mountain or smoking mountain -, was given by the tehuelches (former inhabitants of southern continental Patagonia) to the famous Mount Fitz Roy for its unmistakable and magnificent silhouette always covered by a cloud, which made them think of smoke. The breathtaking natural wonders give life to this young tourist village, which is becoming the new World Trekking Mecca. Arrival, check-in and 2 night accommodation at selected hotel. Evening to relax and prepare for an amazing trek!! DAY 12 EL CHALTEN (B/-/-) Today you ll have the chance of experience an amazing selfguided trek that can be selected from the menu below, you won t believe your eyes!!! FULL DAY TREKS MENU RIO BLANCO Difficulty: Medium Duration: 8 hours Description: Short drive to Hostería El Pilar next to Río Blanco 11 miles north of El Chaltén. The trail follows Río Blanco, pass Piedras Blancas glacier and up to Rio Blanco base camp. Piedras Blancas glacier is a hanging glacier that descends from the base of Fritz Roy. Lunch stoop will be in the vicinity of Río Blanco or Poicenot base camp. To return to town the group will follow the trail and pass Laguna Capri to enjoy even more view of mount Fitz Roy. Distance to cover: 18 km Elevation: 400 meters PLIEGUE TUMBADO Difficulty: Medium Duration: 7 hours Description: Walk through the little village and pass the Ranger Station where the Visitors Centre that you may visit is located. Pliegue Tumbado is a ridge and a summit that offers views of both Cerro Torre and mount Fitz Roy. It is also a less visited area of the park and it is well worth the effort of the climb. Distance to cover: 24 km Elevation: 1000 meters PIEDRA DEL FRAILE Difficulty: Low Duration: 6 hours Description: Short drive to Rio Eléctrico, 12 miles north of El Chaltén. This walk leads through beech forest and riverbeds to Refugio los Troncos, Piedra del Fraile. The place chosen by priest A. D Agostini to set camp during his exploration and climbs in the los Troncos, Piedra del Fraile. Distance to cover: 12 km Elevation: 135 meters

5 TORRE LAGOON Difficulty: Medium Duration: 7 hours Description: Hike along the Río Fitz Roy valley to reach the Laguna Torre at the end of the valley. Get as close as non-climbers can get to the mystical Cerro Torre. You will also visit the base camp where climbers wait for the good weather to attempt the climb. Distance to cover: 22 km Elevation: 250 meters Return to the hotel by late afternoon. Evening to relax after an exhausting but outstanding experience!! DAY 13 EL CHALTEN / EL CALAFATE / BUENOS AIRES (B/-/-) Early transfer to El Chalten Bus Station to take the bus back to El Calafate. Immediate transfer to El Calafate Airport to board flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival and transfer to selected hotel for 1 night accommodation. Evening at leisure to enjoy the city nightlife which is considered one of the most actives in the world!! DAY 14 - BUENOS AIRES / HOME (B/-/-) After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight back home. END OF SERVICES

6 HOTEL VALIDITY SGL DBL ALVEAR ART (BUE) LOS CAUQUENES (USH) THE SINGULAR (PNT) XELENA (FTE) LOS CERROS (CHN) (1) ***** SAVOY (BUE) FUEGUINO PATAGONICO (USH) COSTAUSTRALIS (PNT) ALTO CALAFATE (FTE) DESTINO SUR (CHN) **** Sup AMERIAN BUENOS AIRES (BUE) ALTOS DE USHUAIA (USH) WESKAR (PNT) SIERRA NEVADA (FTE) POINCENOT (CHN) ****Std High Season Low Season High Season Low Season High Season Low Season EXTRA NIGHT SGL DBL O.R. O.R. O.R. O.R. O.R. O.R. Prices are net, per person and are expressed in US dollars. Rates are not valid for Christmas and New Year. Prices do not include: - Air tickets and Airport taxes. - Los Glaciares National Park entrance fee. - Tierra del Fuego National Park entrance fee. - Port tax, migration fee and National Parks conservation fee, please consider USD 60.- net per person. (1) Los Cerros Hotel opens on November 01 st - Minimum 02 pax, supplement for single passenger travelling alone: USD Departures Australis Cruise 2018/2019 Ushuaia/Punta Arenas (4 nights): High Season Nov 2018: 01/05/09/13/17/21/25/29 Dec 2018: 03/07/11/15/19/23/27/31 - January 2019: 04/08/12/16/20/24/28 February 2019: 01/05/09/13/17/21/25 March 2019: 01/05/09/13. Low Season October 2018: 08/16/20/24/28 - March 2019: 17/21/25/29. Optional Tours: - Buenos Aires H. D. Tigre and Delta: USD 36.- F. D. Gaucho s Festival: USD El Chalten H. D. Chalten Trek (with lunch): USD F. D. Desert Lake (with box lunch): USD F. D. Fitz Roy & Laguna de los Tres (with box lunch): USD F. D. Laguna Cerro Torre (with box lunch): USD 163.-

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