FOUR STAR PATAGONIA ITINERARY FOR ADULT ONLY TRAVELERS

Transcription

1 FOUR STAR PATAGONIA ITINERARY FOR ADULT ONLY TRAVELERS Patatgonia is a sparsely populated region located at the southern end of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile. The region comprises the southern section of the Andes mountains as well as the deserts, pampas and grasslands east of this southern portion of the Andes. Patagonia has two coasts: western facing the Pacific Ocean and eastern facing the Atlantic Ocean. The Colorado and Barrancas rivers, which run from the Andes to the Atlantic, are commonly considered the northern limit of Argentine Patagonia. The archipelago of Tierra del Fuego is sometimes included as part of Patagonia. Most geographers and historians locate the northern limit of Chilean Patagonia at Reloncaví Estuary. CLIMATE OF PATAGONIA Overall climate is cool and dry. The east coast is warmer than the west, especially in summer, as a branch of the southern equatorial current reaches its shores, whereas the west coast is washed by a cold current. However, winters are colder on the inland plateaus east of the slopes and further down the coast on the south east end of the Patagonian region. The name Patagonia comes from the word patagón used by Magellan in 1520 to describe the native people that his expedition thought to be giants. It is now believed that the people he called the Patagons were Tehuelches, who tended to be taller than Europeans of the time. DAY ONE Inbound Calafate, El Chaltén Arrival El Calafate, greet and assistance from the terminal Private transfer from the airport to El Chaltén, a small mountaineering village located beneath the towering Fitz Roy massif in Los Glaciares National Park Afternoon to relax and acquaint yourself with the village of El Chaltén, known as the trekking capital of Argentina due to its incredible location Overnight: El Chaltén DAY TWO El Chaltén Private transfer to the trailhead at El Pilar Embark on a privately guided hiking excursion to Laguna de los Tres with a local trekking expert, gaining insights into the unique flora and fauna of the area and enjoying magnificent views of Mount FitzRoy, Cerro Torre, and Poincenot (if weather permits) Optional: Chinook salmon fishing with an expert fly-fishing guide on Rio de las Vueltas beneath the magnificent Fitz Roy Range (February & March only during the seasonal salmon run). Picnic lunch at a scenic location overlooking the Andes Return to El Chaltén in the afternoon Dinner at La Tapera, a traditional, family-friendly Patagonian eatery that is favorite among locals and travelers alike Overnight: El Chaltén DAY THREE BREAKFAST El Chaltén El Calafate Breakfast at your lodge Private transfer from Lago del Desierto to El Calafate Lunch on your own in El Calafate After lunch on your own in town, visit the Historical Interpretation Center where you will gain insight into thousands of years of Patagonian history dating back to prehistoric times Afterwards, visit the nearby Glaciarium Ice Museum, an extraordinary glacial interpretation center that introduces you to the wonders of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field After exploring the museum, descend to the Glacio Branco Ice Bar for the below-zero beve

2 El Calafate El Calafate is a city in Patagonia, Argentina. It is situated in the southern border of Lake Argentino, in the southwest part of the Santa Cruz Province, about 320 km Northwest of Río Gallegos. The name of the city is derived from a little bush with yellow flowers and dark blue berries that is very common in Patagonia: the calafate (Berberis buxifolia); the word comes from the word calafate, which is Spanish for caulk. El Calafate is an important tourist destination as the hub to visit different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park, including the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Cerro Chaltén and Cerro Torre. Lago Argentino Lago Argentino is a lake in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, at 50 2 S 72 4 W. It is the biggest freshwater lake in Argentina, with a surface area of 1,415 km2 (546 sq mi) (maximum width: 20 mi (32 km)). It has an average depth of 150 m (492 ft), and a maximum depth of 500 m (1,640 ft). The lake lies within the Los Glaciares National Park in a landscape with numerous glaciers and is fed by the glacial meltwater of several rivers, the water from Lake Viedma brought by the La Leona River, and many mountain streams. Its drainage basin amounts to more than 17,000 km2 (6,564 sq mi). Waters from Lake Argentino flow into the Atlantic Ocean through the Santa Cruz River. The glaciers, the nearby town of El Calafate and the lake itself are important tourist destinations. The lake in particular is appreciated for fishing. Perch, common galaxias, puyen grande, lake trout and rainbow trout in both anadromous and Potamodromous forms are all found. National Park, in Chile s Patagonia region, is known for its soaring mountains, bright blue icebergs that cleave from glaciers and golden pampas (grasslands) that shelter rare wildlife such as llama-like guanacos. Some of its most iconic sites are the 3 granite towers from which the park takes its name and the horn-shaped peaks called Cuernos del Paine. age of your choice in a dungeon of glacial ice. While you re there, consider trying a Calafate Sour made from the Calafate berry. According to local legend, those who eat the berry are destined to return to Patagonia Private transfer to your lodge located at a former estancia on the outskirts of El Calafate Overnight: El Calafate DAY FOUR BREAKFAST/LUNCH El Calafate Lago Argentino Private transfer to the port at Punta Bandera in the morning Discover the spirit of the glaciers on a full-day Gourmet Glaciers Luxury Cruise across Lago Argentino featuring visits to the remote Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers Gourmet lunch on the boat Return to Punta Bandera, cruising past deep-blue icebergs and breathtaking scenery along the way Private transfer from Punta Bandera to your hotel Overnight: El Calafate DAY FIVE El Calafate Private transfer to the border crossing at Cerro Castillo, onward to your hotel located in the heart of National Park Lunch at your hotel upon arrival Optional afternoon nearby excursion, or afternoon free to relax and enjoy the beautiful setting Meet with your local expert guides before dinner to select your desired excursion for the following day based on your family s interests and the anticipated weather conditions Overnight: DAY SIX Full-day excursion of your choice in National Park. If weather permits, you may choose to hike to the base of the tow-ers (torres). If weather is unfavorable, you may hike to a cave with indigenous Tehuelche paintings, encountering native guanacos, rhea, and other Andean wildlife (maybe even a puma if you re lucky) Picnic lunch during the excursion Return to your hotel via private shuttle In the evening, meet with your local expert guides to select your desired excursion for the following day based on your family s interests and the anticipated weather conditions Overnight:

3 ELECTRICITY A Chilean plug socket has two cylindrical prongs. The voltage is 220V. CURRENCY Chilean peso LANGUAGES SPOKEN Official Languages are Spanish COUNTRY CODE +56 DAY SEVEN Full-day excursion of your choice in National Park. If weather permits, you may hike through the breathtaking French Valley for an up-close view of the horns ( cuernos ) of the Paine massif and Mount Almirante. Or, for a less strenuous option, set sail across Lago Grey for an up-close view of the Grey Glacier, which is considered by many glaciologists as the most impressive glacier in all of Chilean Patagonia Picnic lunch during the excursion Return to your hotel in the afternoon to relax and enjoy your final evening in Patagonia Overnight: TIME ZONE UTC/GMT -04:00 DAY EIGHT Departure for Home or Extend your Stay Private transfer to the airport in Cusco for return flight Onward to the US (or extend your tour) BREAKFAST

4 Adult Only Travelers PATAGONIA 7-DAY ITINERARY PRICING AND ACCOMODATIONS Rates and availablity will fluctuate according to seasonality. Cost Per Adult for Based on Double Occupancy, Four Travelers from... $5, Cost Per Adult for Based on Double Occupancy, Two Travelers from... $5, Half-Day Goucho Cultural Experience, cost per person from... $ Privately Guided Salmon Fishing by Fitz Roy Range, two people... $ Full-Day Kayaking to the Upsala Glacier, cost per person from... $ Additonal Transfer from to El Calafate... $ El Chaltén Hotel Destino Standard Two, One Nights El Calafate Kau Yatün Hotel & Estancia Superior Room, Two Nights Torres Del Paine Las Torres Garden View Room, Three Nights

5 WHAT S INCLUDED Accommodation with daily breakfast, service charge & government taxes Sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary, including entrance fees Meals as stated in the itinerary All transfers and transportation by private vehicle Services of a driver and a private English speaking guide during all transfers and sightseeing (a different driver and guide in each city) Performances as stated in the itinerary Domestic transportation when specified Porterage at hotels and airports Final documents WHAT S NOT INCLUDED International flights Any accommodations, sightseeing or meals not indicated in the itinerary Excess baggage charges Gratuities to the guides and drivers Travel insurance (recommended) Any expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, minibar charges, telephone charges, etc. Visas if applicable Drinks during meals unless mentioned otherwise International and domestic air flights unless mentioned otherwise Room taxes if applicable DOMESTIC AIR This tour requires round-trip domestic flights from Lima/Cusco, departing Lima on the morning of Day 2 and returning from Cusco to Lima on Day 8. We are happy to assist with the flight booking process to make sure that flight selections work well logistically within the framework of the itinerary. INTERNATIONAL AIR We recommend booking an inbound international flight that arrives in Lima during the evening hours (this should not be difficult as most flights from the US are scheduled this way). For the outbound international flight, we recommend booking an overnight return flight (most international departures from Lima to the United States are over-night flights that depart between 9pm and 1am). ASSISTANCE UPON ARRIVAL After clearing customs, an English-speaking Global CommUnity representative will be expecting you outside of the airport terminal with a sign bearing your name. You will be provided a welcome packet containing additional useful documents and a briefing on your tour before proceeding across the street to the conveniently located Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport Hotel for check-in and overnight. You will meet your tour manager and be provided with all necessary documentation upon arrival in Cusco the following morning (Day 2). PAYMENT POLICIES & CANCELLATION POLICIES Global CommUnity Payment/Deposit Terms: 25% non-refundable deposit required at time of booking. Non-refundable balance due 90 days before departure. If you cancel more than 90 days out from departure, you may lose up to 40% of the deposit (because our hotels and travel providers keep it to feed their children), but 60% of the deposit can be applied toward another Global CommUnity trip taken within 12 months. Travel insurance is recommended to cover non-refundable costs. For reservations made within 90 days of the departure date, full and non-refundable payment is required when the reservation is confirmed. PRICING NOTES All prices listed are per person, in US Dollars and valid for 2017 This is a quotation and does not guarantee availability of service. Prices are subject to change without notice Accommodation is subject to availability unless otherwise stated No actual reservations have been made yet unless stated All rates are subject to reconfirmation if an actual booking is made Rates are subject to change for high season, holidays or festivals held in that particular destination All pick ups and drop offs are for one point only, either airport or one hotel. Any special requests or stops shall be quoted accordingly. Please, note that in each destination we use a local supplier; therefore, vehicle types and capacities may differ. Transfers are calculated on a base of 1 piece of luggage per passenger; groups that exceed this number may require a luggage truck at an additional cost. In case of human or computer error, Global CommUnity reserve the right to re-invoice for the correct price or service. Airport taxes and Fees subject to change prior to ticketing If the suggested hotels are not available at the time of confirmation, Global CommUnity will offer alternative hotels with new rates. Tours/services: prices valid only if booked in advance before departure. We do not guarantee the same prices if tours/extensions are confirmed after client s arrival at theri destination. SPECIAL REQUESTS Specific requests should be advised at time of booking. Please note that every effort will be made to secure special requests, however; they cannot be guaranteed. Any modification of the itinerary will most likely change the price of the trip. TRAVEL INSURANCE Global CommUnity strongly recommend all clients take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to date of travel. This insurance should cover cancellation and curtailment, all medical expenses including evacuation/ repatriation, personal baggage, personal liability, death and permanent disability and travel document insurance. Global CommUnity cannot be held responsible for any costs arising from such loss or injury. PHOTOGRPAHY Room images, hotel images, activity images are representative and may not be exact depictions of the rooms or sights you will experience. ANECDOTAL INFORMATION RESOURCES Worldatlas.com Wikipedia