MIT Alumni Travel Program presents PATAGONIAN FRONTIERS Argentina and Chile by Land & Sea February 27-March 16, 2013 A Small Group Tour for MIT Alumni and Friends 18 days from $7,551 total price from Miami ($6,795 air, land & cruise inclusive plus $756 airline taxes and departure fees)
Dear MIT Alumni and Friends, Join fellow alumni on a tour to Patagonia, discovering by land and sea the remarkable diversity of southernmost South America. Accompanied by a seasoned tour director, you ll visit major cities, explore national parks, and cruise Cape Horn. Begin with comprehensive sightseeing in Buenos Aires, the lively capital of Argentina. Then fly south to Ushuaia, the world s southernmost urban center, and board the M/V Via Australis to explore the channels and glaciers of southern Chile. Visit Magdalena Island, home to an immense colony of Magellanic penguins, and end your cruise at Punta Arenas. Travel overland and discover the wonders of Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most unspoiled and spectacular nature preserves on Earth. A three-night stay in Chile s Lake District includes visits to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Waterfalls in Vicente Rosales National Park. The tour concludes with two days in the Chilean capital of Santiago. An optional three day/two night pre-tour option to the iconic Iguazu Falls is also available. Space on this tour is limited and will fill quickly, so we urge you to register today. If you have any questions, or wish to make a reservation, please call the MIT Alumni Travel Program at 800-992-6749 or email us at compass@mit.edu. You may also contact the tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., at 888-370-6765. Sincerely, Melissa Chapman Gresh Director, MIT Alumni Travel Program P.S. Please visit our website at http://alum.mit.edu/travel for details and updates on all of our programs. MIT Alumni Travel Program Reservation Form: PATAGONIAN FRONTIERS Enclosed is my/our deposit for $ ($500 per person) for person/people on Patagonian Frontiers departing February 27, 2013. I/we understand the final payment is due at least 95 days prior to departure (but no later than November 24, 2012). Payment may be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA or by personal check. Please make check payable to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and send (with completed reservation form) to: MIT Alumni Travel Program, 600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, or call the MIT Alumni Travel Program at 800-992-6749. Or contact the tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, at 888-370-6765. Full Passport Name Date of Birth Gender Badge Name MIT Affiliation Full Passport Name Date of Birth Gender Badge Name MIT Affiliation Address City State ZIP Home Ph. ( ) Cell Ph. ( ) E-mail Please book my/our air from I will share a room with I/we request a Business Class upgrade q I request a single room (limited availability) q I/we request cabin upgrade to category Pre-Tour Iguazu Falls Option: Please sign me/us up q Please Note: The undersigned has read the schedule of activities for Patagonian Frontiers, February 27-March 16, 2013, and agrees that his/her signature below represents their acceptance of the General Terms & Conditions. Signature(s) Date Method of Payment q Check q American Express q Discover q MasterCard q VISA Account # Security Code Exp. Date / Name of Cardholder Signature Final invoicing will be sent by our tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. The balance of the program price must be paid to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. Final payment is due by November 24, 2012 and is payable by check or credit card.
Tour membership limited to 24 MIT alumni and friends Patagonian Frontiers Argentina and Chile by Land & Sea 18 days from $7,551 total price from Miami ($6,795 air, land & cruise inclusive plus $756 airline taxes and departure fees) E njoy the rare privilege of face-to-face encounters with two of the world s last great frontiers: the majestic fjords and glaciers of Southern Patagonia on a small-ship cruise; and the stunningly dramatic scenery of Torres del Paine on a three-night stay at the park. Along with visits to Buenos Aires and Santiago, discover the remarkable diversity of South America. Pacific Ocean Puerto Montt/ Puerto Varas Santiago ARGENTINA Buenos Aires Iguazu Falls Atlantic Ocean Wednesday, February 27: Depart U.S. for Buenos Aires, Argentina Thursday, February 28: Arrive Buenos Aires After arriving in this lively city this morning, transfer to the hotel to rest before this afternoon s short walking tour followed by a welcome briefing. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner. B,D CHILE Torres del Paine Punta Arenas Cape Horn Ushuaia Avg. High ( F) Feb Mar Buenos Aires 83 79 Ushuaia 56 54 Santiago 84 80 Destination Air Motorcoach Cruise Extension (air) Entry/Departure Small Group Tour Highlights Buenos Aires sightseeing Argentine dinner and tango show Three-night Southern Patagonia cruise Beagle Channel, Cape Horn, Strait of Magellan Zodiac excursions up close to glaciers Penguin colony on Magdalena Island Three-night stay in Torres del Paine with excursions Chile s Lake District, including Vicente Rosales Park, Osorno Volcano, Petrohue Waterfalls Santiago touring Home-hosted dinner with Santiago families Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 2/27 Depart U.S. for Buenos Aires 2/28-3/2 Buenos Aires Savoy Hotel Sup. First Class 3/3 Ushuaia Los Acebos Hotel First Class 3/4-3/6 Patagonia M/V Via Australis cruise Sup. First Class 3/7-3/9 Torres Hosteria del Paine Las Torres First Class 3/10-3/12 Puerto Varas Hotel Gran Colonos del Sur Sup. First Class 3/13-3/14 Santiago Atton El Bosque Sup. First Class 3/15 Depart for U.S. (overnight flight) 3/16 Arrive U.S. Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference. Friday, March 1: Buenos Aires This morning s city tour features the lovely mansions and parks of Palermo, the colorful bohemian district of La Boca, picturesque San Telmo, elegant Recoleta cemetery, and historic Government House. Tonight visit the legendary Esquina Carlos Gardel, one of the city s premier tango houses, for dinner and a performance. B,D Saturday, March 2: Buenos Aires Today is at leisure to explore the city on your own. B Sunday, March 3: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia Fly to Ushuaia, Argentina, the world s southernmost urban center. After checking in at the hotel, tour this windswept city on the Beagle Channel. B Monday, March 4: Ushuaia This morning s excursion takes us to Tierra del Fuego National Park, a 155,676-acre nature preserve with Andes peaks, rivers, glacial lakes, forest, and wildlife. Late this afternoon, board the ship for an early evening cruise through the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego. B,D Tuesday, March 5: Cruising Cape Horn/ Wulaia Bay Enjoy the views of one of the world s last unspoiled frontiers as we cruise through the Beagle and Murray channels to Cape Horn National Park. The spot where the Atlantic and Pacific merge, the sheer promontory of Cape Cover photo: Spend two days exploring unspoiled Torres del Paine National Park.
Explore the stunning natural scenery of Patagonia with visits to Torres del Paine and Vicente Rosales National Parks. Horn rises some 1,400 feet from the roiling waters below. This afternoon take a guided walk along sheltered Wulaia Bay. B,L,D Wednesday, March 6: Cruising Agostini Sound/Aguila Glacier This morning cruise through several channels to enter the spectacular Agostini Sound, where massive glaciers flow down the mountainside. Later take inflatable Zodiacs to Aguila Glacier, which you approach via an easy walk on the shore of a lagoon. B,L,D Thursday, March 7: Cruising Magdalena Island/Punta Arenas/Torres del Paine Early this morning visit Magdalena Island, home to an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins. Then cruise to Punta Arenas, disembark, and board the motorcoach for the journey to Torres del Paine National Park. B,L,D Friday, March 8: Torres del Paine National Park Today encounter breathtaking Torres del Paine, a 700-square-mile World Biosphere Reserve and one of the most unspoiled and beautiful nature preserves on Earth. Spend the day exploring this unparalleled landscape of jagged peaks, ice-blue glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing rivers, and thunderous waterfalls. Lunch today is at magnificent Lago Grey. B,L,D Saturday, March 9: Torres del Paine National Park Today s excursion through the park features Laguna Amargo, Laguna Azul, and Cascade Rio Paine. You re sure to see some of the park s only permanent residents; 106 species of birds and 26 species of mammals, including the beloved guanaco. B,L,D Sunday, March 10: Torres del Paine/Punta Arenas/Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas Travel by coach today to Punta Arenas, and board a flight to Puerto Montt, gateway to Chile s Lake District. B Monday, March 11: Puerto Varas/Puerto Montt Today s tour features lakeside Puerto Varas and its scenic environs, and the prosperous port city of Puerto Montt, salmon capital of Chile. Continue on to the seaside resort of Pelluco, then observe the shore birds at Chamiza before returning to the hotel. B,D Tuesday, March 12: Vicente Rosales National Park Glacier-topped volcanoes, forests of dense green, and cobalt lagoons color today s excursion to Chile s oldest national park. Here visit conical Osorno Volcano, sprawling Petrohue Waterfalls, and the village of Ensenada. B,L Pre-Tour Option: February 25-28, 2013 Iguazu Falls 3 days/2 nights for $995 total price Single Supplement: $295 Discover the magnificence of one of the world s iconic landmarks and great natural wonders. Your Tour Price Includes Round-trip air transportation Buenos Aires/Iguazu Falls 2 nights accommodations at Panoramic Hotel (Superior First Class) 3 meals: 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner Services of a tour representative Private motorcoach/van transportation Included sightseeing: Iguazu Falls National Park (Argentine side of the falls) with viewing opportunities Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers Land only guests: $1,145 total price
Wednesday, March 13: Puerto Varas/Puerto Montt/Santiago Fly today to the sophisticated Chilean capital. This afternoon take a city tour featuring the Plaza de Armas and the renowned Pre-Columbian Museum, housing more than 1,500 ancient cultural artifacts from the region. Dine tonight in the homes of gracious Santiago families. B,D Thursday, March 14: Santiago/Haras de Pirque Winery This morning enjoy a private tour and tasting at Viña Haras de Pirque, one of Chile s best known wineries. This afternoon is at leisure in Santiago before tonight s farewell dinner at a local restaurant. B,D Friday, March 15: Valparaiso/Depart for U.S. Today travel to the old port of Valparaiso, a one-time fishing village marked by colorful wooden houses and narrow, winding streets. Return to Santiago in time for your overnight flights to the U.S. B Saturday, March 16: Arrive U.S. Arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with your return flights home. M/V Via Australis Buenos Aires colorful La Boca district Tour Departs: February 27, 2013 Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees. Miami $7,551 Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa $7,851 Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, DC $7,951 Denver, Phoenix, Portland (OR), Seattle $8,051 Land Only (transfers not included) $6,795 Built: 2005 Decks: 5 Cabins: 64 (all outside) Length: 236 ft Width: 44 ft Draft: 11 ft Gross Tonnage: 2,716 Amenities: restaurant, 2 lounges, Zodiac expedition boats, boutique, on-board lectures, open bridge, panoramic open deck Your Tour Price Includes Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within Argentina and Chile 15 nights accommodations: 3 nights aboard M/V Via Australis (Superior First Class); 12 nights in Superior First Class and First Class hotels 33 meals: 16 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 11 dinners Extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees Open bar service (wine and select liquors) on board ship Services of a tour director Private motorcoach transportation throughout the trip All port taxes and national park fees Luggage handling for one bag per person Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in a Category B outside cabin on Deck 1 (Patagonia) with window, and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees of $756, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Please note that the number of Category B cabins is limited. Upgrade to Category A outside cabin on Deck 2 (Magellan): $495; Category AA outside cabin on Deck 3 (Tierra del Fuego): $695; Category AAA outside cabin on Deck 4 (Cape Horn): $795 Travelers in single occupancy, please add $2,495. Please note that single room availability is very limited. All prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees) are guaranteed. Business Class upgrade on round-trip international flight: $3,295 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change). Please note: This trip involves walks on uneven terrain, embarking and disembarking on ships, and negotiating high winds. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. For reservations or more information please contact the MIT Alumni Travel Program at 800-992-6749 Or email compass@mit.edu Or call Odysseys Unlimited toll-free at 888-370-6765 Monday-Friday, 9:00am-7:00pm, Eastern Time
General Terms and Conditions Please read this information carefully, as payment of a $500 deposit per person represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions. Not Included in Tour Price Airfare when purchasing a Land Only tour package; costs of passports, visas and Argentinian reciprocity fee; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals not specified; airport transfers when purchasing a land-only package; communication charges; gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director and shipboard personnel, which are at your discretion (suggested gratuities $10-$15 per day, per traveler); travel protection insurance. Additional baggage fees may apply and are subject to change at any time. You should confirm directly with your airline prior to departure. Cancellations, Refunds and Changes If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your written notification. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges: Cancel 95 days or more before departure: $200 charge; Cancel 94-65 days before departure: 50% of tour price; Cancel 64-30 days before departure: 75% of tour price; Cancel 29-0 days before departure: No refund. If a guest makes any changes to their reservation from 94 to 30 days prior to departure, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. will apply a $100 per person administrative fee, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by third parties. Changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If your reservation changes from double occupancy to single occupancy for any reason, you will be charged the single supplement. No changes are allowed within 30 days of departure. Upon reservation you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport as well as your date of birth and gender. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket s reissue. Responsibility The liability of the MIT Alumni Association, as sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as tour operator, is strictly limited. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under their control. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. serves only as agent for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents, servants or representatives. The MIT Alumni Association and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the negligence or default of any third party. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the air carriers, cruise line, and other independent suppliers. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the MIT Alumni Association will make every effort to operate this tour as planned, but Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the MIT Alumni Association reserve the right to make itinerary changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require a hotel change, alternative accommodations of the same or better quality will be selected. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the MIT Alumni Association shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of this tour or changes in this tour. Health and Medical Issues Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the MIT Alumni Association request that you be in good health to participate in this tour. There is a reasonable amount of walking, and you must be able to get on and off motorcoaches and boats on your own. If you require the use of a wheelchair or have other personal needs, you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. reserves the right to remove anyone whose physical or mental condition, in its opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other passengers. In that event, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the MIT Alumni Association assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour. MIT Alumni Travel Program 600 Memorial Drive, W98-2nd Floor Cambridge, MA 02139 Presorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. Patagonian Frontiers Argentina and Chile by Land & Sea February 27-March 16, 2013