Activity Level: Enthusiast Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights The Ends of the Earth Experience Patagonia Our relationship with Patagonia goes back decades and yet the people and scenery seemingly have not changed. Big skies and landscapes are married with big personalities and this is a journey through the very heart of it. From the old estancias of Argentina, by way of ancient glaciers, we cross into Chile for some time to ourselves in the shadow of the imposing Torres del Paine. Here we will visit little known valleys, explore fossil fields, and walk trails that are steeped in history. Our journey finishes in the now sleepy port of Puerto Natales, in a hotel that is a National Historic Monument and a testament to the enduring draw of Patagonia. THE B&R DIFFERENCE Travelling with B&R is what being alive is all about. It s action packed and incredibly invigorating with so many personal and group highlights that it s hard to single out just one. -Andrew Crowe Call us at 800 678 1147 the journey p.2 / notes from the road p.5 / the details p.6 / next steps p.7
The Journey Wild boar and venison are the most popular dishes of Patagonia. 2 the journey Days 1, 2 & 3 Eolo, Argentina WE RENDEZVOUS THIS MORNING IN EL CALAFATE AND HEAD out to visit one of the towns oldest properties, Estancia Bon accord. It is the descendants of the pioneering Scottish family that founded this estancia that still run it and their house has become something of a museum! Here we will learn what it was like to carve out a life here in real frontier country! After a picnic lunch at the house we ll head out for a gentle hike towards Lake Argentino, taking in the sheep shearing facilities on the farm. After returning to the main lodge we ll have time for some tea or traditional mate before the short drive to our hotel for the next three nights.the following morning we ll head out for the day to visit the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, located in Los Glaciares National Park. Through a combination of boat, van and foot we will admire the majesty of this immense river of ice and if we re lucky we may even see the ice wall calving into the lake. We ll visit the less frequently visited northern side of the peninsular for an extraordinary panoramic view of the glacier, and will take in the unique flora and fauna of the Magellanic forest. We ll be back in Eolo late afternoon for dinner in this evening.our last day in Argentina is a day full of options meaning that you can push yourself as hard or as little as you want today, choosing from hiking, biking or horseback riding. We suggest heading out though to HOTEL Eolo, El Calafate Located in La Anita Valley on a private reserve of over 3000 hectares, this R&C property is the physical embodiment of Patagonia. The lodge is refined and classic in style, a modern day estancia complete with swimming pool and sauna. ACTIVITY Day 1: A gentle start as we walk over flat land for up to approximately 4 km (2.5 mi.) Day 2: A day spent exploring Perito Morena Glacier. The distance today will be short but some of it will be on ice! Day 3: Any reasonable distance is possible today either on foot, horseback or on a bike through La Anita Valley.
The Journey Many regions of Patagonia have very low population density; the combined population of Argentine & Chilean Patagonia is about 2 million. 3 explore the delights of our own neighborhood, La Anita Valley and possibly a hike up the slopes of Cerro Frias. Tomorrow is a big day as we say goodbye to Eolo and move closer to the ever distant Torres del Paine National Park. Days 4, 5 & 6 Awasi and Torres del Paine We have a drive ahead of us this morning as we head south for the Chilean border and after approximately four and a half hours we will pull into the private reserve that contains the complex of villas that makes up Awasi. The drive is spectacular, remote and exhilarating, so this afternoon we will leave relatively free for you to enjoy the views across to the park. If you are looking for something a little more demanding than relaxing in your wood fire hot tub, there is an excellent loop hike directly out from Awasi, stretching through a beautiful lenga forest and past an old gaucho oupost, in use for the past 100 years. We will meet up for dinner together this evening and take in more of the gorgeous views from, the hotel s intimate dining room. Options galore this morning as we take full advantage of the raft of local guides and 4x4 vehicles available to us, but all things being equal we will drive into the park and hike a portion of the celebrated W circuit, possibly Frenchman s Valley or maybe the more challenging Base of Torres hike. Either way it will be a full day of adventure, complete with a packed lunch picnic courtesy of Awasi. By the time we settle in for cocktails back at the lodge we will have experienced first hand what the draw is for this magnificent park and its geology. We ll be joined this evening by a couple of gaucho friends who will talk us through what s on the cards for tomorrow. Our last day in Awasi and we ll probably want to break into smaller groups as there are so many activities to take advantage of. Jumping in the saddle and heading out into the plains, watching for condo and guanaco is a must for some, whilst the Geological and Paleontological Park of Baguales reveals secrets of what life here used to be like through its abundant fossils dating back 25 million years. The neighbouring lake, Lago Sarmineto, offers an alternative perspective for some great hiking either along the shoreline or from the hills to the north that are home to countless condors. HOTEL Awasi The complex of cabins and main lodge that make up Awasi is truly magical, located with stunning views across to Torres del Paine and yet sheltered form the brutal winds that whip through the plains here. The individual cabins are tastefully decorated in local wood and are complete with a fireplace and an outdoor hot tub; the perfect retreat after a days activity. ACTIVITY Day 4: Approximately 4 km (2.5 mi.) loop walk from the lodge which initially has you ascending. Day 5: Potentially the toughest day with options to hike a portion of the W circuit. Day 6: A 4 km (2.5 mi. ) to 12 km (7.5 mi.) hike or horseride.
The Journey 4 Days 7 & 8 From Mountain to Beach We re moving ever further south today, stopping off en route at a local estancia to learn a little more, first hand, about what it takes to live off the land in this harsh environment. Continuing on towards Puerto Natales, we ll turn off the main road, close to the Mylodon Caves that Bruce Chatwin discovered or rather popularised, to start hiking up to the top of the cliffs overlooking Laguna Sofia. Nesting condors are the big draw here but the place is alive with wildlife and the hike through the forest to get above the tree line is really special. We ll have our lunch out here, weather depending of course, before heading back down and making our way to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon will be yours to discover the immensity that is the preserved, historical portion of the hotel. We ll meet for cocktails fireside this evening to plan our next day. HOTEL The Singular, Puerto Bories A truly stunning and painstaking conversion turned this former meat processing plant into a national historic monument and an incredible hotel. The end result is truly remarkable, a history lesson complete with excellent food, impeccable service, well appointed rooms and gorgeous public spaces. ACTIVITY Day 7: A hike up to the cliffs overlooking Laguna Sofia is approximately 5 km (3 mi.) Day 8: Options today include kayaking, hiking, riding or horseback riding. Given the hotels stunning location overlooking the water, today would be a great day to take out a kayak either for a brief spin on the waters directly outside of the hotel, the fjord of Last Hope, or for the more experienced a longer paddle into Puerto Natales is possible. If water is not your thing then bikes and horses, along with local guides, are available for further exploration of the area. The relaxing bar, with views across the water, complete with comfy leather chairs in front of a roaring log fire is another option. Dinner together this evening will be in what used to be the workshop when the hotel was still a meat processing plant, and will provide the perfect historical back drop for an evening of wine and stories! Day 9 Homeward Bound After breakfast this morning we ll drive approximately two and a half hours to Punta Arenas and say our goodbyes.
Notes From the Road 5 Of Magic and Majesty By Jonathan Lansdell All it took was reading In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin for the first time and I was hooked. It would take me another two decades to finally get there, albeit briefly, but that was quickly followed by a couple of longer trips that still have me itching to get back. What is it about this place that exerts such a draw? Explorers, naturalists, adventurers, outlaws and fortune seekers have found themselves pulled here for centuries, sometimes never to return. Estancias and gauchos provide the most visible human element to Patagonia, immigrants from Europe having mixed with indigenous peoples to try and eke out a living from the land. These (often European-looking) farms dot the landscape and are like islands amongst the immensity of open land. Even during the boom years of farming, life here was hard but the rewards could be said to compensate. The estancias are larger now, conservation and tourism having become important, but the sight of abandoned buildings is not uncommon. For B&R, the pull was first felt in the mid-90s. We ve continued flirting with this vast tract of land since that initial dalliance, but with our 50th Anniversary upon us and some of our most memorable trips emerging from the archives, returning to a place with such an undeniable pull was a no-brainer. The immensity of scale and the sense of isolation can be overwhelming, but the landscapes are truly breathtaking. Mountains and valleys, rivers and plains stretching out seemingly indefinitely reveal themselves through breaks in the cloud, behind violent rain squalls or sometimes just framed by nothing more than shockingly blue skies. There is a real sense of magic and majesty that emanates from every rock and blade of grass here. The days of early European exploration and the written accounts of Magellan through to Darwin saw the mapping and our understanding of the land we call Patagonia grow as never before or after. That said, it is the easiest of things to be on a hike, just minutes away from the luxury of a lodge, to imagine yourself pioneering a path through un explored land. B&R TRIP PLANNER Jonathan Lansdell Born and raised in Britain, John claims to have become a travel researcher at the age 16 the summer he first went backpacking through France on scholarship funds. Nowadays, this creative thinker keeps busy organizing our portfolio of trips in South East Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East.
The Details 6 Eolo ARGENTINA PERU BRAZIL El Calafate Pacific BOLIVIA PARAGUAY Torres del Paine South Atlantic ARGENTINA Puerto Natales Punta Arenas CHILE Atlantic South Pacific CHILE 2017 Price: From $10,495 ($2,500 single supplement) Single supplement is based on the most affordable rooms within B&R s allocation. Upgrades often available. Duration 9 Days / 8 Nights Please see our website for list of departures. Start Esplendor El Calafate, El Calafate Finish Punta Arenas, Airport or Downtown Approximately 12pm the details HOTEL TYPE Signature Hotels Hotels on our Signature trips are unique expressions of the region. Oftentimes that means they ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case it means they offer both an exceptionally comfortable stay and a taste of the region s culture. Best of all, we re friends with our hoteliers. (Translation? Preferential treatment for you.) LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Enthusiast The walking really varies given the choices available to us most days. Walking distances of up to 8 km (5 mi.) are possible over mixed terrain, sometimes relatively flat but on occasion you can choose to push yourself with more challenging topography. In addition to walking you will have the opportunity to horseback ride (as easygoing as you would like), kayak and mountain bike ride. MORE INFO How do I get to El Calafate? From Buenos Aires, El Calafate is accessible via three or four daily flights. Departures occur from capital s domestic airport, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), situated only about 5 km (3 mi.) from the city center. WHAT S INCLUDED All hotel accommodation All meals, including wine Services of B&R guide(s) and support van All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees Use of two lightweight, telescoping walking sticks All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off All baggage transportation Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service ESPLENDOR EL CALAFATE www.esplendorhotels.com Offering panoramic views of the lake Lago Argentino and the Andes Mountain Range, the Esplendor El Cafate is a delightfully modern outpost in a place of impressive natural beauty. Situated in the heart of Patagonia, the hotel provides an authentic experience combined with a splendid in-house restaurant and exclusive Argentine wine cellar. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD. 2017 Butterfield & Robinson Inc.
Your Next Steps 7 FIND US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/butterfieldandrobinson Like B&R on Facebook and get the latest news and photos from the road, updates from guides and more. ROOM UPGRADE If you would like to upgrade your accommodation on this trip, please enquire at time of booking to learn cost and availability. your next steps EXTENDING YOUR TRIP Chances are you will want to spend time in Patagonia either before or after your trip. There are several recommendations for where to stay and what to do while in Patagonia included in the Confirmation Email you will receive upon booking. We ll also happily recommend a guide if you want an insider s tour of Patagonia. STAY IN TOUCH! Sign up to receive The Slow Road our e-newsletter that is full of travel news, unique offers and B&R insider info. Weather: Patagonia month high low Jan/Feb 57 43 Mar/Apr 53 39 May/Jun 41 32 Jul/Aug 40 31 Sep/Oct 48 35 Nov/Dec 56 41 At Butterfield & Robinson, the guiding starts while you re still at home. We make sure you know everything you need to know before you ve even left your living room. READY TO BOOK? Call or email a Travel Advisor (or your travel agent) with any remaining questions, and to reserve your space. 1-800-678-1147 / Reserve your flights to and from the region. Book your night before hotel. Make sure your passport is up to date. Enquire after travel insurance. PHOTO CONTEST While on your trip, keep in mind you can win some great prizes with the B&R Photo Contest. We ve created three categories that capture the true spirit of B&R adventure: Faces, Places and Moments. Submit your top shots and show us how you see the world with B&R. Full details are at www.butterfield.com/photocontest. In the meantime, if you have any questions about your B&R experience big, small or downright quirky please call a Travel Advisor, or contact your travel professional. We are always happy to help. Once you are confirmed on a B&R trip, you will receive a Confirmation Email that links to tons of information to help you prepare for your trip. Then, about a month before you leave, we will send you a list of your fellow travellers, final rendezvous instructions and your hotel contact numbers. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD. 2017 Butterfield & Robinson Inc.