The Best of Patagonia An exclusive photo adventure that captures the culture, wildlife and landscapes of Patagonia Join renowned South American photographer and nature documentary filmmaker, Ossian Lindholm, in this Travel Vision Photo Journeys exclusive a Patagonian hiking and photo tour that ranges from Argentina s spectacular Los Glaciares National Park to Chile s renowned Torres Del Paine National Park. Whether you take hundreds of photos or just enjoy absorbing the views with your eyes, on this remarkable adventure you ll discover a host of wonders in one of the world s last wildernesses. Here, at the very end of the American continent, lies a visual and sensual treat for the photographer and explorer alike. Patagonia is a dazzling world of calving glaciers, rushing waterfalls, and towering Andean peaks thrusting skywards from the clearest of blue-green waters. There are night skies milky with bright stars and remote islands shrouded with sea mists. ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Daily Itinerary / Page 3-7 Photography Guide / Page 8 Arrival & Departure / Page 9 Terms & Conditions / Page 10 Reserve Your Space! / Page 10 TRIP CONTACT Lauren Hefferon 617-640-4837 Lauren@ciclismoclassico.com Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 1
Wildlife abounds here, too: reclusive pumas and soaring condors are just some of the many highlights. Enchanting Patagonia is one of the few places in the Americas where you can get up close to pumas in the wild and take photos, which makes this tour one-of-a-kind. It all makes for one of the most coveted hiking experiences in the world. Ciclismo Classico Director, Lauren Hefferon, considers this to be the most beautiful and inspiring of the many places she has visited during her 30 years of travel. Our travel photo trek begins in the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. With its snowcapped mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, remote glaciers and mirrored lakes, Torres del Paine really is the eighth Natural Wonder of the World. Here, you ll join our wildlife safari to track Patagonia s most elusive animals the enigmatic Andean puma and the endangered south Andean deer. You ll thread along classic trekking routes, crossing glaciers, lakes, and rivers to explore ancient woods and deep-cut fjords. Together, we ll walk amidst wildlife condors, guanacos, and the majestic puma and learn about their behavior up-close from an expert naturalist. The camera skills you have absorbed will surely pay off with some truly spectacular photographs that you ll always treasure. We ll then journey to El Calafate, the gateway to the drama of ice, mountain, and water of Los Glaciares National Park. You ll see nature at its most energetic at the Perito Moreno Glacier, which surges bright and white into the aquamarine waters of Lago Argentino. You ll also hike among splintered Andean spires. On this journey of a lifetime, we guarantee that your heart, mind, body and soul will be expanded and rejuvenated. What your lens has framed and your eye has captured will now be fixed in your mind, allowing the magic of this place to remain with you forever. Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 2
TRIP ESSENCE Daily photography PowerPoint instruction at our hotels and ecolodges, and abundant photo opportunities throughout the day Sunrise and sunset photo sessions Up-close sightings of the elusive and majestic puma Four nights at the award-winning, world-renowned leader in sustainable tourism, EcoCamp Patagonia Photo safari through Torres del Paine National Park Wild fauna watching with local experts in Patagonia Condors, guanacos, ñandu, and many other animals Spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier full-day experience WHAT S INCLUDED Professional tour guide All accommodations and private transportation All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners Accident insurance and gratuities at restaurants and hotels All activities according to the itinerary: flora and fauna observation and photography, birdwatching, soft hiking, and more Navigation to Estancia Cristina All entrance fees TRIP DETAILS 2018 Trip Date Feb 26 - Mar 6 Ability Level Intermediate EQUIPMENT For Hikes You can expect a range of weather conditions and temperatures, so be prepared for temperatures from 35 to 70. Shorts and warm weather clothing (hat, sunscreen) Rain poncho and knee-high rubber boots Base layers, such as windbreaker, gloves, sneakers, waterproof jacket Sweater and long pants (cargo recommended) Thermal clothing Good and solid trekking shoes Bright clothes are not recommended For Photography Body SLR or compact digital camera Wide-angle lens Laptop (for selecting images) Tripod Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 3
DAY 1 ARRIVAL TO PUERTO NATALES AND TRANSFER TO ECOCAMP Hotel - EcoCamp Patagonia Location: Puerto Natales Duration: 4 Nights http://www.ecocamp.travel/ en DAY 2 PUMA (DAY 1) Hotel - EcoCamp Patagonia DAY 3 PUMA (DAY 2) Hotel - EcoCamp Patagonia Your Patagonia photo adventure begins with you being warmly welcomed at Puerto Natales Airport by our expert guides, who ll transfer you to EcoCamp Patagonia for a welcome lunch and an orientation to this incredible nature oasis. We ll be staying at the EcoCamp for three full days of exploration and wildlife photography. Each day will follow a similar rhythm, starting off early to catch the special light of the sunrise. After breakfast, we ll leave camp to seek out some of the Park s many wildlife opportunities, including tracking the elusive puma. Lunch will be either a picnic or at the EcoCamp. During your stay at EcoCamp, you can choose between nature walks, treks and bike excursions it all depends on your mood, weather conditions and travel companions preferences! We ll spend two days in search of the puma. On day three, we ll select a group activity or you are free to select from the camp s many options. EcoCamp Patagonia operates an exclusive wildlife discovery program with wildlife and photography expert Diego Araya. The Patagonia Puma Tracking Photo Adventure is a one-of-a-kind nature exploration program focusing on Torres del Paine s native wildlife, distinct ecosystems and spectacular photo opportunities across the Paine massif. Diego takes you to the best-hidden spots to capture sightings of rare species, such as the endangered huemul and puma. This morning, we ll experience the pink sunrise on Torres del Paine framed by lakes, twisting trees and wild horses in the foreground. After breakfast, we ll begin our walk into Torres Del Paine National Park with our expert Puma tracker Diego. He s a passionate environmentalist who s been working in Torres Del Paine for years. He ll not only lead us to the puma, but he ll teach us about many of the park s special creatures the guanaco, fox, rhea, condor and different species of birds and the fascinating interplay of their behaviors. While in search of the puma, we ll experience and photograph some of the most dramatic and wild landscapes in the world. Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 4
DAY 4 TREKKING Hotel - EcoCamp Patagonia DAY 5 TRANSFER TO EL CALAFATE Hotel - Xelena Hotel & Suites Location: El Calafate Duration: 4 Nights http://www.hotelxelena. com/_stage/ Today, we ll have a full day of trekking. We ll have many options to choose from based on your interest and ability, from an easy 3 to 5-mile walk to a challenging 8 to 13-mile trek. We ll be transferred today to El Calafate. Our accommodations for the next four nights will be at Xelena Hotel & Suites. After checking in, we ll visit Reserva Laguna Nimez, where you ll get a chance to try out your wildlife photographic techniques on silvery grebe, black-faced ibis and flamingoes as they wade through its watery reeds. EcoCamp Patagonia Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 5
THE BEST OF PATAGONIA 2018 DAY 6 PERITO MORENO EXPERIENCE Hotel - See Day 5 Today, we ll experience one of the world s most spectacular sites: the striking sights and sounds of the Perito Moreno Glacier as it splits and splinters into the Argentino Lake. This 240-foot-high cliff of vivid blue ice is especially exciting for photographers who will enjoy the array of colors and shapes created by this ancient ice. We ll spend the morning walking on the pasarelas ( walkways ), which offer breathtaking views of the glacier. Our evening will conclude in El Calafate, where we ll dine on fine Patagonian cuisine. DAY 7 HIKE FROM THE UPSALA GLACIER THROUGH THE CAÑADÓN DE LOS FÓSILES Hotel - See Day 5 Travel Vision We ll take a boat ride to Estancia Cristina and from there, will use 4 4 vehicles that will take us to a lookout from where we ll be able to see the Upsala Glacier. From there, we ll take a spectacular hike down through the Cañadón de los Fósiles, an area where we can find abundant fossils and remains of the last marine ingression uncovered by glacial action. This is a valley with unique characteristics within the National Park Los Glaciares, making this an unforgettable nature and photographic experience through forests, lagoons, lakes, and glaciers. The typical fauna and flora of the region will also surround us. Along the way, we ll take in views of Lake Guillermo, the stunning front of the Upsala Glacier, the Southern Patagonian ice fields, and the Murallón hills. 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 6
DAY 8 MAYO SPIRIT TREK DE SOUTHERN SPIRIT LAGO ARGENTINO Hotel - See Day 5 The glaciers of the Cerro Mayo and Cerro Negro are located within Seno Mayo of Lago Argentino and Los Glaciares National Park. The only way to access them is by lake. Starting from Puerto Argentino, we ll navigate through the Témpanos Channel and enter the Seno Mayo del Argentinian Lake. When we reach Bahía Toro, we ll have a guided walk through the Patagonian Andean Forest and arrive at the Guindo Centenario that has a trunk more than nine feet in diameter! We ll then walk through the forest following a stream to a waterfall, where we ll observe a formation of calcareous rocks whose magnificent walls measure 90 feet in height and 30 feet in width. After this delightful hike, we ll board the boat again and navigate through Lago Argentina to observe the hanging glaciers of Cerro Mayo and Cerro Negro. We ll disembark with the guide and begin a walk through the Patagonian Andean Forest. Following a trail along a stream, we ll reach the stone wall from where we ll observe the hanging glaciers and enjoy a 360º panoramic view of incredible landscapes that will leave you amazed. We ll stay for a while on the site, observing Cerro Mayo and Cerro Blanco, and then will return to the boat that ll take us to the north wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Once there, we ll disembark at the floating dock of Puerto Moreno, located at the foot of the catwalks. After a full day of sensory exploration, we ll return to El Calafate to rest before our final celebration. DAY 9 ADIOS! We ll transfer you to El Calafate Airport to fly to Buenos Aires Airport. From there, you can either fly home or extend your stay in Bueno Aires. Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 7
MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDES Ossian Lindholm is a renowned nature photographer from Tucuman, Argentina. Trained as an Agronomist, many years ago he turned his deep passion for nature to photography. In his work as a photographer, teacher and documentary filmmaker, he is dedicated to capturing, preserving, conserving, sharing and sustaining the landscape, nature and culture of Argentina in its most pristine state. Ossian has published five books, 14 calendars and he teaches photography courses throughout the year. Since 1998 he has been leading groups of photographers and naturalists on photographic journeys throughout his native Argentina. For the past four years has been the host of a very popular weekly nature TV documentary called Travesia Fotograficas. In each show He hopes to educate and inspire people to love, protect and keep sacred the places where they live using images, words and music to touch peoples emotional core. During his early years he loved reading National Geographic Magazine; it had a profound impact on him. It was his first inspiration and he became continually was drawn by nature photography. He went to college to pursue a career in agricultural engineering and here he began to develop a strong connection with the biological sciences that continues to be a strong influence in all his work. After obtaining his degree he worked for many years as a scientist but in 1998 he decided to dedicate himself to nature photography. At this time he began working as a photography and nature guide which allowed him to travel around Argentina and connect with other photographers and biologists in the world. After graduating in anthropology from Cornell University, Lauren Hefferon studied fine arts in Florence and cycled over 35,000 miles throughout Europe. She founded Ciclismo Classico in 1988 and drives all visionary aspects of the company, from itinerary design and tour leader training to marketing and company strategy. Her latest creation, Travel Vision Journeys was born from her love of photography and insatiable curiosity to find the most authentic cultural experiences as well as the most gorgeous views has served her well in designing exclusive learning experiences for the adventurous traveler. Lauren is considered a pioneer in adventure and educational travel and has been an advisor to the Adventure Travel World Summit, a panelist at the annual National Bike Summit Panel on Tourism, and founded the annual Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival. Under Hefferon s leadership, Ciclismo Classico and Travel Vision Journeys has blossomed into one of the top companies in the adventure travel industry, garnering awards from Outside magazine and National Geographic Traveler, and being named one of Boston s top 100 woman-led businesses three years running. Hefferon has been profiled by Entrepreneur magazine, and her tours have been featured in an array of media outlets, ranging from USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, to Bicycling, CNN.com and Forbes. As a specialized boutique bicycle tour operator since 1988, her companies provide the most authentic, unique and exciting vacations in the adventure travel industry. Her award-winning educational trips in Europe, South America, New Zealand, Asia and New England are active immersions into local art, language, music, folklore and delicious cuisine. Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 8
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO PUERTO NATALES Fly to Puerto Natales Airport (PNT). You ll be greeted by our expert guides who ll transfer you to EcoCamp Patagonia. DEPARTING FROM EL CALAFATE After breakfast, we ll transfer you to El Calafate Airport (FTE) to make your connection to Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport (EZE) to catch your evening international flight. If you plan to extend your stay in Bueno Aires, you should fly directly to the Aeroparque Airport (AEP). TRAVEL NOTES OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Sandy Farber, Jubilee Travel Call: 306-373-9633 E-mail: sandy@jubileeonline.ca Travel Insurance MH Ross Call: 1-800-423-3632 http://bit.ly/mhross_insurance Transportation Rome2rio* http://www.rome2rio.com *Our preferred website to make all of your travel plans; can be used for any destination No advance Visa application is needed for entry into Chile. Australian and New Zealand citizens entering Chile for tourism purposes will be charged a $160.00 processing fee payable on arrival. Cash and credit card accepted. US and Canadian citizens no longer need to pay the reciprocity fee ($160.00) to enter Chile. A valid USA or Canada passport is required traveling as a tourist for 90 days. In Chile, local currency is called peso. WEATHER DESCRIPTION We suggest visiting the web for current conditions in Chile and doing your own research on this topic: www.meteochile.gob.cl or www.accuweather.com Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 9
INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via email once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as followed: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* 91-120 days - 100% of the deposit* 61-90 days - 30% of the trip price 31-60 days - 60% of the trip price 31-44 days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit http://www.ciclismoclassico.com/plan-your-trip/policies/ RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at 800-866-7314 or Lauren Hefferon at 617-640-4837. Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA 02474 At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and email address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Travel Vision 1-800-866-7314 info@ciclismoclassico.com www.ciclismoclassico.com 10