Chile & Argentina Patagonia Odyssey

Day 1 Arrive Santiago

Morning arrival in this capital city nestled between the Pacific Ocean on the West, and the majestic Andes Mountains on the East. Meeting services and transfer to you hotel. This afternoon city tour includes Club Hipico Racetrack, the historical Cousiño Palace, "La Moneda" Government Center, The Pre-Columbian Art Museum, the city's main square Plaza Des Armis (Plaza de Armas), and Cerro San Cristobal. We stop at the Wine House for a sampling of some superb Chilean wines. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Day 2 Santiago (Full day Winery Tour)

Today we drive south of Santiago to the fertile Maipo Valley, home to Chile’s oldest names in wine -- world-renowned for its Cabernets. We will visit famous Santa Rita Winery with its impressive estate boasting 800 hectares of vineyard land, producing high quality wines. Upon arrival, comprehensive tour through the premises followed by wine tasting. Next we visit the boutique style Viña Almaviva, Chile's top winery, a world-class joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild S. A. and Viña Concha y Toro. The winery's slick design for its cellars and tank areas reminds one vaguely of Opus One in Napa. After wine tasting and lunch we return to Santiago for overnight. (B, L)

Day 3 Santiago / Punta Arenas

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Punta Arenas, the southernmost city of Chile overlooking the Straits of Magellan. Situated astride one of the world's historic trade routes, its prosperity has risen and fallen with that trade. Punta Arenas enjoyed its first great boom during the California Gold Rush when it served as a haven for great clipper ships. The region reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to the Chile's rich history. Punta Arenas is also gateway to Paine National Park, internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful, unique and uncontaminated places left on this planet offering some of the most spectacular scenery in the world (in 1978 the park was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO). This afternoon pick up at the hotel to explore the city of Punta Arenas. The tour will begin at the Margiorino Borgatello Museum, whose collection includes regional artefacts, examples of the region's flora and fauna, as well as displays of the social and economic history of the region. Next we visit monuments of the Ovejero (shepherd); Monument to Ferdinand Magellan; and the Croatian Colonists` Monument. We also visit the Patagonian Institute, an important centre of research and culture with its open-air museum exhibiting antique vehicles and machines that contributed to the growth of Punta Arenas (“Sandy Point”). Finally we will visit a lookout on Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross), where there are spectacular views over the city, the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego. Overnight at the hotel. (B)

Day 4 Punta Arenas/ Paine Towers National Park

Early departure as we drive north along the Patagonian plains to Paine Towers National Park (250 miles) making our way to Otway Sound, a beautiful landscape of steppes, bays and fjords unfold all along the way. At Otway Sound we will view the nesting site of the Magellan Penguins that live in large migratory colonies here. Lunch to be served in Puerto Natales facing Last Hope fiord and continue for 95 miles to Paine Park. Just outside the town great view over the fiord and it’s many black necked swans peacefully swimming around and continue to visit Milodon´s Cave, the immense cave in which the remains of a pre-historic ground-sloth were discovered in 1895. We continue driving to pass by Cerro Castillo (Argentinean border) and after 1 ½ hours arrival at Paine Park with a view of the impressive Massif formed predominately from granite and whose origin dates back millions of years. The most famous peaks of the park are called the ‘Cuernos’ (horns) and ‘Torres’ (towers) of Paine, each with three peaks: the North, principal and East horns, and the south, central and north towers. Large herds of guanacos will welcome us as we enter this pristine Park as we make our way to the Cerro Guido Lodge for overnight. (B,L)

Day 5 Paine National Park (Grey Lake)

Following breakfast, a breathtaking horse back ride along the Serrano River and later arriving at the Nutrias River. In the background along the way we enjoy a most impressive sight of Paine Horns. Early afternoon will drive for 9 miles to Grey Lake area where will board a steel hull motor boat to sail towards the Grey Glacier. This is a breathtaking navigation of Grey Lake where we will view the many floating icebergs as well as the Grey Glacier itself, all of which make up the Patagonian ice-cup. Evening return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L)

Day 6 Paine National Park (Laguna Azul)

Today we drive some 16miles to the eastern side of the park to the area of Laguna Azul (Blue Lake) that enjoys a warmer microclimate. Here we walk for about 2hrs among ancient beech forests with opportunities for spotting diverse birds, particularly the Magellanic Woodpecker. On a clear day it is possible to gain a distant view of the Paine Towers rising above the blue lagoon. The famous Torres del Paine (9.400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After the walk we take a break for a light box lunch. Evening will be for walking another 2 hours over flat terrain across the so called "Ruta de la Fauna" at Lake Sarmiento. This trail offers observation of "guanacos" (Llama Guanacoe) and a broad view over the Paine massif. Drive back to our lodge for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Paine National Park

We start our trek early in the morning, arriving two hours later at the start of the Frances Valley. It's a beautiful valley descending from the massif to the Nordenskjold Lake, outflanked by the imposing Paine granite Horns. We trek along the valley making our way to the upper vantage point to view the impressive peaks of the massif: Cuernos, Espada, Mascara, Hoja, Aleta de Tiburon, Catedral, and Paine Grande. The surrounding forest and the suspended Glaciers producing continuous ice and snow provide a spectacular background for this trek. We begin our decent to the valley to reach the Skottberg Lake, arriving at our camp site at Refugio Pehoe (this is a full day demanding trek). (B,L,D)

Day 8 Paine National Park / Calafate (Lago Argentino)

A scenic drive this morning towards the Argentine side of the Patagonia. We cross the border into Argentina and continue to El Calafate for overnight at Hotel Kosten Aike Hotel. (B)

Day 9 El Calafate (Upsala & Onelli Glaciers)

Full day adventure making our way to Punta Bandera Port to board a catamaran that will take you to Upsala and Onelli Glaciers. Sail along the Northern Arm of the Argentino Lake towards Upsala, the largest continental glacier in the Southern Hemisphere (80 miles long and 16 miles wide) to view icebergs separated from the Glacier as we sail along the Glacier towards Onelli Bay where we disembark for a walk through the lenga forest to reach Onelli Lagoon where Bolado, Onelli and Agassiz Glaciers converge down into the waters (If icebergs prevent disembarking at Onelli Bay you will stop at Puesto de Vacas). Lunch at a typical restaurant of the region, and then we will return to our hotel for overnight. (B,L)

Day 10 El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier)

After breakfast, we depart towards Glacier National Park to experience another significant relic left by the Ice Age. Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world's largest active continental glaciers and declared by UNESCO to be an Universal Patrimony of Humanity. We travel from El Calafate for some 80 km to reach Perito Moreno Glacier, formed 30,000 years ago. At a height of 80 meters, spanning 3 km, this is the only glacier in the world that separates two bodies of water (the Southern Sea from the Rich Sea, both part of Lake Argentino). The difference in water levels of the 2 bodies of water creates pressure causing the ice to weaken every 4 years so that the water from the Rich Sea penetrates Lake Argentino across the Canal of the Icebergs. This moment of rupture (typically occurring in January) is one of the most spectacular impressions in the world. (B,L)

Day 11 El Calafate / Buenos Aires

Late morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires and transfer to the Alvear Palace Hotel. (B)

Day 12 Buenos Aires

Welcome to Buenos Aires. Built in the 19th Century, an era of plenty for the wealthy gaucho land barons of Argentina, this city of 10 million rivals the architecture and sophistication of Paris. This morning begin a city tour making our past beautiful parks and gardens of Palermo. We drive along the 9th of July Avenue, the widest in the world, with stops at the Plaza de Mayo where we view the "Casa Rosada" (Pink House), the bustling banking and business centre of town. Continue with a visit to the colorful Boca District with its brightly painted walls where artists gather on Sundays. You will also see the oldest district of Buenos Aires, San Telmo, where an antique market takes place on Sundays before continuing on to the chic quarter of Recoleta with sidewalk cafes. Nearby is its famous cemetery, a necropolis of elaborate mausoleums, including that of Eva Peron. Afternoon free to visit the pedestrian walkway of Florida or go shopping. This evening a special treat as we step into the Buenos Aires night to Esquina Carlos Gardel, with over 100-year history. Here you’ll enjoy superb cuisine amid this exquisitely decorated Art Nouveau style ambience, recreating the sophistication of old Buenos Aires. Enjoy dinner sampling the famous Argentine beef followed by a show where we are mesmerized by sensual national dance…The Tango (B,D)

Day 13 Buenos Aires

Full day excursion along the famous Argentine rolling plains of the pampas, one of the most fertile natural prairies of the world, famous for its meat and cereal production, to visit to a typical "Estancia" (Argentine Ranch) for a “Fiesta Gaucha” (Barbecue Party) for a first hand view of the Argentine “gaucho” (cowboy) who will demonstrate their "criollo" horsemanship, along with folkloric music and dances. Welcome drink, lunch including all beverages and an afternoon mate. Late afternoon return to the hotel. (B,L)

Day 14 Buenos Aires Departure or Iguassu Falls (Extension)

Departure transfer to Buenos Aires airport for your flight back to Miami, OR

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Iguassu Falls where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay share borders. Here you will be treated to a sensational sound and light show brought to you courtesy of Mother Nature -- 275 separate waterfalls, spanning 2-miles, wider than Victoria, higher than Niagara and more magnificent than both. Arrival on the Argentine side of the falls and visit the park and then walk to "Devil's Throat", a point from where waterfalls never cease and later transfer to the Brazilian side of Iguassu for a different panoramic view with overnight at the Das Cataratas Hotel. (B)

Day 15 Iguassu Falls / Buenos Aires / Miami

This morning we are picked up at the hotel for the Macuco Safari excursion a combination of nature and adventure. You are seated in an open trailer towed by jeep as we make our way through the forest viewing the exotic flora and fauna of the remnants of the Atlantic Rainforest. At the end of the drive we walk through an old Indian track ending at the river shore along the Macuco Falls where we board zodiacs and travel upstream of the Iguassu River close to the thundering waters of the Iguassu falls. This afternoon we transfer to the Argentine side of the falls to the airport and take our flight to Buenos Aires and your flight to Miami. (B,L)

Remarks

Special rates apply over Carnival, New Year's, and certain holidays. Please inquire. US Citizens require Brazilian Visa. Other citizens, please inquire.

Not included: airport departure taxes, meals unless included in the itinerary, beverages, travel insurance, gratuities of any kind, or items of person nature.

Inquire about our special airfares from other gateways for this program.