Chile & Argentina Nature Adventure

Day 1 Santiago / Puerto Montt

Depart today on your flight to Puerto Montt, gateway to the fabled Lake District, famous for its spectacular scenery of glittering emerald lakes set among snowcapped volcanoes, deep woodland meadows and flowering gardens. Meet & assist services upon arrival to Puerto Montt airport and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 2 Puerto Montt / Chaiten (Pumalin Park)

Departure tranfer to the local airport in Puerto Montt for your flight to Chaiten. Meeting services and private scenic transfer to Pumalin Park, the world's largest private nature reserve, spanning approximately 300,000 hectares (742,000 acres), home to temperate rainforest, glaciers, fjords, thundering waterfalls and rivers, and stands of ancient alerce trees. Check-in at Cabanas Caleta Gonzalo. Coordinate with the local guide if you wish to make your first trek this afternoon making your way to an impressive waterfall before returning to a hot and replenishing dinner. (D)

Day 3 Pumalin Park (Caleta Gonzalo)

Following breakfast time to get familiar with Caleta Gonzalo to appreciate its environs and get acquainted with the development of Organic Agricultural of Pumalin Park. After lunch exploration of this pristine region with a visit to the forest. This trekking will take us through impressive water fall of this temperate rain forest boasting wonderful views of the region. Return to Cabanas Caleta Gonzalo for another exquisite dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Pumalin Park (Caleta Gonzalo)

This morning we board a small boat to a sea lion colony nested on the shore of the fjord. We disembark at Pillan, where you will be able to visit the honey production plant of the Pumalin Park Project. The setting is truly breathtaking: dense forests and snowcapped mountains ringing the calm waters of the estuary where the Project grounds are neatly laid out with bee hives, carpentry shops, and organic gardens. After your visit you will head north on an easy 3 hour walk along an unused gravel road through the forest linking two fjords. Upon your arrival on the Comao Fjord, Cahuella will be waiting with refreshments as you board and head north to the unique hot springs; a spectacular stream of hot water that runs through the rainforest with numerous pools amidst the ferns. As usual, superb cuisine awaits you upon return to Cabanas Caleta Gonzalo. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Pumalin Park - Chaiten / Puerto Montt / Punta Arenas

This morning we begin our transfer back to Chaiten with a brief stop for a 15-miunte walk through a forest to view some of the oldest arboreal species in the planet, the Alerce, with some trees over three thousand years of age – bring your cameras! Continue to the airport in Chaiten and the flight to Puerto Montt where we continue our flight to Punta Arenas. Meeting services upon arrival and transfer to the Hotel Cabo de Hornos for overnight. (B)

Day 6 Punta Arenas – Paine National Park

We begin our Patagonia adventure driving north through the fabled Patagonia wilderness towards 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. We continue this fascinating drive crossing Trout Rivers, a beech tree forest and sheep ranches as we make our way to the Rio Serrano Hotel situated along the east border of Serrano River with a great panoramic view while facing the peaks of the Torres del Paine. After lunch we begin our exploration of the wonders of the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park boasting rich beauty and abundant flora and fauna. We embark a boat and sail all the way up to the Grey Glacier front wall, which is divided in two by a central island where landing is allowed. In the late afternoon we return to our hotel for overnight. Overnight at the Rio Serrano Hotel. (B,L)

Day 7 Paine National Park

Today we hike to the breath-taking Base of the Paine Towers. We will gradually ascend for two or three hours, stopping to observe the Ascencio River Valley surrounded by forests of tall, deciduous beech, glaciers, and waterfalls. We then continue through a terminal moraine—one of the world's most astonishing views. We will enjoy a lunch at the base of the three giant granite towers. Overnight at the Rio Serrano Hotel. (B,L)

Day 8 Paine National Park

Another day for exploration but this time on horseback as we ride to the Tyndall Glacier along the Serrano River bank for a closer contact with the beauty of nature boasting magnificent views of Serrano River waterfall, Brunch River, Monte Donoso. We arrive to a natural view point amid the rich flora and fauna where we view the South Patagonian Ice Fields and the most impressive Glacier of Torres del Paine National Park. Note that there is a selection of tours to choose from so this tour can be changed. Overnight at the Rio Serrano Hotel. (B,L)

Day 9 Paine National Park / El Calafate

Today a scenic drive towards the Argentine border where we cross into the Argentine side of Patagonia and continue to El Calafate for overnight at Posada Los Alamos. (B)

Day 10 El Calafate (Estancia Cristina)

The Estancia can only be reached by boat transfer along the lake. We begin in Puerto Punta Bandera sailing along the occidental front of the Upsala Glacier making our way towards the Estancia Cristina. Along the way we visit 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 continue to the estancia for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 11 El Calafate (Estancia Cristina)

Select for a menu of activities offered by the hotel. From 4X4 Land Rover adventures to hiking and horseback riding or bird watching. Overnight at the Estancia (B,L,D)

Day 12 El Calafate (Estancia Cristina / Los Alamos Hotel)

Transfer by boat to the pier and then by car to the Los Alamos Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 13 El Calafate (Perito Moreno Glacier)

Full day visit to Perito Moreno Glacier, located along the southern arm of Lago Argentino. The advancing (still growing) glacier spans an area of 20 miles over a total surface of 160 square miles and towering 240 feet above sea level. As the world's largest active glacier, it is one of the most significant natural attractions of Argentina. Lunch box is included. Overnight at the Los Alamos Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 14 El Calafate / Buenos Aires

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires and transfer to the El Casco San Isidro Hotel. Welcome to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s cultural and financial Capital. Built in the 19th Century, an era of plenty for the wealthy gaucho land barons of Argentina, it is a city of contrasts offering a blend of old world charm and modern conveniences rivaling the architecture and sophistication of Paris. The fashionable shops, wide avenues, sidewalk cafes, and flower vendors in the elegant La Recoleta district are reminiscent of old Europe. Rest of day at leisure. (B)

Day 15 Buenos Aires

Your tour of Buenos Aires takes us along the 9th of July Avenue, the widest in the world, passing by the Plaza de Mayo where we view the "Casa Rosada" (Pink House) and head to the chic refurbished area of Puerto Madero where old docks and warehouses have been converted to modern office buildings and restaurants. Continue to the fashionable quarter of Recoleta with sidewalk cafes. Nearby is its famous cemetery, a necropolis of elaborate mausoleums, including that of Eva Peron. Then on to the residential neighborhood of Palermo, home to most of Buenos Aires’s parks; the botanical garden; horse-racing track and return to our hotel. Tonight we recommend Tango Show & Dinner at “Esquina Carlos Gardel.” Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable tango show at a typical “tangueria”, with a large orchestra like the one that used to play in the 40`s. The best singers and dancers will perform a memorable show with the music, the lyrics, and the sensual dance of tango, an authentic symbol of Buenos Aires city. Enjoy dinner sampling the famous Argentine beef followed by a show where we are mesmerized by sensual national dance… The Tango. Overnight at the El Casco San Isidro Hotel. (B)

Day 16 Depart Buenos Aires

Day free for last minute shopping or relaxation. Evening overnight flight home. (B)

Remarks

Not included: Gratuities of any kind; airport departure taxes; meals unless included in the itinerary.

Inquire about our special airfares on American Airlines and LAN for this package.

Pre/Post extensions available in Chile and Argentina. Please inquire.