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From $6000 per person Double Occupancy
Travel from Santiago de Chile to the southern tip
of South America: View Penguins, Glaciers and Whales!
Finish your tour in the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires. Opt to
extend to see the Iguassu Falls - larger than Niagara - in a lush green
Argentinean tropical setting
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Day 1: Santiago de Chile:
Arrive Santiago de Chile. Your guide welcomes you to the Chilean
capital and escorts you to your downtown the Hotel Radisson
****. Depart from your hotel for a half day sightseeing of
Santiago, the capital of Chile. See the civic centre, La Moneda
Presidential Palace, the Plaza de Armas, the imposing Cathedral and the
Main Post Office.
Continue to Ahumada and Huerfanos, the busiest commercial pedestrian
streets in the city, and then, on to Santa Lucia Hill, the site of
foundation of Santiago in 1541. Proceed to the bohemian district of
Bellavista with its active nightlife and craft fairs, the residential
districts of Vitacura, Las Condes and Providencia with its modern
architecture and exclusive shopping malls. Tonight's dinner gives you a
taste of the city.
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Day 2: Santiago de Chile & Torres del Paine:
Transfer to Santiago's city airport for your flight southwards. Pick up
at Punta Arenas Apt and transfer to Torres del Paine. The bus departs
from Punta Arenas airport at 4 pm arriving to the penguin Rookery at
Seno Otay at 5.45 pm.
You will have some time to enjoy the view of these fascinating sea
birds before going on towards Torres del Paine National Park. This
singular place allows passengers to admire the charm of Maguellan
penguins, which are a native species of Patagonia. Situated northward
from Punta Arenas, it is a place protected from human intervention with
limited paths to avoid stepping of the penguin nesting areas. Walking
along these paths on the banks of Seno Otway, visitors will be able to
watch these amazing and funny seabirds from a belvedere located on the
beach.
The most interesting thing about visiting a penguin colony is to
observe their behavior. You will also have the chance to watch a large
quantity of wild geese, ostriches and many other sea birds. Arrival at
the Hosteria Tyndall Inn will be at about midnight.
Dinner will be provided on the bus.
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Day 3: Torres del Paine:
"Each corner of the National Park possesses special surprises for the
visitors." In this excursion we would like to give our guests the
opportunity to visit some of the most overwhelming sights. Start your
excursion at the Visitor Center, then to the view point called Cerro
Condor, which offers an outstanding view of the Lake Pehoe area and Los
Cuernos ('The Horns'), interesting for the funny structure of the
mountain summit. Spot some of the many Condor nests, and try to glimpse
a few of them in their marvelous flight.
Then we will continue towards the great Salto Grande ('Large Fall'),
and on to the viewpoint of the Horns at Lake Nordenskjold. From there
the trip will lead us to Laguna Amarga ('Bitter Lagoon') and up to the
cascades of Rio Paine. The excursions will also take us to the inferior
paths of Paine where many "guanacos" can be seen. The last view before
returning to the inn, will be enjoyed from Lake Sarmiento, after a full
day of images, landscapes, flora and fauna. Dinner tonight is on us!
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4: Torres del Paine / El Calafate:
Departing from Torres del Paine at 6.30 am you will be reaching the
frontier pass at Cerro Castillo at 9 am to connect with the bus to
Calafate at 9.45 am.
Arrival in Calafate will be at about 1 pm. Afternoon at leisure to walk
around in this small but nice village or to take an optional city tour
around the village that will take you to Nymes Lagoon, an interesting
place for bird watching. Dinner & accommodation at the Hosteria
Sierra Nevada.
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Day 5: El Calafate:
(From October to April daily departures at 07.30 AM. Approximate
arrival time: 06.30 PM) Depart from your hotel and drive to Puerto
Banderas to board a cruise that will take you to Upsala and Onelli
Glaciers.
Sail the Northern Arm of the Lake Argentino toward Upsala, the largest
continental glacier in the Southern Hemisphere. Disembark at Onelli Bay
for a walk through the lenga forest. Reach Onelli Lagoon where Bolado,
Onelli and Agassiz Glaciers flow. (If icebergs prevent us from
disembarking at Onelli Bay we will stop at Puesto de Vacas).
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Day 6: El Calafate/ Puerto Madryn:
Transfer today to the airport for your flight to Trelew airport.
Transfer to the Hotel Peninsula. Dinner is at a restaurant just a short
walk from the hotel.
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7: Puerto Madryn:
You will be introduced to the ecological world of Peninsula de Valdes
located few kilometers away from Puerto Madryn. Cross the Ameghino
Itshmus with a stop to watch the Birds Island through binoculars (the
access to the island is restricted not to disturb the marine birds
breeding).
Then on to Caleta Valdes, a cove where the last continental sea
elephants rookery is located. We will continue our way toward Puerto
Piramides the only village located on the Peninsula. After lunch take a
walk up to the sea lions rookery or take optional sailing tours. From
June to mid December you will be able to see the magnificent whale
gathering for the mating and birthing season. We suggest you to take an
optional boat ride for the whale watching.
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Day 8: Puerto Madryn/ Buenos Aires:
Transfer to Trelew airport to board the flight to Buenos Aires. On the
way, visit the Punta Tombo rookery, as well as Gaiman, the most
traditional Welsh settlement in Patagonia. We will sightsee the brick
buildings from the 19th Century, the chapel, the Welsh Museum and the
the houses where we can enjoy a delicious Welsh Tea (optional).
We will also visit Trelew, the most active city in the Chubut River
Valley, to pass by the major attractions: the old train station, the
central square, the old chapel and Edigio Feruglio Paleontologic
Museum. Finally we will go to Punta Tombo Fauna Reservation, where
every year from September until April 500.000 Magellanic penguins meet
for mating and birthing. You'll have a great time watching the complex
behavior of these swimming migratory birds. You'll also witness other
birds' colonies such as cormorants, seagulls, etc. Arrive in Buenos
Aires City airport and transfer to Hotel Abasto *****
located in the heart of the city.
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9: Buenos Aires:
Half day sightseeing of Buenos Aires, one of the most cosmopolitan
cities in the world. Your tour starts at the Congress Palace, the
headquarters of the Legislative power. This imposing neo classic style
building is located in one of the extremes of Avenida de Mayo.
On the other extreme stands the Government House, also known as the
Pink House or Casa Rosada and the Plaza de Mayo Square, which
can be considered the most important site in Argentine history, stage
of major political activities and public demonstrations. Surrounding
this square stands the Cabildo (the old town city hall) and the
Cathedral.
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along 9 de Julio Avenue to see the Teatro Colon (Colon Theatre), the
opera house whose perfect accoustic has made it famous all over the
world. Then on to La Boca. This colourful district, settlement of
Genoese sailors in the 19th century, inspired famous Argentine painters.
Walk along Caminito Street, where every weekend a paintings and crafts
fair is held. Continue to San Telmo, the oldest neighbourhood in the
city. It keeps its old architectural heritage: colonial houses,
cobblestone streets and antiques shops. Every Sunday a flea market is
held in its main square, the Plaza Dorrego.
San Telmo is also known for its nightlife since most tango night clubs
are located here. Next we go to Palermo, a residential neighborhood
with elegant mansions surrounded with green spaces. On the way back to
downtown Buenos Aires, view another residential neighborhood called
Recoleta, where fashionable restaurants, coffee shops, nightclubs and
boutiques are located. Visit the Recoleta Cemetery to see its valuable
works of art and Evita's tomb.The afternoon at leisure for shopping
around. Then enjoy a farewell dinner and Tango Show.
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Day 10: Buenos Aires:
Enjoy a free day in the City of Tango. This evening, transfer from the
hotel to the airport
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Highlights:
- Santiago de Chile
- Glaciers and Penguins in Torres del Paine
- Whales in Madryn
- The Paris of South America, Buenos Aires
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