Journey to Patagonia

Combine cosmopolitan cities with some of the most remarkable landscapes in the world with a trip that delves deep into the southern Patagonian ice cap. Glistening lakes, thunderous waterfalls, lofty mountains, powerful glaciers and culturally diverse capital cities await you on this truly magical tour.

OVERVIEW OF TOUR

•   Guided tour of Chile's capital - Santiago
•   Visit a vineyard in the Casablanca Valley
•   City tour of the port of Valparaíso
•   Full day tour to Peulla from Puerto Varas
•   Explore the Torres del Paine National Park
•   Boat trip to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier
•   Todo Glaciares Navigation to the Upsala Glacier
•   Discover the sights and sounds of Buenos Aires

Guide

ESCORTED SMALL GROUP TOUR

This tour is escorted by English speaking local guides. Extensions are not escorted but assistance is provided locally.

MEAL PLAN
•   Breakfast daily
•   Lunch on Days 3, 5 and 7-10
•   Dinner on Days 2, 4, 6 and 12

MEAL PLAN - EXTENSIONS

ATACAMA PRE TOUR
•   Breakfast on Days 3, 4, 5 and 6
•   Lunch on Day 4

IGUAÇU AND RIO
•   Breakfast on Days 13-17

MENDOZA
•   Breakfast on Days 13-17
•   Lunch on Day 15

ESTANCIA EXPERIENCE
•   Breakfast on Days 13-16
•   Lunch on Days 13-14
•   Dinner on Days 13-14

ACCOMMODATION
4 star accommodation throughout apart from Torres del Paine accommodation which is of a 3½ star standard. 4 star accommodation is provided in all the extensions apart from in San Pedro de Atacama where the accommodation is of a 3½ star standard.

GROUP SIZE

Maximum of 10 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers (please call for details).

GRATUITIES
Tipping is not included. We recommend you tip your guide at the end of the tour.

TRAVEL TIPS
The weather in Patagonia can be very changeable and is known for its strong winds, so you should dress accordingly. The itinerary may be subject to change due to weather conditions.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO SANTIAGO
Fly LAN Airlines from Heathrow to Santiago via Madrid, arriving the following day.

DAY 2 - SANTIAGO
Transfer to the Atton El Bosque for an overnight stay. Take a panoramic tour of the city taking in sights such as the Palacio de la Moneda (Government Palace) and the Plaza de Armas where you can see the city's cathedral, National History Museum and Central Post Office.

DAY 3 - SANTIAGO TO VALPARAÍSO
Journey west to the port city of Valparaíso (Approx. 80 miles) for one night, stopping off in Casablanca Valley for a wine tour and tasting en route. Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel Acontraluz for an overnight stay. Enjoy a tour of this colourful city which is sometimes referred to as ‘Little San Francisco’. 19th and early 20th Century outdoor elevators transport you up the chaotic steep streets lined with beautiful buildings or climb the charming cobbled streets of Cerros Concepción and Alegre under your own steam.

DAY 4 - VALPARAÍSO TO PUERTO VARAS
Fly south to Puerto Varas for two nights at the Cabañas del Lago. Explore the streets, sights and lakeside of this small enclave of Germany.

DAY 5 - PUERTO VARAS
On a full day tour visit the roaring rapids of the Petrohué Waterfalls and the Chilean lake district town of Peulla where you will have lunch before returning to Puerto Varas.

DAY 6 PUERTO VARAS TO TORRES DEL PAINE
Leave Puerto Varas, fly to Punta Arenas and then continue on to Torres del Paine National Park in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. Transfer to the Las Torres for a two night stay. The next day take park in a full day tour of the park marvelling at the national park’s spellbinding landscape of mountains, glaciers and lakes. Torres del Paine National Park, an outdoor adventurer's paradise which is dominated by the three Towers of Paine, Torre Central, Torre Sur and Torre Norte.

DAY 8 - TORRES DEL PAINE TO EL CALAFATE
Upon leaving the park, head towards the border at Cerro Castillo and cross into Argentina and onwards to El Calafate (Approx. 220 miles) for a three night stay at Hotel Alto, close to the shore of Lake Argentino.

DAY 9 - EL CALAFATE
Morning visit to the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier on a full day tour. Head into the UNESCO World Heritage Site Los Glaciares National Park and on the way to the glacier you can witness the area’s wildlife and amazing rock formations. Stop at the 'Sighs Curve' which allows a panoramic view of the Puerto Moreno Glacier before moving closed to the glacier’s face which towers up to 80 metres high in some places.

DAY 10 - EL CALAFATE
Step aboard the Todo Glaciares Navigation and set sail across Lake Argentino, passing drifting icebergs, towards the soaring face of the Upsala Glacier and back via the beautiful Spegazzini Glacier.

DAY 11 - EL CALAFATE TO BUENOS AIRES
Fly to the Argentine capital for a two night stay at the Emperador Hotel. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.

DAY 12 - BUENOS AIRES
Partake in a half-day city tour and enjoy the sights of this cosmopolitan city including the historic Plaza de Mayo which is home to the Government House and Cathedral and the colourful buildings of the La Boca neighbourhood. Witness the 18th and 19th Century colonial buildings that line the streets of Palermo. Spend the afternoon at leisure and in the evening enjoy a farewell dinner and a mesmerising tango show.

DAY 13 - BUENOS AIRES TO LONDON
Transfer to the airport and fly British Airways from Buenos Aires to Heathrow, arriving the following day.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS

ATACAMA PRE TOUR

DAY 1 - LONDON TO SANTIAGO
Fly Iberia from Heathrow to Santiago via Madrid, arriving the following day.

DAY 2 - SANTIAGO
Spend one night at the Atton El Bosque.

DAY 3 - SANTIAGO TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Fly to Calama Airport and transfer to Hotel Kimal in the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama where you will stay three nights. Spend the afternoon on a tour exploring the other worldly landscape of the Valley of Mars, the Three Marias and Moon Valley. Witness the sunsetting over the desert before returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

DAY 4 - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Following breakfast you will spend a full day in the desert visiting the village of Toconao, the Jeri Valley with its plantation of fruit trees, the Chaxa lagoon to see the vibrant pink flamingos and on to the Miscanti and Meniques lagoons, surrounded by volcanoes.

DAY 5 - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Depart early and enjoy a picnic breakfast at the geothermal field at El Tatio. Partake in a guided walk between the fascinating fumaroles and geysers. En route back to San Pedro de Atacama visit the hot springs of Puritama where you can bathe in the geothermal pools. This afternoon discover the enthralling Atacemeñam culture with a visit to a museum, the fortress of Quitor, a traditional settlement and the archaeological village of Tulor.

DAY 6 - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA TO SANTIAGO
Return to Santiago and join the main tour (DAY 2).

IGUAÇU AND RIO

DAY 13 - BUENOS AIRES TO IGUAÇU
Transfer to the airport and fly to the Iguaçu National Park and transfer to the Panoramic Hotel for a two night stay. Spend your time at leisure perhaps exploring both the falls from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides of the falls.

DAY 15 - IGUAÇU TO RIO DE JANEIRO
Fly to Brazil's party city Rio de Janeiro and transfer to Porto Bay Rio Internacional for a three night stay. Explore the city at leisure.

DAY 18 - RIO DE JANEIRO TO LONDON
Transfer to the airport and fly Iberia to London Heathrow via Madrid.


WINERIES OF MENDOZA

DAY 13 - BUENOS AIRES TO MENDOZA
Fly to Mendoza and transfer to the Sheraton Mendoza for a three night stay. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.

DAY 14 - MENDOZA
Enjoy a half day city tour of the city of Mendoza, famous for its numerous vineyards and being at the heart of Argentina's wine producing region. Take in sights such as the Founding Area (Pedro del Castillo Square) and the beautiful San Martín Park.

DAY 15 - MENDOZA
Partake in a full day tour of two of the region's vineyards. Discover how this desert landscape was transformed into the oasis you see today. Sample the produce of the wineries and wander through the vines learning about the process of wine making.

DAY 16 - MENDOZA TO BUENOS AIRES
Return to Buenos Aires for a further night at the Emperador Hotel. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.

DAY 17 - BUENOS AIRES TO LONDON
Fly Iberia to London Heathrow via Madrid, arriving the following day.


ESTANCIA EXPERIENCE

DAY 13 - BUENOS AIRES TO ESTANCIA EL OMBU DE ARECO
Transfer to the Estancia El Ombu de Areco for a two night stay. Spend the following day at leisure enjoying the various activities offered at the estancia. Guests can observe or take part in the day-to-day running of the ranch or explore the ranch on foot or on horseback. There are also many other activities, such as swimming, horse drawn carrige rides and bicycle rides, available to fill your time at this traditional estancia.

DAY 15 - ESTANCIA EL OMBU DE ARECO TO BUENOS AIRES
Return to Buenos Aires for an overnight stay at the Emperador Hotel.

DAY 16 - BUENOS AIRES TO LONDON
Fly Iberia to London Heathrow via Madrid arriving the following day.