iExplore Patagonia Silver(Trip #43255)

Tour Overview

Argentina, the country boasts a wide variety of cultural attractions, but for many travelers, its natural wonders are the primary draw. From the northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazú Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is varied and stunning. The elegant capital, Buenos Aires is a fabulous city renowned for its sophistication, although travelers expecting a more 'South American' experience are sometimes disappointed with its European feel. Argentina is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously.

Chile's distinctive culture has survived the violence and repression of its recent history and is thriving once again thanks to a people noted for their warmth and resilience. Despite having the most European community in South America, indigenous traditions persist in the Andean foothills and in the southern plains, while some of South America's finest national parks draw trekkers and guanaco spotters alike.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrive Buenos Aires, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon city tour of Buenos Aires. This evening, enjoy a superb Tango Show and dinner.
Melia Recoleta Hotel (Dinner)

Day 02: Buenos Aires - Bariloche
Transfer to Buenos Aires Airport for your flight* to Bariloche Arrive Bariloche, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Hotel Edelweiss (Breakfast)

Day 03: Bariloche
Morning tour of Bariloche. Your tour will take you up into the surrounding mountains for breathtaking views of the Catedral, Lopez and Otto Mountain peaks, descending to Lake Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno. A visit to Cerro Campanario with a chairlift up gives you one of the most spectacular views of the area.
Hotel Edelweiss (Breakfast)

Day 04: Bariloche - Puella - Puerto Varas, Chile
Embark on a full-day excursion across the scenic alpine lakes of Frias and Todos Los Santos, to Petrohue. Without a doubt the "Lake District Crossing" is one of South America's most popular surface crossings. Traverse via a series of motorlaunches and motorcoaches through spectacular scenery - snow-capped mountain peaks, gloriously green forests and azul blue lakes. An unforgettable ride through the Andes ends with a late afternoon arrival at the small town of Petrohue. You are met and transferred to the hotel in Puerto Varas.
Hotel Cabanas del Lago (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 05: Puerto Varas & The Lake District
Enjoy a day of independent exploration in the Lake District. Optional activities can be arranged, such as horseback riding, rafting the Petrohué River, hiking Osorno Volcano, or kayaking on Yanquihue Lake.
Hotel Cabanas del Lago (Breakfast)

Day 06: Puerto Varas - Torres del Paine National Park
Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport for you flight* to Punta Arenas. Bus transfer to Puerto Natales, and then private transfer to Torres del Paine National Park. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon for check-in formalities.
Hosteria Las Torres (Breakfast)

Day 07 & 08: Torres del Paine National Park
Two full days of independent exploration in Torres del Paine National Park. Book any of the following optional (fees apply) excursions from the hotel: The Towers; One of the main attractions of the renowned National Park Torres del Paine, these rock formations impose 1000 meters of naked granite stabbing the heavens with three colossal towers. Lake Nordenskjold; The path follows between an emerald green lake and Almirante Nieto, a magnificent mountain. The trail promises a relaxed ride through bewildering landscape. Full Paine; During the drive to get to the Grey Lake, the national park is revealed. Guanacos, foxes, birds and the most comprehensive view of the general mountain structure is sighted along the way. Los Cuernos; On of the most varied sceneries is seen on this path. Along the way there will be i ced mountains on one side and an amazing panoramic view edging Lake Nordenskjold on the other. Salto Grande; The inner roads of the park will delight the passenger with its beauties until Salto Grande is reached. A short walk will lead to this waterfall that flows into the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoe. Laguna Azul; This placid trip takes you to a lagoon embedded in a valley of flowers. In the sky, the towers stand out over hills, forests, valleys and rivers. Laguna Amarga and Lago Sarmiento; A large diversity of birds will be sighted in numerous lagoons that decorate the trip. Valle Encantado; horse or trekking) This is a beautiful trip with a panoramic view of rivers, valleys and mountains; ideal for enjoying a horse ride. Sierra Baguales; Sierra Baguales is known for its exotic rock formations, its birds and above all for its fossils. The former habitat of hundreds of wild horses provides an interesting and unconventional glimpse of the Patagonia, past and present.
Hosteria Las Torres (Breakfast)

Day 09: Torres del Paine National Park - Santiago
Morning shuttle transfer to Puerto Natales with connecting bus transfer to Punta Arenas. In Punta Arenas, you are met and transferred to Punta Arenas Airport for your flight* to Santiago for overnight.
Atton El Bosque Hotel (Breakfast)

Day 10: Santiago - Departure
Morning tour of Santiago. End your tour with visit Blue Stone jewellery store, and El Mundo del Vino wine store. This afternoon, transfer to Santiago International Airport.
Atton El Bosque Hotel - Day room (Breakfast)

*Flights are not included in land price.

Departure Dates

Departures on request, please call for details.

Prices

April - September 2008
$3095 per person, double occupancy, based on 2 persons traveling together
$1350 single room supplement
$5995 solo traveler

Internal flights: Buenos Aires-Bariloche // Puerto Montt-Punta Arenas-Santiago from $1315 (subject to change)

Inclusions:
·Hotel accommodations as shown in the itinerary
·1 nights at Melia Recoleta Hotel (standard room), Buenos Aires on bed & buffet breakfast basis
·2 nights at Hotel Edelweiss Hotel (standard room), Bariloche on bed & breakfast basis
·2 night at Hotel Cabañas del Lago (superior room) in Puerto Varas on bed & buffet breakfast basis
·3 nights at Hosteria Las Torres (superior room) Torres del Paine on bed & breakfast basis
·1 night at Hotel Atton El Bosque (standard room), Santiago on bed & buffet breakfast basis
·Meals as indicated on the itinerary. Lunches and dinners as indicated including tea, coffee, mineral water and half bottle of wine per person. Additional drinks charged as per consumption
·Private transfers/sightseeing in Buenos Aires, Bariloche and Santiago
·Entrance fees to the sights/shows as indicated in the itinerary
·In Patagonia & the Lake Crossing: all services by non-exclusive (seat in bus) regular service and includes services of an English-speaking guide
·Transfers between Punta Arenas are Natales are by scheduled bus service
·Porterage at airports and hotels.

Exclusions:
·International airfares
·Domestic flights from Buenos Aires-Bariloche, Puerto Montt-Puerto Arena-Santiago (priced seperately)
·Airport departure taxes
·Meals other than stated in “inclusions” or room service charges.
·Optional excursions in Puerto Varas and Torres del Paine
·Excess baggage charges or shipping charges.
·Excess mileage carried out at the request of participants.
·All items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, room service)
·Any other item not mentioned in “inclusions”
·Travel Insurance

Special cancellation fees:
If a cancellation is received 34 days or less, prior to date of travel in South America, 100% of the total tour price is non-refundable.
Cancellations of all bookings must be in writing.

Note: Certain suppliers have more stringent cancellation policies during peak season periods. iExplore reserves the right to alter the cancellation policies should our suppliers apply different penalties to those listed above.

These trips are priced assuming two travelers. Surcharges for solo travelers and discounts for groups, if any, will be applied. Prices assume itinerary is purchased "as is". Minor changes to hotels or hotel add-ons to the beginning or the end of the existing itinerary can be made at no extra charge. Any customization requiring us to start with a new base itinerary will require a non-refundable upfront planning fee of $250 that is creditable towards the final trip price.

All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.