10-Nights Patagonia - Land Journey from $9,990
Tauck
OFFER ID 1582248
Patagonia
In the southern Andes mountains lies one of the most beautiful places on Earth… Patagonia. Astonishing landscapes of jagged Andean peaks and deep fjords carved by glaciers... panoramic vistas of living ice that changes shape and color by the angle of the sun, amid deep water lakes of emerald and turquoise. No wonder some local legends hold that extraterrestrials once lived here.
Join us for a remarkable 11-day journey through stunning fjords, glaciers, turquoise lakes, jagged, dramatic mountains valleys populated by exotic wildlife - with an opportunity to experience a slice of daily life in the Patagonian outback. Experience the exotic flora and amazing wildlife of Torres del Paines National Park; Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the wonders of the world; cruises on the Ultima Esperanza Fjord and the Lago Argentina; a private visit to one of the world's most famous silversmiths; a private lunch at a ranch where gauchos demonstrate their skills; a private wine pairing dinner in Puerto Natales; excursions led by local guides and naturalists, and so much more... on a Patagonia travel experience that's second to none.
10 nights from $9,990 per person
Itinerary Details
Tauck World Discovery: Patagonia
Day 1 Santiago, Chile
Arrive Santiago
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, The Ritz Carlton Santiago. We'll meet you at the airport. A transfer is included upon arrival from Santiago International Airport to your hotel in the heart of a sprawling metropolis set against stunning backdrops of the Andes Mountains. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
Meals: D
Day 2 Puerto Bories Chile
Picturesque Puerto Natales
Fly this morning from Santiago to Punta Arenas, deep in the southern tip of the continent, near Tierra del Fuego. This "city of red roofs," established in the 19th century as a penal colony and coaling station for steamships, is usually a jumping-off point for Antarctic expeditions, but today it's a leg on your Patagonia travel adventure to the otherworldly landscapes of Torres del Paines National Park. From here you'll travel by land to Puerto Natales, a town on the shores of the Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) Sound. Named by a 16th-century Spanish explorer who became lost in the maze of channels and fjords while searching for the Strait of Magellan, the area was later settled by European immigrants as a shipping port for the local wool and meat-packing industry in the early 20th century. Arrive in late afternoon and check in to your accommodations at the Singular Patagonia hotel, formerly a waterfront factory built in 1915, now a luxury resort with dramatic floor-to-ceiling views of the sound and mountain ranges. This region of rolling plains and turquoise lakes is frequented by an anomalous assortment of wildlife, in a panorama bordered by ice-capped Andean peaks. Dinner tonight is preceded by a late-afternoon historical tour of the Singular Hotel.
Meals: B, D
Day 3 Puerto Bories Chile
Cruise to Serrano Glacier & more
A cruise on the Ultima Esperanza Sound introduces you to the labyrinth of fjords, inlets, and channels that winds through this mystical landscape for miles: scenes of mountains, cliffs and caves, colonies of sea lions, plunging waterfalls, and ice-floes. Disembark at O'Higgins National Park for a hike to Serrano Glacier. Then cruise past waterfalls and Balmadeda Glacier for spectacular views of the fjords and surrounding mountain vistas that change color with the light. After lunch at an estancia and a sheep-shearing demonstration, return to the hotel. Tonight, enjoy a four-course wine-pairing dinner at the hotel featuring some of Chile's famous varietals.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4 Puerto Bories Chile
Torres del Paines National Park
Journey north from Puerto Natales to the heart of one of South America's most spectacular nature preserves, a photographer's paradise of glacier-carved fjords and valleys, steppes, and sub-polar forests, dominated by the grandeur of Torres del Paine, a range of twisted granite peaks sculpted in startling curves and serrated edges that includes a trio of rock formations known as Cleopatra's Needles. The vivid colors of the lakes, shades of emerald and turquoise, are caused by rock flour settling from the restless grinding of the mountains by glaciers, a palette offset by rolling plains covered with red wildflowers. The rugged landscape is populated by foxes, pumas, guanacos, rheas, and large birds of prey, which you'll have a chance to view on frequent photo stops, rest stops, and short hikes. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue touring the park throughout the afternoon. Head back to the hotel for dinner at your leisure this evening.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5 Puerto Bories Chile
A singular day in Puerto Natales
Spend the day as you please at the resort - a variety of activities* are included, such as kayaking, biking, condor-watching, hiking, cave exploring, and horseback riding. The Singular hotel is officially a national monument for its significance to the heritage of the region, so in addition to its amenities it harbors a museum of fascinating exhibits on local history and restored machinery from its factory days. You can also visit the town, to learn about its unusual mix of European and indigenous cultures, where there's also a wide choice of cafes and drinking establishments that cater to international tastes. This evening, dinner is served family style at the hotel's restaurant.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6 El Calafate, Argentina
El Calafate & Lago Argentino
Your Patagonia travel adventure continues as you cross the border into Argentina this morning and arrive at El Calafate in time for lunch. A small, picturesque village on the shores of Lake Argentino, El Calafate is named for a wild bush with yellow flowers and blue berries that flourishes here; it is also known as the "Village of the Glaciers," the gateway to Glacier National Park. Lunch in the town, which retains some of its original character as a pioneer outpost for wool-traders. Then continue on to your accommodations at Xelena Hotel & Suites. Check in, then pay a visit to a local museum, the Glaciarium, dedicated to the science of glaciers and the geological history of the area, an entree to the astonishing world you'll meet in Glacier National Park.
Meals: B, L
Day 7 El Calafate, Argentina
A day spent at Upsala Glacier
Board a private boat at Punta Bandera for a cruise on Lake Argentino. The vast freshwater lake is fed by runoff from dozens of glaciers in the Southern Patagonian Icefield. You'll sail by one of the largest of them, Upsala Glacier, a towering wall of ice (100 feet higher than Niagara Falls) that meets the water and stretches for miles through an alien landscape of wildly sculpted granite peaks and icebergs, and a startling palette of colors; the green of the lake beside the vivid blue, white and gold hues of the mountains, forests and ice offer dramatic photo ops like nowhere else on earth. Disembark at Estancia Cristina, a cattle and sheep ranch founded in the early 1900s for a hike up to a high vantage point rewarding you with unparalleled panoramic views of Upsala Glacier, then get a close-up look at life on the ranch, including a visit to a museum dedicated to the first family that settled in this area and their lifestyle. Enjoy a lunch of local cuisine, and learn the art of making mate tea (the national drink), traditionally brewed and served in a calabash gourd with a metal straw. In lieu of the estancia, you have the option to embark on a 9-mile hike through Fossil Canyon, where a great concentration of ancient fossils and geological treasures can be found (lunch is included). Marvel again on the scenic return trip to your hotel for an evening spent as you wish.
Meals: B
Day 8 El Calafate, Argentina
Perito Moreno Glacier
Drive into Glacier National Park to witness one of South America's most breathtaking natural wonders, Perito Moreno Glacier. Fronting Lake Argentino for three miles, rising 240 feet from the water in dense clusters of jagged white skyscrapers, Perito Moreno is one of the few glaciers in the icefield that is advancing, its restless movement unseen but sometimes heard in its eerie groaning, cracking, and rumbling. From high walkways on the shore opposite the glacier, you can appreciate its overwhelming scale and even have the chance to see an iceberg calve away from the ice wall, collapsing like a tall building in an explosion of thunder and water. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the presence of this immense, mystical phenomenon; its majestic landscape mesmerizes with the changing light, as the ice morphs in color, from white to turquoise and sapphire, and even deep indigo blue. Return to the hotel this afternoon for time at leisure, or explore the shops and markets in the center of El Calafate; enjoy an included dinner tonight at your choice of three local restaurants in El Calafate.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fly to Buenos Aires
Travel today on a flight from El Calafate to the cosmopolitan excitement of Buenos Aires. You'll get an orientation tour of the "Paris of South America" en route to the Sofitel Buenos Aires, a stylish hotel in the heart of one of the city's most fashionable neighborhoods, Recoleta. Dine at the hotel this evening.
Meals: B, D
Day 10 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Silversmiths, Gaucho culture & tango
An excursion takes you to the lush farmlands outside the city, and the artists' community at San Antonio del Areco. In this town of charming Spanish colonial-style houses and streets, you'll meet members of the Draghi family, world-famous silversmiths who have crafted treasures for all walks of life, from gauchos to heads of state and Hollywood stars; visit their shop and studio, where you'll view their exquisite silver and saddlery, which evoke the cowboy culture and heritage of the region. Next up, naturally, is a private lunch and "gaucho fiesta", where cowboys of the Argentine outback demonstrate their legendary equestrian skills: acrobatic riding, herding, ring-racing and horse dancing. Return to the hotel to freshen up, then join us for a farewell dinner and tango show in the city, where this once-scandalous dance form was born and elevated to an art.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Journey home
Tour ends: Buenos Aires. Checkout time is noon. Transfers are included from Sofitel Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires International Airport. You should allow 3 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: B
Excursions
Punta Arenas: Exploring the End of the World - 3.5 hours
Punta Arenas: Exploring the End of the World - 3.5 hours
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXCURSION
- A visit to the Braun-Menendez Regional Museum.
- Cocktail and canapés at the De La Cruz hill
- The municipal cemetery and the tomb dedicated to the Ona Indians.
DESCRIPTION
This city tour begins with a visit to the southern sector of Punta Arenas where we’ll visit the eerie wreckage of the Lord Longsdale ship and the local market.
Afterwards we’ll head back to Old Town Punta Arenas. Here its European architecture, public buildings, main square and gardens with their varied styles denote wealth and luxury that existed in the city during the "golden era" between 1880 and 1914, when Punta Arenas was one of the most active ports of the Southern Cone.
The visit will continue to the Braun-Menendez Regional Museum, the former residence of Maurice Braun and Josefina Menendez, a marriage that united the two largest fortunes in the region of Magallanes. With the falling price of wool and the nationalization of the farms during the 1970's, the family lost most of their wealth and their descendants have since moved from Patagonia to the rest of world.
Moving from downtown towards the North, we’ll arrive at the Mount La Cruz panoramic point. It offers a beautiful view of the city, with its colorful roofs spreading up to the strait and showing the landscape of Tierra del Fuego, Mount Sarmiento and the southern area of the Brunswick Peninsula. Before continuing will take a few minutes to make a toast enjoying this unique view and brilliant photo stop.
To end this excursion we’ll take you to the beautifully landscaped Municipal Cemetery. Here, one can admire the splendid mausoleums of pioneer families as well as a tomb dedicated to the Unknown Ona, the now extinct Fireland Indians. They say you can't really understand a culture until you see where they bury their dead, and in the case of the cemetery of Punta Arenas, this edict certainly rings true. The Municipal Cemetery was opened by the Governor Señoret in 1894 and features a giant stone portico donated by Sara Braun in 1919. Inside this necropolis lies a veritable miniature city, with avenues that connect the magnificent tombs of the region's founding families, settlers, and civic workers and a rather solemn tomb where lie the remains of the last Selk'nam Indians of Tierra del Fuego.
*Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
Operational notes :
Duration : 3.5 hours
Level of activity : Easy.
Meal plan : Snacks and refreshments at Mount La Cruz
Travellers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
Punta Arenas: Flavors of Patagonia - 4 hours
Punta Arenas: Flavors of Patagonia - 4 hours
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXCURSION
- An orientation tour of Punta Arenas
- A private culinary experience with a renowned local chef
DESCRIPTION
The Walking City Tour begins at Main Square Plaza Muñoz Gamero and Old Town with its European arquitecture, public buildings and gardens with their varied styles denote wealth and luxury that existed in the city during the "golden era" between 1880 and 1914, when Punta Arenas became one of the most active ports of the Southern Cone.
To continue towards the area near the port and regional market where will meet up with Luis Gonzalez, Chef and owner of the unique Remezon Restaurant which offers wild flavours that come from this part of the world. Thus his proposal has been awarded and praised by many visitors.
Luis Gonzalez enjoys sharing his Patagonian recipes and culinary secrets with those who come to the Remezon. Today we’ll be doing some grocery shopping together at the market and his favourite spots and afterwards enter his kitchen where cooking is not only fun but we’ll also learn more about Punta Arenas culture, its people and way of living at the ends of the world.
After participating in preparing some delicious dishes it will be time to sit back and enjoy lunch.
Before leaving Luis will surprise you with a very special memento of this Patagonian culinary experience.
*Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
Operational notes :
Duration : 4 hours
Level of activity : Easy.
Meal plan : Lunch with wine at the Remezón restaurant
Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
Punta Arenas - A day on a Patagonian Ranch - 5 hours
Punta Arenas - A day on a Patagonian Ranch - 5 hours
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXCURSION
- The local fauna
- Typical Patagonian lunch
This journey begins as we take off from the city towards the north. Once leaving Punta Arenas enjoy the scenery of the pampas and Patagonian steppe; rheas may be seen alongside hundreds of sheep.
In 1852 Bernard E. Philippi brought some sheep from Chiloé (island across Puerto Montt) and in 1877 the governor Double Diego Almeyda traveled to the Falkland Islands and brought 300 sheep that were sold in Punta Arenas. The following year other traders brought more sheep, and thus began the business of farming and today represent one of the main economic activities in the region. The principal landowners were English and Scots, who knew the handling of sheep and the necessary infrastructure.
Rio Penitente farm was founded by Alexander Morrison, a Scottish pioneer in 1891. Today his descendants are in charge, and will be here to welcome visitors to their charming ranch to explore their facilities, discover the traditional work around the farm, and watch the sheep working dogs and a sheep shearing exhibition.
The comfortable old-world setting provides sharp contrast with the raw beauty of the beech forest and open pampas of the surrounding Patagonian Landscapes. The clear water of Rio Penitente, flowing through the farm, offers excellent trout fishing.
For lunch an exquisite Patagonian barbecue will be served at the main dinning room.
*Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
Excursions
Buenos Aires - Full Day Sightseeing Tour - 7 hours
Buenos Aires - Full Day Sightseeing Tour - 7 hours
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Explore some of the most recognizable landmarks in Buenos Aires. Find out about the history and culture of this city, as you take in some of the most significant spots. Start at the most important square in the country: Plaza de Mayo. The country was founded here in 1580, and today the most important governmental buildings are located here including Casa Rosada (Government House), Cabildo (City Hall) and Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral). Continue through the cobblestoned streets of San Telmo neighbourhood, where the original porteños (Buenos Aires residents) settled in the early days. The next stop is picturesque La Boca, home to Caminito, perhaps the city's most photographed street thanks to its corrugated iron and brightly coloured houses. This block houses one of the few outdoor museums in the world, where artists exhibit work, related to the influence of mainly Italian immigrants who arrived at this port at the end of the 19th century. La Boca is home to the legendary football (soccer giants) Boca Juniors, whose colours of blue and yellow adorn most of the houses and stores in this neighbourhood. Drive towards Palermo, passing through Puerto Madero, a regenerated area where redbrick warehouses have been transformed into trendy restaurants and bars.
Once in the northern area of the city, drive past Palermo Chico with its impressive townhouses, tree-lined boulevards, and parks. Palermo Soho, on the other hand, combines the flavour of an old, working-class neighbourhood with some contemporary details, including ethnic restaurants, design stores and bars. The bohemian atmosphere makes it popular with Argentines as well as foreign visitors, and restaurants cater to all palates. Continue to Recoleta, one of the most elegant and sophisticated districts, visit Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church and Recoleta Cemetery, known for its rich architecture and famous personalities whose mortal remains it treasures.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Old quarters at San Telmo neighborhood
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Palermo neighborhood and parks
- Recoleta Cemetery
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires sightseeing tour with shared visit to Colon Theatre - Half Day
Buenos Aires sightseeing tour with shared visit to Colon Theatre - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Familiarize yourself with some of the most recognizable landmarks, as well as history and culture in the Paris of the South, on this half-day private guided city tour. Kick off at Plaza de Mayo square, the heart of the city both from a historical and political point of view, and site of its foundation in 1580 by Don Juan de Garay. The next stop is San Telmo with its cobbled stone streets and colonial buildings. Also visit La Boca neighbourhood, the tough port barrio and colourful working-class area. Before returning to the hotel, visit Colon Theatre, one of the world's greatest opera houses, with its sublime interior, every piece of marble, furniture and crystal, imported from Europe. The theatre took 80 years to be completed and finally opened in 1908. It combines many European architectural styles and influences, including Greek columns, French stained glass and Italian marble. The house seats up to 2,500 people and the Colón has hosted opera celebrities such as Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas and Placido Domingo. Shared guided tour to Colon Theatre.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Old quarters at San Telmo neighborhood
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Colon Theatre (shared visit)
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour North - half day
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour North - half day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Familiarize yourself with some of the most recognizable landmarks in the northern area of Buenos Aires. Drive through Palermo, a district with several different areas such as classic Palermo Chico and contemporary Palermo Hollywood. Start in Palermo Chico with its impressive townhouses, tree-lined boulevards, and parks, then continue to Bosques de Palermo parks; past the Japanese and Rose Gardens with their lakes and sculptures, which can be visited independently. From here continue past the Palermo racetrack and polo grounds where the famous Argentine Polo Open is played every December. Palermo Soho, on the other hand, fuses the flavour of a working-class neighbourhood with contemporary twists such as ethnic restaurants, design stores and bars. Its bohemian atmosphere makes it popular with Argentines as well as foreign visitors. Gastronomy options appeal to all palates. Finally, visit Recoleta neighbourhood, home to many a mansion, which takes one back to Argentina's glorious days. The tour ends at the Recoleta Cemetery, renowned for its rich architecture and sculptures that makes it more of an open-air museum than a final resting place.
After tour you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Palermo trendy area
- Japanese and Rose garden in Palermo
- Recoleta cemetery
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour & Evita Museum - Half Day
Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour & Evita Museum - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Explore the highlights of the 'Paris of South America' in a four-hour tour accompanied by one of our experienced representatives who will introduce you to the history and culture of this magnificent city. Beginning with the historical areas of Buenos Aires: Plaza de Mayo, the historical and political heart of the city, laid out by Don Juan de Garay in 1580 during the second founding of Buenos Aires. Continue to La Boca, the tough port barrio and colourful working-class area of Buenos Aires, Palermo with its gardens and mansions; and finally, Recoleta, where you will visit its world famous cemetery and see the tombs and mausoleums of the most important personalities of Argentine history. Finally, visit the Evita Museum, a living museum where people can learn, understand and appreciate the life of one of the most important women in Argentine history.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- May square
- Caminito street at La Boca
- Palermo neighborhood and parks
- Recoleta Cemetery
- Evita´s museum
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Entrancee fee for Cemetery and Evitas museum
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires Tigre Getaway - Half Day
Buenos Aires Tigre Getaway - Half Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Escape the hustle and bustle of central Buenos Aires on this relaxing half-day getaway, featuring fashionable riverside suburbs and a cruise along sheltered waterways. Drive to Tigre passing through neighbourhoods such as Vicente López, Olivos, and San Isidro, and past elegant homes of these residential suburbs, including the Presidential Residence in Olivos, official home to Argentina's president. On arrival at the Paraná River, board a private river boat and head out along the Delta's waterways. An array of colourful sights awaits as the boat cruises past islands, turn-of-the-century homes, yacht clubs and a fleet of watercrafts, including canoes and sailboats. A soft drink and snack are served while you enjoy the scenery. Re-join your vehicle when the river cruise ends and transfers you back to the hotel.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Parana river
- Sail in the Delta
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Private river boat
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Lunch
Buenos Aires Tango Show & Dinner at Rojo Tango
Buenos Aires Tango Show & Dinner at Rojo Tango
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
At Rojo Tango, a unique venue designed by Philippe Starck located within the Faena Hotel, enjoy an evening of “Porteño” (residents of Buenos Aires) music and dance. After a three-course dinner with wine and without moving from your seat, the band will strike up and the dancers will appear on scene, to recreate nostalgic times when Tango was danced in the streets of Buenos Aires. A majestic performance full of fantasy and sensuality and incredible skill.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Tango show at Rojo tango
- First class venue
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- Private vehicle
- Dinner
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- English speaking guide
Buenos Aires: Gaucho celebration - Full Day
Buenos Aires: Gaucho celebration - Full Day
Meet your local guide at local pier and start with your visit.
Join a Gaucho celebration at Estancia Santa Susana, a typical ranch only 80 km from Buenos Aires. The estancia has 1,200 hectares (2965 acres) dedicated to agricultural activities and has been a popular tourist destination near Buenos Aires for the last 30 years. Experience the genuine Gaucho lifestyle with various activities, such as a delicious typical Argentine barbecue with drinks, horsemanship show, a visit to the main house, the colonial museum, and the chapel. A short horse-back or carriage ride is also available before lunch. This tour provides an insight to the most fascinating traditions of Argentina.
After the sightseeing you will be transferred back to the pier.
Tour highlights:
- Horseback activity
- Agricultural activities
- Gaucho lifestyle
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from the pier
- English speaking guide
- Private vehicle
- Lunch at the estancia
Exclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver
Chile has a distinctly European flavour and Santiago will bring this home to you as you visit the churches, monuments and museums all designed in a certain familiar style.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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