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PATAGONIA WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
 
(October to April)

T R I P  B A C K G R O U N D

According to Patagonian myth, an evil serpent called Cai Cai caused a massive flood to kill the warrior tribe that lived in Torres del Paine. When the flood waters receded, Cai Cai took the bodies of the two largest warriors and turned them to stone -- thereby creating the twin horns that crown the mountaintop of Cuernos del Paine. Today, Torres del Paine National Park is famous well beyond Chile for its spectacular pink granite mountains, massive glaciers, interesting fauna, lovely lakes and rivers replete with waterfalls and cascades. You'll enjoy easy hiking, boating and/or horseback riding excursions through Paine while retiring each night to an upscale lodge.

But the magnificent desolation of Patagonia extends to other equally captivating areas. Argentina's Glaciers National Park, for example, contains thirteen awesome glaciers including Perito Moreno, considered one of the world's natural wonders. The park was named a World Heritage Site in 1981. You'll go glacier trekking on Perito Moreno, while also exploring the Lago Argentino and Viedma regions of this amazing park -- by foot, on horse or via boat! Your adventure is topped off with a private tango lesson in Buenos Aires and tour of Santiago. You'll return from this adventure with a ton of photos and memories!

Note: All included adventures are elective and low-intensity.

Consider extensions to Tierra del Fuego National Park (Ushuaia) or Iguacu Falls!

I T I N E R A R Y

Note: We will gladly customize an itinerary to meet your preferences.

Fly to Santiago, arriving on the morning of day 2. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a private tour of Santiago, a cosmopolitan city with a delightful blend of Spanish and Peruvian influences, set amidst the snow-capped Andes. Santiago Park Plaza or Plaza San Francisco

Note: You may add time in Santiago or the Lake District if you prefer.

Private airport transfer on day 3 for your morning flight to Punta Arenas. You will be met and transferred to Paine National Park.

For the next three days, you'll explore scenic Paine National Park, enjoying spectacular views of the pink granite Towers of Paine, surrounded by rivers and lakes, southern beech rainforest and scrub steppe. You may visit Laguna Amarga and Laguna Sarmiento for wildlife observation; Nordenskjold Lake for vistas of the Cuernos (horns) del Paine; also Salto Grande waterfalls; Grey Glacier Lake; and the nature interpretive center. Most of the available excursions involve easy hiking, although you may also choose scenic horseback riding or boating excursions as well.

Because of its rugged terrain, prevalent winds and unpredictable weather, Patagonia has remained a pristine wilderness, and a haven for unusual wildlife. Animals found in the park include large herds of guanaco, a wild relative of the llama and camel, ostrich-like rhea, black-necked swans, crested caracara, condors, flamingos, Magellanic woodpecker, the austral parrakeet, a dark yellowish-green parrot which grows to 14 inches in length, flightless steamer duck, gray and red fox. Beautiful alpine lakes, waterfalls and glaciers make this a photographer¹s paradise Explora Lodge (B,L,D throughout)

Note: You may add one night in Torres del Paine but you would need to either depart the U.S. on a Friday or stay at a lodge that is less upscale.

Transfer across the Argentine border to Calafate, which lies on the shores of Lago Argentino. Calafate is the gateway to Glaciers National Park. Free time to rest or explore the town. Imago Hotel & Spa - 5 stars (B, D)

Note: You may stay at Los Notros for a surcharge.

Your boat launch to Perito Moreno glacier will offer panoramic and close-up views of the 180 foot high, 3 mile wide, and 20 mile long glacier. Perito Moreno is considered by many to be the most beautiful glacier in the world. Upon reaching the glacier, you will then embark on a phenomenally scenic and easy glacier trek (2 hours; you will be given crampons). Periodically, you will hear the thunderous sound of 100 foot stalactites breaking apart from the glacier and plunging into the lake, pushing huge waves toward shore.

Following the mini trek, you’ll be taken to a series of boardwalks and viewpoints overlooking the north face of the Perito Moreno glacier. Enjoy stunning views of mountains, forest, and Lago Argentino. Imago Hotel & Spa (B,L,D)

This morning you will be transferred to the tiny port of Puerto Bandera, where you will board a comfortable modern catamaran for cruise on Lago Argentino.  You'll cruise past icebergs of different shapes and colors to the 100-foot high Upsala glacier.  Covering an area of 500 square kilometers, Upsala is the largest glacier in South America.  You'll then proceed along the Spegazzini arm of the lake to the Estancia Cristina, which is surrounded by towering ice-capped mountains and glowing ice-blue bergs.  Established in 1918 and originally dedicated to sheep breeding (25,000 species), this Estancia is only accessible by boat and has, therefore, remained one of the most pristine places in Patagonia.  Upon arrival at the Estancia, you will have a choice of two activities. 

Imago Hotel & Spa (B, L, D)

Early morning transfer (3.5 hours) on day 10 to Estancia Helsingfors, where you'll spend two nights (Note: You may add a night if you prefer ). Located 113 miles north of El Calafate, Helsingfors is surrounded by a stunning landscape, sheltered by coniferous woods that give way to a panoramic view of Lake Viedma and the Andes Mountains.

You will be able to choose from a variety of exciting soft adventures, all taking place amidst incredible landscape. You may go trekking and horseback riding near Laguna Azul, which offers wildlife viewing and splendid views of mountain peaks, a river of ice and blue lagoon. You may also take a zodiac ride to Viedma Glacier, where you'll witness the calving of the glacier and explore glacial caves. Another option is to cruise along one of Lake Viedma's arms and then embark on a short trek to the emerald green Morro Lagoon for wonderful scenery, wildlife viewing and/or trout fishing.

Estancia Helsingfors has eight comfortable rooms each with private bathrooms, a dining room and a cosy living room; all exquisitely decorated with amazing simplicity, combining warm colors and different textures that harmonize and blend in with the natural environment. A refined cellar with select Argentine and Chilean wines accompany the delicacies of a remarkable gourmet cuisine. Estancia Helsingfors (B,L,D throughout)

Note: You may extend your stay in Patagonia by visiting Ushuaia/Tierra del Fuego National Park (see below) or Mt. Fitzroy.

Transfer to Calafate for your flight to Buenos Aires. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel. Known as the "Paris of South America", Buenos Aires is a marvelous city with wide boulevards, large parks, sidewalk cafes, tango parlors, and ornate buildings with roccoco and baroque decorations. This afternoon, you'll have a private tour of the city, visiting four of BA¹s parks and plazas to learn about Argentina¹s history and culture, and even certain characteristics of the Portenos themselves!

Evening Tango show and dinner at an authentic Argentine tango house. Loi Suites Recoleta (B, D)

Note: You may upgrade to the Alvear Palace Hotel. You may also add a day in Buenos Aires.

On the morning of day 13, you may choose from several activities -- a private tango lesson, an Argentine cooking workshop, an art tour, a literary walking tour or a bicycling excursion. The tango lesson is taught by an accomplished instructor. The cooking workshop, taught by a renowned Argentine chef, will teach you how to cook several Argentine specialties, which you will then savor with fine Argentine wine. The modern and colonial art tour will visit the Malba museum, a silver artist in San Telmo and Fernandez Blanco museum. The literary walking tour examines the works of Borges or Julio Cortazar, visiting places that appear in these authors’ novels. The bicycling tour will take you through the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve and other scenic and safe areas of the city

Private airport transfer for your flight to the U.S., arriving on the morning of day 14. (B)

End of Trip

(Code: B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner)

Optional Extension to Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego National Park

Private airport transfer for your morning flight to Ushuaia. You will be met and taken on a private excursion to Lakes Fagnano and Escondido. You¹ll drive north to the Garibaldi Pass, which offers lovely views of Lakes Escondido and Fagnano. You'll drive off road down to the shore of Lake Fagnano, where you'll stop for a barbecue lunch. You'll then take an easy scenic hike through forest, before visiting Lake Escondido and a lodge for refreshments. Return to Ushuaia.
Hotel Las Hayas (B, L)

Note: Depending upon the latest flight schedule, you may need to add one night in Ushuaia in order to do both excursions.

Today, you¹ll enjoy a full day private tour of the Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you'll go on a moderately easy and exceedingly scenic hike (3.5 hours). You'll then paddle (easy) along Lake Roca and the Ovando River until you arrive at Lapataia Bay. This region is one of the most beautiful parts of the park and typically attracts cormorants, albatross, petrels and sealions. Return to Ushuaia by car. Hotel Las Hayas. (B,L)

Morning flight to Buenos Aires and continue with the core itinerary as decribed above.

Land Cost Includes:
o All elective "soft" adventures (hiking, canoeing, glacier trek, horseback riding,)
o 29 meals as indicated
o Accommodations for 11 nights in first class and deluxe hotels and lodges
o Private and small group touring with bilingual guides
o Entrance/park fees
o All transfers and land transportation

Trip Grade: Easy to Moderate. Emphasis is on "off the beaten track" experience. All included adventures are elective and low-intensity. Activities include hiking, glacier hiking, nature walks in windy and sometimes rainy conditions, horseback riding, boat excursions, canoeing and some long driving days. Accommodations are in mostly first class hotels and lodges. Because the trip travels into remote areas, some discomfort may result from the elements, cultural differences, rough roads and schedule changes.

Land Cost Includes: All vehicle transportation and transfers as stated in the itinerary; accommodations in first class and deluxe hotels and lodges (11 nights) and based on double occupancy; 29 meals; entrance/park fees; service and handling charges; private and small group touring.

Land Cost Does Not Include: Airfares (quoted separately); meals not included in itinerary; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; laundry, passports, personal insurance, other personal items; airport departure taxes; hotel nights en route or return.

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy in mostly first class hotels. Singles who sign up will incur a single supplement charge.

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of $400 with the completed reservation form will ensure you a place on this trip. Departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 travelers. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds: The initial deposit for the trip is refundable up to 90 days before departure, less a $200 handling fee. Any cancellation occurring between 60 and 89 days will result in a cancellation penalty of $400 (the full deposit) based on nonrecoverable deposits and expenses. Any cancellation occurring between 30 and 59 days will result in a cancellation penalty of 50% of trip cost. Unless a suitable replacement can be found, there will be no refunds for any cancellation within 29 days of departure. There are no refunds for any unused meals, accommodations or othertrip activities. In certain cases, the cancellation policies of NEI's subcontractors will supersede NEI's policy.

Insurance: Trip cancellation, accident and baggage insurance are recommended and will be offered to all travelers. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised; this will protect you in the case of cancellation due to personal or family illness.

Responsibility: Nature Expeditions International is responsible for conducting this trip as outlined in the published itinerary. It reserves the right, however, to cancel the trip should it become affected by conditions beyond the company¹s control. In such an event, NEI will return all monies paid to it by the affected participants as full and final settlement.

NEI also reserves the right to substitute other lodging during the trip or to change the trip leader(s), itinerary, or travel arrangements if the staff believes it is in the best interest of all participants. In addition, NEI may decline to accept or retain any member or prospective member of an announced trip. Full refund for the unused portion of the trip will be paid to the affected participant in such an event.

Airline Clause: All arrangements for airline transportation are made by the respective airlines, which companies shall not have or incur any responsibility or liability to any person taking an trip except their liability as common carriers. Nor shall such carriers be or be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring after the passenger has disembarked from the conveyance. The usual passage contract in use by the carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between said carrier and the passenger. All rates are based on tariffs currently or those tariffs to be placed in effect and are subject to adjustment in the event of changes therein. The air transportation services of any IATA/ARC member may be used.