Patagonia Explorer

(8 days / 7 nights)

In-depth program designed to discover mythical Patagonia and its natural wonders. This itinerary features a 3-night residency at Torres del Paine, boat trips to Balmaceda and Grey Glaciers and Magdalena Island (penguin colony), visit to Mylodon Cave, and barbecue at a typical Patagonian sheep farm. The Beagle Channel Extension is comprehensive to Puerto Williams, world’s southernmost town. We will follow Darwin’s footsteps. Visits to Omora Ethno-Botanical Park, the lookout of La Bandera Hill, and Ukika settlement home of the last yamana, the sea hunters of the Cape Horn.

Professional in all aspects from organization to superb guides, Fantástico Sur leads the pack for South American travel.

 

- Dr. Noble S. Proctor, USA
Chile trips 2004, 2005, and 2006

Puerto Famine
Boat Trip Magdalena Island

We shall begin our trip with a visit to Port Famine. Founded in 1580, this was the first settlement on the Straits of Magellan. Unhappily, the extreme nature of the climate proved incompatible with human habitation, and the entire population had perished in a short period of time. 250 years later, a British scientific expedition, aboard the Beagle and the Adventure, spent several months undertaking extensive exploratory journeys in the Chilean Fjords. It was here that Darwin conducted several field trips.

During the afternoon we shall sail the Straits of Magellan for a couple of hours to visit Magdalena Island. Here we will visit a Magellanic penguin rookery and enjoy an opportunity to witness one of nature's truly great spectacles as thousands of birds hasten to complete their breeding cycle during the brief months of summer. Hotel Cabo de Hornos or Hotel José Nogueira or similar, Punta Arenas (4*). Next »

Patagonian steppes
Mylodon Cave

After a brief city tour in Punta Arenas, we will head towards the picturesque coastal town of Puerto Natales. There are gorgeous vistas of the fjord with tens of stunning Black-necked Swans feeding along the shore. During the afternoon we will visit Mylodon Cave, an outstanding natural formation that sheltered a large number of Pleistocene mammal species about 12,000 years ago, when most of the surrounding area was covered by the glaciers. Weskar Lodge, Puerto Natales (3*).

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Boat trip
Last Hope FjÖrd and Balmaceda Glacier

Today we will enjoy of a scenic journey (c. 3 hours one way) through the waters of Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) Fjord. We will have a good chance of seeing Chilean Dolphin, South American Sea Lion and King Cormorants. After landing, we will have a picnic lunch and a further easy hike through temperate rainforests to eventually see the glacier front. The vegetation and mountain landscapes are simply breathtaking. Hotel same as Day 2.

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Torres del Paine
National Park

Today we will travel north towards Torres del Paine, Patagonia’s premier wildlife destination. At the eastern corner of Sarmiento Lake, we will reach a location that commands the most incredible views of the towering peaks of Las Torres, the pinnacles from which the park takes its name. As we move around the park, you shall observe confiding herds of Guanaco, most southerly camelid, the curious-looking Lesser Rhea and our first Andean Condors along the road. Hostería Las Torres, Torres del Paine (4*).

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Torres del Paine (western side)
Boat trip Grey Glacier

Lago Grey is certainly one of its highlight features of this trip. Along the road we will view towering mountains, glaciers, wetlands, steppes and forests. The main activity of the day will be a boat trip through the icy waters, which will take us to the active calving front of Grey Glacier. Hotel same as Day 4.

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Torres del Paine (eastern side)
Laguna Azul

Before dawn, we will be heading towards the eastern part of the park, in order to see a glorious Patagonian sunrise and hopefully to take good shots of the granite peaks with the first light. Today, we will time to photograph the wildlife as well as to bird and botanize in the rich wetlands, steppes and hillsides of the part of the park. The fast-flowing Paine river may produce Torrent Duck. Hotel same as Day 4.

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Torres del Paine
Patagonian sheep farm

Early in the morning we will visit the eastern side of the park to enjoy the views of one of the impressive waterfalls of Paine river and if is clear, of the fabulous granite columns of the Paine massif from Laguna Amarga. From here, we will head back to Punta Arenas, visiting first Estancia Cerro Negro, a typical working sheep-farming station, where we will enjoy of a shearing show and a delicious Patagonian-style barbecue. Hotel same as Day 1.

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Punta Arenas

End of the trip.

* NOTE: During the October trips we will visit Otway Sound penguin colony instead, as Magdalena Island is only open to the public from early November onwards.

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Extensions

Patagonia Explorer can be combined with one of the following optional extensions:

- Beagle Channel Extension (4 days / 3 nights);

- Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn Expedition Cruise (4 days / 3 nights ; 5 days / 4 nights);

- The Falkland Islands (8 days / 7 nights), penguin encounters

Dates & Prices

Meet/Depart: Punta Arenas, Chile.

Custom departures(you choose the date):
4 pax: US$ 2,598 per person in double occupancy.
2 pax: US$ 3,398 per person in double occupancy.

Single Room Supplement: US$ 430
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants.

Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas?
Domestic flights Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago (approximately US$ 160-300 per person).
Duration of the flight: 3 hours (direct) / 4 hours (with a stop-over in Puerto Montt).


What the trip includes/excludes
The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

The trip price includes:
For In Patagonia Main Trip: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, boat trips to Magdalena Island, Balmaceda Glacier and Grey Lake, and park entrance fees.
The trip price excludes:
Domestic flights (Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago), tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete the FANTASTICO SUR registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of US$ 700 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 300 / £ 155 is refundable. If cancellation is made between 120 and 90 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fewer than 90 days before departure date, no refund is available. This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.