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I know that feedback is essential with any well run business. As a former Director of Meetings and Conventions for a large national association and also as owning my own independent meeting planning business for 10 years, I just wanted to let you know that the trip you planned for us to South Amer ... more Gail and Bill Pape
Fountain Hills, AZ
Santiago/Punta Arenas/Estancia Cerro Negro/Torres del Paine
Day 5
Torres del Paine
Day 6
Torres del Paine
Day 7
Torres del Paine/Punta Arenas
Day 8
Punta Arenas/Australis Cruise
Day 9
Australis Cruise/Ainsworth Bay/Tucker Islet.
Day 10
Australis Cruise/Pia Glacier/Glacier Alley
Day 11
Australis Cruise/Cape Horn/Wulaia Bay
Day 12
Australis Cruise/Ushuaia
This tour includes accommodations for 10 nights (2 nights in Santiago, 3 nights in Torres del Paine, 1 night in Punta Arenas, and 4 nights aboard the Australis cruise ship); and 25 meals (11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 8 dinners).
Elevations: Santiago is 1,700 feet above sea level, Torres del Paine National Park elevations can reach 4,000 ft. or more, depending upon your itinerary.
Santiago, Torres del Paine, and Australis Cruise
Enjoy some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world on this tour of Southern Patagonia. The tour begins in Santiago, with a panoramic city tour and an excursion to one of the nearby vineyards. You will continue on to Torres del Paine National Park, one of the best parks for outdoor enthusiasts in all of South America, with vast hiking trails, a spectacular natural setting, and massive granite peaks. The last part of the tour is a five day cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia, Argentina. Passing through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, you will see massive glaciers flowing into the sea, colonies of Magellanic penguins, elephant seals, and cormorants, and disembark in Cape Horn, the southernmost point of the continent.
The M/V Mare Australis and the M/V Via Australis are 236 foot expedition ships that were built in 2002 and 2005. Both have four decks and 64 cabins with private facilities, low beds, and panoramic windows. Their social areas include two lounges, a dining room, a game room, a gift shop, and a panoramic open deck.
Activities: Cultural/historical sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, trekking, and zodiac boating.
Day 1: Santiago
Depart to Santiago via overnight flight.
Day 2: Santiago/City Tour
After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Check-in time is 3:00 PM. We can request early check-in but cannot guarantee it.
In the afternoon, you will have a panoramic city tour of Santiago, which will include Parque O'Higgins, Plaza de Armas (the city's historic center), Palacio de la Moneda, ex-National Congress, Mapocho Station Cultural Center, Santa Lucia Hill, the place of Santiago's founding in 1541,and the Bohemian district of Bellavista. Overnight in Santiago. (B)
Day 3: Santiago/Vineyard/Folkloric Dinner Show
Today you can choose to visit one of the following vineyards around Santiago (included in price): Concha y Torro, Cousino Macul, and Undurraga. In the evening, you will have a folkloric dinner show with typical Chilean dishes, dances, music, and costumes. Overnight in Santiago. (B,D)
Day 4: Santiago/Punta Arenas/Estancia Cerro Negro/Torres del Paine
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, you will be taken from the airport by van (+/- five hours of travel time) to Hotel Las Torres. En route (after traveling for two hours), you will visit the Cerro Negro cattle ranch and see first-hand the lifestyle of the settlers at the end of the world and roam around the beautiful colonial house. Depending on the time of arrival, the visit will include a traditional Magallanes-style barbeque. Overnight at Hotel Las Torres. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Torres del Paine
Choose from one full-day or two half day optional excursions (included in the cost of the tour). Overnight at Hotel Las Torres. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Torres del Paine
Choose from one full-day or two half day optional excursions (included in the cost of the tour). Overnight at Hotel Las Torres. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Torres del Paine/Punta Arenas
After breakfast, you will be transferred by van (+/- five hours of travel time) from Torres del Paine to your hotel in Punta Arenas. Overnight in Punta Arenas. (B)
Day 8: Punta Arenas/Australis Cruise
Transfer to the Cruceros Australis office in Punta Arenas and check in between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. Cruise-ship boarding at 6:00 p.m. The Captain and crew give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterward, the ship departs for "the uttermost part of the earth". Our excursion will take us through the Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel to explore one of the most breathtaking wilderness regions in the world: Southern Patagonia, and Tierra del Fuego. Overnight aboard the Mare or Via Australis. (B,D)
Day 9: Australis Cruise/Ainsworth Bay/Tucker Islet.
At dawn, we continue navigating through Almirantazgo Sound until finally arriving near Marinelli Glacier in Ainsworth Bay, where we enjoy a walk to discover a beaver dam in the midst of a marvelous Magellanic forest. On the beach we observe a colony of Elephant Seals. Later we visit Tucker Islet, where we view colonies of Magellanic Penguins and Cormorants from the Zodiac boats. The islet's penguins migrate in April; as a replacement we visit Brookes Bay, for a short walk to see a glacier. Overnight aboard the Mare or Via Australis. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Australis Cruise/Pia Glacier/Glacier Alley
We navigate through the main part of Beagle Channel to reach Pia Bay, where we disembark near Pia Glacier. We take a short hike to a lookout point with a spectacular view of the entire glacier tongue, stretching from high in the mountains all the way to the sea. After this unforgettable experience, we sail again along the northwest arm of Beagle Channel through majestic "Glacier Alley": Spain, Romanche, Germany, Italy, France and Holland glaciers. Overnight aboard the Mare or Via Australis. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Australis Cruise/Cape Horn/Wulaia Bay
We sail through Beagle and Murray channels to reach and disembark in Cape Horn National Park (weather permitting). Cape Horn, on Hornos Island, is a sheer, 425-meter (1,394-foot) high rocky promontory. This mythical place is known as the "End of the Earth"; a visit is a singular privilege. The park was declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005. In the afternoon, we go ashore in historic Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region's largest aboriginal settlements. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. We walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coigües, Canelos, ferns and other native vegetation to reach a lookout point. Overnight aboard the Mare or Via Australis. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Australis Cruise/Ushuaia
Arrival at Ushuaia, Argentina's most important city on Tierra del Fuego, and the southernmost city in the world. Disembark at 8:00 a.m. Transfer from the pier to the airport in Ushuaia and from AEP Airport in Buenos Aires to EZE Airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Santiago, Torres del Paine, and Australis Cruise
Single
Double
Triple
3 Star
$5,819
$3,599
$3,389
4 Star
$6,039
$3,719
$3,489
5 Star
$6,179
$3,799
$3,569
Deluxe
$6,379
$3,899
$3,649
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
The above prices are valid until April 14, 2010.
NOTES:
The above prices are based on B Cabins during low season.
A limited amount of triples can be accommodated on the cruise ships (three B Cabins on the Mare Australis and seven A/AA Cabins on the Via Australis, with an upper bed for the third person).
Cabin and hotel room upgrades are available upon request.
Cruise Low Season: Sep 19, 26; Oct 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31; Dec 15, 19; Mar 16, 20, 23, 27, 30; Apr 3, 10.
Cruise High Season: Nov 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28; Dec 1, 5, 8; Jan 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30; Feb 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27; Mar 2, 6, 9, 13. Cruise Special Pricing: December 22 and 29 Departures have Special Pricing. Call for Availability and a Quote.
Santiago, Torres del Paine, and Australis Cruise
The Price of This Tour Includes
South American Vacations' expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
Private transfer from the hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile to the Australis Cruceros office and from the Australis Cruceros office to the pier at the beginning of the cruise.
Private transfer from the pier in Ushuaia after the cruise and from AEP Airport to EZE Airport in Buenos Aires.
Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
Accommodations on board the Mare or Via Australis in a B Cabin (low season price).
All meals scheduled on board including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, other meals as indicated on the itinerary.
Excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
Local, English-speaking tour guides/naturalist guides.
The Price of This Tour Does Not Include
International airfare.
Domestic airfare.
Chilean Reciprocity Fee ($131) payable in cash upon arrival and subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons.
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Hotel nights after the cruise.
Port Tax in Punta Arenas ($20).
Gratuities to tour guides, ship crew and guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
Gifts, personal items, and travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
