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Our trip was AWESOME. Everything was so just so organized and the accommodations were lovely, as well as the professionalism of your staff and our guides...We especially LOVED our Guides...Aldo and Raul were just so knowledgeable about the areas and their caring was outstanding...Attached are some ... more AnnMarie Touchette
Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 10 nights (3 nights in Santiago, 3 nights in Atacama, and 4 nights aboard the ship), and 19 meals (10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners). 4 Star, 5 Star and Deluxe accommodations include 24 meals.
Elevations: Santiago is 1,700 feet above sea level, Atacama is 8,005 feet, Socaire is 10,498 feet, Minique and Miscanti Lagoons are 13,615 feet, and Tatio Geyser is 14,107 feet.
Santiago, Atacama, and Australis Cruise
Atacama is the driest desert in the world. It offers an excellent base to discover Chile's archaeological sites and explore the natural wonders of the region, including desolate landscapes, salt lake lagoons, and geysers. The Australis cruise takes you from Punta Arenas, Chile through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, to Ushuaia, Argentina. You will see impressive glaciers, and stop at Elephant Seal and Magellanic Penguin colonies, Cape Horn, and Wulaia Bay along the way.
The M/V Via Australis is a 236 foot expedition ship that was built in 2005. It has five decks and 64 cabins with private facilities, low beds, and panoramic windows. Social areas include two lounges, a dining room, and a panoramic open deck. The M/V Stella Australis is a 290 foot expedition ship that was built in 2010. It has five decks, 100 cabins with private facilities, low beds, and panoramic windows. Its social areas include three lounges, an exercise room, a dining room, and an open terrace.
Activities:
Cultural/historical sightseeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and zodiac boating.
Note: The excursions/day trips described in the itineraries can normally be, and are frequently, carried out. Without prejudice to the aforesaid, the operators of the ship reserve the right to reschedule shorten or alter all or part of itineraries and/or excursions without previous notice, in order to safeguard the well-being and safety of passengers, preserve the environment or due to the extraordinary circumstances, acts of god or force majeure. In view of the same reasons, the hours of departure or arrival of the vessels may be subject to change.
Day 1: Santiago
Depart to Santiago via overnight flight.
Day 2: Santiago/Folkloric Dinner Show
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. In the evening, you will have a folkloric dinner show with typical Chilean dishes, dances, music, and costumes. Overnight in Santiago. (D)
Note: Check-in time is 2:00 PM. We can request early check-in but cannot guarantee it.
Day 3: Santiago/City Tour/Winery Tour
In the morning, 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. In the afternoon, you will visit your choice of one of the following vineyards around Santiago (included in price): Concha y Torro, Cousino Macul, and Undurraga. Overnight in Santiago. (B)
Day 4: Santiago/Atacama/Salt Mountains/Moon Valley/Mars Valley
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon, you will have a half-day excursion to the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains) which features magnificent geological formations and sediments of various colors. You will visit the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) and Valle de Marte (Mars Valley), and enjoy an amazing sunset. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
Day 5: Atacama/Toconao/Atacama Salt Lake/Chaxa Lagoon/Minique and Miscanti Lagoons
Today you will have a full day excursion to the Altiplanic Lagoons. One the way, you can see the impressive Licancabur Volcano, and will stop at the oasis town of Toconao, known for its Liparita (volcanic) stone houses, which are quarried nearby. The town also features the Church and bell tower of San Lucas, which dates to the mid-18th century. You will also visit the Atacama Salt Lake and Chaxa Lagoon. The Lake is an important nesting site for three species of flamingos, and contains 40% of the world's lithium reserves. Box lunch.
After lunch, you will visit the small village of Socaire, and then continue on to Minique and Miscanti Lagoons, where you will have time to walk around and enjoy the surroundings. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B,L)
Day 6: Atacama/Tatio Geysers/Puritama Hot Springs
Early morning (4:00 AM) you will depart for an excursion to the Tatio Geysers, the world's highest geyser field at 14,107 ft. above sea level. The steaming fumaroles, which reach a height of 160 ft., are a sight to behold, especially at sunrise, against the backdrop of the altiplano. On the way back, you will visit the Puritama Hot Springs, which will be much appreciated after an early rise and day of exploration. The mineral rich waters are 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
Day 7: Atacama/Santiago
Transfer to Calama for the flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Santiago. (B)
Day 8: Santiago/Punta Arenas/Australis Cruise
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the Cruceros Australis office for check-in (between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m.), and then to the pier for 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. We have just embarked on a Great Adventure! Overnight aboard the Ship. (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 Ship. (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 Ship. (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 Ship. (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. We disembark at 8:00 a.m. You will be transferred 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, Atacama, and Australis Cruise
Single
Double
Triple
3 Star
$7,029
$3,799
$3,589
4 Star
$7,539
$4,499
$4,209
5 Star
$7,649
$4,889
$4,269
Deluxe
$8,569
$5,439
$4,459
All prices are in U.S. Dollars. Click here to see our prices in your currency.
NOTES:
The above prices are valid until December 31, 2013.
4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodations are all-inclusive in Atacama.
The above prices are based on a B Cabin during low season.
A limited amount of triples can be accommodated.
Cabin and hotel room upgrades are available upon request.
Promotional Departures: Sep 21 and 28, 2013; Apr 5, 2014. Cruise Low Season: Oct 5, 12, 19, 22, 26, and 30, 2013; Dec 9, 14 and 17, 2013; Mar 15, 21, 22, and 29, 2014. Cruise High Season: Nov 2, 9, 14, 16, 22, 23, and 30, 2013; Dec 7 and 25, 2013; Jan 2, 4, 11, 17, 18, 25, and 26, 2014; Feb 1, 8, 10, 15, 18, 22, and 26, 2014; Mar 1, 8, and 13, 2014. Cruise Special Pricing: December 21 and 28, 2013 Departures have Special Pricing. Call for Availability and a Quote.
Santiago, Atacama, 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 Cruceros Australis office in Punta Arenas, Chile to the pier at the beginning of the cruise, and from the pier in Ushuaia, Argentina to the airport in Ushuaia, and from AEP Airport to EZE Airport in Buenos Aires.
Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
Accommodations on board the M/V Via Australis or the M/V Stella Australis in a B Cabin (low season price).
All meals scheduled on board including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and 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 tax ($140).
Argentinean reciprocity tax ($160).
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Hotel nights after the cruise.
Port tax in Punta Arenas, Chile ($30).
Gratuities to tour guides, ship crew and guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
Gifts and personal items.
Travel insurance.
We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance, and to make these arrangements for you.
