Yampu Latin America Tours » South America Combined Country » Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Mare or Via Australis Cruise, Torres del Paine and Santiago

Starting Price:	£4,284.00
Trip Length:	13 days

Interests:

Walking/Hiking
Soft/Multi Adventure
Off The Beaten Path
Cruises
Historical and Cultural
Patagonia

Buenos Aires

Santiago

Mare Australis

Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Mare or Via Australis Cruise, Torres del Paine and Santiago

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

Mare Australis and Via Australis are the new expedition cruise ships of Cruceros Australis in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Each of the outside cabins offers spectacular views of glaciers, forests and snow-capped mountains when we cross from Argentina to Chile, arriving at Torres del Paine National Park. Yampu travelers will also visit Buenos Aires – that lovely city on the southern shore of the Rio de la Plata – and Santiago.

After the cruise we will visit the towering granite “cuernos” or horns as they are called in Torres del Paine National Park, and which are perhaps the best-known image of Chile. Enormous glaciers mark the northern boundary of the park. This is the southern extreme of the Patagonia Ice field – the world’s largest.

We will also spend two days touring in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires and in the fascinating and modern city: Santiago. Near Santiago we may visit Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, Valle Nevado, Isla Negra and the Pablo Neruda Museum or the wineries Cousińo Macul winery and Concha y Toro.

Preferred departure date for this trip is Wednesday or Saturday, since there are two weekly departures on the Via or Mare Australis.

This tour includes international airfare from London (UK), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via London; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Wednesday, Saturday
Dates this trip is NOT available for online booking (please submit a regular request):
20 December - 02 January
Visited Cities:
Buenos Aires, Torres del Paine, Santiago

Day 1

Take the overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Day 2

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, city tour of Buenos Aires, an impressive city that combines the atmosphere of an old European town with that of a Latin American capital. In this tour, you will acquire a greater appreciation of its characteristics, its history, its architecture, its culture and its best stories. We will visit the center of the city, San Telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero and Palermo, and stops in Plaza de Mayo, Caminito and La Recoleta. Tour is done on group basis and may involve wait times picking up other passengers at different hotels. We recommend that this tour be done privately in order to avoid this, at an additional cost of $ 42 per person, based on two people ($ 84 based on one person).

Day 3

Fiesta gaucha
Full-day excursion to an estancia for a typical barbeque lunch and a folklore/gaucho show. Here we will learn about the customs of the Argentinean gaucho and his abilities on the horse that will leave you breathless. The meat will be cooked “a lo gaucho,” outdoors on the barbeque. Lunch and drinks included. Afternoon, return to Buenos Aires.

Day 4

Day of leisure in Buenos Aires
Evening tango show. At night, you will be treated to an unforgettable tango show performed by the best dancers and singers, while enjoying a delicious meal. This is the perfect way to leave Buenos Aires, the city of tango. Return to the hotel.

Day 5

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Ushuaia. Upon arrival, transfer to Tierra del Fuego National Park, located only 12 kilometers (7 miles) away from the city. It preserves typical species of the Andean-Patagonic Forest, such as firebushes, beech trees, ńires, box-leafed barberries and flowers, spread over an area of 63,000 hectares. Before entering the park, board the Train to the End of the World and enjoy an unforgettable trip along the original embankment where the old prisoners’ train ran until 1947 for their expeditions in search of wood for heating. The highlight of the park is Lapataia Bay, the southernmost tip of the continent, with a wonderful view of Beagle Channel. Here, the old inhabitants of the area have left their testimony in the “concheros,” incredible archeological deposits.

Afternoon, transfer to the port to embark on the Via Australis. Check in at San Martín 245, Ushuaia, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., embark on the Expedition Cruise Ship. The captain and crew will give a welcome cocktail reception on board. Immediately afterward, the ship will set sail for “the uttermost part of the earth.” Through the Strait of Magellan, we will travel to Southern Patagonia, including Tierra de Fuego. This is the beginning of a Great Adventure!

Day 6

Cape Horn - Wulaia Bay
We will sail through the Beagle and Murray Channels to disembark in Cape Horn National Park. Cape Horn, a sheer, almost 425-meter-high promontory, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans merge, was discovered in 1616 by the Dutch commercial expedition organized by Isaac Le Maire. The Cape owes its name to the Port of Hoorn, the expedition’s departure point. In the afternoon, we will disembark in historical Wulaia Bay, formerly the site of one of the region’s largest native settlements. This area is also renowned for the spectacular beauty of its vegetation and geography. We will walk through a Magellanic forest filled with Lengas, Coigües, Canelos, ferns and other species to reach a lookout point.

Day 7

Gunther Plüschow Glacier
In the afternoon, we view awe-inspiring Gunther Plüschow Glacier, named after the region’s pioneering German aviator. Then we sail to Chico Sound, where we disembark in zodiacs to observe majestic Piloto and Nena glaciers.

Day 8

Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas
Early in the morning, we will disembark on Magdalena Island, the home of an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic Penguins that we will be able to observe during our walk to the Lighthouse that guides different ships on their way through the Strait of Magellan. After our visit, we will return to Punta Arenas, disembarking at 11:30 a.m., concluding our adventure.

Reception at the port and transfer to the bus station to take the bus to Puerto Natales. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Evening at leisure to rest before your excursion to the Torres del Paine Park.

Day 9

Torres del Paine National Park
Full day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. Enroute we will visit the Milodón Cave, where the remains of a prehistoric animal were found in the last century. The Torres del Paine National Park was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978. The park covers an area of 160,000 hectares. The most important attraction is the central mountain range where the Horns of Paine are found, and also the needles which were formed by the action of the many glaciers surrounding the rock. There are also many impressive lakes, glaciers, waterfalls and a quite varied flora and fauna—which makes this one of the most famous places in Chile to visit. Lunch (included) is in a restaurant in the park itself. Transfer to a hosteria in the park in the late afternoon.

Day 10

Torres del Paine
Day of leisure in Torres del Paine. Optional excursions available at the hosteria. Overnight in Torres del Paine.

Day 11

Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas
Morning of leisure. Afternoon, transfer to Punta Arenas to take the flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 12

Full day of touring around Santiago. On this day, you may choose from one of the following excursions: Vina del Mar and Valparaiso; Valle Nevado; Isla Negra - Pablo Neruda Museum; Cousińo Macul and Concha y Toro wineries.

Day 13

Santiago
Morning, tour Santiago. A journey through the main streets of Santiago, viewing the neoclassical Moneda Palace, built in the 18th century and current seat of government, the Plaza de Armas, or main square with its cathedral, the Museum of National History and the Central Post Office, all with very different architectural styles. Continue to the Parque Forestal, based on the Champs d’Elysee in Paris, the Fine Arts Museum and Santa Lucia Hill, where the city was founded in 1541. Continue to the bohemian area of Bellavista and climb San Cristobal Hill for a panoramic view of the city with the Andes Mountains in the background. The tour finishes with a visit to the handicraft village of Los Graneros del Alba (closed Mondays; an alternative is chosen). Evening, transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Buenos Aires
3-star	Hotel Babel, Esplendor Palermo Soho or similar.
4-star	Howard Johnson Recoleta Boutique, Design Suites, Esplendor, or similar.
5-star	Plaza Marriott, Hotel Madero, Melia Recoleta Plaza or similar.
Boutique Hotels	Mine, Bobo Palermo, Miravida Soho, Legado Mitico Boutique Hotel.
Deluxe	Alvear Palace, Four Seasons, Faena, Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt or similar.
Torres del Paine
3-star	Hosteria Cerro Guido and Hosteria Rio Serrano in standard room, or simlar
4-star	Hosteria Cerro Guido and Hosteria Rio Serrano in Superior room, or simlar
5-star	Hosteria Lago Grey, or similar
Santiago
3-star	Diego de Almagro, Panamericano or similar.
4-star	Orly, Galerias Santiago or similar.
5-star	Santiago Marriott, Bosque Park & Suites or similar.
Airport	Holiday Inn Express (Santiago Airport), across from the airport
Deluxe	Ritz Carlton, Grand Hyatt Regency, San Cristobal Tower or similar.

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

13 days , from £4284

Occupancy Type	3-star	4-star	5-star	Deluxe
Double	£4284	£4899	£5280	£5714
Single	£6152	£6610	£7094	£7944

Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).

Optional Excursions at Hosteria las Torres:
The Towers
Type: horse riding and/or walking
Demand: high
Duration: 6-8 hours
One of the main attractions of the renowned Torres del Pain National Park, these rock formations are 1,000 meters of naked granite, stabbing the heavens with three colossal towers. The trail penetrates a valley covered in forests, streams, slopes and wildlife; this is definitely an overwhelming hike.

The Cuernos
Type: horse ride or walk
Demand: medium
Duration: 7-8 hours
This beautiful trail tours through a diversity of local plants such as the Notro, which blossoms powerful red flowers in November and December. Along the trail, there will be a peaceful lagoon usually inhabited by a family of caiquenes (wild upland geese).

Full Paine
Type: vehicle and walking
Demand: low
Duration: 8-10 hours
The day starts off in a vehicle, driving through the length of the park to reach Grey Lake, we see guanacos, foxes and birds. This is an excellent excursion to see the park as a whole. While walking on a path that traces the shores of the lake, our guide will explain how glaciers have sculpted the entire region. Along the way, we are likely to see icebergs that have broken off from the main glacier.

Salto Grande
Type: vehicle and walking
Demand: low
Duration: 4-5 hours
The inner roads of the park will delight the passenger with its beauties until Salto Grande is reached. A short walk will lead to this waterfall that flows into the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoe.

Lake Nordjenskold
Type: walking or horse riding
Demand: low
Duration: 2-3 hours
This light path borders Mount Almirante Nieto, passes the romantic Luguna Inge and reaches the emerald-green Lake Nordenskjold. The path promises a soft walk or a pleasurable ride among Mother Nature. The lake extends to the foot of the colossal mountain Almirante Nieto.
Cost: From $35 to $100 per person, to be paid directly at the hosteria.

Prices include air transportation from London to Buenos Aires and Santiago to London in economy class, domestic air from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and Punta Arenas to Santiago, hotel accommodation with daily continental breakfast, cabin accommodation at Mare Australis with all meals and activities, guided tours in English, all entrance fees, all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; meals where specified. Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote).

Yampu Latin America Tours is a trading name of Kontiki Tours & Travel Ltd – Registered in England, Company No: 6054303 ATOL Number: 9522 VAT Number 919 1679 90 – 0800 011 2424 – Email Us

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