Chile's Patagonia

1st Quarter 2009

The most famous region of Chile, Patagonia offers all the dramatic landscape one would expect from the world's ultimate land's end. Here the South American continent falls away in a dazzling explosion of islands, glaciers, icebergs and mountains. It is truly one of mother nature's grand finales.  Among the other wondrous sites in this remarkable region are: the Torres del Paine, a spectacular mountain range, which frames the Park of the same name, and extend to heights of up to 9,000 feet; the Cuernos del Paine, with a height of 6,300 feet; the hypnotic waterfalls of Salto Chico and Salto Grande; the Grey, Pingo, del Frances and Dickson glaciers; the Pehoe, Nordenskjold, Sarmiento, Pingo and Dickson lakes; and the Verde and Azul lagoons.
(See tentative itinerary below)

We are currently in the process of planning this trip.
Once we have all the activities, hotels and other details confirmed,
and the price finalized, we will remove this information and post
a completed itinerary with the price.

If you are interested in learning more about this trip,
make a pre-reservation.
It is very important to make a no-obligation pre-reservation.
Those who have made a pre-reservation will be notified first
when the full itinerary and pricing is posted.

 Make a Pre-Reservation

A pre-reservation does not require any money.
Once the tour is finalized and a tour price available, those who have pre-reserved
a space will be contacted via email and asked to decide if they
want to make a deposit. If you are not interested, you don't have to do anything.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Santiago (overnight flight with morning arrival)

Resting on an inland plain, with the Andes glimmering in the distance, Santiago, the capital of Chile, is the fifth largest city in South America. The very heart of Santiago is the Plaza de Armas. The city's European heritage is evident in the Parque Forestal, designed by a French landscaper on the model of Parisian parks. Walkers pass down tree-lined paths along the Mapocho, past small squares and the Museo de Bellas Artes. The Mercado Central is of British design, with wrought-iron ceiling parts that were imported from England in the mid 19th century.

Day 2 -  Santiago

On today’s city tour you drive past many famous monuments and visit the Santa Lucνa Hill to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, the Main Square, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and Horse Club.

Day 3 - Santiago

Today's full-day tour takes you through some of Chile's world famous vineyards. Stop at several wineries for tastings and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Day 4 -  Santiago/Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales

Transfer to the Santiago airport for your flight south to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, you will begin your excursion northward on the Brunswick Peninsula along the Strait of Magellan.  Continue to Otway Sound, a beautiful landscape of bays and fjords, toward the Pecket mine, an important open-pit coal mineral deposit.  Finally, we arrive at the nest site of the Magellan Penguins.  Continue to Puerto Natales for the night.

Day 5 -  Puerto Natales/Torres del Paine

Depart Puerto Natales for a full day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. En route, visit the Milodon Cave. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978, Torres del Paine National Park, is one of the most beautiful, unspoiled and remote places of the planet. The attractions include the Grande Fall, Nordenkjφld Lake, Lake Pehoe, view of the Cuernos del Paine, Salto Chico, Torres del Paine, Grey Glacier and Lake Grey. Keep an eye out for guanacos (a member of the llama family), foxes, swans, and a variety of birds.

Day 6 - Torres del Paine

A morning excursion to the Blue Lagoon where you have the opportunity to observe flora and the fauna and the towers of the Torres del Paine National Park. This afternoon is at leisure for optional activities such as hiking or horseback riding.

Day 7 - Torres del Paine/Puerto Natales/Punta Arenas

Today we will transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas. Enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. Once in Punta Arenas the remainder of the day is free.

Day 8 - Punta Arenas/Santiago - Depart for Home

This morning's city tour of Punta Arenas will include a panoramic view of the city and the Strait of Magellan, a visit to the Salesian Museum, housing a magnificent collection of the regional flora and fauna, exclusive relics of handicraft and folklore of the native Indian tribes. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago with connections to the U.S. as flights depart late in the evening.

All previous information has been superseded.