Patagonian Frontiers

Magellanic Penguins, Magdalena Island

PATAGONIAN FRONTIERS: ARGENTINA AND CHILE BY LAND & SEA

NOVEMBER 8, 2013 TO NOVEMBER 25, 2013

Join Audubon on an exciting tour to Patagonia! Our exclusive group of no more than 24 members and friends will discover, by land and sea, the remarkable diversity of southernmost South America.

Our odyssey begins in Buenos Aires, the lively capital of Argentina, with comprehensive sightseeing. We then fly south to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost urban center, and board the M/V Stella Australis to begin our exploration of channels and glaciers of southern Chile. We visit Magdalena Island, home to an immense colony of Magellanic penguins, and end our cruise at Punta Arenas. We’ll then travel overland and discover the wonders of Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most unspoiled and spectacular nature preserves on Earth. A three-night stay in Chile’s Lake District includes visits to Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Waterfalls in Vicente Rosales National Park. Our tour concludes with two days in the Chilean capital of Santiago. An optional 3-day/2-night pre-tour to Iguazu Falls is also available.

More information is available by viewing the brochure.

The Audubon leader, Rich Merritt, is Director of Operations for Audubon New York where he has worked since 1998. Before joining Audubon, Rich worked as a wilderness ranger in the Adirondack High Peaks. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hiking, canoeing and kayaking. He is an Adirondack 46er, has completed through hikes of the Northville-Placid and Long trails and has aspirations to someday through-hike the Appalachian Trail. Rich turned into an avid birder during his sixth Audubon birdathon in 2005. Since then, he has traveled far and wide in search of birds and has led trips to such diverse places as the Canadian Columbia Mountains, the deserts of Mexico and the rain forests of Panama. He counts among his favorite places the Painted Desert, the Adirondacks and the many wonderful hammocks of Panama.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Buenos Aires, Argentina

Day 2: Arrive Buenos Aires
After arriving in this lively city this morning, we transfer to our hotel to rest (rooms are ready for our early arrival). After time to relax we embark on a short orientation walking tour followed by a welcome briefing. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner. B,D

Day 3: Buenos Aires
Today’s city tour features the lovely mansions and parks of Palermo; the colorful bohemian district of La Boca; picturesque San Telmo; elegant Recoleta cemetery; and historic Government House. Tonight we visit the legendary Esquina Carlos Gardel, one of the city’s premier tango houses, for dinner and a performance. B,D

Day 4: Buenos Aires
We have a day at leisure to explore this vibrant city on our own. B

Day 5: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
We fly today to Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost urban center. After checking in at our hotel, we tour this windswept city on the Beagle Channel. B

Day 6: Ushuaia
Our excursion today takes us to Tierra del Fuego National Park, a 155,676-acre nature preserve with Andes peaks, rivers, glacial lakes, forest, and wildlife. Late this afternoon we embark our ship; early evening we set sail through the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego. B,D

Day 7: Cruising – Cape Horn/Wulaia Bay
Today we see up close one of the world’s last unspoiled frontiers as we sail through the Beagle and Murray channels, perhaps glimpsing sea lions and Antarctic fur seals along the way, to Cape Horn National Park. The spot where the Atlantic and Pacific merge, the sheer promontory of Cape Horn rises some 1,400 feet from the roiling waters below. This afternoon we take a guided walk along sheltered Wulaia Bay. B,L,D

Day 8: Cruising – Agostini Sound/Aguila Glacier
This morning we cruise through several channels to enter the spectacular Agostini Sound, where we see massive glaciers flowing down the mountainside. Later we take inflatable Zodiacs to Aguila Glacier, which we approach via an easy walk on the shore of a lagoon. B,L,D

Day 9: Cruising – Magdalena Island/Punta Arenas/Torres del Paine
Early this morning we visit Magdalena Island, home to an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins that we’ll take time to observe; and to a lighthouse, which we visit. Then we cruise to Punta Arenas, where we disembark and board our motorcoach for the journey to Torres del Paine National Park. B,L,D

Day 10: Torres del Paine National Park
Today we encounter breathtaking Torres del Paine, a 700-square-mile World Biosphere Reserve and one of the most unspoiled and beautiful nature preserves on Earth. We spend the day exploring this unparalleled landscape of jagged peaks, ice-blue glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing rivers, and thunderous waterfalls. Lunch today is at magnificent Lago Grey. B,L,D

Day 11: Torres del Paine National Park
Our second excursion through the park features Laguna Amarga, Laguna Azul, and Cascade Rio Paine, along with resident wildlife. B,L,D

Day 12: Torres del Paine/Punta Arenas/Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas
We travel by coach today to Punta Arenas, where we board a flight to Puerto Montt, gateway to Chile’s Lake District. B

Day 13: Puerto Varas/Puerto Montt
Today’s tour features lakeside Puerto Varas and its scenic environs; and the prosperous port city of Puerto Montt, “salmon capital” of Chile. We continue on to Anselmo’s handicraft and fish markets. B,D

Day 14: Vicente Rosales National Park
Glacier-topped volcanoes, forests of dense green, and cobalt lagoons color our excursion to Chile’s oldest national park. Here we visit conical Osorno Volcano and sprawling Petrohue
Waterfalls. B,L

Day 15: Puerto Varas/Puerto Montt/Santiago
We fly today to the Chilean capital, where our city tour features the colonial Plaza de Armas and the traditional city center. Tonight we are dinner guests in the homes of gracious Santiago families. B,D

Day 16: Valparaiso
Today we encounter the old port of Valparaiso, a one-time fishing village marked by colorful wooden houses and narrow streets; now Chile’s third largest city and cultural heart. En route we visit a local winery for a private tour and tasting. Tonight we celebrate our adventure at a farewell dinner at a local Santiago restaurant. B,D

Day 17: Santiago/Depart for U.S.
After a morning at leisure, we enjoy an afternoon visit to La Chascona in the Bella Vista district, the home and museum of Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda. Then we have time to explore on our own. From here we transfer to the airport for our overnight flights to the U.S. B

Day 18: Arrive U.S.
We arrive in the U.S. thismorning and connect with our return flights home.

Please note: This trip involves walks on uneven terrain and embarking and disembarking on ships. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest.

COST OF TOUR

Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees.

Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occupancy in a Category B outside cabin on Deck 2 (Magellan) forward and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees of $754, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $2,495. Please note that single room availability is very limited. All prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees) are guaranteed.

Please refer to the brochure for information on upgrades and tour price inclusions.

RESERVATIONS

Call the tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited toll-free at 888-370-6765, Monday through Friday, 9am-7pm EST.

Audubon Nature Odysseys strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance. Travelex Insurance Services, 1-800-228-9792 (use Audubon's Location Number 32-6098).