MAGIC OF PATAGONIA

DAY 1- ARRIVE PUERTO NATALES

Fly to Puerto Natales, one of Chilean Patagonia’s sightseeing hubs. Puerto Natales lies inside a beautiful, wild region known for its fjords, towering mountain peaks and glaciers – many of the latter spilling out from the vast Southern Ice Field. Meeting assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the afternoon is free to explore city on own. HOTEL COSTAUSTRALIS

DAY 2- PUERTO NATALES- TORRES DEL PAINE EXCURSION- Breakfast

After breakfast, the excursion begins with a visit to the Milodon’s Cave, a remarkable cavern 200 meters long, 30 meters high and 80 meters wide located 25 km from Puerto Natales. A half-hour walk will take us into the cave, known for the discovery of fresh skin and bones from a prehistoric species of giant sloth, the milodón. There have also been remains of other extinct animals, such as the dwarf horse and the saber-toothed tiger, after this interesting visit, we will travel towards the gates of the National Park Torres del Paine crossing numerous estancias and a landscape that goes from the steppe to the deciduous forest. On the way, it is possible to spot local fauna including the South American ostrich or Ñandu and the guanaco, a wild llama. Torres del Paine is known worldwide for the massifs that give it its name; giant granite modelled by the force of glacial ice. After entering the park through the area of Portería Laguna Amarga, to enjoy excellent views of the spectacular Torres del Paine, having the opportunity to see the most famous viewpoints of Torres del Paine: Mirador Lago Sarmiento, Mirador Laguna Amarga where we will see the towers and Mirador Lago Nordenskjold. At each of the stop, we’ll be able to enjoy a totally unique view, different sceneries and totally different landscapes, different ecosystems and sample the diversity of the park, after this viewpoint we drive to Salto Grande a nice waterfall where we will have the opportunity for a easy walk (30 minutes), to enjoy this nice place. We head next to Hotel Lago Pehoe to enjoy lunch with great panoramic view of Lake Pehoé and the Cuernos del Paine. After lunch, we continue to Lake Grey, where we will take a walk to a panoramic point from which we can contemplate the icebergs and the glacier of the same name. Continue by road that borders the lakes Toro, Porteño and Sofía. Enjoy the scenery and take pictures before returning to Puerto Natales. HOTEL COSTAUSTRALIS

DAY 3- PUERTO NATALES- ESTANCIA OLGA TERESA- CONDORS OF PATAGONIA – PUNTA ARENAS- Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast leave Puerto Natales to drive towards Punta Arenas, about 150 km. we take a detour to the Rio Verde area, to drive another 40 km. to arrive to Estancia Olga Teresa which is a ranch located in the middle of a vast rural community. This property is a typical ‘estancia’ of the Chilean Patagonia, where visitors can enjoy Magellanic livestock traditions, typical of the area, and an encounter with nature in a unique and welcoming environment. The Estancia was acquired in 1922 by Don Fermín Roca Berjoan, a pioneer of French origin, who named it after his two daughters, Olga and Teresa. Currently, the estancia belongs to his grandson Rodolfo Concha Roca along with his wife Yvonne Paeile Jordan and their four children, Rodolfo Luis, Lorena, Cristián and Rodrigo.Estancia  Olga Teresa has been transformed over time into a place of enormous charisma, being known for the natural beauties of its surroundings, for the quality of its animals and products and for the great hospitality that its owners always offer their visitors. In 2000, the family started the agro tourism activity as a complement to the livestock. In this task, the whole family and its permanent collaborators participate, demonstrating the work of the sheep, dogs and the shearing of the sheep. Enjoy typical roast lamb and other dishes for Lunch. After lunch enjoy some time free before a short drive to the area where condors can be seen.

CONDORS OF PATAGONIA: There is nowhere else that is so readily accessible and protected to observe and photograph the world’s largest flying bird, the majestic and famous Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). we will drive to the largest condor viewing site in all Chilean Patagonia, which features an average of 40 to 50 condors throughout the year. The visit to the site involves a short walk of about 500 meters on level ground, to a rock wall that serves as a roosting area for condors. Researchers will show the condors through a powerful telescope and visitors will be provided the use of professional-quality binoculars by the conservation project staff. Meanwhile, a researcher will describe the condor biology and behavior and will use the telescope to point out selected specimens that are identified by name. There will be opportunities to take “trophy photos” with normal cameras or cell phone cameras.

Afterwards we continue travel for about 75 km to Punta Arenas. HOTEL CABO DE HORNOS

DAY 4- PUNTA ARENAS City Tour- Breakfast

Breakfast at Hotel. Punta Arenas is the capital city of Chilean Patagonia and the departure point for many expeditions to Antarctica. The city was founded in 1848 at the extreme southern end of the continent. Punta Arenas was initially a penal colony and later attracted many immigrants from Europe and the Chilean region of Chiloé. We will visit the Cerro de la Cruz lookout to see the bright colors of the city roofs, the Strait of Magellan, and the island of Tierra del Fuego on the horizon. Then we will head for the main city plaza, named after former governor Muñoz Gamero. This plaza has been the heart of the city since the end of the 19th century. it features a number of opportunities for buying souvenirs an handicrafts from the region. In the center of the plaza you will see an imposing statue of Ferdinand Magellan, while the buildings facing the plaza reflect the neoclassical style popular with the early magnates of the regional sheep industry. The tour continues to the Salesian Maggiorino Borgatello museum, one of the oldest in Chile. The exhibits include permanent collections related to local flora and fauna, colonial-era artefacts, Antarctica, the ethnography of the region, an important map collection, local industrial materials, and items from Salesian missions at Dawson Island and Río Grande (Tierra del Fuego). Before returning to the hotel we will also visit the northern sector of the city to take in several noteworthy monuments. These include the famous monument to the Magellanic shepherd, another related to Croatian immigration to the region, and yet another representing the local petroleum industry. . HOTEL CABO DE HORNOS

DAY 5- PUNTA ARENAS- MAGDALENA & MARTA ISLANDS / SANTIAGO/ DEPART- Breakfast

The trip starts early in the morning as you are transferred out of Punta Arenas to the small Laredo Dock where our zodiac boat awaits. After we board the zodiac, the captain briefs us on safety procedures, the weather, and the itinerary. We start our bi-oceanic adventure heading north towards Magdalena Island. We’ll start to see different types of marine life hopefully including austral dolphins and whales swimming on the surface. We’ll also have a great view of Tierra del Fuego, Contramaestre island, and Isabel island. Arriving at the Isla Magdalena we witness the incredible scene of more than 150,000 penguins on this small island. We’re free to wander around and observe the penguins in their natural habit. Board the zodiac again and continue our journey to Marta Island. The ecological environment of this island is so fragile that we don’t disembark but get close enough to its shores to see a beautiful colony of sea lions and other species. We circle the island admiring the marine fauna, then head south back to Punta Arenas past the same stunning scenery which welcomed us en route. Once we arrive at Laredo dock we’re driven back to our hotel in Punta Arenas. Rest of the afternoon is free for independent activities. This evening join for a pre-eclipse dinner & briefing on flight and eclipse viewing by our Astronomy expert. Time free until transfer to airport for your flight homewards connecting via Santiago. 

LAND TOUR PRICE–

$ 000.00 per person sharing

SINGLE ROOM- $ 000.00