Gaston-Sacaze | Travel South America

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Argentina and Chile: Cruise between the Fjords and Glaciers of Patagonia

14 DAYS & 12 NIGHTS - From 7295 EUR incl. VAT *

Private stay - Board as per program *price based on 2 pers.


Highlights of the trip

  • Take the 19th-century elevators to admire the exceptional view of Valparaíso Bay

  • Visit the Casablanca vineyard on the outskirts of Santiago, followed by a tasting.

  • Visit Torres del Paine National Park to observe turquoise lakes, lagoons and waterfalls.

  • Embark on a 5-day, 4-night cruise to discover the beauties of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego

  • Sail between the fjords to disembark in the most remote places on the planet and observe the wildlife: colonies of elephant seals, Magellanic penguins, cormorants...

  • Take a stroll through the marvellous sub-Antarctic Magellanic Forest

  • Reach the end of the world and visit Cape Horn National Park

  • See the region's most impressive glaciers up close on zodiac excursions

  • Discover Buenos Aires and its lively, colorful neighborhoods

  • Visit an estancia "Gaucha" followed by an Argentinian "asado" (BBQ) to discover local customs

  • Tango dinner show in Buenos Aires


Itinerary

Day 1 - France ✈ Buenos Aires

Take-off for Buenos Aires

✈ Paris - Buenos Aires : plan de vols communiqué à la réservation

Welcome at Buenos Aires airport and transfer to hotel.

Buenos Aires is an imposing megalopolis of over 11 million inhabitants. It is considered one of the most elegant and active cities on the South American continent. Despite its modern structure and dynamism, it has preserved all its ancestral traditions. Travelers are quickly seduced by the city's atmosphere, the distinct personality of each of its neighborhoods, its cultural and architectural richness and the friendliness of its inhabitants.

Dinner on your own. Night at hotel

Day 2 - Buenos Aires: city tour

In the morning, visit historic Buenos Aires: the colorful La Boca district, where the first European migrants arrived; the San Telmo district with its famous "conventillos", family homes now overrun by antique dealers; the Plaza de Mayo; the Casa Rosada, government residence; the white Cabildo, former seat of administrative power; and finally the imposing cathedral.

Lunch at a restaurant in the modern district of Puerto Madero, with a choice of menu items including: Argentine entrecote "bife de chorizo", fillet of beef "lomo", etc...

The Puerto Madero district is a flagship project for the rehabilitation of the city's former docks, which was launched in the 1990s. In an ultra-modern setting that remains faithful to its maritime merchant past, restaurants, bars and high-end buildings rub shoulders.

In the afternoon, visit traditional Buenos Aires: the Recoleta district and its cemetery, whose most famous guest is Evita Perón; Alvear Avenue and the city's most beautiful mansions and hotels; Plaza Carlos Pellegrini.

You can also enjoy a coffee at the iconic Tortoni café.

In the evening, dinner and Tango show in San Telmo, the city's historic district.

This dance has its origins in the late 19th century, with the arrival of immigrants from all over Europe. Tango became internationally renowned. It is more alive than ever in Buenos Aires, and there are many places where you can breathe the "tango air".

Dinner on your own. Night at the hotel.

Day 3 - Buenos Aires: Estancia Gaucha

In the morning, departure for a visit to a "gaucha" estancia: tour of the facilities, demonstration of equestrian games and possibility of a short horseback ride to make the most of this day in the Argentinian countryside.

The estancias have preserved the old living spaces, notably the large middle-class houses where the owners live, and have numerous annexes where the life of the estate is organized. The term gaucho refers to the ancient herdsmen of the South American pampas. Although true gauchos no longer exist, many country folk have retained gauchesque habits and customs, particularly in the way they dress.

Lunch: asado at the Estancia: Argentina's famous "barbecue".

✈ Buenos Aires - Ushuaïa : plan de vols communiqué à la réservation

Dinner and overnight at the estancia.

Day 4 - Buenos Aires ✈ Ushuaïa: navigation Beagle Channel

Breakfast at the Estancia.

In the morning, transfer to Buenos Aires airport for your flight to Ushuaia (duration: approx. 3h40).

✈ Buenos Aires - Ushuaïa : plan de vols communiqué à la réservation

Ushuaia, the famous "southernmost city in the world", whose modern settlement dates back barely a century, has developed incredibly over the last 10 years. Its incredible landscape between sea and mountains, its 14h to 18h daylight hours between October and March and the beauty of its flora and fauna make it a striking destination in every respect.

Free afternoon to explore the city.

Dinner on your own. Night at the hotel.

Day 5 - Ushuaïa: Tierra del Fuego National Park - Australis cruise now boarding

In the morning, departure for an excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park, crossing the park to the world's most southerly road: the road to the end of the world.

Welcome toast from the "end of the world" on Lapataia Bay: tasting of "Legui", a typical Argentine liqueur.

Lunch at a restaurant near the Beagle Channel: fish menu.

At the appointed time, transfer to the embarkation point for your cruise to Ushuaïa.

Check-in between 10:00 and 17:00, Calle San Martín 409. Boarding at 6:00 pm.

Welcome cocktail and presentation of the Captain and crew.

At around 20:00, the ship will set sail for the far south.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 6 - Cruise: Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay

We'll sail through Murray Channel and Nassau Bay to Cape Horn National Park, where we'll disembark weather permitting. The mythical Cape Horn, discovered in 1616, is an almost vertical rocky promontory 425 meters high. For many years, it was an important sailing route between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Known as the end of the world, it was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 2005. In the afternoon, we disembark at Wulaia Bay, a historic site that was once one of the largest indigenous settlements of the Yámanas canoeists. Charles Darwin landed here in 1833 during his voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. Its vegetation and geography make it a visually stunning sight. We'll reach a viewpoint by walking through the Magellanic forest, home to lengas (Tierra del Fuego beech), coigües, cinnamon trees and ferns, among other species.

Lunch, dinner and overnight on board.

Day 7 - Cruise: Glacier Pia, Glacier Porter

In the morning, we'll sail along the northwest arm of the Beagle Channel to enter and disembark in the Pía Fjord. We'll take an excursion to the viewpoint from which you can observe the glacier of the same name, with its main tongue stretching from the high mountain range to the ocean.

In the afternoon, aboard the zodiac boats, we'll sail between high rock walls to reach the Porter Glacier. We'll stand in front of the wall to observe its colors, listen to its sounds and, if we're lucky, maybe even see a landslide. We'll spend a while talking about this incredible mass of ice, then take the obligatory photographs and return to the boat.

Lunch, dinner and overnight on board.

Day 8 - Cruise: Seno Agostini - Aguila Glacier - Condor Glacier

In the morning, we'll sail through the Cockburn Canal to reach the Agostini seno, where we'll be able to observe the glaciers that

The rivers and streams that flow down from the center of the Cordillera Darwin, some of which empty into the sea. In the morning, we disembark by Zodiac for an easy hike around a lagoon formed by the melting of the Aguila glacier, arriving opposite the latter.

In the afternoon, we'll take a Zodiac to get close to the Condor glacier. We'll learn about the formation of

glaciers and their influence on the steep geography of the Fuegian canals.

Lunch, dinner and overnight on board.

Day 9 - Cruise: Magdalena Island - Punta Arenas

Early in the morning, weather permitting, we'll disembark on Magdalena Island, the obligatory provisioning site for ancient navigators and explorers. During our walk to the lighthouse, we can observe a huge colony of Magellanic penguins.

In September and April, this excursion is replaced by a landing on Marta Island, where you can observe a colony of South American sea lions aboard Zodiac canoes. Disembarkation at Punta Arenas is at 11:30 a.m.

Disembarkation from the cruise at 11:30 a.m. in Punta Arenas and welcome by your guide english-speaking.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Afternoon city tour: Cerro Mirador for a panoramic view of the city and the Strait of Magellan, Muñoz Gamero Square, Magellan Memorial.

Punta Arenas, an urban center on the shores of the Strait of Magellan, is the region's capital, gateway to Chile's Antarctic territory, and starting point for excursions to Patagonia. Prior to the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, Punta Arenas was the main port for navigation between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as ships prepared for the difficult passage around Cape Horn.

Transfer to the land terminal to catch your bus to Puerto Natales (approx. 3h) without guide.

Arrival in Puerto Natales and transfer to hotel.

Dinner on your own. Night at hotel in Puerto Natales.

Day 10 - Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine

In the morning, departure for an excursion to Torres del Paine National Park (shared service with guide english-speaking).

Along the way, visit the Milodon cave, a group of three caverns 200 m deep where skin and bone remains have been discovered of an animal that disappeared several millennia ago, the "Milodon", a large herbivore from the same group as today's sloths.

Arrival at Torres del Paine National Park.

Torres del Paine National Park, covering an area of 181,414 hectares, lies between the Andes and the Patagonian steppe. It takes its name from three emblematic granite formations. The park preserves a variety of landscapes, including the pampas, thick forests, lakes, lagoons and impressive glaciers.

Lunch menu at a park inn.

Observe spectacular and unique landscapes and stop off at viewpoints to contemplate the Paine Massif and the Paine Horns in all their splendour.

Dinner on your own. Night at hotel in Puerto Natales.

Day 11 - Puerto Natales - Santiago

In the morning, transfer to Puerto Natales airport for your flight to Santiago (approx. 3h00).

✈ Puerto Natales - Santiago : plan de vols communiqué à la réservation

Arrival and transfer to downtown.

Lunch menu in a central market restaurant.

Afternoon city tour: Constitution Square, through the Presidential Palace to Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins Square, on the capital's main avenue, the Alameda; discovery of the Errazuriz, Ariztía and Irarrazabal Palaces, the city's architectural heritage; the Plaza de Armas with its Cathedral, Balmaceda Park, the Mapocho River, the Estación Mapocho, built by Gustave Eiffel and now a cultural center, the Parisian-style Forestal Park and San Cristóbal Hill for a panoramic view of the city.

Dinner on your own. Night at hotel in Santiago.

Day 12 - Santiago - Casablanca Valley - Valparaiso

Morning departure with your guide english-speaking to the Casa del Bosque vineyard in the Casablanca valley.

The Casablanca valley is planted with white grape varieties, mainly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Just a few kilometers from the ocean, it benefits from a maritime influence and strong temperature variations between day and night, favoring the slow ripening of the grapes. The valley currently boasts over 4,000 hectares of plantations!

Vineyard tour with tasting of a reserve wine and two reserve great wines, plus a special lunch menu at the Tanino restaurant.

Continuation to Valparaiso on the Pacific coast for a city tour.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso stretches over hills facing the Pacific Ocean. Its topography and network of funicular railways have earned it the charming name of "Little San Francisco". The city enjoyed its golden age in the 19th century, becoming a strategic stopover for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Later, the opening of the Panama Canal sounded the death knell of this flourishing era, prompting the departure of elites and capital to Santiago. Today, Valparaiso is a must-see on any trip to Chile, with its colorful alleyways, urban frescoes and picturesque funicular railways.

City tour: visit the 19th-century elevators and the "21 de Mayo" viewpoint on a tour that takes you to the heights of the city for an exceptional view of Valparaiso Bay.

Overnight at hotel in Valparaiso.

Dinner on your own.

Day 13 - Valparaiso - Santiago - Return flight or Easter Island extension

At the agreed time, transfer without guide to Santiago international airport for your return flight. 

✈ Santiago - France: flight schedule communicated at time of booking

Day 14 - Arrival in France


Hotels

Ships: Ventus Australis & Stella Australis

The Ventus Australis is the sister ship of the Stella Australis, both featuring large open-air lounges and refined cabin design. The Ventus Australis has been specially designed to navigate South America's southernmost canals. Its various features, including size, length, engine power and 210-passenger capacity, enable it to perform the extensive maneuvers required to navigate the region's narrow canals and fjords, where no other company would venture.

Specially designed to navigate safelý through the narrow channels of southern Patagonia, the 2 vessels carry a maximum of 210 passengers per boat and feature 100 cabins each on 3 decks. Human-sized, these boats ensure passengers conviviality and proximitý with a crew committed to protecting their lands. During navigation, board games and a library with works related to the sites visited and the themes addressed are available to passengers. Daily lectures present the next day's excursions, navigation routes, indigenous populations, the history of Patagonia and its flora and fauna. The boats comply with national and international standards, and have a high-performance wastewater treatment and waste sorting system. Paper is recycled, and passengers are encouraged to make responsible use of onboard supplies. Expedition Zodiacs are equipped with low-pollution 4-stroke engines.

It is generally possible to carry out the expeditions described in the itineraries. However, the Shipowner reserves the right to alter, change or omit parts of these itineraries without prior notice, when it is a question of preserving the well-being and safety of passengers, protecting the environment or for any extraordinary circumstance, case of force majeure or accident, obliging them to make these modifications. For the same reasons, there may be changes to the departure or arrival of the boats. Similarly, it is impossible to guarantee the observation of birds and animals as they are constantly on the move.

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