10-Nights Patagonia Wilderness & Wildlife Explorer - Classic Itinerary — CALL

Natural Habitat Adventures

OFFER ID 1550871

Peaks, Lakes, Glaciers & Pumas on a Grand Andean Adventure

The southernmost Andes rise in spires to the sky, their sheer granite heights drawing the eye and spirit upward. Sunrise bathes the peaks in rosy alpenglow. Glaciers wind down in frozen rivers from the ice-crowned massifs, choking turquoise lakes with floating blue bergs. Patagonia has no peer on Earth when it comes to dramatic mountain landscapes. On our cross-border expedition into Chile and Argentina, look for condors, guanacos and elusive pumas on guided hikes. Puma sightings are on the increase, and we hope to get a glimpse of this stealthy hunter in Torres del Paine National Park. Learn about conservation strides on visits to working estancias where protecting wildlife and raising livestock are mutually compatible goals. Explore and photograph diverse facets of this legendary adventure realm on our all-encompassing odyssey to the bottom of South America.

10 nights | Call for pricing

Featured Destinations

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is the southernmost city on Earth, overlooking the Straits of Magellan. Situated astride one of the world's historic trade routes, its prosperity has risen and fallen with that trade. Punta Arenas enjoyed its first great boom during the California Gold Rush, when it served as a haven for great clipper ships. Although the port's importance diminished after the opening of the Panama Canal, the city reached even greater prosperity early in this century as the center of Chile's international wool trade. Today, Punta Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and it remains an utterly fascinating testament to the Chile's rich history. Punta Arenas is also the starting point for excursions to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Excursions

Punta Arenas: Exploring the End of the World - 3.5 hours

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXCURSION

A visit to the Braun-Menendez Regional Museum.
Cocktail and canapés at the De La Cruz hill
The municipal cemetery and the tomb dedicated to the Ona Indians.

DESCRIPTION

This city tour begins with a visit to the southern sector of Punta Arenas where we’ll visit the eerie wreckage of the Lord Longsdale ship and the local market.

Afterwards we’ll head back to Old Town Punta Arenas. Here its European architecture, public buildings, main square and gardens with their varied styles denote wealth and luxury that existed in the city during the "golden era" between 1880 and 1914, when Punta Arenas was one of the most active ports of the Southern Cone.

The visit will continue to the Braun-Menendez Regional Museum, the former residence of Maurice Braun and Josefina Menendez, a marriage that united the two largest fortunes in the region of Magallanes. With the falling price of wool and the nationalization of the farms during the 1970's, the family lost most of their wealth and their descendants have since moved from Patagonia to the rest of world.

Moving from downtown towards the North, we’ll arrive at the Mount La Cruz panoramic point. It offers a beautiful view of the city, with its colorful roofs spreading up to the strait and showing the landscape of Tierra del Fuego, Mount Sarmiento and the southern area of the Brunswick Peninsula. Before continuing will take a few minutes to make a toast enjoying this unique view and brilliant photo stop.

To end this excursion we’ll take you to the beautifully landscaped Municipal Cemetery. Here, one can admire the splendid mausoleums of pioneer families as well as a tomb dedicated to the Unknown Ona, the now extinct Fireland Indians. They say you can't really understand a culture until you see where they bury their dead, and in the case of the cemetery of Punta Arenas, this edict certainly rings true. The Municipal Cemetery was opened by the Governor Señoret in 1894 and features a giant stone portico donated by Sara Braun in 1919. Inside this necropolis lies a veritable miniature city, with avenues that connect the magnificent tombs of the region's founding families, settlers, and civic workers and a rather solemn tomb where lie the remains of the last Selk'nam Indians of Tierra del Fuego.

*Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car

Operational notes :

Duration : 3.5 hours
Level of activity : Easy.
Meal plan : Snacks and refreshments at Mount La Cruz
Travellers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car

Punta Arenas: Flavors of Patagonia - 4 hours

Punta Arenas - A day on a Patagonian Ranch - 5 hours

Torres del Paine

El Chalten

Los Glaciares National Park

El Calafate

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

11/20/2024 - 12/20/2024

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01/20/2025 - 03/27/2025

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11/14/2025 - 12/20/2025

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01/18/2026 - 04/03/2026

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* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

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Length

10 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.

Remarks

Prices are land only, per person based on double occupancy and given in U.S. dollars. Airfare is additional. Deposit fee and Single Supplement fees apply. All itineraries are subject to change without notice; please inquire at the time of booking. Advertised rates vary by date of travel; please inquire for the best prices for your preferred travel dates. Inquire for a list of exclusions and physical fitness requirements based upon trip activity level. Private Customized Groups and Special Photo Departures and Themed Departures may be available; inquire for itinerary and details. Full terms and conditions apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1550871

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Kathleen Stahl Travel Services

529 36th Street
Des Moine, IA 50312
USA

(515) 271-8091