Patagonian Discovery + Atacama Desert
Complete your Chilean adventure with a visit to the otherworldly Atacama Desert. Dotted with geysers, strange rock formations and snow-tipped volcanoes, its salt lakes are refuge to hundreds of flamingos, looking out of place in their moon-like surroundings.
Perito Moreno Glacier
Atacama Desert, Chile
Ushuaia
Guanacos, Torres del Paine NP
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Your Itinerary
DAY 1: Depart UK.
DAY 2: Arrive Buenos Aires.
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for three nights.
DAY 3: Buenos Aires.
Enjoy a city tour of Argentina's vibrant capital, founded in the 16th century. Take in the lively Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada government building, Cabildo town hall and the Metropolitan Cathedral, before delving into the cobbled San Telmo district and colourful tin houses of the famous La Boca neighbourhood. Afterwards, visit the burial place of Eva Perón, before driving the Avenida 9 de Julio, the world's widest avenue. (B)
DAY 4: Buenos Aires.
An eclectic mix of colonial and Latin influences, Buenos Aires combines elegant Parisian-style architecture with old-world cafés, rich museums, leafy parks and buzzing outdoor markets. Today is yours to discover at your own pace or perhaps join an optional excursion to a typical ranch, learning about the life of the cowboy 'gauchos'. (B)
DAY 5: Buenos Aires - Trelew - Puerto Madryn.
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Trelew in Argentinian Patagonia. On arrival, drive to Puerto Madryn. (B)
DAY 6: Puerto Madryn - Valdés - Puerto Madryn.
Today, travel to the Peninsula Valdés, an extraordinary nature reserve, to spend an unforgettable day exploring. This remote peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage site, washed by waters populated with several endangered marine species, including southern right whales, elephant seals and sea lions. The reserve is also home to a huge array of birdlife, including Magellan penguins and wildlife such as the llama-like guanaco. Between May and mid-December, don't miss an optional whale watching tour. (B)
DAY 7: Puerto Madryn - Trelew - Ushuaia.
Head for Punta Tombo, a coastal reservation that plays host to one of the world's biggest colonies of Magellan penguins when over a million 'English Gentlemen' arrive on its rocky shoreline. Later, transfer to Trelew and fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, situated in the Tierra del Fuego province - or Land of Fire. (B)
DAY 8: Ushuaia.
This morning brings a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park - a land of glowering mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and dense forests. Soak up the scenery as you drive through this natural wonderland and take the time to walk one of its coastal trails overlooking the Beagle Channel, named after HMS Beagle, on which Charles Darwin explored the area. This afternoon, there's an optional catamaran tour, sailing past Casco Island and the Isla de Los Lobos, home to colonies of sea lions. (B)
DAY 9: Ushuaia - El Calafate.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to El Calafate, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for two nights. (B)
DAY 10: El Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier - El Calafate.
A highlight awaits today as you drive through the dramatic Los Glaciares National Park to see the Perito Moreno glacier. Made up of jagged mountains and glacial lakes, this surreally beautiful park boasts three glaciers, which are advancing rather than receding. Topping the list is the magnificent white-and-turquoise ice wall of Perito Moreno, where you can hear the ice cracking and watch chunks crash and form icebergs in the lake below. (B)
DAY 11: El Calafate - Puerto Natales.
This morning, take a public bus (without guide) to Puerto Natales, the gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park, one of Chile's last great wildernesses. (B)
DAY 12: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park - Puerto Natales.
Travel to the breathtaking biosphere reserve of Torres del Paine, whose turquoise lakes, vast glaciers and pristine forests are crowned by the granite pinnacles of the Torres del Paine Mountains. Absorb the park's stunning beauty, watch for guanacos and cougars and take photos of the thundering Salto Grande waterfalls. (B)
DAY 13: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago de Chile.
Travelling by public bus (without guide), head for Punta Arenas where you will be met by our representative and enjoy a sightseeing tour. Admire the city’s pretty avenues and plazas and take in the sweeping views over its rooftops and the Strait of Magellan from the Cerro la Cruz mirador. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight to Santiago de Chile. (B)
DAY 14: Santiago de Chile.
Chile's capital is a captivating blend of old and new, with grand 18th century buildings and gleaming skyscrapers huddled against the backdrop of the snow-tipped Andes. Today, get to know it on a guided tour, seeing the exquisite church of San Francisco, bustling Plaza de Armas and quaint Barrio Paris y Londres quarter. Other landmarks include the cathedral, Club Hipico horseracing track and exclusive Barrio Concha y Toro neighbourhood whose Gothic and Neoclassical houses cluster around a fountained plaza. Finally, head up San Cristobal Hill to enjoy the incredible views over the city and beyond. (B)
DAY 15: Santiago de Chile ? Calama ? San Pedro de Atacama.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama, then drive to the picturesque, adobe lined streets of San Pedro de Atacama.
DAY 16: San Pedro de Atacama.
Start your day with a visit to the Atacama Salt Lake, an inland salt flat dating back millions of years. This astounding natural monument stretches across the desert for miles, sandwiched between the Andes in the west, and volcanoes in the east. Next visit the Lagunas Miscanti & Meñiques, set at the base of two immense volcanoes and fringed by salt deposits clumps of ?paja brava? (high plain) grass. Afterwards continue to the small Indian village of Toconao, a small colonial town built completely of volcanic stone. (B)
DAY 17: San Pedro de Atacama.
Today is at leisure, so why not join our optional excursion to El Tatio and Baños de Puritama? An early morning drive (4am) takes you northeast to the impressive Tatio Geysers at an altitude of 4,321 metres. Although the jets of water are not as high as other famous geysers, massive columns of steam are produced in the chilly early morning air creating a fantastical and alien-like scene. On the way back, stop at the Baños de Puritama where you can take a dip in the hot springs. (B)
DAY 18: San Pedro de Atacama ? Calama ? UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
DAY 19: Home landing in the UK.
Patagonian Discovery + Atacama Desert 16 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
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Patagonian Discovery + Atacama Desert
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the grid.
| Earlier Dates | Date | Depart From | Price from PP | Later Dates | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Sep 2012 | Birmingham |
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| 6 Sep 2012 | Edinburgh |
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| 6 Sep 2012 | Manchester |
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| 7 Sep 2012 | London Heathrow |
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| 20 Sep 2012 | Birmingham |
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| 20 Sep 2012 | Edinburgh |
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| 20 Sep 2012 | Manchester |
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| 21 Sep 2012 | London Heathrow |
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Patagonian Discovery + Atacama Desert
Price from £3869.00
Holiday Highlights
- Buenos Aires City tour
- Peninsula Valdés Excursion
- Tierra del Fuego National Park
- Perito Moreno Glacier Visit
- Torres del Paine National Park
- Santiago de Chile City tour
Departures from
- Birmingham
- Edinburgh
- London Heathrow
- Manchester
Departures between
06 Sep 2012 to 28 Mar 2013
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable). Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our air-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme
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