Patagonian Explorer

12 days from $3499*

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

On sale prices include savings of up to $600 per couple if you reserve before October 31, 2008!

Explore amazingly diverse and fascinating Patagonia, a magnificent "off-the-beaten-path" region spanning portions of Chile and Argentina, where you'll find soaring mountains, windy plains that stretch endlessly toward the distant horizon, lush forests filled with ancient flora and fauna, and pristine glaciers.

Our enchanted voyage begins in Buenos Aires, the beautiful and culturally diverse capital city of Argentina, where outstanding museums, world-class cuisine and spirited nightlife make it one of the most exciting destinations of the new millennium.

After your Patagonian adventure, the tour ends in Santiago, Chile's charming capital city, where Spanish colonial buildings and old churches are set against the backdrop of the spectacular, snowy peaks of the Andes Mountains. It is a voyage filled with contrast and beauty, excitement and adventure, and one that you will never forget.

Round out your vacation with an optional 3-night, pre-tour extension to one of nature's grand spectacles, Iguazú Falls-275 separate cataracts that send their white cascades roaring 250 feet below.

Departures prior to April 6 follow a slightly different itinerary.

Choose to Explore by Land or by Sea

Patagonia is a vast, intensely beautiful and awesome region of South America, and in one visit, it's impossible to see everything. In addition, there are various ways to explore, including land-based touring and sea-cruising.

Our Patagonian Explorer tour is very special, because it gives you the chance to choose how you'll explore. And, whether you tour by land or by sea, we can promise you that the experience will be as thrilling and satisfying a travel adventure as you can possibly imagine, and it's yours at an unbeatable price that represents pure value for money!!

Tour Patagonia by Land

Penguins in Patagonia

You'll enjoy the gorgeous vistas and wonderful views framed by the glaciers and the Andes Mountains as you travel by motor coach. You'll spend a night at a beautiful hotel in El Calafate, where you'll find plenty to do and see in the little town that supplies the many hikers and trekkers who start their journeys here. From here, you'll have a chance to get very close to one of a very few glaciers in the world that is advancing, the Perito Moreno.You'll then stay overnight at a beautiful lodge inside the Torres del Paine National Park, get close to the Serrano Glacier as you navigate a fjord by zodiac boat, and see the local wildlife, including a soaring condor if you're lucky, that roams this unspoiled place.

Tour Patagonia by Sea

Great value for the price! Especially the 4 day cruise on the Via Australis. It was everything that was described and more! The naturalists were outstanding in their knowledge.

Mary B, Leesburg, VA

At Ushuaia, you'll board either the Mare Australis or Via Australis, two wonderful cruising ships, and sail around the inlets and waterways of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) and through the Strait of Magellan. Both ships provide all the modern comforts you'll need or want, plus important extras that you'll be glad to have for your journey. (Even high-top rubber boots in every imaginable size are there for you to borrow if you don't happen to own a pair yourself). Delicious and bountiful meals are served three times daily in the ship's dining room that is encircled by huge picture windows so you don't miss a single view. Hot beverages, snacks and even wine and other alcoholic beverages are served, free of charge, each day.

A zodiac boat Photo by N. Piwonka

The ship's fleet of zodiac boats will whisk you to shore at various points along the way, and en route, you'll enjoy fascinating presentations by the ship's naturalist-guides, all of whom are involved in the study of Patagonia and its natural treasures as well as its preservation. If you enjoy cruising, you won't want to miss this very special opportunity. Space on the Mare/Via Australis is extremely limited, so we strongly recommend early booking.

Important Note: While the cruise tour option is less rigorous physically than the land tour, which involves some hiking and walking, the Mare/Via Australis does not have an elevator aboard. If you select the cruise option, you must be able to walk up and down several flights of stairs.

Our Touring Program

Day 1: Depart USA. Your fascinating journey to South America begins as you depart from Miami this evening on your overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires © Secretary of Tourism

Day 2: Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina. After arrival formalities, set out on a city tour of Buenos Aires. Your exploration begins at the Plaza del Mayo, historic and political center of the city, where the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace, is located. Continue to the Obelisk landmark on the Avenue 9 de Julio, the widest avenue in the world.

The Boca district

Then to the crowded Florida Street, a true shopper's paradise. Pass through the colorful neighborhood of La Boca and the charming San Telmo area. Buenos Aires is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive flavor, but everywhere you go, the people are warm, welcoming and happy to see visitors.

A couple performs the tango Photo by Toshi Hirasawa

Admire the French architecture in the exquisite Recoleta neighborhood where you'll find the beautiful Cemetery of La Recoleta, where Evita Perón is buried. It is one of many ironies of this complex and lovely city that the Evita, heroine of the poor, is buried in the city's most elegant (and expensive) section. After exploring the city today, you'll realize why Buenos Aires is so often referred to as "the Paris of the South." Amerian Hotel Buenos Aires.

A group of gauchos

Day 3: Buenos Aires and Estancia Visit. After breakfast this morning, travel outside the city for a full day excursion to the Argentine Pampas. Visit a traditional estancia (ranch), where you'll discover the life of the Argentine cowboys known as "gauchos." After a sumptuous barbecue lunch including delicious local wine, you'll enjoy a folkloric show with typical Argentine dance, song, and dress. (B, L).

Day 4: Buenos Aires. Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city on your own. Your tour guide will gladly make suggestions for independent exploration. We recommend that you take advantage of the early evening hours to stroll the colorful streets and shops around your hotel to scout the amazing bargains that will make shopping for souvenirs (and that gorgeous leather bag) a pleasure. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for dinner and an exciting performance of the tango, Argentina's passionate national dance. (B, D).

Begin Patagonia Land Tour or Patagonia Cruise Tour

Here your group will split into two, with those who selected the Patagonia Land Tour continuing to El Calafate and those who selected the Patagonia Cruise Tour proceeding to Ushuaia to board the Mare Australis/Via Australis for a cruise ending in Punta Arenas

Patagonia Land Tour Itinerary

(see below for Patagonia Cruise Tour Itinerary)

Day 5: Buenos Aires, El Calafate. After breakfast this morning, bid farewell to Buenos Aires as you transfer to the airport for your short flight to El Calafate, gateway to the Argentine Patagonia. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure to explore this picturesque Patagonian village on the southern border of the Lago Argentino. Or, if you are in the mood to jumpstart your Patagonian adventure, we recommend the optional Balcones de Calafate Excursion. This thrilling excursion will take you by 4x4 through rugged and picturesque Patagonian landscapes. From the highest point (3600 ft), you have unrivaled views of the emerald waters of the Lago Argentino and the monumental Fitz Roy Massif. On a clear day, you'll even be able to see the mountains of Torres Del Paine National Park. As you descend, witness a sudden and dramatic change in scenery when you find yourself surrounded by a desert, almost lunar, landscape. Esplendor Hotel (B)

Perito Moreno Gracier

Day 6: El Calafate & Perito Moreno. This morning, travel to the Glaciers National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the Argentina's most spectacular areas, including the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the planet's few advancing glaciers. You'll have the opportunity to experience this magnificent natural wonder from a variety of vantage points. Begin with views from the footbridges and then sail along the Lago Argentino for a close-up look at the glacier. The Perito Moreno glacier is formed by large blocks of ice that are in constant motion. Along the way, you'll hear the ice as it cracks, splits off from the glacier, and dramatically falls splashing into the water below. After lunch inside the park, spend some time at leisure to explore the glacier on your own before returning to El Calafate. Take a stroll in the village before dinner and explore some of the amazingly well-equipped trekking and climbing shops, galleries and wonderful restaurants, where you'll enjoy endless varieties of grilled meats (parrilla) and great local wines. (B,L)

Horse riding at Torres del Paine

Day 7: El Calafate & Torres del Paine. Today's excursion brings you to Torres del Paine National Park. This park teems with a spectacular variety of wildlife and scenery, so be prepared with plenty of film or extra-capacity memory sticks for your cameras to catch the endless gorgeous, unforgettable images you'll encounter. The "torres" (towers) are actually three massive granite towers of the Paine Mountain range that reach elevations of 10,000ft. This evening, you'll stay at the lovely Hosteria Lago Grey, a beautiful hotel located on the shores of the pristine Grey Lake, inside the Torres del Paine National Park. Hosteria Lago Grey or Hosteria Pehoe. (B,D)

Balmaceda glacier

Day 8: Puerto Natales, Navegation Balmaceda & Serrano. This morning, you'll set sail in zodiac boats on the Serrano River. As you navigate the fjords, you'll see colonies of cormorants and seadogs, soaring condors, and roaming herds of sheep and the ever-present guanacos. At the end of the fjord, you'll be able to get close to the Serrano Glacier. Continue by boat to Puerto Natales. Costaustralis. (B,D)

Day 9: Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Santiago. After breakfast this morning, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your flight to Santiago, bustling capital city of Chile.

Patagonia Cruise Tour Itinerary

(see above for Patagonia Land Tour Itinerary)

Day 5: Buenos Aires & Ushuaia. Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Ushuaia, the most important city in the Tierra del Fuego province and the southernmost city in the world. The landscapes in this fascinating region range from barren, windburned plains to quiet pine and beech forests, pristine blue lakes, and snowcapped mountains. Learn more about the history of this region during your visit to the Museum of the End of the World. Los Yamanas (B)

Ushuaia harbor

Day 6: Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego. Morning excursion to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, home to the Martial Glacier.

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Later today, board your expedition cruise ship, the Mare Australis or Via Australis, the National Geographic Channel's preferred vessels for sailing through Patagonia. The captain and crew will welcome you with a cocktail reception on board. Set sail through the waterways of Tierra del Fuego as you make your way to the mythical Strait of Magellan. Mare Australis (Passengers on the January and March departures will travel on the Via Australis, the Mare's sister ship). (B,D)

Cape Horn

Day 7: Cape Horn & Wulaia Bay. Today's voyage brings you to the legendary Cape Horn. Sail through the Beagle and Murray Channels to disembark in Cape Horn National Park. Cape Horn, a sheer, 1400ft promontory where the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean merge, was discovered in 1616 by the Dutch commercial expedition organized by Isaac Le Maire. The Cape owes its name to the Port of Hoorn, the expedition's departure point. By afternoon, reach Wulaia Bay, once the site of one of the region's largest aboriginal settlements. This area is also renowned for the mesmerizing beauty of its vegetation and geography. Walk through a Magellanic forest of Lengas, Coigües, Canelos, ferns and other native vegetation to reach a breathtaking lookout point. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Gunther Plüschow Glacier. Today, you'll view glaciers galore, beginning with the awe-inspiring Gunther Plüschow Glacier, named after the region's pioneering German aviator. Continue sailing to Chico Sound, where you'll disembark in Zodiacs to observe the majestic Piloto and Nena Glaciers. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Magdalena Island & Punta Arenas. Early this morning, go ashore at Magdalena Island, home to an immense colony of more than 120,000 Magellanic Penguins. Observe the penguins up close during a walk to the picturesque lighthouse that guides ships on their way through the Strait of Magellan. (Since the island's penguins migrate in early April, passengers traveling between April and September will instead visit the sea lion colony on Marta Island). After this visit, sail to Punta Arenas, disembarking late this morning and transferring to the airport for your flight to Santiago. (B)

Everyone returns from Patagonia to Santiago

Day 9: Santiago. Upon arrival, meet your guide and drive to your centrally located hotel where you'll meet up with your fellow passengers to share stories and experiences of your Patagonian explorations. Crowne Plaza Hotel (B).

Casa de la Moneda

Day 10: Santiago. Morning at leisure in Santiago, bustling capital of Chile, located between the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Andes Mountains. This afternoon, enjoy an orientation tour that showcases both the colonial and modern highlights of the city. Begin at Santiago's famed Jockey Club and then proceed to Centro Civico and Plaza Constitución. See the Casa de la Moneda, one of Spanish America's most stunning examples of colonial architecture and the current seat of the Chilean government.

Continue to the the bustling Plaza de Armas, veritable heart of Santiago and home to the baroque Cathedral Metropolitana, the magnificent Post Office building, the Natural History Museum, and the best place to view the dozens of lively street artists and mimes and busy "Santiaguinos" on their way to and from work. End your tour with a spectacular panoramic view of Santa Lucia Hill, site where Santiago was founded in 1541. (B)

View of Santiago

Day 11: Depart Santiago. Enjoy your final day in Chile at leisure to explore Santiago at your own pace. Stroll through the café and gallery-lined streets of the bohemian district of Bellavista, admire the cultural legacy of the Americas at the impressive Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, or shop for antique treasures in the charming neighborhood of Lastarria.

Concha y Toro winery

Or, take an optional half-day tour of the Concha y Toro Winery. Wine aficionados and novices alike will delight in visiting the winery where some of Chile's best known wines are developed and produced. The visit begins with a stroll through the park and the Pirque Casona, the colonial mansion and former residence of the Concha y Toro family. At the vineyards, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the different varieties of grapes and methods of vineyard management. The main attraction of this century-old winery is the legendary Casillero del Diablo, the cellar where founder Don Melchor Concha y Toro stored his best wines. Of course, no tour would be complete without a wine tasting. Throughout the tour, you have the opportunity to sample wines such as the Don Melchor, an exceptional and complex Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Casillero del Diablo Carmenere, a variety that is grown commercially only in Chile. Later today, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. (B).

Day 12: Arrive USA. Your exciting South American adventure ends today as you arrive in the USA this morning.

Iguazú Pre-Tour Extension

Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare to visit Iguazú Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders.

Iguazú Falls

Day 1: Depart USA.Your fascinating journey to South America begins as you depart from Miami this evening on your overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Day 2: Arrive Iguazú. After arrival in Buenos Aires, transfer to the national airport to board your flight to the Argentinean side of Iguazú Falls. Check in at your deluxe hotel, the only one located within the Iguazu National Park. You'll soon discover why this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the greatest natural wonders of the world! Set at the border of Argentina and Brazil, the falls consist of 275 inlets and cataracts that send their cascades roaring 250 feet below and cast multiple rainbows over the water.

Enjoy the remainder of the day leisure to explore the Falls on your own. There are plenty of trails through the rain forest that lead up to and around the Falls. They are well-marked and make for excellent exploration and picture-taking (be sure to protect your camera if it's not waterproof). Later in the afternoon, take time to relax and cool off at the beautiful hotel pool. Sheraton Iguazu Hotel. (B)

An Iguazú Falls trail

Day 3: Iguazú. Enjoy a morning visit to the Argentinean side of the Falls. Travel through the rain forest to the Devil's Throat for a spectacular, close-up view of the of the falls. You will find trails around the Falls that afford multiple views of the roaring water as it cascades over the rocks in a dazzling and awesome display of power. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore further on your own. Or, take advantage of an optional nautical adventure along the Lower Iguazú River, sailing under the Falls. Later this afternoon, be sure to take time to stroll through the laid-back town of Puerto Iguazú. (B)

Ram and Meena Ramachandran in Iguazu Falls Meena and I immensely enjoyed the tour, guide and the company of many friends. The hotel accommodations and the meals were superb. The Lake Crossings to Argentina and the Iguassu Falls were spectacular views. We plan to take China and Egypt tours with Friendly Planet soon. We have been talking to many of our friends to join us in 2008 vacation adventure with Friendly Planet, who makes exciting excellent arrangements, worry-free. Looking forward to the companionship and friendship during our 2008 vacation

— Ram and Meena Ramachandran, Richmond, Virginia

Day 4: Depart Iguazu. Enjoy a morning at leisure to take advantage of the lovely resort activities at your hotel. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Buenos Aires, before beginning the next leg of your tour tomorrow (See Day 1 of basic tour itinerary). Amerian Buenos Aires Park Plaza Hotel (B)

***Space on the Iguazu Extension is extremely limited and is subject to availability.