Patagonia Tour Discover The Wonder

Discover the Wonder of
PATAGONIA
October 21 – November 2, 2010

Take a journey of a lifetime and discover the natural beauty of Patagonia.
We will be a small group about 14 – 16. Taking a tour in this size group
insures us the fullest experience of our adventure.
www.GalapagosBest.com
Contact: ElizabethJanecka@yahoo.com

We will experience the unique landscapes and wildlife of one of
Earth’s wildest regions.


We will walk along the fauna filled beaches. We will also board an open
boat to observe the whales along the Peninsula Valdez.


Through our journey we will see and learn about the flora and fauna from the
Magellanic Penguins to the Andean Condors.

Los Glaciers National Park
We will hike and photography the most beautiful and unique
landscapes of Patagonia.

Truly a photographic opportunity awaits us. See the beauty and hear the
life of the glacier as our tour boat takes us closer.


From glaciers to waterfalls we will truly experience the wonder of Patagonia.

We will have a journey that will change and enrich our life through
the experience with the people of Patagonia, their culture and the
extraordinary beauty this region has to offer.

Leading us through our journey of South America will be
Fausto Rodriguez, a naturalist and owner of GALAPAGOS BEST.
This privately owned tour company in Ecuador caters to
individuals and groups that desire a custom planned journey to:
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR, PERU AND PATAGONIA


Patagonia spans Argentina and Chile from
the Andes to the Antarctica.


Your journey of a lifetime starts October 21, 2010
Day 1
BUENOS AIRES
Arrive to Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport where you will be personally greeted by Galapagos Best
owner Fausto Rodriguez. Then we drive to the city and check into our Hotel. Lunch is on your
own. This afternoon we visit La Boca where we walk famous Caminito Street, flanked with multi-
colored tin houses and home of the famous Boca Juniors Soccer Stadium. Next pass by the Plaza
de Mayo to see the Casa Rosada, the Cabildo and the Cathedral. We also get to see the
renovated Puerto Madero area and the elegant and frequented Recoleta District. 4 *Hotel
(such as Dolmen Hotel, 525 Nogaro, Regente Palace Hotel) D ( welcome dinner )

Day 2
PENINSULA VALDES
This morning we transfer to the domestic airport for flight to Trelew Airport. Our naturalist guide
will meet us at the airport. Later drive Puerto Piramides which is the only small town on the
Peninsula Valdes. This Barren Peninsula, to the untrained eyes, is bursting with wild life. Here
we will board an open boat to observe Right Whales ( apporx. 2 hour boat tour with guide ) Continue
into Peninsula Valdes, we will arrive to Estancia La Ernestina (estancia means a working ranch),
bought at public auction by Don Santiago Copello on April 10th, 1907. Almost 100 years later,
the fourth generation decided to share the natural beauty and abundant wildlife within the
property’s 30,000 acres. The estancia has private beaches where very few other tourists go. This
afternoon we will be able to walk amongst thousands of Magellanic penguins that every year,
between September and March, mate and nest on these beaches. Full board with drinks is
offered at this lodge.
Estancia La Ernestina B – D

Day 3
PENINSULA VALDES
We enjoy another morning at La Ernestina. Visit Punta Norte Nature Reserve, the most famous
animal observation point of Peninsula, right in the middle of La Ernestina. Here we will observe
a sea lion colony, also the graceful guanacos (a South American camelid), a big rodent locally
named “mara”, the fast rheas and some elephant seals. We might alter these activities
according to the tides, as it is better to go to Punta Norte with high tide.
Estancia La Ernestina B – L – D

Day 4
PUERTO MADRYN
Today we drive to Caleta Valdes, a particular inlet that encloses the largest variety of sea fauna
in Peninsula. This thin strip of land with a length of 22 miles is propitious for the development
of a great population of sea mammals, sea and shore birds and some typical species from the
Patagonian steppe. The beach, protected from the sea and the wind, is the ideal scenery for
elephant seals. Early in August, the first adult males begin to arrive in order to seize an area of
the beach and gather the females that will be part of their harem. Lunch is available at this
place at your own expense. After that, we continue or drive to Puerto Piramide, the only small
town on the Peninsula Valdes, on the way to Puerto Madryn, next destination. Along the way,
we will have plenty opportunities to watch maras, guanacos, rheas and terrestrial birds.
Check in at the Puerto Madryn waterfront.
B (Lunch is on your own ) D


Day 5
EL CALAFATE
Today we transfer to Trelew Airport to fly to El Calafate. This town is situated on the shores of
Lago Argentino and is the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park . We check in to a small
Hosteria ( Inn ) on the shores of the lake, where many birds congregate to feed in this round Bay.
Upon arrival, we will look for birds around El Calafate surroundings, such as Laguna Nimes to
search for the Magellanic Plover, Andean Ruddy Duck, Cinerious Harrier, Upland Geese, Black-
faced Ibis, and coots.
Hosteria Los Hielos. B

DAY 6,
EL CALAFATE - LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK
We have a full day excursion at Perito Moreno Glacier. We will departure from the pier Bajo de
Las Sombras to enjoy the Nautical Safari. This excursion takes us on a cruise across Brazo Rico,
passing beside icebergs, which have calved off the south front of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
Reaching the Icebergs Channel, our boat will stop at a safe distance from the glacier, continuing
to sail down its entire front, allowing spectacular view of the high wall of ice. The excursion lasts
approximately one hour and provides a totally different perspective of the Perito Moreno Glacier,
one of the best known glaciers of all for its impressive 90 ft tall wall and the closeness to the
main land, with almost constant falling walls of ice from its front. This stable glacier is named
after the creator of Argentina ’s National Parks, who maped this area in the 19th century It’s a
unique opportunity for photographers and nature lovers alike.
Hosteria Los Hielos. B - BL


Day 7
TORRES DEL PAINE
Today we drive across the Andes, through low valleys towards Torres del Paine most of the drive
is along the flat windy Patagonian steppe we will have great panoramic views. On the drive we
will be looking out for birds such as Tawny-throated Dotterel, Chocolate-vented Tyrant, Least
Seed-snipes and Black-chested Buzzard Eagle. Darwin Rheas, Crested Cara-Caras and foxes
are usually spotted on this route. We clear Argentine customs, then Chilean customs at Cerro
Castillo to head North towards Cerro Guido Ranch at the foothills of the Sierra Baguales. We
spend the afternoon looking for rare birds found in this area such as Yellow-bridled Finch,
Ochre-napped and Cinnamon-bellied Ground Tyrant, Greater Yellow Finch, Grey-bellied Seed-
snipe and the mighty Andean Condors. We will stay over night at Cerro Guido Lodge which
is situated at the foot of the Sierras Baguales which has the best panoramic views.
Cerro Guido Lodge B - D

Day 8
TORRES DEL PAINE
Today we drive into Torres del Paine National Park, passing by Laguna Amarga where we view
the best views of the Paine Towers. In this area many guanacos will have small “chulengos”
(as their young are called), we search the Paine River for Torrent Ducks until we reach the
beautiful waterfall Azul where if it is not windy we can enjoy a picnic lunch. We next head South
West passing by Lake Nordensjold, visit the Salto Grande and continue on to Lago Grey where
we check in to the Hosteria Lago Grey for the next 2 nights. We will be looking for Austral
Blackbird, Silvery Grebe, maybe a Shrike tyrant or Canastero or 2, and the beautiful Spectacled
Duck. Along the drive the French Valley and the Paine Grande complete the scenery, so have
your cameras ready.
Hosteria Lago Grey. B – L - DA


Day 9
TORRES DEL PAINE
Today we stay in the area of Lago Grey, where we walk across the Pingo River where we again
search for Torrent Ducks, once in the Lenga woods we look out for Austral Parakeets, Thorn-tailed
Rayadito, Dark-faced Ground Tyrant, Patagonian Sierra Finches and with much luck an Austral
Pygmy Owl. After a half mile trail in the woods we reach the shores of the Grey Lake where many
icebergs have been drifting with the wind and they hit the frontal moraine. There are huge
icebergs that have calved off the Grey Glacier. In the afternoon we may take another short hike
along the Pingo River or go to the Administration of the Park area to look for water birds such as
Flying Steamer Duck, White-tufted Grebe, Plumbeous Rail and keep your eyes open for snipes
hiding in the grasses. Over night at Hosteria Lago Grey. B – L - D

Day 10
BUENOS AIRES
Today we transfer to El Calafate airport to fly back to Buenos Aires . We arrive at Buenos Aires and
transfer to the centrally located 4* Hotel Tonight we will experience a Farewell Dinner Tango
Show with the best quality singers and dancers.
B–D

Day 11
BUENOS AIRES
This day is for our last opportunity to shop for gifts for friends and family and tour the city on our
own before we transfer to the airport for our flight home which will leave tonight at 9:00 pm.
B ( lunch and dinner is on your own )


Itinerary Outline: Oct. 21 – Nov. 2

Oct. 21. Travel Day
Fly out from your local city to DFW Airport in Dallas Texas to catch American Airline flight # 997
which leaves for Buenos Aires at 7:35 pm. (overnight flight arrives in Buenos Aires at 7:55 am on
Oct. 22.)

Oct. 22 Day One
BUENOS AIRES Arrive in Buenos Aires at 7:55 am Check into 4 * hotel, City Tour

Oct. 23 Day Two PENNINSULA VALES
Flight to Trelew Airport then drive to Puerto Piramides to board an open boat to observe whales
(2 hour boat tour) Stay at Estancia La Ernestina B-D

Oct. 24 Day Three PENINSULA VALDES Visit Punta Norte Nature Reserve
Second night at Estancia La Ernestina B-L-D

Oct. 25 Day Four PUERTO MADRYN
Drive to Caleta Valdes and then continue the drive on to Puerto Madryn
Check in at Puerto Madryn waterfront B

Oct. 26 Day Five EL CALAFATE
Transfer to Trelew Airport to fly to El Calafate Hosteria Los Hielos B

Oct. 27 Day Six EL CALAFATE – LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK
Boat cruise across Brazo Rico – 1 hour Hosteria Los Hielos B-BL


Oct. 28 Day 7 TORRES DEL PAINE
Drive across the Andes Check into Cerro Guido Lodge B-D

Oct. 29 Day Eight TORRES DEL PAINE
Drive into Torres del Paine National Park Check into Hosteria Lago Grey B-L-D

Oct. 30 Day Nine TORRES DEL PAINE
Tour Lago Grey area Second night at Hosteria Lago B-L-D

Oct. 30 Day Ten BUENOS AIRES
Transfer to El Calafate Airport to fly back to Buenos Aires Check into 4* Hotel
Farewell Diner with Tango Dance Show

Nov. 1 Day Eleven BUENOS AIRES
Return flight home at 9:00 pm On flight # 996 Lan Airlines ( American Airlines )
Arrive in the US @ DFW on Nov. 2 at 6:00 am. Catch flight from DFW to Local City

Tour Cost - $ 4,435.00 per person ( double occupancy )
Plus domestic airfare $ 665.00
Does not include International Flight from USA
We will book the flight for you or you can book your flight.
Please contact us for International flight scheduling and cost.

Elizabeth Janecka
575-829-4367
ElizabethJanecka@yahoo.com


Patagonia Tour Discover The Wonder

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