argentina 23

ARGENTINA
AND A CRUISE TO THE PATAGONIAN GLACIERS
& FJORDS OF CHILE

February 15 – 25, 2024

A unique tour visiting new and different places.

The first part of our itinerary will take us to Patagonia and the southern most points of South America. Here we will board our cruise ship and sail through awesome archipelagos, channels and gulfs to tour this incredible territory.

Magical encounters await us with the age-old ice formations of Glaciers and multi-colored icebergs. We will visit towns like the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre. To Fiordo Quitralco, where we will have an opportunity to enjoy its hot springs. Disembark on small boats to explore picturesque villages and visit handicraft markets and local museums. And we will marvel at beautiful and unique natural landscape wonders plus abundance of land and sea wildlife. While onboard we will enjoy gourmet meals including regional dishes, an open bar, and of course, all meals come with a variety of wines, beers and soft drinks that are included free on the cruise.

Then to Argentina that occupies the long slender “cone” of southern South America, and our stay in Buenos Aires that features a very different feel from the rest of the continent. It’s an elegant and cosmopolitan city whose wide boulevards are as attractive as her plazas, museums and cathedrals … not to mention the outstanding cuisine.

And don’t forget we are traveling south of the Equator, so February is the summer season with great weather … on a “Once in a Lifetime Journey.”

ITINERARY

1st day: Thursday, February 15 – To South America
Depart for JFK Airport where we board our overnight connecting flights to the southern most part of South America.

 2nd day: Friday, February 16  – Arrival in Puerto Mott (D)
Arrive in late evening local time in Chile. After Immigration and Customs, we board our coach for the transfer to our cruise ship, the Skorpio II for our overnight. We settle into our cabins for a well deserved rest before we start our cruise the next morning.

 3rd day: Saturday, February 17 – Cruising the Archipelago of Llanquihue (B/L/D)
We have breakfast onboard at our leisure before we depart from Puerto Montt and start to sail through the archipelago of Llanquihue, and passing the city of Calbuco. In the late afternoon we arrive in Quemchi on the island of Chiloé. Here we will disembark to small boats to travel to the picturesque village. Quemchi is a Huilliche word that means ‘rusty land’ and is a Chilean commune. This small island town which has a population of 3,000 inhabitants and continues to maintain Chiloés local culture. Its colorful streets and wooden houses covered with shingles are a faithful reflection of a past and enchants tourists who walk along its streets.A highlight of the island is the museum dedicated to Francisco Coloane, a Chilean writer born in Quemchi He is considered one of the best exponents of Chilean narrative. Coloane describes man’s constant battle for survival in an unfriendly environment. Also take time to visit the Quemchi church, known as the Colo Church. It is built of “Coigüe” and cyprus wood on top of a stone base and was declared a National Monument in 1999 as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Building. Return to our ship and continuing sailing south along the archipelago of Chiloé, as we cross the Gulf of Corcovado at midnight.

4th day: Sunday, February 18 – Cruising through Moraleda & Ferronave channels (B/L/D)
We navigate through the channels of Moraleda and Ferronaveas and soon we arrive at the fishing village of Puerto Aguirre . This is a picturesque village that was settled by Fishermen who began to build their houses on narrow streets in 1940. What makes this port stop unique is when the village children come to the dock as the ship approaches. After disembarkation, they start talking with the tourists. They sometimes even act as village guides. This tradition continues today, and every Sunday morning the dock fills with children waiting for the arrival of Skorpios.  If time permits, we can trek along an Austral forest path to view the beauty of the surrounding trees and their colors. Return to our boat and cruise until our arrival at Islote Barrientos.  Again we disembark to smaller boats and approach the rock formations to visit one of the largest bird colonies in South America,  and where these birds live along side South American fur seals. Return to our boat and head further south, arriving later in the evening to Caleta Quesahuen or Punta Leopardos which is 20 nautical miles from the San Rafael Glacier, our goal for viewing the next day.

5th day: Monday, February 19 – Cross Tempanos Channel – San Rafael Glacier (B/L/D)
In the morning, we depart Punta Leopardos and cross the channel of Tempanos to the entrance of the San Rafael lagoon and anchor about a mile from the Glacier. Weather permitting, we board excursion boats to cruise among the multicolored icebergs. Discovered four centuries ago by the Spanish navigator Juan García Teo, today San Rafael Glacier is one of Patagonia’s most internationally-known natural beauties. The ice of the San Rafael Glacier is more than 30,000 years old. Its frontal area is almost two miles wide and the overall Glacier is 10 miles long. Its peaks soar to over 200 feet, while the lower underwater part is close to 700 feet deep. The ice originates from the Andes Mountains and its flows of different colored ice are absolutely unique. Afterwards we return to our ship as we approach the Glacier from a different view point before setting sail for the Quitralco-Fjord.

6th day: Tuesday, February 20 – Berthing at Quitralco (B/L/D)
Arrival on Quitralco where we berth. Quitralco which means “Waters of Fire”, was a resting place for the canoeing Indian tribes that hunted and gathered in the area, and is a declared a Natural Sanctuary by the Chilean National Monuments Council. The region is part of an ancient glacier bed surrounded by mountains and features hot spring installations with pure and warm thermal waters. We will have time to get into our bathing suits to enjoy an inside or outside hot spring pools with temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees. For those who do not want to bathe in the waters, the site also offers walks and fishing. If weather permits there will be boat excursions to the inside of the Fjord. Afternoon departure for Chiloé, through the channels of Moraleda and Pérez Norte.

7th day: Wednesday, February 21 – Cruising the Gulf of Corcovado (B/L/D)
As we cruise the Gulf of Corcovado and want to get up real early, we may be lucky enough to observe humpbacks or blue whales.  Continue sailing along the east coast of Chiloé, with a morning arrival at Islote Conejos. Located in the commune of Queilen, on Chiloé’s large island, Islote Conejos attracts tourists with its extraordinary biodiversity. In addition to the penguins that travel to the inlet every season (which are the main tourist attraction), other regular visitors are the Austral and Chilean dolphins, that playfully greet every craft that sails through the area. After we board our small boats to reach the island, we silently approach this islet which really is a bird sanctuary. We do not go ashore so as to protect this bird habitat. The excursion lasts about an hour before we return to our ship and continue sailing. Back to our ship as we sail through the islands of Lemuy and Chelín, arriving in Dalcahue, where we will have some free time to we visit the handicraft market, the church and stroll along the promenade before returning to our ship for the Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

8th day: Thursday, February 22 – Morning arrival Puerto Montt & depart for Buenos Aires (B/D)
Morning arrival in Puerto Montt. After breakfast, we disembark our ship and transfer to the airport for our flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival we transfer to our reserved hotel accommodations. In the early evening we will depart for a special evening featuring a wonderful Tango show and dinner.

9th day: Friday, February 23 – In Buenos Aires (B/D)
This morning we start our day with a tour of the city known as “The Paris of South America.” Highlights will be the Plaza St Martin, the Cabildo (City Hall), the Avenue de Mayo the fascinating Recoleta Cemetery to visit Evita Peron’s grave. The balance of the day is free to explore the city. Maybe discover the colorful Bohemian sights of Boca. Or hunt for antiques on the cobbled streets of San Telmo. Dine at one of the many wonderful steak houses. In the afternoon, it’s Gauchos and Estancias. Images of black Spanish hats, woven Indian shawls, baggy bombacha pants and sharp swords come to mind when you think of Gauchos. This will all come to life as we visit a private estancias (ranch) to see them demonstrate their riding skills. There will be a carriage ride on the property and optional horseback riding. Then we feast on a parillo, featuring local grilled specialties and get to experience the pampas traditional way of life on the Plains. Return to Buenos Aires in the early evening.

10th day: Saturday, February 24 – Morning in Buenos Aires. Afternoon depart for JFK (B)
Our morning is free to relax and do some last-minute shopping. Everything about Buenos Aires is exciting and in some ways different. And no better way to experience this taste of Argentine culture is to visit the Barrios. It’s a distractive city neighborhood with its own character and history. In the afternoon, we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to JFK.

11th day: Sunday, February 25 – Arrival in JFK
Arrival at JFK in the early morning. After Immigration and Customs, it’s back east to Montauk.

 

TOUR INCLUDES

• Roundtrip transportation from Montauk to JFK
• Roundtrip air to  Chile and return from Argentina
• Inter-Chile/Argentina flights
• Airport transfers
• 7-day/6 night Patagonia Fjord cruise
• 2 nights deluxe accommodations in Buenos Aires
• All hotel service charges and taxes
• Breakfast every day
• Additional lunches and dinners as per itinerary
• Transportation by coach and air in Argentina
• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Sightseeing entrance fees
• National Park fees

CRUISE INCLUSIONS

• 6 Nights accommodation onboard Skorpios II
• Choice of Inside or Outside cabins with option to upgrade
• Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
• Welcome drink
• OPEN BAR WHILE ON CRUISE
• Wine, beer, spirits & soft drinks at meals
• Daily excursions as detailed in the itinerary
• Thermal Bath at Quitralco
• All onboard activities and presentations
• National Park Entrance Fees

SPECIAL FEATURES IN ARGENTINA

• Welcome dinner and Tango evening
• Afternoon Gaucho Ranch tour & BBQ dinner

Cabin Descriptions & Locations (note that we have a blocked allotment so cabins are assigned on a “first come-first served basis)

All the cabins we have reserved are on the Acropolis, Olympus or Athens decks,
and each comes with a spacious en-suite private bathroom, TV and telephone

1^st picture is a typical Acropolis Deck outside cabin with a window and twin beds

2^nd picture is a typical Olympus Deck outside cabin with a window and queen-size bed

3^rd picture is a typical Athens Deck inside cabin with twin beds

PRICING

PRICE PER PERSON Based on accommodations in cabins as below

Athens Deck (inside cabin)
Per Person in Double Occupancy room:
$5,299 payments via check
$5,579 credit card

Per Person in Single Occupancy
$6,599 payments via check
$6,969 credit card

Acropolis Deck (outside cabin with window)
Per Person in Double Occupancy room:
$5,399 payments via check
$5,679 credit card

Per Person in Single Occupancy
$8,169 payments via check
$8,599 credit card

Olympus Deck (outside cabin with window & Queen size bed)
Per Person in Double Occupancy room:
$5,499 payments via check
$5,789 credit card

Add to above costs:
U.S. airline facility security and tax charges and Port Charges: $499 ($525 credit card)
Prepaid Gratuities for the land arrangements and cruise staff: $80 ($85 credit card)

INITIAL DEPOSIT
$850 ($900 credit card)

Non-Refundable deposit due on or before September 20, 2023 to guarantee space

FINAL PAYMENTS: Due on or before December 10, 2023

 

Please Read the Terms and Conditions for this Tour

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Travel Insurance
RMC Travel highly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Travel Insurance, and we therefore provide you with an easy way to contact RMC’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.