Alexander+Roberts
Patagonia In-Style (5 Day Program)
Day 1: Welcome to Santiago, Chile
On arrival, you'll be warmly greeted and escorted to your hotel. This afternoon, you'll join our engaging native-born guide for a private walking tour of the capital, beginning with Colonial-era landmarks like La Moneda Palace. Continue through the lively streets of downtown to the Plaza de Armas to see the Cathedral and City Hall. Discover some of Santiago's loveliest and most avant-garde districts and take a short stroll through Parque Forestal, a lovely riverside park. Refresh in a local café with an ice cream or cup of coffee and then visit La Chascona, the former home of Pablo Neruda; hailed as South America's greatest poet, Mr. Neruda won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1971. End your day atop San Cristobal Hill for spectacular views over the city.
Day 2: Onward to Patagonia
Fly to Puerto Arenas, where you'll be met for an unforgettable overland journey to your lodge. Your stay includes many uniquely planned expeditions, from easy to active. The lodge's experienced guides and naturalists will present the included explorations that will be offered during your stay based upon weather and terrain conditions. Considering your personal interests and physical ability, you can select from a variety of full- and half-day guided excursions. Options include leisurely hikes through the expansive Patagonian steppe and Magellanic forest, explorations of ancient caves adorned with prehistoric cave paintings and megafauna fossils, and exhilarating treks to stunning destinations such as the French Valley and Ferrier Lookout. You can also enjoy kayaking on pristine mountain lakes. For an additional cost, you can arrange fishing, boating on Lago Grey, or a visit to a local estancia. Meals B+D
Day 3: Adventures in Patagonia
Explore Patagonia's soaring landscapes and pristine waterways with our lodge's expert guides and naturalists. You might venture deep within Torres del Paine National Park or join an exclusive activity closer to your lodge. Each evening, the lodge staff will present the excursions to be offered the next day. They're led by their superb naturalists, so you'll learn much about Patagonia's geology, flora and fauna. At the end of each thrilling day, you might relax at the bar with a Pisco Sour or a glass of fine Chilean wine. Meals B+L+D
Day 4: Another Day in Patagonia
Arise once again to the breathtaking natural scenery that surrounds your lodge. Breathe in the pristine air and sit down to a hearty breakfast. Then embark on the naturalist guided expedition - perhaps an easy hike or a more challenging full-day trek deeper into these remote landscapes. End your day on a high-note, admiring the lake and mountain views from your private terrace. Then join your fellow guests for another congenial dinner in the restaurant. Meals B+L+D
Day 5: Back to Santiago
After a final breakfast at Patagonia Camp, enjoy the scenic return journey to Punta Arenas for your included flight to Santiago. Our tour services end with your arrival in the capital. Meals B
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
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: Flavors of Patagonia - 4 hours
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXCURSION
- An orientation tour of Punta Arenas
- A private culinary experience with a renowned local chef
DESCRIPTION
The Walking City Tour begins at Main Square Plaza Muñoz Gamero and Old Town with its European arquitecture, public buildings 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 became one of the most active ports of the Southern Cone.
To continue towards the area near the port and regional market where will meet up with Luis Gonzalez, Chef and owner of the unique Remezon Restaurant which offers wild flavours that come from this part of the world. Thus his proposal has been awarded and praised by many visitors.
Luis Gonzalez enjoys sharing his Patagonian recipes and culinary secrets with those who come to the Remezon. Today we’ll be doing some grocery shopping together at the market and his favourite spots and afterwards enter his kitchen where cooking is not only fun but we’ll also learn more about Punta Arenas culture, its people and way of living at the ends of the world.
After participating in preparing some delicious dishes it will be time to sit back and enjoy lunch.
Before leaving Luis will surprise you with a very special memento of this Patagonian culinary experience.
*Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
Operational notes :
Duration : 4 hours
Level of activity : Easy.
Meal plan : Lunch with wine at the Remezón restaurant
Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
Punta Arenas - A day on a Patagonian Ranch - 5 hours
Punta Arenas - A day on a Patagonian Ranch - 5 hours
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EXCURSION
- The local fauna
- Typical Patagonian lunch
DESCRIPTION
This journey begins as we take off from the city towards the north. Once leaving Punta Arenas enjoy the scenery of the pampas and Patagonian steppe; rheas may be seen alongside hundreds of sheep.
In 1852 Bernard E. Philippi brought some sheep from Chiloé (island across Puerto Montt) and in 1877 the governor Double Diego Almeyda traveled to the Falkland Islands and brought 300 sheep that were sold in Punta Arenas. The following year other traders brought more sheep, and thus began the business of farming and today represent one of the main economic activities in the region. The principal landowners were English and Scots, who knew the handling of sheep and the necessary infrastructure.
Rio Penitente farm was founded by Alexander Morrison, a Scottish pioneer in 1891. Today his descendants are in charge, and will be here to welcome visitors to their charming ranch to explore their facilities, discover the traditional work around the farm, and watch the sheep working dogs and a sheep shearing exhibition.
The comfortable old-world setting provides sharp contrast with the raw beauty of the beech forest and open pampas of the surrounding Patagonian Landscapes. The clear water of Rio Penitente, flowing through the farm, offers excellent trout fishing.
For lunch an exquisite Patagonian barbecue will be served at the main dinning room.
*Travelers will be transferred from the pier to the excursion sites by car
