NumBum - PATAGONIA EXPLORER

PATAGONIA EXPLORER

What is it like at the uttermost end of the earth? If you have been pondering this question then our PATAGONIA EXPLORER is the trip for you. We travel by private vehicle and stay in hotels. Our days are filled with vivid image after vivid image, Just the names say so much. Tierra del Fuego. Magellan. Beagle channel. Fitzroy. Guanacos. Condors. Flamingos. Granite towers. Glaciers. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! This is big country and the open steppes remind me of my home in Montana only this is at the uttermost end of the earth. Join us for your chance to immerse yourself in the language, culture and landscape of Patagonia.

Day one; Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile and transfer to our hotel.

Day two; Sightseeing in and around this frontier town and its museums including a trip to "the Devils Throat".

Day three; We journey north (the only direction not requiring swimming) from Punta Arenas through the Chilean landscape. The pampas grass waves to us as we drive by. We pass through the village of Puerto Natales and the end of the road is our lodge near Paine National Park.

Day four through six; Sightseeing, hiking and boating in and around Paine National Park with views of the famous Torres del Paine. The three hikes we take are short and spectacular. All hiking is below 4000 feet. It is very important to have stable footwear and windproof/waterproof outerwear, after all this is Patagonia!

Day seven; Cross the frontier with Argentina and on to a lodge near El Calafete. Along the way we should see guanacos, condors and rheas.

Day eight and nine; We explore this area by boat, horseback and on short hikes. We view Lago Argentina, Lago Viedma and the Moreno Glacier, the only glacier on earth that is growing!

Day ten; Driving north we reach the village of El Chalten. El Chalten is on the north shore of Lago Viedma and there is a café there that makes the most wonderful strudel. After a climbing trip to nearby Fitzroy my partner and I managed to eat an entire tray of strudel. Unfortunately such an act is now beyond my abilities and I will not even try no matter how I am encouraged.

Day eleven; After a short drive we enter Glaciers National Park and take a short day hike. The object of the hike is an opportunity to see the elusive summits of Cerro Torre and Fitzroy. The wind is brisk here, keep in mind just over the Fitzroy Massif is the Patagonia Icecap which extends almost to the Pacific Ocean!

Day twelve; With the lakes and mountains behind us we travel down river to the bustling seaport of Rio Gallegos. We spend the night here on the coast of the Atlantic. The are shops, museums and an opera house. We can arrange for a Tango lesson for anyone who wants one!

Day thirteen; Recrossing the frontier we are back in Chile and much of the day is spent winding along the Atlantic coast. We are back in Punta Arenas at the end of the day and will have a wonderful farewell dinner. This is a good opportunity to exchange addresses if you haven't already done so.

Day fourteen; Transfer to the airport and begin journey home OR we can arrange for you to take the boat to Puerto Montt. This is a 3-4 day voyage. From there a train (or bus) can take you north to the wine region of Chile. If you haven't tried a Chilean wine this is a good chance. I guarantee you will want to take some home. The wine region is near Santiago, Chile and connections home. If you have the time I highly recommend this extension.

Click here to download a pdf version of the contract.