Cosmopolitan Adventure Tours

HomeSouth AmericaMiddle EastEurope
 

 
Highlights:
 
•   Tour Leaders Professional Photographers Susan and Neil Silverman and Argentine native Rea Franjetic
Tango tour and Tango show in Buenos Aires
Four day cruise along Cape Horn and the Beagle Channel from Argentina to Chile
Two nights inside Torres del Paine Park
Two nights in Chalten at the foot of beautiful Fitz Roy Mt.
Perito Moreno and Upsala Glaciers in Argentina
Three nights in the UNESCO Heritage Wildlife of Peninsula Valdes
Rarely visited Welsh settlements on our way to Bariloche
Esquel and El Bolson, true Patagonia towns off the beaten path
Bariloche and the enchanted Lake District
Time to hike and photograph the surrounding areas
 
Our tour is a cultural and a photographic experience as well. Many of the locations have been chosen for those keen photographers who want the "sweet light" and for those non-photographers who would like to absorb the stunning beauty and drama of the Patagonia at its best. It is a trip for those who love to see new areas and capture in their minds the typical mood of small towns and their people. This visit, designed and led by Rea Franjetic an Argentine native, combines overlooked unique areas with access to very special people and places.

Our Pre-tour will start in Buenos Aires with a glimpse into unique Tango venues of music and dance. The restaurants and food, as well as the hotels, have been carefully chosen to reflect the spirit of Chile and Argentina. No deluxe chains but comfortable and characteristic places selected for their location like Hosteria Pehoe, a charming hotel in the center of Torres del Paine Park which will allow us to take hikes right from the hotel's door or relax and watch the 'towers' from the hotel itself.

Our visit to Chalten in Argentina offers an awesome and inspirational location. A place that allows you to discover the peace of the mountains, at the base of imposing Fitz Roy Massive. From here we can take many walks, from easy to challenging, enjoying the breathtaking views of the Andes along the way and stop whenever we wish.

At the privileged natural preserve of Peninsula Valdes we will stay in a Posada near the sea with local rustic décor.

Then Esquel and El Bolsón, a dream paradise in a pristine setting surrounded by woods, mountains, lakes and rivers. San Carlos de Bariloche on the shores of glittering Nahuel Huapi Lake in the province of Río Negro. The city stands out for its architectural features and for the beauty of its landscape surrounded by the Andes mountains, woods, lakes, glaciers, and an exuberant flora.

In each place our local guides, who live in the area, are the very best and work to promote a high-quality, respectful approach to tourism.
 
We have designed this tour to give each one of the participants freedom to relax or be active, join the photographers or not, follow the trek to the end or take it easy. Our guides will be there for everyone
 
Pre-Tour Cruise starts in Buenos Aires
 
Day 1 - Buenos Aires
Arrival in Buenos Aires. Arriving early this morning, we have time to relax at our hotel before our afternoon tour which will highlight the beginning of the Tango dance and music. In the evening dinner and tango show. D

Day 2 - Buenos Aires - Ushuaia (Mare Australis Cruise)
We fly south to Ushuaia. Land of legends and adventures, Ushuaia is an inevitable attraction for those who wish to arrive at the end of the map and the beginning of an adventure that can be only found at the end of the world. City sightseeing tour before boarding the Mare Australis.* We set sail for Puerto Williams, the southernmost town in the world. B/D

Days 3-4 Patagonia
We cruise to Cape Horn, where the Atlantic meets the Pacific, and disembark for a visit to its National Park before continuing through the Beagle Channel, its spectacular "Avenue of Glaciers" and the Strait of Magellan. From Zodiac excursions to the base of a glacier and forested nature walks to wildlife sightings, each day offers new discovery and incomparable scenery. 'Mare Australis' B/L/D

Day 5 Patagonia - Punta Arenas, (Chile)
We stop at Magdalena Island, home to an enormous penguin colony, and walk to San Isidro Lighthouse, which once guided sailors on their way through the Strait of Magellan. Later we bid farewell to our crew aboard 'Mare Australis' as we disembark in Punta Arenas. B
 
*The Mare Australis has few A cabins available. Book early!
 
MAIN TOUR STARTS IN PUNTA ARENAS, Chile
 
Day 1 Punta Arenas, (Chile) Torres del Paine Park
Our main tour starts in Punta Arenas where we begin our drive into Torres del Paine Park. We will arrive at our hotel at an ideal time to take pictures of the 'Torres", facing our hotel, while the sun goes down. Hosteria Pehoe B/D
Day 2 Torres del Paine National Park - The Torres Trail
We dedicate this day to one of the most photographed and spectacular hikes in the park: The Torres Trail. We transfer by bus to the starting point. We cross a suspended bridge and hike the slopes of the Almirante Nieto Mount, bordering the Ascencio River. After a one hour hike we reach the Valley and Chileno Refuge. From here the trail leads us through the forest and an unforgettable landscape to Las Torres base camp. We trek one hour more to reach the Las Torres Viewpoint, an amazing natural amphitheatre at the bottom of the vertical granite towers that reach 2800 meters height. We return by the same way. (Total 7-hour trek. Shorter hikes will be offered as well as the possibility to enjoy the Hotel and its surroundings. ) B/Box lunch/D
Day 3 Torres del Paine - Grey Glacier to Calafate (Argentina)
Full morning excursion to visit the Grey Glacier. This is an impressive Glacier; 115 square miles and 16 miles long! It overflows from the Continental Ice Field falling into Grey Lake. The Glacier produce enormous amount of blue icebergs that sail over the lake pushed by the wind toward the south, giving the lake its characteristic feature.

During this fascinating day we cross the Chilean Patagonia through rolling grasslands with views of the magnificent Southern Andes into Argentina. Overnight in Calafate. B/Box lunch
Day 4 Calafate Upsala Explorer
Full day excursion to the Upsala Glacier located in Los Glaciares National Park.
This imposing ice river, 3 km. wide and 50 m high, descends from the Andes Continental Ice provoking ice cracks and explosions during its slow forward movements. Because of its breathtaking beauty and unusual behavior it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO B/L
Day 5 Calafate - Perito Moreno Glaciar - Chalten
After breakfast an exhilarating minitrekk on the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier. In the afternoon we will travel by bus to El Chalten, known as the National Capital of eco-adventure tourism overshadowed by stunning Mount Fitz Roy. In this area we will try typical products like the famous sheep cheeses, the marmalades and liqueurs made from local fruits and find handicrafts inspired by the different aboriginal groups that used to inhabit the south extreme of the continent. Hotel Lunajuim B/D
Day 6 Chalten - Fitz Roy
Full day excursion in the Fitz Roy Area with wonderful photo opportunities, weather permitting, of the Fitz Roy peaks. Here we will appreciate the flora and fauna of this area. We drive towards the Rio Electrico to start our hike with views of the Marconi and Piedras Blancas Glacier. Later we continue to the Capri Lagoon and start our return to Chalten. B/Box lunch/D
Day 7 Chalten - Peninsula Valdes
In the morning we will be transferred to Calafate Airport to take the flight to Puerto Madryn for our visit to Peninsula Valdes. Hotel La Posada de Madryn . B/D
Day 8 Peninsula Valdes Punta Tombo, Penguin Colony
Full day visit to this privileged natural habitat. A magnificent colony of millions of Magellan penguins that meet every year for mating and giving birth. Special pathways permit close contact with these small amusing animals. B/Box Lunch/D
Day 9 Peninsula Valdes
Full day excursion to the ecological world of Peninsula Valdés. We will pass through San José's Gulf, stop to watch the Bird Island and finally arrive at Puerto Pirámide. We will take the boat and continue to Punta Norte, having lunch previously in Hotel Faro Punta Delgada. B/Box lunch/D
Day 10 Peninsula Valdes - Esquel
Today we will start a fascinating drive west into the Andes across seldom visited country, towards Bariloche, stopping along the way to discover ancient Indian vestiges and typical Patagonian fauna and flora. We will overnight in the old town of Esquel surrounded by the unmatched beauty of the Andes Mountains. B/L
Day 11 Esquel - El Bolson
Before leaving the town of Esquel we will visit the Indigenous Museum, located in the old RR Station. It has archaeological pieces of the pre-hispanic culture of the area, fossil remains, petrified wood and vegetable remains more than 15,000,000 years old. We will leave by way of lookouts that offer panoramic views of the city and continue to Alerces Park, the forest of millennial larches, some 2,600 years of age, 60 meters high and a diameter bigger than 2 meters. We will continue to El Bolson, an artist hideout in a spectacular valley. B/L
Day 12 El Bolson - Bariloche
In the morning we will continue to Bariloche along some of the most enchanting scenery in the area. We will stop for tea in Travelin, a town founded by Welsh immigrants in the 19thC, and hopefully try their 'black cake'. Continuing along the magnificent Andes Mountains we will stop for lunch and have time for an easy hike under the shadow of splendid Mount Tronador. Overnight in Bariloche. Bariloche is one of the most important tourist destinations in South America and one of the main attractions in Argentina. The city is surrounded by forests, lakes and crystalline rivers, sheltered by the Andes mountain range, where some of the peaks covered by eternal snow can be seen. Young people love this place because of its night life, music and trendy clubs. B
Day 13 Bariloche
Today we will have the opportunity to participate in the life of a working estancia, one of the oldest and most picturesque in the area as well as taste their celebrated 'asado' (barbecue), hike, horseback ride or just relax and enjoy the varied landscape. B/L

Day 14 Bariloche
Today we will have a free day to enjoy any of the many possible activities as well as the culinary variety of the area. Mountains, rivers and lakes provide the Patagonia with excellent products. Trout, deer, wild boar and lamb are the base of some of the typical dishes. Mushrooms and chocolates add an unmistakable flavor to thei specialties. B

Day 15 Bariloche - Buenos Aires - USA
Departure for Buenos Aires and your connecting flight home. Or spend a couple of days in Buenos Aires. B
 
Please contact us for costing.
 
Tour Leaders
 
Susan and Neil Silverman invite you to join them through this spectacular landscape to share with those who fancy their enthusiasm for outdoor photography. They work together in many different fields of photography. Design firms and ad agencies represent their work nationally and internationally. Susan and Neil have traveled just about the world giving workshops and taking outstanding pictures. They are well versed and studied in both digital and film based cameras, studio lighting and as well as natural lighting.
 
Rea Franjetic lived in Argentina for over 15 years. She is the owner of Cosmopolitan Adventure Tours and has conducted and organized tours all around the world. Her personal contacts and special touches throughout our tour will add to the awe and wonder of the Patagonia.
 
 



[ Home ] [ South America ] [ Middle East ] [ Europe ]

Cosmopolitan Adventure Tours
Larkspur, CA
1-800-569-6228 or (415) 924-4627, (415) 927-7653 (FAX)
info@cosmopolitanadventuretours.com
CST #1012223-60

  

Members of:
The International Ecotourism Society
The Association of Retail Travel Agents