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| Highlights: |
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Tour
Leaders Professional Photographers Susan and Neil Silverman
and Argentine native Rea Franjetic |
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Tango
tour and Tango show in Buenos Aires |
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Four
day cruise along Cape Horn and the Beagle Channel from Argentina
to Chile |
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Two
nights inside Torres del Paine Park |
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Two
nights in Chalten at the foot of beautiful Fitz Roy Mt. |
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Perito
Moreno and Upsala Glaciers in Argentina |
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Three
nights in the UNESCO Heritage Wildlife of Peninsula Valdes |
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Rarely
visited Welsh settlements on our way to Bariloche |
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Esquel
and El Bolson, true Patagonia towns off the beaten path |
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Bariloche
and the enchanted Lake District |
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Time
to hike and photograph the surrounding areas |
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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. |
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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
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| Pre-Tour
Cruise starts in Buenos Aires |
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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 |
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*The
Mare Australis has few A cabins available. Book early!
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| MAIN
TOUR STARTS IN PUNTA ARENAS, Chile |
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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 |
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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
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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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 |
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Please
contact us for costing.
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| Tour
Leaders |
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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. |
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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. |
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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
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