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Afternoon: Arrive in Santiago, Chile, and transfer to the hotel. Check in and take the afternoon to unpack and relax. In the early evening you will meet with your group for introductions, a review of the program itinerary and site orientation.
Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Orientation, followed by an excursion to Chile's wine country. Start at the famed Santa Rita Winery in the Maipo Valley. A visit to the Santa Rita installations in Alto Jahuel constitutes a fascinating trip through Chilean history and viticulture. Santa Rita was founded in 1880, and was owned for many years by one of the country’s most famous poets. They pioneered the planting of Bordeaux varietals and now are considered one of the best wineries of the country. In the May 2007 issue of Wine Spectator their 2002 flagship Cabernet was rated 92 points.
Lunch: Lunch at La Casa de Dona Paula Restaurant, currently a National Monument named after Ms. Paula Jaraquemada, the former manor owner of Santa Rita estate over 200 years ago.
Afternoon: After lunch explore the Museum of the Andes (Museum Andino), which houses a stunning private collection of indigenous art and culture of Chile.Then discover one of the most important and productive wineries in Chile, Concha y Toro Vineyard. Founded in 1883 near the picturesque little town of Pirque, it still maintains all the traditions of Chilean wines. The Wine Advocate awarded their icon Carmenere wine, Carmin de Peumo 2005, 97 points.
Dinner: Dinner at the hotel
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Transfer to the airport for a group flight to Punta Arenas, Chile
Lunch: Lunch en route
Afternoon: Arrive in Punta Arenas and transfer to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. Overnight at Patagonia Camp, located on the shores of Lake Toro, overlooking the Paine Massif and just minutes from the park entrance.
Dinner: Dinner at the lodge
Activity note: The field trip listed today is only an example of the type of activities available at Patagonia Camp. While at the camp, you will be able to pick and choose from a variety of activities depending on your own fitness level and interests. Please see the end of this booklet for a description of the other hikes and activities available.
Breakfast: Breakfast at the lodge
Morning: Laguna Asul & Condoreras: The first stage of this scenic route is an hour and a half-long vehicle ride along the road to Bahia El Bote to Condoreras, where the hike will begin. A gradual climb of about 30 minutes to reach the top leads to an unparalleled view of the Paine Massif, an unusual perspective of Sierra del Toro and Sierra Contreras. The strong winds in this spot bring to mind an intense feeling of freedom.
Lunch: Picnic lunch
Afternoon: The journey goes on to "Laguna Azul" lagoon, a 45-minute ride by car and a perfect rest for your legs! The lagoon is located in the northeastern area of the park, and from here again you will have a view of the Paine massif from an unconvential angle. Once there, there is an easy walk along an almost flat trail for approximately 4km (2.5 miles), towards Lake Paine. The main attraction is always a wonderful view of the three famous Torres del Paine standing out in the midst of the painting.
Dinner: Dinner at the lodge
Activity note: The field trip listed today is only an example of the type of activities available at Patagonia Camp. While at the camp, you will be able to pick and choose from a variety of activities depending on your own fitness level and interests. Please see the end of this booklet for a description of the other hikes and activities available.
Breakfast: Breakfast at the lodge
Morning: Salto Grande: Salto Grande is an imposing and powerful waterfall, approximately 15m high, that drains into the waters of Lake Nordenskjold and the Paine River into the majestic, turquoise-colored Lake Pehoe. The combination of elements and roaring waters create an amazing spectacle of sound and color. Enjoy the natural energy of the waterfall while viewing the Paine massif in the background. A not-to-be-missed sight in Torres del Paine National Park.
Lunch: Lunch at the lodge
Afternoon: Lake Toro Waterfall Hike: Enjoy a beautiful and solitary spot just a few minutes away from the hotel and within our grounds. The trail starts only 500 meters from the entrance to the Camp, bordering the vast Lake Toro and its splended waters, with gleams of striking blue and turquoise colors changing every moment depending on the light. After approximately a 40-minute walk you will arrive at the base of teh Cascada Del Toro waterfall, which is surrounded by native woods, lush vegetation and a variety of birds - an ideal excursion for bird lovers! While visiting this secret spot you can take beautiful pictures from yet another angle of the Paine Massif, Los Cuernos, La Sierra and Lake Toro.
Dinner: Dinner at the lodge
Breakfast: Breakfast at the lodge
Morning: Coach to Punta Arenas.
Lunch: Lunch en route.
Afternoon: Arrive in Punta Arenas. In the afternoon, you will attend a briefing to provide important information about your upcoming voyage and review the essential guidelines for your Antarctic voyage.
Dinner: Enjoy a welcome dinner to meet your Antarctica expedition staff and travel mates. Up until today, you have traveled exclusively as a Road Scholar group. The following voyage to Antarctica aboard the Ocean Nova will also include non-Road Scholar passengers from around the world.
Activity note: The distance between the airfield and the shoreline is a downhill 15-20 minute (1.5 mile) easy walk. Staff is available to drive those passengers who prefer not to walk. The transfer to the ship is done by Zodiac boat. Mobility is essential for getting on and off the ship.
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
Morning: Morning at leisure as you prepare for your flight to Antarctica. Transfer to the airport. Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands.
Lunch: Lunch en route
Afternoon: Arrive in Antarctica! As you exit the airplane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the surrounding Chile's Frei Station and Russia's Bellingshausen station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your vessel. At Frei Base, facilities are quite essential - do not expect an air and a sea terminal as you may find in most cities of the world. The airfield, called Aerodromo Teniente Marsh, is located in the heights of Frei Base. At a distance of about 3km (1.5miles) downhill, close to the horeline of Fildes Bay, passengers can take advantage of transit facilities. Here hot drinks are available, as well as toilets. The "Ocean Nova" is anchored in the middle of Fildes Bay. Since at Frei Station there are no docking facilities, the transfer of passengers and their luggage between the coast and the vessel is performed by Zodiac Boats. Staff will take care of transporting participant luggage on board the aircraft and the ship. Participants are required to take care only of their personal carry on luggage. At Frei Base you will be provided with a lightweight life jacket that must be worn at all times in the Zodiac while cruising.
Dinner: Dinner on board the MV Ocean Nova
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
Morning: No journey to Antarctica is the same, and flexibility is the key to a successful voyage. The on board Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by nature, crafting unique and extraordinary experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel or many other magnificent places.
Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
Afternoon: On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow Road Scholar participants and ship guests.
Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the compnay of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides.
Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
Afternoon: On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow Road Scholar participants and ship guests.
Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
Morning: Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the compnay of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides.
Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
Afternoon: On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow Road Scholar participants and ship guests.
Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
Morning: Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the compnay of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides.
Lunch: Lunch on board the ship.
Afternoon: On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow Road Scholar participants and ship guests.
Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
Morning: Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas.
Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Afternoon at leisure to pack and prepare for your flight home.
Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel